After a day and a half of travel, we understandbly took a very leisurely approach to our first full day in Chiang Mai. I made breakfast at our Airbnb, we did a morning workout and then finally headed off to lunch at the well-renowned SP Chicken. I had first heard about it from Mark Wiens who I began to follow during my research of our Japan trip last August. Other foodies like myself have fallen head over heels in love with their food so we wanted to see and experience for ourselves.
As it was a very warm, humid sunny day, we opted to skip the 37 minute walk and ordered a Grab. It cost 80 baht and the driver’s car had the A/C going full blast. Plus our driver was super chatty and mentioned a bit about some of the history and recent conflict in the area. For that history lesson, I gave him a 70 baht tip.
When we arrived, we ordered a whole chicken to share, a plate of stir fried Chinese kale and a spicy lemongrass shrimp soup. The chicken was tender and moist and the other dishes we ordered were equally delicious. The greens was simply seasoned but the soup packed a bit of heat. We were surprised how quickly our orders came out and how rapidly we polished off the food.
After lunch, we headed to Wat Phra Singh which was around the corner. Though it was unmanned, there was a box at the entrance which said it cost 20 baht to enter.
Not having any change, we gave 50 baht. It was our first glimpse at just how opulent the Buddhist shrines are in Chiang Mai. All the gold glistened in the sun. There were several structures and statues within the complex. Not having a guide to explain everything we opted to move on after walking around for about 20 minutes.
We considered walking 13 minutes to the next wat, Chedi Luang, but my husband was getting sunburnt and the hot sun combined with the humidity was starting to drain our energy. We took a tuk tuk for 100 baht and were dropped off right by the front. This Wat had a ticket window and it was double the cost of the prior Wat with many more people visiting. Unlike the last Wat, there was a stand with people providing free sarongs for the women and men who weren’t properly dressed. We headed to the first structure and walked into the temple which had many large gold Buddhas at the back. The decor inside was quite beautiful and ornate. Perhaps it was the heat and humidity or the setup being very similar to a church but my husband was overcome with emotion and expressed his feelings of gratitude for how his life had evolved. We sat down to take a moment and also because the fans were best felt if we were beneath the air flow.
After a few minutes, we headed out to see what else the complex had to offer. Behind the first structure was a large pyramid of sorts, reminiscent of Chichen Itza in the Mayan region but not as massive. Apparently at one point, it was a much larger structure but due to an earthquake what stands now is only half of the original structure. It was still pretty majestic and definitely has a great deal of presence.
Curious about the city’s history, we walked to the Three Kings monument 5 minutes away and went to the City’s Cultural Arts museum to get a better understanding of how the city was founded, why its location was considered to be auspicious and got a bit of background on all those who helped shape the city into what it is today.
Experiencing enough sightseeing, history and culture, we ventured to one of the main things Thailand is known for: massage. I had read about Lila Thai as a business which helped provide a trade and a job for previously incarcerated women so that made it my first choice for massage. We each got an hour and a half oil massage coincidentally during the afternoon’s downpour which we could hear from the massage room on the third floor. My masseuse pummeled my calves which made walking a challenge afterwards.
Luckily, my husband wanted to head back to our Airbnb for a bit so we ordered a Grab and relaxed for about an hour before heading out for our final stop of the day: the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. We headed straight through to Mho-O-Cha seafood restaurant based on its 4 star ratings on TripAdvisor. It reminded me of the delicious and super cheap seafood place, D’Talipapa, we visited in Boracay. Sadly, it did not compare to the quality and flavor as the Filipino version but it was decent and our total bill was 1300 baht.
We were also optimally seated by a bit of color.
After dinner, we strolled around the stalls and saw silk robes, scarves and ties as well as some interesting art and craftwork. We decided to stop at a fish spa as it had piqued our curiosity in Boracay but we didn’t partake. It cost 100 baht for 20 minutes so we each decided it was a good enough deal to try it. I literally screamed and laughed for the first few minutes because it felt weird and a bit ticklish. Eventually, we got used to it and began chatting it up with others who were equally curious or had tried it previously. An older Irish gentleman came over with his adopted Thai son. We discussed how 23andMe proved that my husband was in fact not Sicilian but was 39% British/Irish. The gentleman said that of course that was true as his coloring was similar to his biological son who apparently was sitting on a bench to my left enjoying his own fish spa experience.
To cap off the evening and the day, Troy ordered a mango sticky rice dessert which he had seen on our way in. I think the big grin on his face shows just how much he was looking forward to the decadent indulgence. And that was how we ended Day One.
We had been through Hong Kong once before, on our first visit to Thailand via Phuket. What we recalled was the double customs/security lines so we wanted to allot enough time to go through on our return from our outing.
This time, we had an 8 hour layover and opted to see some of Hong Kong. I bought discounted tickets for the airport express on Klook prior to departure and that made our journey into town that much more seamless. During our 24 minute train ride, we got our first glimpse of Hong Kong. It’s a a city on the water. I’m not sure what I had expected but in some respects, it reminded me of Chicago in that regard. We didn’t see any riots, despite that being on the forefront of the news as of late.
Once we arrived at Hong Kong station on Hong Kong island, we didn’t have far to go for our first destination. It was a 2 minute walk and ride up an elevator to the floor above the train station. Our first priority was sampling dim sum from the famous Tim Ho Wan but we were an hour early before opening time.
To pass the time, we walked outside and around the area, doing some sightseeing, immersing ourselves in the early morning bustle of the financial district.
As we walked around, we quickly were hit with the extreme humidity. We cut our outdoor exploration short as It’s a bit jarring and exhausting on the system to be exposed to 90 degree weather and 90% humidity all in one sitting.
We headed back into the mall to enjoy the A/C. Though the restaurant at the IFC mall was not the one awarded the Michelin star, we figured it was a good introduction and sampling and would satisfy our curiosity. What I can report was the uniqueness of some of the textures and flavor combinations.
There was a dish with a chili oil sauce that had a bit of spice but had more flavor than heat.
The bread dish was surprisingly as light as a chiffon and fluffy.
The steamed fresh shrimp dumpling was a bit doughy but not heavy. It’s definitely a recommend.
We waited about a half hour for it to open but soon after we sat down, the restaurant started quickly filling up.
After dim sum, we headed to Victoria Peak.
Our taxi driver, unfortunately either misunderstood or was trying to gouge us. He took us to a garden but based on my google maps, we still had another 27 minutes to go. We eventually made it there but paid about double the fare that we should have been charged. After being dropped off at the taxi stand, it was a quick walk to the site.
We took a few photos and decided to have a drink at the closest bar.
Then we took a few more Peak photos and headed back.
Once we arrived at the airport, our hunger pangs reminded us it was time for another meal. The next location was chosen by my husband. On further research, his instincts were spot on. The restaurant was previously listed on Michelin’s Bib Gourmand. On further evaluation, it turned out to be a chain and one of the restaurants had actually been awarded a Michelin star, similar to our earlier meal.
The restaurant gave receipts with numbers depending on party size. We ended up sharing a table with another couple.
Famished we ordered with our eyes, literally as the menu had photos. Though we successfully finished the very unique and slightly spicy large bowl of Dan Dan noodle peanut soup and a plate of green beans with minced pork, we had a few more bites left of the chicken, shrimp and fried rice which we packed to go.
Sadly, due to exhaustion, we didn’t end up eating it on our flight to Chiang Mai as we slept the entire time and only woke to eat the meal the flight had for us but we just might be returning on our flight back through Hong Kong and sampling a few other offerings during our short layover.
All in all, we enjoyed our short visit in Hong Kong and immensely enjoyed their culinary offerings. If we could have squeezed in a harbor cruise, that might have rounded out our trip nicely but we definitely have no regrets on what we chose to see and where we ate during our stay.
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The summer’s getaway was inspired by my husband whose massage certification is up for renewal this year. He thought it would make sense for him to take a weeklong Thai massage class in the country where it originated and concurrently, I could partake in one of my favorite past times, cooking and eating!
Once the plan was hatched, I debated between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, but the latter won out in the end, because it seemed less frenetic and more intimate in comparison. We initially wanted to visit during Christmas when the weather will be milder, but it turns out that his certification needs to be renewed prior to the holidays.
We booked our flight with our favorite airline carrier Cathay Pacific and booked an AirBnb close to the center of town. Since we’re traveling during the oppressively humid and rainy summer season, we opted to pack our lightest clothes and but due to the airline’s strict weight restrictions, we still had 1 large checked luggage.
In addition, for the first time in all our years of traveling together, I’m foregoing bringing a purse. It’s just not practical and weighs down one side of my body causing discomfort, leaving only one hand free. I lucked into finding a backpack which is big enough to fit my everyday essentials but small enough so it doesn’t dwarf my petite stature. It has a lot of great organizational features which allow me to find things quickly. In addition, it has the added bonus of having locking straps and compartments, slash resistant straps and panels and RFID blocking, protecting your credit cards from digital theft.
Having been born in Asia and been in tropical climates where the rain can become torrential without a moment’s notice, we invested in several necessary rain accessories. We purchased a travel size umbrella for each of us since we’ll be off on our own adventures for part of the trip.
Thinking back to our times in other tropical climates and watching YouTube videos of vloggers caught in downpours, we invested in oversized ponchos made from the same material as umbrellas rather than the flimsy cheap ponchos available at the local stores. We opted for quality to best shield us from the wind and intense rain. These ponchos also have the added benefit of being large enough to cover our backpacks protecting our electronics from the rain.
We also invested in rain boots. Though we each have waterproof Tevas, after watching several YouTube videos, there does appear to be some ankle-high flooding in the streets at times. As a toddler in the Philippines, during one of the rainstorms, a worm made its way into my system through my foot so since then, I’ve been wary of having my feet exposed in inclement weather since that’s not a souvenir I would want to bring back with me back home or worse, have it ruin my vacation.
Rainy season aside, this vacation is going to be more cerebral than past vacations. According to 23andMe, I’m possibly 5% Thai so for personal reason, I’m invested in an immersive education of Chiang Mai and Thailand. Our sightseeing and excursions will be focused on Chiang Mai’s history, religion, culture and traditions. We’re planning on visiting a few museums, some wats, exploring the night markets, eating their local specialties and trying to get a sense of what life is like as a local.
We are both very excited but are definitely wearing our grown-up hats for this venture. Our goal when traveling is not only to see as much as possible but to leave a city and country having a deeper appreciation and empathy for its people and its culture. Travel should provide a better understanding of place and history and enrich one’s mind and soul.
Here’s a🍸to our ✈️ 🗺 and ⏰ in Chiang Mai 🇹🇭!
The first time we heard about Sakura, we lived walking distance from the restaurant but we didn’t start frequenting it until after we moved away. Over the past 15 years, it’s consistently one of our go-to spots and we’re always happy to return.
On tonight’s menu I ordered the salmon with sashimi and for my husband, a 12 piece sushi plate, a nabeyaki udon and 2 rolls.
My dinner came with a small side salad and miso soup. The lettuce was crisp, cold and fresh and the light sesame vinaigrette had a bit of tang. The miso soup was piping hot and not too salty.
My salmon was a bit dry this time but my tuna sashimi was just right. My husband’s udon comes with either a California or spicy tuna roll. We usually order both which we did again tonight. The spicy tuna had a bit of kick and the California roll was perfectly savory. The rice on the rolls stayed tightly wound around the center.
My husband’s sushi plate was devoured so I’m making the not-so-bold assumption that the quality and flavor were up to par.
He took his nabeyaki udon to go so that he can enjoy the plumped up noodles for lunch tomorrow. Funny story: one of the first times we ate at the restaurant we ordered too much food and by the time the udon came, he couldn’t eat anymore. A day later, he opened up the to-go container and the broth had disappeared. Initially, he was confused and then upset that they had forgotten to give him the broth. That of course made no sense since there would be extra effort to remove the noodles from the broth to pack it up. After he heated it up and tasted it, he realized the noodles had completely absorbed the broth, making that dish even better the next day so that is now his tradition, to order that soup to go, extending the Sakura experience a little bit longer.
The staff is always super friendly and nice. Even when it’s ridiculously busy, the patrons are never rushed and are allowed to enjoy their time at the restaurant. This is one of the many reasons we will keep coming back time after time. Sakura is that rare find with solid food that is reasonably priced, is casual and quite the neighborhood gem.
Sakura
4545 S. Centinela Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90066
I had been eyeing the opening of this restaurant for the better part of the last three months. I first noticed it on one of my evening commutes from my new job which sent me down Motor Avenue. The restaurant is located one street east on the very busy and ethnically diverse Venice Boulevard. A friend had mentioned how much she loved the Jaffa on 3rd but being a Westsider, it takes a lot for me to summon up the energy to veer east of the 405 and north of the 10. I had read that the Palms location would be opening in 2019 so I just decided to bide my time.
We were seated in the covered patio where there was plenty of opportunity to people watch. As the sun set, the string of lights illuminated the patio evoking a romantic evening glow. With it being opening week, the restaurant had a full house with lots of patrons coming and going.
Our starters were the Kubaneh bread and the North African chickpea stew. The Yemenite hand pulled bread came with a mild grated tomato sauce and a slightly spiced green zhug sauce. The Kubaneh was beautiful to look at, almost too pretty to eat. However, that thought was quickly admonished after our first bite. It’s what one would imagine a warm hug would feel like if it could be encapsulated into dinner rolls. The bread was warm and enveloping with a light salty aftertaste. The stew had a hearty flavor with a complex layer of heat and tang from the spicy chilis, green beans and cilantro encompassing each bite. We dipped a few pieces of the bread in the stew which was likely what we would do if we were actually dining at a restaurant in Tel Aviv and that added another layer of flavor to both starters.
Our entrees came shortly thereafter. We ordered the spaghetti with Moroccan saffron butter and the roasted chicken with Moroccan spices set in a dried fruit and olive jus with a side of orzo rice pilaf. One could smell the saffron wafting from the homemade pasta. It had a slightly thicker consistency than other pastas we have tried which gave it a bit more bite than the traditional Italian version. Combined with the Swiss chard, pine nuts, herbs and date vinegar, it was different and interesting, denser and heartier than what we expected but still quite good. The roast chicken was a true delight. It was savory and moist, had a citrus aftertaste and its juices were soaked up by the light fluffy savory spiced rice making it a divine combo.
To end our feast, we were served the knafeh. I had seen a photo of it on Instagram but had never sampled one before. I have clearly wasted decades as this is a unique dessert not to be missed. Jaffa’s knafeh was like a nest of thin straw which were tightly wound phyllo dough with a bit of cheese in the middle drizzled with a subtly sweet syrup. The texture and the combination of the flavors was what made this dessert a winner.
Our first of many dinners at Jaffa was a true success. We will be back with friends and we’re looking forward to sampling the restaurant’s other offerings.
Jaffa Palms
10306 Venice Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90232
http://www.jaffa.la/palms/index.php
There’s nothing like the fear of mortality to make one quake in their boots. My husband was born with a dilated ascending aorta. He first saw a cardiologist about his condition 10 years ago and had been monitoring it annually for about 5 years. Then because the dilation hadn’t expanded and life got chaotic and busy, he didn’t get return to the doctor for the past 5 years.
Earlier this year, we both suffered a long bout with the season’s cough and cold which plagued many, sometimes, like myself, twice over. Exhausted and not feeling 100%, my husband reached out to his cardiologist and after an initial diagnosis, followed by an EKG, a stress test and a CT iodine scan, it was concluded that at some point in the past 5 years, his aorta had expanded .3-.4 cm to 4.9/5 cm. In addition, he has plaque in his heart, has higher than average cholesterol, and he’s in the top 10% worst condition for somebody of his age. If his aorta expands another .5 cm, he has to have surgery or risk it bursting which could be fatal. Saying that to somebody who has been a personal trainer for decades and has led a fairly healthy lifestyle was like dropping a bomb on Pearl Harbor. It just came out of nowhere.
We both went into shock and then I began internalizing some of the stress. I had problems sleeping, concentrating, I felt like I was in a constant fog, and by midweek last week, I thought I was going to have a stroke on the right side of my face. I felt tingling under my eyes and pressure on my right temple and cheekbone. I started taking baby aspirin daily and began thinking about what I/we could do to mitigate the stress.
What we both realized after we took a few steps back is that we’re getting older. Just like a car, the older it gets, the more care it needs. We both took a hard honest look at our diets and lifestyle and started discussing changes.
For my husband, he opted to eliminate all eggs and reduce his consumption of poultry. A vegan client of his mentioned a recent study that all meat, including chicken, has cholesterol. I reminded him that he would not be able to survive on quinoa, beans and veggies alone so we reached a compromise. In lieu of his daily ration of 2 hard boiled eggs I would make organic egg white veggie frittatas. I also offered to bake previously marinaded chicken breasts and carve him deli slices for his sandwiches instead of the high sodium deli meats sold at the supermarkets. In lieu of cheese, I suggested using hummus to add some moisture to his sandwiches. To mix it up I also offered to make chicken salad to swap out the deli meat and in lieu of mayonnaise, use Greek yogurt and mustard. I usually pack him 2 hot meals but I suggested swapping one hot meal for a chicken or salmon salad.
That is the inspiration for these new recipes and dietary tweaks. The first healthy swap is organic chicken salad in lieu of deli meat. People incorrectly assume that eating a sandwich with deli meat is quite healthy. The harsh reality is if it’s processed deli meat, even if it’s organic, it likely has been processed with a great deal of salt and nitrates to preserve the meat and have it last for a long period of time. Neither are beneficial for even the healthiest of people.
In addition, the usual slice or two of cheese is also not the best option for somebody with high cholesterol and a heart condition. Again, even the organic slices of cheese have saturated fat and cholesterol as well as sodium, for preservation.
The best option is to either make your own deli meat, which I will discuss in a later post, or find an a more decadent swap and that is the recipe I put together today. I’ve also listed where I purchased the ingredients.
Without further ado, here’s my Organic Gluten Free, Lowfat, Low Salt, Heart Healthy, Gut Healthy Chicken Salad recipe:
6 organic chicken breasts (Costco)
1/2 a carton of unsalted chicken bone broth (Costco)
1 1/2 cup of organic lemon juice (Costco)
3 tablespoons organic black pepper (Sprouts)
2 cups no fat organic Greek yogurt (Costco)
6 oz organic Dijon Mustard (Sprouts)
2 packs of organic dill (Sprouts)
1. Rinse chicken breasts before placing them in the crockpot.
2. Pour the broth and lemon juice.
3. Sprinkle the black pepper and use your hands to evenly coat and distribute the pepper.
4. Set the setting on low for 20 hours.
5. After 16 hours, use tongs or a fork to shred the chicken.
6. Once cooked, the chicken should have absorbed most of the juices but place the shredded chicken in a colander to eliminate the rest of the liquid.
7. Move the chicken into a large bowl and add the yogurt and mustard.
8. Remove the dill from the stems and add to a small food processor, chopping finely.
9. Spoon out the dill onto the chicken and mix well.
Option 1: Add atop an organic spinach, Brussels sprouts, cucumber, cashew and dried blueberry salad. No dressing needed.
Option 2: Place inside an organic pocket lined with organic butter lettuce.
Enjoy!
We had the great fortune of joining our friends for a special birthday celebration at Slay in Manhattan Beach. It was previously the short-lived Darren’s where we had dined for my sister-in-law’s 40th birthday dinner which we deemed her Tiffany birthday, complete with the breakfast at Tiffany’s DVD, a Tiffany themed birthday cake and a necklace from Tiffany. The company was much better than the food and after our special occasion dinner, we did not return.
Tonight’s dinner experience was much improved. The space had been renovated and had a bit of a nautical old world scheme. The new owner and chef served us a dinner feast which was quite exceptional.
The meatballs we ordered were moist and had a subtle but well seasoned flavor.
Our Caesar salad had crispy romaine bites with a creamy but not overpowering dressing and sprinkles of crispy croutons to round out the texture.
My ahi was sitting on a bed of fries and was perfectly seared and seasoned, and my husband’s filet was tender, moist and flavorful. His pesto mashed potatoes were very unique and truthfully just brilliantly simple and delicious.
Our friends enjoyed their steak entrees as well and the desserts were also delightful.
All in all, it was a 5 star understated and divine experience at Manhattan Beach’s newest additions.
SLAY Steak + Fish House
1141 Manhattan Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
https://www.slaysteakandfishhouse.com
After many repeat visits to the original Sawtelle location, we finally ventured outside of our comfort zone and made a reservation for the Santa Monica location. The determining factor was our ability to make an actual reservation. At some point in the past, I was able to make a reservation on Resy for the Sawtelle branch but that’s not true anymore so Open Table was able to facilitate a movable reservation to the beachside location.
Despite the address being on Ocean Drive which is parallel to Pacific Ocean, the restaurant is actually located on Broadway behind Sushi Roku. In any case, it was still beachside with an exposed restaurant to the ocean breeze. We opted for a deuce on the patio right by the sidewalk so that we could people watch.
Our server, Brayden seemed super nice and was as helpful as he could be. Our orders came out incredibly quick but there were a few hiccups. My vodka martini up no vermouth with a lemon twist had a strong vermouth aftertaste so I sent that back. Our water glasses weren’t refilled. I had to get up and pour myself a glass.
Our baby back ribs and cole slaw appetizer was quite tangy and savory. The ribs were doused in BBQ sauce. They were definitely very rich and we both realized that we needed to refrain from indulging if we wanted to eat our main courses.
My husband’s patty melt came out nicely. Everything was just as he ordered. However, my dish had some challenges. I ordered a salmon BLT with only lettuce, crispy bacon, salmon and mustard. The salmon, mustard and fries came out but no bacon. I kept trying to beckon our server who was at the bar but to no avail. I tried 4 times. I finally asked the hostess and though the strips came out quickly, they were not crispy.
Our server finally came back to check on us and I returned the unacceptable bacon. Round 2 brought 2 strips which also weren’t crispy but clearly had just come off the pan or griddle. *Note to all cooks: Stop frying your bacon. They are greasy, soggy and not crispy. No need to fry a bacon when you just need to crisp them up in the microwave. For each strip of bacon, get a layer of paper towels on the bottom and the top of a paper plate to cover. For example, 2 strips of bacon = 2 layers of paper towels on the bottom and 2 layers on the top, to soak up the grease and crisp them up. Microwave them 1 minute longer than the number of strips on the paper plate so 2 strips = 3 minutes in the microwave, maybe 3 1/2. I learned that from my Food teacher high school in 1993 so not new news.
But I digress. Aside from that, our dining experience was fast, efficient and overall the food was delicious. Since Sawtelle and Santa Monica are equidistant to us, we both love being by the water and we’re able to make online reservations for Santa Monica, it will likely become our regular relatively inexpensive treat for a nice relaxing evening out.
Plan Check & Bar
1401 Ocean Blvd., #104
Santa Monica, CA 90401
When one hears about taco places, there’s the expectation that it should be cheap, inexpensive, fast food. Admittedly, I have the same mindset. Guerrilla Tacos does not fit that mold.
My husband and I weren’t originally planning to dine at Guerrilla Tacos. We made the trek from the Westside to the Arts District to try to head to a Food Bowl Event at Everson Royce but the line wrapped around the corner.
Famished, we decided to figure out what restaurant we had been wanting to try but were reluctant to drive to from our side of town. The first restaurant on Yelp’s list was Guerrilla Tacos. I’ve heard of Chef Wes Avila but had been reticent to make the pilgrimage. Since the restaurant was right across the street from Everson Royce, it seemed fortuitous that Memorial Day be the day to partake.
We came in and lined up to place our order with the cashier. Not having done any preliminary research, we looked up at the menu and the specials and tried to pinpoint what looked interesting. I asked what a scrambled egg was and the cashier mentioned that it’s scrambled eggs with chunks of meat similar to the consistency of a meatloaf ($16). Being a carnivore and lover of eggs, I ordered that to go with my husband’s order of a steak taco ($6), lobster quesadilla ($20) and shrimp & grits ($21). He also ordered a Belgian White ($8) on draft. The cashier suggested ordering my vodka martini with the bartender so after we paid, we grabbed our number and sat at a booth.
There was one bartender and much to my dismay it took 10 minutes before I almost lost it and asked him, after bypassing me for at least 4 other customers, if I could get a martini. He apologized and soon I had my Loft and Bear vodka martini in hand.
Luckily, the first dish arrived right after I paid for my martini. The steak taco seemed colorful but simple and regular size. I only had a bite of a sliver of steak which was juicy and lean. My husband seemed to really enjoy it and mentioned how there was not one bite with a grisly piece of beef and the taco was definitely of a higher quality than others.
Next to arrive was my scrambled eggs which almost looked like a large platter of salad with more than handful of greens nestled on top. I could see it had chunks of beef incorporated within a very thin crepe like consistency of scrambled eggs. I took a bite and the combination of the greens with the herbaceous eggs and the added bonus of the seasoned meat mixture was heavenly. The accompanying “homemade” warm, buttery flour tortillas had a slightly smoky aftertaste and rounded out the dish.
As we were enjoying our first two orders, the server brought the lobster quesadilla. It was not like the traditional quesadilla as it was open faced. Interestingly, the paper thin tortilla was slightly crisp and sitting atop it were chunks and chunks of lobster mixed with a soft sunny side up egg which oozed into the amazing sauce melding all the simple but tangy flavors and textures together.
The shrimp and grits were the last to arrive. They were the most expensive of the items we ordered and the quality and texture of the grits were spectacular, totally worth every penny. Yes, there were chunks of shrimp but the grits, the flavor combination and the creamy consistency were unlike anything we had ever sampled.
Guerrilla Tacos is not your fast food hole-in-the-wall taco place. This is Mexican cuisine which borders on fine dining but in a casual atmosphere and location. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for and Guerrilla Tacos is worth every penny.
Guerrilla Tacos
2000 E. 7th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90021
http://www.guerrillatacos.com
Stark’s is the beautiful replacement to the drab Jerry’s Deli which was a mainstay in the area for many moons. It was a surprise when it finally left but it had served its purpose, the area had evolved significantly and change was long overdue.
The entrance was moved from the right side to the center of the property facing the main parking lot. Walking in, it looks and feels like some of the more upscale restaurants in Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach. The inside of the restaurant looks completely different from its former inhabitant and the clientele looks to be more upwardly mobile. All were great signs from the onset.
Our server “Tweety” and his assistant were really on their game. What happened next was not at all their responsibility. We sat down and ordered drinks which we received fairly promptly. The table to my left ordered a dirty martini and got a very clean but full to the brim martini. The drink was sent back. Our neighbors to my right had not received their meal for some time and when they finally received their salads, one was supposed to not have dressing on it so that was sent back.
Our orders of Margarita flatbread and Caesar salad with chicken had not arrived 25 minutes after our order. What did arrive were our prime steak and pork chop entrees. Two minutes afterwards the starters arrived.
I took one bite of my steak and decided to stop eating it right then and there. I had recently bought prime steak from Costco just down the street and my home cooked steak was much more tender and flavorful than the hockey puck I had just consumed.
I tried the flatbread which had a crispy crust but soggy middle.
The Caesar salad was missing the chicken breast we ordered and my husband’s pork chop was a bit too pink in the middle.
I got up and looked for our server who I brought back to our table. I explained our issues and he asked what I wanted to do. I asked for the fish dish which could be cooked the fastest.
It took about another 20 minutes for the salmon, mashed potatoes and asparagus to arrive. The mashed potatoes were creamy and the salmon was moist, unlike the steak, but it lacked any seasoning. The asparagus was pretty good, a bit charred and smoky. I mentioned that the salmon was lacking in flavor but the texture was far improved.
To our server’s and the manager’s credit, my meals were comped. Before leaving, we spoke with an older couple sitting in the corner booth and asked how her steak was. She said it was good and much better than her husband’s chicken. We asked the couple to my left how their steak was and she had ordered it medium rare and cut it with a butter knife because they forgot to give her a steak knife but she thoroughly enjoyed it and was taking her leftovers home.
All in all, for the first week, there is much to be desired from the kitchen staff primarily. The meals took too long to be served and the food was inconsistent. The servers may be great but a restaurant cannot survive on service alone on the very competitive Westside. There needs to be a major reevaluation and reassessment of the kitchen crew before I would return to Stark’s.
At this point, I cannot recommend Stark’s for anything other than a casual drink at the beautiful bar. Yard House just down the street would be a better bet for those wanting a reliable reasonably priced dining experience and for those looking for a more upscale dining experience, Ruth’s Chris is far superior in quality with exemplary service.
Stark’s
13181 Mindanao Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Grace Gambin
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