Murakami

Mitsuru Cafe
117 Japanese Vlg Plz Mll
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 613-1028

Like all the cool kids, Delicacheena had to visit the Takashi Murakami exhibit at MOCA's Geffen Contemporary. We were bombarded with color, flowers and toothy grins and loved it. As we expect at art exhibits, we experienced moments of "Is that what I think it is?" and of beauty. But we weren't challenged to think too deeply about the art and it was the first time that Delicacheena contemplated buying the same Louis Vuitton bag in a dozen different colors. After deciding we didn't really need to lay down hundreds of dollars on plush flowers (got the coffee table book and pink KaiKai, instead!), we followed our stomachs to Japanese Village Plaza across the street.

Usually we don't miss Mikawaya for mochi ice cream, but it was closed. Fortunately our other standby, Mitsura Cafe was cooking up fresh imagawayaki. They are pancakes filled with red bean paste. INK still wonders who was the first guy to think, "Let's add sugar to beans and make dessert!" Hot off the griddle, theses sweets are irresistible and are the Japanese version of the gorditas de nata enjoyed in Baja. But we can't live on pancakes alone so we also ordered a skewer of takoyaki (octopus balls) drizzled with a sweet sauce, slightly chewy and juicy.

Folks rave about that shabu-shabu spot and the maddening crowd waiting for tables knew what they wanted, but we couldn't endure the wait and a step inside revealed a not-so-nice aroma. We decided to travel west from Japan to Korea. One of Delicacheena's companions, MH, seems to partake in Korean barbecue once a week. We ordered a plate of beef tongue because we could. Hey, it's all you can eat! We decided we don't need to do that again.

Side Dish: Wilshire

Wilshire
2454 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310)586-1707

We really wanted to like Wilshire. It started strong enough, with a savory crispy poached organic egg and an original, tangy and sweet fall tree fruit salad. Unfortunately, the main courses of pork chops and beef shortribs fell short of their price points. Wilshire redeemed itself at dessert. The creme brulee trio and the doughnuts were a perfect way to forget about a mediocre meal. Go for decent, overpriced food or anytime for dessert.

Say goodbye to the summer. . .

Well, the summer's officially over and it's back to pushing paper. But the reminiscing lingers. Soon you can read about Delicacheena's European vacation (bratwurst and beer!), INK in NYC and various other meals to remember. . . or to try to forget.


In the meantime, have the gyro salad and spanakopita at
Papa Cristo's.
2771 West Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90006
Phone: (323) 737-2970 -- Fax: (323) 737-3571

Happy Birthday to Me at Hatfields

Hatfields
7458 Beverly Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90036

It's been too long so just read the captions, study the pictures and drool. Everything is as good as it looks, including the purple Peruvian potatoes.

To drink: French 95, California Sour, 2005 Zweigelt, 2005 Albarino

To start: Croque Madame, Market Salad (not pictured)

To continue: Lamb, Duck, Hangar Steak, Stripped Bass

To end: Beignets, Truffle Cake, Cheesecake.

Side Dish: Eat Well

Eat Well
7385 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 938-1300

What if you're hungry and the hostess says there's 50 minutes wait for dinner at BLD? You walk a block west on Beverly and go to Eat Well on the corner of Martel.

Serving healthy fare and broccolini with every dish, this diner is good for a quick light lunch and not so much for dinner. INK went with the tofu steak served on asparagus. The menu said the accompanying starch would be quinoa, but brown rice was served on the side. There was also an unexpected serving of broccolini. The tofu was light and subtle with a egg-like texture.

The turkey meatloaf arrived with a side of mash potatoes and of course a side of broccolini. This dish was equally healthy and classic with a layer of ketchup on top....just like mom used to make (just not my mom).

UE had the veggie burger with broccolini. The patty was tasty by itself but combined with the whole grain bun, the burger was light as air. The meal was quickly devoured but left just enough room for some late night dessert.

Dearly Departed

Fond memories of:

Norman's--Pig and paella on Friday nights, beautiful setting, friendly waitstaff, mojitos, flambeed banana split prepared tableside consumed in 2 minutes.

Amuse--Little yellow house with Brooke Williamson's market-fresh meals and chocolate mint ice cream sandwich in a skillet. Much more quaint than Beechwood.

Oplaline--Green walls and dessert trios in the ever-changing spot that now houses BLD.

Mago's--Little Hawaiian joint with the tender teriyaki beef on a stick.

Rocco--Luxurious Millionaire's Pasta and refreshing strawberries with balsamic. Luckily the chef is now at old-school Matteo's.

Moustache Cafe in Westwood--Now where are we going to get late-night chocolate/Grand Marnier souffle?

Posh on Pico--Slow, but friendly service. . .tres leches.

Country Market Cafe--Just drove past the place that had great sandwiches and a little gourmet market. Wish it had kept the dinner hours. Pitfire Pizza, a thin-crust place that we ate at downtown, is going to fill the void.

Food with Your Music, Music with Your Food

What's more important to Delicacheena, food or music? That would take more time and space than we have. Plus we'd lose half of our audience (ha ha). Here's a list of places where we can/could indulge both passions. However, "we're not talking fine dining."

The Echo --Nothing like chicken fingers on New Year's Eve. Booths around the perimeter.

The El Rey --Wolfgang Puck's cafe. JM will share her BBQ chicken pizza with you. Chairs and some tables along wall. Don't know what more is upstairs.

The Hotel Cafe --Remember when it was actually a cafe where you could get coffee and panini? They got their beer and wine license some time ago. Lots of tables since the expansion, but can you still get food?

Largo --(Usually) must order full meal if you sit at the reserved tables. Honey chicken? One of Delicacheena's favorite little locations because big mouths are not allowed, in the audience that is.

The Roxy --Garden burger with fries. Comfy raised booths. Depends on how many spots are reserved for the connected. Otherwise you can juggle a drink and a plate of fries right in front of the band.

Temple Bar --Small venue, selection of tea(!) and plantain quesadillas. Plenty of tables and cushy seating.

Spaceland --We've seen a guy with a cooler of tamales and we are willing to try someday, but don't tell the vendor police. Bar stools and tables, booths are usually occupied by the merch folks.

The Troubadour --For the longest time we thought we were just imagining the aroma of fries, but there really is a bitty kitchen in the corner behind the bar in the main room. A typical snack bar with gum, candy, dogs, fresh veggie plate. Fair amount of bar stools, some with tables. Another favorite venue--small with character and history and we can always find street parking.

The Wiltern --We smell the freshly baked frozen cookies, but we haven't partaken of the expensive treat. (Don't like that they don't manage their own website anymore, but are part of Live Nation.)

When Live Instruments Are Not Necessary:
Arena--Haven't been there in awhile, but it was nice to know you could cool off outside with a taco or burger in Arena's Giant and Spundae days. Circus Disco is there Saturday nights now, but Delicacheena feels funny about putting a link. . .

The Golden Gopher Bar --Decent jukebox and the table placards list places that will DELIVER to the bar. Plus there's the convenience-store-like front counter.

Mel's Drive-In --If you went there on karaoke night at the Hollywood Location, you might have heard JM and INK performing Squeeze while you ate your wet fries. Now there's a DJ late Friday and Saturday nights.

Palms Thai --Thai Elvis, anyone? Visit the bakery located in the same strip mall.

Outdoors:

Greek Theater --Bummer, you can't BYO anything, but there is food for purchase: ubiquitous chicken fingers, Pink's dogs, etc.

Hollywood Bowl --Everyone knows about the brilliance of the Bowl. Patina Group knows its way around outdoor dinning. Of course, can be as simple or elaborate as the meal you choose to bring. Haven't had the privilege of box seats. There are benches and tables outside the amphitheater, but its better to eat, hear and see "inside".

Ford Amphitheatre --Cute little guy to the Bowl's big-time sophisticate. We brought sandwiches from Susina and bought wine at the Ford. Such a pretty jewel with the bucolic hillside behind the stage and the stars above. The rain came later.

Been There, Ate That

Other places that we've patronized in the past and enjoyed:

Providence--It's a seafood restaurant with mmmm bacon in every course, including dessert.

Violet--Little dishes and reeeaally little glass of milk and cookies as the coda.

Blue Velvet--After an Edward Scissorhands matinee with the mom, a very early glass of wine and well-prepared dinner. Talk about crazy, but works dessert combinations.

Tender Greens--What, no corn?! But these big, fresh salads with choices of protein are great. Cupcakes don't hurt.

Ford's Filling Station--Everyone knows about this other Culver City stop.

Nook--Comfort food, but the communal table stools are uncomfortable.

Jar--Meat and veggies roasted and braised right. Does it really stand for Just Another Restaurant?

Angeli Cafe--Homey Italian food with great bread. It's fun to watch people try to find the door. Wish that chicken pasta was a regular menu item.

Lemon Moon--Great prepared salads like Clementine. Too bad it's only open during lunch on the weekdays. Knew it would be good before it opened when INK saw the Zumex machine in the window while running.

Joan's on Third--Salads, soups, cupcakes, coffee, gelato.

Spoon House--Spicy Japanese spaghetti with soft French bread.

Zax--We'll alway remember you as our favorite restaurant. . .

Casual Food at Fine Dining Prices!

Wilson
8631 E. Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
Ph: (310) 287-2093


Luckily we had a late lunch since there was a twenty-five minute wait for our 8:30 reservation. But the smells emanating from the kitchen made us anticipate a good meal at Wilson. The restaurant, adjoining an art gallery, has lights of changing colors on the facade. The kitchen is open to the noisy front dining room. We sat on the patio painted with accents of orange. The olive green plastic chairs were a bit stiff, but most comfortable if you sat back and took in the casual ambiance.

Now for the food. We were pleased with the bread, a mix of brown bread sweeten with honey, onion focaccia (UE's favorite) and a country white. Our meals arrived quickly. The slow-roasted pork with polenta was intensely spiced and just sweet enough. Greens layered on top added color. The meat was fork-tender and the African-influenced sauce was dotted with cherries. This is comfort food.

The baby field greens salad was bursting with flavor and color. The greens were surrounded by the homemade croutons, each with their very own tasty treat. While the prosciutto was ordinary, the pesto spread had a hint of curry that made it that more delectable. The vegetable spreads were tomatoes and eggplant. INK especially enjoyed the goat cheese.

The 1/2 jidori chicken laid on a significant pillow of wasabi mashed potatoes with a side of sweet and tangy caramelized onion sauce. The chicken was moist with a thin crisp layer of skin topped with cilantro pesto.....which really tasted like a curried pesto, but still good. Instead of overwhelming each other (and JM), the overall sweet complimented the pesto/curry, however the wasabi was barely noticeable.

Time for dessert! The desserts were simple and satisfying but not inventive. The buttery apple crumble with creme anglaise was very nice if you have a sweet tooth. The creme brulee was standard, but was topped with a generous portion of raspberries.

We were happy with our experience. We proclaimed we would be back! All was good until we were hit with the bill and noticed the $22 desserts we had just consumed! This was no fine dining! Though Wilson started strong with solid entrees and a jolly wait staff, our experience was sullied by the overpriced final course.