Andy Gavin's Blog, page 26

Gaja at Locanda

Restaurant: Locanda Veneta [1, 2, 3, 4]

Location: 8638 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048. (310) 274-1893

Date: April 13, 2023

Cuisine: Italian

Rating: fun night w/ retro 90s Italian

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I’m not historically a big fan of Locanda Veneta. It’s okay, and the owner is super nice, and execution on the food quite good, but the meal is always the same (maybe that’s Yarom’s ordering) and it’s very 90’s. I like a more modern style of Italian, frankly. This feels similar to Toscana or other good but slightly d...

Thai Tour – Can Coon

Restaurant: Can-Coon Thai Restaurant

Location: 9349 Alondra Blvd, Bellflower, CA 90706. (562) 925-0993

Date: April 11, 2023

Cuisine: French Bistro

Rating: Awesome (but far)

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Thai Tour often drags us far and wide in search of Southern California’s best Thai.

Can-Coon is FAR, all the way in Bellflower, and not exactly “fancy.”

See above comment.





The huge menu.

Nam Kao Tod. Ground pork mixed with green onion, fresh chili, ginger, peanuts, cripsy rice, and lime juice. Crispy, vaguely larb l...

Ardor Easter

Restaurant: Ardor [1, 2]

Location: 9040 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069. (424) 310-1572

Date: April 9, 2023

Cuisine: Hotel Brunch

Rating: pretty interesting and tasty

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We really miss the buffet at Tres and were very sad when it closed.

Ardor is tucked away inside West Hollywood’s Edition Hotel. The Ardor itself is helmed by none other than the renowned chef and restaurateur, John Fraser. Having kick-started his impressive culinary journey in Los Angeles, Fraser went on to refine his skil...

Robo Eats – Paradise Biryani Pointe

Restaurant: Paradise Biryani Pointe

Location: 7231 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Canoga Park, CA 91303. (818) 348-4454

Date: April 4, 2023

Cuisine: Indian

Rating: decent, but not amazing

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During my son’s robotics team meetings I have a chance to explore random spots in the Western San Fernando Valley, so I’m nicking naming this the “Robo Eats” series. This one a FB friend recommended.

This is located on Topanga a few miles north of Ventura in a fairly sketchy part of Canoga Park.


The interior is drop...

OOToro Spring

Restaurant: OOToro [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]

Location: 1569 Fairway Dr, Walnut, CA 91789. (909) 598-8299

Date: April 1, 2023

Cuisine: Japanese Sushi (with slight nod to China)

Rating: Ends of the earth, but very good

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Chef Kaz of Totoraku, an occasional hedonist, sent us far east to this Sushi restaurant in 2016 and it was such a fun time that we had to return again for a sixth visit — it’s now become a twice a year thing. This is my second return since the pandemic — although some in the...

Hot Pot Longo

Restaurant: Longo Seafood Restaurant [1, 2, 3]

Location: 7540 Garvey Ave, Rosemead, CA 91770.  (626) 280-8188

Date: March 30, 2023

Cuisine: Cantonese Chinese

Rating: Great Meal, Good Deal

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I’ve been to Longo MANY times, both for lunch and dinner, but one of our friends who knows the owner set up this special off menu hot pot dinner — normally they don’t have hot pot at all.

Longo is on Garvey right next to the Longo Toyota. Lol.

It’s one of these big formal Cantonese places.

Tanks with live...

Eating Santa Fe – La Fonda

Restaurant: La Fonda on the Plaza

Location: 100 E San Francisco St, Santa Fe, NM 87501. (505) 982-5511

Date: March 23-28, 2023

Cuisine: Breakfast and more

Rating: Tasty for hotel breakfast

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We stayed at this lovely hotel on the square.

The restaurant was in this gorgeous high ceiling room.

The breakfast menu.


Local Granola Parfait with Seasonal Berries.

Buttermilk pancakes.

Pancakes with Strawberries.

Eggs.

Avocado Toast with Bacon, Arugula, and Egg.

Mushroom Omelet.

Omelet.

Trout an...

Eating Sante Fe – Sazón

Restaurant: Sazón

Location: 221 Shelby St, Santa Fe, NM 87501. (505) 983-8604

Date: March 28, 2023

Cuisine: Elevated Latin American

Rating: Best restaurant in Santa Fe

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We saved the best for last during our lengthy Santa Fe trip.

Originally from Mexico City, Chef Fernando Olea, , Best Chef of the Southwest 2022 James Beard Award Winner, has been enthralling diners in Santa Fe since 1991 with his unique interpretation of contemporary and traditional Mexican dishes. Chef Olea creates sophist...

Eating Santa Fe – The Shed

Restaurant: The Shed Restaurant

Location: 113 1/2 E Palace Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501. (505) 982-9030

Date: March 28, 2023

Cuisine: Tex Mex – sorta

Rating: overrated

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The Shed, a dining institution since 1953 is located on Palace Avenue just east of the plaza. Look for the small, vividly colored wooden sign that marks the entrance. The restaurant occupies nine quiet rooms behind Prince Patio, a sunny brick and flagstone courtyard shaded by trumpet vines and adorned with roses in the summer. Custom...

Eating Sante Fe – La Boca

Restaurant: La Boca

Location: 72 W Marcy St, Santa Fe, NM 87501. (505) 982-3433

Date: March 27, 2023

Cuisine: Spanish Tapas

Rating: Pretty good tapas

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Trying to mix up our styles while in Santa Fe.

La boca is more or less classic/modern Spanish tapas.


Busy interior.

The menu.

Some Albarino to start.

DRUNKEN GOAT CHEESE. With Marcona almonds + rosemary. Very nice tangy medium cheese.

OLIVES + ALMONDS. Marcona almonds with pimentón, Sangria olives + oil cured black olives.

MANCHEGO WITH M...