The Butcher & the Chef Bistro

I met up my cousin who's getting her PhD at Berkeley (she’s the smart one in the family) for breakfast at the Butler & Chef Bistro last Friday since I was up for a wedding in the wine country. I arrived into SFO Airport at 8:30 assuming that I would make it to the restaurant by 9:15 but boy was I wrong, and luckily my cousin knew that…I arrived at 9:45--.a fifteen-minute walk from the BART station.


Butler & Chef Bistro is situated in a quiet part of SOMA where there is a park for people to wait for their guests to arrive--like my cousin. It’s a cute little restaurant with three tables out front so I imagine on the weekend the wait must be long. I had picked this restaurant because my cousin needed it to be near a BART station and more importantly they are known for their eggs Benedict. The chef greeted us immediately after we were seated. He was charming and funny.

We shared the Neiman Ranch Ham eggs Benedict and waffle. Butler & Chef Bistro serves their eggs Benedict with olive bread instead of the traditional English muffin. The hollandaise sauce was perfect –light and lemony. My cousin felt the olive bread was a bit too much because it was difficult taking a bite of the bread with the egg and ham. Despite feeling like we were at a dentist office, opening up and saying “ah,” I still enjoyed the eggs Benedict. The spinach were light drizzled with a lemon dressing.

I was planning on just sharing the eggs Benedict so I can go on a dumpling crawl but the cousin wanted waffle. Damn.

Actually I was fine with the waffle because there was no way hell that I would have time to go on a dumpling run since my ride to Napa was in the evening. The cousin wanted to eat it without fruit to see if the chef was right about their waffles being the best in the city. They add cornmeal to their waffles. I am not a waffle expert, so I’m easy to please—the waffle was delicious. My cousin enjoyed it as well, but she said that the best waffle is still on the East Bay…forgot which restaurant...but still we had a good time, and they gave us chocolate treats at the end our meal!

Go for their eggs Benedict!

Address: 155A South Park St., San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone#: (415) 896-2075
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Alice's Breakfast in the Park

When you live in Los Angeles, you learned to hate driving--especially in traffic, so when my out-of-town friend was staying at a hotel in smack-dab Disney hell, I knew I had to make the most of the trip and didn't want to take her to some touristy eatery yet I was tired of driving so I thought the Hacienda Tivoli Terrace would have been a perfect place but to our bad luck it was closed. Well, I guess it was a blessing because I ended driving more to Alice's Breakfast in the Park.

Alice's Breakfast joint is actually in a park. The scenery is beautiful --a big lake with lots of ducks!

I had thought the theme would be like "Alice in Wonderland," but it's actually named after Alice Gustafson the owner for the past twenty-some years, and it was more like dining at a thrift store...they sold old tin cans, bird cages, and random knickknacks.

Alice's Breakfast in the Park is known for their bake goods. I knew we had to order their famous cinnamon bun. Isn't it beautiful?

The bun was right out of the oven and it just melt in our mouth. We decide to go with the eggs Benedict since the waitress recommended it. Occasionally I have a habit of quickly glancing at the menu and not reading the ingredients carefully...so I was surprised that there was cheese in the eggs Benedict.

The hollandaise sauce only had the correct color of a hollandaise sauce and not the taste--in fact, it had no taste, making the eggs Benedict taste more like a hot ham & cheese sandwich. I loved their thinly sliced home fries. I think I'm on the path of gaining 10lbs before my friend's wedding instead of losing 10lbs...oye. Nonetheless, I am happy to see my friend and dine at Alice's Breakfast in the Park before they close down.

Address: 6622 Lakeview Dr., Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Contact#: (714) 848-0690
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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
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Brownstone Bistro

I wear many hats at work. When our film gets accepted at a film festival, I jump in to organize the dinner party, premiere, after party, and travel arrangements. It's a lot of work...but I don't mind because it's a challenge and it gives me a chance to eat!

I took the red-eye out on September 10th and landed in the wee morning on 9/11 (yes, I was a bit nervous flying...). I took the shuttle in town, then a cab to the theater and dropped off prints, and then to the Grand Hyatt to drop off press materials, and then checked-in at the Hilton and then to the Sutton Place to grab my badges and the tickets, and then it was almost noon and I was about to past out. I was craving breakfast food. Like Park City, Utah, Toronto is not a breakfast friend place on a weekday. Luckily I found Brownstone Bistro, which is walking distance from the Sutton Place.

It's a simple restaurant. Eggs were perfectly scrambled. I know, there's not much to write about eggs and home fries, but when you're starving for breakfast food in Toronto, knowing that you're going to have deal with a bunch of bitches, Brownstone Bistro made my afternoon!


Address:603 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1Z5
Phone#:(416) 920-6288
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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
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Bottega Louie

Since I was on my way to the Convention Center downtown to pick up my LA Marathon bib, I thought it made sense to grab some brunch at Bottega Louie. I’ve heard amazing things about Bottega Louie, and wanted to see if they were true or if it was all too good to be true. One step into Bottega Louie’s space you feel like you’re in New York City, and it’s really hard not to be a fan of the restaurant. I want to live there. As you enter the restaurant there’s the “market” where you can buy all-ready prepared food like sandwiches, salads, desserts, drinks and other goodies to go. They have a full bar diagonally across from the “market.”

The dining area is in the back. The host(ess) writes every customer in the reservation book so when the time comes when they are ready to seat you, they can greet you as, “Miss Hippo follow me.” Their properness makes me almost want to do a curtsy or a bow… The space is much darker in the evening.



Servers are attentive--although it might be difficult flagging a waiter if you’re in the bar section on the weeknights/ends.

You should start off with their blueberry lemonade.—not too sour and not too sweet.

Their eggs Benedict were ok. I liked how the Hollandaise sauce is served separate. The sauce could you use a kick of lemon.

I need to come back for dinner. It’s always packed at Bottega Louie in the evening.


Address: 700 S Grand Ave, LA, CA 90017
Phone#: (866) 418-9162
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Aroma Coffee & Tea

If you’re looking for a good brunch restaurant in Studio City, Aroma Coffee & Tea is your answer. Aroma Coffee & Tea is like Alcove Cafe & Bakery in Los Feliz. You stand in a long line to order your food/drinks, trying not order one of their amazing cakes, and then grab a number and a table. Despite it’s crowdedness, there’s plenty of seating inside and outside the restaurant.

I went for their eggs Benedict. What a surprise?

Instead of English muffins and Canadian ham, they are served with
prosciutto, and focaccia. Eggs were poached perfectly. It’s not a traditional eggs Benedict but I enjoyed it and plan to order it again when I’m in the Valley.


Don’t miss this cute brunch restaurant!

Address: 4360 Tujunga Ave, Studio City, CA 91604
Phone#: (818) 508-0677
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MUSTARD SEED CAFE

Mustard Seed Café is a good brunch option when you’re not in the mood to wait in line at Alcove at Home—that’s what happened to me last Saturday. After grabbing a table outside, it took awhile to get a menu…once I did, I knew immediately that I was going for the eggs Benedict w/ potatoes.



Their organic coffee is not bad but not as good as Intelligentsia Coffee. I should have drank their green chai; I had that last time and it was the bomb! Service is a bit too relax…I got my food 45 minutes after being seated. I must say that their eggs Benedict is the best on the eastside. Granted that they have a tomato in there….it was pretty darn tasty.

The home fries are home fries.

Address: 1948 Hillhurst Ave Los Angeles, CA 90027
Phone#: (323) 660-0670
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

CAFE VERONA

Café Verona is a cute little restaurant offering delicious food that comes in big portions, not in big cost. My friend’s mother is visiting from Spain and I decided to take her out for brunch. I forget that Café Verona is mostly an outdoor restaurant…luckily she was wearing a parka. There are seating’s inside but with doors open on opposite side, there’s a nice draft flowing back and forth so it’s best to sit outside under a heating lamp. The hippo has thin skin and is always cold.

We shared a frittata with roasted red peppers, Italian sausages, mushrooms, and mozzarella, and of course, I had to try their strawberries brioche French toast. There’s nothing better to do on a Saturday late morning than to catch up with an old friend over brunch.

Café Verona’s frittata is as big as the hippo; it can easily feed 2 peeps. We gave each other the eye of “I don’t know if we’re going to be able to finish both plates…”
The frittata was the winner, which came with a side of sweet potato. The French toast looks heavenly, but falls short on taste.
Even though Café Verona’s French toast is five bucks cheaper than Square One’s Dining, I have to say that it makes more sense to pay the extra bucks.

Service was great. The waiter didn’t give us any attitude when we wanted to switch a table closer to the heater.

Apparently there’s parking but it’s shared with the E-Z lube next door. Otherwise, there is metered parking or you can park in the residential area.

Address: 201 S La Brea Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone#: (323) 934-6188
Rating: 4 out of 5

ANISETTE BRASSERIE

I found you!

You're perfect and oh so delicious! I don't know why it's so difficult to find you, but I'm happy you exist in La La Land. Granted I thought you were small at first, but you know what it works -makes me feel less guilty.


I like how the sauce is not flooded. Even though your sauce is thick, it's surprisingly not heavy -perfect balance with the lemon and butter.


*$14 + $4 for a big pot of the best Earl Grey tea = priceless

**The bathrooms are on the 2nd floor -no elevators...cute and clean


***The men behind the counter are not good at multi-tasking in chaos, but when it slows down they're very attentive.

**** I don't care if you ripped off from Balthazar. You have perfect eggs Benedict!

Addesss: 225 Santa Monica Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone#: (310) 395-3200
Rating: 5 out of 5

Photo credit: Kelsey G (top photo only)

CLIFF'S EDGE

You're almost perfect.

On my most recent trip to Cliff's Edge, my friend and I shared the eggs Benedict, the black forest ham with gruyere cheese crepe and the blood orange sorbet; we love to eat.

The eggs Benedict were almost perfect--perfect poached eggs, good ham quality, English muffin toasted just right, but sadly the Hollandaise sauce was flavorless.

Luckily we ordered the tasty black forest ham with gruyere cheese crepe--that's a must!

Although it was too cold outside to be eating sorbet, I was happy that we did; it was delicious!

Despite the flat Hollandaise sauce, I love Cliff's Edge. It's all about sitting outside with the big tree decorated with Christmas lights and the sea shells blanketing its roots -just be sure to sit next to a heater. Great service and good food!

Addres: 3626 Sunset BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90026

Phone: (323) 666-6116

Rating: 4 out of 5

HUCKLEBERRY

I am such a sucker.
After reading about Huckleberry's Green Eggs & Ham on Chowhound, I made it my mission to head over there after my marathon training. Friend was kind enough to take me. Their parking lot is a cluster f*ck. As I hobbled to the front entrance, I realized that I wasn't the only one who was eager to try their Green Eggs & Ham or supposedly the best Fried Egg Sandwich in La La Land. Huckleberry's was packed! For the Eastsiders, Huckleberry is like Aclove -order at the counter and take a number. Your eyes will get bigger than your stomach as you wait to order:


Somehow we managed to find a table after paying for our meal -you're not allowed to grab a table as you wait for your friend to order at the counter. My friend and I split the Green eggs and Ham and the Pancakes. I went for a skinny mocha, which was bitter


The Green Eggs and Ham finally showed and there was silence:

Er.....this is your Green Eggs and Ham?

I was crushed. I was expecting "green eggs"..... Huckleberry doesn't offer any pancakes with fruit; they keep it simple.

Not bad, could be fluffier.

Their donut is a donut.


Skip it.


Everything tasted fine; the food just didn't blow my mind. If I lived in the hood, I might come back, but since I don't, I won't -too much hype and overprice -if I'm going to be spending $20 on brunch, it better be awesome.

p.s. It gets really loud there.

Address: 1014 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone#: (310) 451-2311
Rating: 3 out of 5

Photo credit: Danny M. (top photo only)