Gastronomy Blog by Cathy Chaplin

Restaurant Review

24 Nov 2015

Adana Restaurant – Glendale

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For those who are totally turkey-, cranberry sauce-, and stuffing‘ed out, meet Adana, a J-Gold recommended spot in an unlikely corner of Glendale. Sarah and I stopped in for lunch a few weeks back and ate our weight in superb Middle Eastern cooking.

Every meal at Adana begins with a basket of pita bread and pita chips. Both are addictive, especially when the hummus hits the table.

Lunch started with a fattoush salad ($9.99), a bed of verdolagas (also known as purslane) adorned with tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, herbs, feta cheese, and pita chips dressed with lemon and oil. Sarah liked this plate o’ greens very much.

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Potpourri

17 Nov 2015

June’s “Very Hungry Caterpillar” 1st Birthday

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June was born a year ago today! Yay! We celebrated last weekend with family, friends, and fried chicken, as one does.

Since the weather is so beautiful this time a year, an al fresco party at Garfield Park in South Pasadena was the order of the day. We reserved a gazebo a few months in advance and got to planning soon after.

With the exception of selecting the theme and purchasing candy for the piñata, the entire affair was executed by two amazing and talented friends: Esme and Sarah. Delegation without guilt is truly a Mom’s best friend.

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Now Closed

11 Nov 2015

Pondok Kaki Lima Indonesian Food Bazaar at the Duarte Inn – Los Angeles (Duarte)

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The parking lot of the Duarte Inn plays host to some of the best Indonesian cooking in Los Angeles every Saturday from 10 in the morning until to 2 in the afternoon. Pondok Kaki Lima, popularly described as an outdoor “food bazaar,” is composed of three different vendors hawking homey Indonesian fare.

The Astronomer and I first explored Pondok Kaki Lima while I was researching and writing the Food Lovers’ Guide to Los Angeles. Considering what a terrific time we had and how close Duarte is to home, it took us far too long to return. Better late than never, as always.

This time around, we came with our daughter June in tow. She was quite receptive to the spice and funk of Indonesian cooking, which pleased her (not smug) parents to no end. (more…)