Restaurant Review: Gjelina, Los Angeles, California

My first Los Angeles review is of my recently-discovered new favorite: Gjelina.  Located in Venice, on expensively quaint Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Gjelina is categorized as Mediterranean in flavor; I am not quite sure that it follows Mediterranean cuisine too closely, but the wide variety of flavors and options do mimic the diversity of said region.

Gjelina is rather small, with several smaller tables and two large tables for parties to share or for the larger groups.  It reminded me of Magnolia, which I blogged about several weeks ago, in decor: plenty of wood, and such quirks as the alcohol bottles for water serving and dish towels instead of napkins.  However, Gjelina is much lighter and more airy in terms of atmosphere.

The first time I ventured into this spot, it was about 3 PM and crowded; my friend Torie and I were seated at one of the larger tables, side by side, across from and next to other patrons.  The side-by-side arrangement was a bit awkward, but worked out in the end when the guy next to me passed me his homemade ice cream to finish.  I marveled at the menu for quite awhile before deciding what to order; it was lengthy and had a significant variety of foods and flavors.  I was delighted because there seemed to be far less of what I dislike (onions, mushrooms, beef) than in other restaurants of similar caliber.  I ended up with the artisan cheese plate (a must for me if it is on any menu) and a side of sunchokes (a bit like artichokes but harder in texture).  The cheese plate was delicious, although I have no idea what I was eating and would have preferred some sort of explanation before digging in.  I was pleasantly surprised by the honeycomb that was included on the plate, as it went marvelously with all of the cheese and on the cranberry and walnut toasts.  Also included: almonds, dates, and deliciously oily olives.  I also devoured an interesting orange substance included on the plate, though I do not know what it was (again, some kind of introduction would have been welcome).  I found that the sunchokes, as well as all of the vegetable sides, are probably best shared; they were spicy and very good, but I could only finish about half before I tired of the flavors.

Now, about the ice cream.  Like I said, I did not order it nor did I see it anywhere on the menu, but I was handed a bowl with two small scoops by the person next to me and I was floored by how unique and delicious the tastes were.  The first was an almond-butter flavor topped with salt, and the second was a mint chocolate chip, though not conventional by any means.  The mint was poignant and fresh, not like the sweetness one usually receives from the ice cream flavor.  I recommend asking about the ice cream to anyone going; the scoops are tiny but the flavor is huge.

I went again to Gjelina this weekend, with James.  I was excited to introduce him to my new favorite, and we arrived at about 11:30 AM on Saturday.  We started with coffee (J) and orange juice (me).  The coffee received rave reviews and I must say, the orange juice was impeccable.  I had to, of course, re-order the cheese plate, and this time it was very different.  There was a brie, and James detected that one was sheep's milk; the final two were a cheddar and a bleu.  Again, I really would have liked to have been told what was being served to me.  We loved the cheddar and the brie most (two of my favorites altogether), and again the honeycomb dominated.  I ordered a prosciutto and melon plate for myself--a nice brunch, I thought, while James decided to order heavy and settled on the Niman lamb burger with french fries.  My plate arrived fresh from the charcuterie straight away, but we grew dismayed at the significant wait that accompanied the lamb burger.  I sat, tempted by the fresh melon and prosciutto, waiting for at least fifteen to twenty minutes before James's plate arrived.  We had hit the point where he said, "two minutes and I cancel the order" when the burger was set in front of him.  Also annoying was our over-attentive waiter, who came by more than enough times to ask if our food was satisfactory.  It was.  For the hassle we endured, our food was more than worth it.  My prosciutto was absolutely magnificent; there was hardly any fat on it and it was pure flavor.  Prosciutto and melon is one of my favorite combinations and although it is a simple dish, Gjelina did a fantastic job.  The cantaloupe was light and juicy, almost like the one I ate on the beach in Italy, and its sweetness paired perfectly with the salty ham.

James's lamb burger was also very good, and it tasted almost like pork sausage (to me).  The french fries were nice as well, but what caught our eye was the pizza being served at the table next to us.  We drooled and plotted to order pizza next time we were there, as apparently it is infamously good.  

So, for next time: cheese plate (I cannot help myself), beer or wine (I'll likely be 21 by then!  Also, they are a beer-and-wine-only establishment), and pizza (any kind, any kind at all).  The mushroom and truffle-oil looks very good, except that is it, of course, mushrooms.  The devil.  Anyway, Gjelina: high marks, very good.  Go!  And enjoy the boutique-y Abbot Kinney stores afterwards; the boulevard provides a nice way to walk off the food that just put a smile on your face.

:]

Restaurant Review: Cha Cha Cha, San Francisco, California

Another one of my Haight-favorites (and quite possibly my favorite restaurant in the entire city) is Cha Cha Cha, a Latin (Cuban?) restaurant at Stanyan on the end of Haight.  There is also one in the mission, but I have not visited and would likely be biased in favor of the Haight outpost anyway.  James and I have eaten at Cha Cha Cha many times and have tried just about everything on the menu, yet still we have a hard time ordering (yes--just about everything is THAT good).

The restaurant is crowded, with tables, people, and random "stuff."  Decorations are stuffed onto the walls, crooked and colorful, and the table cloths are made of plastic and busily patterned; all of this adds to the character of the restaurant.  Upon entering, the restaurant will probably be very crowded (for dinner at least)--come prepared to either squeeze into the bar or stand outside, in which case: dress warmly.  Wait times vary significantly; I have waited anywhere from five minutes to an hour in what seemed to be similar crowds.  Make the most of your wait time by ordering a pitcher of their infamous sangria from the bar; it is the most delicious sangria that I have had outside of Spain.  James likes to eat the fruit inside, but I don't recommend it for those who are sensitive to the taste of alcohol.  We counted last time, and a large ($20) pitcher will serve about fourteen small glasses, which, depending on your sensitivity to it, will be good for 2-3 people for the entire meal.

(courtesy the Cha Cha Cha website)

The first time I visited Cha Cha Cha I ordered the black bean soup; it is served with sour cream, and when paired with bread can be a meal in itself.  Trust me, though, you will want to order as many things as possible!  Other favorites from the appetizer menu include: Jamaican jerk chicken, the grilled marinated chicken wings (nice and spicy), the fried new potatoes (infinitely better than they sound), and Spanish rice and black beans (simple yet effective; the black beans at Cha Cha Cha are as superior as black beans can be).  My absolute favorite appetizer, however, and the dish that keeps me coming back nearly every time I'm in the city, is the fried platanos maduros.  I have a deep-seeded love for fried plantains and crave them often, and Cha Cha Cha does one of my best-loved dishes very well.  They are served with the black beans (more of a black bean puree) and sour cream--add a dash of salt and enjoy!  They are an absolute must for anyone who tries Cha Cha Cha.  One appetizer I will advise against is the ceviche; I am not a fan of ceviche in general, but James describes it as bland and lacking in character--two adjectives I do not prefer my food to have.  I have also not tried the mussels or the calamari (not huge on seafood), but James fully endorses both, for all those underwater creature lovers out there.  Honestly, it is hard to go wrong with anything on the menu.

Generally, I've always stuck with a variety of appetizers to share between the table rather than order an entree (primarily because I enjoy the different options), but I have tried the arroz con pollo, which was good, however not fantastic.  Also, the pargo rojo (red snapper) is notable, however the negative comments include it's small size.  The lechon asada (roast pork leg) is probably the best entree to go for, although I have not tried the remaining two; the pork is tender and delicious and it includes my favorites: plantains (although, to be fair, so do the other entrees).

For dessert, absolutely try the el mango tango mango.  It is just big enough to satisfy the sweet tooth without being too filling.  I haven't tried any of the other desserts yet, but I certainly intend to.  The service is fine, however nothing special, and often the host will be absent when you first enter.  Patience is key, especially if it is crowded.  The food is very, very worthy.  Prices are not exceptionally high, but a bill can easily surprise you as all those appetizers and all that sangria quickly adds up. 

I love this restaurant, and I have recommended Cha Cha Cha to everyone in or visiting San Francisco; if you only go to one restaurant there (and are a fan of Latin cuisine), absolutely visit this one.

Mapping out Los Angeles

I'm currently making a rather quality list of restaurant suggestions I have received.  Because most of the restaurants I have in mind to write about are in San Francisco (and I am in Los Angeles), I have decided that I need to explore my own city.  Los Angeles cuisine has plenty of potential, and I have already tasted a morsel of this quality--I cannot wait to try more!


Coming soon...

Restaurant Review: Magnolia Pub and Brewery, San Francisco, California

Because my boyfriend lives just three blocks from the infamous Haight-Ashbury, we spend many of our meals in one of the varied restaurants of the area.  One of our hands-down favorites is Magnolia Pub and Brewery, a small and quirky restaurant and bar on the corner of Haight and Masonic.  I had many times passed over the restaurant upon viewing the menu outside the door, but I am under the impression that the restaurant has undergone a significant makeover since my disregards.

About twenty to twenty-five tables are stuffed inside, and five or so metal tables and chairs are outside for the nicer days on Haight.  Dark wood decorates the interior, bringing the patron mind to reminisce of an old English pub.  Small quirks add finishing touches of charm to Magnolia, such as the dishtowels for napkins and old alcohol bottles for serving water.  They brew their own beer and declare a significant fondness for the drink on their website; I am not twenty-one yet, but intend to try their beer immediately upon turning so.  Judging by the food, I'm assuming their beer is damn good.

The first time James and I tried Magnolia was for lunch; I had a chickpea sandwich that is no longer on the menu and James had the sausage and sauerkraut sandwich.  We vowed to return.  My favorite time to eat there is for breakfast, as they do my favorite meal vast justice with their unique menu items, such as fig-stuffed french toast and crispy pork belly.  I applaud James because he is braver than I am with ordering daunting food; I am always afraid to find a rogue onion that was ignored by the person creating the menu options.  He ordered the crispy pork belly one day for breakfast, and he had a hard time keeping my fork away.  The pork crisps sit atop a bed of black-eyed peas and chimichurri and are coated with a fried egg.  It is an impeccable dish and my favorite from Magnolia.  Highly, highly recommended.

Another excellent (but very very sweet) dish is the stuffed french toast.  What exactly it is stuffed with varies, but whether it is caramelized figs and pear sauce or peaches and apples, it is very good.  It is huge, though, served as giant triangular cakes, and so heed this warning: only order the french toast if you are sharing or if you have a high metabolism and a gigantic sweet tooth.

One dish I will advise future patrons to stay away from is the duck egg and toast.  Perhaps it was just the one day, but Magnolia seems to apply the vinegar quite generously when they poach their eggs; this leaves a very acidic taste in one's mouth--none too pleasant when you are trying to enjoy your eggs.  The staff is very accommodating, however, as when the duck egg was returned, they took off its charge as well as the charges for the two coffee pots we ordered--this brings me to another breakfast staple: coffee.  I don't drink it, but James raves about Magnolia's coffee (Bluebottle), which has apparent San Franciscan fame for being something special.  I prefer the orange juice, which at Magnolia is just sweet enough and not too sour.

Also try the sides; the bacon and homemade sausage are VERY GOOD, but beware of the sausage if you do not like spicy food.  With a side of (non-poached) eggs, it makes a fantastic breakfast.  Sides are also cheap, at $4 each or three for $10.  I have been told the pancakes, while small, are also delicious, but I don't think one can go wrong with much of anything on Magnolia's menu.

For lunch, strong recommendations lie in the fried chicken and blue cheese sandwich and sausage and sauerkraut sandwich, which are both favorites of James.  Their french fries are superb, and it is worth going for lunch just to try them.

But, restaurant-goers, beware!  Come your check, you will find that Magnolia has charged you an extra 4% to donate to their current passion-cause: a San Francisco health care initiative for workers.  They are very involved in liberal causes around San Francisco, and by exploring their website, you can find out more and support them if you desire.

I have not yet tried dinner at Magnolia, but I promise that another update on this magnificent pub will come after my November birthday (my 21st), when I can enjoy their beer and their food.  For now, go!  And enjoy a unique and delicious breakfast (or lunch!).

Restaurant Review: Suppenkuche, San Francisco, California

San Francisco food is widely renowned for its superior quality and variety; this makes it an incredibly fun city to try new restaurants in.  Yesterday, I took to Yelp in search of a new and fun place to lunch.  My boyfriend and I immediately honed in on Suppenkuche, a German restaurant in Hayes Valley.  I was disappointed to see that it was  only open from 5-10 PM, but upon visiting their website I noted that we are in the middle of Oktoberfest, and Suppenkuche is open during special hours (11 AM-2 PM).  Delighted, we set out for Hayes Valley.

Modernly subtle on the outside, it was difficult to find (it is right on the corner of Hayes and Laguna) and very small inside.  I was disappointed to see that every table was full, but a burly host wearing old-school German overalls directed us to join a table next to an already dining couple.  The atmosphere was light and airy but cozy at the same time, as tables crowded the small room.  Sculptures decorated the ceiling, and the air buzzed with chatter.

Suppenkuche offers a wide variety of German beer, served in anything from an oversized mug to a ridiculously gigantic boot.  James and I opted for Spatenmarzen, a medium-brown beer that was surprisingly refreshing (I'm much more partial to lighter beers) and discounted for Oktoberfest.  We spent an oddly long time debating what to order from the very short menu, but finally settled on four things.  For an appetizer, we requested the brezel-a small organic pretzel, and the obatzter-a traditional Bavarian cheese mix consisting of brie and camembert with paprika, organic butter, and onions (which I ignored).  The two went incredibly together, but James and I were sad to see how small our pretzel was.  We observed several other tables receive what seemed to be a two-foot long giant salted pretzel, but apparently this was not even on the menu (so, future Suppenkuche patrons, be aware that there are glorious creations in addition to those already on the menu).  We vowed to order the giant pretzel next time, even if it costs five times what our miniature pretzel cost.

Next, I asked for the Schweinebratensemmel (I had to make a note of that in my phone so I would remember what it was called), a pork and sea salt sandwich, while James ordered Bratwurstsemmel, a simple sausage and sauerkraut sandwich.  We were delighted with what we received: two small sandwiches each, with pork (me) and sausage (James) stuffed between the buns and sauerkraut (James) on the side.  As an ever-growing fan of pork, I was glad to see that there was nothing but pork and some thick chunks of sea salt on my sandwich.  It would have been rather bland, however, without the sweet Bavarian mustard they served me as well--a full jar, with a spoon for spreading.  I have never, ever, ever liked mustard; this mustard, however, was incredible, especially with the pork.  I am not a fan of sauerkraut, but I can say that James's sausage was equally delicious.

Overall, I was very impressed by food at Suppenkuche.  The service and decor were also notable, but the buzz I left with (from the food or the alcohol?) was very satisfying.  Next time, I would like to try the spatzle, which a waiter described to me as a cheese and noodle dish (AKA Madeline Heaven) along with the supergiant pretzel (an update will certainly accompany).  I am fairly sure that the menu we were presented with is a temporary one set out only during the days of Oktoberfest, but I cannot imagine that the quality varies from the dinner menu.  I will not fully endorse the dinner options, however, until I try them.  For now, I can recommend the Oktoberfest lunch to anyone who will be in San Francisco soon; absolutely a noteworthy eatery.  Very high marks.

Introduction

After a recent return from ten weeks of traversing the Mediterranean, I've discovered my fondness for writing about my experiences. In particular, I have found that writing about my travels is not only helpful to my memory and I, but could possibly be helpful for other people as well.

Two of my favorite things in this world are travel and food. This blog will combine the two, consisting of restaurant reviews and my travel chronicles. I have ditched my former informal Semester at Sea blog for this more organized, more focused approach.

I have recently made it my life's goal to visit every country in the world, and so far I have been to fourteen: the United States and the Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Spain, France, Italy and Vatican City, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Egypt, and Morocco. I have several trips planned over the next year, including a road trip through California, Portland, and Washington; a visit to Costa Rica and Nicaragua; my birthright to Israel; and a Semester at Sea reunion voyage to Cabo San Lucas. I will also be visiting Las Vegas for my twenty-first birthday in November and several east coast states in the spring to determine which graduate school I will be attending.

The gaps between my updates regarding my travels will be filled with reviews of restaurants that I enjoy. Primarily they will be restaurants in San Francisco and Los Angeles; others will be featured in travel updates they belong to. I in no way claim to be an expert of food; I do, however, know what I like and hope to speak for and recommend restaurants that I believe deserve praises. Occasionally I may include a negative review, but I prefer to use whatever small power I might have, whether real or imaginary, for good rather than evil. I harbor a rather picky palate, and there are three things I absolutely refuse to eat: onions, mushrooms, and beef. I believe the most successful dishes have none of these things, but will try to maintain objectivity.

Here's to the new venture!

-Madeline Wolff