Joanna L.'s Profile

What an adorable hole in the wall. Late Saturday night, needed a food fix, so we headed to Jadis. Seated immediately and plenty of food and drink options. The platter is well worth it, and a lot of unlimited baskets of toasted bread.

Adorable atmosphere, music was quiet enough so you could hear your friends. I'll have to return to try more on the menu.

OUTSTANDING. I walked into NOPA with high hopes, and left not disappointed. That's generally tough for me... but everything I ate and drank was delicious.

First of all, BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE. Thank you thank you for sitting us in the mezzanine overlooking the kitchen. I was practically watching them cook our meal.

Started off with the goat cheese and beets. I'm not sure what was in that goat cheese, but I'm pretty sure heaven was in it. I completely regret asking where the goat cheese was, but it was honestly the best goat cheese I've ever had.

Next came the roast duck with hazelnuts and some sort of greens I can't remember right now, but it was to die for. I was regretting my small appetite, I just wanted MORE.

I can't wait to go back, seriously, it was amazing.

Oh and make a reservation well ahead of time, this place gets PACKED.

Need a spot because all the brunch places around the East Village are packed? Gemma is the place to head to. Not because it's bad, but because the space is huge, so there's always a quick turnover for tables.

Cute setting, good selection on the menu. Ordered the truffled polenta fries to start. These are good, but not something I'm dying to eat again. Ordered the breakfast pizza, also delicious, but again, not something I'll crave. Overall, a good meal if you're in need for brunch. Definitely a no frills place.

Thai tea. Delicious.

#3 - pate pork meatloaf banh mi - perfect. Watch out for the jalapenos if you're averse to spice!

#9 - grilled pork banh mi - juicy and flavorful. I wish I could go back and try the pork meatballs banh mi.

Shrimp and pork spring rolls, delicious. Better if stuffed with more shrimp and pork (ah, too much to ask for). I love the peanut sauce.

Flan. Great way to finish off the meal.

Oh right, the strawberry + cream cheese pastry is addicting, but can't eat more than one of those without feeling the arteries crying a bit. I wish NYC had better Vietnamese food, I guess I'll settle for thinking nonstop about K Sandwiches.

Hi. Can I live here forever?

So, I had high expectations for Blue Hill and I was not disappointed. After some friends had dined there and talked non-stop about it, I knew I had to go. Well my first reservation was made. What happened? Hurricane Irene happened. Thanks a lot. Cancelled. Made a reservation for two months later.... and fast forward, I finally made it out there in December! (Hooray!)

We had an 11am reservation, which only had the option for the 4-course Farmer's Lunch ($85). (Next time, I must return for the 12 course Farmer's Feast... except I was so full after 4 courses, I'm not sure if I could eat 12...).

First - coffee - oh my god so good. I'm a big coffee/espresso snob and I was impressed with their brew. Generally drip coffee tastes the same for me and I opt for espresso, but oh man, their Irving Farm brew was perfect.

Then came the dishes. First the fresh and lightly seasoned farm vegetables. Then a tiny beat burger (which was amaazing). Then of course, they satisfy my current obsession with beets with a red and golden beet salad. Their fresh bread and butter, holy crap. Thinking about it just made me salivate. We kept eating so much bread (probably why we were so full). What's next? Fresh brook trout. After that, roasted Berkshire pork. (we were dying by then, but wanted dessert). Lastly was something surprising, a butternut squash souffle with maple ice cream with pumpkin seeds. I thought it'd be weird, but no, it was AWESOME.

Ok, now I'm ranting and raving, but I NEED to go back here. Time to make another reservation for 2 months from now!!!

(Also, roam the grounds, it's really pretty there!)

Put some south in my mouth!

Yes, I said it. I was born in the south, grew up in the south, then moved up and became a yankee (oh man oh man), but despite my now yankee ways, I know my southern food.

South City Kitchen has friendly service, heart attack inducing dishes (but what southern food isn't that way), and a menu worthy of trying it all. The first dish was the smoked pork belly. Yes, yes, YES! Ok, any pork gets me going, but pork belly melts in your mouth. Done very well and very juicy.

Next up was the fried chicken and the Southern Boo-yah!-baze! Both were plentiful and delicious. I'm a big fan of fried chicken, so was happy to eat the fried goodness. The potatoes were smooth and creamy and the chicken was crisp and juicy inside.

The next time I'm in Atlanta, I'll head over for brunch!

One of my few fun dine-alone meals while on business. Right next to the W Hollywood, so convenient for me since that's where I was staying. I had my choice of seating on a Tuesday night. The nice host placed me in a comfy armchair in the balcony area so I could observe the activity below.

First order of business was a glass of wine. I'm a fan of white wine, and happy to see some local flavors. Next up was the appetizer.  Ordered the roasted beet salad and was not disappointed, although I've been obsessively eating beets the past few weeks. Next up was a pork and apple dish that's not on the menu any more. It was nicely cooked and juicy and if the dish comes back next year, please order it. It was great. I was tempted to get the chicken and waffles, but the server told me about their seasonality, so I went the way of getting the "limited edition" meal.

Overall, a very enjoyable meal. I would return with friends the next time I'm in LA!

Hello chicken apple sausage and eggs. I'll have you know that I love sausage links. The food was fast, the food was abundant. A bit too abundant. Eggs sunny side up, 2 chicken apple sausage links, 2 giant piece of delicious toast and the delicious rosemary potatoes, cooked to a tasty crispy skin.

Highly recommended. The french toast looked delicious, but my friend said it was a bit too sweet (well, it was cinnamon and berry).

If I lived in San Diego, I'd go more often. No wait on a Thursday late morning brunch. Lucky us!

I was waiting for when I made my way back to San Francisco to try Roli Roto. Well, glad I made the stop! Waited in line, then proceeded to over order, therefore revealing my gluttonous side... A 2 sandwiches, half a chicken, large side of potatoes for 2 people.

What was I thinking?

Well, needless to say, the seagulls were circling us like hawks. The sandwich, delicious, slightly crunchy pieces of porchetta. Good healthy serving of arugula. Bread was too much, but good. Next? The rosemary potatoes. Oh my god, so good. Crispy, flavorful, you could taste the pork fat drippings. The chicken was flavorful, but passable. Too much all at once. Stick to the sandwich and small potato side!

I'll be back for more Roli Roti!!!

I was in the mood for seafood, so I headed over to the Dallas Fish Market. My hotel made me a reservation, which was silly since the restaurant was... empty. Ordered a glass of wine and the tuna over cous cous. Don't get me wrong, the meal was good, just nothing outstanding. Especially for a seafood dish.

A sushi appetizer was presented to me, which was nice, and I'm not sure if that was normal or out of the blue. Also, it was my first time eating alone at a nice restaurant (on a business trip).

Not the kind of place I'll return to, but not bad at all.