The Counter
2901 Ocean Park Boulevard
Santa Monica 90405
(310)399-8383
It's good to have choices. And we always say, "Why choose? Have both!" AKA the INK special.
That's one of the reasons we like The Counter. You can go crazy and build your own burger, drowning in a multitude of toppings and a sea of sauces. Start with beef, turkey, veggie or grilled turkey in 1/3, 2/3 or 1 pound sizes. Are you one of those poor folks foregoing carbs? You can even go with the burger in a bowl sans bun.
But alas, Delicacheena gets overwhelmed by so many options so we went with the pre-designed creations. UE ordered the Unique Veggie, JM opted for the Taco Turkey and INK, ever the lover of the limited engagement requested the Burger of This Month, Peruvian Style Alaskan Halibut Burger. "Flavored with Sweet Onion Annatto Paste. Served over Chopped Watercress and Shredded Jicama. Topped with Hearts of Palm and Pickled Red Onion. Served on a Hamburger Bun with Pebre Aioli." The halibut was smoky and moist and the toppings which seemed liked they would be overwhelming added just enough crunch and acidity. Oh, and did we mention all three are quite aesthetically pleasing?
After the generous, but not gratuitous burgers (and orders of breaded and fried dill pickle chips and the fifty/fifty with half onion strings and sweet potato fries), we decided to share the shake of the month. Our server was gracious enough to give us each our own cup with a third of the s'more shake of vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, graham cracker and mini marshmallows. Besides the chunks of cracker and marshmallow, the tasty shake was a bit thin, but we really couldn't handle anything more substantial.
[Also serve wine and beer]
Showing posts with label salad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label salad. Show all posts
Monday, September 17, 2007
Thursday, March 15, 2007
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. . .
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. . .
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Good food for good weather
Clementine
1751 Ensley Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Ph: (310) 552-1080
When it's a bright and sunny day, we can't help but go to Clementine for food that matches the weather! This place is great for breakfast, lunch, take home dinners and desserts. They even have curbside pick-up for those avoiding the line during prime eating hours (be sure to call ahead).
Fortunately, we arrived around 1:30 pm and found a parking meter spot relatively quickly. Always try the small lot behind the building first, but you can usually find meters along the street. When we walked in, we were greeted with fresh baked smells and a glass counter filled with banana cakes with cream cheese frosting, peanut butter sandwich cookies, sunshine corn cakes and butterscotch brownies with walnuts, (INK says don't miss the cupcakes, especially the chocolate with whipped cream filling and the coconut!)....we can go on, but you get the idea. Walking further into the restaurant, we see another glass case filled with the bright fresh colors of the specialty salad offerings. Behind the smiling face at the counter lists a variety of entrees ranging from sandwiches to meatloaf to pasta.
Once we decided on our lunch order, UE went to snag an outside table while JM ordered at the counter. Our food arrived about ten minutes later. We both ordered the daily 1/2 sandwich and soup with cookie combo. The autumn chicken salad sandwich was perfectly light and hearty made with chicken, apples, celery and grapes. (Order the full sandwiches if you're super hungry). The sweet potato soup was creamy and surprisingly not overly sweet. The best part of a Clementine meal is of course the dessert. Who knew a thumbprint cookie, made with a drop of marmalade on a sugar cookie, could make the rest of the day sunny!
1751 Ensley Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Ph: (310) 552-1080
When it's a bright and sunny day, we can't help but go to Clementine for food that matches the weather! This place is great for breakfast, lunch, take home dinners and desserts. They even have curbside pick-up for those avoiding the line during prime eating hours (be sure to call ahead).
Fortunately, we arrived around 1:30 pm and found a parking meter spot relatively quickly. Always try the small lot behind the building first, but you can usually find meters along the street. When we walked in, we were greeted with fresh baked smells and a glass counter filled with banana cakes with cream cheese frosting, peanut butter sandwich cookies, sunshine corn cakes and butterscotch brownies with walnuts, (INK says don't miss the cupcakes, especially the chocolate with whipped cream filling and the coconut!)....we can go on, but you get the idea. Walking further into the restaurant, we see another glass case filled with the bright fresh colors of the specialty salad offerings. Behind the smiling face at the counter lists a variety of entrees ranging from sandwiches to meatloaf to pasta.
Once we decided on our lunch order, UE went to snag an outside table while JM ordered at the counter. Our food arrived about ten minutes later. We both ordered the daily 1/2 sandwich and soup with cookie combo. The autumn chicken salad sandwich was perfectly light and hearty made with chicken, apples, celery and grapes. (Order the full sandwiches if you're super hungry). The sweet potato soup was creamy and surprisingly not overly sweet. The best part of a Clementine meal is of course the dessert. Who knew a thumbprint cookie, made with a drop of marmalade on a sugar cookie, could make the rest of the day sunny!
Saturday, February 17, 2007
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.
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.
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