I've clearly done a horrible job of updating this blog on a frequent basis, but I've been so caught up with school that I haven't had time to write in here. I guess here's a quick and random summary of the places I've been to in the last month and a half. This might end up being a monster post.
Comme Ca - new French bistro on Melrose and La Cienaga; SH and I met up with JM there, but unfortunately, SH and I were completely hungover because we had spent the day getting plastered before the football game and then immediately suffering the aftermath. Comme Ca was beautiful, the interior had very clean lines with a simple black and white color scheme. Mirrors of various shapes and sizes hung on one wall, and to the right, there was a cheese bar. The bar and cheese menu was written in chalk boards across the wall (it was more elegant than I'm making it sound). JM and I split the mushroom risotto (DELICIOUS) and a three cheese plate. The cheese plate came with various dried fruits and nuts that complemented it. I think the cheese we got were a goat cheese, sheep (?) cheese, and a brie. I also ordered the French onion soup, which was really good. The only drawback to Comme Ca was that they overcharged my credit card by $24. I was not pleased. I called the restaurant ranting a few days later before they finally recredited my card. I can see why this restaurant is so popular, but it was rather pricey. Not really a restaurant I can frequent and not panic inside a little when I see my bank statement.
Cube - I finally went there! This Italian/cheese restaurant on La Brea is also a BYO, so I brought a Kiara Pecorino (recommended by the the wine connoisseurs at the Larchmont Wine and Cheese Store), and JM brought a red wine. I ordered the black truffle pizza because when it's this time of the year, I have a major weakness for truffles. It was rather disappointing though. I wish I had stuck with the ravioli I was also eying on the menu. Usually, when I go to restaurants and I can't decide between a couple dishes, I like to ask the waiter for his/her opinion. I figure that if he/she is a good waiter, then he/she would be able to formulate a well-informed opinion on the dishes. Our waiter just told me to get the truffle pizza since everyone else was getting pasta and that I should "go for something different." The cheese plate we ordered was really good though. It came with some jamon serrano, prosciutto (I love prosciutto), pate, and some dried fruits and nuts. I would come back here but only for the cheese and the fact that it's a BYO.
Little Next Door - JM, CA, DM, and I went here for brunch the other week. It's SOO adorable! It's this French cafe on 3rd street close to where Doughboy's is. Its parent restaurant is "Little Door," which is pricier, but Little Next Door is opened during the day for breakfast and lunch. It felt really authentic (the hostess and waiters were straight out of France), and had a very comfortable and Parisienne ambiance. It was well priced---not too expensive considering some of the dishes they offered. I ordered the jamon and arugula with two overeasy eggs, CA ordered the brioche French toast (apparently it was the "best French toast [he's] ever had"), DM ordered the goat cheese sandwich, and I completely forgot what JM ordered. The food was good, but the service was pretty slow. I guess that's more typical of European restaurants that really allow you to enjoy your food and good conversation.El Carmen - I know I already wrote about El Carmen, but I just have to say, their guava margarita is AMAZING! RK and I could've drank those all night. It was like drinking juice.
Point Mugu - CA and I went hiking there about a month or so ago. It's pretty far, right past Malibu and into Ventura County. It was a moderate hike, about 6 miles, and the summit had a pretty steep ascent. At the top, we rested for a bit and while we were looking around, we saw a coyote. Going down the summit was super tricky, and I was absolutely convinced I was going to wipe out and tumble down. I didn't fall, but it took me a while to get down while CA just ran down it like it was nothing. I did end up wiping out later though, ha. Should've seen that coming.
