Hodad's vs Rocky's

Who doesn't love a competition..specially when there's a burger battle. I have tried a bunch of burgers but seriously, for me Rocky's is my choice, no contest. Rocky's has kept it simple and taken it to the right approach. NO BULLSHIT. On the other hand Hodad's I found a long line of 45 minutes wait this is such a "tourist trap" since it was seen on the Food Network imagine the crazyness. At Rocky's, you enter, sit, order from the burger Nazi (as I call him that) and you decide if you want to stay or not. But after you eat you get up to let someone else take the stool.

This is a wallet-friendly joint. Not like Hodad's (between $10-$25 and tip 15%). At Rocky's they only serve burgers and fries, with or without cheese. I have been raving about this suckers for a good reason: They're pretty damn good. Served on a plain sesame bun, it comes with mayo, lettuce, tomatoes and red onions. The patty has a loose grain with no standard shape whatsoever. These burgers aren't grilled hot, they don't have char, never found a noticeable grill mark. Bun is not toasted, the burger is simply simply and comfortable to hold. Every now and then you will get a splat of ketchup, nothing to worry about.

Hodad's, It is not the best burger in the country like some say. I did not find the bacon to be that tasty. Nor the bun. The burgers are good, I just don't think they are really worth the wait. Be my guest if you like to wait a minimum of 30 minutes. When the weekend comes, just bring a snack ot just don't be hungry because you will be there for over an hour.

In this conclusion, this are, hands down, the best burgers in San Diego.

Rocky's Crown Pub

Neighborhood: Pacific Beach
3786 Ingraham St
(between La Playa Ave & Moorland Dr)
San Diego, CA 92109

Black & White cookie

Black and White cookies take me back to my time in NY, arguably some of the happiest years ever spent. Countless times I’d pick up a giant example of this scrumcious dessert from too many bakeries in each and every borough to list off here (not to mention street vendors). They are decadent – and they are big. Whatever sweet craving you’ve got – these babies will satisfy. For some reason in New York they are an institution, a must-have. Or as Jerry Seinfeld said in his is to get some black and some white in each bite. “Nothing mixes better than vanilla and chocolate,”  explaining the art form in episode 74 of Seinfeld.

I noticed in California, most of people never even heard of them. The black and white cookie is, in fact, not a cookie but a flat, thinly frosted cake, like someone has sat on a cupcake. Cookie convenience, cupcake taste. You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy them.

My favorite ones were from William Greenberg Jr. Desserts at UES. They were like butta!

I can order a dozen for $45 + shipping of course. Do not care. Im going to order them and give one to each of my friends and then they can stop laughing at my B&W cravings!

William Greenberg Desserts

1100 Madison Ave

New York, NY 10028
(212) 744-0304
www.wmgreenbergdesserts.com 

STK: Pure Meat Sexyness

One of my favorite restaurants in NY was STK. Well its  landed in Sunny West Hollywood not to long ago. Let me start by saying wow! It is not your typical masculine steakhouse sterotype it is more like you metrosexual dreamy, hip, young meat. The black and white brick walls, art installations of tusks and half moon booths brought me back memories to the heart of the Meatpacking Disctrict. I started out with a plate of bacon bits, avocado, basil and radishes. The crab salad was to die for, followed by the amazing sliders. I have to order they're mac n' cheese, asparagus and parmesan truffle fries to accompany my stripped bass.  And of course I had to have they're famous dessert, which was the warm chocolate molten cake, do I say more.

All in all, I would say it was really good dinner at a fun place, where the guys can still wear they're new kicks with a flashy leather jacket or a well groomed suit and the gals can put on a dress and high heels and expect for the best

STK LA

755 North La Cienega Boulevar. Los Angeles, CA 90069

(310) 659-3535    |    www.stkhouse.com

Price Range: $$$$

Tom Ford's "A Single Man" Review

We all know Mr. Ford for his remarkable designs and former creative director for Gucci. His directorial debut, "A Single Man" has the qualities you'd expect from an excellent fashion designer point of view. On a superficial level, nearly every frame is highly styled to the point where it would not seem out of place of a Vogue magazine spread. His movie reminded me of a Julian Schnabel shot, shifting from the first peron viewpoint-through he returns to it for short streches and continues.

Beginning with a startlingly gorgeous dream sequence in which Colin Firth’s impeccably-suited George lies down in the snow to give his dead lover Jim (Matthew Goode) a kiss goodbye, “A Single Man” then jumps to a single day (Friday, November 30, 1962 to be precise) in George’s life without Jim. A silver-streaked English professor living in a Neutra-style glass house in Los Angeles, George goes through this day as we are to understand he’s gone through most in the eight months since the car accident that killed his companion of 16 years: in a contemplative daze, going through the motions at work and at dinner with his needy long time bestie Charlie (Julianne Moore), all the while drifting uncontrollably into painful reminiscences of his lost love. Except on this day, he packs a revolver next to the Huxley novel in his valise, and in between teaching class and falling intp long conversations with Charlie, a Spanish hustler and cute, unusually curious student, George makes arrangements for his own demise.

In his boldest visual choice, Ford manipulates the film’s palette to match the evolving emotional tone. George’s flashbacks are generally crayon-colored and his present desaturated and neutral, but in fleeting moments of pleasure –– a flirtation, a run-in with a precociously honest child, an opportunity to appreciate a sunset or a well-bred dog or any thing of pure beauty –– the color drains back into the image to various degrees.

This film to me, stands as a vivid portrait of life behind a veil, and Colin Firth certainly delivers one of his best performance. Bravo Tom Ford.

Old Style Deli at Fairfax

While I was in NY, my favorite spots were KATZ Delicatessen at LES, Carnegui Deli at 55th/7th and Arti'es at Broadway. Now it was my turn to try LA's finest. Canter's Deli at Fairfax.

Canters is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I would suggest this place to everyone - young, old and in between. If you live in the area and have never been you are missing out. Even during a rush, it amazes me that they can always find you a table. The staff is very friendly and they do more than their part in making you feel welcome.

This is a classic Jewish deli, complete with kosher menu. You wont find meat and dairy advertised together, but you don't have to worry about offending anyone if you want to order cheese on your pastrami or burger. Canters is not just a restaurant - it also has a complete Bakery, Deli, and Bar. To be honest I didn't like their Black and White cookies, they were dry. Not your usual soft, sponge cake-like shortbread cookie.

Since I went with a group of 4 I got to try one of their best from their extended menu choices. I tried the pastrami sandwich with cole slaw, matzo ball soup, stuffed cabbage, corn hash, stuffed kishka and mishmosh. The rye bread melted in my mouth, the stuffed cabbage was to die. I was expecting more from their mishmosh. I guess KATZ is the my #1 when it comes to their Matzo Ball and B/W cookies.

If your around the area, park (free), sit down, enjoy a pickle or two, even a corned beed reuben. Mazel Tov!

Canter's Deli
419 N Fairfax Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 652-2030    |   www.cantersdeli.com
Price Range: $$

Somebody Loves Slogans Hotel

Last New Year's weekend, I had the amazing opportunity to stay in one of the best hotels I've been, The SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills. The Hotel features distinctive partners such as Sam Nazarian, Brent Bolthouse, Culinary Innovator José Andrés and New York's finest design Vanguard Moss. Definitely #1 in my list.

With designs by Phillip Starck, the creative mastermind behind SLS, a culinary program created by Chef José Andrés, curated retail by Moss the full collaboration is superb. The lobby is not your typical-hotel-lobby, but one step inside the lobby alcove and you know you're not in Kansas any more. The monkeys on the hotel's crest are a pretty good give-away. You're confronted by larger-than-life flower pots and a silver tea pot. Philippe Starck designed the interiors and much of the art. His playful touch is felt everywhere in the hotel.

SLS prides itself on being witty, hip, and clever. You get that from the way they twist-and-flip their "SLS" moniker slogans which can mean "Style Luxury Service," "Start Living Smartly," "Society's Latest Scandals," or "Shoes Love Shining."

I need say that they have the best ammenities EVER! From their round the clock excellent concierge services, car service within a 5 mile range around the hotel, fruit and Christian Lacroix designed H20 services within every hour.

Inside the guest rooms, prepare to have your vision of the traditional hotel room turned on its head. If you like predictability in your hotel rooms, then you should not stay here. The focus of the room is the bed. Apparently, [Phillipe] Starck wanted to create a sort of floating hotel bed. Thus the bed sits in a clear, but sturdy frame with two shelves jutting out from each side where a Macally Tune Pro iPod dock/alarm clock sits on one and a pen and pad sit on the other. The desk is located behind the bed and all that is in front of you is a 40" Sony plasma TV placed within a floor-to-ceiling black light box. It's SICK!

So I give it two thumbs up and a smile in each cheek. TOTAL SICKNESS!!!

SLS HOTEL
465 North La Cienega Boulevard.Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 246-2068    |    www.sls.hotels.com