Heavy Metal Barbecue

Los Angeles BBQ Festival

L.C.'s Barbeque
5800 Blue Parkway
Kansas City, MO 64129
816-923-4484

No real point in writing about the other pitmasters that we tried (Bandana from St. Louis, Parise from Los Angeles) because the main event at the Los Angeles BBQ Festival, curiously located off the Santa Monica Pier, was L.C.'s Barbeque. . . with a Metal Shop soundtrack.

The (fake) hair band played a two hour set that almost spanned our wait for meaty goodness. We were naive when we saw the line for L.C.'s and thought, "Let's check out the other stands and then come back." But the queue for 'cue had not diminished. We were amused by Bon Jovi and Guns N Roses covers and enjoyed the ocean breezes while slowly easing toward the overworked pits.

When we finally made it to the front, it was mesmerizing to watch the women hack at the sticky smoldering slabs on the butcher block. The saucy ribs and rib tips were worth the wait--tender, with just enough chewiness and crunchy charred bits. And, oh, the smoke! The aroma of leftovers lingered in the car and the house and made the lunchroom salivate the next day.

Side Dish: Josie and Vodbox

Josie Restaurant
2424 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-581-9888

Vodbox at Nic's Martini Lounge
453 North Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310-550-5707

Normally, this would constitute a full review, but, if you haven't noticed already, Delicacheena likes to be "in the moment" on birthdays, not on the job.

TTO not-so-subtly hinted that she wanted to go to the intimate Josie Restaurant on Pico. Delicacheena was happy to oblige. We drank a fruity syrah and started with frog legs--INK insisted because she wanted to see if they really were just like chicken and she likes brown butter and capers--and the bacon-wrapped quail. Both were as expected; the former is like chicken, but a bit gamier and the latter a bit dry, but elevated by the bacon.

The entrees were Australian barramundi (a meaty fish with meaty maitake mushrooms), campfire trout with crisp corn and intensely-flavored tomato, and jidori chicken breast with polenta. Truffle fries are often maligned, but we enjoyed the hot frites along with a side of fried rapini, a new preparation for us.

Dessert was sublime. The almond crust of the lightly-sweetened peach cobbler was between a traditional pie crust and a flaky pastry. The chocolate bread pudding was airy like an eggy souffle.

We moved on to Vodbox, located in Nic's in Beverly Hills. And that's what it is--a box of vodka. We envisioned the glass walk-in refrigerator to be larger, like in the Icehotel in Sweden with an Icebar to "chill" at. Nevertheless, it was fun to don the fake leopard furs and be introduced to vodkas from around the world. We liked Pinky. How much did each cost? Luckily we managed to stick with the ten buck shots.

Side Dish: The Counter

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]

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.

Been There, Ate That. . . too

JiRaffe--Probably the first place we had an amuse bouche. Ahh, INK's foot-themed meal: trout with peeky toe crab and black foot chanterelles. Why don't we go back?

Hungry Cat--Decadent lobster roll, heart-breaking chocolate souffle/creme brulee/bread pudding, few tables. Gotta try the creative cocktails.

!Loteria!--Because you can't always go to San Diego when you get a hankering for potato tacos.

Apple Pan--Burger, fries and apple pie ala mode. Or banana cream. Wonder which of the four veteran servers will be working our side of the counter. No nonsense, cash only.

My Secret Recipe--When you want oodles of spicy little octopi cooked in front of you in Koreatown. Believe them when they say medium is spicy. Wish the rice came at the beginning; like we said, it's spicy. Enjoyed the pa jun, fried pancake with more octopus and lots of green onion.

Bread Bar--Of course, that first visit during its early days was the best because they gave INK a free bag full of brioche and croissants.

Caprice--Don't really remember the French mini pastries too well. It's the experience of ringing the doorbell and either a tall, skinny guy with an accent lets you into the kitchen with large metal tray upon tray of delights. Or its a young woman or Caprice, himself, who will regale you about his youth in Provence. Sometimes its one on one. Other times there is a row of cooks with pastry bags in the background. They're all in their chef whites and they all offer free samples!

Tia Juana's--Soft tacos, so-good-must-be-bad refried beans and rice, handmade tortillas.