The food trucks just keep rolling in La-La Land

Food Trucks have found themselves as part of L.A. culture, you see them everywhere from WeHo, DTLA, Santa Monica, the Valley and Orange County. My friend Chef Johnny and I while we were living in NY, saw it coming into a fueled sensation... it has. They're either on a corner of your work, where you live and now they're at every major event including this past Coachella. Here are some of the few:

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East-Coast Pop-up eateries a hit with LA's hip.

When it comes to dining like a food aficionado like me, you probably know all about food trucks and the secret speakeasies in NY (where it all started). How about their hottest spots? Well, they're coming to town, that is El Lay.

To begin with CHi-Town's Rick Bayless is hitting us with his Nouvelle Mexican Empire with Red O will be located in Melrose Ave. This city where south-of-the-border fare, we will see how we (as latinos) will accept his magical taste, which to be honest I tried Chi-Town's Frontera Grill and it was very very close to what I can say home made mexican food made from an american chef with a mexican heart.

Secondly, One of my fave corners in NY, Nolita (between Elizabeth & Mott) stands Cafe Habana. With the best Mexican-style grilled corn slathered in a creamy concotion, dusted with cayenne pepper, rolled in cojita cheese and drizzled with lime juice. Well Ladies & Gent's it is opening up tomorrow in Malibu at the Malibu Lumber Yard. You guys have to try the Cuban Sryle Roast Pork Sandwich and their Sincronizadas!

Third but last, I literally yelled out of excitement when I found out that THE mother of all mother-MECCA cupcake NY joint was opening this fall in WeHo (by Beverly Center on West 3rd). My Goodness, I use to pass through Bleeker almost every day just to catch a smell of the buttery delicious frosting! Magnolia's was founded in Greenwich Village in 1996 by Jennifer Appel and Allysa Torey. The company was bought in 2006 by Steve and Tyra Abrams. Some people content that Magnolia's was ground zero for gourmet cupcake craze - it was Sex in The City who did it for most of us crazy gals if I might say.

SNEAKER CON - Let's Kick it NYC!

Sneaker CON went down again last Saturday, May 22nd in NYC, and it was yet another great success for what I heard. There was a family affair of sorts with heat on the feet of young and old, from vintage Baby Jordans to kids Zoom Flight 96's to Air Jordans. It is always nice to see the original models, next to crispy retros to get a feel for the changes in the models over the years. Sneaker CON it is time to hit El Lay, the look in this city when it comes to young/old hip guys are getting trendier and expensive by the second. Here are some of what the fans were wearing. Kick it!

San Diego's The Linkery: Farm-to-Table Restaurant

I'm here again on another day, another organic restaurant and it's important to note how great this place is and how easily that can be affected by who is running it. Today, there is the same great wine, cheese and flatbreads; but in contrast to my latest review, the atmosphere here was welcoming and comfortable thanks to the nice waiters. As usual San Diego great customer service.

The Linkery is a hip café that features made-from-scratch artisan cuisine just a tofu-cube short of organic. Costly certified-organic foods mean higher menu prices, so the chefs here use local, sustainably raised products whenever possible. According to what's fresh and seasonal from that day's market, you're likely to encounter variations in some dishes from the printed menu. Their menu changes on every day basis depeding on their farmers and artisans.

To be honest, I didn't like the smell or the food. The thought of this place is very Santa Barbara-ish when it came to concept. The food came and it was bland, average and very pricey for the people wearing birkenstocks, converse and jeans.

 A lot of the items looked interesting, but nothing really stood out as something I'd want to throw $19.50 on just to try - what if I don't like it!  Great concept, though. Don't recommend it.

The Linkery

3794 30th St (between Gunn St & North Park Way)
San Diego, CA 92104
Neighborhood: North Park

(619) 255.8778  |  www.thelinkery.com
Price: $$ 

All that Jazz......Anthology-San Diego

While living in NY I looooved going, specially after midnight, to underground jazz clubs. One of them was the very notorious Village Vanguard in the West Village. That venue for me is still one of the best places in the world to listen to jazz. My uncle that lived there for 15 years, fully recommend it to me. The quality of jazz and old-school atmosphere made it for me: The New York landmark. 
Now I know little ol' San Diego has his ups and downs, but lately I've been discovering little hidden places (outside typical Gaslamp). Someone took me to Anthology in Little Italy, I adored it! The venue is cute, colorful, comfortable, great sound system and very affordable. Didn't tried their food, it was very late, just went to listen to some jazz and drank lot's of Jack and Water! Anthology is not your typical jazz club at all, it looks to over priced or fancy as people next to me said, but overall I gave it a good review, It really does seem to be geared more towards the bands performing vs food.

Anthology

1337 India St (between A St & Ash St)
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 595.0300   |   www.anthologysd.com

Price: $$$

Tapenade - Best Kept French Secret in La Jolla

Let’s talk for a minute about one of the best French restaurants in the country. New York City’s Le Bernardin for me was exquisite, formal, and very high-end. Unless you’ve been to The French Laundry out in Napa Valley, Le Bernardin for me will likely be the best French meal you’ll have outside of France. This is one of the rare 3 Michelin star restaurants in the United States. More than just great lunch or dinner in an elegant, fancy setting, a meal here is a memorable event.

Last Saturday a group of four went to Tapenade in La Jolla, it's not even close to Le Bernadin but this did the ok deed. Well I enjoyed every minute of been there. The decor is very typical San Diego restaurant, it didn't do anything for me. Older crowds definitely, very good prices and amazing Customer Service. Their Lunch Menu is only $21.95 and it's very extense. We arrived late so we went directly a la cart...and a bottle of 2005 Chateau de Candale. For starters we ordered escargots with garlic and walnut butter  Ce' Magnifique!, Smoked Salmon with Creme fraiche and red onion, House made wild mushroom raviolis. We all had to taste each of our plates (tacky I know but I had to taste everything in sight). There was the Alaskan King Salmon with dry vermouth sauce...amazing, the aged sirloin steak...ehh so so, my roasted duck breast with shitake mushrooms and mandarin sauce O M G to die for, hands down the best!

Tapenade Restaurant
87612 Fay Avenue. La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 551.7500    |     www.tapenaderestaurant.com
Price: $$$

JONES WeHo - THE DARK JOINT TO BE

First time I went to this little dark joint was last year with my dear friend Mia. We were driving around Santa Monica Blvd. and saw Jones' old school flashing sign it caight our attention, finally we parked and never went away. We went last week again for the gazillion time.
Jones not only knows how to serve up a stiff drink, but the restaurant is also recognized as the local hippster joint to fast food for those night munchies. Enjoyed my old wood oven pizza, their thick burgers, extensive selection of soups and a standout steamed artichoke app with two flavors of aioli dip. yummmm. The only thing, which I seem to love these kinda restaurants, the decor is dark dimly lighted. The bathroom are GOLD! you guys have to go for the bathrooms, pics of aloooooot of naked, parties, famous, non-famous clients. As for dessert, well they are known for the apple pie. Great Menu, Drinks to die for and the ambiance is rock n roll.The only con, get there early it can get very crowded. Ill ensure that you will have a great time.
 

 Jones West Hollywood

7205 Santa Monica Blvd.West Hollywood, CA 9004    |   (323) 850.1726

 

UMAMI BURGERS - La La Land

I knew this was going to be fame! Gourmet Trucks are in. As for Umami, ever since the Oscar's after parties everyone was saying Umami this Umami that. So, I explored. Their logo is simply UMAMI BURGERS. Simple, black and white. The burgers at the truck well let's just say fans will not be disappointed. The coarse grind of the Umami resists that much crusting, but, to be honest, I think it compares favorably with the originals. I tried the straight Smashburger (grilled onions, cheese, and pickles) and the Sherry Mushroom Smashburger. I’ve never had an Umami burger before even though I’ve heard it’s the best burger in L.A. etc. so I didn’t know what to expect but was so looking forward to it. It's good but is not that great of a deal. But you do need to try it. Everything about it is soft, very easy to swallow. The mushrooms were tender and flavourful. The meat is a lot rarer than I'm use to (I like them well well done). It has a delightful flavor. Nothing like Father's Office though he he.

 UMAMI BURGERS

850 S. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036

4655 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027

(323) 931.3000    |     www.umamiburger.com   |   twitter.com/umamiburger

Shoe Lover. Every Girl's Dream.

I can only say these are the following shoes of the Month (for me).  This upbeat Shoe Collection of the first week of May (again for me) has eye candy written allover, with hot-feather plushs, sneakers to run in fashion, and decorative high in the sky heels. Im in love again. Bravo to the designers who are going back to feminity and not to 80's looks like last year's shoe selection. Fierceness!