Los Angeles County, CA.
By: Claire Varty
We’ve reached the end of the road folks! Now things will be a little different as we stayed at Graham’s parents place in Westlake Village for over a week, so we went out to eat at various spots throughout. Now I have also included some places I went to during my Christmas vacation stay as they have now become some of my faves after visiting for a total of five times. Only those with photographic evidence will be incorporated so as not to torture you with descriptions of food you can’t even see!
The Lure - Westlake Village
First up, right after coming home Jon’s dad took us out to a seafood restaurant in Westlake called The Lure so we could tell them all about our trip. I ordered the pan-seared scallops with arugula, mango, garlic roasted tomatoes and roasted corn.
My Go-To Cali Snack
Every time Graham and I go down to Cali we always have to stock up on the French baguette from Vons and the Trader Joe’s artichoke and jalapeño dip, which we finish in one afternoon most times.
In-N-Out
A trip to the West Coast would not be complete without getting some In-N-Out. My go-to order is the cheeseburger animal style with fries and a chocolate shake!
The Moody Rooster - Westlake Village
This place close to Graham’s house in Westlake does delicious farm to table food. He got the Smoked King Salmon Rillette with salmon caviar, radish, pickled onion, mustard dressing and microgreens.
I got the Sauteed Spanish Octopus with potatoes, shishito peppers and bonito aioli, you can taste the freshness of the seafood.
They had a special on the menu for Skillet Cornbread that was so decadent we had it as dessert! With cilantro, jalapeño, butter, Blue Ridge honey and bacon bits.
Another shot of the cornbread because it is just so dang beautiful! It is baked to order in a small personal skillet.
Leo's Taco Truck - Los Angeles
Truly a staple in Los Angeles, you must visit if you get the chance. Leo’s Taco Truck sits in the parking lot of a gas station but that doesn’t stop massive lines from forming and people getting their toppings on a fold-out table and eating their food standing up.
The Al Pastor melts in your mouth with the hint of pineapple and the tangy spice from their various house-made salsas.
Ma'am Sir - Los Angeles
We visited this spot in LA for my birthday of the Christmas break called Ma’am Sir, a highly rated Filipino restaurant serving up handcrafted cocktails and fatty Asian comfort food with beautiful decor.
This is the “She’s Drama” (Mai Tai) - Real McCoy 3 Yr, Chairman’s spiced rum, cognac, spiced tropical fruit, lime, Orgeat and bitter salt foam.
To start we had homemade Filipino rolls with their pandan curd, ube butter and pimiento.
Pork Belly Lechon, with lemongrass sarsa and papaya atchara. The skin on the top was so crispy, I could have a whole bag of it!
Pancit Palabok which is glass noodles, New Caledonian blue prawns, pork rinds, chopped egg in a crab fat sauce. It’s *extremely* decadent.
Soom Soom - Westlake Village
It’s a chain restaurant, but while you’re in the suburbs your choices are limited when it comes to finding shawarma style food. As a Torontonian, I was craving it and had to fulfill my fix. I got their chicken shawarma plate with hummus, carrot salad, cucumber salad, tabouleh, couscous, rice, pita, garlic, jalapeno and tahini. Call me hungry but I finished the entire plate in one sitting! Goes to show you how much Christmas shopping can work up your appetite.
SunLife Organics - Thousand Oaks
The Million Dollar Smoothie with banana, raw cashew butter, raw plant protein, raw cacao nibs, maca, colostrum, flax oil, trace mineral complex, Himalayan sea salt, chia seeds, raw rescue honey and hemp milk. Truly, this is the most L.A. drink you can buy.
Q Sushi - Westlake Village
Located in Graham’s home town, this sushi place is very upscale and if it weren’t for his parents paying, we definitely would not have gone!
We started off with the crispy shrimp in dynamite sauce.
Fresh Yellowtail Roll with green onion and tobiko wrapped in the crispest seaweed.
King Hoang, with Alaskan king crab leg, avocado, garlic aioli and eel sauce; this was Graham’s favourite of the night!
Now time for my favourite! The melt-in-your-mouth tuna, avocado, cucumber, microgreens and soy mustard dressing. All of these flavours made me wish all sushi rolls tasted this way. It was perfect the way the chef intended, no soy sauce, wasabi or ginger required.
Salt and Straw - Los Angeles
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Salt and Straw is a delicious ice cream chain that has recently expanded on the West Coast. With monthly featured flavours based on the season they are always whipping up something different, but their regular menu is just as interesting. They even have a Black Olive Brittle and Goat Cheese flavour! I cooled off and savoured the Almond Brittle with salted ganache which was to die for.
Malibu Seafood
Right on the side of PCH, Malibu Seafood has a view of the ocean and the best fish around. Graham and I got a big spread for the two of us including a fish taco, rice pilaf, potato salad, fried squid and bay shrimp cocktail. It’s safe to say, we were very satisfied afterwards!
Road to Seoul - Los Angeles
This place has truly become a staple for us and it is sure to give you meat sweats! Los Angeles really does know how to do Korean BBQ in their thriving Koreatown. For $22 USD, you can get almost the entire menu, all-you-can-eat style, with unlimited sides and meat. Just be sure to drink lots of water because the salt and heat might get to you!
Malibu Kitchen and Gourmet Country Market
Graham has taken me here many times now as it is his favourite sandwich spot. Nestled in Malibu it is easy to grab a bite and head to the beach, with delicious fresh cut deli meat and bread it is sure to comfort you with the most basic ingredients harmoniously layered between two slices of bread. I always get the “Almost a Hero” with black forest ham, Genoa salami, capocollo, provolone cheese, roasted tomatoes, lettuce, mayo, mustard, and balsamic vinaigrette on a baguette.