For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to experience life and culture outside of my norm.
It wasn’t until my college graduation that I was able to travel specifically to Club Med Cancun. I loved every minute of it and couldn’t believe how turquoise the water was. It’s where I learned to snorkel, was taught the basics of sailing and where I first fell in love with traveling so it will always have a special place in my heart.
I didn’t travel much in my 20s due to financial restrictions but finally in my 30s, I was able to start seeing the world. I have averaged two trips each year for the past 15 years and have been on 10 cruises, 6 Club Med trips, several resort and city stays as well as a handful of vacation rentals by owners.
As I’ve been traveling and learning about other cultures, their traditions and regional cuisines, my palate has grown exponentially as has my curiosity in how to prepare the dishes in my own kitchen. I’ve experimented with combinations of recipes and most recently went to cooking school in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Cooking ethnic cuisine has given me a deeper understanding about the culture, its history and evolution.
I find that food and travel go hand in hand in the thirst for knowledge and if I can help embolden one person to try new cuisines or travel somewhere different outside of his or her comfort zone, then I feel I have done my part as a student of life and an ambassador of my country and my culture. Learning is living and living is learning.
For many years, I had driven by Marty’s Hamburger Stand and had seen the tiny blue stand with people hovering around it, ordering or waiting for their food. A week or so ago, after running a lunchtime errand in the area, I told myself that if I could easily find parking, I would finally stop by and try their burger and fries. Lo and behold, there was a metered parking space right in front! Taking the cue from the universe, I parked and ordered my first meal.
I had a hankering for a double bacon burger lettuce wrap and was torn between tater tots and curly fries. It was a good omen when I was told I could get both. I watched as the burger patties were grilled and as the bag of packaged fresh lettuce wraps were brought from the back of the stand.
Everything came out perfectly. The lettuce was crisp and fresh, the burger patties were juicy and lightly seasoned and the bacon was crispy but not oily.
The tots had a fluffiness and lightness to them while the curly fries were enveloped in a delicious seasoning coating each curl.
It wasn’t the cheapest casual meal but considering the quality, it was totally worth the cost. I can’t believe it’s taken me 20 years to try out Marty’s Hamburger Stand, but if it makes things right, I’ll definitely be coming back for the next 20!
Marty’s Hamburger Stand
10558 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
https://www.restaurantji.com/ca/los-angeles/martys-hamburger-stand-/
I had been to Simpang Asia once before but back then, more than half of the space was a grocery store and a small portion was a restaurant. I don’t recall what I ate, but I was not very well versed in southeast Asian cuisine at the time. Now that we have traveled to various parts of Asia, our palates have been sufficiently educated to appreciate the variety of food that Simpang Asia had to offer. Full disclaimer: we did not realize how large the portions were so we took all the entrees home after eating a few bites.
For starters, we ordered the roti paratha. There were four servings of a delicious, crispy, flaky wrapped bread roll which came with a savory chicken curry dipping sauce.
We also ordered the lemper which were sticky coconut rice rolls wrapped around tender juicy shreds of chicken.
The soto ayam arrived next which was a chicken turmeric soup with noodles, soft boiled eggs, cabbage and bean sprouts. The broth had a a bit of an oily layer on the surface indicating that it had been cooking with the various ingredients for a long period of time.
Next was the seafood laksa soup which was a curry broth with noodles, shrimp, squid, fish cake, boiled egg and bean sprouts. It had a creaminess to it with a bit of heat, tempered by a hint of lemon.
We followed that with the nasi goreng with salted fish. The rice dish was exquisite as teeny bits of the fish were interspersed throughout and the fried egg on top helped to subdue the intense flavor. We also ordered a savory chicken skewer with the dish.
The nasi mantep, a combination platter of chicken curry, egg curry, beef chili, kale curry and green chili relish was served next. The chicken was so incredibly tender, the meat practically fell off the bone.
Last to arrive was one of their seasonal specials, the ayam goreng kremes, an Indonesian fried chicken with rice, vegetables, tofu and tempeh. Simpang Asia’s version was surprisingly light and had a layer of crunchy tempura flake batter giving it a doubly crispy texture.
I was quite pleased at how each dish was executed and the service was exemplary. As the evening went on, the restaurant continued to fill up with predominantly Asian customers which was a true sign of an Asian restaurant’s legitimacy. We thoroughly enjoyed our feast from the “southeast” and have every intention of sampling more of Simpang Asia’s other offerings.
Simpang Asia
10433 National Blvd, #2
Los Angeles, CA 90034
http://simpangasia.com
In my quest to find reasonably priced Vietnamese food on the Westside and in preparation for my upcoming trip to Vietnam, I researched nearby restaurants and came upon Pho Fever Bistro on Yelp. It’s located in a very small strip mall on the corner of Pico and Barrington. It shares the mall with an Indian restaurant and a Subway. There are a handful of parking spaces. Fortunately, there are also plenty of free and metered street parking in close proximity.
The restaurant is quite narrow but deep. There’s a television at the front and lively music playing on their sound system. A few tables were occupied but there was plenty of seating.
I ordered L9, a charbroiled pork and egg roll vermicelli bowl, from their lunch menu which came with a complimentary beverage for dine-in customers. Within five minutes the food arrived.
I could smell hints of smokiness rising from the bowl. The pieces of pork had a slightly charred sweet flavor, reminiscent of the flavor in BBQ pork fried rice. Each strip had a bit of marbling like in slices of bacon but because the pieces were thicker, the pork was a bit chewy. However, the shreds of lettuce, cucumber and carrots tasted fresh and crisp. The lunch special also came with a spring roll. It was crispy and light and added another layer of texture to the bowl.
All in all, it was a very pleasant and enjoyable experience. I can’t vouch for the authenticity of the pork marinade as I haven’t visited Vietnam yet, but I do get the sense that the coloring of the pork might be brighter than normal and it might be a tad sweeter. However, Pho Fever Bistro is a great place to have a quick and inexpensive lunch on the Westside with a casual dine-in experience.
Pho Fever Bistro
2405 S. Barrington Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90064
https://www.phoeversawtelle.com/
Reunions bring to the surface thoughts, memories and feelings that one would normally compartmentalize and store much like seasonal clothing. All these emotions come rushing to the forefront when one is faced with seeing ex-roommates, ex-boyfriends/ex-girlfriends and classmates with whom you once had strong all-encompassing friendships but with the passage of time and the natural evolution of life, have faded and dissipated into thin air.
Unlike my high school years, I had a very close circle of friends and sadly, one of my college roommates had passed away days before our last reunion. I was too distraught and inconsolable to even consider attending at the time so this reunion was the first one without her.
What eased the sadness and void were two high school and college friends who made the trek out to LA and stopped by our home for a pre-reunion toast. With many years behind us, it was hard for me to remember who we each were in high school, but I still had some fuzzy memories of our fun times in college. When I saw them, they looked exactly the same with just a few more years of experience and life behind them.
Being back on college grounds jogged my memory, resurfacing the eager and naive ghost of my youth. Memories of sharing close cramped quarters, rotating kitchen and dinner responsibilities, pulling all nighters, simultaneously dealing with exams and heartbreaks came flooding back.
What I learned from on-campus and college life was the value and necessity of late night chats, on-campus socials and spontaneous late night group outings. The bonds we created and the lessons we learned from those experiences were equally as important as the actual education we received during those formative years.
Some of us have kept in touch over the years but seeing some of the people who were in my circle of friends made me smile and warmed my heart.
Though our time together was short and sweet, I am reminded that it is important to stay connected, to have real and meaningful conversations with friends and loved ones.
As life has shown us in recent years, there are no guarantees in longevity and time is a luxury we cannot afford to waste.
As I’m prone to do on weekends for lunch, I explore and sample different ethnic restaurants that are in close proximity to home. I initially looked for Turkish or Persian food after discovering that Shawarma Land in front of the Turkish grocery had been replaced by a not-yet-opened Hot Nashville Chicken Restaurant. Nothing struck my fancy so I researched the adjoining restaurants to the unopened space.
I had passed by Coppelia’s several times on my previous jaunts to Shawarma Land and recalled that their breakfasts and Lomo Saltado looked interesting. Surprisingly, Coppelia’s has a much more vibrant interior than its previous neighbor. The walls are painted in mustard and pumpkin hues with framed artwork and photos of what I can only assume is a representation of Peruvian towns and life in Peru. The fans seem to cool the space quite a bit so it’s very comfortable dining in as opposed to necessitating takeout.
Fernando quickly greeted me with a menu after I seated myself. I ordered the half Peruvian rotisserie chicken with crispy fries and black beans. It took about ten minutes or so before I received my entree. It was piping hot. I started with the thigh as all foodies do because if that’s not tender and moist, all hope is lost for the white meat portion of the chicken.
It did not disappoint. The meat practically fell off the bone. The chicken had a unique tangy marinade mixed with black pepper and a hint of citrus. The skin was slightly crispy and savory. Surprisingly, the breast was equally tender though obviously not as moist since it’s a leaner and denser part of the chicken. The beans and rice combo seems like it would have been better suited for the roast chicken rather than the fries that I ordered but I still enjoyed them.
All in all, for the amount of food, it’s definitely a good value. I’ve eaten at other Peruvian restaurants like El Pollo Inka and Lonzo’s Restaurant as well as a few other Peruvian pop-ups at Farmers Markets. What I’ve discovered is they each offer a unique take on the cuisine. Coppelia’s rotisserie chicken is quite delicious so I will definitely be back to sample more from their menu. Stay tuned!!
Coppelia’s Bakery & Cafe
10825 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
http://www.coppeliasbakery.club/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=Coppelias%20Bakery%20&%20Restaurant&utm_term=5c991267eea1da0001a9301a
When I worked at Trailer Park, the company participated in a subsidized lunch program for its employees with Eat Club. When Phorage was an option, I quickly and eagerly placed my lunch order and waited with great anticipation until the day arrived when I would finally be able to taste the tasty morsels that came in the special Eat Club package with my name on it.
It’s been a few years since my time at Trailer Park and since my last in-person meal at Phorage. As I’m currently on a Vietnamese bun kick due to our upcoming trip to Vietnam, I decided to place an order for lunch pickup.
I’m sad to say that the flavor of the food has declined since my last visit. I ordered the grilled chicken with imperial roll and vermicelli noodles. I can understand that the egg roll would have lost its crispy texture during the car ride back to work. However, the flavor of the chicken was disappointedly lackluster. From what I recall, a prior iteration of this dish had a citrusy, lemongrass flavor marinaded into the chicken. That’s what gave it a more authentic Vietnamese flavor. Now it’s just grilled chicken on a bed of vermicelli noodles, shredded carrots, lettuce and bean sprouts with a side of very mild sweet & sour sauce sprinkled with a dash of fish sauce.
What I always fear with Asian restaurants is how the quality and flavor of their food diminish and decline over time, as a cost saving measure or perhaps under pressure to Americanize their dishes. I haven’t followed Phorage so I don’t know if they have a different chef or are under new management.
I was so hopeful that it would be my go-to for my Vietnamese fix on the Westside but alas, so far, Saigon Dish in Lawndale has checked off most of the boxes on what an authentic bun ga nuong should taste like. Guess a trek to South Bay is still closer and cheaper than a trip to Vietnam.
Phorage
3300 Overland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90034
http://phoragela.com/
La Esquina has been on my must try list since it first opened. I’m actually glad I waited a bit to try it because it’s not exactly in the best location for visiting at night. It’s on the corner of Venice and National in the same strip mall as Goodwill. In time, the area will be gentrified as Apple and HBO will be moving in the office buildings across the street but for now, there are some questionable loiterers in close proximity. Luckily, it was a bright sunny Sunday afternoon and there was a father and son eating outside so it seemed safe.
It’s a very casual restaurant where you place your order with the cashier and the two person kitchen crew puts the orders together in plain view.
I ordered a carne asada bowl which was delicious and without tax was under ten dollars. The beef was tender and citrusy and it sat on a bed of lettuce with rice and black beans underneath. The onions, salsa and guacamole rounded out the flavors, with each bite getting better and better as all the various flavors began to blend cohesively.
La Esquina is an easy recommend for its value, quality and close proximity to home. I’ll definitely be back!
La Esquina
8905 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
https://laesquinaonvenice.com
Having booked our Christmas trip to Vietnam earlier this week, I was in the mood to get my palate warmed up for their food and a friend had recently recommended an inexpensive restaurant in Lawndale which had received 1673 reviews, mostly 4-5 stars on Yelp. Fortunately, I found myself in the South Bay around lunchtime so off I went.
The restaurant is in a strip mall with lots of parking spaces available behind a Spires restaurant. The interior is very casual. Each table has a number assigned to it. I had one guy seat me and another person take my order which was #28.
The bun tom cha gio thit nuong offered a sampler platter of sorts. It was a room temperature thin vermicelli noodle salad with grilled shrimp, grilled pork, a crispy egg roll, sliced cucumbers, sliced carrots, shredded lettuce, mint leaves, peanuts and bean sprouts with a side of fish sauce per the menu. Having cooked with and eaten fish sauce recently in Chiang Mai, the sauce in my dish looked and tasted milder, much like a sweet chili sauce which was the perfect sauce for the very crispy egg roll.
The bowl was massive with a lot of noodles. There was a decent amount of protein but by the time I finished eating, I likely had at least half a bowl left. The food was tangy, tender, subtly flavored, slightly charred but light. It was a very healthy dish, no oil, just raw vegetables, previously boiled noodles and grilled shrimp and pork and for $8.75 plus tax and tip, it’s a serious bargain. I strongly recommend a visit if you’re even remotely close to the area.
Saigon Dish
15725 Hawthorne Blvd., Ste. 108 (cross street Manhattan Beach Blvd.)
Lawndale, CA 90260
http://saigondish.info/?section=main-menu
After a long arduous week, I wanted to step away from our normal routine, go somewhere different and immerse ourselves in culture, music and exquisite food. We found all of that in Industry Cafe & Jazz.
I had read many of the 4 star Yelp reviews for some time and had viewed the restaurant’s offerings on their site. Being more curious about cuisines new to us and in the spirit of being more adventurous, I decided to finally take the plunge, called and made a reservation for dinner after work on Friday when I knew I would be too tired to think of what to eat or from where to order.
It was our first foray into Ethiopian cuisine and honestly I was super excited. The photos of the meals looked warm and nourishing, perfect comfort food for the soul. We easily found street parking and arrived right when the saxophonist for the evening’s jazz band entered the establishment.
That was a good omen and set the vibe for the rest of our night at the restaurant. The band began playing some light rhythmic jazzy tunes. On a cooler evening, with the crisp fall air entering the restaurant, one could imagine possibly sharing center stage with these talented musicians and dancing to the syncopation of the melody strumming from the rhythmic guitar.
Tonight, in the middle of a very warm, very late summer, the music was best enjoyed while feeling the occasional breezes from the nearby fan and the occasional thrust of cool air from the outside.
The basket of injera we received was filled with about four to five rolls of thin crepe/pancake spongy flatbread. In Ethiopian culture, it’s meant to serve as plate and silverware. You piece off what you need and scoop up the tasty morsels off of the injera functioning as your plate.
I ordered a whole fried trout which was unbelievably good, crispy on the outside and mealy on the inside. By the time I was done, there was nothing left but tail, the skeletal bony middle portion and the head. The red lentils I ordered as my side were quite good as well and had a subtle flavor that complimented the fish quite nicely.
My husband ordered the doro wat which is a traditional chicken stew of onions and tomatoes seasoned with a blend of garlic, ginger and other spices. By the time I thought about asking for a taste, the entire plate had been devoured and licked clean. From what he said the chicken was incredibly moist and flavorful and yet tasted different from anything else he had ever eaten.
For additional side dishes, we also ordered a bowl of mac n cheese, cornbread and fries. In hindsight, we should have ordered the African sides for a more authentic dining experience. The American sides were simple and not complicated and would have been better with a burger or fried chicken.
All in all, it was a great relatively inexpensive evening, combined with the live music and exquisite meal. Our first east African dining experience was a success. The only downside, other than the American side dishes, was the lack of air conditioning so our next visit to Industry Cafe will be timed with cooler weather.
Industry Cafe & Jazz
6039 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
https://industrycafela.com
Grace Gambin
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