The Hungry Traveler

The second part of my west coast adventure started at SEA-TAC where I was upgraded to 1st class on my flight to LAX.  Let me give a huge shout-out to Alaska Airlines.   Alaska Airlines must put their employees through the Trader Joe’s training program because they are so pleasant and enthusiastic.  I travel a lot and when possible, I like to fly on Alaska Airlines because of 2 things.  (1) If you check in early and it’s available, you can normally upgrade to 1st class for a small fee; and (2) even if you are not in 1st class you are treated very well by polite and helpful employees.   Alaska Airlines did not pay for this endorsement, but hey, if they want to sponsor some of my trips, contact me!

The flight down from Seattle was perfect, it started with a Vodka Tonic (one of my favorites) and I had a grilled portabella mushroom, tomato, basil sandwich on a perfect bun that was warm and chewy inside with just a bit of crunch on the outside.  A side of rice with mixed vegetables and the little extra dark chocolate dessert was sweet and delicate.  A perfect meal for a 2 hour flight.

Landing at LAX was quick and getting to the curb for a pickup by my normal PershMan transport was seamless.  I immediately headed out to the 405 where I was met with a parking lot full of cars and it took about 2 hours to make a trip that would normally be 30 minutes.  If you drive in LA, you just get used to the traffic.  For dinner that evening I settled on a trendy little place called Townhouse, which is located at the Sherman Oaks Galleria.  Decent food but bad service.  Go for a drink and some appetizers and leave it at that.

Hungry Traveler Grilled Chicken

The next day we opted to have a BBQ and several friends came over to enjoy the pool and some Jimmy Stewart BBQ!  I love to cook and I’ve been working the grill since I was about 10.  Sides of fresh vegetables and several margaritas made the evening fun, however, Rick Kunkler was there most of the evening and he made the conversations just flat out funny.  A big shout out to Rick for laughing at my almost funny jokes!

The Biker Breakfast

Before heading to the airport one last stop was in order, Rock Store, for a healthy breakfast.  This is a way, way, out of the way biker hang out that is probably one of the world’s most famous.   Granted it was a bit cheesy showing up in a black car, but hey, the Hungry Traveler needs to eat!  There is nothing more authentic than Rock Store for home style cooking like your grandmother makes.  Located on Mulholland highway between Malibu and Calabasas, go there and grab a bite to eat and watch out for bike riding celebs all day long.  Take it from me, it is better to show up on a bike otherwise drive down a bit and walk up.  For breakfast, order the “biker special”.

The Skyline View at the Roosevelt Hotel

Most people I know who have never been to LA don’t want to go.  That is like saying you hate the taste of Coffee but have never had a cup.  LA has so much to offer I encourage everyone to make the trek to LA LA Land and check it out.  Get a hotel somewhere on a Metro Line and get out and about and see the stars or the palm trees. 

On my most recent trip (Aug 20-25) I revisited places I had great culinary experiences in the past and one new one that I’d avoid in the future.   

My first stop was at Cecil’s California Ribs, which is a BBQ joint on Ventura Blvd in the Sherman Oaks section of LA.  For those of a certain age, Sherman Oaks is where the Brady Bunch lived and you still see houses like theirs.  Cecil’s offers a more healthy version of BBQ without the sloppy fat or saturated fried foods here (fries being the only necessary exception).  For example, I had the Beef Tip Tacos, which were medium slices of beef tenderloin with a smoky flavor paired with a chutney of tomatoes, onions, peppers, spices with lettuce and a few small tortillas.  It is one of those meals that if you are hungry you want more but after you finish, you are satisfied. 

Another stop on my trip took me to LA Live in downtown.  LA Live consists of several restaurants/clubs and is a great place to hang out if you are attending a conference at the LA Convention Center.  I went to the Conga Room one evening and unfortunately could not recommend this place.  Although I had a good time and got taught the Samba by a professional dancer from Miami as my guide, the food was difficult to eat, not much flavor, and just bad.  I love latin cuisine and had high hopes for this place, but Miami it is not so go to the ESPN Zone or Lucky Strike because you will have a consistently good meal that is editable.

Warm Olive Plate at The Bridge

My last stop took me to the famed Roosevelt Hotel where I’ve been on a few times and would recommend to anyone visiting Hollywood.  This hotel is a bit of a maze inside but joe public can walk right in, ask for directions to the pool, and head out to the typical Hollywood scene.  You may see models, rock stars, and actors (I saw Adam Goldberg on this visit) and the prices are reasonable.  Have a drink at the Tropicana Bar near the pool.  I recommend the Ginger Smash, 10 Cane Rum, Lime, Ginger, and a splash of Giner Ale.  It’s not a Dark and Stormy but it is good! 

Head up stairs to The Bridge for dinner.  The food and service will always exceed your expectations and is a wonderful place to see and be seen, which can be a lot of fun.  The warm plate of olives is a great value at $4.00 and is enough for 4-6 people, the toast topped with wild mushrooms will be unforgettable (3 pieces), and I enjoyed the prime rib, cooked perfectly with a bone marrow butter sauce. For wine I had a glass of the 1975 2007 Cabernet. This is not an expensive place to eat at just under $100.00 for three people and that included a few drinks however, the view is priceless!  Enjoy.

View from The Bridge at Hotel Roosevelt

Dark and Stormy

The Dark and Stormy is one of my favorite beverages to make at home because it is so easy.  The drink has a rich history and Goslings Black Seal Rum is the original rum used in this drink.  Goslings also  makes a fantastic Ginger Beer and combining the two makes a perfect “Dark ‘n Stormy®”.  Yes, Goslings has trademarked the term Dark n’ Stormy®. 

Not everyone has access to Goslings rum or ginger beer and in fact, neither do I so I use my favorite dark rum, Barbancourt 8 year and a Trader Joe’s ginger beer to maky my dark and stormy.   Caution, if you don’t like the taste of ginger, you probably won’t like a Dark and Stormy.

To make pour 1 1/2 oz dark rum in a high ball or tumbler glass filled with ice and top off with ginger beer, sip and enjoy.

I don’t really love eating with my hands but if I’m at Majet, then yes, I love it.  Majet is a little Ethiopian restaurant just a few doors down from the popular Dukem, which I’ll pass by any day to get to Majet.  This little owner operated restaurant is a hangout for the locals, typically has a soccer game on the TV and serves some of the best beef tips I’ve ever had.  If you walk in and it is crowded, give it a few minutes as the tables turn pretty quickly.  If you walk in and it is empty, give it a few minutes as it will be at capacity. 

I typically don’t go to Ethiopian restaurants without an expert and for that I turn to my good friend Zewdi.  She speaks the language, knows what is hot and what is really hot on the menu (which is important to some), and she makes the best Doro I’ve had the pleasure of eating.  She is herself an expert of this fantastic cuisine. 

On my most recent trip, I went with 4 other friends.  The 5 of us split some beef tips, the vegetarian platter, and one of my favorites, Kitfo.  Kitfo is sometimes raw and sometimes lightly cooked steak tartar seasoned with spicy chili powder and herbed butter sauce.    We all ate happily (with our hands), shared some great conversation and when the check came fought over who should pay the $45.00 bill.  

If you are in Washington DC, in the U Street Corridor and don’t want to eat another half smoked from Ben’s Chili Bowl, walk down another block a few doors past Dukem and have a great, inexpensive meal at Majet. 

Majet Beef Tips - Photo courtesy of Julia Brault

A close friend who I’ve known for over 8 years had only heard other friends talk of the cake.  So a few weeks ago when she was having a dinner party featuring Ethiopian food, she invited me only on condition I bring the carrot cake.  One of the guest’s comment:  “thought you should know that the awesomeness will never be forgotten:)”.   I’ve also had requests from Canada and as far away as Argentina. 

So the moral here is, learn to do something you love, do it well, give it to others and if you are like me, keep the secret to yourself, i.e., no recipe provided because this is my special something!

Some people love crepes while others not so much.  I guess I fall in the latter category.  I can do with out thin pancakes for the most part.  What I can’t live without is great food and coffee and Cafe Bonaparte certainly delivers on both.

My favorite spot is at the bar where I can have a little more space if it isn’t too crowded, plus you don’t have to wait if there is a seat available.

The coffee here is excellent and I recomend the various espresso they have.  The Dulce Espresso starts out with a dulce laced cup and finished with whip cream.  Their lattes can be considered art in some circles but the taste is what is important and they deliver.

Their crepes are filled with fresh ingredients.  The Verona is filled with ground Italian sausage, caramelized onions, green peppers, and two cheeses, provolone and fontina.  I honestly wanted to pick this up and eat it like a breakfast burrito as I almost did with the Florentine.

The omletes and other plates servered are filling and some would find it difficult to finish the entire meal, I know I do and I can eat!

The sweet crepes are enough for 2 so share.  I’m not much of a sweets guy so I tend to go the savory route when it comes to crepes but if you must try one, go with the Dulce, which is filled with fresh bananas and Ducle de leche. 

This has become a favorite of mine.  It provides such an international flare and takes me back to Paris or Buenos Aires each time I walk in.

Haitian Painting by Casimir

If you’re looking for volunteer opportunities, the Embassy of Haiti and ServeDC are asking for volunteers to man telephone banks at the Haitian Embassy, 2311 Massachusetts Avenue, NW. 

If you are able to offer mental health services and grief counseling, please contact the DC Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency at 202-272-6161.  

Additional information on support and volunteerism can obtained by contacting the Haitian Embassy – Greater Washington Haitian Relief Committee is 202-241-3593.

Material donations, clothes, food, toiletry items can be dropped off at the Haitian Embassy, Sunday, 17 January 2010, 11am-4pm, 2311 Massachusetts Avenue, NW.

Additionally, on Sunday, January 17th from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM NOAH will be conducting a Survival Kit Drive at the Embassy.

Strength through Unity — L’Union fait la Force: A Service of Prayer for Haiti @ the National Cathedral Sunday, January 17th at 6:00 PM

When traveling around the globe you sometimes have to do a lot of research on where to stay, eat, and what activities to do. If you plan to be in New Your City anytime soon, one great option is to do walking Food Tours NYC. You can combine your sightseeing experience with a walking food tours. Authentic local foods in the city’s most unique neighborhoods. Visit Zagat-rated shops and favorite essential restaurants native New Yorkers frequent in Greenwich Village, Lower East Side, SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown. Mark my words, NYC is a big city with a lot of eateries and places to see. Don’t get swindled into eating at an over priced deli or a fake Ray’s Pizza. Enjoy and if you are in NYC sometime, let me know where you ate and stayed.