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Monday, June 29, 2009

Conservatory for Coffee


The Conservatory for Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa has been part of the Culver City community for over twelve years. They pride themselves on making perfect batches tailored not just to the standard fare, but quality roasts that speak for themselves, uniquely branded as comforting, custom blends.

In the summer I love their Vanilla Iced Latte. Unlike some coffee chains that blend their drinks with ice, The Conservatory's version blends vanilla with milk then pours that mixture over ice and floats a few shots of their delicous espresso on top. So good. (Note to first timers: i ask for 1/2 the powder so as to enjoy the coffee flavor more than the sweetness)

The Conservatory for Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa / 10117 Washington Blvd / Culver City, CA 90232 / 310.558.0436 / www.conservatorycoffeeandtea.com

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Saturday, June 27, 2009

Yamashiro’s Pagoda Bar


Sunday BBQ at Yamashiro’s Pagoda Bar

The new and improved Pagoda Bar at Hollywood’s historic Yamashiro has kicked off summer with its BBQ pool parties. Every Sunday from 2-5pm, Executive Chef Jason Park is grilling up $3 cheeseburger sliders and Kurobuta carnita sandwiches served with a side of Asian coleslaw and house made pickles. Enjoy muddled cocktails like the strawberry Basil-Jito, Glover’s Gimlet, or one of Norman’s famous Mai Tais...

Get the full scoop at my buddy Mattyshack's DigLounge


Yamashiro's Pagoda Bar / 1999 N. Sycamore Avenue / Hollywood, CA 90068 / 323.466.5125 / www.thepagodabar.com

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Friday, June 26, 2009

Breed Street Food Fair

A portal into Mexico. Right in East LA, exploring the street food of Mexico and beyond.


More info online at these sites:
Beed Street at Rants & Craves
Beed Street at Chowhound
Beed Street at Exile Kiss
Beed Street at Eat Drink & Be Merry








Breed Street Food Fair
Breed Street at Cesar Chavez, across from Big Buy Foods
Every Thursday-Sunday from 7-10 pm
link to map on Yelp.com

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Monday, June 22, 2009

Washington, D.C.

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant

Dukem (pronounced DUK-em) named after a small city south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital. The name "Dukem" brings nostalgic memories of the best 'Tire Siga' ( fresh red meat ) -a delicacy; it also brings up memories of leisure weekend travel as most families, friends that travel to the resort areas of Nazareth, Sodere, Langano and Awasa stop by Dukem on the way back to Addis Ababa.

It is with this tradition of Dukem city that Dukem Restaurant is founded in Washington DC. For most Ethiopians when they are at Dukem Restaurant they feel like they are back in Ethiopia as they meet and see old friends, catch up on family and friends separated by the Career focused busy American way of life. It's this reason why most out of towners stop by Dukem first as they arrive to DC and why they make Dukem their last stop on their departure from the city.


Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant / 1114 - 1118 U Street (12th Street NW) / Washington D.C. 20009 / 202-667-8735 / www.dukemrestaurant.com

Hours of Operation
We serve all 365 days:
Sunday - Thursday 11am - 2am
Friday - Saturday 11am - 3am
(Kitchen closes 1hr before closing time)
Carry Out: 9am - Midnight




Ben's Chili Bowl

Since 1958, Ben's Chili Bowl has become a landmark restaurant in Washington, D.C. Located at 1213 U Street, N.W., Ben's sits next to the historic Lincoln Theatre on one side, and a new Ben's owned restaurant & bar called Next Door on the other.
Known locally and nationally for their famous chili half-smokes, chili dogs, milkshakes, and rich history. Locals, politicians, celebrities and tourists all flock to Ben's for the great food, service and family atmosphere.










The Original Ben’s Chili Bowl (since 1958) / 1213 U Street, NW / Washington, D.C.20009 / 202-667-0909 / www.benschilibowl.com

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Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Flagstaff, Arizona

Brandy's Restaurant & Bakery

Great food (watch video below for details) and a great coffee bar as well as 12-time "Best of Flagstaff" award winner, including...
BEST BREAKFAST & LUNCH 2008

I think i tried everything you see in this video:


Brandy's Restaurant & Bakery / 1500 E Cedar Ave. / Flagstaff, AZ 86004 / 928.779.2187 / www.brandysrestaurant.com / link to menu



Macy's European Coffee House

Skip Starbuck's when in Flagstaff and head immediately to Macy's instead. Opened by native Californian Tim Macy in downtown Flagstaff in 1980, Macy’s was the first commercial coffee roaster in Arizona. On any given visit you’ll find a random mix of students, professionals, tourists, skiers and rafters enjoying good food and great coffee.

Currently fourty people comprise the Macy’s team. Their Bakers use the finest, freshest ingredients they can find and take great pride in creating classic baked goods like pies, tarts, layer cakes, cheese cakes, brownies and cookies (with an all-vegetarian menu featuring an assortment of wheat-free, dairy-free and vegan options).


Macy's European Coffee House / 14 S Beaver St. / Flagstaff, AZ 86001 / 928.774.2243 / www.macyscoffee.net



Navajo Tacos @ Cameron Trading Post

Cameron Trading Post / 466 HWY 89 / Cameron, AZ 86020 / 877-608-3491 / www.camerontradingpost.com


Flagstaff was Featured in Esquire's
Great Places to Discover on a Last-Minute Summer Road Trip

Flagstaff, Arizona
Nearest highway: I-17
You're bringing: Friends
Suggested length of stay: Three days

There is a reason my parents wouldn't let me go to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff: They would've had to peel me off the hundred-year-old bar floors of Monte Vista or Charley's, former Wild West saloons created back when men knew how to fight and fuck and kill people and look for gold. Or they would have found me using the city as a base camp for plundering the surrounding country; in Sedona, sitting with the mystics in the Red Rocks, or at the Grand Canyon, watching that massive hole in the ground, or heading toward southern Utah along Route 89, where the road curves and wedges between Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. It's maybe forty miles of zigzags, but with the red and pink canyons and arches and mesas goading you at every corner. It's the last great road in America. Then it's back to Charley's. —TYLER CABOT

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Friday, June 05, 2009

National Doughnut Day

When : Always the first Friday in June

National Doughnut Day was established in 1938 by the Chicago Salvation Army to raise much-needed funds during the Great Depression, and to honor the work of World War I Salvation Army volunteers who prepared doughnuts and other foods for thousands of soldiers.

The original Salvation Army Doughnut was first served by Salvation Army in 1917. During WWI, Salvation Army "lassies" were sent to the front lines of Europe. These brave volunteers made home cooked foods, and provided a morale boost to the troops. Often, the doughnuts were cooked in oil inside the of the metal helmet of an American soldier. The American infantrymen were commonly called doughboys. Salvation Army lassies were the only women outside of military personnel allowed to visit the front lines. Lt. Colonel Helen Purviance is considered the Salvation Army's "first doughnut girl".

On National Doughnut Day, look to see if your local doughnut shop, or other organizations, are offering free donuts to solicit donations for the Salvation Army or for another needy cause. If you find them, please be generous.

Note: The word "Doughnut" is often shortened to "Donut. So, if you see the term National Donut Day, its the same day.



Some Great Donut spots in Southern California:

Stan's Donuts
For almost 40 years, Stan's Corner Doughnut Shop of Westwood, California, has baked the world's most gourmet donuts. Every customer finds something to satisfy their donut desires--from a Cinnamon Chocolate Cheese Danish, to an Apple Fritter, to a Reese's Peanut Butter Pocket with fresh banana. Stan's offers donuts you will find nowhere else in the world. You can take a look at our 75+ varieties on this site, and learn more about how Stan's has grown from a small shop frequented by locals, to a nationally-acclaimed donut heaven recognized for creating the world's finest donuts.

http://www.stansdoughnuts.com/


The Donut Man

Donut Man / 915 E. Route 66 / Glendora, California 91741 / 626.335.9111 / Open 24 hours / http://grubinla.blogspot.com/2007/05/donut-man-dips-it-in-dream.html

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Tuesday, June 02, 2009

The Blind Lemon

One of my all-time favorite bars.




The Blind Lemon / 938 Hatch Street / Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 / 513.621.3666 / www.theblindlemon.com

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Monday, June 01, 2009

NEW YORK - May 2009

Milk & Honey

Milk & Honey opened in New York in January 2000 and is located on Manhattan's Lower East Side. Entrance is by referral and appointment only. Many New Yorkers assume that M&H is an urban myth but access is easy for London members seven nights a week until 4am. The place itself is owner Sasha's personal retaliation against celebrity-obsessed nightlife. One of the bar's rules prohibits "name-dropping and starfucking"; only mellow, non-famous folk receive the unlisted address; and all must call ahead to be buzzed in through the surveillance system-equipped door. The space encompasses a candlelit lounge, a four-seat bar and a few reservation-only booths. Sasha himself meticulously prepares each expensive cocktail, with blood oranges for screwdrivers and fresh mint for mojitos. Drinks often arrive with complimentary warm nuts or honey-drizzled sliced fruit. The intended effect is achieved—even a nice nobody can feel like royalty. That is, if you can get on the guest list.

Extra
Despite the fact that everybody's in the same club, groups at Milk and Honey don't tend to mingle. And don't even think of scoring phone numbers: Sasha has ordained that, "Gentleman will not introduce themselves to ladies."


From citysearch - http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/11351686/

* Once buzzed through the unmarked door of this "tailor shop," the lucky few enter a sanctum of hushed reverence. The dimly lit space, which feels trapped in time, has several deep, cozy banquettes and a small bar. A single waiter gently whisks drinks on a candle-lit platter to and from the bar. The only sounds are the murmur of voices and the shaking of cocktails. It's not about being famous, and patrons range wildly in age, dress and social status. The drinks, guided by owner and cocktail celebrity Sasha Petraske's impeccable taste, are renowned for their inventiveness and nuance. There's no drink list; guests can ask for a specific concoction or make general requests about flavors and liquors and wait for the creative returns.

Milk & Honey / 134 Eldridge St. / New York, NY 10002 / 212.625.3397 / http://www.mlkhny.com/newyork/newyork.php




Lupa Osteria Romana




Review
http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/lupa-osteria-romana/

Lupa Osteria Romana / 170 Thompson St., New York, NY 10012 / 212-982-5089 / http://www.luparestaurant.com/


Bread

A stylish, pint-size panini parlor in SoHo that serves more than just paninis. Neighboring Balthazar supplies the ciabatta rolls and baguettes—the crusty building blocks for a dozen or so terrific, beautifully presented Italian sandwiches. Sandwich standouts include: Sicilian sardines with tomato and "Thai-pepper mayonnaise" on a baguette with a hot and crispy crust but a soft, moist crumb; aged Genoa salami with nutty Taleggio and a swipe of olive tapenade on ciabatta; and rich Italian tuna with lemon dressing on ciabatta.

At night, candles glow against this restaurant's silvery interior. A metallic bar and burnished open kitchen contrast the white-washed brick walls hung with local art, and ethereal indie music enhances the intimate mood. Though the name refers to goods procured from renowned bakery Balthazar down the block, Bread makes a name for itself with fresh and honest Italian fare. The bread stands out in signature sandwiches, but even loaf-less dishes exceed expectations. Don't overlook the ever-popular, marinara-rich tomato soup, thickened with seasonings and Parmesan cheese.


Bread / 20 Spring St. / New York, NY 10012 / 212.334.1015

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