Two fantastic places on Tujunga Blvd, in Studio City — namely my local Italian-style sandwich joint, Press Panini, and the sensational Gelato Bar — are both running a promotion!

photo by MaxMillion

On Tuesday, November 4th, at Gelato Bar they are giving away a free coffee (they serve killer espresso over there) to anyone who voted and brandishes their “I VOTED sticker.”

Just across the road and up a few doors at Press Panini they are giving away a panini-slider to anyone who voted and flashes their “I VOTED sticker.”

How cool is that?

You can choose from their six mini panini flavours:

Salami (with provolone and swiss cheeses);
Pastrami (swiss, kraut and pepperoncini);
Cuban (bacon, turkey, ham and swiss);
Turkey Pesto (with brie and artichoke pesto);
Caprese (mozzarella, tomato and basil);
Bacon and Egg (with swiss cheese).

Below — Grilled Tofu panini sandwich –photo by Foodeater from To Live and Eat in L.A.

Anyway, Press Panini offers a rather extensive menu – about thirty choices – of a variety of hot, pressed sandwiches, priced at $8.31, with a ‘kids’ size available for selected flavors for $5.08. With some of the choices you can opt to have your sandwich cold.

They also serve these incredibly tasty soups ($3.69 for a cup; $5.54 for a 16oz bowl) – I love the Lentil and Bean – and several big salads ($9.23). They do a meal deal of a sandwich (all are on their long, white panini bread roll) plus a side of soup, salad or chips and a regular sized drink for $12.93.

Sliders are normally priced at $2.99.

I love their classic Caprese, which is a tasty and simple combination of fresh mozzarella, sliced tomato and fresh, whole basil leaves, all dressed with a piquant balsamic dressing.

My guy likes the classic Prosciutto with provolone cheese, tomato and romaine lettuce and dijon mustard as well as that same balsamic dressing.

Another great one is the ‘Olive All-Over’ with brie and parmigiana cheese, sliced kalamata and black olives, portobello mushroom, fresh spinach leaves and olive tapenade.

So, if you are feeling peckish after your trip to the voting booth, head on over to Press Panini for your reward.

Remember to return here to post a comment and let us all know who you voted for how great your slider was!

In other news, they now take Credit cards.

Press Panini
4389 Tujunga Ave, just S of Moorpark, Studio City.
(818) 487 2564
Open 9.30am–7pm.
Local delivery available.

Gelato Bar
4342 1/2 Tujunga Avenue, Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 487 1717
Open — monday – thursday: 7:30 am – 10 pm
friday and saturday: 7:30 am – 11:00 pm
sunday: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm

Xiomara is one of those places that I have been aware of since it opened, but just never made my way over there. Well … that’s not entirely true. I made my way over there, but opted for the spectacular tasting menu at Providence instead.

But when I saw that they had created a menu for Dine Out 2006, it seemed the perfect opportunity to try it. For more details about what Dine Out is, check out eatdrinknbmerry’s post about the event.

The gist is, it’s a fundraiser for a good cause, and local restaurants offer a three-course prix fixe meal for $35 to encourage people to take part. How could I refuse such an offer?

Upon entering, I noticed that the atmosphere was elegant, yet cosy at the same time. The furnishings were elegant as befits a dining room, but the brick wallslit by many candles provided the cosiness. It was like dining in a nice Cuban hotel … or something. I’ve never actually been in a nice Cuban hotel.

I wasn’t sure what to expect. My favorite Cuban food in L.A. is Versailles and no fancy presentations have ever been able to make me forget that garlic chicken with a heaping side of soft plantains helping to soak up that garlic sauce. Would Xiomara be able to compete? Well, I have to say that Versailles still remains my Cubano numero uno but Xiomara did pretty well for itself.

One thing I loved, probably more than anything else, was that as soon as we were seated, we were offered mojitos. Well, yes, of course, I will take one, thanks. The mojitos were made with fresh squeezed sugar cane juice that came from a special machine called “King Cane.” I like to think that now that I know his name, his majesty and I are pals. The mojitos got served in some clever slanty glasses that caused me a brief moment of panic when first set down and, I think, could get VERY tricky the more mojitos you have. I am pretty sure I was talked into more than one and I never quite got used to the slanting.

We are provided with a basket of fried cheesy bread and flat breads with black bean dip. Fried? Cheesy? We went through two rounds of these. We were also brought an amuse bouche that was called a “Spanish tortilla” by our waiter. It was kind of like a tiny omelette with chorizo, potato, bell pepper and little mounds on the side of tapenade, garlic aioli and pickled peppers. It was very good, especially with the little sides.

For first course I chose an organic baby green salad with citrus-shallot vinaigrette. The salad was larger than I expected with maybe a bit too much dressing, but otherwise was good. I much preferred the other first course, which was a potato, yellow bell pepper and asparagus soup in a chicken stock. It was rich and warm and went perfectly with the atmosphere.

For main course, I had the “Nuevo Cubano Chicken Patacones,” which was a grilled chicken breast on saffron rice with twice-fried green plantain. On reflection, I probably should have ordered a different meat because I was courting disappointment getting chicken and without that garlic sauce, the chicken just couldn’t compare. But the chicken was cooked perfectly and the saffron rice was fluffy and flavorful. I was really disappointed in the plantains. They were nothing like warm, tender, mouth-watering plantains that you would get at Versailles. These were dry and not too flavorful. I am sure they were just the way they were supposed to be, but that was not what my mouth has come to expect when it comes to plantains.

We finished off with a trio of tropical fruit sorbets. Well, at least that’s what it was supposed to be. It turned out to be strawberry, which was fine with me. It was a cool, refreshing finish to our dinner.

I would love to go back and try Xiomara’s regular menu. Some of the dishes looked tres unique and interesting — more daring than what was available on the Dine Out menu, which is not surprising. And I want my new friend, his majesty King Cane to make me some more mojitos!

Xiomara - Pasadena
69 N. Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, CA. 91103
(626) 796-2520

Xiomara - Melrose
6101 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA. 90036
(323) 461-0601

http://www.xiomararestaurant.com/index.htm