Rosti - Calabasas, CA

A couple days ago I had to make a trip to LAX to pick up my dear friend Dana. The trip was an exhausting one for the both of us and we were craving a nice lunch. Dana had been to Rosti before and wanted to share her experience with me. Upon entering you can see that it is a casual eatery featuring Tuscan cuisine. 

After reviewing the two sided menu and reading through selection after selection of salads, pizzas, sandwiches and pastas I was totally undecided on what I should order. After a few bites of the bread that was brought to the table I knew what I was going to go for...

You know I am a total sauce girl so when I saw the Tilapia with Spicy Pink Mushroom Sauce I thought that might be worth a try. The sauce was in fact a little spicy, but mostly totally flavorful from the rich mushrooms. The sauce leaned heavy on the salty side but as I ate it with bites of fish and mashed potato I thought it was a perfect component to the dish. I ordered sauteed spinach with roasted garlic with it as a side and did have a couple bites. The entire plate was a win as a whole!

 Now this dish is so Dana. She loves a good Caprese Sandwich but when you add Milanese to the party it is just awesome! The breaded chicken cutlet, mozzarella, arugula, tomatoes and pesto on the ciabata baked in house was crazy good. French fries were served on the side and could not have been better. Hot, crispy and salty!!

I left feeling full and totally satisfied. That is the way you want to feel leaving any restaurant but on this day it just felt lovely because it was also affordable. I cannot wait to go back and explore the menu further, the salads in particular all sounded amazing. Ciao!

Rocio's Mole De Los Dioses - Sun Valley, CA

I have read about Rocio's "Mole of the god's" on many LA based food blogs as well as LA Magazine's "Best Ever's..." so I wanted to try it myself. My husband's plane was delayed in Burbank one afternoon so I decided that was the day. I sat down and was welcomed with a shrimp broth. It was warm and very concentrated. Not the best thing ever, but interesting.

They have a huge selection of mole's to try but I decided to go with the original - the basic - that won the big LA eat off. I paired it with a choice protein of chicken. I thought it was blah. It definitely was mole, and i like mole, but there truly was not anything that set it apart from other mole's I have had. The chicken was cooked nicely and paired well with the rice.

They brought out cactus tortillas to mop up the mole and I thought they were beautiful. 

I left feeling bummed. I had such high expectations of this being a magic mole experience. I should have went for the super spicy one they warned people about on the menu. I think what I was missing was a little spice. It lacked heat. 

Onto the next adventure...

Casa Vega - Sherman Oaks, CA

I was down in Los Angeles last week and finally had the opportunity to visit Casa Vega. The owner is a friend of a friend and came highly reccomended. So I swung off the highway and made my way to the restaurant. The building was on a corner lot and actually had parking. I noticed parking comes at such a high premium in Southern California! It was hot outside that day, so walking into this dark restaurant instantly cooled me off, I like the dim interior... It made me feel like I entered into the past.

Chips and salsa came out immediately and I was grateful. I was starving! Upon shoveling a few bites into my mouth I realized just how spicy the salsa was. Wowza, it has some kick!

I talked myself into ordering the Crab and Shrimp Enchiladas when I truly was craving the shredded beef. I hop on the seafood bandwagon too often, I was looking to seek myself into comforting like slow roasted beef but i got the seafood enchiladas and they were just fine. They are very large, so eating two would take one hearty appetite. The beans were exceptionally good and the rice was too.

All in all what a fantastic meal. I am so happy it came recommended to me and it is always great to support a family owned restaurant operating for generations!

Pizzeria Mozza - Los Angeles, CA

On Monday these three amigos had quite an experience. We were given the opportunity to audition for a Food Network Show! Wahoo! Fingers crossed as we wait to hear back...

While we were in Los Angeles, I figured we could dine at a restaurant I have had my eyes on for quite sometime... Pizzeria Mozza - By Mario Batali.

To celebrate our successful interview we decided to order a glass of prosecco... cheers! I later, accidentally spilled mine! Oops.

We all ordered pizza. Holly is in love with Brussels Sprouts so that was her choice.

Rose went for the Mushroom and Fontina. 

Napolitana which featured mozzarella, anchovies, olives and fried capers. Strangely almost one slice in to eating this pizza my nose began running and I started sneezing profusely. It was almost like I was allergic to something. Oh god, say it isn't so... I love all those ingredients and would be very sad if it were to become true.

Last but not least, Butterscotch Budino. I have read about this dessert for years and I finally got to try it. It was good, really tasty. Was it better than the budino that I had at Artisan, Paso Robles last year? No. 

Keep doing your thing Pizzeria Mozza! The lunch service was packed and it looked like business was going strong. I was thankful for the experience and the opportunity to eat there.

Thank you Rose for lunch! 

Caffe Concerto - Los Angeles, CA

After I had my French Dip I decided I may need something sweet. After doing a review on the closest macaron in the area it took me to Korea Town. I was just traveling the countries via LA! Lol. I pulled in Cafe Concerto after driving street after street, advertising "The best Pho", "24 Hour Pho"... And a lot of stuff that I couldn't translate. 

I pulled up to Cafe Concerto and it was beautiful. The flavors I picked were: Lavender, Blueberry, Strawberry, two Pistachio and Vanilla Creme. They were all delightful! 

Philippe The Original - Los Angeles, CA

I have always loved French Dips. Dipping in extra sides of au jus was my favorite. When I realized after dropping Scott off at the airport that I was only about 12 miles away from Philippe's - Home to the Original French Dip I was all in... I was directed through traffic in Chinatown, scoured a parking spot and made my way in...

There were six lines working and packed! Sawdust on the floor and cash in my hand I was ready.

I got a few extras in addition to my Double Dip Beef Dip. I got the chili straight, potato salad, a Wind and Sea Beer and my old stand by, Dr. Pepper. The beer was gross, one sip and I turned it away. The chili was smokey, not spicy. I wish there was more kick. The potato salad was marginal.

And how was the dip you ask? 

Well, it was ok. The au jus was not very flavorful and meat just ok. I really prefer to dip my own sandwich so I felt a little cheated the experience. I was not overwhelmed by flavor but I was thrilled to have made the journey, try a classic and explore Southern California.

It really was a special day!

Yum Yum Yogurt - Encino, CA

Yum Yum! This one was for you Dicki!