2008 fave foods and where to find them
So here’s a list of my best epicurean discoveries of 2008 (booze included)- mostly stuff that’s bad for you:
-Truffle Grilled Cheese sandwich- it’s the best grilled cheese i’ve ever had in my life. White cheddar in between 2 fluffy pieces of homemade bread with truffle oil on them. Side salad included. I was reluctant to embrace the York after knowing it as 2 different bars beforehand, but now I like it well enough. Especially after this badical grilled cheese.
*Price: $8 Where to find: The York Location: Highland Park, CA
-Whiskey Ginger with homemade ginger beer- this was the best drink I’ve ever had. It had the lovely aftertaste of ginger and allspice. If you are ever in Portland you have to go to Clyde & Common. Amazing food and drink.
*Where to find: Clyde & Common Location: Portland, OR
-Pimm’s Cups- introduced to me at the beautiful Rupe/Conk wedding, I think it’s one of my fave new/old drinks of last year. Super refreshing and if you order it at a bar either it will be like $9 or they won’t know what you’re talking about. Better hit up BevMo for some Pimm’s Mix, and look online at a recipe! (PS. There are a few variations.)
*Where to find: Edendale Grill (for like a bajallion dollars) or DIY from BevMo
-Chilaquiles served ALLL DAAAY… you know I love a place that serves breakfast all day. Mexican breakfast all day? Even better. I went to the dubiously named Taco Spot in Eagle Rock at like 2 o’clock one day for some food with Seth and had the chilaquiles, and they were spicy and delicious. Not to mention cheap (compared to El Arco Iris anyway). Seth had a soyrizo breakfast burrito which was also good.
*Price: $6.75 Where to find: The Taco Spot Location: Eagle Rock, CA
-Soyskin pho- I love me some vegetarian pho, but it can be kind of bland. The soyskin vegetarian pho at the Viet Noodle Bar in Atwater is amazing, as are their spring rolls and Vietnamese iced coffee. The soyskin is hard to describe… kind of like super thin slices of tofu rolled up with a cheese-like texture. The veggie broth is also good. This place is overpriced and the serving sizes are skimpy for Vietnamese food, but the quality is good.
*Where to find: Viet Noodle Bar Location: Atwater, CA
-Honey Lavender cookie and Lemon ice cream sandwich- (by Ruby Jewel) I read about these on a food blog, and when I was at Whole Foods during the summer I grabbed one. AMAZING. Maybe one of the best little desserts I’ve ever had. The flavour was so nuanced and perfectly balanced. They also make flavours like Peach ice cream and Gingersnap; Cinnamon Chocolate cookie with Espresso; etc. So super fresh and soft. They are out of Portland (of course). I would love to have this sandwich again, but they’re soo fattening that I just remember the one I had and sigh- totally non-compatible with my “no dessert or booze” diet.
*Where to find: Whole Foods or look on the Ruby Jewel site Location: wherever they sell them near you
-Espresso and Maple cookies- made by Two Tarts- found these when we were in Portland at their amazing Farmer’s Market. Seth and I loved these cookies. They were 2 crunchy espresso cookies sandwiching maple creme. Delicious.
*Where to find/location: various locations in Portland and online
-Though I can’t name a dish here (because I went with Seth’s work and we ate family-style), Carousel in Glendale has the best Armenian/Mediterranean food ever- they even have Armenian coffee instead of Turkish coffee for obvious reasons… *ahem. Word to the wise though- I hear if you go on a Friday you better prepare to see some bellydancing and you’d better wear semi-formal clothes.
jessie
Ohhhhh! I can’t wait. First, two weeks of dieting and then I have a weeks worth of meal plan here! YYYYYUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!
jamie
i object to this post as a form of torture: not only can i not eat any of these items, i can’t eat any items even close to this good. damn british cuisine. (but i bet you can’t find a glasgow salad or real sticky toffee pudding in highland park.)