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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Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery

I finally met the Godmother on Sunday.

The godmother is the most talked about sandwich in Los Angeles, and you find her at Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery, the busiest deli I’ve ever been to. I got there just after 11AM right before chaos started and lucked out on parking. Everyone in town was heading to Bay Cities for lunch….first off Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery is a cute Italian grocery store. You have all the ingredients there to make a killer Italian dinner.

I have to go back and hang out in the other aisles. There was already a long line. I grabbed a ticket; I was #130 and they were at #87…thank God they already had a basket full of the Godmothers!

I can see why the sandwich is called the Godmother. It had every deli meat you could think of: Genoa salami, mortadella, coppacola, ham, prosciutto, provolone with the works, mild peppers, on freshly baked bread.



She was amazing. I can see why thousands go to see her. I have to say Bay Cities’ bread is what really makes the Godmother scrumptious. It reminds me of Dutch Crunch bread.

I also ordered a Little Giovanni (think that’s the name..). A prosciutto, mozzarella with marinated tomatoes baguette. It’s about 4” long and cost a couple bucks more than the Godmother but so worth it.



I had a Rieme’s pomegranate limonade.

It was the perfect meal to start the week.

Address: 11517 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone#: (310) 395-8279
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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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Capriotti's

After attending Good Shepherd Catholic Church’s Good Friday service, I was torn on what to eat for lunch. Their bulletin noted that we’re only allowed one vegetarian meal on Good Friday…er…well, that’s a first for me. I’m not Catholic; it was just the only Good Friday service that I was able to attend. I was going to go to Capriotti’s but then I figured I should eat fettuccini because I knew that would fill me up for the day, but then I was unfamiliar with 90210 and didn’t want to spend $30 on fettuccini so I stuck with my original plan and headed to Capriotti’s.

Capriotti’s is like a fancy version of Subway. They opened two delis in California last year; they started in Delaware.

I ordered a Capastrami (hot pastrami, Swiss cheese, Russian dressing & cole slaw) for my colleague. I took a small bite of it and omg, it was amazing and definitely not good for the heart!

I went for the Bobbie (homemade turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and mayo aka the Thanksgiving sub –figured it was appropriate…I am thankful that Jesus died for me…even though there’s meat in the sandwich...) a slightly healthier choice.

The Bobbie is overrated but that could be because I ate the Capastrami beforehand. Crap, I just noticed that they have fake turkey sandwiches….I sometime glaze over vegetarian items on a menu…

Capriotti’s portion is gi-normous! I ordered a small for $7. Small is 9 inches long! What a bargain! They only offer one type of bread. I saved half of my sandwich for dinner, so in some sense I partially abide lent on Good Fridayt; I had one meal…that was stretched out. I’ll have to try their cheese steak sandwich next time around.

Address: 9683 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Phone#: (310) 858-1383
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CLEMENTINE

For the month of April, each week Clementine’s is making special grilled cheese sandwiches in celebration of Grilled Cheese month. I had no idea that April is Grilled Cheese Month…who comes up with this?

Since I had a Good Friday service in Palms, it gave me a good excuse to check out Clementine’s specials. I use to come here when I worked on the Fox lot and would always order their 3 –salad combo for $11.95. My favorite items would be the edamame wild king salmon and the Chinese broccoli shitake mushrooms. Parking was and still is a pain. They have a "drive thru" area for pick-ups. There was a pretty black girl working at the pick up location but for some reason she didn't think I was there to pick up even though I parked right next to the "pick-up" sign... Clementine needs improvement in the service area.

My colleague and I shared the Grilled Vermont Cheddar Cheese (on the regular menu) and their special carne asada grilled cheese sandwich. The sandwiches come with marinated pickles. Love their pickles—on the sweet side!

The Vermont Cheddar Cheese was good but nothing special.

I don’t think one should ever order grilled cheese sandwiches to-go…The carne asada was better than the Vermont. I really like the chipotle sauce that came with it!

My colleagues ordered…

the 3-salad combo: shitake mushroom, sundried tomatoes pasta and beet salad...

Another 3-salad combo: shitake mushrooms, wild Alaskan salmon (I forgot what the 3rd item was...)....

Steamed vegetables (really good!)...

Greek salad...

And finally, tuna salad (really good!)...


I wished Clementine was closer to us, but then again, it's good for my waistline that I can't go there everyday. I'll need to check out their brunch menu; it's supposed to be amazing but then again, I am not surprised.

Address: 1751 Ensley Ave Los Angeles, CA 90024
Phone#: (310) 552-1080
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

FRANK'S FAMOUS KITCHEN & BAKERY

I hated living in San Francisco, but one of the things that I do missed about SF was walking down Chestnut and ordering a Dutch Crunch sandwich from Lucca Delicatessen.

I began my quest to find a deli shop that offers Dutch Crunch bread in La La Land. To my surprise, searching for Dutch Crunch bread is like finding a four-leaf clover. I read that Togo's offer Dutch Crunch bread on a certain day...but that's not what I was thinking off..I got all excited when I found out that Frank's Famous Kitchen & Bakery offers Dutch Crunch sandwiches in Monrovia, which is in between Glendale and Pasadena.

I got lost finding this place but it was my fault...there are two Verdugo exits on the 2 freeway: one's near Eagle Rock (the 1st exit) and one's by the 210 freeway (the 2nd exit)...take the 2nd Verdugo exit.

Frank's in a small strip mall with a bunch of other restaurants. The interior is cute. Service is like Alcove --pay at the cashier and you take a number stand with you.

I ordered...

1/2 order of #34 Turkey Club- Swiss, Bacon & Maple Balsamic Sandwich on Dutch Crunch Bread-$6.99

and the close up...


1/2 order of #2 Turkey, Pesto & Cranberry Sandwich on Dutch Crunch Bread -$6.99


Kid size of Housemade Macaroni & Cheese - $3.99


The 1/2 sandwiches look like they were 3" long, but technically 4" long and at a price of $6.99/each is a little pricey...no sides, just the sandwich. I was disappointed with their Dutch Crunch bread; I miss SF's Dutch Crunch bread! A regular Mac & Cheese costs $8.99, but there was no way with all that food I can order a full size, but thank goodness they offer a kid size...well kinda.. for $3.50, I thought their m&c would be to die for, but it's not. Yes, it's very creamy but it has absolutely zero personality--Krafts is better. Save some money and skip their m&c. They offer Dirty potato chips and 2 flavors of Gus sodas.

Oh swell, it's a pretty drive and you can check out Monrovia.

Address: 3315 N Verdugo Rd Glendale, CA 91208
Phone#: (818) 249-6100
Rating: 3.5 out of 5



Addendum 4/16/09: Whole sandwhiches are $6.99 and half sandwiches are now $4.99.

CAPPUCCINO'S

This is where we order coffee when we are too lazy to go to Coffee Bean. I also order breakfast and sometimes lunch from here. Jay and the staff are really nice but sometimes you have to s-p-e-l-l everything to them...

For example, I would ordered a fried egg bacon sandwich, and the word "fried" confused a few staff. Once I got scrambled eggs, a few times the egg was fried but mostly yellow, but luckily I ordered it enough that they finally know how to make a fried egg bacon sandwich. Once I ordered a cold cheese sandwich for my boss and they used shredded cheese --seriously, who uses shredded cheese for a cheese sandwich?! I told them never ever to use shredded cheese when someone is ordering a cheese sandwich. However, you can make the exception if you're ordering a grill cheese sandwich...

Anyways, this is like all the other sandwich/deli places in the Wilshire/Crescent Heights area. They offer sandwiches, salad, breakfast, smoothies, coffee (have an espresso machine), gift cards, and cigarettes.

Address: 6380 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone#: (323) 655-6583
Rating: 2.7 out of 5

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BLUE DAHLIA CAFE

Hmm...guess I should have ordered the burger even if I wasn't in the mood for burgers...

Tonight was one of those nights where you're driving forever trying to figure out what to eat. We head to Philippe's for its 100th Birthday around 7pm, but woahhhh that line was a bit too long for us. So we find ourselves in Chinatown which bf made a quick pass on Chinese. I recalled reading reviews on the Tiara Cafe, so we headed there just to find out that it was closed...even thought it's supposed to be open from 5:30pm-10pm on Mondays. And then I remembered the good reviews at Blue Dahlia Cafe. The restaurant was deserted in the front --we were worried that it was closed too, but then I remembered the photos of the back patio and was hoping patrons were in the back...yes, we weren't the only people there.

We ordered the Quattro Panini, Mozzarella, Basil Pesto & Peperonata Panini, and the Prosciutto & fig bruschetta. The paninis came with salad. The Paninis were ok -- no wow factor like Froma's paninis.
I think there was only one waiter there (he was also the bus boy) and the problem with that is s/he needs to be always in the front and act as a Host as well (I wonder if he was also the chef...), consequently making the service slow, lacking attention --like when our water/ice tea should been refilled.

I won't be coming back any time soon unless I am in mood to try their hamburger.

Address: 738 E 3rd StLos Angeles, CA 90013
Phone#:(213) 613-0621
Rating: 2.7 out of 5

Photo credits: Soo L.

POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS

Potbelly is just like Subway but they offer milkshakes.

We were starving after spending 2 hours in the Spy Museum, so we settled on Potbelly. The bread is a little longer --8", and they heat all their sandwiches. We had 2 sandwiches, 1 pop, 1 bag of chips for $11. Yeah, it's easy on the wallet, but don't have high expectations...

Address: 555 12th St NW Washington, DC 20004
Phone#:(202) 347-7100
Rating: 3 out of 5

FROMA

Froma is our new favorite place to order lunch. Their paninis are yummy!

I've had their:
Tedesco Panini (prosciutto speck, fond o hirtenkase, arugula) B+
Espagnola Panini (jamon serrano, manchego, roasted peppers) A -
Tacchino Panini (smoked turkey, sundried tomatoes, djion mustard, manchego) A-
Palermo Panini (burrata, marinated sun-dried tomato) A+
Burrata Salad (artichoke, roasted peppers, comes with bread) A (no greens)

They also have a great cheese selection. If I had to pick on something I wished they would expand their wine by the glass list.

Oh, I think they can only seat a total of 12 people there, so definitely not good for groups over 4 (bar seating style).

Address: 7960 Melrose AveLos Angeles, CA 90046
Phone#: (323) 653-3700
Rating: 5 out of 5

SANDBAG'S GOURMET SANDWICHES

You know those days where you are starving and you're contemplating for hours because you want to pick the perfect lunch that will make your day, and when you finally do pick on something, it's disgusting and taste like dog shit? Well, today was one of those days.

With a title like "Sandbag's Gourmet Sandwiches", I was expecting them to have outstanding sandwiches. I ordered the Sundowner (breast of turkey, mayo, herb stuffing, lettuce, cranberries on a sub roll). I know, I know, shouldn't I have been afraid with "herb stuffing" on my sandwich? I love turkey stuffing on Thanksgiving. I love cranberries. I love turkey. What could go wrong? Everything. It was pretty gross --should've been called "the Downer." I didn't realized that the "breast of turkey" was a "breast of turkey" --notice it's single, so on enormous sub roll, I had solamenta uno slice. The herb stuffing looked and tasted like vomit. It would have been nice if the cranberries weren't canned cranberries....after all, it 'tis a gourmet sandwich shop...not.

Never again. The free burnt cookie didn't help at all.

Address: 6404 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone#: (323) 655-4250
Rating: 1 out of 5

BJ'S DELI

My sister had her wedding reception over the weekend in Buffalo, MN, and as my aunts and uncle were eating, they just kept talking about this amazing looking sandwich that they saw in town and how we had to hurry up and leave by 7:30pm to order the sandwiches.



OMG, wow, what a sandwich...it's called the Abbodonza (Abundance), BJ's dream sandwich: turkey, ham, salami, swiss cheese, tomato, sliced egg, bermuda onion and fresh spinach layered between crepes with light mayonnaise and topped iwth Parmesan cheese. Served with kettle chips and a pickle --all for $7.99!!! Check out the pics. Crazy, huh? I almost didn't want to eat the sandwich and just frame it on the wall. There was difficulty eating the sandwich...nonetheless, not bad!


And while you're there, another must is BJ's Kahlua Chocolate Chip Cake --HEAVEN! The pies look amazing too. Oh, man, I just want to go back and eat everything....




Address: 2 1st Ave S Buffalo, MN 55313
Phone#: (763) 682-0140
Rating: 4 out of 5