Man In The Kitchen
With Jeff Baker
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Food Finds what Jeff does when he's not in the kitchen
Famima at LA's Union Station carries Rice Balls in their fresh case. These handy, ready-made, easy-to-eat snacks are perfect for your next train ride. They look more like rice triangles and come in a variety of flavors. Traditionally, these Japanese rice balls (Onigiri) offer fillings like seafood or vegetables and are wrapped in Nori (roasted sea weed). If you like sushi, you'll like rice balls. I think they taste best with a little soy sauce. Cheap at $1.50.
more info: justbento.com
LA's Farmer's Market - Third and Fairfax in West LA. When I miss home, specifically Seattle's Pike Place Market, I get my fill at this historic LA landmark. This open air market offers everything from fresh veggies to custom-cut meats. My single favorite shop is Monsieur Marcel where you can find just about any French cheese. The greatest challenge at the Farmer's Market is deciding among the dozens of walk-up eateries. My boys love Phil's Deli where you'll find authentic New York sandwhiches like Pastrami on Rye (pictured). Donna and Jill love the French Crepe Company. I typically end up at the Gumbo Pot to get an Oyster Po' Boy sandwich.
more info: farmersmarketla
Polly's Pies. There are a handful of these places in So Cal (some are called Polly's Bakery, others Polly's Pies). It's a down-home, midwest-style, oaisis of comfort. Donna and I happened to be at the Norco restaurant during a pie raffle (yes, a pie raffle!). It was our first visit, so they gave us a free giant cinnamon roll (pictured) which we only sampled because our tummys needed room for their signature potato pancakes and smoked Kilebasa. The lunch and dinner menu offers traditional American food like chicken pie, pork chops, and Salisbury steak. Reasonable prices.
more info: pollyspies.com
Cardenas Market in Ontario (off Vineyard Avenue) has an express service (prepared food) area that includes a nice eating area. Donna enjoyed a Cuban sandwich with at least three types of meat (one breaded). Alex and Odette had Carne Asada Tortas. The bread is fresh. I liked the in-store Tortillaria where tortillas of all shapes and colors came off the line.
Six Taste - Santa Monica Food Tour: Have you ever taken a food tour? There's a great one close by in Santa Monica. It started with a croissant-baked pretzel and ended with an amazing deli sandwich (which we enjoyed at sunset overlooking the Pacific). In between we took a virtual trip back to Italy by trying Gelato on the 3rd Street Promenade. Our Mexican feast at Border Grill was topped off with an appearance from owner and celebrity-chef-and-former Two Hot Tamale Susan Feniger. Our tour guide Therese shared abundant food expertise embellised with local Santa Monica history to make this our newest favorite food tour. Can't wait to try all Six (hence the name) Taste Food Tours all over the metro area. sixtaste.com
Chronic Tacos: This San Clemente based taco stand has expanded to over 25 stores througout California, yet they're still elusive. Donna and I stumbled upon the Rancho Cucamonga store (NE corner Foothill and Rochester - by the 76 station). Inside we found an abbreviated version of Chipotle's operation - freshly assembled, fresh Mexican cuisine. Donna tried the Carnitas Quesadilla. I opted for the grilled fish taco on a steamed corn tortilla, which would have been relatively healthy until I was offered the mayo-based "baja sauce" - an essential topping. We shared carne asada nachos which was a meal in itself (half went home to Chris). One word - fresh and darn tasty. Worth searching for. Friendly and efficient service. Find a location here: eatchronictacos.com
La Parolaccia: The $12.95 fixed lunch menu drew us inside this Claremont Osteria. We enjoyed sun dried tomato pesto on fresh bread, roasted tomato soup, spinach-black olive-artichoke-heart salad - and that was just the start. For the main course (remember- this is lunch) I enjoyed angel hair pasta with asparagus and tomato sauce topped with melting slices of smoked mozzerella. Donna chose the ham, salami, and pancetta pizza (8 slices, she had two, I had two, the kids got the rest). For dessert, we dove into Limoncello Truffle Mousse. They even know how to make an authentic macchiato! A great value and excellent service. laparolacciausa.com
The Cheese Cave: Great cheese shops are scarce. It was thrilling to find this place in Claremont. The aroma of this quaint little place hits you on the sidewalk. Inside, owners and sisters Lyddie and Marnie are simply delightful people that were happy to give us samples of cheeses from all over the world, including Sottocenere (ash-preserved cow cheese from Italy) and Austrailian Boxing Cheddar (sharp!). The shop offers a variety of other cool items including goat cheese caramels. Check out their selection of hard meats and beer (they carry Stone's Double Bastard Ale - saved me a trip to Escondido!) claremontcheese.com
Flamingo Palms Cuban Bistro: Is situated In a small strip center off Archibald Ave in Rancho Cucamonga. This unassuming Bistro caught my eye with there large "Cuban Food" sign. We were greeted with a smiling waiter called JP. I ordered the Media Noche: Midnight sandwich with pork, Ham and Cheese and Donna ordered the daily special of Roasted Garlic Chicken. Both dishes I would come back for. We treated ourselves to a Nepolitan and cuban coffee. Someday it is a dream of mine to visit Cuba, If all there food is like this I will be there a while. www.flamingopalmscubanbistro.com, working on facebook page
Mes Amis in Chino Hills is one of my favorite restaurants to eat at in Chino Hills. The cuisine is Lebanese Mediterranean. The owner, Sammy puts his heart and soul into this place. Everything is cooked and presented with loving care. He offers a varity of "Journeys" to start with. All are worth the trip. I always go for the special of the day. Sammy introduces me to something new everytime and I am never dissapointed. http://www.mesamisrestaurant.com/ Also on Facebook.
Reviews are also on Yelp!
maninthekitchen.yelp.com
Garbanzo Bar and Grill, Rancho Mirage
Okay, I rolled my eyes when Donna mentioned the name of this Rancho Mirage restaurant she wanted to try. I pictured some sort of vegan haven offering nothing but grilled chick-pea pancakes. My myth was dispelled once my eyes spotted a mound of meat rotating vertically behind the counter. My teeth sank into our appetizer - tender, hearty mushrooms sautéed in a flavorful, sweet sauce served over a plate of fluffy Hummus which I dove into with a piece of hot laffa (flat bread covered in sesame seeds and flavor-exploding spices) more