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Sundae in the Park

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Everything posted by Sundae in the Park

  1. Sundae in the Park
    This is pretty old news at this point, but Pok Pok LA is closed (as of March this year). Eater has a good rundown of reasons why Angelenos didn't embrace the concept or location (the article doesn't mention the other, nearby Ricker restaurant, Pok Pok Phat Thai, closed in Aug 2016). I'm sad I never made it to either spot, but coming from the north, I'd have to drive past Thai Town to get there. That means passing up some tremendous and tremendously cheap eats, and I could never quite bring myself to take the time. Which is kind of bizarre, considering that Pok Pok Portland is a must-eat whenever I'm in PDX. I guess it just goes to show how choice always depends on the available alternatives! Plus the allure of going to the original location (do the NY folks feel different about eating at a Pok Pok versus the Pok Pok?).
  2. Sundae in the Park
    We couldn't get through it. We knew what was "coming," but once we hit the tragic reveal we had to stop. As recently new again parents it was just too much of a drain on our emotions and free time. Normally I'm all about the Boston-area movies, as the accents and familiar mannerisms briefly take me home, but even for the wrenching performances completing the movie wasn't worth it for us at this particular time.
  3. Sundae in the Park
    What a great itinerary idea for combining The Broad and Grand Central Market!! It speaks perfectly to my desire to combine food and activities in a geographically efficient manner, with bonus points for walkability. Plus I've seen pictures/articles about the Mirrored Room and would love to see it or an iteration. Some more details about accessing The Broad: the advanced reservations seem to go very quickly. There are currently no reservations available for Sept. Reservations are released at noon online on the first day of the month for the following month. Example - I will try to get tickets for sometime in October on Sept. 1. you can try to get same-day general admission tickets via the onsite standby line, but I understand that the line can be quite long. Updates on line length are posted throughout the day via their Twitter feed. the museum is closed on Mondays The current Kusama exhibit is the Infinity Mirrored Room—The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away. This exhibit will close at the end of September, and then on October 21, the space will reopen as a different, larger exhibit (Infinity Mirrors - apparently the same exhibit that was at the Hirshhorn) and will require separate paid tickets from general admission.
  4. Sundae in the Park
    Ah, these are the exact items I most desire to try from the Market. Thanks for the drool reinforcement.
  5. Sundae in the Park
    Since Golden Island pork jerky is on this buzzfeed list of underrated Costco buys, I thought I'd throw it up here. Anyone have thoughts on the Kirkland prosecco or Looka frozen macarons? I've never seen the dark chocolate caramel poppers but will definitely buy them if I see them. The Cosmos Creations salted caramel puffed corn snack is wonderful, textured kind of like the churro bites we have out here (that you can only really find at farm stands for some reason) and a good balance of salty/sweet.
  6. Sundae in the Park
    Pretty good discussion about why Halo Top and its competitors are storming the nation's ice cream shelves in Slate. Still don't care for the stuff but I think the this article hits the nail on the head why - I would love to guiltlessly eat a whole pint of ice cream several times a week, but would prefer to eat smaller quantities of better-tasting/higher quality/more real food products. Apparently that is NOT the norm and the market is responding accordingly.
  7. Sundae in the Park
    How do we not have a Jeni's thread yet? My OH friends are NUTS about this stuff and it really does seem to be storming the nation. I can even get it out here in CA at certain stores. If you must have it you can order online and they deliver. I once attended a Columbus-area wedding that had a Jeni's ice cream bar instead of cake and it was, indeed, splendid.
  8. Sundae in the Park
    They are quite addictive but very salty, so after the first gorge as astrid notes below, they should last a while. They are terrific as a chip-like, carb-free, savory snack. Yes, exactly about the Golden Island jerky! It always makes me think of the Chinese pork jerky I ate while in Macau, but is actually superior. And, you know, available here.
  9. Sundae in the Park
    Do the East Coast stores stock Golden Island jerky? Ours has it, usually in the 2nd row of snacks near the front. We're big fans of the KBBQ-flavored pork jerky. It's a bit sweet for my taste but otherwise just about my Platonic ideal of jerky in taste and texture (thin pieces, easily pulled into long strips, moist but not wet and dry enough to have a nice, firm, chewy bite). Their beef jerky is just OK (much tougher and the flavor is nothing special) - it's really the pork version that shines. A couple other snacky products we usually buy now (always if they are on sale) are the Parmesan Whisps (crunchy parmesan-only baked discs, sized for snacking or topping pretty much anything) and the almond Barkthins (dark chocolate almond bark, broken into fairly thin pieces). Both are also found in the snacking section.
  10. Sundae in the Park
    For all you Chris Bianco fans, here's an interesting article from the LA Times talking about his new LA project and book. As one of the folks who has made the Pizzeria Bianco pilgrimage, I'm super excited about the anticipated opening of a location in the ROW DTLA, a developing high-end, mixed-use area next to the Arts District. Excited enough, probably, to make the trip down with two kids under 3 (yeah, that excited)!
  11. Sundae in the Park
    Grand Central Market gets a lot of discussion on Slate about the fancification of food halls: Artisanal Tacos on Paper Plates. I still haven't been, but it's been on my list of to-dos since I moved here (trouble is that I'm only ever downtown for work, and don't have time then to play!). Friends have enjoyed the pupusas and the offerings at Sticky Rice and there is a McConnells (out of Santa Barbara) stand as well!
  12. Sundae in the Park
    I make more, and more delicious food. I'm on a low-carb diet at the moment that my family doesn't need to share. Typically, I'll add a veg-heavy side or two that I know I'll like that my guys may or may not like (last night's meal: steak, mushrooms, and potatoes for all of us; spinach and cabbage mostly for me, though the guys ate a little. Also, the cabbage turned out surprisingly tasty so it was easier to eat more!). I cook in large batches so the food lasts for a few days and I'll have lots of options in rotation in the fridge for odd snacks or to take for lunch. But the food has to be good enough that I want to eat it (this is especially key for getting good lunches in), otherwise the system all falls apart and I waste time, $, and food So I'd say now is a splurge time for you in terms of ingredients you love/crave and go to town. It is definitely a bit more effort but I find it worthwhile. Oh, and while it is still cool, keeping a big pot (or frozen portions) of a low(er)-cal soup around (veg and/or bean-heavy) makes it really easy to add a course, just for you if need be, to every meal that will help you sneak in more fiber/nutrients and fill up. Finally, whatever it is, put an egg (or 2, or...) on it Adds a delicious (well, as long as you like eggs) healthy protein, is cheap, and takes very little time to cook. To stay on the original topic, I have a few friends who have had a lot of success with intermittent fasting and are able to maintain the diet and their losses, though the fasting intervals go way down in maintenance mode unless they need a reboot. Finding delicious low or no-cal beverages (really complex and/or fruity teas, it seems) seems to be key.
  13. Sundae in the Park
    Tonight: Steak with creamed spinach, curried cabbage, potatoes fried in bacon fat, and sauteed mushrooms Earlier this week: Pesto chicken; grilled sausages, peppers, and zucchini; quesadillas; and beef stew
  14. Sundae in the Park
    Aw, thanks. Besha Rodell is LA Weekly's food critic who came in 2012 as the heir to Jonathan Gold. She's got a few Beard nominations under her belt plus a win in 2014. A lot of the writeups seem to come from her, and the rest come from other staff members..."This year I was helped by our Food Editor Katherine Spiers, our Managing Editor Drew Tewksbury, our contributor Garrett Snyder and our Editor-in-Chief Mara Shalhoup. As always, our food photographer Anne Fishbein has provided beautiful art to illustrate the issue." I've been reading this list since about 2011, slightly before I moved here and I've noticed that some of the reviews for long-standing listees don't get updated every year. That is not to say this is wrong, because the focus of the list is the "essential" nature of the restaurant to the Greater LA food scene/specific neighborhood/cuisine. So the essential nature of the spot is less likely to change from year to year. Though it is nice to see a refreshed review or mini review! I don't know about their methodology, but I can say that, while the places I have tried haven't always been "the best of" they are almost always worth visiting for the item or reason highlighted and just generally good places to check out. Many experiences have been quite outstanding. I don't actually get down to LA all that often so I'm appreciative of this list as a resource that allows me to spend my dining capital wisely. I particularly like it in terms of seeing LA through a tourist's eyes - the "essential" nature of the list means that the listees aren't necessarily the newest, hottest, or even best, but might be the originator or proudest standard bearer of some local and/or cultural tradition, which YMMV but is something I'm seeking out when I visit.
  15. Sundae in the Park
    The 2017 edition of LA Weekly's 99 Essential Restaurants has dropped! This year they also have inaugurated a Freshman 15 list of newcomers to watch. In the past I've found their lists to be interesting and the majority of recommended restaurants I've tried have been worth the visit for the reasons described. For the 99 List, I especially appreciate their mapping and sorting-by-neighborhood features.
  16. Sundae in the Park
    I found this tidbit about the prohibition of Irish butter sales in WI to be interesting. Poor Wisconsonites, no Kerrygold for you! Hope their lawsuit works out!
  17. Sundae in the Park
    Well, the story has been picked up by the LA Times and the WaPo, so I'd say that it's making the rounds nationally. A quick skim of the comments on both articles are…interesting and disheartening…per usual folks don't seem to be reading the articles before spewing strong opinions. So far the whole stew seems to have been set off by the waiter-with-border-control-delusional-fantasies without support from management/corporate culture, but it is odd that the restaurant's response and apologies have been, for the most part, scrubbed from social media. Their Yelp page is under active management for trolling reviews and the owner does have a response to a question about the incident in the questions section.
  18. Sundae in the Park
    Heh, note that not all Southern California deserts are created equal, conditions in Death Valley were not optimal for creating a superbloom this year, and folks trekking there for flowers have been disappointed. If looking for this year's superbloom, see the thread on Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
  19. Sundae in the Park
    Another year, another Superbloom! Hooray for a wet winter Flowers came up about a week ago and will last a few more weeks in a "rolling bloom" if anyone is interested... Anza-Borrego Desert State Park California Deserts In 'Super Bloom' Thanks To A Wet Winter Anza-Borrego Desert Wildflowers Update NYT video of flowers Pretty flower pics to brighten your day courtesy of the Orange County Register
  20. Sundae in the Park
    We've been making for the past few weeks a cinnamon-raisin french toast bake (that I don't get to partake in at the moment ), which is a nice option for making several days' worth of breakfasts in one easy go. Basically we layer (standing up or at an angle) half-slices of cinnamon bread in a casserole dish, pour over a bunch of beaten eggs and heavy whipping cream, and sprinkle the whole mess with cinnamon, brown sugar, and other warming spices/vanilla as the mood hits. Leave in the fridge overnight to soak in and bake in the morning until appropriately toasty (it smells divine!!!). It is obviously NOT a light breakfast but keeps well (we rewarm in a toaster oven) and has been universally beloved by all that try it.
  21. Sundae in the Park
    ? and also ? because I love Haribo Bears so this is a great and useful warning!!!
  22. Sundae in the Park
    Oh my goodness, you guys, this is probably TMI and maybe everyone else already knows, but as a PSA, don't eat too much food made with fake sugar!! After chalking up a few days of misery to resurgent pregnancy symptoms, it turns out that lots of the ingredients in sugar-free stuff - e.g., sucralose, xylitol, sorbitol - work precisely because they can't be digested, which can lead to an uncomfortable GI system, especially if you eating a significant quantity of these ingredients. Everything in moderation or carefully controlled portions is still the rule of the day - there are no tradeoff-free shortcuts to eating sweets!!!! (Unless there is and then please tell me!!!)
  23. Sundae in the Park
    Eater article on the new location in Buena Park with some nice links to an opening day video (the line!) and the history of the chain. More links to local TV coverage. There's supposed to be a location opening up in West Covina next year. Wish they would move up my way!
  24. Sundae in the Park
    I wanted to go here while in SD but it was raining and my dining partner didn't want to brave the elements! Instead we hit: Jimmy's Famous American Tavern - nice view of the water and the Harbor Drive location is right across from the Holiday Inn. My red snapper (catch of the day) plate was fresh and simply dressed and the accompanying asparagus and mashed potatoes were worth eating. My dining partner enjoyed her spicy shrimp salad. It's a good place for a work dinner and super convenient when staying at the hotel, though I probably wouldn't return of my own choosing. The Kebab Shop - not as good as last time, but still perfectly adequate for fast, cheap, and good food. Ironside Fish & Oyster.- beautiful, soaring space in the heart of Little Italy with a carefully curated menu (seems to change and be freshly printed daily) of raw bar, classic fish-house eats, and daily specials. It's a shame I don't eat shellfish, because that really seems to be the draw here. I ended up with the fancy set of the night and it was a pretty, smallish portion of a tender white fish with some tasty vegetables (all good, all rather forgettable). My dining partner was happy with the calamari and we both enjoyed the broccolini (the green garlic, Fresno chili, and soy sherry glaze was terrific). It can get really bustle-y and loud and Happy Hour $1 oysters seem to be the best deal.
  25. Sundae in the Park
    I've tried quite a few low-carb/sugar desserts lately, and thought I would post on my impressions: Halo Top - too expensive for its icy texture and uninteresting add-in crunchy bits - pass. Breyer's CarbSmart Vanilla & Almond bars - not bad at all. They aren't super creamy but aren't icy at all and don't have much of an fake sugar aftertaste. I like the portion size because you can eat the whole bad so won't feel deprived. I keep buying these. No sugar added Popsicles - have a bit of a fake sugar aftertaste but decent when you're craving an icy fruity treat. Dreyer's slow-churned no sugar added ice cream - terribly chemical ingredient list but decently creamy without a fake sugar aftertaste so yay science??!! Available at regular grocery stores and the same price as the regular ice cream. Still can't eat a lot in a sitting if you're carefully counting carbs but you can have more. This will probably be my go-to until I can have real ice cream again! *** Also made a red curry chicken soup (basically my regular red curry with a lot more broth and even more vegetables), which was delicious and low carb but doesn't keep well, because the vegetables turn all mushy
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