A few days ago I was feeling spontaneous and wandered into the Toshi Sushi for a quick lunch. Although presumably their specialty is sushi, I was more drawn in by the $8.25 bento box lunch special. The term bento is a reference to a “single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine” (says wiki). The English translation of “bento” is “convenient.” This name makes sense when you consider that the box is compartmentalized to segregate different types of food. If you put a lid on the box, it would be ideal for travel.
The bento box lunch special comes with a salad and a cup of miso soup. You can choose two out of the following to include in your bento box: tempura, chicken, beef, salmon, and tuna. (There might have been more on that list, but I am going by memory.) I chose the chicken and tempura (as you can see).
Of course I ordered the tea as well.
Overall, the food was tasty, the service was great and it was inexpensive. However, out of the corner of my eye I saw the aesthetically pleasing sushi bowl which looked like it would have been a better choice. Maybe next time.
Toshi Sushi
359 E. First Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Remember The Clay Pit? The Indian restaurant that once was in Brentwood by the Brentwood Court across from the Brentwood Tavern? — It was in the episode of Millionaire Matchmaker where Patti meets one of those lonely millionaires to condescendingly and hypocritically discuss the flaws of the millionaire? No? Not ringing a bell? Probably not because (1) The Clay Pit was practically always empty; and (2) No one watches Millionaire Matchmaker.
It doesn’t matter anyway because it has been replaced by Lemonade, the modern and adorable eatery that is “part lemonade stand, part grade-school cafeteria.” There are several Lemonades in Los Angeles. I had only been to the one on Abbot Kinney in Venice prior to walking into the Brentwood stand-eria.
The only purpose of my visit to the Brentwood chain was for lemonade. As you can see, they have quite a few options for lemonade. However, I daringly opted for the sugar-free peach lemonade that wasn’t listed on the menu nor visibly out in the open but had known about from my visit to their Venice location. I had also learned from my Venice experience that their sugar-free lemonade is the equivalent to drinking lemon juice straight from the lemon. Before the Lemonade employee even entered my order into the register, she gave me a warning about how incredibly tart the drink was, asking me if I wanted to sample it first. I laughed in her face said it was okay — I knew what I was in for.
As expected, the sugar-free peach lemonade was puckeringly tart. (In some ways it is an excellent option for me because I often drink as if I am dehydrated.) I added some Splenda to make it more pleasant. I didn’t choose sugar because the whole purpose was to avoid a sugar beverage bender like the one in the episode of The Simpsons where Bart and Milhouse drink a super squishy made entirely out of syrup. Overall, I think the sugar-free is great. But, I can understand why many would not agree. Especially when the regular lemonade comes in more flavors and tastes delicious.
Lemonade
145 S Barrington Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Phone 310-471-9700
Twitter: lemonadela
I was arrested! Arrested by the shiny and comically mesmerizing LAPD building located downtown, across from City Hall. It was impossible for me not to stop and take pictures — even at a time when I was trying to beeline to the subway.
It’s official title is the Los Angeles Police Department Police Administration Building, designed by DMJM (or what is now AECOM) Architects and completed in 2009. The 491,00 square foot, 10-story building was a $437 million project and houses about 2,300 employees/officers. The design is “modern with both physical and metaphorical connections to the surrounding community.”
The building/design has won a plethora of awards and certifications. Two are of note:
ONE: It has achieved a LEED Gold certificationfrom the U.S. Green Building Council because of sustainable strategies such as using recycled content building materials; energy-saving daylighting design and lighting controls; a high-efficiency HVAC system; locally produced materials; and water-efficient plumbing fixtures/irrigation/landscape materials.
For the longest time I thought Señor Fish was a one of a kind restaurant located only in Eagle Rock (the Rock). [I had been to the Rock SF numerous times during the years I attended Oxy. It was conveniently close to campus and also a great change from the Cooler or Marketplace meal plan menu selection.] I realized my mistake while wandering around Little Tokyo (LT) looking for lunch. Apparently there are six Señor Fish restaurants in SoCal.
Even more surprising to me was that the LTSF establishment significantly differs from the Rock SF. First, LTSF is gigantic! It is easily twice the size of the Rock SF. Second, LTSF has a GIANT bar, a Happy Hour (weekdays 4pm-9pm; weekends 12-4pm) and a later happy hour cleverly titled Happier Hour (12pm-1am). The Rock SF serves alcohol, but not to the extreme as LTSF (no giant bar). Third, LTSF has table service. Contrast to the Rock SF where a patron must order at the register, pay at the register, take a number, and sit down to wait for the food. Fourth, the whole look and vibe of LTSF is more hip and fun than the Rock SF. I’d take my friends to LTSF and my family to the Rock SF.
I ordered the Lunch Special. Any weekday between 11am and 3pm, for $6.95: 2 tacos, rice, beans, and a drink. I chose asada tacos. The tacos were tasty. Pretty much how I remember them to be at the the Rock SF.
I know what you’re thinking — Space, bar, tacos - this place sounds great! I would be inclined to agree if it weren’t for the 50 minute wait between ordering food and food arriving (we ordered around noon, but food arrived around 12:50). This is a huge handicap and makes it unlikely that LTSF will be repeated during the lunch hour. However, the Happy Hour will be another story.
Señor Fish
422 East 1st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 625-0566
Although I usually prefer to post chronologically, I will backtrack for special occasions that I want to remember forever. The special occasion I am referring to is Yelle, the delightfully fun & French electropop band that performed at The Music Box on 5/21/11.
Yelle is pronounced like the word “Yell” (the e is silent) BECAUSE the band was originally called “Yel” as an acronym for “You Enjoy Life” but after finding out there was already a band in Belgium (”eurocrunk” style) using that name, the French band feminized the name into Yelle. Currently, the band consists of the lead singer, Julie Budet (who goes by the name Yelle); GrandMarnier (Jean-François Perrier/drums); & Tepr (Tanguy Destable/keyboard).
I remember first hearing “Je veux te voir” around 2006-07 through the archaic website some of you might remember called MySpace (the one thing MySpace was good for - helping bands get their music heard). And then sometime in 2008, I heard “Ce Jeu.” To this date, these are two of my favorite Yelle songs (I don’t think I’m alone in that statement).
When I found out Yelle was playing in Los Angeles, I did not think I was going to be able to get tickets. A combination of having never been to Music Box before and it being only days before the show led me to assume I wouldn’t be able to get the tickets. Fortunately, my pessimism only allowed me to be that much more excited and pleasantly surprised to find that the tickets were available. Overall, Yelle was great live and helped kick start my fun summer. I hope to see them again someday in the future (preferably in Europe)!
Lesfaits saillants:
Easy and free street parking! [I hate paying for parking]
The tickets only allowed me upstairs in the balcony section. Although some would be upset that they were not near the stage, I loved being able to relax upstairs, sip my Heineken, take the time to look at the crowd and the crazy art on the wall, and just enjoy my personal space. [Not usually a fan of being in sweaty, albeit dancing, crowds]
The French man selling shirts was very nice to me and didn’t hate me for asking so many questions [I usually have a lot of questions]
Yelle, the band, put on a great show! There were the Safari Disco Club costumes, fun dancing and crazy lights. Even the Tchiki Tah Man showed up (from the “Que veux-tu” video)!
Yelle, the person, is an adorable femme fatale. She owned the stage with dance moves that transcended grace, all the while oozing awesome and sex appeal. Yelle also made a reference to the highly publicized rapture that was supposed to occur that day. The icing to the cake was her repeated angelical voice stating to the crowd “Thank HUUUUUEEEEEEEEE!”
Almost 2 years, wow. I’d be lying if I said my life has not significantly changed since the last time I blogged. I’m not going to get into the boring details, but let’s just say I do not have much free time. (I’m still lamenting that I never got to finish blogging about my trip to SF. It’s too late now, I have no idea where my photos are from that trip.) Fortunately, I have a teeny weeny tiny bit of extra time that allows me to hopefully add a few posts. I am spending my summer in a part of Los Angeles that I have never really explored before - downtown! Including, but not limited to: Little Tokyo, Olvera Street, and Chinatown. I am very excited for what lies ahead.
As you might have noticed in the past, as I became busier in my life (not unemployed) my choice of subject matter and adjectives became more limited (everything was either delicious or not delicious). This will probably be the case this summer as well. So, I apologize for my future lack of descriptions now & hope you still enjoy my documentation of delicious, sans details.
Anyway, let’s cut to the chase! (A phrase that originated in the U.S. film industry b/c many early silent films started with obligatory romantic story lines but ended in chase sequences. The first reference dates back to 1927 after the first ‘talkie’ The Jazz Singer. More info on this phrase here.) For my first review this summer, I will start with what arguably might be the best sushi restaurant in the downtown vicinity: Hama Sushi. I bet you’re wondering what Hama means. No? Well, I’m going to tell you anyway. According to one website on Kanji and Romaji the word Hama, aka はま, means beach or sea coast. (This name choice makes sense b/c it implies that the sushi is fresh from the ocean.) Although the restaurant is small and it was getting close to standard lunch time in Los Angeles (1pm), my friend and I were able to be seated immediately and order our little hearts out. And it was delicious. DELICIOUS.
To be honest, I can’t remember everything we ordered. But, it doesn’t matter because everything was great. I am confident that I could order completely differently next time and still give my same lazy delicious approval.
However, there are a few things that stood out enough for me to repeat: Order hot green tea (obv), order toro (obv), order hand rolls (they are cheaper and more filling). There are a few more pictures, but uploading them is not as easy as I remember it to be! Maybe I will add them later…
Hama Sushi (Yelp page b/c I couldn’t find official website)
347 E 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Little Tokyo
This past week my boyfriend and I went out for dinner at the always satisfying restaurant Blue Plate. It has become a safety restaurant for us. It’s not too expensive, it’s not too far, and it’s not a Mexican restaurant. This tiny little nook on Montana raises the bar for comfort food. Unlike most restaurants that offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner, everything I’ve tried on the Blue Plate menu has been delicious and I always leave satisfied. This time around I ordered:
Matzo Ball Soup - Simple and delicious. It came with oyster crackers.
Chicken Chow Salad - I love this salad. Romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, grilled vegetables, feta cheese, avocado, cucumbers, and tomatoes. I could eat this everyday.
Coconut Ice Cream Ball - Vanilla ice cream rolled in toasted coconut served with chocolate syrup on the side. I never enjoyed coconut until recently, but it is as if a whole new world of delicious combination possibilities has opened up. Usually when I “share” with my boyfriend, he takes a bite and puts his utensil down. This was not the case, but instead turned into a barbaric spoon scooping war. Seriously. Chocolate syrup was shed. On the table, on the plate, on the floor, and on the face. Everywhere.
Blue Plate
1415 Montana Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90403-1711
(310) 260-8877
