Monday, March 30, 2020

Where to Order Takeout and Delivery in San Fernando Valley

There are a lot of resources out there listing what restaurants are open for takeout and delivery in L.A., but I've noticed the San Fernando Valley listings tend to be lacking. Since that's where I live now, I figured I'd compile a list myself! Of course, this is just a starter list. Feel free to let me know your favorites to be added!

For those of you who live in the SFV, here are the restaurants I've found to be doing takeout and/or delivery, organized by neighborhood:

Friday, March 27, 2020

Winter Tasting Menu at Iki Ramen (Koreatown, LA)

Iki Ramen in Koreatown is one of the best new ramen spots in LA, but it's not just about the ramen. At the end of last year, they started doing a tasting menu which I have to be say is one of the better deals in town. Iki Ramen is still open for take-out during the pandemic shutdown, which I'll talk more about in a bit, but first I want to show you the tasting menu!

The tasting menu had gone through a couple of iterations as they refine what they want to do. The one I had was an 8-course tasting menu for $70.

We started with some Burrata and pickled tomatoes
Iki Ramen Winter Tasting
This dish is on their regular menu, and it's always a great one to order. Loved the refreshing tomatoes with the creamy burrata.

Trio of: salmon wasabi, takoyaki, uni ikura don
Iki Ramen Winter Tasting
I couldn't decide which of the three items I like best from this plate. Obviously I'm partial to uni but their takoyaki is really good too!

Sunday, March 22, 2020

Lonzo's is Culver City's Tiny Peruvian Gem

Since we all now have so much time in our hands from not going out, I figured it's time to catch up on all my blog posts. I decided to highlight places and meals you can go to once the pandemic is over, but also I wanted to highlight places that are still doing takeout/ delivery, so you can help support small businesses while the Safer At Home order is underway.

First up is Lonzo's, a small Peruvian eatery in Culver City. Lonzo's started as a little bakery 14 years ago by Jose and Miriam Ramirez, but their nephew Walther Adrianzen also started serving his Peruvian cooking that even won over the late and great Jonathan Gold. The food quality and presentation are rather unexpected given the small size of the eatery, but no wonder it is packed.
Lonzo’s
I was invited for a tasting, so we had smaller portions than a regular order. We started with grilled prawn causa with ground yellow aji pepper and lime juice.
Lonzo's
Wasn't expecting this fancy plating! The butterflied prawn was lightly grilled and served on top of yellow potato causa.

Adrianzen has his own signature dishes here now, not just traditional Peruvian dishes, including the Parmesan scallops (Peruvian diver scallops, aji amarillo butter, yuzu, ponzu, parmesan cheese)
DSC05633
The parmesan scallops are reminiscent of a scallop dynamite with all the cheese and butter baked on top of the scallops.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

A List of GoFundMe Fundraisers for Local LA Restaurant/ Bar Workers

Here is another way for you to help hospitality workers in L.A. who've been affected by COVID-19 and all the restaurant/bar closures. Some GoFundMe fundraisers have been established to provide relief for the affected workers. Some were established by the restaurants, some by the managers, some are a group of workers who got together.

Take a look at the list. Perhaps you've enjoyed good service at one of them, perhaps you have a good memory at another. Perhaps you're just feeling generous. Whatever the case, if you can and feel like doing so, here are links where you can contribute. P.S. I tried to find as many as I can but I'm probably missing, so let me know what I'm missing.

Big Bar

Bone Kettle

Death & Co

Gelateria Uli

Gold-Diggers

Guelaguetza

Here and Now

Here's Looking At You

Lock & Key

Lowboy, Bar Flores, Wolf and Crane , Adamae

Ma'am Sir

Melody Lounge

The Mermaid

Off The Menu is also raising funds for a number of their partner restaurants which include quite a number of restaurants from small or large including Lonzo's, Hyunghoon Tendon, etc.

Otium

Seven Grand

The Laugh Factory

There's also a fundraiser for 18 baristas working in DTLA

Monday, March 16, 2020

LA Restaurants that Offer Gift Cards

We all need to do all we can to support local restaurants during this shutdown due to COVID-19 outbreak to make sure they can reopen when this is all over, so I'm compiling a list of LA-area restaurants (SFV and SGV included) that offer gift cards you can purchase directly on their website. I personally think we should buy gift cards from these restaurants, but in the meantime order takeout from the even-smaller restaurants that don't even have the resources to offer gift cards.

Eventually I will order this alphabetically and complete the links to the restaurants, but in the meantime I will just list them. Have other restaurants to add? Let me know!

LOS ANGELES
71 Above
All Day Baby
Angler
AOC
APL
Baco Mercat
Bavel
Bestia
Border Grill
Broken Spanish
Charcoal
Citrin / Melisse

Craft LA (need to email them to purchase: guestrelations@craftedhospitality.com )
DAMA
EMC Seafood
Factor's Famous Deli
Faith and Flower
Forma Restaurant 
Guisados
Here’s Looking At You
Il Cielo
Jitlada
Joy on York
Kali
KazuNori
Langer's Deli (OK, you have to call them because they are old school)
Little Fatty 
Little Sister
Lukshon
Osteria Mamma
Otium
Paper or Plastik Cafe
Papilles Bistro
Patina Group: There is a lot in this group! Check the link for a list.
Perch
Pine & Crane
Shibumi
The Tasting Kitchen
Tavern
Tsubaki (can also be redeemed for Ototo)
Woon Kitchen
Scratch Bar & Kitchen
SOUTH BAY
Simms Restaurants: Fishing with Dynamite, MB Post, Arthur J, Tin Roof Bistro, Simmzy’s

PASADENA
Alexander’s Steakhouse
The Arbour (call to purchase: (626) 396-4925)
Union

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