Salt's Cure

Yep, Salt's Cure, did the trick.  Finding the best burger in L.A. hasn't been the easiest task, but one of the most pleasurable.  I first noticed my surroundings, with a partial brick wall in front of me and the open stainless steel kitchen.  I like an open kitchen, watching them prepare, chop and cook the food.  The chef was appearing very attentive, with his head down working.  The next thing that I noticed was how so damn loud it was, yet boisterous, festive like.  Oh yeah, the very first thing that I noticed was the hand soap in the bathroom, Further was the brand.  It smelled great, of fresh ingredients of herbs and spices. I love bergamot.  My server, Jeannie was the sweetest damn thing that I ever did see.  There I go ago with that word, sorry.  Anyway, Jeannie made my experience special, offering information about their 2x2x2 breakfast menu, soups and different cuts of meat that they serve at different times during the week. One of Jeannie's favorites is the rock crab claws, which is kinda hard to say.   She was able to inform me about the pride that Salt's Cure takes in its meat, by having an in house butcher.  The hamburger is a 70/30 blend of sirloin and chuck or whatever part of the meat that they have available for the mix.  But I'm telling you, THIS burger is all about the burger.  They serve only one lettuce leaf and a nice even slice of red onion.  The meat is so uniformly thick and the texture great.  I was told that they have a good way to mold it.  I didn't see a sear on the meat but that didn't seem to matter because the taste was so damn good.  There I go again!  I think that this might be one of the only couple of burgers that is seasoned well enough, with all the rest, severely lacking.  The bun which I liked was a regular bun, which most also lack.  The bun was large enough to hold the burger comfortably.  You know all of the parts of a burger need to be compatible.   The bacon cheeseburger and fries for $17.00 was the only burger that they offered on the menu.  That is a sign that if that is the only burger they serve, they must do it well.  And they did.  I don't know about the bacon, I'm sure it added a lot for the taste, but I didn't taste it individually.  Maybe that is a good thing, to blend into the burger, enhancing it's integrity.  The two strips seemed dried out or over cooked to me.  The ketchup was the only thing that I did not like and found it runny.  I couldn't find the cheese until I saw the white colored melted cheese surrounding the meat.  They used wagon wheel cheese, a little less sharp than cheddar, again letting the burger be the star. I kept eating the burger and forgot that I just ate ramen noodles for lunch.   I am intrigued to go back and try their other cuts of meat.  Today they were serving pork, fried egg and fries.   Bravo, you rank supreme.

Robata Jinya

My first time here I was kindly greeted by Toku, whom told me that Robata Jinya started in Japan. Tomo is the owner, and they have 8- 10 restaurants.  The room was nice, a little cozy.  I had an open table in the middle of the room.   A lot of care and dedication are put into their ramen bowl, Ryan, told me.  He stated that they dedicate themselves to consistency and the same look of each bowl.  I liked this bowl very much.  The broth was a clear and a rich pork broth, yet light enough.  The chasu pork didn't look as good as the last ramen experience that I had.  This chasu, was significantly better.  It had a delicious, smoked flavor.

The ramen is why I was there, and it was delicious, chewy, with a sweetness to it.  There are never enough noodles though.  I really enjoyed the crunchy black slivered mushrooms.  And of course, scallion onions.   After reading my review again from 2011 I decided to try the chicken meatballs.   They had a yakitori sauce coating.  They came with three dipping sauces consisting of: miso, sirachi mayo and cilantro.  I liked all three together, not one stood out.

Indian Jones Food Truck

I saw a food truck parked right on my street, directly across from my apartment.  I had to check it out.  I was the first person at first and then several people entered from the business building on Barry Ave.  I ordered the lamb Frankie.  I was considered that it wouldn't be spicy, like the one I remember at Bombay Café.  This Frankie was very good, hot with spice and plentiful with lamb.  A winner!  They have been in business for 10 years.  I was told that different trucks will show up each Friday, can't wait!

26 Beach Restaurant

Hum! I have finally landed here with my best friend, Herb.  We are enjoying getting used to the French patio like atmosphere as we view the menu.  We both ordered burgers to my delight.  They came too fast though.  I wanted to linger more in my friend's company.  We had a wonderful experience with good food and a warm couple sitting next to us.  The place is small, but with two rooms, and a couple nice booths.  I was going to order the Maytag, with a pear chutney, but I tried the Classic.  I should have ordered differently, like my friend did.  He ordered the UFO which had sour cream, avocado, bacon.  My Classic was huge but I bit into it.  Juicy meat, but again, flavorless.  The bun was way to big and because soggy on the bottom, falling apart.  The tomato slice and shredded lettuce was yuck.  I was expecting more with the show of the size of the burger.  Also the red onion went limp on top of wet lettuce.  I took a bite of my friend's burger and it was surprisingly surprised, liking the sour cream.  These ingredients on the UFO really compliments this burger.  The side of chili accented the experience.  The chili didn't look good but it tasted awesome.  At first bite, a nice size of beef, and a great heat and flavor.  It tasted like Texas.  I will go back again.  The service was excellent, with two nice hostesses at the front.  I give this restaurant an 8+.

Tsujita Artisian Noodle

Tsujita Artisian Noodle

I don't know ramen that well, but I do know good tasting food.  I finally got to visit Tsujita Artisian Noodle.   I found a parking space off Sawtelle Blvd. As I walked from my car I vaguely remembered that they only took cash.  Of course when I got there I was right.  I began to leave when I went inside asking if there was a bank nearby.  Only by chance did I have a twenty dollar bill to take out.  Across the street was the Tomato bank.  What a cute name for a bank.   I used to spell tomato, tomatoe, until my Dad told me of the correct spelling.
I was warmly greeted again by the gracious reassuring young woman that directed me to the bank.  I loved this experience.  First of all, my chair was pulled out for me, but not just remote, caringly done, and then gently pushed me back in towards the bar.  Bam Brothers'.  I settled in as I photographed the chiefs.  I identified the spices in front of me: pepper, Japanese pepper, pepper leaf skin, and chili flakes, in a beautiful, female, small wooden bottle.  I was served a bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen, called negi ramen,  which I immediately ravished.  It's a good thing that I wore contact lens because I would have steamed up my glasses, for my head was stuck in the bowl after the first bite.  I kept eating the deliciously hard cooked noodles. They have 3 levels of doneness that you can order your noodles.  I left them to make them how they do.  They were hard enough to bite, chewy, yet done enough, letting the flavor come up.
I ate my dish as it came and then later after I picked my face up from the bowl,  I added chili pepper, which I liked the best,  The pork was jelled like in a broth of it's own to the upper right.  Scallions abundantly surrounded the bowl.  I finally got to the broth and found it rich and with a good consistency.  I thought of what I heard about the broth being strained through cheesecloth to achieve the perfect clear broth. Perhaps that is the Tsukemen, I look forward to that because this broth did not stand up to the ramen noodles.

Father's Office

Yes, I've been here a few times.  The burger is very delicious but I am not a fan of Blue Cheese on my burger.  I like it Classic, that's how I roll.  Only a few months ago I met a friend on Montana at the juice bar and we decided to go across the street to the Father's Office.  I am currently writing an article on the best burgers in Los Angeles and when I talk with people they most often say that they like Father's Office.  Unfortunately it did not make my top 5 list.  So sorry!

Sushi Sasabune

I live practically across the street from Sasabune.  They weren't open for lunch for a very long time, at their new location.  I had been to a much larger Sushi Sasabune on  the opposite side of Wilshire, from where they are located now.  This restaurant is small and busy but preferable due to the warmness of the people that work there.  They hold a sense and pride for what they do.  Rightly so, with the expertness of the sushi chef's skill and the quality of fish.  I hadn't had ono for a very long time.  I first ate the yellowtail, but then the ono.  I overheard the gentleman next to me order a second ono dish.  I would have too, but I stuck to a budget, and this was a New Years treat for me.  The ono was buttery, as you can see in the photo, and delicious.  I savored it in my mouth.  With sensitivity to enjoying the food, the servers never ask you if everything is okay when you have taken a bite, right?  This has happened in my past experiences at other Sushi restaurants, but not here.  I ordered a field of greens salad that was beautiful colorful along side the green tea drink, again, in the photo.  I also ordered  tuna to round out the flavors.  It was a beautiful meal.  I really enjoy the delicacies of Japanese culture and dining experience.  It puts me in a Zen state, just where I want to be.  Sushi Sasabune received the highest ranking for a restaurant to achieve.  I can see why and can't wait to go back