However, the reality is that these upscale markets only offer a limited number of the most popular fish like salmon, halibut, trout and a few others. Nonetheless, you can be assured of excellent fresh fish.

But, if you want a fish adventure and good product at good prices, the place to go is an ethnic market.

Have heard a few people mention that there was a hot new affordable seafood market in the old Eagle Rock Plaza.

A Google search tells me that Seafood City in Eagle Rock Plaza has been there since September 2006.

I saw many folks scooping up bags of shrimp.

I have to keep an eye on the cholesterol but I did get some!

But clearly, the fun is the fish …

I could play it safe and select a type of fish I recognize but what is the fun in that?

So I picked a fish I had never seen before as it looked pretty fresh. I selected a Yellowtail Fusilier that the tag says is from Thailand.

The fish in the above cited web link has the right tail (yellow!), the right body shape but, as you can see, the body color wasn’t quite the same as what I bought.

Since the fish is from Thailand, I figure the way to go is the Asian way of steaming it.

Cut up matchstick size pieces of ginger and similar sized pieces of green onion. Stuff some into the body and around and on top of the fish. I sprinkled on some garlic powder and in a hat tip to Thai cooking, I put a few slices of lime on top.

Bring the water to a boil and place the dish in the pan and cover so the steam can cook the fish in about 10 minutes.

Drain off most of the liquid that winds up in the bowl. The finishing touch my parent’s taught me was to splash some soy sauce on the fish and then pour some hot oil and voila, moist and tender fish for dinner.

By the way, if you aren’t into fish, the meat section at Seafood City was also doing extremely brisk business and the selections looked good!

Seafood City Supermarket
2700 Colorado Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041

Señor Fish
618 Mission Street, South Pasadena 91030
Locations in Eagle Rock (Señor Fresh), Alhambra, and Downtown
(626) 403-0145
Under $10 per person

Daily 11:00 am – 9:00 pm

Bottom Line: If you’re jones’n for fish tacos, there is no other choice.

“Always fresh, never fishy,� is a mantra more commonly associated with your favorite sushi joint than your corner taco hut, but Señor Fish may very well be bucking that trend. Sharing an unassuming strip mall with a Laundromat and House of Coffee (now the soon-to-be Señor Fish annex), this bare-bones, no-nonsense Mexican serves up what some consider to be the best fish tacos in Los Angeles.

Little can be said about the interior, except, perhaps, that it does not look like much has changed since it opened over 10 years ago: Worn, yellowed press review cutouts pepper the walls. A sterile, washed-out orange hue of formica gives the room some color, while a lonely soda machine sits perched atop a frail, crooked, wrought-iron buffet. It appears, thankfully, that the kitchen is in better shape.

A plastic or paper plate appears at your table less than five minutes after you order. The fish tacos are hot, crispy and moist, served with a well-balanced complement of lettuce, tomato, spicy Baja salsa, and sour cream – though more toppings are available at their fixins bar – and the rice is nice and fluffy. Order their famous Callo de Hacha (scallop burrito), but be wary of your eyes being wider than your stomach; it’s a tasty gigantic wrap easily large enough for two meals, though the combination of perfectly crispy, deep-fried scallops, lettuce, tomatoes, and mexican rice may be good enough to cloud your sense of delayed gratification.

What is most impressive, however, is that nearly every dish costs less than $10 – when was the last time you could eat shrimp and scallops without breaking the bank? Sure the service is non-existent and the digs could be updated a bit, but this means that you’re really only paying for the food, and good food, at that. No wonder take-out is a popular option. This is a perfect “cheap eats� destination for the adamant foodie, because the food is the star and you’re just there to eat up.

Having spent many years living in and around the Eagle Rock area I can’t recall when this community was a more desirable place to dwell in than it is today. My first memory of Eagle Rock is a vivid one that dates back roughly to just eight years ago when the area was more or less an aversion for many consumers, and less likely than most of it’s surrounding neighborhoods to be sought after as a place to start a home. However, Eagle Rock is emerging from a deep slumber and this blooming community situated on the outskirts of Los Angeles is feeling a shift that comes with the influx of Angelenos who are seeking a desirable quality of life without the hustle and bustle that comes with living in the metropolis of Los Angeles. It is lifestyle conscious citizens like us who care about this community the way we care about our homes. And despite Eagle Rock’s reputation of being the land of auto-body shops, fast-food restaurants and strip malls - the businesses which have helped to solidify the infrastructure of Eagle Rock’s economy for many years - times are changing and people are especially active in seeking to beautify the commercial district. This includes the restoration of historical buildings and landmarks that gives Eagle Rock a very special charm. Business owners are putting these structures to good economic use without sacrificing aesthetics. Local entrepreneurs are placing their interests in Eagle Rock because its history is built upon a strong sense of community, it is bursting with potential for commercial growth and profitable real estate investments, the business district is fertile with a variety of location options for new businesses to sew their seeds, and the quiet streets off the main avenues and boulevards are ideal for home owners to plant their roots.

Since the Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan became law in 1992, the results of this pedestrian friendly goal has heightened the area’s desirability by decreasing the addition of automobile industry businesses and cookie cutter mini-malls. This alone has created a noticeable increase in the overall quality of community life in recent years than ever before. The results of beautifying and multiplying has already encouraged foot traffic along the burgeoning boulevard of Colorado as more people are inspired take a stroll to their local coffee shop and grocer rather than driving the short trip of a few blocks [saving gas and increasing exercise (after all, who couldn't benefit from walking a few extra blocks these days anyway)]. This year’s gas prices may be reason enough to take the foot off the pedal and onto the pavement, but coming soon this fall there will be one more reason for people to be back on Colorado Blvd: in case you haven’t noticed, there’s a new kid on the block and it is Eagle Rock’s first botanical design store, Pollen. This newcomer is guaranteed to have you speed walking to its shop on a regular basis.

Perhaps you’ve seen its inviting earthy brown and sage exterior that sits attractively on the northeast corner of Colorado Blvd and Townsend. It is housed in what was once a pharmacy built in 1923 and has since survived many of Eagle Rock’s original buildings which have suffered different fates at the hands of commercial developers who imagined a more profitable investment for those parcels of land in the fashion of strip malls. Pollen’s storefront, however, states a quiet elegance, mirroring today’s improved Eagle Rock, and owner Craig Powell is determined to offer a service so unique that after speaking with him I will never underestimate the power of botanicals the same way I once did in the seventh grade during Mr. Coffin’s torturously bland course in botany.

This latest addition to Eagle Rock’s community of florists will offer stylish botanical arrangements and botanical inspired edible goods without high-fashion prices. In a day and age where the middle-class is a dying breed I asked Powell how he plans to share his botanical art in a community with varying household incomes as diverse as the cultures that keep Los Angeles alive. Powell says, this isn’t about ego, this is about creating beautiful flowers and with this he intends to bring Love and beauty to his customers in the most affordable way he can without sacrificing quality for quantity. As far as orchids are concerned, with Trader Joe’s Market in the neighborhood commonly selling Paphiopedilum orchids (aka paph’s) in the $9.99 range he does not intend to compete with local vendors, he simply wants give his clients the opportunity to have orchids that are guaranteed to last at least a few months with basic proper care.

Pollen will carry a worldwide selection of Orchidaceae (orchids) and Nymphaeaceae (water lilies). Powell says, depending on the season, these thoughtfully selected beauties will arrive fresh from its indigenous areas - such as Hawaii, Tahiti, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines - and they will be cared for in a greenhouse built right inside the boutique. With a great deal of love and gentle care, like a parent for their infant, each plant will have the opportunity to adjust to its new environment - with variables such as temperature and humidity [which can easily affect the life of an exotic plant] carefully controlled for. With a laugh Powell confesses, my friends call me a tree hugger. With pride, he embraces this tag like a gift. It is clear that he’s an entrepreneur with a green thumb and he’s ready to help beautify Eagle Rock one botanical arrangement at a time. I am very tempted to share with you the countless ways he is capable of revamping even the most seemingly ordinary orchid into a an architectural fascination. However, let’s just say he’s got his fingers on the pulse of L.A. and he’s ready to do his part in bringing Eagle Rock to the forefront of its lifestyle scene.

Powell humorously points out that L.A. suffers from Me-itis, otherwise known as “me-me-me-me-me”. Having worked in this city long enough this comes from him lightheartedly with an exclamation of seriousness in his eyes that tells a million stories of his twenty-some-odd years of having worked and lived in the heart of Los Angeles. The experiences he has gained through the many capacities served in the service industry - from dishwasher at a Chinese restaurant as a teenage boy to captain and supervisor of the service staff of five governors ball events and eventually graduating to proprietor of two L.A. restaurants - came with front row seats to witnessing the glamourous and high-profile chaos that makes Los Angeles “Los Angeles”. It is no wonder he’s compelled to reach out to Angelenos with breathtaking arrangements of orchids, water lilies, and other exotic plants that offer a symbol of serenity and beauty, joy and love. I’m all about commune and creating new and nifty things, which is the philosophy behind Pollen, and his hope is that the creations to come from Pollen will bring people back to basics with a renewed appreciation for nature and the world we live in.

Pollen is sure to tantalize your every senses with items beyond the array of quality floras and services you can expect to find there. With the many potentials the manufacturing market can play with in the botanicals industry, Powell has extracted several products to compliment any live, work, or play space. I won’t spoil the fun by unleashing a list of botanica-lavish items that will soon be available at Pollen - but for the chef and master entertainer within you here is a morsel of information to whet the appetite. Look for a rich collection of organic soya lotion candles created with the essential oils of fruits and herbs (the wax becomes a lotion), hard to find vintage replicas of wicker candles hand molded and pressed the old-old fashioned way sans the use of sheets, and a delicate line of honey made right in the valley of Napa by the Marshall Family Farm and packed exclusively for Pollen. It was a great pleasure to experience a jar of the delicate Star Thistle honey and delicious fig scented soya candle. A note on the honey: the Star Thistle flavor has an energizing quality with a very fine granular consistency. It is a beautiful deep lemon-custard-like-yellow that pops with brilliance from its hexagonal shaped glass jar. The packaging is simple and elegant with a concise label across the front and sealed with a gilded lid. It is as if Powell handed me a cell right from the tucked away honeycombs from the Napa bee-farm. As soon as I went home I wasn’t far from mimicking Winnie the Pooh - with a jar of honey tucked under my arm and a paw dripping with it’s sweet goodness. It really is that good.

Why the name “Pollen”? Though the answer was obvious I asked away because instinct told me Powell would have a response that would come from the heart. With a thoughtful smile, he articulated that [Pollen] is the hidden gift, with illustrative hand gestures he continued to say, it’s the essence of it all: it propagates, perfumes, and bears fruit…it’s the beginning. Clearly that is just the vision Powell has for this endeavor. He will be the first to offer Eagle Rock a unique, highly stylized, and very personalized botanical service that will bring beauty from his shop to your home, office, and special event. After having gone through months of extensive reconstructive touches Pollen is now in its hatchling phase. She’s like an old beauty with all her pretties taken from her, Powell laments compassionately. This goes to explain the delayed grand opening that was originally set for Mother’s Day this year back in, well, you know, May. However, with the bulk of its heavy reconstructive surgery successfully completed the boutique is ready for it’s opening debut on October 7th, 2006. Pollen online is also up and partially running. After visiting the website I’m certain even the curiosities of those that boast the most feng-shui of Japanese gardens this side of The Huntington Botanical Gardens will peak and people will feel moved to book an appointment with one of Pollen’s design specialists. Now go and discover Pollen for yourselves.

Pollen
1583 Colorado Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041
323.550.1555
www.pollenstudio.com

The Doner kebab shop opened last Wednesday (April 12th). Now they’re ready for your cash in exchange for some bad*ss keb*b samwiches. Open 11AM to 10 PM.

We hope that all the unanticipated costs and unforseen heartaches were worth it for the first-time restaurant owners. We’ll be trying out Spitz’s savory wares shortly (must admit, a little leery of the homemade panini in lieu of pita).

Meantime, the latenite gelato is awezome g00d.

I’ll say it again, Fatburger. The Last Great Hamburger Stand.

I sparked velvety dissention a while ago by soliciting people for their favorite burger joint, not a national chain. Of course, I violated my own criteria by throwing down for Fatburger, reasoning that even though they are growing through many states, and now even have an East Coast presence, they were still limited in overall markets.

Saying that my favorite burger is Fatburger, by implication, means In ‘N’ Out is not my favorite burger. This is frightening heresy to someone from Southern California, but I’m not from Southern California. Yancey Lovie opened the first Mr. Fatburger on the corner of Western and Jefferson in 1952. It has been an institution in LA since then, but honestly obscured by the reputation of In ‘N’ Out.

In a time where internal politics threatens to charbroil the good name of In ‘N’ Out, and the struggle over whether to extend the franchise beyond its cloistered borders, in 1986 Fatburger had already adopted a Machiavelian doctrine of expansion.

Fatburger’s manifest destiny has not sullied nor faded the quality of their burgers, at least not the original locations dotting Los Angeles like yellow pushpins. I haven’t eaten at any of the locations outside of California. Couple to that Magic Johnson’s policy of investing back into the South Central community, proving there is a great deal of profit to be made by investing in lower income areas. Yet, other high profile entertainers are also quietly looking into franchising up and down the East Coast.

While In ‘N’ Out strives for historical purity by not changing its menu, there is a secret menu of modifications that every Californian knows. Its sort of an inside joke to play on the tourists that will never know to order a double-double animal style. Fatburger’s only not-well-kept-secret is you can order it grilled or char-broiled.

Fatburger also has its own tradition known as the Triple Kingburger Challenge. Anyone who finishes a triple Kingburger (1 1/2 pounds) within six minutes wins a T-shirt, free meals for the week and their picture on the Triple Kingburger Challenge Wall of Fame.

Another important distinction is the toppings offered by Fatburger. Of course, I’m talking about the fried egg and chili. Tommy’s may be known for the most widely proliferated chiliburger in LA, but it is also reviled as the worst. In fact, the chili at most burger places leaves much to be desired. Fatburger’s chili is rich, spicy and dense with flavor.

That translates to the chili cheese fries also. Fatburger gets it right every time: they do not drown your food in the chili, after all, it is the meat you want to taste, otherwise you would just buy a bowl of chili. They confidently ration all condiments in perfect portion, so nothing ever overpowers anything else. In many burger chains, all the flavors are competing against each other for dominance of your tastebuds.

There are just so many unique qualities that separates this patty of meat slapped between a bun from all the other chains, but the quality is almost intangible. Everybody offers lettuce, tomato, mustard, pickles, onions.

It’s the atmosphere. It’s the fresh ice cream used in the dreamy shakes. The lemonade swirling through the plastic lemonade machine. Fresh, never frozen, meat. The shaker of salt they sprinkle on the patties while they’re cooking. The fries at absolutely trounce In ‘N’ Out fries.

And their complete lack of advertising. I’ve lived in LA for eight years. Unless I’m blind and/or deaf, I’ve never heard an ad for Fatburger.

So, Fatburger vs. In ‘N’ Out. In ‘N’ Out is clearly dominant, and I started to ask myself why. I’ve eaten both in the same day to make a comparison, and I never got that turned on about the In ‘N’ Out burger. What could have catapulted In ‘N’ Out over Fatburger, a clearly superior product.

I’m going to play the race card. It is my assertion that because Fatburger was located in predominantly African American communities, owned and operated by a black woman, it didn’t get as widespread exposure as In ‘N’ Out did until recent years.

But, it’s really not a race deal, it’s about location. Whites simply weren’t exposed to a Fatburger in their neighborhoods until the 80’s. Blacks had been savoring Fatburger since 1952, hoping, I’m sure, to keep the secret to themselves. All good things eventually get out and expand, and that’s exactly what happened with Fatburger.

How did a white guy from the East Coast learn about Fatburger before he even got to LA?

No helicopter looking for a murder,
Two in the morning got the Fatburger,
Even saw the lights of the Goodyear Blimp
And it read ‘Ice Cube’s a pimp’

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t dislike In ‘N’ Out, I just don’t have that clingy nostalgia that clouds my judgment in these matters. For that, I have White Castle.

Their responses provide a fair amount of insight into their hopes and dreams for Spitz and what it takes to build a small business from scratch in our fine city.

How did you decide on the location and did you consider anywhere else?
We decided on the location after an exhaustive search around the LA area. But it was a blessing that we found it, as Eagle Rock was our first choice. Robert and I graduated from Occidental College, which is also in Eagle Rock, and (we) have a keen awareness of the need for this type of food in the area. We’ve also seen how much Eagle Rock has changed over the years, and we wanted to be a part of that positive change.

What appealed to you about that specific site (2056 Colorado Blvd.)?
It had everything we wanted in a location. Our concept is unique and we want to be able to stand out from the crowd. We really wanted a place we could make our own. The fact that we found a free-standing building (as opposed to a space in a strip mall) really helped us fulfill this goal. The opportunity for outdoor dining, ample (and free) street parking, the new five-story mixed-use project going in across the street, and a high traffic count on Colorado Blvd. solidified it for us.

When did you originally plan to open?
We had originally planned on opening Spitz in late September 2005. But we were entirely unaware of the hurdles we would face with the city of LA when we set that date.

What’s been the most difficult part of the process?
Dealing with the City has been the most excruciatingly difficult and expensive part. The City required us to put in a $15,000 grease interceptor and pay thousands of dollars in fees along the way, not to mention the time we have lost dealing with them. In all, we estimate that LA City has cost us around $25,000 in lost time, fees, and requirements. If we had been unable to raise additional funding (the City) would have put us out of business before we could have even opened our doors.

Many of LA’s more formal, sit-down restaurants seem to be struggling, or closing altogether, while the healthy “fast-casual” sector is booming. Do you think of Spitz as “fast-casual?” (Yes, I’ve been reading NRN’s ’segment trends’ column a little too much.)
It’s fitting that you ask this question, as much of our business is based on the premise that there are too few high-quality “fast-casual” restaurants. We’re striving to fuse the class, quality, ambiance, and customer service of the high-end food industry with the casual, fun, and price-conscious atmosphere of a neighborhood cafe.

How did you come up with your recipe for the Doner kebab?
When I lived in Spain I became friendly with a kebab shop owner, who helped with the basic recipes of making a kebab. From there, Robert and I went through numerous rounds perfecting the ingredients and techniques to make the best kebab we had ever tasted.

How do you plan to work out the cost of doing business versus providing good value for your customers?
Using only the freshest and best ingredients for our homemade recipes, we’ll give our customers more value for their money than is available at most restaurants, especially when you consider the quality of the food that we’ll be serving. Our Doner Kebabs and Salads will cost around $5.50, and Combos will cost around $7.50. Our gelato (which is the highest quality available in the US) will range from $2.50 to $4.50, and our ultra-premium coffee will be around $1.80. While these prices mean lower profit margins for us, we believe that in passing the value on to the customer we will gain a more in the long run.

Are you planning an opening day celebration?
We are definitely having a grand opening party. The Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce has offered to do a ribbon cutting for us. We will have a date set as soon as we get our final inspections from the city.

What are you most looking forward to about finally opening?
We’re looking forward to bringing a food to the US that is already hugely popular throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and Canada. We’re excited to provide our customers with an experience unlike they’ve ever had before: ultra-high quality, ambiance, customer service and value…all for relatively low prices. It will also be nice to stop paying everyone so much money and start seeing some come in. But more than anything, we are looking forward to seeing people’s faces when they taste their first Doner Kebab.

(Ed. note: As of this posting, barring any permitting delays, Rademan and Wicklund expect to be open by the first week of January.)

Looks like a new kebab shop is coming to Eagle Rock.

If I’m reading this correctly, it looks like two young graduates of Occidental College did a little travelling after graduation when one of them stumbled upon an amazing Doner kebab sandwich in Madrid. The two teamed up to open a little kebab shop of their own in Eagle Rock on Colorado. It’s still very much in the works, but they’ve got a website up detailing their soon-to-open store and their passion for, what else, kebabs:

“We have adapted the Spanish model to fit the American palate, keeping the slow roasting custom vertical broilers that allow the meat’s natural juices to percolate and self-infuse while adding the Panini toasted pita pocket with assorted toppings including lettuce, tomato, onion, cucumber, peppers, jalapeños, hummus, cool tzaziki sauce and a sweet and spicy chili sauce.”

Spitz’s menu looks pretty focussed, offering four Doner Kebab varieties: the classic, chicken doner, falafelite and a vegetarian. The same choices apply to salads. But it looks like they aren’t sleeping on good desserts, promising a “selection of gourmet Italian gelatos and sorbettos, as well as our signature chocolate-dipped cinnamon-sugar pita strips.”

Okay, we’re ready!

Spitz
2506 Colorado Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90041
323-257-5600

From previous experiences, I knew that the little French bistro can get pretty loud and busy during the dinner hours. So the planner in me played it safe. My girlfriend and I made reservations for a table for 2 at 7pm. At around 7pm, there were plenty of seats in this little bistro but within an hour or so, the place gets pretty packed - even on a Tuesday night!

The wooden door that leads you into Café Beaujolais opens up a whole other world inside. You feel as though time is not an issue as you wait for your dishes, sipping a glass of French wine over some friendly dinner conversation. Suddenly, you’re no longer in Los Angeles, but in Paris - surrounded by the rich earthy colors and flavors of France. Accents of the romantic language are heard throughout the room as the waitstaff playfully banter with guests and take their orders. Inspired prints line the walls, reminiscent of Henri Matisse. And glasses of wine could be found at every table.

We started with the $6.95 Endive Salad with Walnuts. Neither of us really cared for this starter though. (Not big fans of bleu cheese or French dressing…both of which were on the salad.) I guess I pictured something other than the fancy yet very bitter leaves of endive lettuce. Next time, I’ll pass on the endive salad and stick with my favorite Tomato and Shallot Salad. But the French Onion Soup ($5.75) was fabulous! Cheesy with plenty of bread soaked in broth and buttery onion layers. Just enough saltiness to get my palate thirsty for more. I also ordered a glass of their Chardonnay to go with the meal. Unfortunately for me, the few little gnat-like bugs that tried to join our dinner also had wine on their minds. As soon as I set my glass down and looked away, I found two of them swimming drunk in my wine. As my girlfriend sarcastically remarked…we had no idea that dinner came with entertainment as well! Too bad they didn’t comp my wine. Instead, our server replaced my barely sipped glass with another $7 Fuisse, and joked with me about the little bugs as I tried to shoo them away and catch them with clapped hands. “Deed yoo catch ze little guy?” asked our waiter with a sly grin. “No,” I replied, “he got away.” My girlfriend and I were a bit irked, but were still in pretty good spirits to make light of the whole situation.

Anyway, of everything I’ve tried at Café Beaujolais, the best entree by far is the Parmesan Crusted Halibut in a Champagne Sauce. Each time I’ve ordered it (3x now), I have not been disappointed. The tender white fish melts in your mouth with its buttery cream sauce. Topped with a garnish of sweet carmelized orange peels, it’s a perfect blend of richness with the right hint of tang that gives the fish some extra citrus flavor. The meal comes with a nice portion of garlic mashed potatoes, a stuffed tomato, and some sauteed green beans. Great portions for $17.95. My dinner companion settled for the Filet Mignon w/Au Jois and French Fries cooked medium ($18.95). It was a bit too pink for her liking, but just right for me as I took a few bites from her plate. I used my own dish’s sauce as an accompaniment and ate the meat with some of my own sides. The fries just didn’t make the cut for me. We both decided that the dish should come with some steamed or sauteed vegetables instead of the fries.

We then ordered cups of decaf coffee ($1.95/each) with our shared Profiterole dessert for $5.95. It was getting late, and neither one of us wanted to be up with a caffeine fix. Instead, we indulged in some light cream puff pastry with whipped cream, warm chocolate fudge, and cool vanilla ice cream. Absolutely delish! Too bad we couldn’t finish the plate. Total tab sans tip = $71.82.

Café Beaujolais is a great French restaurant with a quaint, country feel to it, with a nice selection of wine, and live jazz music on selected evenings which I have yet to experience. The food is reasonably priced (not too wallet breaking) and absolutely rich in flavor. My recommendations include starting with the Tomato and Shallot Salad along with the French Onion Soup, the Halibut entree, and end with the Profiterole and coffee. Beware of flying friends, enjoy the quick witted French servers, and make reservations for a table. Oh, and I’ve never had a problem finding street parking near by.

Café Beaujolais in Eagle Rock
Street: 1712 Colorado Blvd
T: 323.255.5111

French Fries: mentions In-N-Out, Tommy’s, Mo’ Bettah Meatty Meat Burger, and Benita’s Frites for casual favorites, but the winner? JAR.

Chain Cafe: As if there was any doubt Urth would win this one.

Wine Shop: noteworthy mentions include Silverlake Wine, Chronicle Wine Cellar (Pasadena), and Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits, & Cheese. Their favorite? Woodland Hills Wine Company.

Chicken Potpie: While they liked Broadway Deli and Musso &Frank, they loved Kate Mantilini. I got hungry reading the description of “tender white chunks of chicken, peas, carrots, and onions in a just-rich-enough cream sauce, and its light, well-textured crust.” (No website, so here’s the info: 9101 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-278-3699; and 5921 Owensmouth Ave., Woodland Hills, 818-348-1095)

Tea Shop: Le Palais Des Thes, which serves teas from around the world. You can buy soose leaf teas or stick around for tasting classes. (Again, no website: 401 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-271-7922)

Summer Cocktail: Rhode Island Red at Providence (5955 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, 323-460-4170). This drink “has the bite of tequila, the sweetness of berries, the color of Chambord, the balanced tang of lemon, and the snap of ginger beer cut with orange bitters.”

Grappa Selection: Grappa, which I had no idea was unaged brandy, is the way to end dinner in northern Italy. Apparently, many places all over LA serves grappas, including Valentino and Zucca, but LA Magazine recommend Trattoria Tre Venezie (119 W. Green St., Pasadena, 626-795-4455). Apparently you have 71 choices here - a selection that includes a “Grappy Marolo, flowery, chammomile-based variety; Gioiello Nonino, nutty flavored with chestnut honey; and at $45 a glass, Ue Moscato Cru Besenello di Vallagarina, whose taste of apricots and melon finishes with the scent of rose petals.” I had never seen nor heard of grappas prior to today, so if anyone has tried this and can elaborate further, I’d really appreciate it.

Banh Mi: A Vietnamese sandwich can be enjoyed at many shops along Valley Blvd. in the San Gabriel Valley (such as Mr. Baguette, Baguette Express, Baguette du Jour, etc.), but LA Magazine says skip all those for KP’s, a deli in Silverlake. While it costs $5.55 compared to $1.50 at the places previously mentioned, seems like KP’s is worth the extra $4.

Brownies: The Farm of Beverly Hills apparently has really addictive chocolate fudge brownies, and if enjoying them with a tall glass of milk isn’t enough for you, LA Magazine suggest… a brownie sundae! (I’ll admit, I’m drooling.) If anyone wanna go to the website to order me a box, I’ll love you!

Limeade: Honorable mentions to Clementine’s ginger limeade, but they give the honor of best in LA to Border Grill’s Minty Lime Cooler (which I want to add is also served at Ciudad).

Waffles: Canter’s Delicatessen’s waffle “needs nothing more than butter, which comes in a saucer already melted” for $4.75.

Bar Menu: Tower Bar wins hands down with Chef Collin Crannell (Patina, Water Grill, and Chloe are notches on his belt) running the show. Along with his extravagant entree menu, you can choose desserts from Pastry Chef Miho Travi (formerly of Sona). If all bar food was like this, you’ll probably never see me in a restaurant again.

Small Plates: AOC which stands for “Appellation d’Origine Controlee” may be recommended by LA Magazine, but I’ve got my doubts about this place. I mean, $25 for corkage and if you bring your own cake for someone’s birthday or any other special occasion, you will be charged $2.50 per person for a “dessert corkage fee” is usually the type of place I avoid. Still, the fact that AOC is owned by the same people who own lucques tells me the food must be fairly good.

(Incidentally, lucques is having its 5th annual Rib Fest on August 7th from 4pm-10pm. This makes it definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re going to the Hollywood Bowl later and haven’t figured out what to do for food.)

Bread Pudding: Blair’s bread budding is based from brioche soaked in custard “flavored with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg and layering it with butternut squash puree before baking. The pudding is served bottom side up, so that the caramelized brioche is on top, with creme fraiche ice cream.” (2903 Rowena Ave., Silverlake, 323-660-1882)

Indian Restaurant: Maurya offers good food in a comfy environment to win this category. LA Magazine was sold on the “plush sofas and silk-covered stools” along with the chicken tikka masala “blanketed in tomato gravy redolent of honey and black cumin” and the “coconut lamb curry spiced with ginger and fennel.”

Salad Bar: Mrs. Winston’s Green Grocery Stores have not only selection but also CLEANLINESS! (Locations: 2901 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica, 310-452-7770; Water Garden, 2450 Colorado Blvd., Santa Monica, 310-315-2777; and opening soon at 1999 Avenue of the Stars, Century City)

Foie Gras: I know there are a lot of people who aren’t crazy about this one, but it can be oh so good if it is done right. LA Magazine suggest Norman’s, whose foie gras is “seared and served between layers of warm French toast, with passion fruit caramel and a pineapple, mango, and papaya salsa.”

Dessert Shop: Susina Bakery is filled with a wide range of pastries including kiwi and strawberry tarts, chocolate tortes, cheesecakes “infusede with fresh mandarin oranges, and cakes drunk with figs.” In addition to these desserts, cookies, pies, and coffee, the owner’s aunt is a tarot card reader, so you can get some food and your fortune read all at the same place.

Tamales: I first heard about Tamales Liliana’s on the news last Christmas. LA Magazine seems to be seconding that story about Liliana’s being the best stop for tamales. Last December, huge, long lines wrapped around the block since before the doors were open at 5am. While the rest of the year isn’t as packed, Tamales Liliana’s is still nevertheless very busy. I say go now and avoid the lines in December. (3448 E. 1st St., Boyle Heights, 323-780-0829)

Caramels: Little Flower Candy Co. caramels are chewy just the way good caramels are supposed to be. If anyone wants to send me a box of these with the brownies from The Farm, that would be super.

Middle Eastern Restaurant: Mandaloun offers fresh food and live entertainment. I’m not sure which LA Magazine enjoyed more, but the warm kalaj bread sounds really good to me.

Microbrews: Most of the brewing companies I’ve been to are chains (BJ’s, Gordon Biersch, etc.), none of the beers very impressive, but LA Magazine recommends one I’ve never heard of, Angel City Brewing, that is different from the rest. Supposedly, the beer here is rich in flavor.

Chowder: Water Grill’s wins hands down, but I warn you that this soup will kill any diet. (It’s worth it though!)

Auntie Em’s website is temporarily down, so the latest news about the Eagle Rock haunt comes from their pals at Colorado Wine Company. Previously, Auntie Em’s was best known for their daunting cupcakes and homestyle breakfasts, but starting next week, Auntie Em’s is opening its doors for dinner too.

It’s only one night a month, by reservation only, but dinners will feature fresh ingredients from local Farmer’s Market and each meal will be paired with CoWineCo’s unique wines.

Aunite Em’s Inaugural Dinner — Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Tomatillo Braised Pork on a bed of Sautéed Market Greens and Braised Baby Garlic

Three Cheese Stuffed Squash Blossoms

Potato Crusted Halibut w/Mango and Green Onion Salsa

There are two seatings per dinner. The first seating, at 6:30PM is kid-friendly. A second seating follows at 8:30. Dinner is $23 p/person. CoWineCo is putting together tasting notes for each menu so guests can bring recommended wines with no added corkage fee. As of this afternoon there are still some seats left for the first dinner seatings.

Auntie Em’s Kitchen
4616 Eagle Rock Blvd.
Eagle Rock, CA
323.255.0800
info@auntieemskitchen.com