Living in Los Angeles, one gets spoiled into thinking and believing that the sun is always shining. In the 40 years I’ve lived in LA, this has been the rainiest “winter” we’ve ever experienced. With the rains comes an extended or cyclical cold and flu season. Though I got the flu shot last year and (knock on wood) have not gotten the flu, I’m now at the beginning stages of my second consecutive cold.
The first one started right after the MLK, Jr. weekend. It started as a bit of fluid in my throat which I couldn’t clear. A week later, I started to cough which evolved into a hacking cough that spiraled out of control, eventually causing me to pull a rib muscle by the 3rd week of the cold. The 4th week added the discomfort of a sinus congestion but then finally by the 5th week, the symptoms appeared to have subsided, along with the rains.
Sadly, the reprieve would be short lived, much like the clear blue skies. The rain returned with a vengeance and so did Round 2 of my cold, complete with coughing and another pulled rib muscle on the opposite side.
This time, rather than being passive like the first round, I’m actively fighting it. I’m on oscilloccocinum, a homeopathic remedy primarily for flus though it tends to shorten or lessen the symptoms of a cold as well. I also changed my toothbrush, am gargling with warm salt water, drinking lots of water and organic green tea, will be taking naps and going to bed early. On day 3 of the cold, I got up early and went to the store to buy some zinc, organic grapefruit and organic ingredients for my homemade low sodium organic chicken soup.
The one ingredient I didn’t include is celery, due to my allergies. This delicate panda has her eyelid puff up like Will Smith in that movie “Hitch” so that I can’t actually see out of that eye so no celery for me. I did however put a whole onion and a whole garlic in the mix to ward off vampires and humans in general with my oh so attractive scent which will eventually come out of my pores. Also, onions and garlic have been used for centuries to help rebuild the immune system. I don’t normally eat carrots because of their sugar content but they are an excellent source of beta carotene which is a natural antioxidant. I used bone broth in lieu of regular chicken broth or stock as it has the added boost of more protein.
And now onto the recipe.
1 organic yellow onion, chopped
I had been wanting to check out this local breakfast restaurant for quite some time. I had seen the great reviews on Yelp but somehow could not make it over by their daily 2 p.m. closing time until today.
I’ve driven by this restaurant and its adjoining market every evening on my way home from work. Occasionally, I’ve seen smoke rising up from the building and recently made a mental note to check it out sometime soon.
I was actually attempting to try Asia Kitchen’s super cheap lunch special but despite the sign saying it was open at noonon Saturdays, the lights were off and the door was locked at 12:12.
I looked for cheap eats on Yelp and saw this place listed. I realized it was the market I had seen previously. I drove by and drove into the first residential street west of it and parked. I walked through the alley and made a quick turn right into the restaurant.
It has 4 four tops and 3 deuces and an aquarium and is immaculate. Since several yelpers raves about the carne asada, that’s what I ordered.
To say that this is the best carne asada I’ve eaten in my life is an understatement. The beef is so incredibly tender, lean and moist. The black beans and Spanish rice are the perfect accompaniment and though the portion is quite large, I somehow accidentally and yet deliberately ate all of it, except for the cactus salad because it seemed far too healthy. I did taste a bite of it and it had a slightly sour taste. Maybe when I’m feeling the need to eat a more balanced meal with greens, I’ll sample more of it. Right now all I’m focused on is the amazing quality of this beef which is now promoting me to visit the adjoining market to browse their offerings.
This place is definitely on my neighborhood gem list and I will be a frequent visitor going forward. Thanks for a delicious meal!
Don Felix Taqueria
3987 Sawtelle Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
https://www.fiftyonekitchen.com
Christmas 2017 was spent on the beautiful island of Boracay in the Philippines. My husband and I stayed at a hotel which advertised that it had wifi. Unfortunately, that was only partially accurate as wifi was only available either in the bar/restaurant area or while pressed up against the window in our room as that was the closest connection point to the hotel’s router.
As a result of last year’s experience, I began the diligent search for a local rentable wifi router once we decided to visit Cebu for Christmas 2018. I was initially unsuccessful since the most viable options could only be rented from Manila or by buying a SIM card. As I was bringing my laptop and was possibly going to have to work during my holiday, the research to find an acceptable solution became critical. I google searched “rentable wifi router Cebu” and came across Vision Global Wifi’s site. One of the reviews mentioned the router having a strong connection on Mactan Island where I had planned on staying so that piqued my interest. 
I reached out to Vision Global and I received the router via FedEx the day prior to my departure. I opted for the Unlimited Advanced plan which has 1GB of 4G-LTE per day which slows down to 2G speeds with the data usage resetting daily at UK midnight time. I tested the connection to my Apple devices before leaving, but for obvious reasons, the router didn’t work while still in the U.S. However, as soon as we landed on Mactan Island, I turned on the router and voila! I had access to everything I normally would have had I been home!! I was and still am astonished.
The router was incredibly useful during our weeklong trip. I was able to download and send work emails, I sent iPhone messages, used WhatsApp to chat and call, posted on Facebook and on Instagram. It was especially helpful in getting around town. I used google maps to help us walk to and from places on the island, but I also used it to make sure the taxis were taking us in the correct direction. The most impressive function of the router was its ability to let me post on Instagram from Pandanon Island. It was a small island in the middle of the ocean and the router worked!!
Staying connected while traveling can be a challenge but not if you use Vision Global’s services. One word of caution: the router does get warm if it’s on for an extended period of time. When not in active use, I turned off both the router and my iPhone to preserve the battery life of both. Luckily, I wasn’t attached to my phone during my holiday because after all, what would be the point of traveling if not to see and enjoy the sights?
Compared to other rentable wifi providers, Vision Global is very reasonably priced and has fantastic and prompt customer service. I plan on using their routers for my future travels and will absolutely be recommending their services to everybody I know who plans on staying connected while abroad. Thanks Vision Global!
Vision Global Wifi
https://visionglobalwifi.com
I had seen Wall Street Pizza on my many jaunts to Costco. Its cross street is Inglewood Blvd and is next to Payless Shoes in a sleek, contemporary building with a nail salon and a yoga studio. I decided to try it out the night of first round of NFL playoffs. I ordered at 3:30 p.m. for a 5:15 p.m. pickup by my husband. What drew my husband’s attention was the Bull & Bear Pizza which is macaroni and cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella, bacon and parmesan cheese. Since it was going to be our first sampling of their menu, we opted for the Crash Pizza which is a 50/50 split of two of their specialty pizzas. When I called in my order, I asked for a recommendation on what would pair well with the Bull & Bear. I was given 3 recommendations but opted for The Put Pizza which had breaded chicken parmigiana cutlet, tomato sauce and mozzarella.
At 5:02 p.m., my husband messaged me and asked me to DVR the Rams game for him and that he was en route to pick up the pizza. I was in the middle of a mani and pedi while watching Batman vs. Superman which I had never seen. At 5:50 p.m. my husband was not yet home so I called and apparently when he arrived, the pizza wasn’t ready but he was finally on his way home. When he arrived, I lifted the pizza box to take a picture and discovered it was not the pizza I had ordered 3 hours prior and I asked how much he paid with tip. He told me $34 and considering it was essentially an 18″ Neapolitan cheese pizza which cost $16.95, I lost my marbles and called the restaurant. To add insult to injury, my call was picked up but I was on hold for quite some time. I handed the phone to my husband and changed from pajamas, nails wet and got in my car. Luckily, the rain had subsided so en route, I called the restaurant and advised the girl who answered that the wrong order had been given to my husband and she apologized and said that order was meant for Postmates and that if I wanted to come pick up the correct pizza, she would throw in some garlic knots. I arrived and advised her that I was there to pick up the correct order, that I wanted her to make it right and credit us the entire $34 since I was inconvenienced in having to drive there with wet nails and she mentioned that we had already been credited. She then asked what else she could do to make it right and whether I still wanted the pizza. I was already livid but tried to calm down since I knew they were losing money twice over on us and I refrained from pointing out that she had promised to give me a new one when I called her in the car.
I spent the 15 or so minutes waiting for the correct pizza checking out the restaurant. It’s actually quite nice. They have a contemporary roll-up garage door that opens up to an outdoor heated patio. There is a small beer and wine bar and a few tall tables with stools as well as a few deuces and four tops. Kaelin who was the cashier and Keith the bartender both apologized to me profusely and to Kaelin’s credit, she maintained her calm after I put her through the ringer and took responsibility of not checking the orders.
Luckily for the restaurant, all the pizzas are actually quite delicious in their own special way. The Neopolitan pizza had an even tomato base and had a smoky cheesy flavor with a thin crispy crust. The Bull & Bear was exceptional. It was gooey, with a smokey bacon creamy flavor topped with al dente penne pasta. It was the only pizza with white sauce which was evenly coated in every slice. The Put Pizza was equally delicious and was possibly my favorite because the chicken was moist and tender and yet it was breaded. I think if both pizzas could be combined over white sauce, that would be the solid winner.
Despite the inconvenience of having to go back for the correct pizza, we will be returning to possibly request the Bull & Bear and Put Pizza combo.
I believe in giving a new business with great promise the opportunity to work out its quirks. We won’t make the mistake of not checking our order the next time so kudos for making it right, a pat on the back for maintaining their cool and applause to the cooks preparing the food in the kitchen. Hopefully, on our return trip, it will be a 5 star review.
Wall St Pizza
11955 W. Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
https://www.wallstpizzallc.com/
Ciro & Sal’s began its humble beginnings in 1953 in the quaint town of Provincetown, Massachusetts. What evolved into a local gathering place for artists and would-be chefs began as a humble sandwich shop co-owned and run by two local artists, Ciro Cozzi and Sal Del Deo. Sixty five years later, it still remains one of Cape Cod’s most beloved establishments where locals and visitors are welcome to indulge in deliciously decadent Italian dishes while sipping on wine and enjoying each other’s company.
At first sight, one can immediately sense that the dining experience at Ciro’s and Sal’s will be unlike any other. It is located down an alley that could easily be mistaken for a charming crushed shell entrance to a Cape Cod home. The restaurant’s iconic sign hanging from a white wood post on Commercial street steers you down the alleyway where you notice vintage inspired marquee letters spelling out the restaurant’s name, illuminated against the white wooden gateway. Behind the gate is a lush garden oasis beckoning you to enter. Potted plants and flowers line your steps, as you walk up to the gazebo where guests can dine on a warm summer evening under the canopy of darkness.
Romantically lit by the moon and with strings of outdoor lights woven between the trees above. As you enter the front door of the restaurant you can already sense that this will not be your typical restaurant experience.
Walking into the wine cellar dining room, the interior is warmly lit with exposed wood beamed ceilings and brick walls. Aromas of roasted garlic and sautéed seafood flood the air. There are straw clad canisters of Chianti bottles hanging from the rafters and the beams interspersed throughout the restaurant. The fireplace illuminates the room, evoking a cozy vibe, signaling the guests to unwind, relax, and enjoy the feeling of coming home.
The heart of a restaurant is in its ability to tell its story through its food and drinks. Diners repeatedly give high marks to dishes like Ostriche Giannini (Wellfleet oysters baked with pesto and parmigiana), Bruschetta (roasted eggplant, tomatoes and mozzarella on homemade pesto bread) and Calamari (fresh and locally caught). Their pasta is cooked perfectly al dente with the Carbonara and the garlic infused Vongole Bianco ranked as favorites. The restaurant’s signature sauce is SUGO which is a thick basil seasoned Italian red sauce having a gravy-like consistency. It serves as the base for their traditional Italian dishes such as the Veal Parmigiana, Lasagna and for their simpler pasta offerings like the Salsiccia and Polpete. Their seafood selection is always top notch as the restaurant’s close proximity to the sea ensures the freshness of each dish. To round out the dining experience, Ciro & Sal’s wine selection provides options from the various regions of Italy along with a sprinkling of French, California and Argentina offerings.
A new addition to Ciro & Sal’s is the wine bar tucked away upstairs, above the hustle and bustle of the busy dining room. The dimmed pendant lights set against the dark wood gives the space warmth and depth, evoking a sense of intimacy, much like a secret hideaway. Here one can quietly enjoy a sampling of wine flights and antipasti while unwinding from their day.
The current owner, Larry Luster, built his life from the ground up at Ciro & Sal’s. In the 1960’s he visited Provincetown from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Larry was hired as a dishwasher and connected with Ciro who began mentoring him, giving him a job that year and every summer thereafter. He started his tenure in the kitchen, eventually working his way to the front of of the house, becoming a highly requested server. During the day, he worked as the prep chef, making all of the sauces and base stocks from scratch, as well as the preparation of the produce and the meat for the evening’s dinner service.
Larry makes it his mission to ensure the quality and integrity of each dish on the menu and oversees every detail in the kitchen with a watchful eye. He is hands- on with every operation, from dicing the vegetables for the minestrone, to breaking down a whole cow leg each week, as well as preparing the restaurant’s renowned dishes like Bolognese and Philomena from scratch. His son Caleb now serves as the head chef while his son Zach runs the front of the house, establishing rapport with the local community, building relationships with those who have visited the restaurant over the decades as well as customer who are just passing through town on their holiday.
Ciro & Sal’s is truly a gem in Provincetown, not just because of its longstanding history as being the mainstay of delicious northern Italian cuisine, but also because it gives back to those in need. Since 2014, for each party that dines at the restaurant, a box of pasta is donated to shelters and soup kitchens in the area. Under Ciro & Sal’s One Meal at a Time program, the restaurant donates twice a year to local organizations to help feed people in need and to also build awareness that not everybody has the means or access to a warm, nourishing meal.
Over the years, Ciro & Sal’s has thrived, with lines consistently out the door. Loyal customers have been journeying to the restaurant for decades, bringing their families together to experience old world Italy, continuing the tradition by introducing the younger generation to its charming evocative setting. Ciro & Sal’s has always been family run and owned, and the heart and soul of its family is what has helped this gem of a restaurant endure the test of time.
Ciro & Sal’s
4 Kiley Ct
Provincetown, MA 02657
(508) 487-6444
Grace Gambin
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