JIM DANDY CHICKEN/Vermont Maybe

What can I say.  If you can get past the double-pane bullet-proof windows, then you deserve to be here.  This didn't intimidate me but the pass through cash/food thing was a bit much.  It less it was a clean transaction.  I ordered the fried chicken, corn fritters and slaw, I think.  Everything was scrumptious.  The chicken was light and crispy on the outside, and juicy and tender in the inside.  It doesn't get better than this.  I just saw Jim Dandy Chicken on a movie, called, "Inappropriate Humor", even saw my local Kosher market.  Surprise!  Well, this chicken rocks others, by far.  The corn fritters are addictively good.  I just love coming here as long as there an't any homies lookin for a free ride off me.  Later alligator, this chick is pronto bimanous.  I don't work in the area anymore but I will make a special trip of returning.  You rate a 10.  Bravo!

BISTRO LAURENT

3936 Sepulveda Blvd.  Culver City  I found this restaurant by accident, working one day and getting ready to enter the 405 freeway. I parked my car in front.  Their was only a couple of other people in the restaurant.  Laurent was friendly and gracious.   I ordered an egg scramble, recommended by Laurent.  I loved the paper covering on the table, utilizing this negative space for the crust bread, that is delicious.  I ate it all!  They have a great bakery.  The almond chocolate or chocolate Danish is divine.  As I gazed at the interesting art work of Italian families adorning the wall, it created a feeling of their presence.  My scramble came and it looked and tasted great.  I will definitely go back, and actually have in between my first visit and the time it took to write this blog.  By the way, Laurent started in the farmer's market, good for him.

PITFIRE ARTISAN PIZZA

What stands out here, is the outstanding young men that work here.  One young man spoke on simple spiritual matters, making a real connection with me, making me want to return.  I left my temporary job and haven't gone back yet.  Oh yes, the pizza, it's that bubble style, where the dough puffs up.    I ordered some fancy, green vegetable, daily special pizza.  I don't remember the vegetable, maybe it was Chinese broccoli.   I wouldn't order it again but I love all of the other combinations that they do.  The décor is especially nice.  It is open yet warm and comfortable feeling.  The chairs could be more comfortable but okay.  I sat at a communal table until a single opened up, which was a pleasant feel with nice down to earth folks.

THE SLICE

915 Wilshire Blvd.  I had a gift certificate for $5.00 from my frequent flyer miles.  How do you like that?  I got a  slice of cheese, and a slice of pepperoni.  The owner, (I think) was super nice to me.  I chatted him up, of course.  They have a narrow, little tropical space on their side, and a couple of tables outdoors.  It looks like a Starbucks, a little.  The cheese slice was uneventful but the pepperoni was outstanding.  I had the meatballs the next day, they were good enough, but lacked seasoning and flavor with Italian heart. 

LAZY DAISY CAFE

The Lazy Daisy Café is consistent, so now I know what to order.  The chicken cobb salad is always good and fresh.  The salmon salad is also very good with a great mix of vegetables.  I find myself craving it's nourishing ingredients.   I also like their egg dishes, for instance, the eggs benedict, and the breakfast burrito.  At lunch they serve fresh pico de gallo.   Service does lag at times, but the staff works real hard at serving many people at a time, and works well together.   For the most part they are consistent, but careful to order the dishes that you know you like. 

Z GARDEN

2350 Pico Boulevard, in Santa Monica.  Chicken Chawarma Pita Sandwich, delicious, moist tender sautéed marinated strips, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, parsley and garlic sauce.  Yum Yum!  The French fries were the bomb, with something like Old Bay Seasoning on it.  The water was infused with cucumber and lemon, no one does that.  What a nice addition, and I haven't been back!!!  This little gem should be found.  My friend at Massage Central told me that she lives nearby Z Garden, and  frequents it often with her husband.  I know that my friend likes good, fresh food.  She also recommended Native Foods which I also liked very much, for different reasons.

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.