A TASTE OF BANGLADESH
At first bite the flavors were foreign to me. I heated up a chicken leg, white rice, and a potatoe paddie. The rice has substance, it is full, with texture and flavor. The rice could be a meal on it's own. The rice intrigues me, the aroma, jasmine?
Something earthy, close to the earth, with the warm heat of the spices. The generous chicken leg needs to be savored with each bite. It's remarkable how many different layers come out in this dish. The flavors keep poppin like the 4th of July. I love it! Delicate, yet bold, a taste of Bangledesh.
OMG this potatoe paddie is heavenly. It's consistency is firm and holds together well. It is more spicy than the chicken. The heat doesn't overpower you though, it has a rippling, lingering effect.
Lipi's labor of love pays off in dividends. Lipi's happy spirit is in the food.
I was wrong about cucumber slices or yogurt, which would only take away from this delicious memoriable dish.
I must confess, when I eat rice I think of the starving children in the world and don't want to waste a grain, using my fingers to finish each morsel. Thank you Lipi, bravo!

PLAN CHECK

AN EXPLOSION OF FLAVORS
I didn't plan to visit Plan Check Kitchen + Bar , but I was hungry and had an inkling that this was going to be a good experience. Today was the restaurant's one month anniversay, opening on February 22, 2012. The first thing that hit my culinary senses when I walked in the front door was the swell smell, (of what I thought to be) barbeque sauce. I glanced at the menu the nice maitre'd graciously handed me. To my delight, I saw that burgers were the theme of the restaurant.

Burgers are my all time favorite, and beginning my burger adventure 7 years ago in South Central, I hadn't found any to compare, finally, a delicious burger! I ordered the Chef's Favorite from my hostess Rachel. She recommended cooking the wagyu (Kobe) meat at medium rare. Did you know that wagyu has less cholesterol, and therefore takes less time to cook.

If looks could kill, the fried egg on top of the burger looked plastic, it was so perfect. My first bite the yellow youlk of the egg gushed out onto the small round cast-iron skillet that held the burger. This burger had a different flavor, more sophistacated than most. The melted cheese was delicious, and memorable, American, parmasean, dashi, and a cheddar chrisp, accompanied by two strips of substantial bacon, yum! The burger had a good sesame bun. I had only wished that it was all served a little hotter. Their keketchup is hand made each day. It has a sweet flavor and good texture.

I also tried the spicy cucumber, with sriracha , and sesame. I loved it's crunchiness and different flavor coming from the srirachi's heat. It sticks with me. The french fries pailed, in comparsion, to the cumcumber.

After hearing from a man standing at the table behind me reccomend the Cruller donuts, I promptly ordered them. The Cruller donuts are cruel indeed, deliciously lavished in cream and bananas, also hand made daily. There is a lot of love and care in thid kitchen and bar. The warm hospitality I was shown made for a wonderful experience. Stay tuned, next time I will take my camera and add photos.

Pinnochio"s Restaurant in Pasadena, 1449 N. Lake Avenue. I ordered chicken, spinach lasagna with not much regard/attention, only the waiter Armen suggested it as one of three of his choices. I was impressed when this medium sized morsel of white lasagna came to my table. It was so delicately beautiful that I photographed it with my phone. It was light and creamy. The parmesean slices topped the lasagna resembeling pieces of chantily lace.
Indulging my first bite, now that it had my attention, I was in puffy airy clouds of Italina heaven. I experienced light, thin layers of the lasagna noodle along with the puffy ricotta stuffed inbetween the layers of melted mozarella. It was delightfully delicious, and almost seductive.
It is luring me back for another taste.

The Hat in Pasadena

The tip of the town, The Hat. This fast food diner of 60 years has a delicious pastrami sandwich.
It was served on a soft sweet bread, a perfect amount of pastrami, and with no fat. It's thickness was perfect to sink your teeth into. Not one taste over powered another and I could taste each item in the sandwich. I especially liked the pickle which I would have liked a little more. I also tried their potato salad and was presently surprised with it's lightness and good flavor, again not one ingredient over powering another. It was lightly sprinkled with dill. I noticed on the others tables, laden with the chili cheese fries, which I will be going back for next week when I get over this flu bug.
Yuck!

Unexpected pleasure/CHAYA VENICE

Chaya Venice at happy hour, indeed, a wonderful experience. Delicate, smooth oysters slide down my palate as I savor the moist delicate flavor, so fresh. Next come the spicy tuna tartare with fried wontons. So delicate, melts in my mouth. I feel like after I finish this 2nd lychee martini I will go home and play my violin. The music seems to blend with the mix of the Venice, crowd. I love this experience. The tuna is stacked high like a compound in Pakistan awaiting it's fall. Petula Clark sings through the speakers. I meet my new friends, Neal & Stephanie from Marina del Rey. What an unexpected pleasure. I will return again.  My friends graciously paid my tab for the evening.

A Delicious Day

Alezare personally guided my through the side walkway, showing me the way from their parking lot. The outdoor patio and water fountain is charming & peaceful, yet I choose to sit inside. Ramasti, Frank Sinatra & Luciano Pavarotti seared through my ears & soul as I enjoyed every bite of my fettucini primavera. "A perfect marriage of flavors to make your heart sing". The fettucini was smooth & delicious with the first bite. Than all the pretty vibrant orange acarrots decorate the plated as well as your palate. The fettucini is accompanied by green peas, basil, & healthy generous heads of broccolli. Fresh, delicious, & nutritious. The deep pink color of the sauce is similar to vodka sauce yet this dish is cooked with love an ingredient that you can't buy.
The Italian bread was served warm held by the linen lined basket. Over a week later I am remembering my new friends Alezar & Oscar, whom made my culinary experience a pure delight! Spumani is an unexpected delight which sits next to the beauty store on San Vicente & Barrington Ave.

Memorable/Simply Wholesome

Finally, a perfect meal at Simply Wholesome off Slauson and Hill. Umm umm good! I was starving and fatigued from my recent trip to Vegas to visit my father. I couldn't decide what to order and received some help from the young man working there. I was hesitant to order the blackened fish, thinking that it might be too spicy for my gastrointestinal system to handle but boy was I wrong. I'm still thinkin about it,. Dude, it was the best sauce that I've ever eaten, and no I wasn't that hungry. The fish was moist and delicate and an ample amount. It was served with vegetables and spinach. My first thought was to grab the hot sauce and salt & pepper but I hesitated until I took the first bite of a piece of zucchinni, damn that was good and cooked perfectly. I'm still remembering that unexpected lunch. I don't work in the area anymore and haven't been back, but I definitely will return.