Back At Marix

Last week JP and I went to Marix. We tried to go to Shake Shack but the idea of waiting in line for an hour when we're hungry is not good for us or society. So we walked back down the street and went to Marix. We looked at the menu and wanted to try something new but eventually we were like “Why are we doing this to ourselves?” We ended up ordering what we got last time. I got a burger and fries. She got a Cubano. And we split these chicken fajitas. Everything was just as good as last time and we left full as hell and continued to have a fun day. This place is really cool by the way. The staff is nice, not pushy and all over you for refills or checking on your order, and its nice and open. You should check it out next time you're in WeHo. And of course we topped it all off with Carmella.

Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake

For my birthday my cousin JP made me a cake. She asked what kind I wanted and I said white cake. For some reason that is my favorite type when someone makes it. I used to make these for myself and I remember one time someone saying “That's sad you have to make yourself a cake.” I was like “Damn it, you aren't making me one!” 

So my cousin that is awesome and one of my favorite people made me a cake and it is delicious. I had two pieces the first night with coffee (like old folks) and more the next day. I know that it is just a cake but to me it is something someone wanted to do for me. Its nice when someone thinks of you and wants to be nice.  

Nanbankan Six Years Later

I can't believe it but its been six years since Cam last brought me to Nanbankan for my birthday. She made reservations because fancy needs that and we got there right on time. We were seated and got to watch the chefs making every meal. And there are a lot of meals. I got some chicken meatballs, shrimp tempura sushi, sashi chicken, and a grilled potato with sour cream. Cam got the best cod I have ever tasted, grilled onion, corn on the cob. I know I am leaving something out. We got Asahi's as well! Everything was awesome! Everything! I love this place. The portions seem small but I assure you that you'll get full. Then we went to Carmella afterward to top off the end of probably my favorite birthday weekend ever.

Chin Chin Birthday

For my birthday I went to Chin Chin on Sunset with JP. I had not been here in years so I was happy to head there again. But first we saw Deadpool and laughed our asses off and I ate popcorn. We were able to be seated immediately and ordered five separate dishes. We got potstickers as well as wontons. Each were super hot. Not taste wise, but heat. That isn't a complaint, just a warning. For main dishes we got...let me see if I can remember the names.

General Tso, orange chicken, and some other chicken something. The two chicken dishes kind of tasted the same but were good and the steak one was a bit sweet. I enjoyed them but today when thinking about this they didn't have the ribs I remember getting here years ago. All of this food tasted better today. The location looks nice but you have to deal with a lot of near fatal accidents on Sunset and random aggressive homeless people. The staff is nice but they come to the table to check on you a little too often. I'm guessing we were checked on close to ten times. This isn't the kind of spot where you can just eat and chill for an hour talking. I still enjoyed myself and the food but again, it tasted even better today.

Laughing At Marix

JP and I went to Marix here in WeHo. I had been here once before but didn't actually look at the menu all that much. We were welcomed in and got to pick our seat. The place was super packed. We sat down and were brought some tortilla chips and salsa that JP loved. I should have had more but I wanted to make room for my burger. Yes, a burger. JP: “Only you would go to a Mexican restaurant and order a burger.” Dante: “Tex-Mex. Its Tex-Mex.” I got the Marix burger with bacon and cheese with fries and damn it was good.

JP got this crazy ass “Cubano” thing that had this steak that was awesome. The rice was good and I got to try chimichurri. Ooh, I loved it so much! Oh, and it had plantains! Versailles used to make really good ones but slipped and now I know I can come here for them and its down the street! Of course we ended up laughing like lunatics while talking. We ended up being there at the busiest part of the day and talked until it cleared out. The waiter was really cool and accommodating to us and I think he loved the fact that we were either laughing or smiling each time he came by. I'll definitely be coming back here.  

Tom Bergin's Fried Chicken Sandwich

Yesterday Cam and I went to Tom Bergin's on Fairfax. We had tried to go before but the place was closed. We parked right outside and got our asses to a comfy booth. We got some drinks (no pictures at the moment) and the fried chicken sandwiches. 

This sandwich is great (not my own picture). This was automatically added to my list of favorite fried chicken along with Poppy + Rose and Plan Check. The atmosphere of the place was cool and the service was good and fast. I'll definitely have to go back to this place again.

Returning To The Counter

Yesterday after a failed attempt at another place Cam and I headed to The Counter over on Wilshire. I had stopped going for a while after going all the damned time because the service had dropped considerably but the last few times I've gone its been really good. We started with the Allagash White's because we're grown ass adults. She got the original style burger in turkey form I believe and I got the Korean BBQ burger. That thing is so damned good. We also got fries but we started plowing into them before I thought to even get a picture. It was President's Day so the place was filled with families and children. Like, an exorbitant amount of them. I was telling my cousin about this and how when I was little Taco Bell and McDonald's were a big deal. My parents never would have taken me to a place like this. No kid can appreciate a $10 burger I don't care what you say. We still enjoyed ourselves and had fun catching up.  

Homemade Fancy Macaroni And Cheese

The other day I went to hang out with Mrs. G. and we made some fancy ass macaroni. I'll include the ingredients so you can make it if you want. We also added a little extra and less of some things. We have been planning this for weeks and I am so glad that we got to make it. We rounded down our choices to two different types of macaroni and each had bacon because bacon is magic. We added turkey sausage and took out the massive amount of arugula that the ingredients called for because that vegetable smells like feet.

This ended up being a massive amount of food. We had seconds and possibly thirds of it. We may or may not have also made brownies. I have some of this in my fridge as leftovers and this is enough food for about ten people to have a good amount. This was not that hard to make especially with two people working on it. She bought the onions already diced so that saved a lot of time. The really cool thing about this is that you can taste every single ingredient inside of it. Thanks again, Mrs. G!

Republique On La Brea

After Poppy + Rose JP and I went to this place Republique on La Brea and 6th. She sent me a picture of this thing that looked like a S'more on crack and I was all in. We had to find parking because as my friend Cam would let you know parking is a bitch anywhere near that area. So we get there and walk up to the display case with what was left of the pastries. They had three of what I came for but it took a moment to spot them. Why? They was tiny! The picture we saw made them look like they were the size of my hand. They were tiny which turned out to be a good thing. I liked them alright but there was too much happening in them. JP didn't even want hers.

She got a carrot cake thing that was okay. I got a big cookie that smelled great but tasted like display case if that makes any sense. It tasted like whatever it was near. I also got a big donut that tasted like a Girl Scout Cookie. Nothing was mind blowing. It was all just okayish. No need to go back here.  

Poppy + Rose In Downtown

JP and I went to this place called Poppy + Rose located in downtown L.A. This is the first time we ventured from my area to grab something to eat and it was well worth it. This place is located a belch and a holler from Skid Row so be prepared for that. I sat on the little bench outside and when JP arrived we went straight to the counter and ordered. I got the Poppy Burger that was two quarter-pound patties, house coleslaw, bacon, caramelized onion, cheddar cheese, and house thousand island. It was...incredible. Pretty sure it made my top five favorite burgers. It was super good and if I were not in public it would have been a mess. I also got a side of fries and a Mexican Coke.

JP got the Fried Chicken Sandwich that had buttermilk-brined chicken thigh, house aioli, and house pickles. Imagine if Chik-Fil-A started making way better sandwiches. We share food because we love each other so she liked my burger and I liked her chicken sandwich. I'd definitely go back to this place again. The service was fast and the place is well spaced and bright. You should check it out for sure.  

Dog Haus

While out all over the place today Cam heard my stomach make sounds and asked if I was hungry. I was. All's I had was coffee and it was now early afternoon and the beast stirred inside me. We headed to this place called Dog Haus after she asked “You want a hotdog?” When a woman asks that question you don't say no. So we headed there.

She got a big ass corndog with tater tots and fancy dipping sauces along with I believe a Birch beer. I tried the tots and they made them perfectly. They weren't all soggy and sad like some folks make them.

I got what is called The Cowboy which had smoked bacon, white American cheese, crispy onions, and barbecue sauce. This thing comes on a thick ass slice of bread that was strong enough to contain all that madness. And it was good. This is one of those places that I'd go to all the time if I lived nearby.

The Burgers & Ice Cream Crew

I went to Plan Check again with my cousin JP and we went to town like we normally do. Two burgers, crazy ass fries with a bunch of toppings, and of course their fried chicken. I was talking to her about how I like the fact that they are consistently good. I used her picture because it came out better than mine. You can see the bacon all glistening. Then we stopped off at Carmela for some ice cream. We even got a couple of to-go of their pumpkin pie flavor. But we're not gonna talk about what happened to hers...

Sandwiches & Ice Cream

Went to Mendocino Farms across from The Grove with my cousin last week. We wanted to go to Joan's On 3rd but that crazy line and no parking just didn't fit into our schedule. I got a bag of sweet potato chips that were okay. She didn't like them. I also got a steak BLT that was the goodness and she got a chicken sandwich that was good. Not sure how much she liked this place but I know she liked my sandwich. I gave her half because I'm a nice person sometimes. Then of course we went to Carmela which is our thing now. I got an Aztec chocolate and she got the usual. Good times!

At Vee's With Cam

Today Cam and I went to Vee's Cafe off of Adams. When we got there no one was in probably because of this crazy ass wind we've been having the last few days. I hadn't been there for a while but each time I've gone have really liked this place. We both got the Hauser Scramble which is eggs, corn, cheese, and black beans which I did not get because I do not like beans. Deal with it. We also got drinks. She got a coffee of some sort that she loves and I tried the hot vanilla for the first time and really liked it. Few more people came by the time we were leaving but I like this place when it isn't busy.  

More Lots Of Food

A few weeks ago Heidi came to visit so we headed to Plan Check since she'd never been before. We got the candied bacon burgers and of course their fried chicken. That has become a regular thing now. About a week or so ago I met up with H. and B. and went to Marix over here. I'd never been there before or knew it actually existed. I got guacamole and chips that were good and shrimp fajitas with lemonade. Then last week I hung with JP and we had some Thanksgiving leftovers and then headed to Carmela's because she is addicted. We got the pumpkin pie ice cream and I'll be damned if it wasn't some of the best ice cream I've ever had.