Petrillo's Pizza Restaurant (LA)

833 E Valley Blvd
San Gabriel, CA 91776

OK, I’m 36 years old and yet you may say poor me, but my reply, better late than never when discovering a little place like Petrillo’s… I have had the pleasure of enjoying pizza in cities where pizza is home grown, but from NYC to Chicago, no body’s got a pizza quite like Petrillo’s in San Gabriel, CA. Buried amongst the Chinese stores on Valley Blvd, I would have never expected this place. I grew up in Cali, mostly in the OC, but apparently, it’s very well known in the community. In fact, my wife drives 22 miles each way just to pick up a pie! That’s right 22 miles one way! It better be as good you say? The specialty pizza is as good as I say, I promise you won’t regret it. The specialty pizza is packed from edge to edge with bell peppers, onions, sausage, salami, pepperoni and cheese… Sounds easy enough right? Wrong! The vegetables are sliced paper thin and everything on the pizza just falls into place, the crust and the bread are also fantastic which makes this one of the best pizza pies in the LA area.

FINAL THOUGHTS: This place isn’t the cheapest place for a pie, if you are looking for a cheap pie, try the neighborhood Pizza Hut. Petrillo’s will run you about $25+ but so worth it if you want to splurge on one of the best pizza’s in town!

Shin Sen Gumi (LA)

111 N Atlantic Blvd
Ste 248
Monterey Park, CA 91754

Yakitori Yakitori! Ready for something new? Although the Shin Sen Gumi in Monterey Park also serves up Shabu Shabu (swish swish in Japanese) we’re here for the Yakitori.

The word “yakitori” is every edible part of the chicken that is cut into bite size pieces, then skewered with bamboo sticks and charbroiled with radiant heat from charcoaled wood . Besides chicken, you will also see that Shin Sen Gumi serves up skewered beef, pork, various vegetables and seafood which is also referred to as yakitori.

Shin Sen Gumi has daily specials, so keep an eye out for those! One of the specials today was monk fish liver ($9.50), yes please! The monkfish liver was quite good (if you like monkfish liver), I haven’t had that in a long time and was very pleased considering this isn’t a sushi joint… Shin Sen Gumi has since added a few more dishes including sushi and sashimi to their menu recently… I do remember the days before the foie gras ban, Shin Sen Gumi had just the best foie gras yakitori style, like charbroiled, it was pretty amazing, I would usually have 2 every time we go.

Today, along with the monkfish liver, was an order of albacore, ikura (salmon egg), and uni (sea urchin) sushi as well as takoyaki… All good, no complaints whatsoever. The fish was quite fresh, as you can quite easily tell freshness of sushi by color, odor, and taste… The albacore was very fresh and tasty, the ikura was also pretty good, I know there are different types of ikura, depending on how it’s fermented or salted, so I would say this one rates about average… I cannot remember the last time I’ve had just good ikura that wowed me. The uni was very fresh, I usually love to eat uni sashimi style, grab a few pieces off the top and work it down then eat the rice and nori… This was no exception, the uni was great, melts in your mouth.

For the main attraction of the evening… Yakitori - Pork sausage, quail egg, chicken liver, beef tongue, special skin, regular skin, chicken heart, cartilage (chicken), beef tendon, in no particular order and in some cases a double order… We’ve been here more than a few times, and it’s always delicious, the flavors you get from the charcoal is just phenomenal. Really I am not exaggerating my point here, Shin Sen Gumi serves up some wonderful dished, all of which have been delicious. I cannot say I’ve had anything bad here, which is rare, there’s usually always something that someone can say they didn’t like, but this place is like a cornucopia of good eats! Their menu is extensive so you can always find something, great for 2 or 12, you will always find good eats here.

Oh wait!  Dessert...  The wife had the sesame balls with ice cream, she said it reminded her of the dessert from Moromoto's.  I had the chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream, now hold on a moment, because this chocolate lava cake had no chocolate lava in it at all, I'm not sure if it didn't make it all the way in the oven or what, but this was just a cake, although be it moist from the impending "lava" that should have been inside, I'm not sure exactly what happened there, but seriously, I was so happy with the dinner, I wasn't sweating the dessert. 

FINAL THOUGHTS: I’m glad it’s close to home.  This is one of the best yakitori places in the LA area.  Shin Sen Gumi's price points are right on budget which makes this place an even bigger draw! 

Ladurée (NYC)

864 Madison Ave
(between 72nd St & 71st St)
New York, NY 10021

First off let me say, I do know a thing or two about macaroons, and Laduree is supposed to be the spot... This will be my first try, I'm very excited.  

The journey (for giggles)... imagine close to 100 degree heat and very muggy... Lexington and 3rd walking to Madison and 71st, that's a hike! I'm dying, trying to keep up with the wife... I'm complaining then from the corner of my eye I see a little shimmer of hope, wait it's not hope! It's the sun reflecting from Laduree sign across the street! "Babe, we have to stop, I need to try Laduree!"

In case you didn't know, The story of the Ladurée macaron starts with Pierre Desfontaines, second cousin of Louis Ernest Ladurée, who at the beginning of the 20th century first thought of taking two macaron shells and joining them with a delicious ganache filling and voila! The French macaroon!

So here we are, at the all famous Laduree... A beautiful boutique on Madison full of just macaroons and a few small novelties, but it's all macaroon business here. As we walk up to the shop it looks all quiet on the western front, but as we get closer, I notice a couple trying to beat us to the door, really? Ah forget it, let 'em have it, but as we walk in there's a line of people waiting for these scrumptious little treats. So we wait patiently for about 10-15 minutes, seriously, that's a long wait, I'm not waiting for a ride at Disneyland right? So we're up! what to choose, rose petal, raspberry, salted caramel, pistachio, lemon, and lime and mint… half a dozen ($18).

So I start right in once we walk out the door… I’m like, can’t wait, I can just take a few nibbles while were walking. I look over at the wife, would you like to try one? I’m thinking twice! I know! But I’ve never tried Laduree! But nonetheless, she’s I think got the lemon (of course I’m gonna share)… OK, now I’ve got the rose, I look at the wife with a smile and a wink then I sink my teeth into the macaroon, first, it’s moist, just a bit on the soft cookie side (just the tiniest bit, not like a cookie, but I cannot describe it any other way), it’s not as light as I’ve had in the past, but it’s ALL GOODNESS. The ganache is perfect, the flavor, light, not too sweet… One more, just for kicks! Salted caramel… I look at the macaroon, I notice it’s feet (the rough part of the macaroon shell just below the part that’s smooth) these puppies have legs… I hear it’s the rising of the macaroon shell and attaining the “foot” of the shell that makes macaroons so challenging to make. But I’m not baking, I’m eating! I take another bite, again, denser than I’ve had in the past on some, moist, tiny bit flakey, delicate, and once again a perfect ganache…

OK, Laduree… I see why walking down the street everyone envy’s the purple bag full of delight!

FINAL THOUGHTS: GO! Try them all!

Nougatine @ Jean Georges (NYC)

1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023

 Chef JG with 3 Michelin stars, one of only five in 2012 to keep this distinguished title... Michelin stars are pretty much one of the most coveted award in the restaurant industry. First, let me say, we were unable to get seated at a decent hour for dinner, as you can imagine the reservations were pretty booked, so 11PM, yes that's right, 11PM, 2300 hours... This was the only spot open and we were not about to miss it so the misses and I shopped, then ate a snack, went back to the hotel and laid on the bed in decent attire waiting for the all so holy 10PM when we would grab a cab and head uptown for our much anticipated dinner.

As we pull up to Trump International, we're hungry and in need of food... neeeeed foooood... Fancy! That's my first thought. Modern of course and fancy. Seating is quick once we arrive, that was good and the house still pretty full, surprisingly full of people for 11PM.

First, the foie gras and strawberry brule, balsamic and shiso ($21)... right? Strawberry and foie gras? Hmmmmm... How can you go wrong with foie gras? With strawberries? You cannot! very delicate dish, if you like pate style foie gras, the strawberry added a tartness and a flavor unlike any other foie gras dish I've had. I would say a 9 out of 10, I enjoyed it very very much. The tart flavor of the strawberries and the foie gras blened together very well in a way I cannot explain, I wasn't sure what to think at first, but it was a beautiful medley of flavors. The presentation was beautiful of course, almost looking like a dessert when it arrived at the table.

My only mistake was not ordering something more complex like the pork chop, tenderloin, or even the lobster. Instead, I'm thinking it's late, what can I eat that's not going to weigh me down too bad before sleeping, so I chose to enjoy the Cheeseburger with Russian dressing and crispy onions ($18). Honestly, not impressed. Don’t misunderstand me, the burger was fine, I just wasn’t impressed. The Russian dressing was so overpowering I removed the top bun and ate it open face with a fork and knife so I could lose some of that dressing which was on the top bun. The fries were also fine, nothing impressive, but let’s not forget… It’s a burger and fries. But, let’s also not forget, we’re dining at Jean Georges. I was expecting better. I would say it’s more my fault for not ordering something that I would have enjoyed more.  Overall, the burger was OK in my opinion, it's not a burger you couldn't find at another fine dining restaurant. 

For dessert, a small plate with some treats, including macaroons and a few other things. We didn’t eat them all, in fact we took a bite of the macaroon, it was OK, again not impressive. I did enjoy the small candies, I had one in the cab, those were like awesome! Seriously, I was talking about them all the way back to the hotel.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I would definitely come back and try a different entrée. Same appetizer, different entrée.

Bar Americain (NYC)

"A la Cuisine!" Let's see what Iron Chef Bobby Flay serves up today. After 3 flights of stairs down, a subway ride, a transfer, another subway ride, another 3 flights of stairs up to the street and a 4 block walk (NYC blocks are not that big at all, I’m just saying)all with a pregnant wife who's a trooper walking with me… We’re so ready for another meal!  Iron Chef Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain in Times Square is next on the chopping block!

Not an NYC restaurant week participant, but we wanted to try it out nonetheless. Sweating and hungry after a day of shopping, what a better treat than another Iron Chef spot… I can’t wait. Let’s see, for starters, a Hendricks martini up with a twist, ½ dozen oysters, deviled egg trio, and escargot, crawfish + garlic sauce brioche. Yes, that hungry! So let’s dive in to the oysters ($18), no pun intended, 3 west coast and 3 east coast served on a plate of ice served in a bowl, the oysters were small in size (perfect) served with a vinegar and minced onion sauce, pretty typical if you ask me, but the oysters were very fresh, so quite pleased at the outcome of this dish (you know I love oysters!). The deviled eggs ($14) were actually not to my liking, they were a bit on the sour side for me and included a small smoked shrimp and remoulade sauce on top which was like eating a deviled egg with a shrimp cocktail mixed in. Call me old fashioned, but I love mom’s old fashioned deviled eggs with mayo and relish with a little paprika sprinkled on top. Escargot… OK here’s a dish likely to make you smile, if you like escargot, this was pretty great. I enjoyed the flavors and texture of the entire dish. Escargot on its own has a very distinct flavor hence the need to cover it up with all that garlic, and pretty much everywhere you go, it’s got garlic. The brioche added both texture and flavor, you could say the brioche was even just slightly on the creamy side, whether that’s due to the sauce or perhaps how they prepare the brioche, it added a very nice texture and flavor to the dish overall, so if you like escargot, this is a must try!

Now for the entrée, what do you have at Bobby Flays, a steak of course, so bring on 2 rib-eyes! ($42 x 2) served with a side order of buttermilk and chive mashed potatoes ($9) and bring another martini! Plating was of course in typical Iron Chef fashion (can’t complain, it was “pretty”) the steak was prepared medium rare as requested, tender, extremely juicy, and one of the best cuts I’ve had in a very long time. It was served with a homemade BBQ sauce on the side which helped tame some of the rub on the steak which can be a little salty to some, but I enjoy a little seasoning on my meat and it really didn’t bother me, or maybe it was the 2 going on 3 martinis have numbed my tongue! Not! I imagine you can't go wrong with any of the steaks this Iron Chef serves up! The ambiance and the service was very good, we never had to really ask for much of anything and the staff was attentive in clearing and timing the food, excellent, I love it when a plan comes together. Dessert was nonexistent for me as I was stuffed from everything else, just another martini please before we go! Oh and yes, we took a taxi home.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Come in and dine, you won’t regret it. I’m looking forward to trying another of this Iron Chef’s restaurants in the future.

Morimoto (NYC)

88 10th Ave New York, NY 10024

Here for NYC restaurant week!

The bento boxes look good, but for about the same price (ok, a little more, maybe a lot more), I’ve decided to go off menu here at Iron Chef Morimoto’s fine restaurant in Chelsea… Let’s see, I started off with a half dozen oysters on the half shell ($18), large and tasty, fresh and creamy. What can I say, I love oysters and Morimoto prepares them 3 ways. My only complaint was the oysters were tremendous in size, but I’m a big eater, so I kept that complaint to myself, they were delicious otherwise. The three sauces were also very interesting, nice to see a variation to tease the palette before the main course.

For the entrée, I had the seared foie gras with avocado, unagi (grilled freshwater eel)and rice. How can anyone go wrong with foie gras (I haven’t seen it happen yet), since the recent ban in California on foie gras, it was a like taboo but oh so good, like butter melting in your mouth from the first to the last bite. I was impressed with the dish although again, being an average guy of perhaps slightly above average palette, I ate the foie gras first all on its own followed by the avocado and unagi with the rice. What a nice trio, the avocado I take it was for color and to separate the components of the dish, but overall the best dish I’ve had at restaurant week thus far. Usually with the unagi sauce I find dishes with unagi quite thick in texture and sweet, but this dish presented not only beautifully, but tasted wonderful as well (even if I did split the dish up). I guess you cannot expect less from an Iron Chef.

For dessert, my wife spooted the red bean doughnuts and vanilla ice cream with poached peaches, the ice cream looked freshly churned. Thinking about presentation, it looked just like something you’d see on the judges table on Iron Chef! After looking at the desert menu, the red bean doughnuts seemed to be the obvious choice since we've never tried it before. The texture and flavors we exceptional once again throughout the dish not too sweet but just right.

FINAL NOTE: Thus far the favorite of restaurant week. In the immortal words of Arnold Schwarzenegger… “I’ll be back.”

Le Cirque (NYC)

Le Cirque 151 East 58th Street (58 St/3 Av) New York, NY 10022

Well we attempted to crash Le Cirque for lunch... Check the dress code! Being a native to LA, I'm used to jeans a dress shirt, maybe a light sport coat, and flip flops. Being we were on vacation, I was dressed in khaki shorts a nice shirt and walking shoes (after all, we did walk like 5 blocks), oh and did I mention, we’re on vacation, they were lucky I didn’t stroll in wearing an Aloha shirt, flip flops and shorts. We barely made it through the door before being stopped half way to the podium by the overly dressed and overly pretentious doorman, who doubles for the maître d’ (I think he thought we were going to ask to use the bathroom or maybe hit up the guests for some spare change!), as we announced our reservations, we were quickly cut off with the words, “no shorts, and the dining room requires a jacket…” (in a French accent no less). Is it me or am I being overly pretentious myself in saying that everything just sounds so stuck up when said in a French accent? Too bad French food is so good it makes me yelp the word French food so much when you go to the search bar and type “F” the word French automatically pops in. Honestly, after that unique experience with the doorman, I’d say I’ve eaten at much better restaurants with much better and friendlier service.

FINAL THOUGHTS: We won’t be going back, period.

NYC Restaurant Week 2012

New York in the summer... Hot and muggy! But yet worth the trip every time. NYC Restaurant Week 2012, there's one week left folks! So strap in and grab some eats for cheap at some of the city's finest dining establishments. I'll be looking forward to sharing those fine dining experiences with everyone soon!