Archive for the 'Burgers' Category

UMAMIcatessen – Los Angeles (Downtown)

Published by Gastronomer on March 10, 2012 in Burgers, Downtown, Los Angeles and Restaurant Review. 12 Comments

I’m not the kind of gal that usually frequents a restaurant during its soft opening, but when I heard that there’d be fried-to-order doughnuts at UMAMIcatessen, I had to make an exception. Doughnuts are my rapture.

UMAMIcatessen is located on a stretch of Broadway that’s lined with fluorescent-lit stores selling jewelry and poofy quinceanera dresses. Some might find this part of town a bit iffy, but I’ve been stuck in the suburbs for so long that I couldn’t get enough of its grit.

I came in for an early dinner last Thursday night along with my friends Nastassia and Darin. The space was humming but not busy, so we were seated promptly at a table fit for four. By the time we left a few hours later, the entire room was packed with a line outside the door. News of fried-to-order doughnuts spreads quickly, I guess.

UMAMIcatessen, a genius creation of restauranteur Adam Fleischman (Umami Burger, Red Medicine, 800 Degrees), is widely referred to as a “food emporium.” Really though, its just a regular restaurant with a more-varied-than-most menu.
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Villains Tavern – Los Angeles (Downtown)

Published by Gastronomer on May 2, 2011 in Burgers, Downtown, Los Angeles, Media Event (this meal was free), Mixology and Pub Grub. 10 Comments

From an eater’s perspective, it seems that the next chapter in Los Angeles’ gourmet food truck movement is just getting underway. Businesses that started by serving meals on wheels are transitioning into brick and mortar operations or popping up at established restaurants for limited engagements. Food trucking isn’t sustainable in the long run and as a result, businesses are expanding their brands and diversifying their services for a greater shot at success.

Kogi has grown its Korean taco empire to include two restaurants, Chego and A-Frame. Get Shaved has two independent shops in Northridge and Torrance. Komodo just opened a restaurant on Pico Boulevard. And in a few short weeks, Flying Pig will be serving pork belly buns in Little Tokyo.

My friends aboard the Great Balls on Tires truck have been working toward expanding their concept as well. Every Tuesday night for the past few months, they’ve been serving an “off-tires” menu at Villains Tavern . I didn’t get around to checking out their new digs until a few weeks ago when Villains debuted their spring cocktail menu. There’s nothing like the promise of well-crafted libations and the best balls in town to get me out of the house on a weeknight.

Before the parade of balls commenced, The Astronomer and I sipped on some very fine cocktails. I chose the Ma’at, which was made with Sagatiba cachaca, cantaloupe, citrus, and Chilean salt, while my partner went with the Isis made with pisco, basil, cucumber, lemon, lime, egg whites, and sugar. Created by in-house mixologist Dave Whitton, both drinks were well-balanced and delicious, in addition to being potent.

Later on in the night, we sampled the Osiris’ Punch made with rye whiskey, hibiscus, mint, citrus, spices, and bitters. It was a festive bowl of booze that packed quite a wallop.

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Rustic Canyon – Los Angeles (Santa Monica)

Published by Gastronomer on April 14, 2011 in Burgers, Los Angeles, New American, Restaurant Review and Santa Monica. 14 Comments

When The Astronomer’s family came to town last month for a short vacation, we made sure to fill their days with amazing local food and quintessentially L.A. activities. In addition to showing them the La Brea Tar Pits, the Santa Anita Racetrack, the Santa Monica Pier, and the San Gabriel Mountains, we also introduced them to half a dozen of our favorite eateries.

We dined at Mama’s Lu, Golden Deli, and Daikouya, brunched at Canele, and ice creamed at Carmela. For our designated “fancy” dinner out on the town, The Astronomer and I reserved a table for five at Rustic Canyon Wine Bar & Seasonal Kitchen.

Opened by restaurateur Josh Loeb, Rustic Canyon serves a seasonally driven menu that changes regularly depending on what is produced by local farmers, ranchers, and fishermen. The kitchen is headed by Chef Evan Funke, while desserts are expertly handled by Pastry Chef Zoe Nathan.

We happened to dine on “Burger and Beer Mondays,” a weekly tradition where Chef Funke adds two innovative burgers to the menu. While perusing the evening’s selections, we nibbled on green olives perfumed with thyme and lemon zest.

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Crest Cafe – San Diego (Hillcrest)

Published by Gastronomer on October 29, 2010 in Breakfast / Brunch, Burgers, Diner, Restaurant Review and San Diego. 5 Comments

Whenever I stumble upon a promising recipe that highlights cinnamon or raspberries, I immediately forward it to The Astronomer. If it’s an insightful piece on quinoa, my friend Diana is the lucky recipient. And a feature on the wonders of woopie pies or Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine is sure to land in my friend Laurie‘s inbox. The food-lovers in my life each have their own special passions, and I feel that it is my duty to treat their eyes and ears to the tastiest recipes and latest literature on the subject.

When I came across an article about Crest Cafe‘s Butter Burger on A Hamburger Today, I wasted no time posting the link onto my cousin Jimmy’s Facebook wall. For as long as I can remember, Jimmy has inhaled sticks of butter with enthusiasm. During family feasts of bò nướng vĩ, Jimmy always sat next to the butter dish. Every time he added another stick into the sizzling brasserie, his face lit up with great joy. Knowing his penchant for the pale yellow stuff, it came as no surprise when Jimmy replied back with, “let’s go!”

The Astronomer, Jimmy, and I rolled to Hillcrest on my most recent trip to San Diego to taste the famed Butter Burger. We arrived at the colorful diner hours after the lunch crowd had departed.

Jimmy stepped up to the plate and ordered the Butter Burger ($10.25), whose centerpiece was a half pound beef patty stuffed with garlic herb butter (tarragon, basil, and parsley). Following a hot minute under the broiler, the burger was topped with additional butter for extra flavor and richness. Cheddar cheese and a spicy garlic mayonnaise offered the final flourishes. And because Jimmy’s gluttony knows no bounds, he requested slices of bacon to top it all off.

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The Peach Pit – Los Angeles (Beverly Hills)

Published by Gastronomer on September 2, 2010 in Beverly Hills, Burgers, Diner, Los Angeles and Restaurant Review. 18 Comments

After spending the afternoon shopping with my gal pals Kelly and Brenda for the perfect Spring Dance frock, we were in dire need of something good to eat. Brenda suggested that we hit up a diner a few blocks away because her brother was working the dinner shift. I wasn’t in a burger and milkshake mood, but Brenda’s twin brother Brandon is pretty hot and is known to offer up freebies when the restaurant’s owner isn’t looking.

We pulled up to a retro-style restaurant emblazoned with the words “Peach Pit” in neon lights. Once inside, we were greeted by Nat Bussichio, the restaurant’s amiable proprietor. He pointed us towards a comfortable corner booth near the back and handed each of us a menu, knowing very well that neither Kelly nor Brenda ate much of anything.

As we settled into our seats, I glanced around the room to admire the decor. The brightly lit space was accented with chrome trimmed tables and waiters sporting fetching maroon and teal shirts. The records pasted on the wall and penny jukeboxes gave the Pit a decidedly throwback feel.

Brandon came by soon after to recite the daily specials and to take our orders. The Peach Pit offers classic diner fare, from fries to burgers to ice cream sundaes. The Mint Chocolate Marshmallow Jelly Bean Extravaganza Sundae is our friend Donna’s favorite for when she’s feeling traumatized (like that one afternoon when she witnessed her mother cheating on her father and missed hanging out with Color Me Badd). Quite a few menu items caught my eye, but I was told that the thing to get here is the famed Mega Burger. I went ahead and ordered the signature dish and a malted milkshake to go with it.

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