I know, I realize as a chef, what goes on in these places goes against perhaps about 90% of what I learned and know about sanitation, but ultimately, as long as I don't get sick, which I haven't yet *knock on wood*, then it's all good.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Holes in the Wall
This type of eatery can be a bit of a mystery and even a scary thought for most people. A restaurant that is considered a "hole in the wall" would actually probably be high on a germaphobe's list of places to never go to. I do agree though, the cleanliness and sanitation of these places is almost always in question. However, that does not stop me and hundreds of thousands of people from frequenting these places. Case in point, Pollo de Oro in Santa Ana. A group of people from my church this past Saturday went up to Santa Ana to tour a Children's Activity Center as well as walk around Downtown Santa Ana, ultimately having lunch there as well. Our group ultimately decided on Pollo de Oro because it seemed to be the only place large enough to seat 15 people. I think it's the fact that these places are a little less than perfectly clean and that they do a not so great job of keeping their kitchen appliances clean either makes the food taste SOOOO good. I ultimately decided on a carne de res torta and a chicken taco.
I know, I realize as a chef, what goes on in these places goes against perhaps about 90% of what I learned and know about sanitation, but ultimately, as long as I don't get sick, which I haven't yet *knock on wood*, then it's all good.
I know, I realize as a chef, what goes on in these places goes against perhaps about 90% of what I learned and know about sanitation, but ultimately, as long as I don't get sick, which I haven't yet *knock on wood*, then it's all good.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Bakeries & Cafes
It wasn't until recently did I start on my hunt for local bakeries and cafes. I especially believe as a pastry chef, it helps me know what's out there and allows me to find and use the best ingredients available. I probably have the biggest sweet tooth out of most of my family and friends, and I probably wouldn't be a pastry chef if I didn't.
Living in Southern California, I've been fortunate to have plenty of both big and small restaurants to go to no matter where I venture to. I still love me my steakhouses and sushi bars, but my current love has been bakeries, cafes and patisseries. I love discovering a new small place with freshly made breads, pastries, and exquisite desserts. I am the type of person who once I find a place that I like, I am very loyal to that place. Case in point, Cafe Blance in Costa Mesa.
Cafe Blanc
298 E. 17th St. Unit B
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
www.cafeblanc.us
*image courtesy of www.cafeblanc.us*
This is currently my Orange County hot spot. I discovered this place through a friend of mine, who one of her clients had brought her a cake from there and she said it was so delicious and said we should try the place. Well, she became too busy so I took it upon myself to drive out there and try it by myself. I in no way was disappointed. Slightly hidden from the street, once you walk in the door, you are greeted by either Chef/Owner Tomi Harase himself or one of his friendly employees. It may be hard for a first time visitor to decide what to get, because they have wide selection of approximately 20 individually sized pastries and desserts, a small variety of chocolates and truffles, and about 24 flavors of gelato and sorbet.
I have since become a regular there, with Tomi greeting me with a "hello", wave, smile or a combination of the 3. I have tasted just about everything in their pastry display case, and the gelatos and sorbettos they offer are just as divine. If time permits, order your dessert and enjoy it on location with either a perfect cappuccino or ice cold glass of milk. Or if you are on the go, they will be happy to box up your selection (or in my case, selections) for you to enjoy at home. I try to bring them business by recommending it to friends. And so far, nobody has been disappointed. I suggest the Miroir or the T Maisson. They also offer larger, multiple serving versions of their pastries for birthdays or parties.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But aside from Cafe Blanc, I've discovered other places that I would be happy to visit again. In the South Bay, there is Patisserie Chantilly in Lomita. I got a very similar vibe that I got with Cafe Blanc, but Chantilly is different in their own rights. I do admit that the sesame cream puff puts the somewhat ordinary cream puff at Cafe Blanc to shame. Their flavors are also a little bit more delicate than at Cafe Blanc.
*image courtesy of www.patisseriechantilly.com*
Patisserie Chantilly
2383 Lomita Blvd.
Lomita, CA 90717
www.patisseriechantilly.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the Westside, there is the ever popular Jin Patisserie. More than just a patisserie, they offer a wide variety of teas and sandwiches to precede your dessert. Their outside patio is perfect for lunch on the weekend.
*image courtesy of www.yelp.com*
Jin Patisserie
1202 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
www.jinpatisserie.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But I think what started my whole love for small cafes and patisseries is all the way down in San Diego. I'm talking about Extraordinary Desserts. Just about everything they have are mostly cakes, but they also have other pastries and offer a variety of teas as well. They in fact have 2 locations. One is in Little Italy near Downtown San Diego, and the other is closer to Balboa Park. Their menu changes everyday, rotating between the 15 or so cakes they have, so every visit is a little bit different. The Balboa Park location has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, although parking may be a bit of a challenge, it's definitely worth it.
*image courtesy of www.extraordinarydesserts.com*
Extraordinary Desserts, Little Italy
1430 Union St.
San Diego, CA 92101
www.extraordinarydesserts.com
*image courtesy of www.extraordinarydesserts.com*
Extraordinary Desserts, Balboa Park
2929 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
www.extraordinarydesserts.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've also been able to find some other small bakeries that offer not just confections, but breads and pastries as well. One such place is Europane in Pasadena, which actually was voted one of the top 10 bakeries in Los Angeles in I believe 2003. This place is in not an ideal location, but that does not stop crowds of people from visiting this local gem. You walk in and there is not really anything special about the decor, however the person behind the counter is usually very friendly. They have a small list of sandwiches, salads, and pastries. What's nice about the sandwiches is you have a choice between I think it was 8 or 9 breads, as opposed to most other places, which give you a choice of only 2 or 3. You can also take their breads home and use them as you please.
Europane Bakery & Cafe
950 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 577-1828
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next is Le Pain Quotidien. A friend of mine actually took me here, but I had been wanting to try it since it opened in Oldtown Pasadena. I wasn't at all disappointed. The decor was very cute. The floors and all of the furniture was made out of unfinished wood, giving it a rustic look. I had the grilled chicken and smoked mozarella tartine, which is an openface sandwich. Yet the American in me took 2 sides and made it into a normal sandwich. I think what reeled me in about it was the decor. And overall the service was good as well.
Le Pain Quotidien
88 W. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 396-0596
www.lepainquotidien.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lastly is a place that I originally went to on a dessert recommendation but turned into multiple visits of getting various items on their menu. I'm talking about Champagne French Bakery. They actually have several locations throughout Orange County and South Bay. I was originally recommended to this place by a friend for their Cappuccino Mousse Cake, which is absolutely divine. However upon subsequent visits, I found that both their breakfast croissant sandwich of eggs, cheese, and bacon served with a side of seasoned red potatoes and their garlic chicken panini, which is served with artichokes, roasted red pepper, swiss cheese, and garlic mayonnaise are just as delicious.
*image courtesy of www.champagnebakery.com*
Champagne French Bakery
www.champagnebakery.com
Living in Southern California, I've been fortunate to have plenty of both big and small restaurants to go to no matter where I venture to. I still love me my steakhouses and sushi bars, but my current love has been bakeries, cafes and patisseries. I love discovering a new small place with freshly made breads, pastries, and exquisite desserts. I am the type of person who once I find a place that I like, I am very loyal to that place. Case in point, Cafe Blance in Costa Mesa.
Cafe Blanc
298 E. 17th St. Unit B
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
www.cafeblanc.us
*image courtesy of www.cafeblanc.us*
This is currently my Orange County hot spot. I discovered this place through a friend of mine, who one of her clients had brought her a cake from there and she said it was so delicious and said we should try the place. Well, she became too busy so I took it upon myself to drive out there and try it by myself. I in no way was disappointed. Slightly hidden from the street, once you walk in the door, you are greeted by either Chef/Owner Tomi Harase himself or one of his friendly employees. It may be hard for a first time visitor to decide what to get, because they have wide selection of approximately 20 individually sized pastries and desserts, a small variety of chocolates and truffles, and about 24 flavors of gelato and sorbet.
I have since become a regular there, with Tomi greeting me with a "hello", wave, smile or a combination of the 3. I have tasted just about everything in their pastry display case, and the gelatos and sorbettos they offer are just as divine. If time permits, order your dessert and enjoy it on location with either a perfect cappuccino or ice cold glass of milk. Or if you are on the go, they will be happy to box up your selection (or in my case, selections) for you to enjoy at home. I try to bring them business by recommending it to friends. And so far, nobody has been disappointed. I suggest the Miroir or the T Maisson. They also offer larger, multiple serving versions of their pastries for birthdays or parties.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But aside from Cafe Blanc, I've discovered other places that I would be happy to visit again. In the South Bay, there is Patisserie Chantilly in Lomita. I got a very similar vibe that I got with Cafe Blanc, but Chantilly is different in their own rights. I do admit that the sesame cream puff puts the somewhat ordinary cream puff at Cafe Blanc to shame. Their flavors are also a little bit more delicate than at Cafe Blanc.
*image courtesy of www.patisseriechantilly.com*
Patisserie Chantilly
2383 Lomita Blvd.
Lomita, CA 90717
www.patisseriechantilly.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the Westside, there is the ever popular Jin Patisserie. More than just a patisserie, they offer a wide variety of teas and sandwiches to precede your dessert. Their outside patio is perfect for lunch on the weekend.
*image courtesy of www.yelp.com*
Jin Patisserie
1202 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
www.jinpatisserie.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But I think what started my whole love for small cafes and patisseries is all the way down in San Diego. I'm talking about Extraordinary Desserts. Just about everything they have are mostly cakes, but they also have other pastries and offer a variety of teas as well. They in fact have 2 locations. One is in Little Italy near Downtown San Diego, and the other is closer to Balboa Park. Their menu changes everyday, rotating between the 15 or so cakes they have, so every visit is a little bit different. The Balboa Park location has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, although parking may be a bit of a challenge, it's definitely worth it.
*image courtesy of www.extraordinarydesserts.com*
Extraordinary Desserts, Little Italy
1430 Union St.
San Diego, CA 92101
www.extraordinarydesserts.com
*image courtesy of www.extraordinarydesserts.com*
Extraordinary Desserts, Balboa Park
2929 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
www.extraordinarydesserts.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've also been able to find some other small bakeries that offer not just confections, but breads and pastries as well. One such place is Europane in Pasadena, which actually was voted one of the top 10 bakeries in Los Angeles in I believe 2003. This place is in not an ideal location, but that does not stop crowds of people from visiting this local gem. You walk in and there is not really anything special about the decor, however the person behind the counter is usually very friendly. They have a small list of sandwiches, salads, and pastries. What's nice about the sandwiches is you have a choice between I think it was 8 or 9 breads, as opposed to most other places, which give you a choice of only 2 or 3. You can also take their breads home and use them as you please.
Europane Bakery & Cafe
950 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 577-1828
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next is Le Pain Quotidien. A friend of mine actually took me here, but I had been wanting to try it since it opened in Oldtown Pasadena. I wasn't at all disappointed. The decor was very cute. The floors and all of the furniture was made out of unfinished wood, giving it a rustic look. I had the grilled chicken and smoked mozarella tartine, which is an openface sandwich. Yet the American in me took 2 sides and made it into a normal sandwich. I think what reeled me in about it was the decor. And overall the service was good as well.
Le Pain Quotidien
88 W. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 396-0596
www.lepainquotidien.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lastly is a place that I originally went to on a dessert recommendation but turned into multiple visits of getting various items on their menu. I'm talking about Champagne French Bakery. They actually have several locations throughout Orange County and South Bay. I was originally recommended to this place by a friend for their Cappuccino Mousse Cake, which is absolutely divine. However upon subsequent visits, I found that both their breakfast croissant sandwich of eggs, cheese, and bacon served with a side of seasoned red potatoes and their garlic chicken panini, which is served with artichokes, roasted red pepper, swiss cheese, and garlic mayonnaise are just as delicious.
*image courtesy of www.champagnebakery.com*
Champagne French Bakery
www.champagnebakery.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
