Allston Yacht Club

I met up with a friend at the Allston Yacht Club to pre-celebrate the holiday before she left for New York. She lives within walking distance to AYC and wanted to dine there before the new year. I was expecting portholes and sailor outfits, but AYC is a simple, semi-modern colorful restaurant.

AYC continues its predecessor 15 with their early dinner 3-course dinner for $16 available from 5:30-7:30, Tuesdays to Saturdays. They offer brunch on Sunday from 10 to 3PM. I’ll have to go back for their early dinner. Since we went there after 7:30…we did not get the killer deal. Their dishes are “tapa” style--small (that’s why they’re “affordable”).

I wanted to order the Bacon & Egg Martini (Bacon Infused Vodka & a Pickled Quail Egg ) but our waiter warned that it wasn’t sweet. I can’t handle bitter drinks. I decided on the Hot Mrs. Santa, one of their Holiday drinks.

Boy did I ordered the wrong drink! Hot Mrs. Santa was revolting! It brought me back to my youthful days when I was sick and my mother would shove 44-D down my throat. The waiter was kind enough to let me switch to a glass of Pinot Grigio that was not memorable but at least I had no gag reflex.

For dinner we ordered the…

Cedar Planked Salmon (a filet topped with herb butter and broiled on a smoking cedar plank): There was nothing special about this dish. It wasn’t bad but at the same time it wasn’t memorable. At least I got my Omega 3 of the day.

Arancini (“Little oranges” in Italian. Risotto stuffed with peas and mozzarella rolled in panko and deep fried. Served on a tomatillo salsa crudo): This was my favorite dish of the night—maybe it was because the most filling dish. I do think their arancini is better than Little Dom’s.

Brie & Apple Sandwich: Like the salmon dish, it was ok but I could have easily made this dish at home.

Cheese, jam, olives and toast: We opted for cheese as our dessert. I love cheese. You can’t really go wrong with cheese unless you get the smelly gym locker cheese.

Overall, I find the food at Allston Yacht Club mediocre and it’s only worth dining here if you make it to their early 3-course dinner. Oh and if you have a KCRW Fringe Benefit Card, don't forget to use it like me.

Address: 1320 Echo Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Phone#: (213) 481-0454
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LIttle Dom

I am surprised that it took me a really long time to take advantage of Little Dom’s $15 3-course dinner on Mondays. Before taking off to NYC for the marathon, I met up with Banana Wonder, and Katrina yesterday. Katrina and I got there on time…and Banana Wonder was with her Greek tutor studying…anatomy and showed up almost an hour later. We didn’t know how popular Little Dom was on a Monday so we wanted to get there pretty much when it opened. We got a table right away and ordered a $10 bottle of red wine. Yes, you heard me, a $10 bottle –only available on Monday nights. There is something good on Mondays beside football.

We started off with their shaved brussel sprout, parmesean and hazelnut salad. It was light and a bit bland. I could have used some bacon bits in the salad…

We ordered their rice balls (not a part of the 3-course meal) since we read that it's a must order appetizer. It’s hard not to like Little Dom’s rice balls –deep-fried breaded, mozzarella rice. Yum!

Our entrée, the sausage ragu with polenta was a bit disappointing. I was expecting it to be more meaty, but I guess at $15 I can’t really complain…

I liked their pumpkin pie for dessert –light and not too sweet.

Overall we had a good time and will definitely be back for Monday nights!

Address: 2128 Hillhurst Ave. LA, CA 90027
Phone#: (323) 661-0055
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Mo-Chica

Before my friend Christy moved to Chicago, she wanted to dine at a Peruvian restaurant since that’s where she and her husband will go in March for their honeymoon. I suggested Mo-Chica since I’ve always wanted to go there. I missed the part that it was located in a building that looked more like a swap meet, the Mercado La Paloma. Ok, it’s better than a swap meet, where they sell a bunch of knick-knack, art and stuff, along with great food.

I think it’s more packed during the day time because there were only other two parties beside us. Our waitress gave us great recommendations. They don’t serve any alcohol, but they do offer three special beverages. I ordered the Chicha Morada, a purple corn tea, and Christy had the Chica Morade, a pineapple drink. I preferred the Chicha Morada since it was less sweet.

They don’t offer a basket of bread but there’s a toast that comes with your entrée and you can taste their three Aji sauces. The yellow was my favorite.

We started off with the Ceviche (sea bass, uni, red onions, Peruvian corn). It was delicious!

For our entrees we had the Lomo Saltada (prime beef filet, French fries, red onions, Roman tomatoes) – tender and juicy.

The green sauce made the Fish of the Day on a bed of Peruvian potatoes complete; otherwise it would’ve been on the bland side.

The entrees were served with a side of fruit, rice and a toast.

After we loosen our belt, we managed to squeeze in the Carob mousse. It was ok, more like crème bulee (which is not my top dessert).

I probably should have skipped the dessert, but everything else was fantastic. The most impressive thing about the meal is the presentation. Here we are, what I consider the ghetto (at least that’s what it looks at night time), having a meal that belonged in a four star hotel.

Addres: 3655 S Grand Ave, LA, CA 90007
Phone#: (213) 747-2141
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Mercuri's Baby Shower

My colleagues had their baby shower the other day and the food display was just amazing that I had to write it up! They had hired another friend's brother (who happens to be my former colleague) to prepare the lunch food. Now, the "chef" was always bragging how his sister always wanted to him to cook for them and how an awesome cook he was, and I briefly sampled some of his food earlier this year at a Super bowl party and was extremely disappointed and still am. I have come to a conclusion that he is gifted at making food luck good but has no clue on how to make it taste good. It looks very impressive doesn't it?


The salad had too much dressing. There's nothing worse than eating soaked salad...The grilled panini need to be melted more and I would have picked better ingredients where the taste pops out more. I don't now what he picked but overall the sandwiches were bland.

The best food (non-dessert) were the store bought ready food: hummus and cheese. You can't go wrong at having cheese at your party!

The desserts were the highlight at the event. They bought Vanilla Bake Shop's desserts! How cute!





I got a little of everything...

When I finished all my desserts, I didn't know who looked more pregnant - me or my friend?
I thought that the take home gifts was adorable! It was a cute baby shower, and Vanilla Bake Shop desserts are a must have!


Vanilla Bake Shop:
Address: 512 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone#: (310) 458-6644
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Habana

I celebrated my cousin’s birthday the other day at Habana, located at the Lab mall in Costa Mesa. I always get worry when she picks the restaurant…because she’s pretty easy when it comes to food. To my surprise, it’s a cute Cuban restaurant for a “mall” restaurant. I wished I took pictures of the restaurant because the outdoor patio where we dined at was nice. However, I soon found out that the restaurant doesn’t have a bathroom. You have to use the mall’s bathroom.

All the girls were ordering Mojitos but since I had a long drive back to LA, I went for their red sangria. It was pretty good; I had to force myself to slow down.

We started off with complimentary bread. I liked that it was sweet.

My cousin’s friend ordered the tuna tartare. I took a bite…hey her friends should expect me to snack on their food. It was good—I probably should have ordered my own dish…

Another friend ordered the Sofrito Steamers (manifa clams, black and green mussells served in a white broth). If you don’t want me to touch your food, just order a dish with crustacean.

I ordered the potato croquette. It was ok and it did its job –helped soak in the alcohol.

I shared the sirloin in red wine reduction with grilled artichokes and Peruvian potatoes with my cousin. My cousin no longer needs me to recommend restaurants to her. The sirloin was juicy and loved the Peruvian potatoes with it.

For desserts…my cousin’s friend bought a cake from Vons…gasp. It was a sweet idea but from Vons or whatever grocery store??? Habana was cool and didn’t force a cake-cutting fee.

I would have been happier if we’d just chip in for one of Habana’s dessert..

If you’re in the OC and need a good restaurant for a large group, dine at Habana.

Address: 2930 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone#: (714) 556-0176
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Ultra Supper Club

We had our last dinner/after party at the Ultra Supper Club. It’s a medium size restaurant/club.

There’s a small outdoor area on street level. The rooftop bar is more spacious.

We had split the restaurant in halves –regulars:

and VIPs

As I was waiting for the talents to arrive , I snacked on a mini slider…

and spicy tuna tartar on a sesame cracker..

There was nothing significant about their mini slider or spicy tuna tartar but they did their jobs—stopped my stomach from grumbling. Since this was my last event at TIFF, I chillaxed and actually sat down and ate with the group! Table was set with their “bread” crackers.

For starters there were the Lobster Lemon Grass Soup with Crispy Shrimp Spring Roll

I didn’t sampled that since I’m allergic to shrimp. No one nearby me had the
Asian Mustard Greens Salad (asparagus, sesame cracker, radish, yuzu miso vinaigrette). I had ordered the Warm Shimiji Mushroom Salad (sautéed mushrooms, arugula, endive, crispy eggplant chips, lemon miso vinaigrette) and loved it! I think this was my favorite dish of the entire meal...?

Of course I skipped the crispy eggplant chips. For the main dishes, there was the
Roast Breast of Chicken (filled with walnuts, gorgonzola and proscuitto,
Jerusalem artichoke risotto & oven dried tomatoes)….

the King Oyster Mushroom “faux gras” (seared king oyster mushrooms, truffle pecorinio risotto, cippolini, aged balsamic)…

Grilled 12 oz Sterling Silver Striploin (jalapeno garlic butter, frites with herb mayo)..

and I decided to switch it up and ordered the Miso Glazed Black Cod
(crispy sushi rice, baby turnips, warm bok choy black bean salad)..

The miso cod was ok -- not like Nobu’s. I didn’t get a chance to try the other entrees as I was sitting with people who I’d just met…didn’t want to come off too weird…”Let me take a picture of your food and let eat it too.” Hum. For dessert, I went for the Fluffy Milk Chocolate Mousse (dark chocolate, raspberry, caramel) instead of the Roasted Upside Down Pear Cake with three milk sauces.

The mousse was ok. I prefer dark chocolate over milk chocolate.

Now you may be wondering where the raspberry was…as I certainly was. It was really tough taking a bite out of the top chocolate ball, that when I did, raspberry sauce just poured out, landing on my arm, table, etc. My arm/ hand looked like Carrie’s. The horror. It was very amusing for the people who sat near me.

Despite the sub-par food, I had a lot of fun at Ultra. This joint is really for the nightlife if you want to be in a glitzy atmosphere--not for dinner.

Address: 314 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 2A2, Canada
Phone#: (416) 263-0330‎
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