September 10, 2010

• Song of the Day
  
  “Sex and the City” – background music, I found this modern adaptation to be quite refreshing.

  Eating Around in L.A. – Summer is over! Now, I’m back to work at Xanga! It has been a nice summer as I enjoyed the carefree n’ lazy days, warm and humid, wearing flip-flops, shorts and tees. And YES, eating around as usual, but just too lazy to take food photos, plus the thought of sorting and tweaking each and every photo, it was about time to take a break for once. Light and delicious was the food theme during these dog days. The following are entries that I managed to take a snapshot…..

  Shin Sen Gumi Yakitori , Japanese BBQ Robata style – they have a host of eateries all over L.A., their eager and cheerful staff with their constant greetings/farewell salutes, and beer drinking scene provided a wonderful party atmosphere. It’s a fun place to hang out. Shishamo lightly salted and grilled to perfection…..
  

  Grilled bacon wrapped with asparagus (right) and ground chicken meat (left)…..
  

  Grilled Quail eggs / small Japanese green pepper…..
  

  Onigiri…..
  

  Jin Patesserie – this little cafe located in a quiet corner of Venice, serving up delicious pastries and light meals, is on everyone’s ‘must visit’ list. Proscuitto sandwich with a side of salad and chips(left).
  

  Slices of passion fruit and mango cake / bonus serving of chocolate from the house…..
  

  Fraiche, Santa Monica “serving rustic French & Italian, reminiscent of tasting one’s way through the European countryside, emphasizing market-fresh, seasonal ingredients.”
  Baby Beets, hazelnuts, mache, house made ricotta…..
  

  Summer peach salad…..
  

  Salmon on pine nuts…..
  

  MONKFISH “FRANCAISE” – Sautéed spinach, Yukon gold potato puree, Shallots, white wine…..
  

  Kurobuta Pork Chop, Romesco potato puree, baby broccolini, pork wine reduction sauce…..
  

  Chocolate basket, rich and creamy chocolate crémeux inside a crispy “basket”, a chocolate lover’s delight…..
  

  Bar Pintxo – this little Spanish tapas bar serves delicious small eats, one of my favourite places around West L.A. (read Christao’s entry here ). Sangria(left) and Spanish omelette(right)…..
  

  Frisee and shaved manchego cheese dressed with a quince vinaigrette and served on a flatbread…..
  

  Paella with razor clams…..
  

  Mixed ‘Spanish sushi’ with crimini mushrooms stuffed with mushroom mousse and manchego cheese; fresh tomato and garlic; and huevos rellenos con vinagreta vasca, deviled eggs with a pepper and onion relish in a vinaigrette dressing, all on grilled bread…..
  

  Another mixed plate consisting of – Serrano ham on grilled bread with olive oil; chorizo Bilboa (spicy sausage) with cherry tomato halves; and tomato conserve and manchego cheese, all served on grilled bread…..
  

  Dessert – (left)rice pudding with fresh peaches; (right)churros with a cup of chocolate dipping sauce
  

  RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen – This is a new pan-Asian restaurant from the Cheesecake Factory chain, the design and decor is over-the-top, like Vegas style over-the-top. It seems to me the decor is more impressive than the food itself. You may read an interesting entry from Christao about this restaurant here ). Crispy rice crackers with sesame seeds, this dish reminds me of the appetizer snacks served at restaurants in Bangkok…..
  

  Green mango and papaya salad, with tomatoes, carrots, crushed peanuts and crispy shallots….
  

  (left)Festive rice with coconut, lemongrass, Pandan leaves and nuts; (right)Grilled kumquat chicken, with pickled kumquats, lemongrass and sugar snap peas…..
  

  Claypot beef, with chayote, sugar snap peas and Thai basil…..
  

  Strawberry ginger shortcake, fresh strawberries with strawberry sorbet and Thai basil ice-cream…..
  

  The building and the interior design are impressive, to say the least….
  

  

  

  The dinner costs approximately US$56 plus 15% service charge, which is quite a lot considering the dishes are basic quasi-Thai cuisine. I guess a huge portion of the dinner bill contributed towards the “Interior Decoration Fund”. That said, this place would not be my first choice as a repeat customer.
  (Many thanks to Christao for the detailed menu for Bar Pintxo. And also thank you to W for a few of the fabulous food photos in this entry.)

  • 3:36 am
  • 37 Comments