Feb 2022

Musso & Frank Grill – Hollywood

Musso & Frank Grill - Hollywood

Back in October 2021, before the Omicron variant showed up and ravaged the globe, The Astronomer and I were feeling pretty optimistic about the pandemic and even planned an evening out that included dining indoors and attending a large-scale event. Ah, memories…

Musso & Frank Grill - Hollywood

We dined at Musso & Frank prior to catching Alanis Morissette at the Hollywood Bowl. It’s hard to believe that it’s been 25 years since the release of Jagged Little Pill — I can still remember rocking out to “You Oughta Know” like it was yesterday. Needless to say, it was a glorious evening for two aging millennials. To drink, The Astronomer had a beer, while I ordered a well-made Old Fashioned.

Musso & Frank Grill - Hollywood

A complimentary loaf of crusty sourdough accompanied by too-cold butter landed on the table first.

Musso & Frank Grill - Hollywood

Next we shared a duo of appetizers, both were classically executed and as tasty as hoped. “Musso’s Traditional Steak Tartare” ($21) came with a quail egg, cornichons, and crostini.

Musso & Frank Grill - Hollywood

The baked escargot ($14) arrived bubbling in a buttery bath of garlic and parsley. We used the sourdough to sop up all the good stuff.

Musso & Frank Grill - Hollywood

For my main course, I selected the grilled lamb kidneys with bacon ($25) because offals are my favorite. Plus, it was a throwback kind of evening and this dish certainly saw its heyday forever ago. The kidneys were bouncy and only slightly musty.

Musso & Frank Grill - Hollywood

The Astronomer selected the daily special this Wednesday evening, which was sauerbraten with potato pancakes. He was pleased enough with the four or so slices of gravy-laden roast beef. The only other sauerbraten that The Astronomer previously tried was made by yours truly, so there’s that.

Musso & Frank Grill - Hollywood

Another vintage offering caught our eye for dessert: diplomat pudding ($10). It’s hard to go wrong with spongy cake resting in a pool of berry juices.

Alanis - Hollywood Bowl 2021

And then we proceeded to the Bowl and rocked out like it was 1995.

One year ago: Tết 2021: Not Your Grandma’s Bánh Chưng (Zoom Edition)
Two years ago: B-Sides: Langzhou Beef Noodle Soup
Three years ago: The Restaurant at the NoMad – Los Angeles (Downtown)
Four years ago: Cosa Buona – Los Angeles (Echo Park)
Five years ago: Cento Pasta Bar –  Los Angeles (Downtown)
Six years ago: 
Union Square Donuts – Boston
Seven years ago: 
Bestia – Los Angeles
Eight years ago: 
Cafe Artist – Garden Grove
Nine years ago: 
Mile End Sandwich – New York City
Ten years ago: Hungry Cat – Los Angeles (Hollywood)
Eleven years ago: Mori Sushi – Los Angeles
Twelve years ago: Amaro Bar at Osteria Mozza – Los Angeles
Thirteen years ago: Bake-Sale Brownies
Fourteen years ago: The Art of Making Bánh Chưng
Fifteen years ago: Naked Chocolate Cafe – Philadelphia

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