Tasty Wok Chinese Fast Food

TASTY WOK rates supreme.  It's high quality chinese food is at 11628 Santa Monica Bld. in West Los Angeles, east of Barrington.  The new owner does a great job of making good, fresh food, or as fresh as you can get with fast food.  They take pride in their restaurant by caring for the food upmost, but the appearance of the restaurant, and their customers.  My plate came plump, and full-sized.  I had kung pao chicken that had ample pieces of chicken and a good selection of vegetables and peanuts. 
The fried rice was also with many vegetables, peas & carrots, and moist. 
With a two item meal I am sated, and most importantly, I felt great after eating this meal.
Thumbs up!

Renewed Experience

I had to have another restaurant experience in order to get the bad taste out of my mouth and mind from the Lazy Daisy.  I went to Sian Chan.  I have been going there for over ten years and with maybe two different owners.  Today was the best experience of service and food taste and presentation.  I wished that I would have brought my camera.  The plate was full and consisting of a small porcelain dish containing the ginger chicken, the green salad, white rice, and an egg roll.
The ginger chicken was incredible.  There were many nicely sized pieces of chicken in a vegetable laden aromatic bath.  Delicately sliced ginger, scallion, and black mushroom, in a rich, clear broth.
The mushroom added texture to the dish and the crunch of it was delightful.  I think the mushroom made this dish come alive.
Surprisingly, the white rice was superb.  It was plump and a little sticky, perfectly cooked and delicious to eat by itself, or to add chili paste.  I let the egg roll cool down and now I took a bite, after dipping it in the sweet sauce.  It was so fresh, a great size, and filled with more great vegetables.
I saved the large sized salad for last in order to savour the hot ginger chicken dish.  It was the right idea.  The salad was refreshing with it's coolness and peanut- dressing, especially after eating hot food.  I couldn't compliment the waitress enough.  Their service and spirit were contagious, responding with gratitude and loving kindness.  More than I ever expected from a lunch special meal.  Oh, yes, I forgot to say that the lunch special was over 15 minutes after I arrived, but after asking for a grace period of time, they agreed.  Thank you Sian Chan for healing me from an earlier in the day disappointment.

Lazy Daisy Fits It's Name

When I tried to communicate to the waiter that I enjoyed a good omelet, and what did you recommend.  I also stated that I don't go out much since I am unemployed.  He began to recommend several different categories and not mentioning the omelets, somehow glazing over what I had just said.  When I redirected him he then named the three of four omelet choices that I could read myself.  There was nothing to make them stand out, so I asked what ingredients were fresh and good.  I mentioned the chorizo, sausage, and spinach.  I said that I though their omelet list had too many ingredients in them, confusing the palate.   When I mentioned that I could make my own with three ingredients, he said yes.  I ordered sausage, mushroom, and spinach, adding cheddar cheese.  With my bread choices I asked if it was their rosemary, or ? bread that they were known for.  He didn't have a clue.  After realizing that I ordered four items I asked for the waiter to see me so that I could delete one item.  My food was then served by another server.  I took one bite of the potatoes and they were cold.  When they brought my plate back after warming, it was missing the toast.  Noone came to ask if I liked my food.  I saw the waiter but he was busy outside with one or two other tables.  The place was quiet.  When I asked the waiter where he went and that I needed his help he retorted that he was on a break.  He assured me that he left others in charge.  I said no one came over to me.  He then had the gull to say that he had other tables to wait on.  I got mad at this comment and said, "so I am not important".  Then I went into the need to ask about the fourth item and how I didn't  want to spend additional monies on it and couldn't change it due to lack of service.  He said" everybody that eats here knows how many items and how much and that's the going price around town.  Now I was really angry because he couldn't just say that he was sorry and move on, or maybe offer me a free drink.  The lady that took my plate earlier  had a conversation with the waiter and another person on the side bar, and now I really felt uncomfortable.  The omelet was very good but at this point I couldn't eat it without getting heartburn.  I sat quietly and patiently for some time when he came over to give me the check, not asking to take it to go.  So when I requested to take it to go that I wanted to finish it at home, still no apologies, just packed me up to go.  This was probably one of my worst customer service experiences ever.  It reminded me of Hell's Kitchen show where the staff is observed and they are appalled at the attitude that some of these servers give their customers.  What happened to the day when, the customer is always right.  I didn't treat myself to a breakfast out to get into an argument with the waiter.  Lazy Daisy fits it's name as the waiter leaves the customer to go take a break.  I only wish, that service like this, he takes a long break, away from the restaurant and service industry.

Ramen Jinya

I''m at Jinya Ramen Bar, finally.  After reading Jonathan Gold's review in July's LA Weekly.  It's on Sawtelle Blvd., South of Olympic, by Marshalls.  I ordered the tan tan men ramen.  It has a distinct flavor, nutty, a little peanuty.  The tan tan men is a classic dish, originating from Japan.  It is served dry, without broth, which was differnet for me, and I missed the broth it a little.  It is served with ground pork, tokyo negri, which I thought gave it the spicy heat.  Later I found out that tokyo negri is merely scallion onion.  It's the chili oil that brings on the heat of this dish.  The flavor is one that I may crave later or totally forget about.
     Their spicy miso tonkotsu or spicy chikcken ramen is something that I would try in the future.
The size of the noodles vary from thin to thicker, more traditional ramen style.  Miguel was a helpful, friendly person.  When I first walked in he was attentive, and described the menu to me.  When I went to wash my hands prior to the meal I saw Jonathan Gold's review in a glass frame, on the wall.  Out from the kitchen came Victor, whom I chatted with, sharing a love of food, and life, what a pleasure!
     When I returned to my seat Miguel said that he brought me a salad with delicious miso dressing, to try.  My dish is really quite rich, perhaps needing an acquired taste.  It is accompanied by bok choy, red bell pepper, placed diagonally on top of the meat.  It was a pretty presentation and the red pepper added color but the taste did not fit with the other ingredients.
     Leaving, I met Shiyon, the kitchen manager, whom has personally met Jonathan Gold on several occassions, at events.  He spoke of the gold standard that Jonathan uses to give his, so called, stamp of approval.  Jinya has it's first restaurant which is in a city that I forget the name of, sorry.  Giovanni said hello also and when I shook his hands they were the softest.
The food was as good as the friendly staff, perhaps even better.  Bravo!

Rosemary's Grill

Follow the messages and signs that the day reveals to you.  The two friendly, and helpful woman that work at Massage Central in the mini-mall on Santa Monica Blvd. where Rosemary's Grill is, highly recommended their food.

I walked through the doorway to enter Rosemary's to notice a lucky horseshoe carved into the floor.  I knew that I was in the right place.  I ordered the barley soup in honor and memory of the recent passing of my father.  He loved a good hearty barley soup.

Love at first bite, with the barley soup.  It's beautiful presentation, with rich golden color was very appealing to the eye.  The soup's taste was most delicate, and with perfect texture.  It had nice heat from the spices.  It was layered with many spices; cumin, coriander, pepper, and cayenne, with a sliver of parsley on the top.  I added salt for my liking. 

I am used to a deli barley soup, heavy thickness, with no love added to it.  Rosemary's soup was not too heavy, and with generous helpings of love and care.  You could tell by the small diced carrot, and vegetables, along with the taste.  It was very delicious and I can still remember it. 

Rosemary's has been open since April 9th, and Rosemary's son Sam and her husband, (forgive me for not asking his name) do the cooking in the kitchen. 

They are open late, and 7 days a week, wow!

After following my new friend’s recommendation, I see perhaps my father lead me here, just over the barley soup.  I can’t wait to come back to Rosemary's Grill where the vibes are as good as the food.

Veggie Grill/The Perfect Indulgence

I had one my best experience at the Veggie Grill on Wishire Boulevard, about 20th Street, in Santa Monica.  I have gone there since they opened, maybe over a year ago.  It is a chain health food restaurant.  I ordered the chili but it was not hot, only lukewarm.  It was a healthy chili, with kidney and pinto beans in a rich tomato sauce.  It had just the right amount of seasonings.  There was a small dizzling of sour cream on top, with scallions.
I hate to complain, but the waiter said, "we aim to please".  He even waited while I tried the fresh batch.  Piping hot, and it's looks changed a bit.  They added diced red onion, which didn't blend well with the scallion.  It was served with a fried pita chip.  This time it came with white and black poppy seeds laying ontop, sprinkling everywhere when I took a bite.  There were so many seeds on the table, the floor, and my lap, that I started to laugh.
I ordered one of my favorites, sweet potato fries, "they are the bomb".  I love the spicy hot chipotle  dressing that comes with it.  This time it wasn't as spicy.  I was advised to ask for the spicy vegan mayo the next time because it was made with fresh chipotle chilis.
The family that I met next to me added to my day.  I had guessed what the little girl was having for lunch, mac n cheese.  She didn't confirm that I was correct, but her Dad did.  After they finished eating she came in my direction, surprising me with a hug.  When I asked what the hug was for, she said, for guessing".  Her older brother then engaged with me about mango tea with the strawberry lemonade.  He was right, it was a winner.  He reached out and gave me a hug too, when I was leaving.  So sweet, leaving a good feeling with a good meal.

Chutney's Indian Fast Food

Chutney's Indian Restaurant has been at Pico and Barrington since 1984, if I remember correctly.  I have frequented the restaurant in the mini-mall submerged in between  La Flama Tacos and Subway.

It was my second day of eating hot and spicy food in order to stabilize my internal thermostat due to a Southern Los Angeles heat wave.  The time before, when I was there I stepped on chewing gum before I entered and was complaining about it when the owner greeted me with a warm and welcome smile and I instantly felt better.  He is always super nice.  I enjoy watching Indian television of dancing or comedy shows on his flat screen television.

I ordered the lunch special which is ridiculously inexpensive.  They finally raised the price from $2.99 to $3.49.  You get a quarter of a chicken, nan bread, and green salad. Today's visit was exceptional because everything I tasted was perfect and the suggestion of the iced chai tea added to the meal so much!

My first bite was of the nan and it was hot, just from the oven.  I dipped it into the sweet chutney first and poured the second one on my green salad adorned with strips of crisp, fresh, onion.  You get both a green salad and a corn and shredded carrot salad, both very refreshing.  I poured the chutney made of cilantro and yogurt on it.  My next bite was of the chicken leg.  Oh my God, the chicken had a wonderful crisp to the skin and the meat inside was so tender, juicy, and piping hot.  I savoured each bite and ate the chicken down to the bone,  like my Dad taught me.  My Dad used to say, " the meat is sweeter near the bone".  He was always right, and owned a restaurant himself.  I enjoyed this simple meal so much, if someone watched me they would think that I hadn't eaten in a week.  I felt completely sated after this meal and look forward to going back.