Canele

I did something really stupid.

I have to lose 10 lbs to fit into a dress for a wedding by March 20th, so I ate the worst food possible for brunch on Sunday. Canele's famous thick French toast. I know, I'm screwed. On top of it, I'm a bit under the weather, so I haven't really been working out. So screwed.

The first time I was at Canele was earlier this year with Minty but we went for dinner. Food was great, but I was still sad that I didn't get to taste their French toast. Hence, when my friend Annie suggested brunch at Canele's after church, before our jewelry class, how was I going to say no?

I was concerned that there was going to be a long wait since they dont' take reservation, but to our luck, we were seated immediately. It was destiny.

It amazes me how many staff there are in the tiny, open kitchen. The restaurant is not very big. I do love their big table in the front, which can probably seat 8. We sat at 2 top in the back.

I really enjoy eating with Annie; she loves family style and there's nothing best then trying everything. However since she's unemployed (if you know of any editor who needs an assistant, let me know) and I...need to lose 10 lbs, we just ordered the thick French Toast w/ poached prunes and mascarpone and the bacon and egg-fried farro w/ mustard green and siracha.

You know when it's Christmas morning and you're hoping to get what you want? Well I actually don't know since my family never celebrated Christmas but I imagine that's what it would be like...Christmas came very early. Canele's French toast was scrumptious, and to our surprise the poached prunes went well with it. In the summer/fall time, Canele's French toast comes with figs.



Annie picked the bacon and egg-fried farro w/ mustard green and siracha for our "egg" dish. I must be frank, I was a bit disappointed. I think the bacon was too fancy for me; it lacked the ghetto, salty, crispy fried taste that I love bacon so much for. The farro was oilier than the bacon! Annie swore that it's all about adding the siracha into the dish, but I don't do spicy flavors. I would have been happier just eating the fried egg.



No complaints about the service. I'll have to try their burrata beet salad next time..mmm...burrata...beet...yum...

Do I regret digesting the French toast? Ask me again on March 20th....


Address: 3219 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Phone#: (323) 666-7133
Share

Auntie Em's Kitchen : Birthday Part 1

This review is dedicated to Jane who inspired me to get back to blogging. Today’s date is November 18, 2009 but I am noting it under August 29, 2009. Now, it might not be kosher to write about one’s experience months later but fuck it, it’s my blog.

August 28th is the Hungry, Hungry, Hungry Hippo’s birthday. Yes it was my 31st birthday. Thirty-one…one…I am firm believer of not celebrating my “odd” years as something always seem to always go terribly wrong.

On my 7th birthday, I was roller-skating near a construction site and accidentally fell on a bunch of nails, giving myself 30 stitches. I was really happy becoming a woman and getting my period on my 15th birthday…I just wished I wasn’t in public wearing white…On my 29th birthday I lost what I thought was a good friend over…I have no clue what the issu(s) was/were as we were both highly intoxicated at a Kings of Leon concert. I’m not a fan of K of L.

All right, I lied about my 7th and 15th birthday. My parents were too damn cheap to celebrate my birthday, and that’s the honest truth. Well after organizing /participating all my friends’ birthdays, a raw dinner party the sheer idea of organizing my birthday, and spending so much money just made me cringed –let alone the omen over my “odd” years, I decided to play “sick,” well I mean I was sick…in case this gets to my company’s HR…

My good friend Chrissy would not leave me alone on my birthday and joined me on my quest to try Auntie Em’s Kitchen’s famous French toast and on our way we almost died three times…really.

Auntie Em’s Kitchen is the cute restaurant that you are thankful that you don’t live nearby because you would be 10lbs heavier in a week because we went to town on the French toast, Cajun turkey sausage and…the vegetarian breakfast sandwich (there is why it’s best to write up immediately).

We started w/ a cup of Intelligentsia coffee, my favorite because it’s the best coffee.

Their orange French toast topped with fresh fruit was amazing—it was worth being run down on the 2 freeway. I will let the picture speak for itself.

The vegetarian breakfast sandwich w/ sautéed mushrooms and tomato olive aioli put all breakfast sandwiches to shame
.

And of course I had to have some meat to complete my birthday breakfast. I had a big smile finishing their Cajun turkey sausage.


I so wanted to try their famous red velvet cupcake but it so bloody hot that day and I was also on a mission to eat at Gorbals later that night…

Address: 4616 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041
Phone#: (323) 255-0800
Rating: 5 out of 5
Share