Andy Gavin's Blog, page 47
August 8, 2022
China Gourmet – East Coast Far East
Restaurant: China Gourmet
Location: 2842 St Vincent St, Philadelphia, PA 19149. (215) 941-1898
Date: November 26, 2021
Cuisine: Cantonese Chinese
Rating: Pretty decent Cantonese
_As part of the traditional ThanksGavin progression of meals we often have a second home feast on Friday Night, but this year because my cousin Matt and his wife were justifiably out of steam from the big event the night before, we quested around for tasty place that could take nearly 20 people.
Much to my pleasure we ...
August 5, 2022
ThanksGavin 2021 – The Feast Itself
This year, after a brief pandemic induced hiatus, ThanksGavin returned to Philadelphia in 2021 — at my cousin Matt and his wife Andrea’s place.
Matt is in the back starting his kitchen prep.
For whatever reasons, possibly ennui, my photos are slightly more minimalistic than usual.
The savory spread.
Bread.
Butter.
Brussels with walnuts.
Squash.
Leeks.
Doubling down on the red are the roasted beets.
Potatoes Lyonnaise.
Cranberry jelly.
My mom’s cranberry chutney with a bit of citrus an...
August 3, 2022
Whacky Wednesday – Argana Tree
Restaurant: Argana Tree Restaurant
Location: 620 Greenwood Ave, Jenkintown, PA 19046. (215) 887-7400
Date: November 24, 2021
Cuisine: Moroccan
Rating: Slow but good
_After 2 years off for the pandemic the ThanksGavin was back on in its habitual Philadelphia. On Wed night before the holiday we always go out somewhere interesting, in this case just down the street to:
It’s really down the street from my cousins’ place. We walked.
The menu.
The dining room.
NV Henriot Champagne Blanc de Blanc...
August 1, 2022
Hakata Izakaya Hero
Restaurant: Hakata Izakaya HERO
Location: 1929 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025. (424) 832-3304
Date: November 19, 2021 & July 26, 2022
Cuisine: Japanese Izakaya
Rating: Very good Izakaya
_At this quick little dinner right before Thanksgiving Paul and I hit up the relatively new Hakata Izakaya HERO on Westwood Blvd.
The inside is small.
But we sat outside on the patio. I love patios.
The varied little menu of Japanese comfort foods.
Paul brought: 2019 Xavier Monnot Meursault 1er Cru C...
July 28, 2022
Capital Sauvages
Restaurant: Capital Seafood Beverly Hills [1, 2, 3, 4]
Location: 50 N La Cienega Blvd #130, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. (310) 855-1234
Date: November 12, 2021
Cuisine: Cantonese Chinese
Rating: Not their best meal
_Sauvages has been on a fantastic (and “sold out”) tear since resuming in 2021. This lunch is a return to Capital Seafood in Beverly Hills with a (fake, AKA American) Chardonnay and Pinot Noir theme.
Capital is the latest SGV place to move west, occupying the Newport Seafood Beverly Hil...
July 25, 2022
Return of the Khan — Meteora
Restaurant: Meteora
Location: 6703 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038. (323) 402-4311
Date: July 21, 2022
Cuisine: Primal Elfin
Rating: Late Red Medicine reborn
_
Meteora is the latest restaurant by Jordan Kahn. I’ve been following him for years, from Old Red Medicine, to Late Red Medicine, to Vespertine (on site), to Vespertine (at home), to Destroyer. He’s one “out of the box” chef for sure! Meteora is a new high end ala carte concept. it’s currently in soft opening, but as a “regular” custo...
July 23, 2022
Old Baroli at Etta
Restaurant: Etta
Location: 8801 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232. (424) 570-4444
Date: November 10, 2021 and June 10, 2022
Cuisine: Italian Wood-fire grill
Rating: Tasty, hearty
_Etta is a new “transplant” from Chicago bringing a sort of modern Italian American wood-fire grill thing to LA.
It’s located adjacent to the Shay boutique hotel in Culver City.
The interior is large and attractive with a lively bar scene.
On 11/10/22 we brought an all Italian slate of mostly old Baroli, plus...
July 21, 2022
Chengdu Impression
Restaurant: Chengdu Impression
Location: 21 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA 91006. (626) 462-9999
Date: November 7, 2021 and May 1, 2022
Cuisine: Sichuan Chinese
Rating: Great kitchen, terrible service
_I wanted to go here for years but a combination of distance, the pandemic, and the challenge of getting Sichuan groups together made it a bit hard. Finally I got here in late 2021 and the kitchen was so good we swore to go again.
It’s located in the North SGV, more Arcadia, on a busy street.
The ...
July 18, 2022
Quick Eats – Pasta Sisters
Restaurant: Pasta Sisters
Location: 3280 Helms Ave, Culver City, CA 90232. (424) 603-4503
Date: November 5, 2021
Cuisine: Pasta
Rating: Good pasta, weird fast casual format
_I met John G for a nice little lunch in Culver City on this particular Friday.
Pasta Sisters in located on the corner of Helm’s Bakery.
Yep. Helms bakery location.
Small interior space with very little (or no?) interior dining space.
The fast casual menu at the counter.
A bit of focaccia bread.
Spaghetti Truffle. A d...
July 14, 2022
Loire at Akbar
Restaurant: Akbar [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
Location: 3115 Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292. (310) 574-0666
Date: November 4, 2021
Cuisine: Indian
Rating: Bold and balanced flavors
ANY CHARACTER HEREIt’s time for my my Hedonist group to return to LA’s best Indian restaurant, Akbar (Santa Monica branch). Too many Indian places focus on low cost buffets of very over cooked food, but Akbar cooks everything to order — even baking their own Naan when you place the order. They are more focused on t...
