Stefan's at LA Farm

Before I share my two cents on LA Farm, I have some exciting news: 

Today marks my 2-year blogiversary!  

In the past two years, I've eaten well, drank plentifully, gained new friends -- You thought weight, didn't you? Well, I gained that, too -- learned a lot about blogging and food photography (still learning), and received more attention through this blog than I've ever expected!  All in all, it's been a fruitful two years. And I figure if I can maintain this blog through law school, I'll do a decent job of managing it for years to come.  Thanks for reading, enjoying, and best of all, supporting!

Now enough with the cheese & corn.  Let's see what Chef Stefan Richter and his crew are up to over at LA Farm...

First, I have to admit that I didn't watch Stefan on Bravo's "Top Chef."  In fact -- brace yourself -- I don't recall ever watching a single episode of "Top Chef," much less an entire season.  Now before you judge me, I will say it's been in my queue for awhile now.  I just don't know where to gain access to full episodes!  Please help me (be a normal, food-loving human being).  All this to say, you can dish out the Stefan gossip from that show, and it will all mean nothing to me.  I'm glad.  I care far more about food than celebrity dirt anyway.

Second, my last visit was my third time at the restaurant.  Two dinners and now, one lunch.  If I had to compare, dinner's better, but lunch is still pretty damn good, mainly because they know how to properly cook and serve their food.  No wonder they do so well.

Bar area

"Outdoor" atrium dining area

Lunch menu, 5/22/2012

Lunch menu, 5/22/2012

Complimentary bread and sesame and poppy seed grissini with butter

While I waited for my party to arrive, I dug into the bread bowl.  Nothing innovative or special here, other than the typical noshing of a carb-loving gal.

After we killed the bread, we ordered the Crab & Artichoke Risotto, Rotisserie Chicken Salad Sandwich, and the Local Halibut. Now, in order of preference:

Local Halibut - $25

If there's one thing LA Farm does perfectly, it's cook their fish.  This halibut fillet sits upon sliced radishes chilling in a champagne vinaigrette with sliced fingerling potatoes and topped with cucumber, pickled carrot, frisee.  While I thought the overall combination was on the saltier side, I was impressed by the flakiness of the fresh, cooked fish.  Bravo!

Crab & Artichoke Risotto - $24

Risotto is surprisingly tough to master.  At LA Farm, it's not too al dente and not too mushy.  In other words, it's cooked just as it should be - chewy with a slight bite.  The lump crab and baby artichokes compliment each other well.  And though the foam made the dish seem pretentious, and quite frankly, tasteless, I'm still a fan of the whole dish.

Rotisserie Chicken Salad Sandwich - $15

There is something so simple, but wonderful about the combo of brie and apples.  The Rotisserie Chicken Salad Sandwich takes the delicious duo and mixes it with celery, walnut, and a light mayo that doesn't turn me off.  Grilled panini-style, one bite of this sandwich will have all the ingredients spilling out, but rest assured, nothing gets left behind.

What I love most about LA Farm is that they know how to take the best, even fancy, obscure-sounding ingredients and create a dish that is simple and memorable.  That is what we like, right?

Chef Stefan, thanks for the laughs and some comments that would be inappropriate to post here.  And I'm glad you like my business cards.  I like them, too.  Until next time!

Getting cozy with the chef/ owner

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cuisine: American
location: Santa Monica
websites: { LA Farm | yelp }
cost: $15-30
attire: Casual
parking: valet lot
notes: They're debuting their front patio soon.  Go check it out!

Mini Quinoa Cups

Here's a recipe that is easy, healthy, and doubly versatile (meaning you can have it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack AND you can be as creative as you want with it).  A fellow cooking/ baking enthusiast introduced me to this recipe.  And considering we're both going into bar-study hibernation soon, mini quinoa cups may be a-plenty in our near future.

Plus, the beauty of this recipe -- aside from being quick and easy -- is that you can get creative by tossing in ham, bacon, veggies, or anything else that you fancy.  Go wild.


Mini Quinoa Cups
recipe from Iowa Eats
Yield: About 24 cups

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked quinoa (pronounced "keen-wah") - I used Bob's Red Mill Organic Whole Grain Quinoa, which comes pre-washed (we fancy)

• 1 egg
• 1 egg whites
• 1/2 cup shredded zucchini 
• 1/4 cup chopped mushrooms
• 1/4 cup roasted red peppers
• 1/2 cup sharp shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 green onion, sliced
• 1 tbsp. Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsps. chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Prep two mini muffin tins by spraying them with non-stick spray.

2. Combine all ingredients into a bowl.

3. Spoon the mixture into each cup.

4. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

5.  Let them cool for at least 5 minutes before removing them from the muffin tin.

That's it!  Super easy!

Now, for the visuals:

BEFORE

AFTER

Tsujita LA

I finally made it to Tsujita!
Tsuji-what?
I'm talking about the best new ramen shop -- I mean, "artisan noodle" -- shop on Sawtelle.  But here's the catch, they only serve noodles between11:00 AM - 3:30 PM. So basically, if you're craving noodles, go for lunch.

Photo courtesy of Midtown Lunch

On the lunch menu, there are essentially two options: Tonkotsu Ramen or Tsukemen.
Tonkotsu ramen is noodles in a pork broth that has been simmered for sixty -- yes, 60 -- hours, producing a delectable richness.  You can choose green onions or slices of char-siu (roasted pork) to top.  Sounds amazing?  It probably is.  But I did not have this.

Instead, I ordered the Tsukemen (pronounced like "skeh-men"), which is comprised of two parts: (1) a bowl of cooled noodles and (2) a super dense dipping sauce consisting of reduced pork broth.  You can order just the noodles and broth (like I did), or include toppings such as char-siu slices, a seasoned boiled egg, or extra nori (seaweed).

To be a proper Tsukemen-eater, you should adhere to the 3-stage eating process. Sounds labor-intensive, but it isn't.  And even if it were, it's so worth it.  After all, it's kind of the new, hip way to eat ramen these days, and who doesn't want to be cool?

Stage 1: Squeeze some lime juice all over the noodles.  You'll periodically sprinkle the tangy sweetness of the lime later so don't squeeze it all out at the beginning.

Stage 2: Take some noodles and dip them in the sauce.  Feel free to use the soup spoon to help gather all the noodles -- they can get unruly sometimes, especially when using chopsticks -- and some additional broth.

Stage 3: Eat and savor as a smile creeps across your satisfied face (creepy?).  Once you are done eating the noodles, you can request some additional soup stock to the remainder of your broth and enjoy it as soup.

And so it goes.

Tsukemen - $9.95

Thick noodles that require the right amount of chew.

Near-syrupy pork dipping sauce with green onions, pork slices, and everything delicious.

The space is small and they don't take reservations, so come early.  If the few tables and bar seating are full, sign your name on the clipboard by the door and wait patiently on the patio.  The good news is that there is complimentary iced barley tea while you wait.  The bad news is that you may be stuck in direct sunlight for awhile, so by the time you're finally seated, your bladder is on the verge of bursting.

Although you're inhaling your bowl of noodles while bumping elbows with your neighbor, the overall state of the restaurant is clean and the service, friendly and efficient.  This was definitely some of the best noodles I've had in West LA.  Oh, and important tip: CASH ONLY.



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cuisine: Japanese
location: West LA (On Sawtelle)
hours: Lunch - 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM; Dinner - 6:00 PM - midnight (Daily)
websites: { Tsujita | yelp }
parking: Street meters
attire: Casual
other reviews: { J Gold }

Lukshon

It is the eve of my law school graduation.
Instead of sleeping or imbibing, I'm spending my pre-JD hours updating this blog for you!  Since taking my last final exam, I've spent most of my time reading (Why is Mindy Kaling so hilarious?), sleeping, eating, cooking, and lounging around without a care in the world.  In addition, I've been terribly spoiled by my friends recently - and by spoiled I mean being fed very well.  It isn't a hyperbole to say that the past two weeks have been my favorite days in 2012.  I figure it's time I share some of the wonderfulness with you before "It-Which-Must-Not-Be-Named" robs me of such pleasures like a heartless thief.

Let's start with Lukshon.

Believe it or not, Lukshon is related to Father's Office, if only through its Korean/ Russian chef and owner, Sang Yoon.  Unlike Father's Office (FO), a gastropub with tasty burgers and refreshing brewskis, Lukshon takes you on a mini journey to Southeast Asia where spices run high and noodles are in.  It's also a far more peaceful dining experience compared to its ever-bustling, next-door neighbor in the Helms Bakery district of Culver City.  But like FO, you will leave the restaurant feeling satisfied.

Menus

Our server was very thorough with explaining some of the current faves amongst the chefs and everyday diners, alike.  We started our meal with the Tea Leaf Salad, evidently a "must-try" from the kitchen.  The chefs boast that this tangy mix of cabbage, crispy chana dal, chopped marcona almonds, peanuts, sesame, and  two large blue prawns present flavors that aren't readily available outside Southeast Asia, if at all.  Needless to say, we were so impressed that we were picking at the last few bits of almonds and peanuts with chopsticks until the end of the meal.

Tea Leaf Salad - $11

Next up was the Baby Monterey Squid.  Let me tell you, the squid are indeed baby.  The squid are accompanied by slices of chiang mai pork sausage, pureed mint and candlenut, and topped with rau ram (Vietnamese coriander).  I liked the squid, but wasn't a huge fan of the sausage.  This is unfortunate because the squid pieces are so small and few.

Baby Monterey Squid - $11

For our noodle dish, we opted for Chiang Mai Curry Noodles, and holy moly, it was delicious and spicy!  The chile, tumeric and lemongrass melded into an unique taste that gave a hearty kick of heat that hit the back of my throat.  The chicken, prawns, yuk choy, bean sprouts, crispy wonton pieces, and chewy rice noodles all provided differing textures, but enveloped in that familiar curry flavor I love.

Chiang Mai Curry Noodles - $13

Last, but not least, how could we not try the Spicy Chicken Pops?  These chicken drumettes are not a huge crowd favorite, but even Cupcake Wars' Candace Nelson has deemed them as good as her mom's on Food Network's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate."  They are really that good.

Spicy Chicken Pops - $10

Little balls of chicken coated with glaze made of garlic and spicy Sichuan salt, I crave you.

At the end of our meal, we were given two complimentary desserts, which is the norm.

Complimentary desserts

I wish I'd written the ingredients of the desserts because both were light and refreshing in a way desserts rarely are.

The first involved panna cotta, diced Asian pears, and raspberry sorbet.

I really don't know what the second one was (food blogger fail), but I especially liked the candied pieces of whateveritwas that was sandwiched between the two creamy textures.

While we chose to sit inside, outdoor seating is also available.

Mr. Sang Yoon, you did not disappoint.  I found Lukshon's dishes innovative, well-thought out and not over-done.  I'll be back... at least for the spicy chicken pops.  Yum!



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cuisine: Asian Fusion
location: Culver City
hours: Lunch - T-Fri, noon-3:00 PM; Dinner - M-Thu, 5:30-10:00 PM; Fri-Sat, 5:30-10:30 PM
websites: { Lukshon | yelp }
parking: parking lot, street
attire: Casual
other reviews: { J Gold | LAT | food, je t'aime }

Milo & Olive

I have been wanting to check out Milo & Olive, the new-ish restaurant in my 'hood, ever since I returned from London.  That was five months ago.  What have I been doing?  Oh yeah, trying to complete that pesky little thing called law school.  What a bore.  But now that I'm DONE (Can I get a what-what?) and I've regained a bit of my so-called life (Who watched that show?), it's fitting that I ended up at M & O after taking my last final exam ever (ever).

Photo by DarinDines

Milo & Olive is a tiny hole-in-the-wall bakery/ restaurant with a couple of communal tables and bar seating.  The bakery bleeds into the open restaurant, creating a vibe very much like Huckleberry.  Oh wait, what?  They're owned by the same restauranteurs?  Yup, Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan expanded their already-successful family of Rustic Canyon, Huckleberry, and Sweet Rose Creamery to add this hip pizzeria named after their one-year old son, Milo.  So how does it hold up?

Chef Walter Manzke (left) giving guidance.

I only tried two things, three including the alcohol so I'm not in the best position to judge.  But with what I tried, I can at least say I'll be back again (for bfast).  Will I ever crave it?  Probably not.

Le Menu (click to enlarge)

Flat water (complimentary)

Free Range Chicken Meatballs - $13

Roasted tomatoes, arugula, red onion

This chicken meatballs are steeply priced at a little over $3 each, but the sauce is simply divine.  Spicy, but only in a subtle way, the tomato sauce resembles a hearty and comforting bolognese sauce.  Needless to say, I did not let even a lick go to waste.

Housemade Pork Belly Sausage Pizza w/ braised greens, tomato, and fresh mozzarella - $17

There were many pizzas to choose from, but we opted for this because of two words: pork belly.  Mmm.  Fatty, succulent pieces of pork belly paired surprisingly well with the greens and the cheese.  In some ways, it reminded me of a Mozza pizza, which of course, is a very good thing.

2011 Dom Sainte Lucie "MIP" - $12/ glass

For my celebratory beverage, I went with a French Rosé from Cotes de Provence.  The French sure know what they're doing with their wine.  This particular white was light, crisp, and surprisingly, not pink!  Still scrumptious.

Overall, the food and service was great.  Because we arrived early for dinner (around 5), there was no wait, but a line was growing around 6.  There's nothing bad to say about my small meal, but there's nothing to write home about either.  I'll re-visit my thoughts after I try their breakfast items.  'Til then, happy noshing.



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cuisine: Pizza
location: Santa Monica
hours: 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM, daily
websites: { M&O | yelp | twitter }
prices: $10-20
parking: Street
attire: Casual
other reviews: { gastronomy | Food GPS | Eater LA }