Shake Shack

The first time I saw a Shake Shack was a few years back near Union Square, and I thought to myself there is no way in hell I'm waiting in that long ass line. The line was ten times longer than for a Pink's hotdog. For those who are not familiar to Shake Shack, it is the "In-N-Out" of NYC. They are also famous for their milkshakes.

As I was coming out of the 86th subway stop, heading to the Met Museum to check out the Alexander McQueen exhibit, it stopped drizzling, the clouds disappeared, the sun came out, and the angels sung, "Shake Shack." Ok, not really but when I saw the line was short I felt the angels were looking after me.

I went for a basic cheeseburger to compare it with the Angeleno’s favorite In-N-Out’s, and their talk about cheese fries. The wait time after you order your food is about the same as In-N-Out. Cost was a few bucks more. Seating more modern.

I’ll admit it, I got giddy when I saw my burger. You don’t need to take a bite to know it’s good, and it was damn good.

The patty was thicker and jucier. Yes, Shake Shake’s burger is better than In-N-Out’s…

Now their cheese fries…

were disappointing. Think Velveeta…which is not necessary a bad thing but I was hoping for more of a distinguish taste. The next time around I’ll know to order a milkshake instead, and of course, a cheeseburger.

Address: 154 E 86th St, New York, NY 10128
Phone: (646) 237-5035

The Apple Pan

My church is finally going to start their DTLA service so my Westside trips will be scarce. I think my next trip to the Westside might not be until the Los Angeles Film Festival, so I decided to have lunch at one of Los Angeles’ historical institution: the Apple Pan. The first time I was here I couldn’t eat anything since I was on the Master Cleanse. Don’t ask. I’ve tried a few times dining here but I always forget that it’s CASH ONLY. I never have cash on me.

The Apple Pan reminds me of the house in the movie UP. A sign of its time and it just doesn’t fit in with the other buildings in the neighborhood. However, the Apple Pan is a much more happening place. The set up is simple: a U-shape counter-top seating only with an old-school cash register.

I had just enough cash for an ice tea and burger, so I went for their Hickory burger with Tillamook Cheddar, and it was heaven! I loved the smoky flavor, and the burger was very juicy. I can’t believe I waited this long for Apple Pan’s burger.

It might be criminal for me not to try Apple Pan’s famous apple pie, but I only had a ten on me. I’ll definitely make sure to have their apple pie next time.

Address: 10801 W Pico Blvd, LA, CA 90064
Phone#: (310) 475-3585
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The Blue Velvet

A friend had originally wanted her birthday shindig at the Blue Velvet but some rich kid rented the space out and her party was kicked out. This unfortunate situation did not stop me from dining at the Blue Velvet prior to her birthday gala. I had purchased a $100 gift certificate for like $10 on restaurant.com, and all I can say is THANK GOD because the Blue Velvet will leave a dent on your blue card.

The Blue Velvet is located in the less desirable outskirt part of DTLA. They have valet but we found street parking –don’t forget to your lock your doors and put any valuable items in your trunk…The restaurant is sleek and beautiful. You feel you’re in a music video. You enter into the main dining room, to the left is a small lounge-bar area and to the left you can head outside to the pool where you are encourage to take your clothes off and get wet. I am told that it’s a party every weekend during Happy Hours in summer time.

The view of Nokia Live and other downtown buildings is beautiful. It was pretty dead and remained that way until my friend and I left. It’s a good thing they have a good vodka cocktail list to keep us company. The Lychee martini is better than the Creamsicle martini. The Creamsicle martini tastes more like a nauseating orange martini.

We started off with the Filet Mignon Wrapped Asparagus (walnut ponzu reduction). It was a bit too salty for my taste buds but my friend loved it. She loves really salty food.

The Seared Albacore was good but did not stand out from all the other seared albacores that I’ve had.

Now the salmon carpaccio in truffle essence was delicious. This is a must order dish because it will just melt in your mouth, leaving you ravishing for more.

At first I hated the Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass (sake nage, carrot purée) because it was very salty but then my friend pointed out that it’s only the carrots that taste like the Dead Sea. Once the carrots were gone, I would have to say that Blue Velvet’s Chilean Sea Bass is one of the best I’ve had. It was cooked perfectly and had all the right flavors.

The Filet Mignon (thyme infused butter, red wine Bournaise) was good too. The sauce was surprisingly sweet –too sweet for my friend though. I’m sweet and she’s salty, and together we make a great team.

We didn’t have the clams but our busboy wanted us to take a photo of it. I guess he was bored.

For desserts our waiter recommended the Coffee Crème Bulee. It tasted more like mousse, and it was divine.

We also had their homemade plum ice cream. My friend loved that it came with cacao nibs.

Our meal was spectacular! I was amazed that we ate all of our food and still managed to get up easily. The portions are not big, and I guess it’s because the meal was mostly proteins and not carbs? Service was excellent.

I’ll definitely come back --with another Restaurant.com gift certificate!

Address: 750 Garland Ave. LA, CA 90017
Phone#:(213) 239-0061
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Langer's Delicatessen & Restaurant

I learned something very valuable the other day. No matter how far you have to run the next day, do not drink the night before.

It was the night before the Revlon 5K, and I decided to check out art exhibit opening at Rivera & Rivera…and few cocktails to justify taking the subway. I had the Cuban Society at Glance located at the JW Marriott LA Live, and it was such a good drink that I had to have another one…hey, I took myself out on a date.

By the way, for the men who are picking up on women at bars, please don’t do the stupid tap on the shoulder trick, especially when she’s on the cell phone. It’s not cute.

I didn’t have a hang over but I’ll admit I was roughing it a bit for the 5K. For some reason just because you’ve done a marathon, you think a 5K is a walk in the park –not really if you’ve had three drinks…

Start:

Finish:

Needless to say, I survived and I was starving afterwards. I didn’t have breakfast—another no, no. Langer's Delicatessen & Restaurant was the answer to my hunger pangs.

I ordered breakfast…

…and then lunch. I of course could not have gone to Langer’s and not order the world’s most famous pastrami sandwich, Al Langer’s #19: “hot pastrami, cole slaw, a slice of Swiss cheese and Russian dressing on hot rye.”

Now the pastrami sandwich is not cheap (almost $15!) but it’s definitely worth it. It was delicious! It amazes me that this sandwich that was created in the 1950s-60s is just as famous and popular as today. Do not miss out!

Address: 704 South Alvarado St, LA, CA 90057
Phone#: (213) 483-8050
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Oaks Gourmet

I have a new crush, and it’s the Oaks Gourmet.

I worked up a big appetite after helping out at LA Youth Network for Big Sunday, I figured the Oaks Gourmet was the perfect place to fill up. It’s located in the Beachwood Canyon area. They have a tiny, tiny parking lot. I picked the Oaks Gourmet because their burger is popular. The Oaks Gourmet sells fancy food and wine. I wanted to buy everything in the store. Instead I focused on my mission: the Dry Aged Burger, the only kind of burger they offer. You order at the counter and then grab a seat inside or outside.

It comes with Taleggio cheese, red onion, tomato, arugula, Forest bacon and smoked jalapeño-pineapple compote on a brioche bun. It was delicious! I really liked the jalapeño-pineapple compote; it wasn’t spicy. This is my 2nd favorite burger in Los Angeles, right behind 25 Degrees (Father’s Office’s burger is in its own league), and it doesn't come cheap...$11.50 or with French fries. Cole slaw is your only option. It's not bad--not heavy on the Mayo.

To wash the burger down I grabbed a 3D Pomegranate tea. I wanted to feel the pomegranate tea in my tummy…I wonder if that’s going to be new food marketing trend? First it was “organic,” then it was “gourmet,” and now it’s 3D?

I have to come back and try their other sandwiches and pizzas. I bought Maw ‘n Paw Kettlekorn as gift for friend. How cute is that? Oh, must go back for bacon cheddar popcorn…

Come and have a 3D organic, gourmet burger! You won’t regret it!

By the way LA Youth Network house homeless teens and is always looking for volunteers, from tutoring to playing games. Please help ‘em out if you can, thanks!

Address: 1915 N. Bronson, LA, CA 90068
Phone#: (323) 871-8894
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25 Degrees

I'm trying to fatten my intern before she returns to Turkey. I am just kidding. Actually I'm showing her that hamburgers can be really good, not just the Mickey D's and other fast food chains that she's accustomed to. I had to bring her to my favorite burger restaurant in Los Angeles, 25 Degrees. We grabbed a bite there before the Drones screening, which is an awesome indie film playing at the Newport Film Festival on April 24th.

There’s a 25 degrees difference between a medium rare and well-done burger, and that’s how Tim and Liza Goodell, the owners came up with its name. 25 Degrees is located in the Roosevelt Hotel. It's not a big restaurant so in the evening there might be a wait; they don’t take reservations.

They have three different burgers, but you can build your own burger. I prefer to order one of the three burgers to make my life simpler –there are a zillion options. My intern was about to order her own burger but then I forewarned her that one will do just fine between the both of us. We went with the No. 2, which comes with roasted tomato crispy prosciutto, burrata and pesto. My intern was like, “there’s pesto?” Her eyes opened up to the endless possibilities…. I’m making her a food snob.



On my last visit, I had the No. 1 (caramelized onions, prelibato gorgonzola, bacon, arugula and thousand island dressing). They’re both equally good. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to No. 3 since it comes with green chilli.

What really impressed her were 25 Degrees’ onion rings….



The BEST onion rings in Los Angles. They’re not greasy and very addicting. I also love their rosemary French fries. You can skip their sweet potato fries though. Go to Father’s Office for sweet potato fries, which I’ll take my intern there on her last day.

I heart 25 Degrees! I’ve never had a bad experience. Excellent service. The best ways to go about in ordering is one of the burgers and then go half and half with your sides all for $12! For your sides, go for their onion rings and French fries. If you want some greens, their beet and burrata salad is simple and good.

I heart burgers. I heart 25 Degrees’ more.

Address: Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel:
7000 Hollywood Blvd, LA CA 90028
Phone#: (323) 785-7244
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UMAMI BURGER

It’s amazing that within a little over a year of Umami Burger’s opening it has expanded to three more locations, but then again, their burgers are pretty damn good! My colleague Pinks is moving to San Francisco at the end of this month and since my boss was returning to the States on Sunday, Farts (another colleague) and I decided to take him to an early going away lunch and I couldn’t think of a better place than Umami Burger. It has been awhile since I’ve been to the La Brea location so I was surprised that they now have an outdoor patio. The wait time was thirty minutes.

We decided to order a few side dishes: thin French fries, onion rings, sweet potato fries…thank goodness Umami’s burger are not big.

Farts raved about their onion rings, confidently saying that they have the best onion rings in town. Pinks and I thought he was crazy because the rings were incredibly oily. Our stomachs were upset at the end of meal and we think it’s the greasy rings. I still think 25 Degrees’ onion rings are the best. Thanks Farts.

Instead of ordering two orders of onion rings, we should have ordered two sweet potato fries. I heart their sweet potato fries. They are equally as good as Father’s Office.

Their thin French fries were not bad –definitely better than their thick fries.

Farts didn’t believe in sharing his burger. He ordered the SoCal burger.

Pinks and I shared the…
Manly burger


and the Triple pork burger




Both burgers were excellent. I liked how they combine the bacon with the ground beef in the Manly burger. I loved the flavors in the Triple pork burger! I’m getting hungry just thinking of their burgers. Pinks can check Umami off his list of restaurants that he must eat again before he leaves sunny LA.


2.13.09
Thanks to Thrillist my colleague, Pinks (he likes wearing hot pink, tight pants) and I checked out the soft opening at Umami Burger. It's pronounced oo-ma-mi. I was like, "Uganda? Um-a-mi? Ur mommy?"

Umami Burger is right next to Copy City on the east side of La Brea. There's a tiny parking lot...we lucked out. When we got there, the fellas were like, "We're sold out on most items." Huh? It's only 1PM... "Ok...do you have the Truffle Burger?" "Yes." "Do you have the Triple Pork Burger?" "No." "Er...what burgers do you have?" "The Umami Burger and the SoCal Burger." We went with the Umami since it sounded more exotic, and we scored on free Izzy drinks, Hand Cut Fries, and Roasted Garlic Potato Salad since it was opening day. Oh, we ordered at the counter and they brought the food to us. Umami Burger's space is small, so it's best if you come here in groups of 4 or less. There's one bathroom.

Wait time was around 15 minutes. The Umami Burger was delish but slightly dry.

Loved the Umami's toppings and seasons! The sweet roasted peppers (I think..) on the Truffle burger threw me off.

I honestly can't tell the difference between Truffle and Reg Oil...I preferred the Umami Burger, and Pinks liked the Truffle Burger because the sweet bun that came with the burgers complimented with the Truffle Burger more. We both felt that Umami Burgers are better than 8oz, but my #1 gourmet burgers are still 25 Degrees.If you had to order one side, I would go for the Roasted Garlic Potato Salad

over the Hand Cut Fries

even though the Potato Salad could use more garlic (I like it to be really garlicy). The ketchup is homemade...Heinz is better. Pinks said that the best part of Umami is that you can't overstuff your face --burgers are not massive like 25 Degrees. Just when we thought our meal was done, they gave us free "oatmeal" cookies, which were really chewy & good!

Overall, Umami is not bad, and we'll be back to try the Triple Pork Burger and the Turkey Confit Burger (I'll call in advance to make sure that they are stocked up...).
p.s. As noted on Thrillist, it's BYOB!

Miracle Mile: 850 S La Brea Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone#: (323) 931-3000

Los Feliz: 4655 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90027
Phone#: (323) 669-3922

Hollywood: 1520 N Cahuenga Blvd,Los Angeles, CA 90028
Phone#: (323) 469-3100

Santa Monica: 500 Broadway,Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: (310) 451-1300
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