Weekend Eats

Had some good eating experiences this past weekend. Nothing interesting or remarkable but sometimes good company and good circumstances make up for that. On Friday evening I went to my coworker's party and made the aforementioned Kimchi Arancini and some marinated Pork Rib/Beef Rib "ssam" or lettuce wraps. I also used shiso leaves to wrap the meat and surprisingly my non-Asian co-workers enjoyed them.

On Saturday I discovered a new favorite place in LA - South Pasadena's Mission District. Even though it was swelteringly hot in the low 100's, it was very pleasant to stroll around this neighborhood. I found Nicole's Gourmet Foods where my sister and I had a charcuterie and cheese plate for just $15. Three meats, three cheeses, two pate's and some fresh cut baguettes crostinis.

Later in the evening my sister and I were driving through Los Feliz and we stopped by Little Dom's for a late night "snack" of spaghetti/meatballs and mushroom pizza erstwhile people-watching on the street at 11PM. The trendy yuppies going to Tangier Lounge passing by made it fun. The cool breeze and dark streets with swift passing cars made for a great dining experience.

Sundays I had my usual routine of not eating anything until dinner. I just don't have an appetite. Thankfully my friend Andy, who's leaving for Japan for two months decided to throw a guy's night out, with the restaurant of our choice. We wanted to go to Mozza but the place was packed (I hear the best chance you have is just to walk in if you don't have a reservation). We ended up going to Porterhouse Bistro in Beverly Hills for their four course dinner for $43.50. We'd only pitch in 10 bucks and Andy would cover the rest. Seven of us ate at this quiet restaurant on Wilshire Blvd where we indulged in huge, juicy steaks. Service was suspect - when I asked the server to "chill" my glass of syrah, she had it shaken in a cocktail shaker with ice. Ouch. What I meant was that it be slightly chilled like all good red wine should be, especially in summer. That monster meal capped off a weekend of rather quotidien food but outstanding experiences nonetheless. There's not much better than going to a steakhouse with a bunch of your guyfriends on a Sunday evening.

(sorry that I don't have any pictures, I let my friend Grace borrow the Nikon for her trip to Uganda)