People in the know are aware that true and authentic Asian food in Los Angeles can only be found primarily in San Gabriel Valley as most new immigrants settle in the SGV and open up shop in close proximity to their homes. Newport Seafood embodies the melting pot of SGV in its menu which incorporates Chinese, Cambodian, Vietnamese and Thai cuisine. Most of the clientele is of Asian descent and the many Asian dialects spoken within the restaurant are positive signs of a legitimate and successful Asian establishment.
Eight of us met up for this venture for what has now become our twice a year pilgrimage from the Westside. It takes anywhere from 30-65 minutes to drive to the restaurant so we try to plan our schedules sometimes a month or two ahead of time to ensure that a large enough group will be able to make the trek.
Newport Seafood should only be visited by those who truly love and appreciate the Asian culture, its culinary techniques as well as the flavors and traditions of Asian cuisine at its best. Those who mistake cheese for tofu or or those who are unaware that steamed rice is served in the red and black covered bowls should not bother visiting Newport Seafood as it is not for novices with inexperienced and unsophisticated palates. Friends who truly recognize and respect the time, effort and quality of the cooking technique and melding of flavors are the ones privileged enough to be invited to this sensational feast.
As usual, we began with the offerings from the cart.
The seaweed salad in sesame oil is always a refreshing start to the decadent meal. The slightly spiced sliced cucumber adds a bit of heat to the subtlety of the seaweed. Combined it checked off the salad component of the meal.
First to arrive was the crab and asparagus soup which had a slightly thick soy sauce broth with chunks of crab and white asparagus. It was hot, savory and delicious. The flavors were reminiscent of the traditional Chinese egg drop soup with a nod to Vietnam in the addition of the crab and white asparagus creating subtle layers of flavor.
The first entree served was the star of the dinner, the massive plate with the 6 lb lobster sitting atop a bed of egg noodles. The sheer grandness of the dish automatically set the stage for a celebratory meal. The sea of hands and fingers reaching for its claws and shells began at a slow and then increased to a rapid pace. There was no easy or dainty way to eat the lobster except to use fingers to pry off the piping hot, delicious, succulent meat from the shell. With the noodles resting underneath the lobster, the juices from the lobster were interwoven in between the strands which enhanced its umami flavor. Our server mentioned that they only use female lobsters as was evidenced by the roe sitting on the side of the platter. It had a dense texture with a mild but slightly bitter flavor though admittedly, it’s definitely an acquired taste.
We also ordered the fish with basil which was lightly breaded and subtly salted. It was a simple and light dish but had a great deal of depth with the basil adding a layer of slightly sweet and peppery flavor.
Next to arrive was the French Vietnamese fusion dish, the beef loc lac, which was amazingly tender and moist. The cook who prepared this dish wisely sliced the beef against the grain and cut them into small bite size pieces allowing the juiciness of the meat and the thick soy sauce gravy to fuse and get absorbed within each crevice of the meat.
The walnut shrimp was prepared similarly to the fish but was slightly sweeter and was prepared without a heavy sauce allowing the plump, moist shrimp to shine on its own.
Last to arrive was the yang chow fried rice which had petite pieces of BBQ pork, fried eggs and mixed vegetables. The rice was fluffy, not oily, perfectly cooked and was a very generous serving.
In the large expanse of Los Angeles and all the restaurant options it has to offer, Newport Seafood is one of the most delicious budget friendly options for large group dining. There is always a moment of silence when the food arrives as we sample and savor each sumptuous bite. All conversations cease, and we each silently enjoy each dish, appreciating and attempting to understand the complexities of the flavors. As we move on to each course and immerse ourselves in our own nirvana, we are whisked on a journey across Asia, with spices, flavors and techniques fusing each region’s history and traditions onto our plates.
Newport Seafood has masterfully created a diverse and expansive dining experience that cannot be replicated and stands head and shoulders above all Asian restaurants for its culinary expertise of southeast Asian cuisine. It is always an exceptional experience and should definitely not be missed by Asian foodie aficionados.
Newport Seafood
518 Las Tunas
San Gabriel, CA
Mastro’s Beverly Hills has been our special occasion dining restaurant for well over a decade. The service has always been exemplary, the location is ideal and the food is nothing short of amazing.
We decided to celebrate our anniversary two days early this year as it falls on a Monday.
Prior to our arrival, I contacted the restaurant to advise them that we were running about fifteen minutes late to which the hostess said would not be an issue and we would be seated in between the parties. When we arrived, all the seats at the bar were full and there were a few guests standing, waiting in the lobby. About ten minutes later, we were whisked to the second floor where we had requested to be seated so we could listen to the pianist and singer during our dinner. This particular evening, the set being played was quite lively and there was both a male and female singer which was a pleasant surprise.
We were welcomed by our server Keith who made the evening feel effortless.
The basket of bread arrived a few minutes after we were seated and drinks arrived less than five minutes after ordering.
Our Caesar salad was split and served shortly thereafter. Surprisingly, my favorite bread in the bread basket, the cheese crisp and the croutons in the salad were stale and lacked crunch. I made a point to mention it to the busboy and our server who thanked me for raising it so that the kitchen is aware and can test the bread being served to other guests during the evening.
Next to arrive were the sizzling 12 ounce filets immediately followed by several runners with each of our side dishes. The filets were cooked to a perfect medium, pink in the middle, so buttery and tender it seemed like you barely needed a knife to cut through it.
The Gorgonzola mashed potatoes were incredibly rich, the Alaskan King crab gnocchi was super decadent, the mushrooms were silky and savory. Each side was a very filling and divine accompaniment to the steak. Since the servings were so large, we opted to pack up the rest and eat it at home on our actual anniversary.
Our dinner ended with a beautiful pairing of both a slice of chocolate cake and butter cake on the house. We saved the chocolate cake but devoured the butter cake which was moist, slightly sweet and topped with a scoop of refreshing vanilla ice cream.
Our evening at the Beverly Hills Mastro’s was once again a spectacular experience, starting with the valet and all the way to the manager, Michael, who came by to ask how our evening was going and gave us his card for future visits. Though we have dined at other Mastros locations, specifically the Malibu and the Newport Beach restaurants, the service at the Beverly Hills location has always been top notch and beyond compare.
Mastro’s Steakhouse Beverly Hills will continue to be our special occasion restaurant for many more years to come.
Mastro’s Steakhouse Beverly Hills
246 N. Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA
https://www.mastrosrestaurants.com/Locations/CA/Beverly-Hills-Steakhouse/
After a long work week, we were torn on whether to stay in on a Friday night and order delivery from one of our standbys, The Original Thai BBQ restaurant on Venice, or head out and experience a change of scenery. We opted for the latter but chose a place close by in downtown Culver City. A new restaurant opened fairly recently called Amacita. It sits where the former BacoShop had its two year residency. Over the last fifteen years, the space has had several other iterations including Santa Maria BBQ and coincidentally a different Thai BBQ restaurant.
When we arrived, the restaurant was full including its bar area. In the few times we ate at that location, we had never seen it at full capacity so that was a good omen. We ordered beer and wine and were served a basket of super crispy and addictive tortilla chips which was another point in the restaurant’s favor. Luckily, a table for two was leaving so we were seated inside fairly quickly.
We started with two crispy fried golden tacos with chicken which had the same crispy texture as the chips. It came with a huge dollop of crema, a pile of red cabbage and salsa. The chicken was perfectly moist and savory and each taco definitely had a generous helping of meat.
Next to arrive was the McGrath charcoal grilled baby corn with queso fresco and morita crema. The corn was smoky and the sauce added a layer of creaminess and tanginess. It was quite unique as they were petite baby corn and not the usual plate of corn kernels or an actual corn on the cob giving it a much more refined presentation.
Our last starter dish to arrive was a bowl of Weiser tiny russet potatoes with arbol chile cream, manchego, bacon and chives. That was the dish that made me do a double take and pay attention. All the flavors blended perfectly well and the texture of the potatoes weren’t too creamy but weren’t too roughly chopped either. It was somewhere in the middle so that you could taste the chunks of potato with the bites of bacon and chives subtly blending in.
Sadly, there was at least a 20 minute delay in between the starters and the main dishes so that was disappointing.
My husband ordered the mesquite grilled arbor shrimp in country Rhodes blistered tomatoes and tomatillo. It was delicious, savory, smoky and tender all at once with a subtle hint of tanginess.
I ordered the Peads & Barnett pork collar pibil with roasted pineapple and salsa verde. Sadly, it was inferior in comparison to the quality of the preceding dishes. The pork was dry and lacking in flavor. Unlike the three other dishes we ordered which had depth and complexity, the chunks of pork didn’t absorb any of the seasonings or the flavor of the sauces on top and around it. Somehow there was a strange delineation and separation which is indicative of the parts being cooked separately. Perhaps the pork should be marinaded in a lemon, lime or even grapefruit base to tenderize the meat and give it a bit more acidity in flavor. A bit of black pepper would also give it more depth.
Luckily, I mentioned my dissatisfaction to our busboy who must have said something to the manager as it was removed from our bill.
In addition, to apologize for the long delay, we were given a beautifully refreshing dessert on the house. It was a berry granita with peaches and cream which was a delicious way to end our Tex-Mex experience.
All in all, aside from a few hiccups which management acknowledged and corrected, it was a great dinner at Ama-cita. The presentation and flavors were polished and the vibe of the restaurant is a fantastic addition to bustling downtown Culver City. We will be back!
Ama-cita
9552 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA
https://www.ama-cita.com
Our first introduction to Wood & Vine came by way of friends who had a theatre subscription to the Pantages. They frequently ate dinner at the restaurant prior to the evening’s performance. My friend made a point of letting me know that their meal set-up was a great value and the food was actually quite good as well. I made a mental note to make reservations the next time we had theatre tickets.
The opportunity presented itself when the touring company for Miss Saigon announced it would have a short residency at the Pantages. As we had not seen the musical yet and I was offered presale tickets, it was an easy decision which was quickly followed by pre-theatre dinner booking at Wood & Vine though my Open Table app.
Last Saturday night we finally experienced both. Wood & Vine is conveniently located diagonally across the street from the Pantages. They had a few high tops and bar stools by the front, the upstairs dining room had a traditional dining set-up with several tables with quite a few more at the outdoor patio which had the added bonus of a large rectangular table set-up around a fire pit. We opted to sit inside right by the window adjacent to Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame.
Our first order of business was toasting the start of our evening and taking the obligatory photos of and with the Pantages sign.
Drinks were quickly followed by some very tasty appetizers which came in the form of Crispy Brussels Sprouts with a sherry dijon vinaigrette and Shells and Cheese with aged cheddar and a moderate topping of crumbled cheez-its.
The sprouts were savory and smoky all at once. It was a solid dish and a decent sized serving which seemed more plentiful than anticipated so we wisely asked for it to be packed up to take home with us after the show so that we could continue to enjoy what was yet to arrive.
We also opted to bring the mac & cheese home with us as it was quite filling and unique. It’s definitely a dish you want to try again on a different day to make sure that your taste buds weren’t misguided or possibly tainted by alcohol. The cheez-its added a layer of eclecticism to the dish and as strange as it might sound, the combination actually worked! It served as a nice crispy cheesy crust, much like breadcrumbs, on top of a smooth, silky, savory pasta but with a tangier and crunchier texture. It’s true ingenuity stemmed in childhood creature comforts.
As our friends previously mentioned, the dinner entrees were truly a great value. They had quite a few options but we opted for The New Standard which was a shareable platter with 2 short rib, brisket and chuck cheeseburgers and a side of delicious crispy fries. I opted for animal style and was quite happy with how simply it was prepared.
Having consumed a very filling meal, to stay awake during the performance, we ordered a French press coffee which was followed by two very decadent desserts.
We started with the butterscotch which was light and rich at the same time. The maple ice cream with the sprinkles of sweet thyme crumble gave it that a bit of crunch and savoriness.
We also had the dark chocolate cake which looked like a chocolate comet flying off the plate. It came with coffee ice cream and caramel tuile to give us the added boost of caffeine and sugar to keep us alert for the theatre experience.
We were so impressed with the quality and creativity of Wood & Vine’s offering as well as the impeccable service that we booked our next pre-theatre dinner after completing our meal. Our gracious hostess/server/manager, Adriana was kind enough to let us know that Pantages would not allow us to bring our leftovers so she offered to store our sprouts and pasta until after the show. That solidified our loyalty to her and the restaurant.
Once the performance was over, we returned and decided to have a nightcap outside on the patio. It was a very comfortable evening and we could feel a bit of a breeze as we sat and enjoyed our drinks underneath the night sky, listening to the laughter of the large group sitting close around the fire pit. Under the canopy of lights strung between the trees, the patio had quite a romantic glow and was a beautiful and peaceful way to end our evening.
We look forward to many delicious experiences at Wood & Vine in the very near future. It’s a fantastic pre and post-theatre choice as the prices are quite reasonable compared with its neighbors, APL and Katsuya.
Wood & Vine is a neighborhood find in the heart of eclectic and bustling Hollywood and Vine.
Wood & Vine
The Taft Building
6280 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
https://www.woodandvine.com
I made a dinner reservation for a party of 6 the moment I caught wind that Hatchet Hall, one of the local Culver City eats, had a special fried chicken dinner. Somehow the entire original guest list, aside from my husband and myself, backed out of dinner but luckily I had asked two of our close friends to join as well. The four of us have had many amazing dining experiences together and consider each other as family so it was poignant that we spend our Sunday feast together for this specific event. To call it a spectacular, sensational Southern feast would be a severe understatement. It was probably one of the most amazing food experiences we have shared together in our history of dining all over Los Angeles.
My husband and I each ordered the fried chicken dinner as there was a minimum of 2 orders per table. The fried chicken plate came with piping hot fluffy dinner rolls, super creamy mashed potatoes with gooey gravy and braised greens which had a slightly bitter taste but also had a bit of a salty aftertaste from the bits of possibly bacon or ham which provided a nice contrast. Additionally, it came with a side of cole slaw lightly dressed, not overpowering or over saturating the finely chopped vegetables.
The star though, not surprisingly, was the plate of fried chicken which was perfectly fried and seasoned. The skin was super crispy and lightly seasoned. The meat of the chicken was piping hot and unbelievably tender. Unlike other fried chicken establishments, Hatchet Hall’s chicken was not oily or greasy. These are fighting words, but I am going to have to declare their chicken as the best fried chicken I have ever had and I have eaten quite a few in my lifetime.
Not to be outdone, we also ordered a few items outside of the Sunday through Wednesday 6-7 p.m. fried chicken special.
There was a side dish that looked interesting on the menu called spoonbread with wood roasted mushrooms, herbs including dill and Parmesan. We were enamored, enthralled and salivating over this dish, because of the incredibly unique flavor combinations. It was savory, herbaceous all combined in what seemed to be a very moist cornbread concoction.
In addition, we also ordered a side of the smoky and charred grilled blue lake beans with mushroom vinaigrette and fried shallots which were fine but sadly, paled in comparison to the spoonbread.
Last to arrive of our main entrees was the whole fried sea bass. We were told that we got the last sea bass of the night which was confusing since our reservation was at 6 p.m. and they had just opened. What arrived was a pescatarian’s dream. It was perfectly fried on the outside, with a crispy but not oily exterior, leaving the meat of the fish moist, flaky and easy to pry off the bones. The parsley, chili and lemon sauce added a layer of dimension to each bite.
We finished off our meal with a piping hot peach cobbler topped with ice cream as well as a slice of chocolate cheesecake. The cobbler was perfect, not too sweet, hot but not scolding with a slightly burnt and crispy bottom, cooled off with a scoop of vanilla, melting into the crevices of the cobbler. The cheesecake had an Oreo base with chocolate mousse, a creamy custardy layer and a light chocolate glaze on top. It was deliciously light and ended our experience on a decadent note.
Sunday dinner at Hatchet Hall should not be missed and is an experience that is without a doubt life altering. We felt fortunate to have experienced it together and encourage others to partake and to get there early as the fried chicken extravaganza only lasts an hour and also to order the fish while it’s available as it’s apparently in short supply but in great demand.
Thank you, Hatchet Hall, for giving us a 5 star family dining experience!
http://www.hatchethallla.com/fried-chicken-family-dinner
http://www.hatchethallla.com/menu
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
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
Grace Gambin
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