The Original Pancake House

After a semi-hard workout at the gym, five of us were seated at the Pancake House by 7:30 a.m. It's a good time to go before any line could form outside. We had a newbie with us; Daniel. He was the only one who had to study the menu. The rest of us already knew what to order.

We all had to have the 49'er Flap Jacks which are plate size pancakes but they are really more like crepes that are chewy and tender served with whipped butter and syrup. Nako and Amy shared that with sausage and eggs. Sandi and I shared that too with an order of Potato Pancakes served with cinnamon apple sauce. The newbie, Daniel thought he didn't have a choice but to order the 49'er. He was a bit disappointed since he's a meat and egg type of guy. The rest of us were happy campers. Our favorite server, Raquel was on the ball as usual refilling our mugs with coffee.

Some people say it's a waste of time going to the gym if we eat a sort of heavy breakfast so why do it? We go to the gym so we can have our unhealthy breakfast. So that's that.!!!

Crunchy Shrimp Tempura Roll

Who would have thought that this crunchy shrimp tempura roll from Pavilions Market could be good? I know I didn't think so but it did look appetizing and I was hungry so I bought it.

I was really surprised discover how delicious it was. It was crunchy and it had a kick to it. I had 3 pieces as soon as I got home. The real test was if  Sandi would  like it since she does not like seaweed. The seaweed was a very thin layer. It had no unpleasant odor and the shrimp tasted fresh. I think even our friend Mertz would have liked it.

I am happy to report that Sandi did like it and her friend Aaron who is a very picky eater thought it was pretty good. It's nice to know that you can count on these crunchy shrimp rolls as a satisfying lunch or as a snack. I don't know if they are available in all their markets. I bought mine at the one located in Rolling Hills Estates.

Dominique's Kitchen 5th Anniversary Dinner

It's hard to believe that Dominique's Kitchen has been around for 5 years! They had a special anniversary menu that looked good so what better way to celebrate Jody's birthday than to have dinner there.

We started out with Pink Prosecco and Kir Royale. Chef Dominique sent us an appetizer of chicken liver pate. I was really surprised that it didn't taste like chicken liver, something I would not have touched, but it really was good with the berry compote. The birthday celebrant, Sandi and Cindy ordered the Organic Mesclun Salad with champagne and black truffle vinaigrette. I had the Chilled Black Truffle Soup which I absolutely loved.

For our entree, two people ordered the  Linguini Pasta with asparagus, champagne and black truffles and the other two had the Beef Bourguignon with black truffle polenta. I myself could never have enough black truffles. The pasta people did not finish theirs since they ate too much bread. Cindy and I finished our beef bourguignon.

Jody got a Panna Cotta for her birthday dessert. We ordered a Baked Alaska to share. It was burnt and we all loved it burnt. Cindy who dislikes meringue loved it and commented that it tasted like marshmallows.

It was a fun birthday celebration and we enjoyed the Anniversary Dinner. Here's to many more birthdays to come and many more years of anniversary dinners.

The Pantry's Sourdough Bread

They've been baking their sourdough for the last 93 years. Every time I go to The Original Pantry Cafe, I make it a point to buy a loaf of their bread. Toasted with butter and homemade preserves if you're lucky enough to know my friend Mertz who constantly makes jars of preserves, then you've got it made.

Yesterday, my son wanted a Croque Madame. Nothing can be better than good old L'amande's Croque Madame so I had to improvise. He toasted the bread and added a bit of butter ( I would have slathered butter all over), and some Everything Bagel Vermont Cheese that Sandi gave me from Vermont. I then fried 2 eggs and plopped them over the toast. It was deeeelicious.

Most sourdough isn't sour enough but you can always count on The Pantry's Sourdough bread to be sour.

Original Pantry Cafe

We have been planning to have breakfast at the Original Pantry Cafe in downtown Los Angeles for some time. This morning was that time. Amy, Nako, Daniel, Sandi and I left from the gym. It was a semi long drive. Amy slept most of the way. Someone who shall remain nameless had to empty their bladder so we had to take an unscheduled exit but eventually, we made it.

Daniel ordered the Ham Steak and Eggs with a side of Potatoes. Nako had the Eggs with Pancakes and Sandi and I split a French Toast and the special of the day which was Longanisa and Eggs with Potatoes on the side. All our orders came with their famous Sourdough Toast. That was really the main reason I wanted to visit the Cafe.

We loved the longanisa which was cooked like chorizo and eggs. It was a bit spicy which made it even better. Daniel had no complaints about his ham and he loved the potatoes. Nako thought the pancakes were very good. The only thing we all did not enjoy was the French Toast. It was nothing special and kinda blah to put it mildly. If only I had read my previous blog from 2012, we would not have ordered it again. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.

Service was outstanding. Jesus our server delivered our food with lightning speed! He was there to refill our coffee numerous times. He has worked for the Pantry for 40 years.

Before we left with doggie bags, we ordered their sourdough loaves to go. I am already looking forward to tomorrow's breakfast.

The Original Pantry Cafe has been open since 1924 and is open all year round. As far as I know, Mayor Richard Riordan still owns it. They are located at 877 S. Figueroa St. in Los Angeles. The parking lot is on Figueroa and 9th St.

Microplane

This is the greatest gadget ever invented in my book. I was a proud recipient of a Microplane several weeks ago. Into a kitchen drawer it went and hibernated.

This evening I made some Farfalle with pancetta and olives. I was lazy so I just used Rao's Arrabiata and Vodka sauce. The exciting part of the preparation was the finishing touch. I used my microplane to grate a block of Parmigiano cheese which came with my microplane. I felt like I was dining at an Italian restaurant. La Brea Sourdough bread accompanied my pasta with a nice glass of red wine.

 
Thank you Mertz for my microplane and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. It made all the difference in the world of pasta!

Sidecar Doughnuts

I now know that when we get an itch to go on a Sidecar doughnut run, the day to do it is on a Sunday morning. Sandi and I left her house at 8:10 a.m. this morning. The 405 freeway was wonderful; it took us an hour to drive to Santa Monica from Torrance and back with 5 minutes standing in line while we decided what doughnuts to buy.

I already knew that the Huckleberry was the best so I got several of those. I also got the Butter and Salt, Vanilla which I haven't tried and their special, Apple Pie which is really an apple cake topped with apple glaze finished with their house made cinnamon almond crumble. Just as I thought I ordered everything I wanted, I spotted the very dark chocolate doughnut so I got one of those too.

As soon as we got to Sandi's house we first had a piece of the Dark Chocolate with Valrhona pearls. We both thought it was terrible. When I looked at my previous blog, I made the same comment on the Chocolate Mint. The chocolate tasted gummy. It had an unpleasant taste and texture. I had half of the Butter and Salt which was good but when I tried the Vanilla, both Sandi and I thought it was better than the Butter and Salt. It was not cake-like. It was very light and delicious. 

The Apple Pie was wonderful. It was not sweet and if I hadn't sampled the other doughnuts, I would have had a second one. I was too full to have some of the Huckleberry which I froze for future consumption. These doughnuts are not cheap. Thirteen doughnuts cost a whopping $44.00. Quality cost money so I understand. What I don't understand is the boxes they give you when you buy multiple doughnuts. They are very flimsy and with the price they charge for these doughnuts, they should be able to furnish sturdier boxes. Maybe they can have a "bring your own box" and get a free doughnut which wouldn't be a bad idea and could be cost effective.

Sidecar Doughnuts is located at 631 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, California.