***

I am not a burger aficionado whatsoever, but I recently had a major craving for a substantial lunch on a Sunday and somehow we ended up at Boho, in the heart of Hollywood on Sunset, right between the Arclight cinemas and hip Amoeba records.

Various restaurants have come and gone in that conveniently located space, including Charcoal, which apparently was also operated by the current owner Adolfo Suaya.

BoHo, is a bohemian Hollywood gastropub with a menu that sits below the $20 mark and a lengthy premium beer list. They offer selections such as rare craft brews Weihenstephan and Speedway Stout, also Green Flash’s Le Freak, The Lost Abbey’s Avant Garde, Stone’s Dry Hopped Old Guardian and Alesmith’s Nautical Nut Brown Ale, all of which are local (San Diego) microbrews. There are an additional twenty or so craft beers available on tap from Belgium, Oregon, Maine, New York etc.

The expected gastropub fare is on the menu, such as loads of pizza options (the usual suspects, plus a kalbi one) and salads plus more exotic cuisine, such as charcuterie, osmosis-cured pastrami, eighteen-hour-roasted pulled pork, homemade wild boar paté courtesy of Chef Andre Guerrero of Oinkster and Max fame.

They have one burger on their menu and it was truly fantastic.

The BoHo Burger features cambazola cheese, caramelized onion, tomato, pickles, thousand island, fries, aioli $14.00

I’m pretty sure I said ‘hold the pickles.’

Somehow, it was simply the perfect burger. Messy, yummy, tasty, not too greasy…

The aioli was killer – I took some home and smeared it on home-made crostini under some bruschetta as often as I could over the next couple of days.

One great thing was the delicious and healthy side salad that came with it, their Farro grain salad, made with parsley, cucumber, tomato, onion, olives, mint and lemon oil. Refreshing, hearty and healthy.

Weird thing is they list this burger on the site at three different prices:

Lunch - $10
Sunday Brunch & Dinner - $14
Social Hour - $8

I can’t quite work it out, but I think it has something to do with whether the farro salad is included or not.

On their home page they are featuring their new “Social Hour” event:

Monday-Friday 4:00-7:00pm & Saturday 2:00-5:00pm
also
Late Night Social Hour
Friday & Saturday 11:00pm-1:00am (NB – kitchen closes at midnight)

All BoHo Draft Beers ($5)
BoHo Well Drinks ($5)
Select Red & White Wine ($5)
All BoHo Pizzas ($8)
BoHo Bites
Farro Salad, parsley, Persian cucumber, tomato, onion, olives, mint, olive oil, lemon ($6)
Hummus, boquerones (white anchovies), green olives, roast peppers, toast ($6)
Belgian Fries, aioli and housemade ketchup ($5)
BoHo Burger, cambazola cheese, caramelized onion, heirloom tomato, dill pickles, Thousand Island, fries, aioli ($8)

BoHo

6372 West Sunset Boulevard, (at Ivar Avenue)
Hollywood
(323) 465-8500

Open:
Mon - Thurs:
11:30 am - 12:00 am
Fri - Sat:
11:30 am - 1:00 am
Sun:
11:30 am - 11:00 pm

When you are a critic (theatre, film, food, art etc) you generally have to see movies and plays during the dinner hour. I am a big fan of post-show suppers, but unfortunately in this show-biz town the kitchens of most of the decent restos shut down around 10pm, right when the newest remake or wanna-be blockbuster is rolling the end credits.

What is a foodie to do?

I’ve discovered one place whose California/French-style kitchen is still serving dinner until 11pm, and it’s become my new fave.

Foundry on Melrose is Eric Greenspan’s hip and trendy joint and the food is fantastic. (Greenspan formerly ran the kitchens of Patina and Meson G.) It’s a little on the pricey side and the servings are moderate but nicely proportioned for supper dining. There’s a lovely and scene-y outdoor courtyard out back and, judging by the procession of large-breasted, teased-haired, mini-skirted babes tottering out back on their stripper heels, it’s obviously the place to be seen.

But I prefer to dine in the breezy, open-to-the-street main ‘lounge & bar’ area, and both times I’ve been seated in a cozy booth towards the back of the restaurant, opposite the industrious and friendly kitchen. In front of the bar there are jazz instruments & mics set up with a different line-up of musicians performing every night. Great food, good music and wine – perfect.

I’ve sampled their signature Foundry Tots ($5) – little balls of mashed potato perfectly deep fried until golden and piping hot, served in a miniature Staub cast iron pot (classy! practical!) These gourmet treats are served with a lavender mustard (it actually tastes purple – Prince would approve) and a mini serving of cheese fondue. Yum!

They do elegant salads, such as the old classic Salad of Roast Beets and Blue Cheese, with balsamic beet puree and raw beets. Pretty good. $9.00

I recently spotted a salad on their Market tasting menu and they let me have it à la carte. I forgot to check the price, but I think it was around $7.00 (maybe $9.00?) for the Tomato & Watermelon Salad with creamy burrata, basil and soy vinaigrette.

Chef Greenspan is very attentive and comes over to explain what’s special about each dish just after it’s served. I was pulling a confused face when I started on the Tomato & Watermelon Salad which Chef G picked up on right away, graciously explaining that the little crunchy green cubes were “pickled watermelon rind,” but he loses a couple of brownie points for jokingly adding, ‘Who doesn’t know what that tastes like?!”

Uh, moi.

The entrees haven’t grabbed me as much as the apps and snacks (late night dining, remember?) but they include Jidori Chicken “Viennoise”; Chicken Confit; John Dory; Mustard Glazed Brisket; Loup de Mer; Tea Poached Yellowtail; Roasted Salmon. Here prices range from around $18—$31, with the “Patio Season” Burger affordably priced at $12.

Fellow food blogger Pauline & I recently cruised in and were seated right away. We shared a main order of Roasted Hanger Steak served with fingerling potatoes, apples and blue cheese ($21) and it was perfectly cooked and served sliced. Excellent.

Oh, we even got two little amuse freebies, didn’t we Pauline? A tiny, buttery and flaky Southern biscuit served with honey-herb butter that at first I thought was chèvre – LOL – as well as something else? Was it a Gazpacho shot?

Tots, plus a salad plus a shared main and a lovely glass of wine each came to around $70.00 between two, before tip. Not bad for a light yet satisfying meal for two gals out on the town following some disappointing comedy at the Groundlings, just down the street.

Their website lists several theme nights, so I’ll definitely be returning.

Someone needs to post in the comments what the desserts are like because I never have room.

Introducing Lunes Latinos:
Join us for Lunes Latinos with Latin inspired cocktails, Greenspan’s Gorditas (3 kinds / $3 each), and Latin Jazz in the lounge from 8:30-11:30pm every Monday!
Every Tuesday is Bluesy Tuesday:
Enjoy Chef Greenspan’s take on Southern food – fried chicken (priced by the piece) and waffles ($4); sides of creamed corn, grits and greens ($5); Green Tomatoes ($5); Corn bread pudding ($7) while grooving to the blues.
8-10pm in the lounge every Tuesday.
Thursdays is Live Jazz and Absinthe from ‘Le Tourment Vert’ – 9.30pm—1pm. Late night menu available.
Suds, Songs and Sammies Sundays:
Join us every Sunday for $2 Featured Beers when you buy a signature sandwich and enjoy Singer Songwriters in the lounge from 8:30-11:00pm
Sunday Menu:
Every Sunday we offer 3 tasting menus to choose from. They are 2, 3, and 4 courses at $29, $39, and $49 respectively. We also serve our Lounge Menu a la carte. The menu changes every Sunday, so please call the restaurant the day of to find out what it is.

OPEN:

Sundays open at 5:30pm
Mon—Sat open at 6:00pm

Foundry on Melrose
7465 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 651-0915

Okay, I am no pho (pronounced “fah”) expert, but I do know that the broth should be quite clear.

Cloudy broth, such as the bland dishwater served at Pho 999, simply does not cut it.

Phor those who don’t know, pho is a Vietnamese soup, similar to Japanese ramen or soba, that is usually served with beef (pho bo) or chicken (pho ga). The soup includes thin vermicelli rice noodles and comes served with a platter of basil, lime, bean sprouts and sliced peppers that are added to the soup by the consumer.

I ordered the ‘Tai’ which is rare beef, but all the various choices are there, including tripe, tendon and brisket also chicken or shrimp or tofu or BBQ pork – the usual suspects.

My soup with its ‘rare’ steak shows up immersed in the hot broth, not looking at all pink.

Fail.

It’s thinly sliced but chewy and overcooked. I squeeze some lime into the bowl and pluck some pungent purple Thai basil and some bean sprouts from the platter that lands on your table in advance of the soup. Some people also add hoisin (a sweet Chinese soy bean-based sauce) and/or sriricha (a smooth Thai paste made from sun ripened chilies and garlic) to amp up the heat. They do have a good selection of condiments on the table, including hot green peppers in vinegar.

Insipid and uninspiring, the only saving grace is that this hearty meal only costs about $7.00.

They also serve exceedingly sweet boba concoctions, including some fancy ones such as jackfruit, durian, papaya, coffee and mango, and Ca Phe Sua Da – the Vietnamese ice coffee that’s essentially a shot of espresso mixed with condensed milk, served in a glass of ice.

Well, I feel like I struck out with this place. Pho 999 is not phabulous.

So what’s your favorite Pho location?

Pho 999
6411 Sepulveda Blvd
Van Nuys, CA 91411
NW cnr Sepulveda and Victory
(818) 782-1999
Open: Mon-Sun 9 am - 10 pm

The quality isn’t just in the toppings though. Blanc founder Leo Leonard really puts a lot of care and attention into making the frozen yogurt itself, and this shows in the taste. He took pride in telling me they avoid using high-fructose corn syrup and try to use natural ingredients as much as they can. In fact, two flavors featured that evening, Madagascar Vanilla and Peach Passion Fruit were certified organic by the USDA. Blanc is betting on this high quality in its frozen yogurt and toppings to differentiate itself from other frozen yogurt shops, but in my opinion, this is the wrong bet. Blanc actually has another ace up its sleeve.

Sure, the frozen yogurt and toppings are really good, but they aren’t incentive enough for me to drive to Beverly Hills and pay the higher price (cost is at the end of this post). What would get me to do all that is something Blanc showed us at the party, a crepe waffle bowl. This is basically a super thin wheat crepe that is folded into a cup right before it hardens, and it even has the square grids you see on waffle cones. The crepe is better tasting and healthier than those sugar waffle cones and bowls. I also loved how I could break the crepe by just gently tapping on it and enjoy each bite of my frozen yogurt with it. The texture of the crepe remained crispy down to my last spoonful of frozen yogurt. This crepe bowl is very unique and worth a try. Blanc debuted the crepe for us at the party and will hopefully be adding it to their menu soon. I’ll be back with my wallet in hand as soon as they do.

Blanc Menu/Cost:

Petite - $4
Moyen - $5
Grande - $6
Regular toppings - $0.40
Premium toppings - $0.80

Blanc Haute Yogurt
9465 Charleville Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 283-2611
Hours: Sunday-Thursday - 12pm-8pm, Friday-Saturday - 12pm-9pm

One thing I always get is coffee. I do switch it up and choose from a mocha ($4.50), vanilla latte ($4.25), and caramel latte ($4.50). I don’t usually drink any of these at restaurants or coffee shops, but Huckleberry actually makes the chocolate syrup, vanilla syrup, and caramel. It really makes a difference in the taste of these drinks. Yesterday, I picked vanilla latte and showed my friends my cup after I was finished. They were impressed to see lots vanilla bean specks inside. Huckleberry offers other hot and cold beverage choices, but quite honestly, the lattes and mocha are the only drinks I ever order from here.

I’m not a morning person, so it’s rare (though not impossible) for me to make it to Huckleberry for breakfast. My favorite at Huckleberry is the very hearty Niman Ranch brisket. The brisket is fairly lean meat cubed and stewed until tender in a tomato-based sauce. It’s a little heavy, but the flavor is quite exceptional. The portion is quite generous, so I usually don’t finish and end up with leftovers, which I take home and mix with some pasta. Since I did get to Huckleberry early enough to make it for breakfast yesterday, I got to have the Niman Ranch brisket hash ($12.25). It’s not too different from the plate I usually get except there are slices of their roasted market potatoes mixed in and two eggs served on top. Another thing I like about Huckleberry is the service. My friends decided to share an order of the brisket hash, but one person likes a runny yolk and the other doesn’t. One of the staff members overheard their conversation and offered to ask the kitchen to cook one of the eggs a little longer to accommodate them both. We also got an English muffin with blueberry jelly ($3). What I love about the jelly is that it was really more like blueberry compote. You can see the clumps of blueberries that were mashed to make the jelly. On top of that, you can still taste a bit of the blueberry tartness because Huckleberry did not over-sweeten it.

Huckleberry isn’t the cheapest of casual food cafes, but if you think about the quality of ingredients that they use, the amount that they give you, plus how much other restaurants charge for similar items, the prices come out fairly comparable. My wallet can’t support a daily visit to Huckleberry, but it is definitely a favorite spot to visit semi-regularly.

Miscellaneous Notes:
Huckleberry has free parking in the back, which is great because if you enter from the back door, you can get right in line. Do not be too turned off by the long line. It goes by pretty quickly. If waiting in line really bothers you, call in a to-go order. They have a pick up counter, and I have never seen more than one or two people wait in that line. You’re supposed to find a table after you order and pay. If you don’t see anything available, ask the staff for help. Other must try items at Huckleberry include green eggs and ham ($12.25), maple-bacon biscuits ($3.75), and chocolate croissant ($3.50).

Huckleberry
1014 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: (310) 451-2311
Fax: (310) 451-1322
Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 8am-7pm; Saturday-Sunday, 8am-5pm

Umami is the fifth taste (the other four being sweet, salty, sour, and bitter) that enhances flavors, making food delicious. Umami Burger is named after this Japanese concept. I definitely don’t have a palate refined enough to recognize the umami taste, but I can tell you Umami Burger got it down because I devoured my Truffle Burger ($11) in no time. I was really surprised myself by how I couldn’t stop eating this burger. It looked rather plain when it was brought to me on a bare plate, and I thought an In-n-Out burger looks bigger. Trust me when I tell you that looks are deceiving. The Truffle Burger was plenty filling, as the medium-rare patty was quite thick, probably more so than two In-n-Out patties put together. My friend even commented that I must be enjoying the burger because I wasn’t saying a word. I finally understood Carl’s Jr.’s tagline, “Don’t bother me. I’m eating.” I think Umami Burger should be the one to rightfully use this tagline. The meat patty was also pretty coarse, so there was just a bit of meat crumbles that fell on my plate, which I made sure to pick off before my plate was taken away. The Hatch Burger ($9) is also quite flavorful and offers a mild kick, using a 4-chile spread, but I still prefer the Truffle Burger.

Okay, so for those of you who already know all about Umami Burger, here’s something you may or may not know about: Umami Burger’s cheesy tater tots ($4). These are nothing like the hard, dry tater tots you remember from elementary school. They are crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. Paired with a jalapeno sour cream-based sauce, the tater tots are a much better accompaniment to the burgers than fries or onion rings. You won’t see the cheesy tater tots on the menu though. You just have to be in the know to order these.

Miscellaneous Notes:

Umami Burger has four locations, and the menu will vary at each one. Each location has exclusive items on the menu. The Truffle Burger and Hatch Burger are available at all of them (as well as the Umami Burger - their signature burger - and SoCal Burger). Be sure to check out happy hour, too. The Hollywood location offers a Smash Burger ($5) at the bar weekdays from 3pm-7pm, which mashes pickles, onions, and possibly other items into the patty before cooking. It’s a little smaller than the entree burgers, but you can’t beat $5 for an umami experience.

Umami Burger
Locations at La Brea, Hollywood (two there), and Santa Monica
Click on the link above to find the address, phone number, and hours of operation for the location near you.

I have done something absolutely horrible as a foodblogger. I’ve been holding out on you. A while back, I discovered Scoops, a taste of heaven for gelato and ice cream lovers. It is my favorite stop for a sweet treat, and I usually stop by once or twice a month. Since we’re in the middle of summer, I am finally sharing this cool spot with you.

So what’s so special about Scoops? What makes it different from other gelato and ice cream parlors? To start off with, you never know what flavors to expect when you walk in. For instance, how many ice cream shops will offer black truffle maple, coffee Guinness, cheddar melon, or goat cheese fig flavors? My favorite is still chai tea Irish cream. The flavors are also very unique, and you’re not likely to find them at other places. They also change every single day. Other than brown bread, do not expect to find a previous flavor they’ve had to be available. That’s not to say they don’t repeat flavors - it just depends on your luck and really what they feel like making.

So there’s another reason why I heart Scoops so much. It’s how affordable a visit to Scoops is. One scoop of gelato is actually two small scoops so you can pick two different flavors for $2.75. If one scoop just isn’t enough for you, you can get a refill for $2. If you really love a particular flavor and happen to have a cooler with you or live nearby, you can buy a pint for $6. As much as I love Scoops, one full scoop of two flavors is more than enough for me.

Miscellaneous notes:
Most times, I order my gelato in a cup instead of a cone. I really like how when I’m eating there (as opposed to carry out), they give me a little glass bowl. It just feels classy to me. Also, if you go to Scoops after 9pm, you’ll see some of the flavors will be sold out, so try to go earlier if you can to see the full array of flavors available. Parking isn’t an issue most of the time. There is metered parking right in front of the shop, but if those spots are full, have no fear. Scoops is located right next to LA City College, so there are lots of parking spaces further up the street. The students and staff usually use the LACC parking lot, so there’s ample street parking. I have never not found parking during a Scoops visit.

Scoops
712 N Heliotrope Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90029
Phone: (323) 906-2649
Hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-10pm, Sun 2pm-6pm

Fresh & Easy complaint letter

Thursday, July 1, 2010

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.

I am writing to request an explanation for the following complaint:

Recently I used two of your Fresh & Easy brand 14.5oz cans of “ORGANIC Italian style diced tomatoes” with about one pound of ground beef to make a typical “ragu” or “bolognese” pasta sauce.

On the label of your product it reads: “Our diced Cali tomatoes are blended with garlic, oregano and basil.”

I wish it also read, “Plus an INSANE amount of added sugar.”

When I tasted this meat sauce, it was SWEET.

Yes, sweet.

WHY!?!!

I had to look at the Nutrition Facts label, AND do some fancy arithmetic, to discover to my dismay that I had added a whopping THIRTEEN+ TEASPOONS (56g) of sugar to my sauce simply because I used two small cans of your flavored and SUGARED tomatoes.

No chef in his or her right mind would add that huge quantity of sugar to a savory meal.

I am writing to request an explanation for this, and to request that you PLEASE reduce the sugar level in this product to a more sensible level.

In any case, I will never use it again, nor do I trust your products any longer.

This is an absurdly, ridiculously high level of sugar, and the fact that you disguise it by saying there are 8g of sugar per serving, and 3.5 servings per can (really?!?) just makes my blood boil. There are NOT “3.5 servings per can” – everybody will use at least one if not two cans per meal. This is immorally misleading.

So sneaky, so unhealthy and so very, very wrong.

I look forward to a detailed explanation addressing this complaint.

Does anyone else feel the same fury I do about hidden levels of sugar in their food?!

I’ve also sent this letter to their HQ. I’ll be sure to post again with their response.

The preview featured chefs from several of the top restaurants Los Angeles all “catering” a vegetarian feast for the Zoo’s gorillas. Chefs from eateries such as Malo, Celestino Ristorante, Green Street Restaurant, Maison Akira, El Cholo, La Poubelle, Clancy’s Crab Broiler and Yamashiro prepared fruits, vegetables and salads for the ravenous gorillas. These same chefs will donate their expertise and cuisine for the human guests at the 40^th Annual Beastly Ball on June 19^th, which is the main annual fund-raiser held by GLAZA, a private, non-profit organization that raises money for the city-owned Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

Meanwhile, at the preview, the staff and owners of Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs provided food for the humans in attendance.

Nice and early I trooped over to the LA Zoo, in Griffith Park, and gathered, along with a handful of writers, TV cameras and local politicians, to watch the gorillas in action. Over in the gorilla habitat the vegetarian delicacies had been put in place by the zookeepers that included several carved watermelon shells stuffed with tropical fruits and vegetables.

The preview also featured remarks by GLAZA President Connie Morgan, LA Zoo Director John Lewis and City Councilmember Tom LaBonge (Council District 4), who reiterated his love for Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs. Unfortunately Betty White had to miss the preview as she was busy at work on her new television show, Hot in Cleveland. She’ll be the guest of honor, however, at the Beastly Ball on June 19^th.

Individual tickets for this year’s Ball cost $1,000 each, and table reservations are available starting at $7,500. You may also make a contribution at any level in Betty’s honor. All donations will support the work of the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

For more information on tickets and sponsorships, please call Maricela Vazquez at 323-644-4753 or check their website.

The Gastrobus is a family owned-and-operated restaurant … on wheels! Theatre patrons will be able to purchase specially prepared goodies from a mouth-watering menu before the performances of Leiris/Picasso and during intermission on Thursdays, June 17 and 24; July 1, 8, 15, and 22.

Brimmer Street Theatre Company, in association with Bootleg Theater, presents the World Premiere of Wednesday Night at the home of Michel Leiris a reading of the play ‘Desire caught by the Tail’ by the painter Pablo Picasso – a stage play written and directed by David Jette.

Leiris/Picasso twists the true story of an underground meeting between Picasso and the French existentialists into a slamming-doors sex farce. Enduring hunger, the Nazis, and each other, the greatest thinkers of the 20th century risk their lives to find that the master has written a play so unwatchable that even they cannot stomach the pretension.

Brimmer Street Theatre Company is a Los Angeles-based performance company with a commitment to develop original theatre artists whose work challenges established forms and expectations, and to assemble a close ensemble of these artists, craftsmen, students, and benefactors to produce work of exceptional innovation and character. The mission of BSTC is to entertain, inspire, challenge, astound, and empower audiences and artists in the Los Angeles community. For more, visit their website.

Bootleg Theater is a 1930s warehouse and a home for Los Angeles artists who work in theatre, music, dance, and film. Bootleg provides artistic support and production resources to help these artists create original and daring interdisciplinary work. Combining art forms creates work that is surprising, unexpected, exciting and reflective of life in Los Angeles, a city where the boundaries are elastic, and not bound by tradition. Bootleg offers Los Angeles a celebration of itself.

There will be two lower-priced preview performances of Leiris/Picasso on Thursday, June 10 and Friday, June 11 at 8pm, and opening night is Saturday, June 12 at 8:00pm. The regular performance schedule will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm through July 24. All tickets for regular performances are $29 (previews are $20). Discounts are available if tickets are purchased seven days prior to the performance date. To purchase tickets and to get more info on discounts, call (213) 290-2782, or reserve online. A portion of the ticketing fees for all Brimmer Street productions goes toward supporting LA Stage Alliance through their partnership with Patron Technology.

Performances June 10th – July 24th at Bootleg Theater
Opens Saturday, June 12th, 2010 at 8pm

The Bootleg Theater is located at 2220 Beverly Boulevard, in Los Angeles, 90057. Free parking is available.