Panda Heaven

I rarely ever crave Chinese food, but a few days ago it felt like the best idea ever. Panda Heaven is a random restaurant near the Coventry Mall in Pottstown, Pennsylvania that serves both Chinese and Japanese food. The staff is always friendly and the food reinforced that it was the best idea ever.

House Chow Fun - Delicious wide noodles.

Pennsylvania Roll - I forgot to write down what was in this roll, but it was quite yummy.

Fortune Cookie

Panda Heaven
118 Coventry Square Mall
Pottstown, PA 19464
(610) 970-6953‎

Just one reason why I prefer to live in Los Angeles

Because this isn’t great:

Service = rude
Food = overpriced and bland.

I know what you’re thinking. Maybe it would be better without the traditional cheez whiz. You might be right, but it was by accident that I got stuck with the traditional, nasty “cheese.” I ordered my “pepper cheese steak” and by the time I had realized the man at the window had not asked me what type of cheese I wanted (like I had heard him ask my friend ahead of me) and was probably going to give me the cheez whiz, I said “wait!” but, the man didn’t listen and poured the cheez whiz on it. I said, “I wanted provolone cheese,” but he gave me the face similar to one of a d-bag and said “too late.” I was livid of this soup nazi-esque experience. I wanted to just throw it out, but it cost 8 dollars to not get what I wanted. I gave it a try, realized it sucked and decided I would write about it. The meat was dry. The peppers too oiled up to really add anything to the sandwich except more oil. Rip Off. All and all, gross and boring. Go to Subway instead.

Sorry Philly… you’re not my city.

Pat’s King of Steaks
237 E Passyunk Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 468-1546

Chipotle

I know I know… a Chipotle review? Well, there are 2 valid reasons for me posting about this (McDonald’s owned) fast food chain:

1. My parents have never been to Chipotle (I don’t think they have even seen one or have heard about them before); although more common in the big cities, they have not hit the farmlands of Pennsylvania yet. So they have no idea how amazing their baby sized burritos, lime seasoned chips, and chunky guacamole taste like. I have never met a person who doesn’t like Chipotle. And I don’t know if I want to meet that person.

2. I ordered the quesadilla! There has always been talk about you being able to order it even though it is NOT on the menu (like the “secret” Grilled Cheese at In-N-Out Burger). Although I have discussed it with many people, I had never met anyone that had ordered it. I don’t blame anyone for not knowing either, because usually people order the burritos which are incredibly large and leave very little room for extras like their aforementioned yummy chips and guacamole or this unlisted and mysterious quesadilla.

Last time I was there I wasn’t in the mood to gorge myself with a giant burrito. Instead, I ordered the soft tacos: chicken, steak, and barbacoa. I don’t go crazy with the toppings: tomatoes, corn, and hot sauce. Sadly, my corn tortillas and meat were a little cold.

And the plain cheese quesadilla that cost approximately 3 dollars (I think 2.75-2.95). Although it is priced close to a taco truck quesadilla, it is not as tasty and a little lacking in cheese. However, since it is rare to find quesadillas this low in price that aren’t from a taco truck, it makes it much more appealing to order at a Chipotle instead of at Mexican restaurant for 8 dollars (which still doesn’t taste as good as a taco truck!). Also, I’m sure Chipotle’s quesadillas would taste better if I had added more toppings, maybe.

Mmm… Chipotle!

Anniversary Dinner - Sushi Masu

A few weeks ago my boyfriend and I celebrated our anniversary at Sushi Masu. What a wonderful feast to celebrate two years together. Delicious.

I. Hot Sake

II. California Roll

III. Tuna Masu Roll

IV. Scallops wrapped in Eggplant and smothered with Special Sauce topped with Shrimp

V. Spring Rolls

VI.  Mochi (green tea, chocolate, and red bean)

VII. Happiness

Sushi Masu
1911 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: (310) 446-4368

Forming Traditions; the Best Way to End the Day of a 10k

Father’s Office II.

Melville Syrah Wine (one of my favorite vineyards).

Beet Salad - with blue cheese and walnuts (and some lettuce hidden underneath it all)

Scaldís Noel Beer - A Winter Ale

Strangely, FO wouldn’t let me have the Scaldís bottle. Apparently there is a rule that they can’t let the bottle cross over the bar counter. Weird, huh? They did let me take a picture. This beer is a seasonal and delicious. It is thick, creamy, and had a hint of cherry and clove to it. It’s one of those beers you can’t drink too many of because it’s so filling and rich, but it was nice to sip on and perfect for the winter.

Bottle Rock

I truly want to like Bottle Rock. I have given it many many chances, but in the end I always leave feeling ripped off and in a bad mood. Don’t get me wrong, they have a good selection of wine. But, if you want to order more 2 glasses and some food, expect a bill well over 30 dollars. Thirty plus dollars just for wine and tapas. Not the best deal in my book. Although they have “fixed” the uncomfortable seating in the main room (sadly, by moving the old metal seats to the patio), they have not fixed their lighting problem. It is too bright. The room is not comfortable. Their service is borderline terrible. My roommate and I have been harassed by an older woman who was convinced we were underage. In general, the servers are not the friendliest. Right now, I am sick of bad and rude service (like Gingergrass in Silverlake). I used to say “I don’t want to write bad reviews on my blog,” but now I feel like I have to.

I am sure some day I will return, but not anytime soon. Although, they do have a happy hour - I am not willing to fight traffic to get there. There are better, inexpensive and tastier options to choose than Bottle Rock. Sorry.

Bottle Rock
3847 Main St
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 836-9463

Pitfire Pizza

The night before Thanksgiving my boyfriend and I were hungry, but didn’t know where to go. We didn’t want to drive far and we didn’t want to pay too much. We found ourselves at Pitfire Pizza Company in Westwood. Neither of us had been there before and had no idea what to expect. We walked in to a spacious restaurant and quickly realized it would be in our best interest to claim a table to sit at without the help of a server. Within first glance you can tell this place is listed somewhere on the internet as kid-friendly. Every other table was filled with a rugrat sitting in a high chair. Surprisingly, all the children in the restaurant were well behaved. We did get to hear one misbehaving child get his 3rd and final warning from the table across from us. Awkward, but amusing since we were only spectators.

Although they had interesting sounding pizzas and pastas (and later I found out they had a special pizza with pumpkin on it!), in order to share I had to eat one of the only two kinds of pizza my boyfriend prefers: cheese or pepperoni. I chose the latter. He went up to the register, placed our order, took a number, and came back to the table.

As you can see, or rather can’t see, there is not a plethora of pepperoni and those that are there are hiding under the cheese. It was a crusty pizza, but not crunchy more just..chewy. It was good and filling. I also ordered some Fiery Chicken Soup - chicken poached in a spicy red chile broth with red onions, hominy, topped with avocado, roasted corn and red cabbage. Sadly, it came out looking like it does in the picture - spilled over the sides and with a plastic fork. A plastic fork? (WTF.) With a mission statement starting with “Just because it’s a fast world doesn’t mean you have to eat fast food,” and promotion of organic foods in their menu, it made me a little concerned to find a plastic spoon in my soup. If you know me, you probably are aware of my anti-plastic stance. Or just recognize that I try to avoid using it as much as possible. Aside from the presentation of the soup, I found the taste to actually be very slightly spicy and delicious. It has been a long time since I have eaten anything with hominy in it and I found it to hit the spot.

In the end, my boyfriend and I enjoyed the food. We both are willing to come back again. A fun, relaxed atmosphere. Perfect for lunch or dinner. Also, I didn’t find out until the end, but they sell Auntie Em’s amazing cupcakes. I was surprised and excited to find that the cupcakes so close to my heart have made their way to the west side of Los Angeles. Of course they were sold out of Red Velvet, but it was okay because I was way too full from pizza and soup. Besides, Bigg Chill is just down the street.

Pitfire Pizza Company
2018 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 481-9860