Sunday Brunch Maple Block BBQ

It was NFL playoff Sunday yesterday, so when deciding where to eat for brunch, my football loving friends all wanted to watch the game. Thankfully Maple Block has several big screens set up, so that anyone who wanted to feed their sports addiction while they ate, could do so :)

Some diners wore their team jerseys to eat, while others showed their support by cheering their teams on good plays. I have no allegiance to any team other than a team of great restaurant workers and owners, so Maple Block was a sure win for me!

Their Maple Block breakfast is composed of eggs, bacon, biscuit, and either tomatoes or potatoes for $16 that will satisfy any appetite for a classic American breakfast done expertly using quality ingredients.

I chose the Brioche French Toast with berries for $15.50 which included grade A Vermont Maple syrup. The portion was so generous and delicious that I took half of it home :)

Seeing the grill set up on the patio and other tables getting the special Maple Block smash burger (sometimes one person ate more than one burger...) Made us order the brisket, chuck and short rib, with onion jam, aged cheddar, and special sauce for $12 . The yummy sounds made with each bite almost drowned out the game on tv :) I got to try a taste and it was a great burger, but since I don't like sweet pickles, I would hold them and replace them with regular pickles. 

I know I am a bit strange to have no interest in either football nor sweet pickles, but that leaves both for everyone else to enjoy as I enjoy my wonderful brunch outdoors on a beautiful 70 F day in LA :)

Venice Noodles

It's a wonderful surprise when I find a new place nearby that serves good take out food. Venice Noodles is almost walking distance away (it would be a wonderful walk if my hips and knees would agree to ANY walk), but that just means it's an easy 5 minute drive to pick up food :) The name is because it is on Venice Blvd, not because it serves noodles as you might find in Venice!

Their large shrimp wonton for $14 was masterfully packaged with the soup in a separate container UNDERNEATH the wontons and bok choy! It added to the take out experience so much that I wish all restaurants would adopt this brilliant container! Unfortunately the soup was sweet, but overall the wontons and bok choy were good, so I would say order it if you don't mind a slightly sweet soup.

Their salad rolls are freshly made, light, and refreshing bites for $8. 

A mixed vegetables with rice for $13 was simple but again used fresh ingredients.

Pad Thai for $13 was very nicely done, as you would expect from a place that has "noodles" in its name! 

Pad See Ew for $13 was very tasty, again with fresh ingredients and it was a generous helping.

Venice Noodles definitely made my rotation list, with friendly service, fresh ingredients, and a very close location (street parking only).

Alta West Adams

I've been wanting to try Alta since they opened, and I am so glad that I finally made the time to go; I was so impressed by their food that I went back twice the same week! 

It's better to make a reservation no matter when you want to go because chances are there will be a wait. Note that their reservation system will charge your card $45 for a no show if you do not change or cancel your reservation more than 24 hours in advance.

The main outdoor patio is my preferred seating area, but to be avoided on the rare rainy days in Los Angeles. Also to be avoided, the tables by the right rear ramp, which is unpleasantly close to odors emanating from the back alley :(

One visit started with their house salad for $14 that was easily enough to share or could be a meal if you want to add some protein to the greens for a supplement. The dressing had a slightly smoky flavor that enhanced the greens in a very unique way and became addictive as I ate more of the salad.

I was very hungry so I chose deviled eggs for $9 which were a creamy and satisfying appetizer.

I usually don't like black eyed peas, but these fritters for $10 were black eyed peas I would eat any day, especially with the bright fresh herb sauce accompaniment.

My only disappointment were the oxtails for $34, the flavors were superb, but the oxtails needed much more time to become tender and for the wonderful gelatinous nature of the bones revealed themselves. Another 2 hours or more of slow braise would have made this wonderful. 

Their fried chicken was my favorite dish, either as a combo (I chose rice and beans and collard greens) for $28, or solo on either 3 or 6 piece plates.

I loved the red beans and rice and collard greens so much I ordered both side orders to go as well :)

For vegetarians, the California gombo for $21 is a comforting, delicious way to eat your vegetables. You can add tofu, chicken or shrimp for a supplement for $7-10 and make this even an heartier dish.

Service was excellent, even though a rainstorm caught everyone off guard and the shuffle of personnel from patio to dining area was unorganized and had our table served by 5 different people, everyone was helpful, professional, and did what they could to make the transition easier than sitting in the rain outside.

As the rain started to getting worse, I sipped on a wonderful glass of Nessun Dorma (which they also sell next door at their wine shop by the bottle) waiting for the rain to stop while enjoying the warmth of good food and good company.

French Miso Palm Springs

It's been over 2 years since I've seen most of my friends so on my trip to Palm Springs, it was nice to catch up with friends who live in the high desert after getting fully vaccinated with a booster. Champagne was the drink of choice for brunch at French Miso, which recently reopened for diners in their lovely courtyard location downtown. The Monthuy's Brut was only $56 and we could have easily drunk a second bottle! 

Booking a reservation and going as early as possible are keys to enjoying brunch here since they had already sold out of several items (including croissants!) by 1pm. 

Their menu changes constantly, but the day were went, these were the selections; we got the last order of Merguez, they were out of the Bento and Chicken Paillard, and no croissants or pain au chocolat :(

The herb omelette was nice light traditional fare with delicate herbs for $17.

Traditional eggs and bacon for $11 the purists.

I got the last order of Merguez (lamb sausage) with beautiful tender beans and a sunny side egg for $18 :)

Lovely service, a beautiful courtyard, and delicious food with friends made it the perfect way to spend a Sunday away from Los Angeles!

Ristorante Mamma Gina's Palm Desert

When a friend who has lived in Italy and speaks Italian recommends a place I am not familiar with, I take the suggestion as a "must try" as soon as I am in the area. Ristorante Mama Gina in Palm Desert was my first meal upon arriving at Hotel Paseo, and it seemed fated as it was literally 1 block away! 

Because of the rain and traffic that day, I wasn't sure how long it would take to get to Palm Desert, so I didn't make a reservation. It took about 3.5 hours to make the drive, so they were completely booked all night in the dining room, even at 6pm on a Thursday! The gracious host suggested putting a name on the chalkboard by the bar and trying to get a seat in that area. The entire place a jammed on both sides and in Palm Desert at the time, nearly no one was wearing masks or social distancing, so I was a bit reluctant to wait and eat there, but after the drive and seeing all the plates coming out of the kitchen, I opted to stay. It was actually only about 15 minutes later that the bar hostess sat us in the sidewalk patio part of the bar and I felt much more at ease with the spaces between the tables and some very friendly diners eating next to us who told us what they had ordered and how much they enjoyed it.

The Caesar salad for $8.50 was small and simple.

The calamari for $13 was nicely crisp and tender on the inside, and I was very relieved to find tentacles (my favorite part) on the plate.

I got the grilled shrimp skewer with spinach side for $12.75 and found both the shrimp and the spinach perfectly done with plenty of flavor and good seasoning without either being overcooked.

My friend got the veal scallopine for $19.90 with a mushroom medley, served with a side of spinach and mashed potatoes and devoured the entire plate. I managed to get a bit of the mushrooms and it was magnificent!

I'm looking forward to a return trip to the desert, to try the main dining area (WITH a reservation) and some of their pasta dishes, which tempted me every time the waiter walked by with a plate:)