mandarin noodle house

Having grown up with an uncle in the area, I've always known that if you want real Chinese, you've got to head east to the SGV. When I do, one of my favorite local places for a casual, inexpensive lunch is Mandarin Noodle.

The food here is simple, rustic and divine. My picks for a perfect meal include the spicy handmade noodle, ordered dry with shredded pork instead of chicken, the scallion pancakes, meat dumplings, pickled cucumbers and a steaming pot of hot tea. That combination seems to hit the spot every time and if you're lucky, you'll have just enough leftover to take home and enjoy later. Not to mention plenty of cash left in your wallet to pay for gas on the drive home, since that'll likely cost you more than the meal. If you want one more item to pack to-go, the pork chop fried rice served with fresh greens and a tasty preserved egg, is another favorite that won't do you wrong.

In other reviews, some have noted less than friendly service, but I've never encountered that personally in my dozens of visits for noodle love. The place has had a couple of facelifts over the years, and they've recently gone through a change in ownership, but I'm happy to report, the beacon bright orange and yellow awnings and the quality, inexpensive food have remained a constant.

701 W Garvey Ave
Monterey Park, CA 91754

(626) 570-9795

century shoe lab

In between finding the latest hot spots to shop and deciding where to eat next, there's the pesky matter of tending to some of life's little necessities... like where to take care of all those fabulous shoes in your closet.

If you shop at Century City or frequent their AMC 15, you've probably passed this shoe repair tucked away by the Gelson's valet countless times without a second glance. I know I did, that is, until the day I went shopping and couldn't stop hearing clickety-clack, clickety-clack. Everywhere I went... clickety-clack, clickety-clack. I thought a phantom horse was following me around the mall until I realized, in a moment of horror, the clickety-clack was me! I'd somehow lost the soft plastic taps on both of my stilletto heels, leaving me strutting around on nails. Literally.

Haunted by the clickety-clack I decided it was time to throw in the shopping towel and head to the car. Balancing down the escalators nearly on my toes, there it was. A shoe repair! On my tippy toes I went in hopes of some help, and sure enough, they told me to slip them off and they'd fix them right up. Less than ten minutes and ten dollars later, I was out the door in my buffed up beauties, good as new. Off I went to pick up where I left off, floating along on my perfectly polished heels to nothing but the sweet sound of silence; free to enjoy the dulcet tones of muzak gently piping in and the sound of credit cards burning holes in my wallet. Just as it should be.


Century City Mall
10250 Santa Monica Blvd
Ste C-24
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 772-0013

coffee house heyri

Ever wondered where to go at 3am in K-Town for coffee, cake, a snack, a smoke and free wifi?

Now ya know.

Easily mistaken for a club from the music and crowds out front, the latest Korean style late night coffee shop to open in the area offers everything you'd expect to find including an extensive selection of coffees, teas, cakes, pastries, fresh fruit smoothies, bingsu (shaved ice), and savories, like udon, sushi and tempura. Oh, and, of course, sandwiches. How could I forget sandwiches?


The converted house makes for plenty of seating options. There's a narrow, modern space inside on the first level facing the long glass service counter and pastry case, as well as very traditional, cozy, homey rooms upstairs. What was once a backyard with a tall palm protruding from its center is now an expanse of fairy light lit outdoor seating complete with music (of the K-pop variety the night we were there) piped in, plenty of heating lamps (if you're still chilly, the requisite blankets are available too) and large, private tented areas along the perimeter for groups. Feel free to hide out in one of the hidden corners - buzzer service at each table will get the attention of a server when you need one. Some of the round tables appeared to have firepits, but none were ablaze the night we were there.



There's a small lot out front as well as valet, so parking is a non-issue.



This is the perfect way to end an evening in K-Town. According to the owners, there'll soon be live music on weekends, too. And for the night owls they're open until the wee hours at 4am!





755 S Hobart Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90005
(213) 389-6138

www.cafeheyri.com

dong il jang

Dong il Jang is a bit off the beaten path and, unlike many of the other K-Town BBQ's, is not AYCE (all you can eat). The restaurant is well ventilated, there's a pretty koi pond in the entry way and many worn in booths made to seat four comfortably, in addition to some private rooms behind shoji screens for small parties. If you're in search of an authentic family style Korean BBQ experience, without loud crowds, karaoke or leaving smelling like you came off the grill, this is a reliable spot.

All meals start with a clear broth served in a small metal bowl and end with a small glass of sweet grain drink. The banchan (kimchi and other small plates) are slightly less generous than other K-Q's I've been to, but here, it's all about the meat. Big, fat, family style platters of MEAT!

Their signature dish - Roast Gui, which comes with kimchee fried rice prepared tableside at the end of your meal - is well worth the price of admission at $21 for a generous plate. Another notable mention is the Spicy Marinated Pork. It's not too spicy, but the sweet-hot grilled flavor it develops on the fire is crack-like. Wasn't expecting to love this one, but it ended up being a favorite. The Marinated Shrimp ($28) was very good as was the Bul Gogi ($24), but I've had comparable flavor and quality elsewhere for less.


If you're in the mood to drink, ask for the lemon soju. It's also served family style, shaken with fresh lemon wedges, in a large, plastic jug with a flip top and shot glasses. The sweet tart drink is just enough to balance all of those grilled flavors and washes down nicely with a Hite beer (or two).

Service is pleasant and if you look less experienced (ahem, white) working over the table top gas grills, the ladies come around often enough to make sure you don't burn your dinner, or yourself.

If you feel like you're waddling out and can't quite climb back in your car, try the new Heyri Coffee House across the street. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a little coffee on the patio and digest.




3455 W 8th St
Los Angeles, CA 90005
(213) 383-5757

jones bar & cafe

Rainy days are more and more a rarity in these parts, so when one comes, it's more tempting to head out into the world to enjoy the elements than it is to curl up in bed with a book.

When I woke to the sound of tires on wet pavement the other day, I knew I wanted to savor every moment of it. Preferably, outdoors, in search of comfort food with my lover. Setting out to run some requisite errands we decided on bbq, but didn't want to take the last drafty table by the door. That's when we realized we were just across the street from Jones. A dark brick lined bar that's a great evening spot and, for me, an even better lunch spot.

Perfect.

After deciding to sit in a cozy red leather booth against one of the exposed brick walls (versus sitting in the bright, airy, gingham checked cafe area where the same menu is available), we brushed the rain from our coats and settled in for some serious grub. Beer ordered the sausage and onion pizza with a bag of chips (literally!) while I opted for a prosciutto-mozzarella panini served with chive topped mashed potatoes in their own mini cast iron terrine. Our server was sweet (in a genuine as opposed to sugary way) and very attentive, as was the busser who made sure our glasses were constantly full and we had everything we needed. The meal was perfect. The only thing I couldn't figure out is why we don't think to come here more often.

Tip - Make sure you wash your hands before you eat. The bathrooms, and their, ahem, wallpaper, are not to be missed ;)



7205 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 850-1727

martin + osa

Last week we had the opportunity to check out a new store opening at Century City Mall to benefit Step Up Women. Who wouldn't love to shop with a cocktail (or two) and some passed hors d'oeuvres in the name of charitable giving?

Martin + Osa is an offshoot of the American Eagle brand and the latest upscale sportswear line geared at the Banana buyer, whose name comes from an American adventurer couple who spent most of their lives on safari. The clothes were, well, very Bananaesque, but more casual and with the addition of khaki. A whole lotta khaki. Particularly in the men's. If you know a man who loves khaki, this will be his new favorite store.

Aside from a couple of lovely knits (I did my part for the cause purchasing a thin, cream colored wool sweater with a faux turtleneck and the prettiest border pattern to layer for $88), a beautiful bordeaux velvet peplum jacket ($128), and some very cool shiny textured leather zip pouches ($48), much of the selection - menswear, in particular - was unremarkable, at best. I'm hoping that once they find their niche in the market, that'll improve.

Far more impressive - the stores design. All of the Martin + Osa shops are marked with a striking wood paneled entry, well laid out without feeling empty or sparse, and have an absolutely gorgeous fitting room area that's a low-lit long hall, floor to high ceiling, seemingly endless panel of polished grainy wenge. I was tempted to try a few things on just for the sake of admiring the space!

Also of note - the little things that matter. My sweater purchase was popped into a recycled (and recyclable) white pull string pouch that could be used to wash, store, or travel with. The gift bags we left with included his and hers travel sets with soft, supple leather passport holders and matching luggage tags - chocolate brown for him and a striking shade of pale aqua for me. They're getting plenty of use already!

10250 Santa Monica Blvd #185
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 785-7924

a taste of wales. at costco?

No, sillies, this isn't a tale of eating a whale!

It's true. Most Angeleno's don't know where Wales is, and they sure as hell don't know that one of their national foods is the cockle. Wales is one of the four countries (yes, it's its own country), that comprises the United Kingdom - that land across the pond we often assume falls under the blanket "England" that most certainly does not. A country rich in history and tradition, bordered primarily by the Irish Sea with lush hills and valleys, craggy cliffs, and patches of desolate coal-like terrain, it's no surprise many of the local foods come from the sea.

So, what on earth is a cockle? It's a lot like a small clam. Brits eat them as snack food, served outside of their pale orange and green hued shells in paper cones with a bit of vinegar. You can even get jars of them pickled at local groceries. The Welsh do the same, but it's more common to see them served as you would other bi-valves for dinner, and more often, on a breakfast plate with another local staple called laverbread (pronounced lavahbread), which is a made from a type of seaweed - Porphyra - native to the cold and rocky north Atlantic shores west of Swansea.

Imagine my surprise when I saw none other than a big ol' five pound net bag of live, fresh cockles staring back at me from a bed of a ice in the live seafood stall at my local CostCo - in Marina del Rey! Naturally, the first thing I did was pick up the phone to call my Welsh boyfriend! I had to repeat myself a few times before he realized I was, in fact, saying cockles. I promptly bought the bag - while a couple of onlookers asked me what they were and what I was going to do with them - and he promptly called his mother for cooking instructions. The bit about boiling them for a couple of minutes sounded like crazy talk, but after getting my way to throw in some herbs, garlic and a hefty bit of white wine, and agreeing to hold the salt (it comes from the shells), we did just that.

They smelled so good, we had a few fresh out of their shells as soon as they'd cooled just enough to handle, and they were absolutely delicious. The pink-orange flesh was so sweet, tender and fragrant it was like no clam I'd had before. To be blunt about it, I'm not much a fan of clams, but I could have easily sat down and polished off the lot.

We saved the remainder to chill and snack on with a bit of vinegar and crackers, and those were quite tasty too. Now I'm looking forward to having some with laverbread when we're in the UK for the holidays!

No guarantee they'll regularly carry them, but if you don't want to hop on the next flight to London, head to your local CostCo and give some a try.

CostCo Store #49
13463 Washington Blvd
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 754-2020

long lashes at sephora

There are so many things to love about the grown up girl's candy store that is Sephora. They carry virtually every cosmetic, fragrance and skin care line you can imagine. They've always got the latest products in before they hit most shelves. With the addition of their (ahem, big brother) frequent shopper program, you can count on a free gift or two with virtually every purchase. (This month, it's a yummy new Pomegranate-Tangerine shower gel.) They've always got beautiful complimentary gift wrap on hand. There are numerous locations all over town. Hell, you can even shop online.

And the generous samples. How could you not love the unlimited samples they're always happy to offer of just about everything? This is the ultimate go-to for stocking up on airline friendly travel goodies.

When the familiar black and white stripes beckon, one of my favorite things to check out is the mascara bar. The last couple of years I've been happy with Paul & Joe's chocolate mascara duo for day and Dior Show for something more dramatic, but eventually, we all need a change, and mine came tonight when I realized they were all out of my color. After staring endlessly at the myriad options, I decided to give the Fresh Supernova a try. It was only available in black, but a friendly salesgirl assured me it was "less dramatic" than Show. The real lure is that this stuff promises to be a three in one - it thickens, lengthens and curls your lashes in one coat. Sure enough, it did exactly what it promised. Better yet, two coats and it went from everyday perfect to hot enough for a night out. For a mere $25 bucks, I managed to replace two favorite products with one. Woo hoo! Just imagine what they could do for you ;)

Sephora
8500 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 854-0071

happy turkey day!

Well, whaddaya know? It turns out doing some advance prep last night seems to have paid off. The preserved lemon-saffron-herb butter bird's in the oven, the flavors of the spiced cranberry-orange sauce have had a chance to mingle overnight, the andouillie sausage -cornbread stuffing is ready to bake, the turkey stock is ready to turn into gravy, the champagne is chilling - and all that leaves me with a little time to chill myself before I need to start the veg. Just enough time to wish all of you and yours a very, happy Thanksgiving.

Wherever you are, and whatever you may be doing today, I hope you're enjoying the holiday to the fullest.

Above, one of my favorite images this time of year - A vintage pic of the Macy's Turkey Day Parade. Far cry from the children's television spectacle that it is today.

Cheers!

willie bird time!

In the blink of an eye, another year has nearly flown by again. Just a few days till Thanksgiving which always feels like the gun sounding at the start of the Marathon that is Xmas.

My pre-race ritual every year begins with one thing - buying the Thanksgiving turkey. I think I'd tried just about every frozen and fresh I could get my hands on over the years, from CostCo and Bristol Farms to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, but the year I discovered the Willie Bird I knew I needed to look no further.

Run by owner Willie Benedetti out of Sonoma County, all Willie Birds are free range, fresh and the majority of the birds are organic as well. Aside from the peace of mind you get from knowing the turkey on your table had a good turkey life before he got there, free of processed foods, antibiotics and hormones, they just plain taste better. Another interesting note, because the birds are free of all that junk, they tend to cook a little faster than your average bird. I've had them fried, brined, and plain ol' baked, and any way, they've been moist and flavorful. You haven't really had turkey until you've had a Willie Bird.

Thanks to the wonders of the internet and FedEx overnight, you can order one of these babies online (they range from 12lb hens shipped for about $90 all the way up to 35lb for some of the toms which will run closer to $200) and have them delivered to your doorstep. If you live in LA, I've found the best place to get your hands on a Willie Bird is at Puritan Poultry at the Farmers Market.

Located in stall #226, these poulterers know their stuff and you can reserve your bird (selecting size and gender) up to almost a month in advance and pick it up on the date of your choice. This is much more reasonable than having them shipped (averaging $40-$60 a bird) and they usually have a few on reserve if you want to head in this week with a last minute order. I can't wait to see my bird Wednesday morning!

Should you find yourself in Santa Rosa, Willie Bird has a retail shop open to the public where you can pick up very reasonably priced birds and just about everything else turkey you could think of, including some amazing smoked turkey sausage. If you'd rather not cook it up yourself, they've got a Willie Bird Restaurant, too!

that yarn store

Having promised a childhood friend we'd learn to knit together as my bday gift to her, (that's right - we're 30 going on 70!), I went on a hunt to find the perfect yarn shop for our hot hooking adventure. It turns out there are plenty of shops all around town, and they each offer classes and sell yarn of some sort or another, but when I stumbled across the website for That Yarn Store on Eagle Rock Blvd., I knew I'd found the spot.

This is a mom and pop shop - recently relocated from a store front around the corner on Colorado - staffed and run entirely by family. Everything about this place is comfy and homey, from the handwritten notes on the door describing new groups and events, the decor (it's set up like a cozy living room with rocking chairs, sofas and an ample coffee table covered with snacks), the music (it was some indy electro jazz while we were there), and most especially, the people.

A couple of months ago I thought it would be relaxing for me to take up knitting, but after a futile attempt at learning, all I wanted to do was stab someone with my knitting needles. When we arrived, a very friendly barefooted guy welcomed us to the shop and let us know his wife, Frannie, would be back soon to teach us to knit (evidently, he was more of the crocheting type). That was when I knew we'd found the right spot :)

Frannie was the sweetest thing and had the patience of a saint. She sat us down and handed us each a pair of shiny #9 bamboo needles and a little ball of tan yarn. Before we knew it, we'd mastered the art of casting on and were slowly, but surely, knitting rows. We hung out chatteing and practicing our stitches, and before we knew it, three hours had passed, and what do you know, we were knitting!

For those of you who know your stuff, they have an ample collection of books and lending library, plenty of yarns (like fine wool, alpaca and yak - none of that acrylic junk) and needles for just about any knit or crochet project as well as a laundry list of different classes, groups and special events. For everyone else, there are classes for beginners on Saturdays at 2p and Tuesdays at 7p, but we discovered they're happy to start you a little early (or, in our case) a little late if need be. Our impromptu class was just $15 plus $5 for our needles and starter yarn. All they ask is that you buy your supplies there, which is perfectly reasonable given the beautiful and colorful selection. Now I'm hoping the skein of wine hued wool I picked up will mystically turn itself into a scarf!

lily simone

What a gift it was to happen upon this beautiful boutique! Former stylist Simone Porter opened the mid-century modern shop dedicated to small labels on Eagle Rock Blvd. almost 4 years ago. More recently, the space has been divided into both a clothing and home accessories shop.

In the clothing section you'll find labels such as Grey Ant, Ella Moss, Splendid, Kush Cush and Kenneth Lane jewelry. There's also a lovely selection of shoes, wallets and everything else a girl could ask for - including pretty glass jars of old fashioned candy sold for a buck a scoop. You may also spy Simone's lil pup Lily curled up on one of the chairs. This time of year, there were beautiful knits, wraps, and a couple of stunning party dresses in worsted wool - all at reasonable price points. My resistance worn down by the soothing tunes playing and the cotton candy pink walls, I picked up a dainty gold bamboo inspired bangle I want to wear with everything.


In the home accessories area we found all sorts of holiday baubles and ornaments, stylish textiles, vintage furnishings (including a fabulous chandelier), divine candles, and some very cool miniaturized stag's heads I had to pry myself away from.

Better than just a beautiful place with beautiful things, everyone who works here makes it a pleasure to visit. No pushy Westside salesgirls and no too cool for school Eastside hipsters. Hell, I almost forgot I was in LA!

Everything about Lily Simone is a grown up gal's candy shop, and no matter what your style or taste, there's something here for everyone.

Do yourself a favor and add this one to your holiday shopping list, even if it's just to sneak away and pick a couple of things up for the most important person on it - you.

Tip: Stop by on Tax Free Tuesday or flash your Oxy student id for a nice discount.

taco spot

Is there anything better than walking around your home town and discovering some place you haven't been? I think not! So when we took off up the block in search of some lunch and spied the Taco Spot sign, I was already a happy camper. One look at the (very hip in design) nuevo Mexican menu (read: soyrizo's an option with your tofu burrito), and I was sold.

Regardless of whether you're eating in or taking out, you order at the counter (almost suspiciously) manned by cute boys, and get a number before checking out the well equipped salsa bar. There's definitely an alt vibe here, but that doesn't mean you won't find the classics including sopes, chile relleno, tampiquena, and my favorite naughty breakfast, spicy rojo chilaquiles. More unusual than a soy enchilada - healthy options. If you want to keep it light, the fajita salad topped with cotija cheese and some garlic bread is a tasty option. If you're looking to keep it simple, they've got you covered with the selection of tacos - ahi, papa, asada, machaca, pastor, and old school, hard shelled, ground beef all served up with rice and (refried or black) beans to name a few. Everything on the menu is under $10. Yum, yum.

pace

If you want to feel like you've snuck away from the hustle and bustle for some really good Italian, Pace is a great go-to.

The pastas and salads are solid, as are the wine list and service. Another favorite here is their pizza. There's always an amazing special and they're all thin crusted goodness.

The interior has a dark, rustic feel and there's seating inside a main dining room adjacent a rich, wood bar, or semi-outdoors on a small enclosed patio with a big booth tucked into the exposed brick surround.


Everything is beautifully candle lit at night. As others have mentioned it's a great spot for a date and it's also a perfect place for small groups.

The valet parking lot keeps things simple (unless it's packed on a weekend evening which can get a little crazy). Just be patient, it's worth the wait!


2100 Laurel Canyon Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 654-8583

the british invasion arrives in la: fresh & easy

Considering I live with a homesick Brit, we've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the UK grocery giant, Tesco's, since we first heard they were setting up shop with a brand in the states more than a year ago. Today the first wave of the British invasion arrived with the grand opening of their first six CA stores. The prospect of having a local British grocer was almost too much to bear, so as soon as we could, we hopped in the car and headed east to check out the Eagle Rock store.

What you may fondly remember as the 70's Lucky's on Eagle Rock & El Paso (as I do, from early grocery trips there with my uncle in his big white Caddy), is now a bright beacon of northeast LA gentrification.

As one would expect on opening day, the parking lot was a bit of a zoo, but they had the good sense to have some very helpful attendants on hand. A bit smaller than your average chain grocery, the shop felt like the love child of Ralph's and Trader Joe. Though there weren't many of the Brit food items we were hoping to find, the store boasts a wonderful selection of fresh and packaged foods, primarily carrying the Fresh & Easy and From Our Kitchen labels, simply packaged and at great prices.

Produce was presented in neat bins, bagged and boxed in pretty value packs. The same was the case for the pantry and baked items including some tasty cakes and fresh breads. Though they don't market themselves in the way Whole Foods does, I did notice a good number of items were organic and/or all natural. The bargain priced $1.79 large, free range, brown eggs from "hens housed in an area where they are free to run, play and nest on a diet free of antibiotics and hormones" were a nod in that direction. Same was the case with many of their meats, including the (delicious out of the broiler) beef and pepper kebabs with no added hormones or antibiotics. From what I hear, they're also introducing an entire green fleet of freight trucks.

A distinctly British element was evident if you looked for it - features on watercress and arugula (rocket in the UK), goat's milk yogurt, puddings and mini-cakes, Indian takeaway frozen dinners, English cheese, and, the holy grail of Brit shopping in LA - UNCURED BRITISH BACK BACON. That's right. They carry fresh rashers. Albeit on the thin side, at $4.99 a pack, we could hardly contain ourselves and did a little dance in the aisle before stocking up!

Fresh & Easy execs were amongst the crowd, clucking about like the nervous hens laying their eggs, straightening up displays and making sure every bit of the nest was in order. It wasn't hard to pick them out of the crowd, especially given the Union Jack belt one was wearing. Another told us bringing in the British Brand Bacon was a risk they almost didn't take, but said it had been flying off the shelves with all the ex-pats coming in. She suggested we try a couple of her favorites - the Tomato Basil Soup and Blue Corn & Chili Lime Crackers. (I'd buy both again). In keeping with their mantra to "listen to the customer" we were encouraged to go online and leave a list of items we'd like to see in the future.

Unlike TJ's, this is a one stop shop for all of the necessary evils - they carry everything from Tide detergent and Axe deodorant, to Coke and Pepsi. Small sections of seasonal wrapping paper in the back and greeting cards in the front seemed like a bit of an afterthought in comparison to the rest of the store, but they were enough to meet any last minute emergency needs and I imagine they'll fill out as the store settles in.

Move over two buck Chuck. There may not be much of a wine section to speak of here, but they do sell Big Kahuna Shiraz for $1.99.

Checking out was a bit of a surprise. All of the check out lanes are self-serve. You can scan your own items, swipe your card to pay, bag and go. No coupons, no club cards, no nonsense. On the way out they thanked us for shopping and handed us a reusable shopping bag to use on future trips, along with a coupon for $6 off our next visit. Not too shabby.

All in all, this was a five star shopping experience - a well laid out and aesthetically pleasing space (wide aisles, high ceilings and polished concrete floors), quality foods, good selection, tremendous value (we left with five bags of groceries for $75!), and friendly service. And, of course, British bacon! We'll definitely be back.

Keep an eye out for the next wave of stores opening in the coming months, including one on the west side at Hollywood & Sycamore.

Want more? For a Brit's perspective on all this, check out Beer's review.

4211 Eagle Rock Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90065

(323) 255-1113