Amandine Patissiere 12225 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90025-1105 (424) 901-1249
After a lunch of ice tea with the vegetable omelette, the ratatouille omelette, and the tuna sandwich on soft pain de mie (each with side salad and sour cornichons), you can’t leave Amandine without dessert. We shared the rich, flourless chocolate gateau with a walnut crust at the café and brought home an almond croissant, a banana chocolate tart and an odd, but cute “zoo animal” brioche mouse.
The Waffle 6255 W Sunset Boulevard Hollywood, California 90028 (323) 465-6901
We were not blown away by Nada Surf's latest; it's pleasant, but we had high expectations. Still we had several sing-alongs with the boys at their Wiltern show on the 19th.
Then last Wednesday we had to use our gift certificate before it expired so we got drinks and panini at Hotel Cafe. We think Test Your Reflex would have sounded better without the obnoxious "fans" standing behind us.
What do the above have in common? The Waffle. There's a new go-to food joint in Hollywood for after-concert noshing. The butterscotch-hued diner is near Sunset and Vine, across from the Bowery and Magnolia.
The first night we enjoyed the savory cornmeal and jalapeno waffle with chicken-fried chicken and white gravy; a small comforting chicken pot pie; and a large satisfying steak salad with grilled romaine, mushroom, onions, and peppers; and a bowl of waffle fries. We would have liked both forms of waffles to be crisper, but this was a great late night meal (that we managed to wait for with in case of emergency pretzels from Rockenwagner). The service was friendly, but a bit 2 a.m. wacky. . .
The second night was for dessert after the panini. We shared the waffle sundae with two small malted waffles, vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, and candied almond slices. A good deal for $5 instead of the $8 sweet waffles from the entree section. The waitress claimed "The Pudding" was butterscotch (like the decor), but it tasted like chocolate milk with a layer of dark fudge underneath and topped with whipped cream and strawberries. We opted not to complain as we dipped the shortbread cookies in the creamy goodness. Who needs the bar upstairs when you got pudding downstairs?
[We couldn't help but read some of the other blogs. Perhaps the post-concert, post-1 a.m., on a weekday is the only way to go.]
P.S. Bell X1 can be a bit sleepy and atmospheric on the album, but they shook the Troubadour last Monday. You name the hand held percussion instrument and they got it--maracas, cowbell, ear of corn shaker. . . See it always comes back to food.
If you have a Wednesday off, one of the most pleasant things to do is to visit the Santa Monica farmers market. Sample the locally grown fruits and vegetables and be sure to stop by the Rockenwagner baked goods stand at the end of Arizona. Enjoy a cheese twist or the soft pretzels while strolling the sunny streets redolent of cilantro, raspberries and flowers. . .
But, of course, most of us are slaving away and can't make it before everyone closes up their stands. Luckily Rockenwagner's latest restaurant, 3 Square Cafe + Bakery, are now open.
3 Square is located on the corner of San Juan and Abbot Kinney. Amazingly, it was fairly easy for us to find parking across the street. The cafe is modern and airy, but inviting. The substantial tables made by Rockenwagner extended from the inside of the restaurant to the outside patio separated by the floor-to-ceiling windows. He also included a communal table, like in the owner's previous restaurant, in front of the open kitchen.
As we waited to be seated, we were mesmerized by the dishes leaving the kitchen. The avocado fries, so green and fresh, begged to be ordered and so we obliged. The appetizer of battered avocado wedges was a great mix of crunchy and smooth. Funny how good things get even better when fried (and accompanied by a fire roasted salsa)!
INK was eager to get anything with a pretzel and settled on the pretzel bun burger. The large patty was smothered in caramelized onions and cheese and nothing else. No shred of lettuce, no pickle or soggy tomato. Spicy mustard was offered by the waitress and was a good foil to all the meat and cheese. INK could have gone for some arugula, ala a Father's Office burger, but the chewy pretzel roll, which soaked up the juices, could not be beat. The burger was accompanied by crisp shoestring fries that were enjoyed by all.
JM opted for breakfast and ordered the tasty chicken hash with mushrooms, red peppers, onions and basil topped with two poached eggs. This was a mild dish, but each fresh ingredient could be identified in every bite.
UE decided on a customized dish of three mini sandwiches. She chose the Bavarian meatloaf on a pretzel roll, shrimp grilled cheese and homemade salmon pastrami with horseradish. The sandwiches arrived on what looked like three pastel pedestals, but turned out to be mini bowls with various side dishes underneath each cover. The dish was perfect for the undecided.
From the long list of dessert options listed on the blackboard, we chose the Big-Haired Texan Lemon Tart. The miniature tart with meringue curliques looked like Dolly Parton's head. The dried fruit and macademia nut brittle sprinkled on the plate were so good, we would've been happy just with this one dessert but of course we had a second.
The Mexican chocolate cake had a touch of cinnamon and was served with a scoop of refreshing sorbet. The richness of the cake went well with the tartness of the lemon tart.
Before leaving the restaurant, a visit to the restroom introduced us to the mirror that exhorted us to visit the bakery next door; unfortunately we were too full to take its advice. But we'll be back to try the french toast.
Amandine Patissiere
