The Astronomer and I made our way to Friends & Family in East Hollywood as soon as dinner service commenced earlier this summer. Following a feast of Spretzels, stone fruit salad, chicken liver mousse with pickled apricots, clams, and grilled lamb merguez sausages, we selected a dessert each to finish. When Chef Roxana Jullapat is behind the oven, it’s futile to compromise on a single dessert—better to order whatever one’s heart desires.
The #filipinofoodmovement is heating up in Los Angeles, and Chef Margarita Manzke‘s Sari Sari Store is a standout among the panoply of newly opened Pinoy places. (Previously, we dined at LASA for The Astronomer’s 34th birthday.)
Sari Sari Store’s cooking was so very good that my cousin Jessica and I didn’t mind sweating through our lunch this afternoon. The 1917-era building that houses Grand Central Market heats up like you wouldn’t believe, especially during the peak of summer, but man it was so worth it. Yow!
We ordered two mains, two desserts, and a Melon Slush ($6.30) to share between the two of us. The “Sisig Fried Rice” bowl ($13), an intriguingly rich mash up of crispy head cheese, garlic rice, onions, chilis, and ginger, came topped with a fried egg complete with lacy whites and a runny yolk. Filipino fish sauce and vinegar were on hand to balance the dish as we pleased.
