Crispy Cauliflower at Black Angus

It would be hard to top the crispy cauliflower served at Black Angus of all places. The sad part is when I spoke to Chef Fidel, he informed me that they would be taking that off their menu because not too many people order it. My first response was, "They never had it so they don't know how good it is". It is very crispy and quite spicy. It is worth going to the restaurant and just having that.

After Sujata and I had lunch at Casa Barilla at South Coast Plaza, I mentioned to her that I had a couple of coupons for Black Angus; a $47 dinner for two which included steak or salmon, their wonderful sweet bread, appetizer and dessert and another coupon for my birthday which was just a free entree. I couldn't believe Sujata said she would like to go. That's after I told her about the cauliflower. It's only been 3 hours since we had our spaghetti Pomodoro.

I asked our server, Karolina which coupon she thought I should use and it was almost a no-brainer to use the $47 coupon so we would get everything. Everything was delicious, her salmon and my ribeye which was so tasty. She couldn't get over the wonderful cauliflower. I asked her if Chef Fidel Reyes was working and she said yes. She later sent him to speak with us and this is when I learned that they would be discontinuing it soon.

If I may make a couple of suggestions: One is to offer a sample of the cauliflower free to people who like spicy food. The other is to have the servers suggest their "famous" or "specialty of the house" and they can further describe it when asked. These simple suggestions would help and maybe we can save the Crispy Cauliflower!

Dessert was included in our meal so we ordered the Strawberry-Mango Cobbler. Karolina also asked me if I wanted my Chocolate Chip Cookie for my birthday, even if I did not use the birthday coupon. I thought this was very nice of her. I said I would just take it to go. They brought our dessert and extra ice cream with a birthday candle. At the end of our meal, she handed me a big bag and I asked her what it was. Her response was: "Your chocolate chip cookie". It was as big as a plate!

This was my blog on our previous visit:
https://solittlethyme.blogspot.com/2019/02/black-angus-steakhouse.html

Try and get to Black Angus soon and save the Crispy Cauliflower from vanishing from their menu. The steak ain't bad either.

Casa Barilla

Sujata and I went all the way to South Coast Plaza to have one of the best Spaghetti Pomodoro around. Like I have said before, it is not easy to get this very simple spaghetti right. I have ordered it at different restaurants before and have been disappointed. This time it  proved to be once again a perfetto Pomodoro,

Our server, Curtis was wearing an apron I liked and asked if they had it for sale. The answer was no, it was only for employees. I went to see the 2 cooks behind the counter to ask about the Pomodoro as they explained that they used fresh tomatoes with some onions and of course, fresh basil. I am amazed at how they get it aldente all the time.

I am including my last blog to show the different pasta dishes we tried.
https://solittlethyme.blogspot.com/2018/04/casa-barilla.html

Casa Barilla is located at the South Coast Plaza Mall in Costa Mesa.

Umi Hamasaku

I am easily lured when it comes to good food especially if it's a deal you can't beat. Fresh oysters on a half shell for $1.00 is served during "Happy Hour" at Umi Hamasaku. Fortunately, Sujata shares my fondness for this delicacy. Unfortunately, some of my friends lack delicate taste buds so we dined alone.

We, of course, ordered the oysters on a half shell. We thought it would be good to start with a dozen in case they were not to our satisfaction. We also ordered Shishito Peppers with a lemon garlic emulsion topped with very active bonito flakes which swayed all over the place. It does that from the heat of the peppers in case you've never witnessed this. The oysters were outstandingly fresh and yummy. The peppers were good until you got one that was way too hot. I was able to handle it but Sujata who loves spicy food managed to get the hottest of them all and even for her, she confessed it was just too hot!

Another side dish we ordered was the Roasted Cauliflower. This was plain as can be with a little bit of Mentaiko creme fraiche. This was just so-so, nothing special especially since they just put the sauce on the very top of the heap of cauliflower. The Softshell Crab Steam Bun was delicious. The crab was fried, tempura style with a spicy eel sauce, mayo, guacamole, and cucumber. I just had to ask for more sauce. We both agreed that this was definitely a winner.

We also agreed that next time we go we would order a dozen each of the oysters on a half shell. That with the Softshell Crab would make us both happy campers.

Umi Hamasaku is located at The Point, 860 S. Sepulveda Blvd. #116 in El Segundo, California.

KFC'S Fried Chicken & Waffle

I was so excited to find out that Kentucky Fried Chicken is serving Chicken & Waffles so I had to try it. You can get several waffles and different chicken pieces. I opted for 1 waffle with a fried chicken breast. I also ordered a side of coleslaw.

As soon as I got home, I poured some of my Vermont maple syrup on the waffle instead of Mrs. Butterworth's syrup that came with it. The chicken was perfect; crispy outside and moist inside. The coleslaw was a good side dish that went along perfectly with the chicken. The waffle was disappointing. It was heavy and dry. It looked so good but in this case, it really was deceiving.

So next time you're at KFC, you are better off with the good old fried chicken on my favorite Chicken Mashed Potato Bowl; mashed potato with corn, gravy, cheese and chunks of fried chicken.

Baleen Kitchen

My friend Cindy informed me about the free Surf & Turf at Baleen Kitchen on your birthday. I went on their website to check it out. The $48 Beef Filet with Lobster Tail was indeed free on your actual birthday.  Mary asked me where I would like to go for my birthday for our annual celebration. It had to be Baleen.

Our server, Jessica brought us some warm bread to start. Instead of a salad, we opted to share some Brussels Spouts cooked with balsamic glaze and bacon lardons sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. We devoured those sprouts in no time. The bitterness of the sprouts, the sweetness of the glaze and the saltiness of the bacon and Parmesan came together like a symphony.

Mary decided to order the Beef Stroganoff.  Jessica confirmed that they really do an exceptional Beef Stroganoff. I had the Surf & Turf which was served with asparagus and potato purée and Bearnaise sauce. Mary's stroganoff was very good with the homemade pappardelle though it needed to be hot (temperature). My mashed potato was cold as well.  Jessica took her dish without a beat and replaced it. She gave me a bowl of the potato purée that was hot. Sometimes these things can't be helped. The important thing is the willingness to correct a wrong as soon as possible and to do it apologetically which Jessica did.

I was really impressed with the service and the food. Upon talking to Jessica, we found out that she is a professional volleyball player who had just moved to Redondo Beach so she works at Baleen when she's not hitting those balls. Thanks, Jessica for a memorable experience and a job well done. Baleen is located 260 Portofino Way in Redondo Beach, California.

Okane Umi

I recently noticed a new restaurant in Lomita. The restaurant has been there but it has changed ownership and it now has a new name. I mentioned it to several of my friends; sushi and non-sushi lovers. The nice thing about this restaurant is that it is open from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm on weekdays and 12:00 am on Friday and Saturday. It is located at 2439 Pacific Coast Hwy. in Lomita across from Norms.

The only friends that would have accompanied me could not come since they had just eaten a late lunch. I have not had lunch and was starving and craving for Japanese food. It was only 3:35 p.m. when I left the house. I got there at 3:45 p.m. There were a few people as crazy as I was having either late lunch or in my case, early dinner.  I looked at the menu and I thought of the soft shelled crab till I saw a 10 piece omakase for $22.00. Omakase is the Chef's choice. I was seated at a table but I quickly moved to the bar so I could watch the Chef prepare my food. In this case, it was Chef James who was a master in slicing various fish in perfect thin pieces.

The pieces consisted of tuna, amberjack, yellowtail, sea scallop, mackerel, salmon, albacore, red snapper, and Ikura don. This also came with a bowl of miso soup. For drink, I opted for the dry Asahi black which I've never had but my friend Yvonne introduced me to beer as the perfect partner for Japanese food. I inhaled everything and it went especially faster since I had nobody to talk to except for Chef James. Everything was fresh and wonderful. It was nice to see him prepare other things like the fresh Shrimp which were still alive. You can't get fresher than that!

I can't wait to return to Okane Umi. It is very reasonable for the quality of food. I just wish I discovered this just before Lent as I could have gone there every Friday! For non-sushi lovers, they have all kinds of tempura including soft shell crab which I will have to try the next time.

Candied Apple

Sujata bought me an Easter White Chocolate Bunny Candied Apple a week ago.  Last night, as I opened the refrigerator, I heard the bunny whisper, "Eat me soon" and so I took him out. I was hoping the apple had not spoiled. I learned that these apples are protected with their coating that they do last as long as it is refrigerated.

I sliced a chunk out which exposed the apple with a layer of caramel and the white chocolate. The apple was crisp and was slightly tart which was perfect since it complimented the sweetness of the caramel and the white chocolate.

I love a good candy apple. If anyone decides to get me one in the future, a word of advice....don't get me one with nuts, otherwise, it will end up with Sandi as she loves nuts. Dark or white chocolate or the ones covered with oreo will do. She got the apple candy at Whole Foods in Manhattan Beach.

Perrier & Juice Drink

There's a new kid in town. I bought a 4 pack can of the Perrier Pineapple Mango last week. I immediately put them in the refrigerator so they would be nice and cold when I decided to try one.

A few nights ago I got so thirsty a few hours after dinner. I took one skinny can out and poured it in a glass with some ice. The colder the better. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. It was very refreshing. It had the characteristics of club soda but with equal flavors of both pineapple and mango. I have had flavored water before which I never cared for since it tasted to me like someone didn't get to wash the glass with leftover juice and then just filled the glass with water. This has a lot of zing with pineapple, apple, lemon, and even carrot juice concentrate. A can of 8.4 oz. has 45 calories.

Yesterday I headed down to the nearest Ralph's store to buy a few more 4 packs of the Perrier Pineapple & Mango Juice drink but they didn't have any. I got mine at CVS Pharmacy so I guess I'll be adding this to the list of my vitamins.

California Pizza Kitchen

My friend Josie told me once that the steak at CPK was quite good. I never had the opportunity to try it till the other day. My husband had some points with American Express and they could not transfer the rewards to my American Express card but they could issue gift cards. There weren't too many restaurant choices so I picked CPK since there is one near me.

I haven't been to a CPK for a long time. Sandi needed convincing since the service was terrible each time she went. We went early enough so as not to be there at dinner time. Our server's name was Art. He first asked us what we wanted to drink. I looked at the wine list, by the glass since my eating partner decided on a non-alcoholic beverage. It took me a while to decide and when I finally decided, I noticed Art standing behind me. I was unaware of his presence as he patiently waited for my decision. Sandi was puzzled and was just about to tell me to order. Needless to say, I apologized but he didn't mind at all. I finally managed to make a decision on which wine to order.

Sandi had her favorite fish which is Halibut that was roasted on a cedar plank with grilled asparagus. It came with cream farro with butternut squash and baby kale. She was not thrilled with those so she asked if she could substitute the veggies with anything else and Art gladly obliged and suggested Brussels sprouts. I ordered the Fire-Grilled Ribeye with homemade Pinot Noir sea salt topped with bleu cheese butter. This was served with fingerling potatoes and a lemon-garlic arugula salad. I asked Art if the dressing would be too sour so he offered to bring me 2 other dressings on the side. The Halibut was so fresh and tender. It was very simple yet delicious. My steak was also very good and I was proud to be able to clean my plate.

Dessert time came along and we both agreed to try the Salted Caramel Pudding; rich caramel pudding with black cocoa cookie crumbs (oreo) and a caramel sauce with flaked Maldon sea salt. Sandi was almost in tears when she realized she couldn't have it since it had chocolate which she had given up for Lent. Art was quick to suggest that he could have the cookie crumbs on the side! Whoaaa!. Hooray for Art. The dessert reminded us both of the fabulous Budino we once had at the Montage in Beverly Hills. It was just as good.

I have to commend Art, our server. He did his job above and beyond. I think he should be promoted to manager or at least give a course to the rest of the servers on how to do a super job which makes the customer feel very special.

The California Pizza Kitchen we went to is located at 25304 Crenshaw Blvd. in Torrance, California.
I don't think we would be returning there without making sure Art will be there.

Bettolino Kitchen

I received a $10 coupon from Bettolino to use before my birthday so when my brother was in the vicinity, I suggested we have dinner there especially since he has never been to this restaurant.  They started us with their warm bread and some olive oil dip with herbs. I asked for some freshly grated Parmesan cheese to put on it.  What a way to start a meal!

I was excited to order the Polipo; grilled Spanish octopus with cannellini beans, fresh basil, cherry tomatoes in a lemon garlic sauce. It is always more enjoyable to eat this when the company you are with enjoys it just as much as you do as opposed to someone who looks at it with utter disgust. Gary loved it, the only thing I forgot was that beans are bad for people with gout. He couldn't help himself so he had some and guess who had the rest.

For our entrées, he left the decision to me. I ordered the Squid Ink Tagliolini; squid ink pasta with sautéed shrimp, pan roasted cherry tomatoes in a basil pesto sauce and the Tortelloni Al Limone; spinach & ricotta stuffed pasta with a lemon cream sauce, parmesan, and herbs. He normally does not like anything lemon but he ended up loving this dish. We were both happy with the two plates of pasta which we decided to split.

Full as we were since we did not hold ourselves back on the bread, we left room for dessert. I had my favorite, Salted Caramelized Semifredo which is a semi-frozen salted caramel mousse, layered Graham crackers with a chocolate sauce. That was very light and refreshing. Gary had the Crostata di Pera; caramelized pears in a pastry puff with vanilla sauce and powdered sugar.

It's not easy pleasing my brother when it comes to food since he is always experimenting on different restaurants all over. One can say he has discerning taste buds.

Bettolino Kitchen is located at 211 Palos Verdes Blvd. in Redondo Beach, California.