This Burger Won't Break Up with You on a Post-It

So I still haven't really gotten over my meal last night. Let's backtrack a few days. I was driving home from the gym and all I could think about was having a CHEESEBURGER. It took everything inside of me not to pull into the In-N-Out drive thru, but I haven't been able to shake the craving yet.

Last night, I had a date with a couple funny friends of mine, and I chose the place. So, I was in search of the perfect burger, and folks, I think I found it.

25 Degrees is located in the Roosevelt Hotel and is far from the typical burger joint. This joint has dark leather booths, funky chandeliers and velvet textured wallpaper (read: the place has style). I'd read up on the restaurant a little before committing to the meal. 25 Degrees, which opened in February 2006, is the creation of husband and wife, Tim and Liza Goodell. The restaurant joins the Domaine Restaurants family, which has bread other great spots like Red Pearl Kitchen and Dakota.

The menu is simple (with a twist). They offer 3 pre-packaged burgers, and then a "make your own burger" option, with a choice of meat, cheese, toppings and sauce. There are 12 cheeses to choose from, ranging from farm house cheddar (described as: cow / lightly sharp / firm / england) to red hawk (cow / triple cream / lightly salty / long pungent finish / california). So you pretty much know this place is going to rock your world. I could have made a meal on the cheeses alone (p.s. they do offer a 3 cheese plate for $9, or 5 cheeses for $15).

But let's get back to business. Since it was my first time at 25 degrees, I decided to go with one of their signature burgers rather than build my own (I was excited and may have blown the whole experience by pairing the wrong sauce with a hard cheese and needless to say, ruined my evening). I went for Burger #2 with roasted tomatoes, crispy prosciutto, burrata cheese and pestoooooooooooooooooooooo. SORRY, I just had a flashback and my hand seemed to freeze to the keyboard. This burger was (okay here it goes) THE BEST BURGER I'VE EVER HAD. There! I said it, it's out there, so deal with it.

The first bite was heavenly: juice dripping down my arms, roasted tomato all over my face, a tantalizing burger experience. My two dates seemed to immensely enjoy their burgers as well. One also chose a signature burger, opting for #1 with caramelized onion, big woods blue, crescenza, bacon, arugula and thousand island dressing. My other friend went for a build-your-own in the vegetarian vein: veggie burger, crescenza, and thousand island dressing. He was very impressed by the quality of the veggie burger: no hockey pucks in sight. You may also want to compliment your meal with a box of fries for $6, (one order was enough for the three of us to share).

Well, my craving was met and my hunger, satisfied. On to the next obsession, to be determined at a later date.

25 Degrees
7000 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 785-7244
$$

What's New Pussy Cat?

For those who like to have something to look forward to, here are some new restaurants coming to Los Angeles in the near future. From me to you, keeping us all in the know!

SPRING/SUMMER

Gonpachi - On April 1st Beverly Hills will welcome a new neighbor with a taste for traditional Japanese cuisine, the latest from Global Dining Inc. who brought us La Boheme and Monsoon.(134 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills)

X Bar - Yet another place to see and be seen, although this one carries a nice menu to boot. The latest and greatest bar with tasty bites to match, including Shrimp in Chinese Pancakes, and fire pits to make the deal of your life around (2025 Ave. of the Stars, Century City).

Craft - You've heard my raving (2000 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles).

FALL

Bar Pinxto - From the Chef and Owner of Joe's on Abbott Kinney comes this upscale tapas bar (s109 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica).

Tuk Tuk and Away!

My first time at Tuk Tuk was quite a while ago, but as I drove by it this morning I was reminded of how much I enjoyed the food there, so I thought I'd share the love. First of all, the ambiance is wonderful. The bright orange sign makes the restaurant stand out amongst its kosher food neighbors, which is what originally caught my attention. It was either going to be Factor's or Tuk Tuk, and feeling a little more in the mood for pad Thai than lox & bagels, I opted for the latter. You also have the option of outdoor seating, which is pretty great as it's starting to warm up down here in sunny so cal.

The restaurant itself is very small, with less than 15 tables inside. I've never been there when it was overcrowded, but there's always a good amount of people dining there so you may want to make a reservation if it's a special occassion (I've never had a problem just walking in). It's a great date spot, very romantic with candles on the table to the low lighting. It's also very reasonably priced, so take a friend, take a first date, or just grab some food for yourself. Tuk Tuk is one of my favorite Thai places in all of L.A., so be sure to put it on your list of "must eats."

Tuk Tuk
8875 West Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(310) 860-1872

This One's Just Rice

When a co-worker and I were desperately craving Sushi in Santa Monica, we really didn't have anything coming to mind that was close by. Plus we didn't want to break the bank. So, I did like any adventurous woman would do, and googled "sushi" near "my office" and came across Hakata (check out the site for a coupon).

This place immediately intrigued me as the outside of the restaurant exclaims "ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI" and "SPORTS BAR." I thought, this could either be really fun, or I would be recalling my lunch over the toilet for the rest of the afternoon. Luckily, it turned out to be the former.

The lunch special is out of this world. For $12 you get 18 pieces of sushi and miso soup. The sushi really good quality, especially for the price. This is probably one of the best California Rolls I've ever had, as they use fresh crab meat and it's definitely well-crafted.

Although we didn't partake in the all-you-can-eat, I did inquire more. For $28.95 you can have regular sushi, and for $49 you get your pick from a premium sushi list, which has a few more options. The catch is, you only have an hour to make your choices. I don't think they kick you out after 60 minutes, but I think there's an added cost attached if you order more past that time. I certainly will come back and check that feature out the next time I'm feeling like a challenge and/or I'm wining and dining Kobayashi.


Hakata
2830 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310)828-8404
$

While It Isn't Chanos...

Okay, I have some serious separation anxiety from my college fast-food obsession, Chanos. When I moved west from USC, I decided to try out Lucy's, which happens to be just down the block from me. They have in no way filled the void that Chano's has left in my heart, but it has introduced some new plates and unexpected surprises. While the burgers are good, the tacos are amazing when you're drunk, the dish that takes the cake is Lucy's Ceviche Platter. Okay, I know it seems completely absurd to order Ceviche from a drive-thru, but it came on the recommendation of my foodie friend, so I had to try it. The dish is great, and for $6.95 you can't go wrong. Next time you're craving fast food and would rather not have anything fried, give Lucy's a try and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Lucy's
1373 S. La Brea Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 938-4337
$

Seeing Red

In what used to be the home of Meson G, now stands a pair of gold doors (and a pretty tasty restaurant behind it). Red Pearl Kitchen is Pan Asian Family Style food, lots of small plates, and a great place to go with a group. They advertise their food as Dim Sum, but please don't go there expecting the traditional fare.

I had the pleasure of dining with my friend Sam, and as we caught up on all the people from high school we have blocked out of memory, we also enjoyed some delicious and funky dishes.

Of course, we had to start out with a cocktail. I had the Waterloo, RPK's take on a watermelon martini - and it was FANTASTIC. Not too sweet, very fresh and topped off with watermelon balls on a skewer. This drink was very refreshing through the entire first course and didn't battle the dishes we tried. Sam started with the Red Pearl, a pomegranate infused cocktail with an orchid flower floating on top. The drinks were beautiful, fresh and tasty and really set the tone for the meal.

Sam and I then decided to share two appetizers: The Miso-Glazed Salmon Skewers ($10) and the Duck-Banana Lettuce Wraps ($10). The presentation of the skewers was truly beautiful, utilizing the negative space on the plate, and dusting the dish with chopped pistachios. The salmon was perfectly cooked, flaky and moist. This was a simple dish, but perfectly executed.


The Duck-Banana Lettuce Wraps were really a treat! The duck was pulled and marinated in a rich and well-bodied sauce. The banana element of the dish was a banana puree that you topped your duck with and folded into a Boston Lettuce cup. This is a must have dish, very flavorful and easily shared by two or three people. The salmon came as 3 skewers, but the duck came with at least 4 lettuce cups, and there was plenty of meat left over after the cups were gone.

This in itself almost filled us up, but we decided to be team players, and go for one more dish. Plus we had just started recalling old flings, and I need some more time to rag on Sam for his dangerous choices of women in the past. Enter: Spicy Chicken Drunk Man Rice Noodle ($11). The Noodles came on the recommendation of the waitress as we requested something a little more spicy than the previous two dishes, and I reassured Sam that he should not take offense to the dishes title as it had NOTHING to do with him and his consumption of 4 beers and one cocktail. Heck, we were celebrating! The noodles were a wide, rice noodle and the sauce was rich and flavorful. Unlike the other two dishes, this wasn't the most beautiful to look at, but the flavor was there. Overall, another great dish. We're 3 for 3.


I decided to close out my meal with my favorite part of the day: dessert. I was going back and forth between the Kaffir Lime Pot de Crème, Banana Fritters ($8) and the “Vietnamese Coffee Sundae” Chocolate, Candied Almonds ($8). I ended up going with the Coffee sundae, which was a 'B' at the end of an 'A' meal. The vanilla ice cream was just okay. The candied nuts and condensed milk, which topped the ice cream, were the best part of the dish (besides the presentation). After the waitress set the plate in front of me, she took the small cup of coffee that sat next to the ice cream and poured it over the dish right in front of me. Cool, yes, but the flavor just didn't stand up. I ate it all, of course, but like I said, it was just okay. I'll probably try the fritters next time. And when I say probably, I mean I've already planned a day around them. They better not let me down or I might not give my heart to a dessert again... OH, the lies I tell myself to keep me going.


A couple other things to note about this restaurant. While I was a party of 2, there were lots of groups at the restaurant, celebrating one thing or another (or just traveling in packs as young Hollywood tends to do). I would consider this place on your next group outing as it's reasonably priced, well-located, and has a great bar. Try making it over to RPK Sunday-Thursday and enjoy Shanghai Happy Hour from 9pm to close with a reduced price cocktail, wine, beer, and bar menu from $4 to $9. You can check out their other special events on their website. There are also lounges in the back where you can play pool, watch some Chinese cartoons and chill out on comfy chairs.

Red Pearl Kitchen
6703 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 525-1415
$$

Which Craft

I cannot wait for Craft to come to Los Angeles this Summer! For those of who who may not be familiar, Craft is the creation of Tom Colicchio, of Top Chef fame. The Craft style is family-dining with panache, with several main dishes to choose from and an assortment of sides to share amongst the table. Let me tell you this - you'll never look at polenta the same again. I had the pleasure of dining at CraftSteak in Las Vegas, the Steakhouse version of Craft, and it was a meal to remember. I will keep you updated on any more details I come across!

UPDATE: Craft will FINALLY be open for dinner on Monday, July 16th, and for lunch starting July 30th.

Craft
2000 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, CA 90067
$$$-$$$$
slated to open in July 2007

Things are Getting Greasy

So my friend Ben mentioned to me yesterday that Tara Reid's new take on diner food in the form of a new and hip L.A. eatery called Ketchup has just opened up (yesterday, in fact). I was no doubt intrigued... and then I kinda forgot about it. But THANK GOD I remembered to read about it this morning because I found the most HILARIOUS article written about it a while ago on iVillage. The article itself is not so funny, but the comments on the article have made my day. I love to see other women fight. I also like to read transcripts from other women's fights. I think I can leave work and go home now. My day can't get much better.

I guess I should talk a little about the restaurant itself. The menu looks interesting, and the concept is pretty cool. An adult remake of childhood favorites, like Mac N Cheese with Dungeness Crab and Kobe Beef Sliders. You can read more about the restaurant on EaterLA. I'll check this place out in the near future and let you know my thoughts. If you get there first, let me know what you think. And don't be a bitch about it.

Ketchup
8590 Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069
$$-$$$

Hanging with Mr. Scooper

If I could eat ice cream (gelato) every day, I would. Actually, ice cream is probably the reason I've had to join Weight Watchers recently. Well, actually I think I just said that so I could have a creative way to let you know I'm on Weight Watchers. There! I said it! Now can we stop talking about it, thank you.

But enough about me, back to the cream of the crop. I recently wrote about Milk, the newest and "hippest" gelato on the block. I lied. Okay, Milk is great and everything, but they have nothing on Scoops.

Scoops is run by a lovely man named Tai who hand crafts the most beautiful and unique gelato I've ever seen or tasted. Scoops has become quite a hot topic on Los Angeles food blogs, bringing Tai a lot of business and even causing him to ask Yelp to put him on the second page to try to slow down the flow of people flocking to his small gelato shop. Tai is a one man show, creating new flavors every day for a fraction of what he should charge. $2 a scoop?! Dorthy, I feel like I'm in Kansas.

I was feeling adventurous and practically tried every flavor Tai was selling. The Maple Sugar, M&M & Marshmallow was great, but a little too sweet for my taste. The Kumquat and Basil was incredibly refreshing, but I was feeling something a little richer. I ended up with a scoop of Vegan Coffee & Hazelnut (yes, Vegan - he's got plenty of Vegan options for those of you that I will never quite understand). Because Vegan was a little out of my food vocabulary, I decided to pair that scoop with a scoop of Carmel & Bacon gelato. OMG OMG OMG I've died and gone to heaven. Okay, I think I committed another Jewish sin. Bacon? And Milk? On a spoon together?

Dear Rabbi, I have sinned.

WAIT - we don't do that shit. Praise G-D!

But seriously, this gelato was out of this world. Amazing. Incredible. Blah Blah Blah, had to change my pants, yada yada yada. Scoops is a testament to Los Angeles foodies, a cornerstone of gormondos around the world, and a lovely little gelato shop all rolled into one. Go. Be amazed.

Scoops
712 N. Heliotrope Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90029
$

P.S. If you're looking for something to do in the area, the Fake Gallery is right around the corner on Melrose and has some great, alternative comedy. Check out their show Word Play, which freatures comedians telling personal stories with the accompaniment of a DJ. The next show is on March 31st.

Brown Baggin' It

Here are two great fine foods stores/delis that will leave you begging to trade your bagged lunch for anything on their menus.

LARCHMONT VILLAGE WINE, SPIRIT & CHEESE
Larchmont Village Wine Spirit & Cheese is by far one of the best sandwich shops/ gourmet markets in Los Angeles. There's one way in and one way out of this small shop and the menu's even smaller. However, any of the 5 sandwiches that the deli crafts are heaven in your mouth. Your choice of Ciabatta or French Baguette, each sandwich overflows with meat, cheese, baby greens, one of their homemade aiolis and oil and vinegar. Don't worry, there's a veggie sandwich with roasted peppers and avocado that isn't too shabby either. If you eat meat, go for the Turkey Sandwich on your first round - you can't go wrong.

While you're in line (which might be long, by the way), take a look at the walls stocked with specialty cheeses, condiments and crackers. They have about 10 different flavors of mustard! It's the little things...

LVWS&C
223 North Larchmont Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 856-8699
$



BAY CITIES
With a little more room to walk around, Bay Cities provides plenty of "pacing space" while you try to decide what to order. Between their sandwich menu and their hot and cold deli items, you better come hungry, and you better come back so you can try everything.

The Hot Pastrami Sandwich is a sandwich to write home about. Make sure you get "the works," which includes mayo, mustard, onions, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, Italian dressing & mild or hot peppers. You also MUST TRY the meatballs - melt in your mouth meat, and a sauce that tastes like it's been simmering for hours. The flavor is unmatched. The Chicken and Eggplant Parmesans are also delish and worth a bite. If you make friends with the hot deli man (not "hot" as in good looking, unless you're into 40 something Italians) he'll be sure to give you a sample of whatever's best that day. One thing to note: Bay Cities is most popular during the 12:30-2pm workday lunch hour. Hit them up earlier or later, or email/fax your order an hour and fifteen ahead and you should be good to go.

Bay Cities is also a large specialty market with Italian pastas, sauces, cookies and canned goods. So, if you do have to wait for your lunch, you won't be bored. You might just end up spending more than you originally planned!

Bon Apetit!

Bay Cities
1517 Lincoln Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 395-8279
$

Yuca Take Me Here Again

For those of you who know me and/or have read this blog before know that I love a hidden gem or diamond in the ruff, or a great place to eat that is relatively undiscovered. While this restaurant doesn't completely fit the bill being that it's been in business for 5 years, it did just open a new restaurant this year that's a little more "formal dining" than its flagship restaurant.

Enter: Chichen Itza. Now, for those of you who live West of La Brea, please don't fear when I tell you that this place is located in South East Los Angeles. While you might not want to take a stroll in the hood after dinner, the restaurant itself is incredibly clean (I mean you can practically smell the new paint!) and the food is worth the trip East.

Your meal will begin with no ordinary basket of chips. Chichen Itza serves its freshly-made tortilla chips topped with black beans and salsa fresca. What a creative and lovely start to the meal, and certainly sets the tone for the rest of the dinner.


As a first timer to this restaurant, I ordered the Antojito Sampler, a selection of 4 different Appetizers. The first thing I tried was the Salbut, a soft corn tortilla topped with lettuce, shredded turkey, pickled red onions, tomato and slice of avocado. Upon first bite, I was immediately surprised by how light this dish was. The turkey was definitely well seasoned, but didn't have a heavy feeling. The flavors were strong, but not overwhelming. The same went for the similarly concocted Panucho, differing from the Salbut by a black bean puree and a crispy tortilla rather than a soft one. Just as yummy! The other items on the plate were two Codzitos (chicken taquitos) which were okay, not amazing, and the most interesting and flavorful Kibi I've ever had. Okay, I've never had Kibi before, but it was still delicious. Kibi are ground beef and cracked wheat patties seasoned with mint and other spices and lightly fried. The flavor is unlike anything I've ever had. Truly fantastic.


For the main course, I tried two different dishes, both equally superb. The first dish was the Chochinita Pibil, which consisted of moist and tender shredded pork, marinated in an achiote and sour orange juice. The pork is cooked in banana leaves, giving it that fall-apart-in-your-mouth effect that I am oh, so fond of. The dish is served with black beans, rice, and corn tortillas in an authentic tortilla warmer, lined with a handstitched cloth napkin. Yes, I'm Jewish. Yes, I just ate pork. But it was really, really good! Isn't there something in the Commandments about "thou shalt make all gone" and "if the pork is good, eat it"? I sware I read that somewhere...


The other dish I tested was the Papadzul, which sounded so different I just had to try it out (and I'm glad I did). Corn tortillas are dipped in ground roasted pumpkin seed sauce, and filled with hard boiled egg, topped with pumpkin seeds and light tomato sauce. Again, this dish was incredibly light although the look of the sauce is deceiving. The eggs are cooked perfectly, and the infusion of pumpkin is mouthwatering.


The food aside, the service and presentation was on-point. With our check, we received a hand written thank you note from our server (on stationary), that let us know that on our next visit, we would receive a free appetizer. Couldn't have asked for a better introduction to Yucatan cuisine.


Chichen Itza
2501 West 6th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90057
(213) 380-0051
$

You Say Tomato

Here's a nummy tomato soup recipe that's quick and easy. Why soup? Because 65 degrees in Los Angeles is cold. Brrrrrrr.

Creamy Tomato Soup
8 servings (1 c per serving)

2 tsp olive oil
2 medium cloves of garlic (minced)
2 leeks (thinly sliced white to light green part)
1 1/2 tsp fresh thyme
56 oz canned diced tomatoes
12 oz fat free evaporated milk (or whole milk if you're feeling dicey)
1/4 c fresh basil
salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oil, garlic and leeks in a soup pot for about 2 minutes or until softened. Add the thyme and heat for another 2 minutes.

Add the tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Partially cover the pot and simmer for 5 minutes longer.

Take the tomato mixter and puree in batches. Add the pureed mixture back to the pot and add the evaporated milk. Add the salt and pepper to taste. Add basil right before serving.

Yum!

Road Tested: San Diego

Although this blog is first and foremost about Los Angeles dining, I ocassionally hit the road and would like to share some not-to-miss spots in areas outside of the city. This week, San Diego, and more specifically, the adorable town of Hillcrest. Here are two breakfast spots and a sushi restaurant that you must try if you're in the area.

CREST CAFE
A popular local haunt, Crest Cafe is a great eggs place - and you have plenty of options. I'm a fan of Mexican, so if I can get my "A.M. Ole" (as the menu section is so cleverly called), then I am a happy girl. Carolenas Corn Tortilla consists of 4 lightly fried corn tortillas filled with scrambled eggs, fresh salsa, jalapeno jack cheese, and avocado with a side of chopped mangos (which I sprinkled on top of the individual tortillas). This dish was a great mix of sweet and savory and didn't weigh me down. The salsa was fresh and chunky, as it should be (no Pace in sight) and the cheese was perfectly melted and gooey good!


You also can't go wrong with Cafe Eggs, which are scrambled with cheddar cheese, scallions, and bacon, served on a croissant. You have to be ready to make a mess with this flakey sandwich. Crest lets you choose between house potatoes or fresh (and they mean it!) fruit as a side.


Another great b-fast sandwich is the Morning Scrambled, taking the Cafe Eggs up a notch. Scrambled eggs are mixed with avocado, mushrooms, jack and cheddar (because two cheeses are always better than one), bacon, scallions and tomatoes. Now you're in the driver seat with the bread, choosing from wheat to a croissant and almost all that's in between.


Crest Cafe
425 Robinson Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 295-2510
$

THE MISSION*
You can smell the baker racks filled with freshly baked rosemary bread as soon as walk in the door. Prepare for at least a 20 minute wait, and they definitely won't seat you if your whole party isn't present. But trust me, the wait is well worth it. Unlike Crest, The Mission specializes in items fresh off the griddle. The Mission French Toast is as light and fluffy as French Toast can get. Not overpowered with an eggy taste, the cinnamon bread really shines in this dish. Every plate at Mission is a work of art, almost too pretty to eat. The restaurants signature berry puree dances against the white plate - and it tastes pretty darn good too.


The Cornmeal Blueberry Pancakes are moist and good to last bite. Served with two eggs and bacon, you better come hungry.


If you're feeling a little feisty, try the Plato Verde con Huevos. I'm not going to lie, these just barely missed the mark, but I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. The one thing that brought this dish down were the slightly dried out sweet corn tamales. The tamales are served with black beans and two eggs over medium with a tangy roasted tomatillo sauces coating the eggs. Even with the slightly overcooked tamales, I managed to make this dish disappear pretty fast.


Other notable treats: $3 Cinnamon Roll or $2.50 Pecan Banana Bread

The Mission
2801 University Avenue
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 220-8992
$

*technically located in North Park, about a 5 minute drive from Hillcrest


SUSHI DELI ONE
You know the saying, "you get what you pay for" - well, at Sushi Deli, you get a lot more. The most reasonably priced and great-tasting sushi I've had in a long time. Whether you're in the mood for a $2.95 California Roll, or one of their specialty rolls (most between the $5 and $9 mark and all unique), you really can't go wrong. Their creative menu includes tempura sweet potato rolls and Mexican inspired, cilantro infused, sushi. Delicious and worth every penny and then some. Get your Japanese fix without breaking the budget.

Sushi Deli One

228 West Washington

San Diego, CA 92103

(619) 231-9597

$

Tea with Dinosaurs

I don't really know how to start this post. I'm still in a bit of an altered state since my journey to the Museum of Jurassic Technology. Let me start by saying that I've driven by this museum about 50 times and every time I say the exact same thing: "What is that place?" If you checked out the museum's web page, you won't be any closer to finding an answer to my question. Let me tell you this, after an hour of perusing the exhibits I think I'm more confused as to what is going on there.

I felt seriously creeped out in this museum, asking my self over and over the same question I asked when I drove by, hoping that an answer would appear out of no where (and I wouldn't have been surprised if it mysteriously floated in front of my face). The lighting goes from dim to dark and the exhibits are eclectic to say the least. I really can't describe the place, you have to go and check it out for yourself. I'm sure there's a deeper, sarcastic undertone as one artcle I read about the MJT named Steve Martin as one of the Museum's patrons. I didn't get "it", but maybe you will.

The reason I'm able to blog about this place is because of Tula's Tea Room. If you're able to guide yourself through the entire first floor without jetting for fear that some cult member is going to kidnap you and make you eat poisoned Peeps or something just as out of the ordinary, then you're in for a treat. The Museum itself is free to the public, and the complimentary tea and cookies upstairs are as well. The tea room is walled with windows which are lightly draped. Padded benches line the walls and a fountain sits in the middle. There is only one kind of tea, but you'll have several glasses trying to figure out what the hell you just saw downstairs. This is one of those hidden finds where you wonder if you're part of one big inside joke. Again, I can't really explain this place well enough. Bring your ghostwriter pen and godspeed.

Museum of Jurassic Technology
9341 Venice Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 836-6131
free

Does a Body Good

With a new outcropping of Pinkberries flocking to Los Angeles, it's nothing like a gelateria to remind you what chilled dairy is really supposed to taste like. MILK is the newest and hippest gelato shop to hit Beverly Boulevard, offering those east of Westwood an alternative to Diddy Reese. However, it's not really fair to compare the two as MILK is truly in a league of its own. Offering classics such as Vanilla and Chocolate Chip to some unique flavors like Coffee Toffe Crunch, Hazelnut and Banana Dulce de Leche, the cream is mm mm good. So let me get to the good part. When a cone or cup just won't do, for $2.50 try a scoop sandwiched in between two homemade macaroons, and a for a $4, you can have your choice of gelato in between two chocolate chip cookies.

And we're just getting started.

MILK also has an assortment of creative concoctions such as "milkies" or bon bons and ice cream bars. The baked goods aren't too shabby either. From Banana Walnut bread to blue velvet cake, sweet tooths beware. MILK also has a panini and salad menu with daily made soups. Fridays and Saturdays you have until 11pm to get your fix. Here's your chance to follow your mom's advice and have some MILK.

MILK
7290 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 939-6455
$-$$

Something Old and Something New

When you're craving Italian food, here are a couple fantastic options. One is old, one is new, both are worth a return visit.


Dominick's Restaurant used to be favorite of Frank Sinatra, and now enjoys frequent visits from Jack Bauer himself, Kiefer Sutherland. But it really isn't about the eye candy (although it doesn't hurt). The menu features classic Italian American fare such as fried rice balls and Veal Parmesan. Must haves include the Spaghetti and Meatballs, Grilled Artichoke, Hanger Steak and Gelato Trio (I lucked out with Coffee, Mint Chip and Brown Sugar - it changes every night).

But the thing that makes Dominick's unique and user-friendly is their Sunday Supper. For $15, enjoy a 3 Course Menu and for an extra $10 share a bottle of their very own white or red wine. The portions are plenty big and the atmosphere is quite romantic. On a nice night, request the patio, complete with fire place and terracotta galore. You'll swear you died and went to Italy.

Dominick's Restaurant
8715 Beverly Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90048
(310) 652-6335
$$-$$$




There's nothing like gourmet pizza to make you feel a little less guilty for eating bread and cheese. Thanks to chefs and co-owners Mario Batali (the red-head from the Food Network) and Nancy Silverton, formerly of Campanile, pizza has never tasted so good. Pizzeria Mozza, located on Melrose and Highland, and serving hot pies until midnight, is so good you could almost convince yourself to go twice in one week. Heck, with over 15 pizzas to choose from, you wouldn't even have to be a repeat offender.

But let's start at the beginning, shall we? The restaurant takes reservations, but if you're feeling risky, just drop in as it's first-come-first-serve at the counter. I prefer this view as you get an upfront seat at the brick oven, viewing the pizzas in all stages of creation (not to mention giving you a chance to window shop before you buy). Prior to the main course, I recommend partaking in one of the starters. Nancy's Chopped Salad is wonderful, and any of the bruschettas will leave you ready for more. If you're overwhelmed with the pizza options, you can't go wrong with either the Funghi misti, fontina, taleggio & thyme or the Prosciutto di Parma, rucola & mozzarella. I beg you, save room for dessert. And if you don't have room, make it. One of the best desserts I've ever had was at Mozza. Of course, I can't remember the name of the dish, but it included two scoops of caramel gelato, marshmallow fluff (for lack of a better term) and caramelized salted peanuts.

A moment of silence, please.

Thank g-d for Italians. Stay tuned for Osteria Mozza, coming soon, complete with its very own mozzarella bar.


Pizzeria Mozza
641 North Highland Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 2970-0101
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