Kris Morningstar is moving on to greener pastures, but who knows when the grazing will stop? Blue Velvet was acclaimed for it's Eco-friendly environment and Kris is a nominee for a
James Beard Award? Let's hope he stays in LA. Watch the video above to see Blue Velvet fetured on the Sundance Channel.
Monday, March 3, 2008
CAMPANILE
Well this was our first time at Campanile as we don't get to go out much with 2 young one at home. None the less we ventured out on Saturday night for a post Valentines Day dinner.
We arrived at our reserved time and were seated in the front near the fountain. As we get settled in we see Mark Peel leave the resturaunt. 7:45 on a Saturday night I want the chef in kitchen making the food, no leaving out the front door?. To be fair the food was just OK, it's the service that left something to be desired.
We started out by ordering some apps: Me- Shrimp wrapped in Prosciutto. Da wife- the Oysters.
The shrimp were great with a slightly salty flavor imparted by the prosciutto and sweetness of the shrimp. The oysters were fresh with that fresh ocean flavor.
Main: Me- Big Eye Tuna-Rare. I was very underwhelmed by this dish. Tuna was cooked rare but the flavors were off. Not my fav. The smoke falvor from the grilling left an unpleasent after-taste that I did not like.
The Wife- Wild King Salmon. Not spectacular but OK. The fish was served with some nicely cooked greens.
The service was terrible. We had to ask for things over and over, some things we are still waiting for....butter for the bread anyone? I really like to got out and have a nice meal and it's sad when it's the service that falls short. The server was not attentive to our needs and rarly coam by to check on us. We received better service from the bus boys who were the ones doing all the work. We learned to just flag one of them down if we needed anything. Unfortunatly this was late into the meal. Also, I ordered a jack and coke. I have never in my life had a more watered down drink, ever. I thought they forgot to put the jack in it? In anycase we will not be back anytime soon. Osteria Mozza here we come.
We arrived at our reserved time and were seated in the front near the fountain. As we get settled in we see Mark Peel leave the resturaunt. 7:45 on a Saturday night I want the chef in kitchen making the food, no leaving out the front door?. To be fair the food was just OK, it's the service that left something to be desired.
We started out by ordering some apps: Me- Shrimp wrapped in Prosciutto. Da wife- the Oysters.
The shrimp were great with a slightly salty flavor imparted by the prosciutto and sweetness of the shrimp. The oysters were fresh with that fresh ocean flavor.
Main: Me- Big Eye Tuna-Rare. I was very underwhelmed by this dish. Tuna was cooked rare but the flavors were off. Not my fav. The smoke falvor from the grilling left an unpleasent after-taste that I did not like.
The Wife- Wild King Salmon. Not spectacular but OK. The fish was served with some nicely cooked greens.
The service was terrible. We had to ask for things over and over, some things we are still waiting for....butter for the bread anyone? I really like to got out and have a nice meal and it's sad when it's the service that falls short. The server was not attentive to our needs and rarly coam by to check on us. We received better service from the bus boys who were the ones doing all the work. We learned to just flag one of them down if we needed anything. Unfortunatly this was late into the meal. Also, I ordered a jack and coke. I have never in my life had a more watered down drink, ever. I thought they forgot to put the jack in it? In anycase we will not be back anytime soon. Osteria Mozza here we come.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
VITO'S "THE NEW KING ON THE BLOCK"
Vito's Mediterranean Pie
I am the first to admit when something is good and this is a hard one to admit, but Vito's has won me over. Yes, even better than Casa De Pizza, although not the same kind of Pie. Casa De Pizza does a great job with the standard Bakers Pride kinda LA pie but Vito's is the authentic NY crunch when you bite it type pie. Perfectly charred on the bottom in a no frills atmosphere. A little on the high price side but after you take your first bite, you'll be back no matter the cost. I have no problem paying for quality and this is
quality.
Francesca loved her Pizza. She can't wait to go back and say Hi to Vito. She'll be going here when she can drive. PS - bring one home for Daddy.
We all loved the cheese pie best, cooked to perfection. All in all this was one of the best Pizza's I have ever had in my life. Go check it out for yourself and say Hi to Vito for me.
Vito's Pizza
846 N. La Cienega
LA, Ca 90069
(310) 652-6859
http://www.vitopizza.com/
I am the first to admit when something is good and this is a hard one to admit, but Vito's has won me over. Yes, even better than Casa De Pizza, although not the same kind of Pie. Casa De Pizza does a great job with the standard Bakers Pride kinda LA pie but Vito's is the authentic NY crunch when you bite it type pie. Perfectly charred on the bottom in a no frills atmosphere. A little on the high price side but after you take your first bite, you'll be back no matter the cost. I have no problem paying for quality and this is
quality.
Francesca loved her Pizza. She can't wait to go back and say Hi to Vito. She'll be going here when she can drive. PS - bring one home for Daddy.
We all loved the cheese pie best, cooked to perfection. All in all this was one of the best Pizza's I have ever had in my life. Go check it out for yourself and say Hi to Vito for me.
Vito's Pizza
846 N. La Cienega
LA, Ca 90069
(310) 652-6859
http://www.vitopizza.com/
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
EL PARIAN
El Parian is a Taco Shop in downtown
Los Angeles that is best frequented during the daylight hours. As we approached the storefront I asked myself is it worth risking your life if at the end of the day you had one of the best tacos in town, YES. At least for me the search for exceptional food is worth every minute of time and energy. Even if the best tacos are in a gang infested area of LA. So we venture into the shop and are greeted by a nice young lady who speaks very little English and seats us in the half full restaurant. As we walk in I notice and older lady on the griddle slapping down fresh corn masa for the tortillas, this is a very good sign. Anytime a place makes their corn tortillas to order your usually in good shape with the food. We sit down and chips and salsa are placed on the table. If I have one criticism of this place it's that they don't make their chips fresh? what the...the chips aren't fresh, their out of a bag, go figure. So I'm a little confused at this point, bagged chips but fresh corn tortillas on the griddle? I still try and hold a diplomatic opinion, not judging the place by it's chips and I'm hoping for the tacos to redeem them. They do. As the plates approach I am shocked at the size of the taco, full of meat and just the right amount of garnishments. They are hands down the BEST TACOS in LA. The meat was cooked perfectly, the tortillas were soft and doubled to hold all the meat. I don't want to stop but have too before my belly splits, I'm stuffed and can't wait to go
back again.
back again.El Parian 1528 Pico Blvd
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Casa De Pizza
Bottom: Stuffed Shells- they left something to be desired. As you can see in the photo they were a little dry. But to their credit we called and they willingly comped the next order.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Casa De Pizza "It's a Nice Place to Feeda You Face"
Please don't be fooled by copycats, the original Casa De Pizza is Located at 16161 San Fernando Mission Blvd and it's been at that location since 1961. They must be doing something right...46+ years and still making the best pizza in Los Angeles.
Growning up in Boston I remember going to get a slice before a game (Red Sox of course) and ever since I relocated to the west coast nothing compared to those slices from Regina's or Santarpio's until I found Casa De Pizza. It's the closest thing to an east coast slice (Boston not NY) I have eaten. Casa De Pizza's is not brick oven pizza or coal fired but it's an exceptional traditional pizza. If your in the area I would highly recommend stopping and getting a slice or two.
My recommendations or my usually order:
2 large pepperoni pizza's (OK not so original but why mess with perfection)
1 large Mary Galati Special(thin crust pizza with Roma tomatoes, mozzarella, Pesto sauce and shredded Parmigiano Reggiano.
1 large garlic bread
1 large antipasto salad
All this and I'm good to go...try it out and let me know what you think.
Growning up in Boston I remember going to get a slice before a game (Red Sox of course) and ever since I relocated to the west coast nothing compared to those slices from Regina's or Santarpio's until I found Casa De Pizza. It's the closest thing to an east coast slice (Boston not NY) I have eaten. Casa De Pizza's is not brick oven pizza or coal fired but it's an exceptional traditional pizza. If your in the area I would highly recommend stopping and getting a slice or two.
My recommendations or my usually order:
2 large pepperoni pizza's (OK not so original but why mess with perfection)
1 large Mary Galati Special(thin crust pizza with Roma tomatoes, mozzarella, Pesto sauce and shredded Parmigiano Reggiano.
1 large garlic bread
1 large antipasto salad
All this and I'm good to go...try it out and let me know what you think.
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