7615 Beverly Blvd · Los Angeles, CA 90036 · Neighborhoods: Mid-City West, West Hollywood
These are not your grandma’s tacos.
You can call her “the other woman” or “big sister” to her petite predecessor Escuela who resides just yards away. Having opened about a year after the original taco joint, there is now an awkward case of new baby syndrome – everybody is paying attention to the new, cuter addition to the family, while the older kid gets the shaft. Listen carefully, you might actually hear the previous Escuela quietly whimpering on the corner, “don’t forget about meeeee.”
La Otra Taquería Escuela is the larger, sexier, other taco shop. One can wonder if (old) Escuela was simply meant as a tryout… I guess this new restaurant opening means that the neighborhood has passed the test. Tacos win! Tacos win!
Neighborhood residents were scratching their heads as to why restaurateur Steven Arroyo shuttered his crazy popular tapas restaurant Cobras and Matadors months ago. Last week, with the grand opening of La Otra, we found out why. Now open in Cobras place is a new taco joint – focusing on more standard Mexican fare but with a gourmet twist. They feature the classics; burritos, soups, salads, tostadas, tamales, a hamburger (?) and a whopping 12 gourmet tacos listed on their menu (including shrimp and lobster). There are also a sprinklings of fancier plates like a 1 ½ lb Maine lobster, a skirt steak and a chile stew.
Fans of Cobras are understandably disappointed to see yet ANOTHER taco shop in the place of its beloved tapas restaurant. PORQUE!!?? Though, as a savvy business owner and restaurateur, it makes sense that Arroyo would open up a taco place in our current economical climate. Taco shops are much cheaper to manage and maintain and the menu is basic and more lunchtime and family friendly. Tacos are easy to make, cheap and turn a higher profit – (especially when they are charging $6-$13 for two small tacos).
Here is the pancetta, jack cheese and avocado tacos. I enjoyed the combo, but the pancetta was a bit too salty for my taste. Still, it was good.
Maine lobster tacos. Definately not something you see at your everyday Mexican joint.
Being that La Otra is BYOB (for now) and open for both lunch and dinner (11 am-11 pm), it should get a decent amount of traffic. La Otra has got the casualness of Arroyo’s neighboring sandwich shop, Potato Chips and a few novelty menu items e.g. the lobster to lure the foodies.
Still the question remains, why have two, virtually identical mexican restaurants, on the same block, competing with one another? I’m not quite sure what is going to become of the smaller, original Escuela around the corner (now just open for dinner 6-11 pm). Hopefully it’ll change to a coffee and dessert joint or perhaps a cute little late night bar that just so happens to serve tacos too (one can only hope).
If I knew not of Cobras and the original Escuela around the corner, I probably wouldn’t be so quick to comparisons. I would simply find La Otra to be a cute, yet casual gourmet taco place good enough to enjoy simple neighborhood eats with friends.
That being said, come for lunch. Bring some wine. Enjoy the food. Bring your sugar daddy.
BYB tip: Don’t get confused by the literal translation: Taquería (taco bar) Escuela (school). …They don’t actually teach tacos here.
California has some of the best produce in the nation. If you’ve ever gotten the chance to visit any of the many neighborhood farmer’s markets and hand pick some fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, you know how rewarding eating fresh can be.
But what if you are a busy, busy person or happen to always forget when the farmers markets set up shop? What if you are a mom with your hands full and can’t make it out to the markets with your 20 kids in tow? What if you wanted to get farm fresh produce and support local farmers without leaving the comfort of your home or office? Well, guess what? You can!
My awesome friend (shout out Rima!) recently told me about her experience with Farm Fresh To You, a second generation, organic, family farm in California that delivers produce right to your doorstep. What’s better than great eats right in your backyard? How about on your front porch!?
I just had to try them out for myself, so the very next day, I went online and signed up for their bi-weekly service. Sign up was super quick. I entered in my personal information, set my food preferences and just like that, I was back to watching America’s Got Talent in 5 minutes flat.
I signed up for the $31 regular service, which included mostly veggies like baby bok choy and green peppers and a few fruits like avocado and plums. It’s the perfect amount for two people to share.
Less than a week later, they swooped in like ninjas in the night. I went to bed around 1 AM, and when I woke up the next morning at 8:30 AM there was a neat little box at my doorstep!
Here’s what was inside:
You can set custom preferences or omit foods you don’t like, but I personally love getting the surprise of perhaps a veggie or fruit or herb that I don’t normally cook with. That way, it forces me to learn a new recipe and discover something new!
You can never have too many veggies. Try them out for yourself!
BYB Tips: Get $10 off your first order when you use promo code 6164 and mention that Backyard Bite referred you (Amy Shuster).
Bring the family and have a picnic at the actual farm or take a field trip there during their seasonal festivals!
After writing up my thoughts on the food themed flick Dinner Rush, I decided wanted to follow it up with another post about food in movies. Being a filmmaker at heart, I get just as excited watching a good food film, as I do flipping through a cookbook or reading about a new restaurant in a review. With so many people close to my heart struggling with food related illnesses (obesity, diabetes, cancer), I wanted see which inspiring food films, Ted Talks and documentaries I could find that related to food and health. Through my researching, I found a ton of educational, beautiful and inspiring films. It’s quite interesting to see so many common themes regarding food and health. These films discuss food, art, spirituality and everything in between.
A thoughtful meditation on the art of perfection. Jiro Dreams of Sushi chronicles the life of an 85-year-old sushi master. His 10-seat, sushi-only subway station restaurant is the first of its kind to be awarded 3 Michelin stars.
An insightful examination of the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict humans can be controlled, or even reversed, by eating plant based, non-processed foods.
An incredibly detailed look inside the renowned Spanish restaurant, El Bulli. A film that’s both inspiring and beautiful to watch, Spanish chef Ferran Adrià (referred to as the Salvador Dali of the kitchen) allows the cameras to see inside his most intimate preparations for the following season’s innovative menu.
The now, super famous film in which documentarian Morgan Spurlock literally puts his life on the line to prove a point. He eats only McDonalds food every day for one month; you know what happens next…
Engaging insight of interviews conducted with leading nutritionists, naturopaths, scientists, M.D.’s and medical journalists who suggest scientifically verifiable solutions for overcoming illness naturally without the aid of prescription drugs.
Exposing the diet and weight-loss industry and the deceptive strategies designed to keep you eating the wrong things. Can you trust what you think you know about your food?
They say you are what you eat. Well, do you really know what you’re eating? This is the documentary film based off the controversial book that ripped the curtain off the American food industry. It’s the film that the food industry doesn’t want you to see. Watch with caution.
Michael Voltaggio, best known for his season 6 “Top Chef” win and his popular West Hollywood restaurants ink and ink.sack, was present for a little Q and A with audiences at the LA Film Festival. Moderated by KCRW’s Good Food host Evan Kleinman, foodies and fans alike came to view Voltaggio’s Artist in Residence movie pick, Dinner Rush (2000) and stayed to listen as the two chefs chatted about the film, and how its realistic depiction of restaurant “family life” pertained to their real working lives.
Voltaggio talked about the thrill and sometimes challenge of cooking for his guests and being able to have the “opportunity to either ruin or make someone’s day.” He talked about going out of his way to make sure that people with certain dietary restrictions get to have the same experience as a regular customer. The strangest request in one of his restaurants came when an elderly woman brought her own menu into the restaurant and asked him to make custom dishes for her and her six guests. The request was so bizarre, he was compelled to oblige her!
Showcased downtown at L.A. Live’s Regal Cinemas, the (somewhat dated) culinary-mob-dramedy takes place at a trendy Tribeca restaurant and throughout the course of the evening we see how the guests’ and employees’ lives are forever changed. The film cleverly touches on familiar themes; family, ambition, sacrifice, love and art. An inspiring film for Voltaggio, who first viewed it at the start of his career (15 years ago), he talked about the importance of having a great sous chef to have your back in the kitchen. In the movie, the ambitious Gordon Ramsey-dictator-like head chef is at odds with his #2 man for most of the flick. They do manage to put their differences aside for one pivotal moment, one of my favorite scenes in the film.
90% of the movie takes place within the walls of the restaurant over the course of one single shift. We are cleverly re-introduced to all the different types of “characters” who dine out on any given night; The notorious food critic, drooling foodies, the ecstatic couple excited to finally have gotten reservations, the pretentious food snob and in the case of this story, two Mafioso brothers who try to pressure their way into owning a stake in the popular restaurant. Throw in some comedy, lust, an estranged father-son relationship, and an unexpected murder and you’ve got yourself a movie!
Though important to the plot, the first and last scenes of the movie were a bit disjointed for me (they felt more like an episode of the Sopranos). Still the themes were nicely interwoven and I felt that the director did a clever job in making the restaurant feel like a character all its own.
Dinner rush definitely makes me want to pay a little closer attention to all the behind-the-scene kitchen whisperings during my next dinner outing!
Click here to listen to the full Q and A with Michael Voltaggio.
2771 W Pico Blvd · Los Angeles, CA 90006 · Neighborhood: South Los Angeles (K-Town)
One of my favorite family-owned gems is a Greek restaurant located in Korean town! It’s been providing home-style Greek food and serving the community for more than 60 years. In 1948, Papa Cristos started out as a market meant to introduce the foods and wines of Greece to Los Angeles. Twenty years later, (second generation owner) Chrys Chrys, better known as “Papa Cristo,” purchased the business from his father hoping to continue the family’s legacy and open up a full service Greek Restaurant.
With the help of his daughter Annie and other family members, Papa Cristos has become a beacon for the Greek community and locals who come regularly to lunch on heaping plates of lamb kebabs, falafel, dolmades and sizzling feta (my fave!). Their tzatziki sauce is pure goodness.
In addition to being a market and popular lunchtime restaurant, they also host their famous Big Fat Greek Dinners every Thursday night. Guests are invited to a prix fixe sampling of Greek wines, salad, freshly baked bread, two entrees, several side dishes, baklava and Greek coffee.
During your meal, you’ll hear live music from their Bouzouki player Petros, and watch some (PG) belly dancing to cap off the night. You’re not allowed to be shy here! Patrons are invited to come up and dance (she’s very persuasive). Here you can check out my wonky dance moves.
Papa Cristos is also great for catering events or hosting large parties. The night I was dining, there was a fraternity from USC taking up the entire back restaurant.
In case you were wondering, these boys were very well behaved.
With three generations involved (Grandma Annie, daughter (also) Annie, and cousin Mark), this place is truly a family-run establishment. On any given day, you will find them all cooking, serving and chatting with guests.
BYB Tip: “Like” them on Facebook and watch for regularly held contests, which might get you a free dinner for their Thursday night feasts or other fun goodies.
Thanks again Papa Cristos! I’ll see you again very soon!
4150 Mission Blvd · San Diego, CA 92109 · Neighborhood: Pacific Beach
When I learned that my good friend “Boppa” was having her mom ship jars of peanut butter to her while she was living in a remote jungle in Brasil, I couldn’t imagine what life what life must be like down there without the ability to just go to the store and get some peanut butter. I mourned for her.
The 25-year-old owner of Pacific Beach Peanut Butter, Matthew Mulvihill found himself in a (sort-of) similar predicament. Wanting to make a PB&J sandwich but not having the ingredients readily available, he decided to learn how to grind and make his own peanut butter at home. He ordered a grinder and then had an idea. He moved back home, enlisted the help of his business savvy mom and with his grandpa as an investor, he began experimenting in his parents’ kitchen. A company was born!
I was kindly sent a complimentary package to sample and share my thoughts about with you, my reader.
Without further adieu, on to the product:
The peanut butter comes in a cute little 9oz glass jar. There are a variety of rad flavors. I had never had flavored peanut butter before, so getting to try a few of them at once was really exciting for me. Current varieties on their roster include M&M’s, CinnaYum, Chocolate Raspberry, Caramel, Toffee, Butterscotch, Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, White Chocolate, All Natural and All Natural Unsalted. Whew knew peanut butter could be so versatile!?
I tried them all straight out of the jar with a spoon and found that my favorites were the CinnaYum (this got eaten very quickly in my house), the Caramel and the Toffee. The Dark Chocolate is also pretty good: Think of a nuttier, denser version of Nutella. It’s also made with Belgium chocolate so it is less sweet yet richer in taste. This one was the hardest to spread, but their company website recommends heating it up just prior to serving or adding a dash of olive oil to make it more smooth.
Because their peanut butter has no added oils, sugar or salt, I found it to be less creamy than traditional store bought peanut butter in general. However, it was still spreadable and delicious. Warming it up did help with the spreadability factor but I usually didn’t bother to do this. I just attacked the jars with my spoon. I ate it straight up, on a bagel, with jelly, in my oatmeal, blended in a shake with some bananas, on my English muffin, in my cookie recipe, over some celery and raisins, on a few apples, on top of waffles… ok you get the point. The possibilities are endless.
Pacific Beach Peanut Butter, is definitely worth ordering for that special peanut butter lover in your life. It’s also gluten free and made with 100% Valencia peanuts. It ain’t no Jif, that’s for sure! Order online at www.wannaspoon.com.
Thank you Pacific Peanut Butter Company for allowing me to sample!
What delicious PB flavor would you like to see made? Coconut? Vanilla? Pretzels? Comment below… Maybe you’ll get your wish!
Also, just for fun… Here are some peanut butter Fun Facts.
Indeed, it was a very good desert. But was it worth the wait?
I knew I was going to be waiting for while and it got me thinking; why in the world do we, (foodies, Angelenos, humans) spend countless hours of our lifetime standing around waiting for the hope of something “special.” Whether it’s for opening weekend movie tickets (Twilight anyone?), a secret Paul McCartney show at Amoeba records (I’d give my right arm), to dance in a club (gotta make friends with those door guys!), Tacos from a truck (Roy Choi is doing something right!) or in this case, to get a scoop of ice cream.
Twice I have waited in this particular line (upwards of 90 mins!) to try ice cream and cupcakes at the newly opened Sprinkles Ice Cream shop in Beverly Hills. Wow. Why!? It’s crazy good, but still, it’s ice cream for peets sake!
I began to wonder, what are some other, more productive things could I could have done at that moment that would possibly make for a better use of my time… Instead of ya know, standing in line for an hour and thirty-two minutes for food on a Sunday night.
Here’s a few things I came up with:
Hike a trail (the hard one on the left) at Runyon Canyon (about 1hour 15 minutes).
Take a yoga class (most are 90 minutes long).
Go watch The Dictator (running time: 1 hour 23 minutes)
Plant a tree (about an hour?)
Catch up on the phone with my mom, dad, brother, grandmother, and old friend, etc…
Write a blog post (45 min to an hour)
Paint my kitchen. (90 minutes + dry time)
Attend a dance class. Salsa anyone? (60-90 minutes)
Learn a language. Listen to lessons 1, 2 and 3 of my Rosetta Stone Spanish CD. (83 mins)
Make a batch of ice cream at home! (Okay, this would take a little longer than an hour and a half – you know freezing time and all, but it sure would be more rewarding – and I’d have some for later too!)
I guess we do it because we want to feel like we are in the know. We do it because it’s cool to be elite or to be the first to do something. We do it because our priorities are a bit backwards and we are lazy (yes, there I said it). And we do it because we love to love things. Such is life.
