One for You, One for Me - Donut Friend

Donut Friend
5107 York Blvd, Highland Park

Sophie was due for her booster shots today, so I smuggled her into the car and to the vets before she even knew what happened.

A little thing about me: I have a really great pain tolerance. Like really great. I feel asleep during my tattoo. Once I didn't even realized I'd cracked a rib. BUT, and this is a big but, I am TERRIFIED of needles. It's a mind of matter thing. But I have cried getting a flu shot. At the age of 22. And it was the last one I got. And my friend Megan had to hold my hand. And I still cried.

So on my way to taking Sophie, I started getting a little panicked - for her, for me, for the world. And then I teared up, thinking of my little baby girl getting punctured with needles. Three to be exact.


Clearly, I should have asked the vet for a xanax or something, but we hurdled on and Sophie was in and out in less than 50 seconds. And she weighs 61 pounds.

Of course, after that trauma, rewards were in order. So Soph and I trotted over to Donut Friend, a new customizable donut place in Highland Park - close to my other faves: the Herm, Scoops, and Highland Park Cafe. This heaven on earth just opened a few weeks ago and I'd been meaning to try it and despite my diet, I went.

Um. People. What. Like OMG stop.

This place is cray. You pick your base - i.e. baked, gluten free, vegan and then your toppings, which ranging from mundane: sprinkles, nuts, etc. to ricotta, goat cheese, spices, balsamic reduction, etc. 

My un-caffeinated brain couldn't survive. So I ordered a cold brew to start ($3) - light, bright, slightly sweet - no add-ins necessary.

And I was thinking about designing my own donut, but I couldn't handle the pressure. So I ordered the Lemon Weapon ($4.00). Traditional fried donut, a light lemon curd, blueberry compote, light glaze and fresh mint. 

Vaccinations forgotten, Sophie and I inhaled it. Well, we waited until we got home, which apparently is the maximum self-control I can demonstrate. Yum.

But don't worry. I'm going to Cardio Barre tonight, even though I still can't bend my knees from Crossfit. NBD. 

Cardio Barre - I'm Just Like a Ballerina. Sort of.

I've been in a fitness rut for a reallllly long time - probably a few months since I started working the beginning of the summer.

When I was in London, I was running like a madwoman. Then I was into bikram for a while. And then once I adopted Sophie, we were going on 1-2 hour hikes everyday.

Then I started the 9-5 and although I get into about an hour dog walk in a day, I've been really ignoring my fitness, which is where Groupon/Living Social come in. [Not to mention I gained 6 pounds while I was in Brussels and my body is starting to rebel against beer, fries and coffee in that order.]

I've purchase a few passes - yoga, cardio, etc. and have been trying them all out. Last week, I pulled out my Black Swan and went to Cardio Barre with Aline and her mom.

Okay, so I went in thinking I was going to flounce around like a prima ballerina and like, actually look graceful doing it. 1) I was not graceful 2) Even if i could hope for coordination in lieu of grace, I failed on that count too.

However, I LOVED it.

The class was super fast paced with remixed top 40 hits based on ballet, yoga and pilates moves. My entire body was worked out in segments focus on particular body parts. We did a warm-up, followed by legs, arms and then core. The instructor pushed us without being militant and I definitely felt the burn then and now, especially in my inner thigh and calf area.

The cons, you ask? The first thing would be the expense - its $17/class. However, I got a Groupon and so its $50 for 10 classes. Pretty good deal, right? Second gripe would be the carpet. It sort of freaks me out. Like people's sweat and skin cells. And although I liked the fast-pacedness and shiz, I would have liked a little more direction before I started flailing around. The lovely woman next to me (who look like a profesh ballerina - like shoot me) was sweet enough to show me some moves, but that was after I was already looking like a epileptic zombie.

All in all, I can't wait to go back to Cardio Barre (and the weight that I was in the picture below)

Put It On My Tab (Add Steve Carell Voice)

Sooo this week has been a little, um, meh.

So I got terribly sick. Woooo strep. Then I got a jaywalking ticket. (This also two weeks after a bad parking ticket).

Let me explain something. I am type-A. I am crazy. I like rules. This means I never cross the street without a crosswalk. I can't do it. Even in my neighborhood, I have to go to the corner and cross the street, stop sign to stop sign. My friends and dog find this irritating, just cross the goddamn street, they say. But I am strong in my convictions. I will use the crosswalk and wait for the little man.

So then yesterday happened. I was late for a meeting. I parked my car. I had to cross the intersection three times - there is no direct path. Long story short, Pasadena changed the the timing of their pedestrian signals. Two seconds before the light changes, the little man comes on. At the time the light changes, little man is replaced with flashing hand for 20 seconds. Cop pulls me over for commencing walking in the crosswalk at the time the red hand flashed twenty seconds.

WTF. I'm contesting it. The statute (yes, I looked it up) says that no pedestrian can commence walking with red hand. That means that if I don't FloJo into the middle of the intersection in the two seconds allotted (god forbid, I'm carrying coffee, a computer bag and wearing heels), then hello jaywalking. Which happens to be $191.

Anyway, then a vase fell on top of my head this morning when I was heating up something in the microwave. Needless to say, I'm annoyed.

So I bring you things that make me less annoyed.

This engagement. So legit.

This version of Stay

This article: You Really Are Just a Booty Call:
Best lines:
"You have a very specific sort of a problem. Your problem is that you're a very attractive woman with an easy-going nature and a great phone for tapping out very long texts. This combination of factors is going to bring you a whole hell of a lot of agony if you're not careful"
And ".... Instead, tell people exactly what you want. Here's my revision to text #1: "Last night was fun. Let's go have dinner on Wednesday. Are you free?" Message received. Outcome in this case? No different. But—bonus!—you don't have to feel like a sea slug on the bottom of the ocean floor over it, because you didn't sound needy or liary or crazy, and you didn't leave the tiniest door open for someone to slide their piece-of-shit Square Peg back into your Round Hole again."


And some new recipes to try. Since I'm never leaving my house again:

Maple Coffee Semifreddo From SF Girl

Pumpkin Cheesecake Martini From A Beautiful Mess

Ricotta, Honey and Provolone Crostini From A Cup of Jo

Bar Ama

I sometimes shy away from hoity-toity Latin American or Mexican restaurants, because, LBR*, the stand on the corner of Figueroa and Pasadena makes the best shiz ever at a buck a pop.

However, people have been all about Bar Ama, the newest venture from my fave chef of Baco Mercat (Josef Centeno), so I shortlisted it for dinner for Christina, Evan and I. After a disappointing run at LA restaurants (see other September reviews), I needed something with a reputation that actually delivered.

Ambience: typical industrial chic, cozy, candlelit, etc. with well-placed tables and a nice bar.
Note: Take it easy on yourself and make a res.

THE FOOD:
We took the waitress' selection and ordered tapas style, approximately two dishes each.

Guacamole and Chips: Hefty portion with refillable, freshly made chips. Nice dose of cilantro, well-salted (thank god) and overly satisfying
Octopus and Kielbasa Salad: Okay people, this is how you cook octopus. Tender, fresh. I'm not sure about the Kielbasa approach. I love it and I love octopus, but the sausage slightly overwhelmed the taste of the fresh, delicious octopus. But I also have an absurd love for octopus, so a dash of lemon would have been fine, so to each his own.

Ceviche: Fresh, spicy, tender. Maybe a bit too spicy for those with "softer" palettes, but one of my faves. 

Pork Belly Chicharron: Meh. I've had better pork belly... like the pork belly sandwich at Baco. Clearly a different way of cooking it, of course. This dish seemed overly heavy, even with the tangy sauce.

Roasted Sweet Potato: Uh. This was like best dish ever. Partly because it fooled you with simplicity but was so lovely and perfectly seasoned (with salt, pepper and honey). You don't always have to be fancy
Summer salad (with cucumber and fig): Anything with figs makes my life, so it was a nice choice. And it was fresh and broke up the richer dishes like the...

Frito Pie: indulgent, but no woo-hoo spark. you know? I need some bite to it, but very much on that needed comfort food level

Christina and I had a Wednesday wine special, which was a grenache. At first a bit too acidic, but mellowed out with the food.

Would definitely go back!

xx

*LBR: let's be real

Cooking for One?

I love entertaining, hosting dinners, parties, etc. Designing a menu, getting in the kitchen and then waiting for compliments and critiques is motivating force for my cooking.

But like sometimes I just get over it.

I've been ailing with some sort of virus. Initially, I wanted to cook for people and do the whole deal. But after getting off work and feeling exhausted, I decided I just wanted to make something for me. Which never happens. I cook FOR people. If I don't, then I have a bowl of granola or something equally pathetic for dinner.

So last night, I went to TJs and picked up pizza dough, mushrooms and mozzarella. I had some organic tomatoes and basil at home and a leftover onion. So I made a pizza.


First, I made a base inspired by my Italian roommate.

I put a bit of olive oil in a pan, through in some basil and let the oil warm it through.

Then I threw in a minced garlic clove, a couple tablespoons of chopped onion, a handful of sliced mushrooms, and two handfuls of halved ripe cherry tomatoes I needed to use. I sort of smashed that around and let it cook down until it was gloppy enough for the base.

After oiling the pan and preheating the oven to 450, I stretched out the pizza dough and layered on my sauce. Then I sliced up fresh mozzarella and julienned some more fresh basil from the garden.

After a pop in the oven with the crust browned and cheese bubbling and a bit of a cool down, I inhaled it (but shared with Jenaba and the pups).

It was nice to make something and not worry about other people's dietary desires or restrictions or multiple courses or whatever. I just wanted to do something for myself... mostly for the therapeutic cooking process. It's such a little thing to feel accomplished about, but it definitely made my day.

As did the glass of cab at the Hermosillo with the roomies - the first trip with all of us together.

xx

Malibu Cafe

Malibu Cafe at Calamigos Ranch
themalibucafe.com

After debating for a bit last Sunday, Tara, Christina and I decided to make the harrowing driving up the 1 into the canyons to The Malibu Cafe. After a brief parking frenzy, we made. The staff was great - event though we were 30 mins late to our reservation on a busy day, they seated us right away. The environment was beautiful - lots of kids and dogs and people singing songs from the 70s.

Okay, so after going to the Parish, my standards were lowered. But, ugh, I still had things to complaint about

Despite the gorgeousness, unfortunately, service was rough. For instance, when I puled to the valet station, we sat in the car for a few minutes before I just parked the car myself. I asked for a dog water bowl and got one two hours later. (Don't worry, soph just drank out of the extra water glass.). Our mimosas were frequently bottomed out. The iced coffee was blasphemy (DRIP COFFEE OVER ICE IS NOT ICED COFFEE). The ahi in the ahi salad was overcooked. The burger was meh.

That being said, I would go back on a cooler, less busy day and give them a second change. It was that cute.

The Parish Restaurant

The Parish Restaurant
840 S. Spring
theparishla.com

I had high hopes for Parish but I was slightly disappointed.

First, I arrived to meet the girls and walked through the main entrance. I was quickly reprimanded because they were shooting a commercial. I was shooed out and told to go through a side entrance that had no sign or hostess waiting.

The decor was nice - muted, old library feel. Then it got rough again. We weren't offered water, our food order was taken before our wine order, and our plates were cleared for the next course before some of us had finished eating.

The food was okay. We had:
- the mussels: meh, overwhelming fennel, curry concoction
- the burger: quality meat, standard, like I can't remember it
- the octopus salad: overcooked and not a fan of the curry dip it came with
- the lamb shoulder pasta: oversalted
- fries: fine
- a caramelized onion flatbread: the best thing - i would get it again

Dessert was also okay:
- we got a chocolate cake thing and a bread pudding with caramel sauce. The latter was the highlight of the evening.

Overall, I have to say I wouldn't go back for the food. However, a drink I could probably do.

Also, I didn't even feel like editing these photos, I was so irritated with the meal.

LA Catchup

Things have been madness since I returned last Friday.  I'm so grateful for my family and friends and how fun this week has been and all the wonderful things that will happen. A brief synopsis:

Saturday:

• Law Review Orientation
• Late lunch with Annie (new housemate - she's amazing, fyi), Veronica, Grant, Aline, Max and Lauren (our fave subletter ever) at Square One at Echo Park Lake. I got the Squash Blossom Burrito - delish. (Grant - we need to do our vegan dinner soon; Max - you need to get on board with face touching; Veronica - can we just get married already?)
• FYF - I love you Devendra Banhart (and Jacy, Aline and Evan - I've missed you more than you can imagine).

Sunday:

• Jeff - thank you for always putting up with my craziness - I love you, almost as much as I love coffee and Banh Mi.
• Brunch wtih Christina at Red Hill - get the mimosa with the homemade sorbet and the kale salad. Also despite the crazy people around us, Christina was the funniest and most amazing. I love her so much and can't wait to go out with her again).
• FYF - Beach House and Washed Out for the win. And reuniting with Molly was the icing on the cake.

Monday - Thursday:

• Classes - wow. I forgot how to read. 
• Hermosillo welcome back - I love my friends almost as much as I love deep fried brussel sprouts (special thank you to Anthony and Jackie for traveling to me - I felt so loved!)
• Walks around Silverlake Res, hikes at Elysian, nachos with Cassi at El Chavo, fun work meetings (more on that later), and general merriness.

Friday:

• Edendale dinner (Omg the Eden Dip) with Veronica, hightailing it around the Eastside, including Bar Stella, 4100 (oh the views) and Footsies. 

Saturday:

• Coffee at Square One with the pups and Jacy (becoming my favorite dog walk, especially with Sophie trying to chase the heron pictured below).

• Catching up on Orange in the New Black (so amazing, I want the new season - did she or didn't she?)
• Scoops ice cream with Annie and Ariana - yay for roommate bonding and salty oreo.
• Reuniting with Lennie and Jenaba - I've missed them.
• Eat.See.Hear with Sam, Jacy and Christable - Pulp Fiction, hot dogs with avocado, arugula, and basil aioli and hot chocolate from Brasil Kiss. Yum. Sam - thank you so much for introducing me to such a legit event and thank you to Christable and Jacy for putting up with my craziness and listening to my stories and for being so great in general).

• Brew Co/Daily Bruin reunion with my faves, including Alene, Anthony, Jess, Machiko and Matt Stevens. 

Sunday:

• Relaxed with brunch with my mom, Labor Day Sale shopping with my aunt, and yummy Indian before cleaning my room and getting my life together.

Monday:

• work work work in the morning.
• Lunch with Priyah and Whitney at Wurstkuche - You can't go wrong with the Austin Blues. Also I've missed Priyah tremendously since she moved and so happy I got to spend a couple of hours with her.

• Massage with Aline
• BBQ with Paige and Aline - adobo steak, corn on the cob, fresh green salad and dessert: bananas with melted truffles, marshmallows and vanilla ice cream.

The next week is crazy - I have a report due for my consultant position with LAFLA due tomorrow. I start back at Hadsell tomorrow and Hoffman on Wednesday. I need to sift through some law review articles and do my reading for class. Thursday - HH with Lorna and Haley and dinner with the girls (Aline, Alene and Seda) on Thursday.

Also starting my new workout plan - Beachfit and YogaHop on Wednesday and applying for some fellowships. Shit is about to get real, but I'm hoping to keep up the updates on this blog as we go along.

xx