At the beginning of the year, I made a list of local restaurants that we hadn’t dined at which seemed interesting. The list has grown exponentially as restaurants have opened throughout the year. Tapizon was added to the list early on but we somehow never made it there until recently and what a pleasant surprise it was. First, it’s in the pocket of what looks like middle town USA in the heart of a El Segundo. The exterior of the restaurant has an entire wall that was a beautiful colorful mural.
The interior of the restaurant looked like a little jewel box. We came on a Saturday as I saw online that they had live performers. The bossa nova vibes combined with the beautiful decor made it seem like we were whisked away to a more exotic land.
After drinks were ordered and served, our starters arrived shortly thereafter.
The Caesar salad was creamy, cheesy with seeds which added a bit of earthiness to it.
The black bean soup was the better starter between the two as it was hearty and robust with flavor with a bit of tartness.
My husband’s grilled chicken was quite savory, chock full of flavor and tender. The coconut rice was fluffy and mildly flavored.
My fries were herbaceous and crispy. The brisket tasted smoky and was incredibly tender and the brown rice provided a nice bed for the beef juices. The silkiness of the beans and the creamy yolk worked in harmony with the rest of the dish.
We also received a complimentary dessert. The injera style flatbread was a bit chewy, warm, almost had an English muffin texture. It was served with ice cream, berries in the middle, chocolate drizzled on top and some whipped cream on the side, definitely unique and a dessert unlike no other and not overly sweet.
Tapizon is definitely a great value dinner experience, and we would jump at the chance to return. The owner, Eric, came by and chatted with us for a while.
He had a military background and flew planes which explained the plane fountain at the front of the restaurant. Eric was a New York transplant and had previously not been familiar with El Segundo but all that changed when the property became available and he decided to set up shop. We didn’t discuss how he came up with the restaurant’s concept but we are sure glad he decided to make El Segundo and Tapizon his next project as it was definitely a hidden neighborhood gem that we are happy to share with as many people who will listen.
I came across My Lai on Yelp which appeared to have just opened as it only had eight reviews, all 5 stars. It’s located across the street from Mar Vista on Venice around the corner from Little Fatty and Rasselbock.
As one of the reviews previously mentioned, it has a Chipotle vibe where you can create your own bowl or order one of their specialities.
I was immediately drawn to the garlic fried rice which I paired with grilled chicken, cilantro, sliced cucumber, sesame medley, crispy garlic and miso sesame sauce. The chicken was moist and tender with a bit of char, and the cucumber added a bit of freshness and lightness while the cilantro added a layer of earthiness to the dish. The miso sesame sauce was light and tangy, and the crispy garlic added texture and bite, but the star of the dish was the garlic fried rice which appeared to have been cooked in a savory chicken broth or stock resulting in a glutinous sticky rice.
The rice was reminiscent of what is traditionally served in Filipino restaurants but more potent and richer in flavor. Though the bowl I ordered was not an authentic Vietnamese dish, it was quite enjoyable.
The restaurant is quite clean and modern with both an indoor and fairly decent sized outdoor space for dining. It would be very easy to have a quick, easy and healthy meal here or spend an hour or two lounging on the patio with friends. This new find is a solid winner!
My Lai
12222 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
https://www.mylaikitchen.com
For my midweek lunch, I had a hankering for something different that was warm and comforting, savory and nurturing. It struck me that I hadn’t eaten Indian food in a while so I looked at my bookmarks on Yelp and saw that Cali Tandoor was in close proximity and they a lunch buffet!
I had driven by Cali Tandoor within the last week and realized it had replaced a long-standing Mexican restaurant.
It has a small parking lot adjacent to it. The entrance leads to a covered patio which opens into the main indoor dining room. The buffet station was towards the back of the restaurant.
I arrived a bit after 1 p.m. and the food surprisingly tasted fresh. most Indian buffers tend to look and taste dehydrated after sitting in room temperature for a few hours.
The rice was still light and fluffy, and the chicken was quite moist and tender. The quality of the food speaks to the freshness of the ingredients and the kitchen’s skill in preparing the food.
Two plates and two pieces of naan later I’m quite full and satisfied. I’m always happy to welcome a new and delicious restaurant to my hometown and will definitely be frequenting Cali Tandoor quite often in the very near future.
Cali Tandoor
9609 W. Venice Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
http://calitandoor.com
Despite being an ardent foodie, I have never taken a food tour so I decided that Hanoi would be the perfect opportunity to find some hidden gems. Luna, our Airbnb guide, made the evening jaunt worthwhile. First of all, the tour cost $0 so we were already ahead, but we paid for the cost of our food and left our guide a bit of a tip at the end.
We started out sampling some delicious and piping hot pork eggrolls and pork cutlets from a street vendor.
Then we headed off to try some sticky rice,
followed by a sampling of Vietnamese papaya salad and ending the food tour with an off-the beaten path beef pho.
The latter didn’t even have a storefront sign but did have a sign hanging off a tree and was located literally inside a family’s home.
The family previously had a stall but the government forced them to shutter so they have made do and hold a pop-up in their home with limited hours, from 3-7 p.m., serving only one speciality dish that they have clearly perfected.
To get to their establishment, you have to find the sign first and then enter a narrow pathway and climb up very narrow cement stairs which wind upwards. Then you end up on the landing and make a sharp right, taking a few steps before arriving at the restaurant. As in all Asian homes, you’re required to remove your shoes before entering.
We sat down on the low level plastic stools and a few minutes later our pho arrived. The broth was perfectly clear but distilled with hours upon hours of layers of beef essence. The pieces of beef were tender and the noodles were perfectly cooked. There were some herbs in the pho but they weren’t overwhelming. As we were the last customers, I saw the staff heading with our bowls to the kitchen which was in another room, where they were hand washing all of the plates and silverware.
Every square inch was used economically and efficiently which just goes to prove that one doesn’t need a state of the art kitchen to create an amazing dish.
What I particularly enjoyed about our evening, aside from the delicious and unique food of Hanoi, was hearing some of the stories about the norms in the city. There are certain jobs and responsibilities relegated only to women. Regardless of income, the government rations how much each person is able to buy to eat. The reason why storefront businesses are very narrow, deep and tall is property taxation is based on width and not height. Several families and generations of families live within one room, sometimes sharing one bathroom amongst them all with some homes not equipped with any bathrooms.
All of that seems shocking having been raised in the U.S. but it’s just a part of life in Vietnam, and there is a great and overwhelming sense of optimism and ambition amongst the people of Hanoi. If I had to describe the rhythm of the city, it’s a bustling metropolis in the heart of a young country that is readying and positioning itself to be a contender in the world of commercialism.
I just hope that in Hanoi’s valiant efforts to modernize, that it doesn’t turn its back on its roots, history and its values. Only time will tell.
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/
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
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
Chiang Mai is known for its abundance of night markets throughout the city. It doesn’t take much effort to find one each night of the week.
There are also plenty of street vendors on the way to the actual markets so supply most definitely outweighs demand. However, unlike in other countries where vendors aggressively try to sell you their goods or wares, the vendors wait until they are approached by a potential buyer expressing his/her interest and even then, the vendors have a tendency to take a more laid back approach.
On our first full day in Chiang Mai, we walked 10 minutes north from our AirBnb to Anusarn Market which is best known for its abundant food options.
We opted for a seafood restaurant based on several reviews on TripAdvisor but unfortunately it was fairly mediocre and frankly forgettable.
However, we had a front row seat to the dancers of the Chiang Mai Cabaret soliciting customers. My husband decided to take a photo with them which resulted in a few good laughs.
After dinner, we walked around and saw a sign for the fish spa. At 120 baht it seemed like a very cheap thrill so we opted to try it. Not surprisingly, it was definitely memorable and noteworthy. It seemed hilariously ticklish and odd at first. After a while, we got used to the rhythmic nipping around our feet. The best part were the people we met who came by to chat with us. Having fish eating your dead skin was definitely a great conversation starter. We met an Irishman with whom we shared the story of my husband’s mistaken belief that he was of Sicilian descent only to discover from 23andMe that he was predominantly of British Irish descent. Our Irish companion on realizing he met a fellow countryman shared a few tales about the Motherland to incentivize him to come visit.
We ended our evening by stopping off to get my husband’s favorite dessert: mango sticky rice.
The next day, we opted to visit the famous Saturday Night Market on Wua Lai Road. It is literally one road with a few off-shoots for food vendors. We took a Grab, which is the equivalent of an Uber or Lyft, and were dropped off at one end of the market. There were some similar wares that we had seen the night before but a handful of a few unique ones. The street was busy but not oppressively packed.
We headed to the first food court and ordered a small bowl of the famous Khao Soi for 50 baht,
grilled fish for 200 baht
and a plate of pad Thai for 40 baht.
We ate our dinner while listening to a guitarist strum some tunes.
After listening to a few more melodic songs, we moved on and walked through the rest of the market.
We fell upon another more diverse food court.
There were 2 sushi roll stalls but one in particular was incredibly crowded as it was selling each piece for 10 baht. I’m not quite sure what the quality and freshness of the rolls since it was oppressively humid and it hardly seemed appropriate to have raw fish exposed to the elements. However, the excitement and intensity of the customers was palpable as they aggressively barked out their orders at a rapid pace and fevered pitch.
Moving on, we looked at the other food options and when we turned the corner to the end of the cul-de-sac of stalls, we couldn’t help but notice the shawarma stand. We ordered a quesadilla from the woman who was teaching her son how to prepare the dish. It was interesting to observe that the teen was being groomed to help or possibly take over the business. She explained each step, how to carve the meat, how much to place on the tortilla, how much cheese to add and how long to cook on each side. Hopefully, he took mental notes as the quesadilla was perfectly crisp on the outside and moist and gooey on the inside.
After our second dinner, we meandered to the other end of the market and opted to take a Tuk Tuk back to Anusarn to check out the Boy Blues Club.
It was located on the second floor above the market offering a nice view and a breeze to boot. The band was pretty good but the alcohol selection was lacking. Still it was a nice chill spot to hang out, relax and listen to some solid tunes.
The next day, we went to the famous Sunday Night Market. To say that market was overwhelming would be an understatement. It was massive with various offshoots on to other streets.
What is interesting about the Sunday market was it actually had some unique vendors, with original artwork, ornate and exquisite inexpensive bookmarks and cards. I enjoyed seeing what was available but one could seriously spend 6 hours before seeing everything that was available. We didn’t stay long as it looked like rain and the aisles were filling up with people, making the browsing and sightseeing less enjoyable by the minute so we retreated and headed back to our humble abode.
Chiang Mai Night Markets provide a place where one could definitely find and haggle for unique souvenirs to remind one of their time in Chiang Mai.
They’re also great for sampling local food at a relatively low price point.
For us, night markets are another entry point into the mindset of the people and what they found to be of value enough to sell to locals and tourists alike.
When I heard about a reasonably priced casual eats opening in Venice, I was hopeful that it would at least be decent in flavor and quality. We chose Easter Sunday to try it out. We initially headed to Astro Doughnuts but they were completely sold out of the PB&J doughnuts and had no fried chicken left so we ventured 7 minutes south to American Beauty.
We parked in the residential neighborhood and walked over to the corner lot. There are only plastic stools and benches for seating and makeshift tables. You order at the window and minutes later, they call your name.
In planning out my order a few weeks prior, I had decided to get a cheeseburger patty on top of the fried chicken patty to capture the best of both worlds. My husband ordered a double cheeseburger and we shared an order of the kale salad and fries.
The kale salad was quite delicious. It probably had a bit more dressing than I would have liked but it was light and the lemon vin was the perfect accompaniment to the crispy croutons and the pecorino cheese interspersed throughout.
My husband thoroughly enjoyed his burger. What made their burger patty unique is the onion mix added to the beef so it gives it an added dimension of flavor and depth.
My double patty, the double turf which I am coining the ggfoodie, was the perfect combination. I had the melted cheesy goodness layered on top of the onion meaty patty sitting atop a crispy breaded chicken breast with the house sauce sitting as a dip at the bottom of the double patty. That was a winning combination. I didn’t bother with the bun because I eat my carbs in fries.
The cole slaw wasn’t our favorite because it was a bit oily and greasy but everything else definitely worked for us.
The Win-Dow at American Beauty is definitely a solid winner and we will be frequenting this casual and cheap eats for many years to come.
The Win-Dow at American Beauty
425 Rose Avenue
Venice, CA 90291
http://americanbeauty.la/menu.html
Grace Gambin
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