Amy T. Shuster

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The Faculty – East Hollywood

707 N Heliotrope Dr · Los Angeles, CA 90029 · Neighborhood: East Hollywood · (323) 284-8002
 

The Faculty makes its home at the former location of the once much loved vegan cafe, Pure Luck. Super cool owner and pub expert, Mauricio Aquino features NY deli-style sandwiches and various hard to find wines and craft beers on tap. Open daily.

Cuisine: American / Gastropub

Hollywood Pies – West Hollywood

333 S. Boylston St. Los Angeles, CA 90017 · Neighborhood: Downtown, Los Angeles ·

This reasonably priced, Chicago-style deep dish pizza is quickly increasing the happy waistlines of many Chi-LA transplants. Have HP deliver to your door or you can pull up to their secret location for a drive-by transaction. Be on the look-out for a Hollywood Pies food truck coming soon to a street corner near you.

Cuisine: Pizza – Chicago Style Deep Dish, that is. Yum.

Angel City Brewery – Downtown, LA

216 S Alameda St · Los Angeles, CA 90012 · Neighborhood: Downtown · (213) 622-1261
 

This lovingly restored  brewery in the downtown LA Arts District is the oldest microbrewery in all
of Southern California. Just kiddie corner from the popular Wurstküche, ACB features unique, crisp and hoppy brews like the Angel City Vixen, an authentic German hefe-weizen which has deliciously subtle spice notes of  banana and clove. Oh man, I’m going to need a DD.

Cuisine: Brewery / Future Gastropub

7825 Beverly Blvd · Los Angeles, CA 90036 · Neighborhood: West Hollywood

 Exec Chef/Owner: Diego Balam 

Type of Cuisine: Homemade American Comfort Food

Neighborhood: West Hollywood 

Location: A strip mall just across from CBS studios near Fairfax

Opened: Summer 2009

“The Best Food Fair You’ve Never Heard Of”

After spending 10 hours packing and moving into a new apartment, I was left exhausted, sore, battered and starved. I certainly did not feel like sifting through moving boxes in search of a pot or pan to cook with. It was late and I had just about enough energy left to pick up the phone and place an order. Tired of pizza and not really feelin’ Chinese I gave Food Fair by Diego a call. Diego might as well have been Superman in that moment because he literally saved us. A delicate white fish with sautéed peppers and an amazing chicken with perfect potatoes, zucchini, bell peppers and eggplant. He saved us time, money and brought over the most delicious homemade food that hit the spot so good.

Who is FFD?

If you’re a fan of unassuming little foodie gems that only locals know about – Food Fair is for you. They are relatively new, having opened up late summer 2009, they didn’t gain a regular following until about a year later. A Groupon they offered in the beginning of 2010 also helped to get the word out about this place. WEHO locals and CBS employees had already figured out the little secret about the awesomeness of Food Fair. Tucked away, in a strip mall between the Bagel Broker and Subway, one would never think that such expertly prepared American cuisine is coming out of this little simple/artsy shop. I had the pleasure of chatting with the super nice, former Red O sous chef, Diego Balam and got a little back-story about his foodie baby; Food Fair by Diego.

The Chef

Diego wanted to create a type of food that was easily recognizable yet special. One of his popular menu items is his 8 oz. Dry Aged Angus Beef Burger with Crisp Applewood Smoked Bacon and onion Rings, comes served with original homemade BBQ sauce and your choice of cheese happily atop a sesame seed bun. You’ll notice that the food here is not frou-frou yet it’s classy. Expertly prepared, “dressed up” comfort food made to order, just for you by the owner/chef himself. It’s gourmet food at reasonable prices.

Cooking was just something else to do for the part Mexican, part Salvadorean, LA raised Diego. Growing up, his parents worked multiple jobs to make ends meet and he often had to make dinner for his brothers and sisters.  Diego was taught the basics of cooking from his mom and although it started out as a chore, cooking eventually became a way out. He has now been a chef for over 11 years and loves what he does.

On the Menu

While he can (from scratch!) make Pupusas, the traditional Salvadorean pancake-like staple, he refrained from adding it to his menu so that he wouldn’t be tempted to Americanize it. “I don’t really serve ethnic food. I would have to specialize in it to make it truly genuine. I wouldn’t want to take away from the authenticity.”

Instead, his customers and fans dictated what they wanted. The menu selection became adjusted and honed when his burgers and sandwiches started selling out. Since opening two years ago, his menu has since gone through 3 menu changes but now it’s settled into a nice mix of various comfort foods. Diego is truly “holding down the fort” at Food Fair. “I am the only cook in the kitchen” I look at things differently and try to give people what they want. I wanted to make a restaurant that I would want to go to myself” says Diego.

On Social Media

Proudly achieving 4.5 out of 5 stars on Yelp, Diego takes social media seriously. He actively reads his customers reviews. He said, “One customer gave me 3 stars on Yelp and it killed me… I don’t change the menu based on everybody’s opinion, but I do take their critique into account.”

The Décor

Diego is very hip to trends. He changes out the art on the walls regularly to keep the restaurant design fresh. He features local artists he finds online and hopes to have an art show when he finds that special artist. He wants to have a big party. “We have wall space and a kitchen. We don’t have a liquor license but we can always have BYO wine for something like an art show, which would be cool.”

Diego hopes to eventually open up a franchise of small local restaurants in the same vein as Food Fair. The cuisines would change and every Food Fair would be different, but the style would be familiar and of course, delicious.

The best time to come by is dinner. They serve everything from homemade gnocchi and spaghetti bolognese to homemade chicken nuggets. Local favorites include fried calamari, the pulled pork, the veggie sandwich and the O-M-G-delicious-half-pound Angus burger with onion rings (on top of the burger!).

They no longer deliver (which makes me depressed) but they do offer a snappy Take Out.

 BYB Tip:

Monday nights are a special $15 Pri-fixe 3-course menu. BYOB/W

And yes – Diego Caters!

 

Support local business… check em out!

131 N. Larchmont · Los Angeles, CA 90004 · Neighborhood: Hancock Park · Phone: 323-465-5566

Off on one of my famous, “I forgot-to-eat-lunch-OMG-is-it-really-4:30pm?!!!” escapades, I stumbled onto Larchmont Blvd and into Village Pizzeria. I had ordered their pizza for delivery before but had never actually visited their Hancock Park location until today. It was the nice waiter who was standing out-front manning the patio who convinced me to go inside. I said I was looking for food and WIFI. He said they didn’t have WIFI, but he kindly offered up the secret to where the Coffee Bean next door keeps theirs posted. Score! (Sorry Coffee Bean)

Even though they only had one little outlet in the wall, I decided to forgo working on my computer just then and instead get down with a slice of their New York-style pie.  The mad lunch rush had dissipated and they had a table outside where I could get some fresh air and chill for a minute.

After more casual conversation with the dude on the street, I learned that this super nice server was also the owner’s son.  Awesome. I love to hear about independently owned places that keep it in the family. After all, that’s what BYB is all about! Congratulations fellas you made it to the blog!

Matthew said his sister and mom help out too. This location, after relocation from it’s San Francisco roots, has been here in Hancock Park for almost 14 years. There are other pizza places with the same name in the San Francisco area and one in Pasadena, but Steve owns this one and the other Village Pizza location  in Hollywood which opened up 1998.

The pizza is deliciously thin crust, triangle slices packed with fresh local flavors and super crispy when right out of the oven. They can make slices with any topping for you – I ordered a Margherita pizza, which is a perfect blend of fresh tomatoes, basic and garlic. Be warned… there will be no kissing after this pizza.  It’s garlic city. I also ordered a slice of the homemade sausage pizza. They make their own “sausage, meatballs, marinara sauce, fresh crushed garlic and clam mixture, and pesto, balsamic & Italian dressings according to specific ‘special’ house recipes” says their website. Yum. It’s in the taste. Not bad for LA guys. Not bad.

Their delivery range isn’t huge, (La Brea to Western, Santa Monica to Olympic), but IF you are in their delivery area, it is free and they DO cater.

Thin crust not your thang? They make a Sicilian (not quite a deep dish but it is thicker). There are also a huge variety of salads, heroes, pastas and various dinners. Family friendly, though they do serve BEER and WINE. Uhm, need I say more?

It’s a small shop, with a big heart. Support this family-run local business when you want a quick bite, party catered or when you’re in the neighborhood and are starving and falling over from hunger, like me.

BYB Tip: Parking meters may be tricky during the lunch or dinner rush, but you can park free on residential streets for two hours. Just keep an eye out for the parking nazis who lurk.

 

 

Neighborhood · Downtown Arts District · Los Angeles · 3rd Street and Traction Ave.

For those of you who attended KCRW’s Bloomfest LA this year, go ahead and pat yourself on the back for being a super cool supporter of the arts and local community! Little Toyko (around 3rd and Traction), was the destination spot this past Saturday where various local business owners and food trucks like the India Jones Chow Truck and the Ludo Truck held ground and to make many hungry hipsters’ bellies happy.

Named after community activist Joel Bloom (1948-2007), this free, all-day festival provided a one-stop shop for hipsters, art lovers, music fans, families and downtown LA residents.

The newly opened Angel City Brewing Co. was featuring a few of their beers on tap; I tried the delicious Angel City Ale which had a light malty middle and a dry slightly hoppy finish. Also glad to have tasted the Angel City Vixen, a German hefe-weizen which had hints of banana and clove in the taste. OMG. Banana flavored beer!! My non-beer drinking friend, loved this particular one.


There was a mysterious, no-name sausage truck inside the brew venue gates. I’m not sure if they were independently owned or a part of the brew house, but I do hope it’s there next time I’m around. The spicy sausage sandwich was just 5 bucks and a great alternative to waiting in the ridiculously long line at Wurstküche around the corner.

Walking past the tent where KCRW DJ’s Raul Campos, Anthony Valadez and Mario Cotto were mixing up some tune-age throughout the night, I purchased some cool handmade jewelry and watched a little girl get down with the hula hoops.

At 10 pm, just as they were wrapping it all up, I satisfied my sweet tooth with some AMAZINGLY tasty,  Amaretto Almond ice cream from the vegan (non-dairy!) ice cream makers, Divine Dips. I didn’t even know it was vegan until after I finished eating it and I would have never guessed the wiser too. It was so creamy and good! DD is my new jam! Only available at a few retail locations (for now). Look for them at a location near you!

If you couldn’t make it this year, here are a few more pics to give you a taste of what you missed. Enjoy!

 


OKAY. If you would have told me 10 years ago, that in the future, I would eat beef jerky… I would have said “eck” and laughed in your face.

If you would have told me that in the future, I would not only be such a fan of it, that I would have graduated from the Oh Boy! Oberto brand and the more familiar (not necessarily better Slim Jim) and actually order my jerky online and pay upwards of $17 for a package… I would have said “eck”, laughed in your face – then slapped you.

Well, that being said… “Hello, my name is Amy, and… I like the Jerky.”

A friend of a friend said once, “This Jerky will change your life” and I thought, yeah right. I mean, I like jerky and stuff, but I wasn’t about to name my first child after it or anything. Well, I gotta say, after trying The Jerky Hut, jerky, I’m presently considering a few names; Little Bobby Jerk and Jerkina (for a girl, of course).

The Jerky Hut is not a restaurant or hang out. It is, a HUT. It’s headquarters are in Oregon actually. The company makes beef jerky and sells it at various markets, a few retailers and online through their website.

The Jerky Hut has a monthly residence at the famous Pasadena Flea Market at the Rose Bowl. Here you can try various dime-sized samples of their sweet, smoked or teriyaki jerky. That’s all they got, just jerky. If you don’t eat meat, I don’t think this place is for you. I’m not even sure if there is such a thing as a vegetarian jerky. It is made from beef (or turkey) after all.

However, If you DO eat meat. I recommend these guys, totally.

It’s a uniqely an American thing. Cowboys and miners took jerky on their journeys in the earlier days because it was light to transport, took up hardly any space and required no refrigeration at all. It’s no wonder I ALWAYS bring some along for road trips or camping/hiking adventures.

Their jerky is hand trimmed, marinated in secret brews and each piece is hand screened. I don’t like spicy, but for those of you that do, they have 4 levels of burn to heat your fancy.

The Jerky Hut has definately become a must-get, when I’m shopping at the Flea Market in Pasadena. I’ve gotten some for myself and purchased packs as gifts. I have even ordered it online as an impulse buy because I couldn’t wait until the next month’s market (every second Sunday of the month). It’s crazy expensive, but well worth it. You definately taste the difference from the usual grocery store stuff. It’s juicy, full of flavor, chewy and easy on the teeth. This stuff is legit. Go on, Jerk it out!

BYB Tip: They have special military discounts and neat pre-packaged gift packs.

 

Special Note * As always, BYB is NEVER paid for endorsements. These are just my honest to goodness opinions and reviews on stuff I like, honest. *

Catalina Island is right in the “backyard” of California. It’s a mini-getaway vacation for LA-ers and an awesome opportunity to connect with nature. It’s a small rocky island stretching 22 miles and is a great place to camp, hike and enjoy water sports. That being said, Catalina is not really known for it’s food. However, if you happen to find yourself on the island for a visit, there are a few little “gems” that are worth patronizing and remembering. You’ll definitely get the Catalina experience visiting any or all of the following places. Here are some highlights from my recent adventure.

Steve’s Steakhouse

417 Crescent Avenue Avalon · CA 90704 · Neighborhood: Avalon

Utilizing a word that we learned on our Catalina Nature Conservancy Tour, Steve’s Steakhouse is endemic to the Island of Catalina. According to the restaurant’s website, Steve is a “fourth generation islander” and his “family’s heritage traces back to the days before the chewing gum magnate, William Wrigley owned the island.”

Upon arriving, we were welcomed by Steve’s girlfriend Margaret, served by Steve’s son Bryce and greeted by Steve himself. This is a true family-owned restaurant. I got to learn a bit about about the history of this local’s favorite directly from the owner and operating manager himself, Mr. Steve Bray.

The Story:

In 1972, Steve started out working at the Steakhouse when he was 14 years old, back when it was called the Upstairs Place. After apprenticing at numerous restaurants and learning the tricks of the trade, working in every possible restaurant position, Steve came back to the island and outright bought the place. He’s now been the owner of Steve’s Steakhouse for 10 years and was recently awarded the 2011 Humanitarian of the Year “ for his contributions to the community of Avalon.

The Experience:

Known for their corn-fed, midwestern, 28-day aged beef and fresh locally caught seafood, you’ll love the welcoming atmosphere and killer drinks. I ordered Steve’s Tea which was an Arnold Palmer with vodka and a strawberry puree. It was deliciously intoxicating and mildly sweet. Boyfriend had the classic Mai Tai, which he loved and the Catalina Ice Tea (basically a Long Island) which definitely put him over the edge. They don’t mess around with the liquor here!

There was a quick 15 minute wait at 9pm for us on a Saturday night. It’s definitely a good idea to make reservations ahead of time. Be sure to ask for a table by the window so you can bask in the great waterfront views. The sourdough bread is hot, soft and steaming and I had to restrain myself from eating 3 baskets! I ordered the Shrimp Avalon Style, (jumbo shrimp in a creamy garlic sauce sitting atop delicious garlic bread). Be warned about the garlic, it is intense. There will be no make-out sessions after this meal! Boyfriend had the Top Sirloin which was juicy, loaded with sautéed mushrooms and onions and seasoned just right. Our dinners came with a choice of vegetables or rice and a potato option. The Romano Potato is a twice baked mash potato which is nice and cheesy.

For a dinner for two and three drinks, we spent just under $100 which is reasonable for a steakhouse, especially for a island restaurant where the food is helicoptered in each day. On a budget, visit for lunch. Prices range $15-20 for lunch, $18-30 for dinner. A must visit while in Catalina.

C.C. Gallagher, C.C. Deli

523 Crescent Ave. Avalon, CA · 90704 · Neighborhood: Avalon

C.C. Gallagher has got it all covered. At this cute Mediterranean restaurant/shop, you can visit at any time of the day and be satisfied. Try various pastries, espressos and coffees, salads, soups, sake, sweets and even drink a glass of wine from one of the numerous biodynamic, sustainable, and organic wine options from their cellar (bottles are available for purchase). I didn’t see the menu for it, but apparently they also make some decent sushi. C.C. Gallagher is another local’s favorite you’ll want to check out.

Right next door is the C.C. Deli where they feature Boar’s head deli meats and yummy, hit-the-spot gelato. I had the Cappuccino Chip and tried the Mint Chip. Both really good and the portions are huge. Stop in and get some flowers, gifts or some artisan cheeses. You may even spot the busy owner running between shops like we did!

The Sandtrap

501 Avalon Canyon Road · Avalon CA 90704 · Neighborhood: Avalon

Another notable destination which was recommended to us by more than one local. Unfortunately, we ran out of time and couldn’t pay them a visit, but they are worth noting solely for their fantastic 2-7pm $1 taco happy hour special and their $4.99 SandSlam Breakfast combo of 2 eggs, 2 sausage (or bacon), potatoes and toast. Great if you’re on a budget! It’s located off the main drag, about mid-way to the Conservatory/Wrigley Memorial. You can either walk there or rent a golf cart like many tourists and drive through.

433 S. Spring Street · Los Angeles, CA · Neighborhood: Downtown

A new restaurant concept by celebrity chef, Emmanuel Delcour is GroundFloor Café. It opened, appropriately enough, on Bastille Day July 14th. It’s a French bistro/lounge set up in a beautiful huge 4000 square feet Modern Art Gallery. I was lucky to be able to attend a special red carpet event and taste a bit of what this little bistro has to offer.

Located in the heart of downtown, you will be able to enjoy traditional French gourmet sandwiches (yum!) and decadent salads. The baguettes are HUGE and really quite perfect. This chef doesn’t mess around. He practically gives you the whole loaf!

I liked that in addition to providing tonight’s guests with yummy  little samples from the menu, the café was also serving the full menu. I had a Parisian Sandwich (pictured above) which had smoked ham, Gruyere cheese, butter and French pickles. I am normally not a fan of pickles but these were actually quite delicious! Best part, it was all just 9 bucks!

I also sampled the Tuna Cranberry Sandwich which rocked my world. The dried cranberries, shallots, mayo, pickled ginger and cranberry sauce together worked so perfectly together.

Let’s not forget the GIANT baguette with Nutella for just $2.75! The prices are super reasonable for the value. I was afraid this place was going to be stuffy and very Foux da fa fa, but instead it was fresh and hip and super cute!

Besides their various sandwich selections, The GroundFloor Cafe offers traditional French pastries, cheeses, Moroccan-style fresh mint teas and the delicious, LavAzza Italian coffee (I LOVE this coffee!)

The very French and the very charming, Chef Emmanuel talked with patrons and happily took tons of pictures with his guests. “I like to take pictures” he said. Well, it’s no wonder he’s also a model, actor and award winning body builder!

I’m excited to see what the regular crowd will be like and how the space grows as the art changes. Next time you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to check this place out, grab some cheese, have an espresso and don’t forget to enjoy the art! (And by art I mean the good-looking chef behind the counter.)  😉

 

 

Car-mageddon is just around the corner and being that The Backyard Bite is all about learning what’s good in your own neighborhood, I figure I put together a little information on great local eateries that are doing some special Car-mageddon deals.

As you already know, The City of Los Angeles is really promoting that if you are one of the few who are staying in town, you use this opportunity to check out what’s good in your local neighborhood, support local business and stay off the roads!

Here are a few cool spots I found that have some great discounts and specials this weekend. There are TONS more but this should get you started. If you are a business or know of any good deals, please post them in the comment section.

As always, be sure to call ahead to make sure the specials haven’t changed and to confirm deal details. Be safe and enjoy!

West Hollywood:

The Den – $9 Car Bombs, $4.05 Coors Light. Deals Start Thursday Night and Run Until the 405 Repairs Are Complete (Presumably Sunday Night.) 

Santa Monica:

O’Brien’s – Irish car bombs and Cadillac margaritas, $5, at Harvelle’s. Domestic bottled beers, $3, and well drinks and wings, $5, at O’Brien’s. Gridlock shots, “Road Ragers” and Bud “STOP” Lights, $3, at South.

Angels Piano Bar – 405 Party on Sunday the 17th from 6pm – 2am, Featuring $4.05 Food and Drink Specials, Games, Live Music from ‘The Get Down Boys’ Starting at 8pm + Requested Western Attire

Wokcano – Carmageddon.com Kick Off Party on Friday Starting at 5pm, Featuring Drink Specials ($3 Flat Tire Beers, $5 Traffic Jam Shots, $7 Car Jack&Cokes) + Costume Contest Requesting Creative “405 Attire” + Free Admission Before 9pm ($5 After, Goes to Charity)

The Daily Grill – $4.05 Themed Cocktails + Appetizers + Desserts, Friday – Sunday

SOUTH  –  $3 GridLock Shots, $3 Road Ragers, and $3 Bud Stop Lights, All Weekend

The Lobster – 10% off your bill if you’re a local Santa Monican!

Barney’s Beanery – $5 Car Bombs when you mention Car-megeddon!

Hollywood:

Umami Burger Hollywood – all beer and wine specials are $4.05 excluding the La Brea location which does not serve alcohol.

Tender Greens Hollywood – Enjoy beers at all of the Tender Greens LA locations for $4.05 with ID! Sunday Beer Garden and Whole Animal Roast on Sunday, July 17 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Chef Eric Hulme will roast a whole goat, paired with craft beer from Angel City Brewing. Cost: $35. Reservations: Heidi@tendergreensfood.com

Cat N’ Fiddle Pub & Restaurant – Saturday and Sunday Brunch 10am-3pm- with $5 Bloody Mary’s and Mimosas Sunday 7pm Latin Jazz under the starts -no cover

Susan Feniger’s Street – $4.05 beers on the weekend + get free Kaya Toast w/ dinner when you say “Carmageddon” when making a reservation 7/16-17

Palisades:

Taste  – Happy Hour All Day, Saturday & Sunday

Westwood:

Palomino – Featuring $4.05 pizzas and $4.05 sangrias in the lounge area,  both Saturday and Sunday.

Brentwood:

Tavern – $4.05 Cocktails and Wines + $10 Grilled Cheese Special at the Bar + $1.01 Chocolate Chip Cookies @ The Larder (Limit 12 Per Person)

The Daily Grill – $4.05 Themed Cocktails + Appetizers + Desserts, Friday – Sunday

Downtown:

Drago Centro – 4-Samples of Gelato for $5.00

The Daily Grill – $4.05 Themed Cocktails + Appetizers + Desserts, Friday – Sunday

Burbank:

The Daily Grill – $4.05 Themed Cocktails + Appetizers + Desserts, Friday – Sunday

Culver City:

Essential Chocolate Desserts – Starting at 8am thru Closing on Sunday at 8pm,  will have a number of our delicious desserts for just $4.05: Ding Dongs & Cake Slices for $4.05. 2 Brownies for $4.05, 5 Cookies for $4.05, Ice Cream Sundaes for $4.05, 4 Cake Truffles for $4.05. If you spend $40.50 or more, get a coupon for $4.05 to spend at a later time!

Rush Street – Beach Party Friday & Saturday Featuring a Nightly Clambake + Summer Drink Specials and a Sandy Beach Party on the 2nd Floor. Also, Brunch Saturday & Sunday 11am-3pm with $20 Bottomless Bloody Marys & Mimosas.

Tender Greens  – Enjoy beers at all of the Tender Greens LA locations for $4.05 with ID!

Studio City:

The Daily Grill – $4.05 Themed Cocktails + Appetizers + Desserts, Friday – Sunday

Sherman Oaks:

Oak Fire Pizza – Bucket of Beer Specials All Day Saturday & Sunday + 1/2 Off Build-Your-Own-Bloody-Mary-Bar 11:30am-1pm + Happy Hour 3-7pm + Late Night $5 Happy Hour 10:30pm – Close.

Mobile Truck · Los Angeles, California

Aye que rico!

If you find yourself driving around Hollywood and see a bunch of dancing Latin people surrounding a musical food truck, you can safely assume you’ve just found the new Dominican food sensation soon to take Los Angeles by storm. Lidia’s Dominican Kitchen, (formerly known as Jimmy’s Chicken to Go-Go) is a new food truck that successfully captures authentic, Latin cuisine and dishes it out in party form. Did I mention it’s all on wheels? Have I mentioned it’s also delicious? Well, it is.

A short history: While casually shopping in West Hollywood, many months ago, I had the fortune of meeting Lidia and we shared a brief conversation about our mutual love for Latin cuisine. I expressed my frustration about how there were so few authentically good Latin restaurants in Los Angeles. And by Latin, I wasn’t talking about tacos. I was talking about Puerto Rican food, Dominican food, finger-licking, homemade, fried-up, Caribbean style comfort food. Stuff my grandma makes.

Lidia then proceeded to tell me how she was coincidentally opening up a Dominican food truck in the near future. “What!?” I thought to myself, “is wishful thinking really this easy!?” Maybe I should start thinking happy winning-the-lotto thoughts and see what’s happens…

Ok. So, flash forward to today. I get an email at 1:26 am… The time has come… the truck is HERE.

I got to check out Lidia’s special soft opening that happened earlier today on Beverly and La Brea. They were parked right in the lot of the temporarily defunct Valeros gas station. I roll up and am greeted by loud Latin beats, a happy intermingling crowd, dogs and their owners and a smiling Lidia and her crew. There’s something about Latin music… I couldn’t help but dance while in line. This man (below) with his arm behind his back was actually dancing too. Or at least was trying some new wacky gringo moves.

To my heart’s delight, her menu features all my favorites:

Pasteles, Tostones, Quipe, Arroz con Gondules and Pernil! There are also three kinds of desserts, two kinds of yuca and three different empanadas. Not to mention various bebidas tropicales like Malta and Tamarindo. 
Huh. So I guess heaven for me is a lot like the Caribbean. AND it’s a truck!

I loved the fried yuca, especially with the delicious homemade mojo and super spicy garlic butter. The chicken empanada was really good and had a slight kick to it while the ground beef was flavored nicely and tender. The sweet caramelized onions inside were also a nice touch. These were probably some of the tastiest empanadas I’ve had in a long time. No joke.

The tostones were not the crispy, salted kind that I am use to making at home but nevertheless, they were very good. I’m gonna guess that she doesn’t use a yellow (ripe) plantain, nor green one, but it’s somewhere in the middle to give it that slightly sweet, soft texture.

Though she was SUPER swamped with customers, Lidia graciously took a moment to pose with family, friends and fans.

She even obliged me and let me snap a pic behind the scenes.

The only thing that stopped me from ordering everything off her menu was the fact that she had run out of a lot of food items by the time I got there in the evening. (A good sign!)

Prices are just right. With items ranging from $2-16, there’s truly something on this menu for every appetite. Lidia obviously put a lot of time into planning this truck and the well-rounded menu and happy staff reflected that.

I am definitely coming back when she has her Grand Opening on Sunday, July 31st (1pm to 8pm) and I’m bringing friends! I look forward to trying Lidia’s marinated Rotisserie Chicken and of course… the Pernil (slow roasted pork).

If you go, don’t forget your dancing shoes!

BYB Tip: Lidia Caters!

 

**Update: As of early 2012 the truck is on hold in LA for now. This message appears on her website:

DONDE ESTA THE TRUCK?

Dear loyal customers of LA,

Sorry we’ve been missing in action but Lidia’s Dominican Kitchen food truck has been contracted to feed folks abroad! Actually, just in another state, but we will be back on the streets of LA soon! Please check in from time to time to see what we are up to! Thank you for ALL you support in the past!

Looking forward to feeding you soon!

LDK

8365 Santa Monica Blvd · Ste B · West Hollywood, CA 90069 · Neighborhood: West Hollywood ·
 

Earth Bar is a fantastic nutritious little juice bar just off Santa Monica Boulevard when you want a healthy treat on a hot day. It’s perfect to grab and go or stay and chill for a bit. There’s a little front bar where you can relax and sip your beverage. The employees are always super friendly and are great at making suggestions for you.

Here are some items I love:

ACAI Bowl
One employee suggested the Acai bowl because I told him I wanted something healthy but more than a juice. It was basically this humongous bowl of blended Acai and almond milk. It was delicious! It was really cold and sorbet-like and came topped with granola, strawberries and bananas.

The Acai Bowl is more aesthetically pleasing in the to-go container, otherwise they give it to you in this huge bowl and it looks like mush after you start to dig in. It is so refreshing though!  I recommend sharing it or adding some almond butter or trail mix to it. It’s 9 bucks so it’s a bit more expensive than a juice or blended beverage but is a mildly sweet, healthy little “ice-cream” for when you are in the mood for something different.

Before, as presented…

After I started to dig in… Goopy, but goooood and refreshing!

WEHO Breakfast
They also recommended this blended beverage for something a bit heartier. It’s got banana, organic raw almond butter, almond milk, vegan protein, and homemade granola.

JUICE
If you are just in the mood for something fresh and light and simple, grab an Apple, Carrot, Ginger Juice. It’s freshly made and they don’t skimp on the ginger. It’s delicious!

VITAMINS
There’s a nice selection of supplements, Superfoods and nutrients at Earth Bar. They are really great about helping you get the right stuff for your bod! I’ve never had a vitamin B-12 shot here, but if you’re sick, this is the place to fix you up fast.

BYB Tip: Come with a hangover, leave with a smile.

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