Waterloo & City - Culver City

After a summer day on the beach enjoying a few spliffs while listening to the sound of the crashing waves, it only seemed appropriate to indulge on some savory munchies and a lot of cold drinks at one of my favorite restaurants in Los Angeles: "Waterloo and City"

Waterloo and City is a gem in the heart of Mar Vista in an area where trendy restaurants are slowly taking over. There are so many choices for good food, even if you end up disliking "Waterloo & City" you'll find another great eatery to have exquisite drinks and inventive food.

One of the things I love about this place is that it's great for casual Happy Hours with friends at the end of a long day AND it's also a great location to bring somebody for a special date or to celebrate an event. The food at this gastro pub is to die for and the menu is constantly being updated with creative items that will make your head spin. One of the appetizers on the menu that night was "Bone marrow and sea urchin salad".

I walked in looking like a beach bum but we were still welcome with wide smiles from the friendly staff, and we sat down at one of the few remaining tables. We noticed that they now start their Happy Hours earlier on Sunday and you can now enjoy cheap drinks and succulent food form 3p-7p.

The menu had changed since the last time I had been there and it was even more mouthwatering. The first thing I wanted to order was the "Charcuterie plate" which is a French term that refers to a specific type of cured and fermented meat usually accompanied with bread, mustard and pickled cornichons. I browsed through the menu quickly and couldn't find my favorite appetizer but I did see an item called "Salumi plate" which I assumed was their new name for that awesome assortment of goodness but I wasn't quite sure. So....I asked our waitress: "Excuse me, What is a Salumi plate?" her response was: "It's Italian" ....errr....Thank you lady, I'm not sure I was asking for the origins of your new menu item, but I don't mind being educated even on Sundays so I restrained from making a wise ass comment and simply asked again: "What is it?". That's when I found out that my "Charcuterie plate" had just been renamed with its Italian version "Salumi plate". So I ordered it. We also ordered a wild mushrooms flatbread with truffle oil, some sweet corn Raviolis and a tuna tartare  I added a glass of their Happy Hour Wine on our order and sipped on my ice-cold water while waiting for our food to arrive.

The Salumi plate actually surprised me in a good way: It seemed like an upgrade from its previous version and "Charcuterie plate 2.0" was a great selection of cured meats. The raviolis were very sweet but it was an original recipe and we enjoyed every bite. The tuna tartare was fresh and well seasoned and the only mistake they made that night was the overcooked flatbread....I think it may have stayed in their oven a little too long. But after scraping off the cancerous parts of our mini pizza, we finished everything on the table. There are tons of other options that are both filling and indulging and I invite you to take a look at their website: http://www.waterlooandcity.com The presentation of all the dishes were outstanding and I would highly recommend that you try this place if you ever visit this neighborhood.

We left with a smile, a full stomach and a desire to go back there soon.

Menchie's - Culver City

You say Menchie's, I say Munchies. In the battle for the Frozen Yogurt market in Los Angeles, "Menchie's" has come out a winner for a lot of reasons.

First of all, this place is any Stoner's paradise. When other stores will offer you a free sample of your choice, Menchie's lets you pick up as many miniature sampling cups as you desire and you could technically "taste" every flavor there and fill up with frozen yogurt for free if you're not inclined to add toppings. But if you're still hungry after giving every flavor a proper try, gaze at the incredible variety of toppings they offer from fruits to peanut butter cups and grated coconut, and start making you own "Best frozen yogurt" ever (Try not to eat too many topping because I'm not sure you're really allowed to "sample" them. Even if you don't want to eat any yogurt because of your intolerance to lactose, you can still hit the toppings bar and fill your cup with some delicious treats and a variety of chocolate.

Now the sugar rush is not the only thing that's appealing to the average stoner: The pretty vivid colors in the store and the smooth colorful plastic spoons that we get to keep as a weird souvenir of our foggy trip to the ice-cream parlor all enhance this childish but rejuvenating experience.

You say Menchie's, I say: "Let's roll one so I can try to fill my cup with as many toppings as I possibly can and still manage to finish it all".

In other words: Menchie's is where we all hope we end up after we die. After meeting at the crossroads, maybe we should hit up the "Menchie's" by the heaven's gate....Duuuude!

http://www.Menchies.com

"Cinco De Mayo" in September - Culver City

Whether it's for Monday football, Taco Tuesday or Hump day...whether it's to celebrate end of the week for the 9-5ers or fearlessly treat ourselves with some of the most decadent comfort food, every day ending with a "Y" is a good day to eat Mexican food.

So after a few beers at a local bar I decided to stop by one of my favorite Mexican restaurant in Culver City: "Cinco de Mayo" to get my usual fish tacos and Carne Asada tacos but that night I decided to be even more daring and I tried their Seafood cocktail on a tostada. It was a refreshing mix of shrimps, octopus, calamaris, and fish with the essentials (chopped Cilantro, tomato and onions). It was fresh and delicious and I actually ended up going back to get more the following night on our way to the Hollywood bowl to see B.B king with my friend from France. We ordered a side of Ceviche to make sure we weren't go hungry while sitting on our asses listening to music, and the tostadas were so crunchy that the people sitting in front of us during the performance weren't too happy about our choice of picnic, but after opening a few beers and focusing on the amazing music coming from the amphitheater, I quickly forgot that I was annoying them, and resumed enjoying the show....with a few breaks to the bathroom.

The Ceviche was covered with fresh avocado and it was ridiculously cheap but incredibly savory. If you were on your way to the way overrated "Tito's Tacos" but don't feel like waiting in line or ordering crap that looks like crap... then go next door to "Cinco de Mayo".

"Yen Sushi" - Culver City

Located in one of the most notorious malls of Los Angeles lies a new sushi restaurant that offers a variety of fishy dishes with a beautiful view on their parking lot. "Yen Sushi" is a great way to end a shopping spree at the mall with a fantastic happy hour menu.

The menu is not only full of creative rolls and sushis but it also offers a variety of options for those who don't eat fish such as the "Tornado potato" and Asian dishes. The quality of the fish was outstanding and the presentation of the plates was elegant and original. Their happy hour menu includes a plate of sashimis (or sushis) including five sorts of fish with your order and they have Sapporo on draft for those who enjoy a large pitcher of beer with their meal.

We ordered a few different rolls including the "Rock n' Roll" "The lobster roll" and the "Spicy tuna on crispy rice" and they were all fabulous. Even their side of Wasabi was a visual delight.

The friendly staff made our drinks stronger when we kindly told them that they were a little weak, and finishing the meal off with a perfectly battered "Green Tea Ice Cream Tempura" was a real pleasure.

After a few beers and a few glasses of sake, you might even be inclined to give Karaoke a try since they also offer this service.

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"Versailles" - Culver City

Famoso Pollo Versailles - Versailles Famous Garlic Chicken

House specialty

juicy roasted half chicken marinated in our delicious garlic sauce garnished with sliced onions.

This Cuban restaurant has one of the most confusing name for a hungry stoner.  The first time I had diner there was for one of my birthdays with a friend from USC a few years ago, and when he told me to meet him at this place I thought I was going to a French restaurant and was quite surprised when I arrived there. However I was pleased with my first Cuban experience and have gone back there many times since then.

They have a very diverse menu with everything from marinated pork to Mahi-Mahi and the portions are so big you should really share it with a friend the first time you try it even if you have the munchies. 

So after smoking the early evening joint that celebrates the coming of another giant dinner, we called in our order of "Famoso Pollo" and after what seemed to be an eternity we managed to pick Moro as our side dish (It's the rice and beans cooked together with some spices). On the way back we stopped at the liquor store to buy some beer and a Mega Milllions ticket and started getting anxious as the smell of the chicken got to our nostrils.

Once we got back home, we jumped on the box and devoured its content. This chicken was delicious, and if you take it to-go make sure you dip your meat in the lemon and garlic sauce that will be at the bottom of your non-recyclable Styrofoam box. 

http://www.versaillescuban.com/

Enter through the gift shop at "Royal-T" - Culver City

It's always nice when Livingsocial sends you an offer you would actually enjoy instead of a manicure in some obscure nail salon in Gardena. So when they had a special coupon for Royal-T, I didn't hesitate to jump on the offer since I really enjoyed going there in the first place.

After smoking a few joints during the morning, I jumped in the car to go get brunch on a Sunday, two days after buying the coupon. Needless to say, it wasn't the best idea since they had sold quite a few of these offers so there was a thirty minute wait before being seated. The good thing about this place is that it is not just a coffee shop. It's also an art gallery and has a fun gift shop with overpriced but unique items from around the world. The art is never great but it's a strange mix of pop art and modern art and is definitely catering to the younger crowds. After tripping out in the gift shop, we finally sat down and stared at the menu. My eyes were going back and forth between the delicious items on the menu and the delicious waitresses in the restaurant dressed in maid uniforms. I was drooling at one point but I don't know if it's because I was very hungry or very horny.

We ended up having their signature Tea:  "ROYAL/T MILK TEA" blend of black tea with rose petals, pieces
of fruit and vanilla, brewed in soymilk. You can share small pot with one person and it is an exquisite mix of spices (I usually don't like tea). We shared a Kobe Beef burger and a French toast with berries (They are made with brioche). They do have mimosas on sunday but we did not try any

Everything I've ever tasted there was good and the dishes are filling. Royal-T has all the ingredients of a cool spot for the local hipsters, and that's why I love it.

http://www.royal-t.org 

"Waitresses dressed in playful maid uniforms with a Lolita-esque touch, serve guests a menu of French- and Japanese-inspired cuisine with local California style."

Breakfast at "The Wood Café" - Culver City

You know I've been living in America too long when my drink of choice is Dr Pepper, when I dream in English, and when I wake up with a craving for biscuits and gravy for breakfast. This dish is usually easy to find at the small diners around town like Rae's or Pantry's and it always brings back good memories like the time my boss' wife cooked us breakfast before we hit the slopes during our trip to Mammoth (Warning: Eating too many biscuits before snowboarding makes it very hard to bend down to strap the bindings).

After discussing our options with my mother who is in Los Angeles for a short vacation, we decided to go to "Green Peas" which is a great restaurant in Culver City with great healthy and vegetarian options and orange or cucumber infused water. However, it seems like every time I try to take my mother to a restaurant, it's either closed on that day or it doesn't exist anymore. Do I learn my lessons? Do I call ahead to see if the restaurant is open? Do I try to make reservations? Nope.... "Green Peas" was being remodeled and we had to jump in the car again to look for another restaurant.

We ended up not far from there at "The Wood Café" in Mar Vista. It's a lovely restaurant with a fire pit outside for dinners and late drinks. Their breakfast menu was very enticing and the colorful dishes on the tables around me looked flavorful. The best part: they even offered a "Southern Biscuit" (eggs, biscuit, sausage and gravy). Their menu says (No Side) but strangely enough you do get a choice of potatoes or salad. After ordering my Arnold Palmer (Iced tea and lemonade for those of you who didn't know what that was) I started stressing out a little because my phone was slowly running out of battery (I never learn that lesson either) and I thought I wouldn't be able to take a picture of my delicious breakfast. As soon as my biscuits came, I took my pictures and started devouring my breakfast. It was probably the best biscuits and gravy I've ever had at a restaurant and the service was great (I ended up with two glasses of Arnold Palmer at the same time at some point when the waitress saw how thirsty I was).

For more information go to their website: "The Wood Café"

"Bigfoot West", Culver City

I think I found my new favorite cocktails. Bigfoot has some specialty drinks that are unique and full of flavor served in mason jars. I tried the "Thirsty Crow", it's a mix of Rye whiskey, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, and ginger beer. It was a fabulous drink that was strong enough to give most people a nice enjoyable buzz, and the ginger beer gave it a nice kick. The "Bourberry" is another cocktail we tried, It had real strawberries, mint, lime, ginger beer and Buffalo Trace bourbon. This would be the girlie version of my drink but since I do love girlie drinks, I enjoyed this one as well. They even have a homemade "performance enhancing" herbal liquor if your stash of Viagra is running low. It is called the "Horny Goat Elixir", it is supposed to improve endurance, libido and mood and costs 25$ I have to admit that I did not try it but they say it is suitable for both men and women. Of course they also offer all the drinks that most reputable bars offer with a good selection of draft beers.

The interior design of the bar is also a must-see. It looks like you're having a drink in a cabin in the mountain far away from Los Angeles and the crowd is laid back. The music also tends to be eclectic. It goes from lounge music with a fast tempo to old french classics on weeknights but it is always great music. You can smoke on their outside patio where alochol is allowed.

Not only do I highly recommend this bar for any nights of drinking on the Westside, but I can't wait to try their other drinks. AND I can walk there from my apartment so there is nothing to worry about if I enjoy too many of their cocktails.

"Rush Street" Comfort food

When I was in High school friday evenings meant buying some Popov, partying unil dawn and passingo ut in somebody's backyard. Now I enjoy finishing the week with a delicious meal. I have a few restaurants I enjoy going to for comfort food around L.A and "Rush Street" in Culver city is definitely one of them.

I started my meal with the one item I always have to order when I go there: their Mac & Cheese. It's simply the best mac & Cheese I've had around town and I have tried this dish at lot of other places that are known for it. They bake is with truffle oil, garlic, and a blend of local farmhouse cheeses. It is not only delicious but pleasing to the eye with the crust perfectly baked and the cheese dripping on the side of the bowl. It makes it fun to pick the grilled cheese of the bowl at the end.

After cleaning out that plate I tried their grilled prime sirloin steak, topped with gorgonzola and red wine reduction, over grilled asparagus, sautéed spinach and potato cake. It was a little overcooked again but it was delicious and the potato cake was surprisingly flavorful.

When we were enjoying a digestive (Malibu and pineapple juice, because I like girlie drinks) on their patio we met a guy who hid next to us and asked us if it was okay to light up a joint. I didn't see any reason why he shouldn't but I kept an eye on the big security guard that was happening to walk by when he took his first puff. He even offered to share his doobie with us but it looked very small and I didn't want to burn my fingertips or my lips so I passed. It's always a great time at "Rush Street" when it's not completely packed on Saturday nights.