All posts tagged: restaurant

GAUCHOS VILLAGE IN GLENDALE

I had such a fun night at Gauchos Village in Glendale! They had live samba dancing, and lots of food being brought out at a rapid pace. It was one of those Brazilian steakhouses that you turn a wooden block “green” if you wanted the servers to keep bringing food to your table, or “red” if you wanted them to stop. I was overwhelmed by how many different kinds of meat that were offered- it all looked so good and I wanted to try everything, but unfortunately I was way too excited and outdid myself too early in the night and got full pretty quickly. (Next time I will have a system and go in there with a strong game plan). Have a fun night out, enjoy a sangria and don’t be shy to get up and dance with the Samba dancers! Oh, and be sure to get the flan for dessert.

INTERVIEW WITH EXECUTIVE CHEF/OWNER OF BESTIA

Located in an industrial warehouse in LA’s downtown Art District, I was intrigued pulling up to Bestia for the first time. It was not quite what I expected. But once I entered the restaurant, everything came to life and it all made sense. Packed and buzzing with fast-paced servers and cooks in an open faced kitchen, the restaurant felt alive in a way that most Los Angeles restaurants do not anymore. With brick walls, unfinished ceilings, and rustic decor, Bestia has a raw, urban aesthetic that is unlike any other restaurants in the city. Whether you choose to sit at the bar, in the middle of the restaurant (where you can watch dishes fly out of the kitchen), or in front of the wood-burning ovens at the pizza counter, you’re in for an exciting dining experience. I’ve been to Bestia a few times now and it never disappoints. Ori Menashe and his wife, Genevieve Gergis, are the duo behind the restaurant. Menashe is the owner and executive chef, offering rustic Italian dining with an eccentric …

PLAN CHECK KITCHEN + BAR, LOS ANGELES

Amazing burger alert! I’ve been to Plan Check Bar on Fairfax a couple times now, and I keep going back for their burgers. The “Chef’s Favorite Burger” in particular. The first time I went to Plan Check, I tried the “PCB” (Plan Check Burger) and was blown away by how good it was. The second time I tried the “Chef’s Favorite Burger”, and I decided I liked that one even better. These burgers are extremely rich- they are saucy and sloppy but if you’re in the mood for it and hungry, it’s extremely satisfying and delicious. I recommend trying both. I loved the crunch bun on the “PCB”, but I loved the cheese, bacon and hot sauce on the “Chef’s Favorite”- and it also has a fried egg! One thing that was unique about both these burgers is the “ketchup leather”. Instead of traditional ketchup, it’s in a texture of a fruit roll up. I was skeptical when I saw it on the menu because you know I love my sauce, but it worked perfect with …

IKE’S PLACE, SAN FRANCISCO

I had to stop at Ike’s Place in San Francisco. I’ve had it on my San Fran “food bucket list” after I saw it on an episode of Man Vs. Food with Adam Richman on the Travel Channel a few years ago. You know I love me a good sandwich or burger- it’s my favorite food. So it was only appropriate that out of all the incredible culinary restaurants that San Francisco has to offer, I chose to get down and dirty with an epic, sloppy sandwich at Ike’s Place. Not only did I have one of the best sandwiches of my life, I got to meet and chat with Mr. Ike Shehadeh himself! He suggested what sandwiches to try and I ordered all of his suggestions, (obvi). The sandwich Ike told me to personally order was the Paul Ruebens, made with pastrami, french dressing, poppyseed coleslaw, and I substituted swiss for havarti cheese. The variety of sandwiches offered at Ike’s Place is overwhelming but in a good way- there is so much to choose from and all the …