Flor "ida" D.'s Profile

*********PIE**********ALERT*************PIE******* ********
Who you kidding fatty? You know you come here for pie.  
However, I am still amazed at how CRAZY BUSY this joint gets on Thanksgiving.  Who knew...and no it's not all OLD PEOPLE.

For the past couple of weeks, I had been on a mission to find key lime pie. Call it subtle persuasion, or too much DEXTER, but I was craving the pucker that only a key lime pie can give.  I tried flames, carrow's, the cardinal, and came up empty.  Luckily this was one of the few joints that had it.  Buyer beware, when this joint gets busy the service is lack luster. When I opened my pie, it was missing the decorative key limes.  Oh well, it's not like I eat them.  

4 stars to having pie available ALWAYS :)

It's pretty.
It's pricey,
And although it's the OG of yogurt, it's not my favorite.
Even with the fancy decorations, silly price tag, and phenomenal toppings, this silky yogurt doesn't do it for me.
My Palm Springs TOP DOG  was here with his LA owner and I knew we all had to get our PINKY on.  

Tragic, I too was a victim of the mochi bandit. When I arrived on Saturday...there was none to be had by all.

Yelp eats is an excellent marketing gimmick.
$39 bucks for a 3 course meal will surely move the masses in the direction of FOOD.  Surprisingly, most of the menus made my mouth water. What a great way to get new customers to delicious restaurants!

The cube doesn't eat seafood, and from the looks of the options, I selected MACARTHUR PARK based on the location, vibe, and food choices.

I had the heirloom salad, lobster pasta, and mud pie.  The lobster pasta was perfect. I slurped! It was by far as messy as his Ribs plate. I had to crack the lobster, and go to town on the prawns. It was just what I wanted.  

For your reference, the options were:
1. MacArthur Park Salad -O-R Potato Skins -OR- Heirloom Tomatoes
2. Award Winning Baby Back Pork Ribs -OR- Lobster Pasta -OR- Wild Fire Roasted Petaluma Chicken
3. Mud Pie -OR- Duo of Creme Brulee -OR- Blackberry Cabernet & Mango Sorbet

Great deal ,and I would certainly come back again.

Hell YES.
Pumpkin Curry: flavorful, spicy, and for the price-COLOSSAL.
Pad see ew: Good, but not my favorite.  It could have used more veggies.
Two people can eat here for $20 bucks including tip. Awesome!

I love that they give me a warm veggie soup prior to my food arriving.
I love the ambiance.
I love that there is parking.
I love that you can always find somewhere to sit.
I love that the decor is super nice.
I love that this joint is a great value for lunch.
I love pumpkin anything, and especially in my curry.

Service can be hit or miss, and the joint does get noisy when the big NERDS come and get a long big table.
Definitely giving other good Thai joints a run for their money.  Find me here once a month.

Mara T. took me on a date here.   Well, it was me, the bump we will Call JR, and the Pa all out for a Saturday morning breakfast.  If you have heard of the Dutch baby, you know they recommend this to be shared between 3-4 people...hence where I come in.

This joint does it all: eggs, crepes, drinks, lunch, and of course hot cakes that you can swap out for a side or for toast.  WINNER!
Here's what I like:

Potato Pancakes
Blueberry Pancakes
Hawaiian Pancakes
Dollar Pancakes
Strawberry Waffle  with real ice cream sometimes
Corned Beef Has

On the wait list:
I am soon to try the Tahitian Maiden's Dream since I just got back from Tahiti!

I love the pancake house. I love the location in Los Altos, and am happy to see it come closer to my neighborhood.  The food is great, but the interior design at this location is HORRID. Don't get discouraged...it's the same food, with less of a wait :)

If you are looking for a place that specialized in Hot cakes, in other words,  delicious decadence for breakfast...head to the Original.

Not only do they sell Pan Dulce, but they have donuts, cakes, tortas, and an El Salvador inspired Quesadilla.    It's nice to know I have options, so close to a TACO truck!

Please note that this truck is stationed in the parking lot of the SAVE MAS MEXICAN ORIENTAL MARKET.  Yeah, you read correct, don't change the channel folks.

My Top Chef from ESJ recently introduced me to El Paisa. She had raved about the joint in the past, and it was time to satisfy my taco fix from somewhere new.  Although the El Paisa in SD is much better-http://www.yelp.com/bi... is a great option locally.

4.5
Tacos: $ will advise, but I think they were $1.25
Seating: NO
Cash Only, but ATM in the market.
Size: Small 2 tortillas
Good for Groups: No, but if you like standing and eating...
Parking: The truck is in a parking lot, so it can get congested.
Order at the window.

El Paisa offers a variety of meats for your TACO.
They provide a basic salsa stand with 3 options. Agua fresca is hit or miss. At some points during the day, they even grill the carne asada, so you know the meat is fresh.

I ordered a taco and a vampiro. I loved the taco, but was not such a fan of vampiro.  Something about melted cheese on beans, not so much for me.  I think everything tasted better because of the company.   Seating in the back of a truck, freshly squeezed lime on hot carne, a beer in my hand, and friendship....all I can ask for.

*****Review based solely on Twilight Service*****

The sun was going down, and I had hit the pavement HARD at all the various Smithsonian Museums.  My  feet hurt, I was sweaty, hot, and tired. I was schedule to leave the following day and thus had limited time to see the most famous of monuments in our great country.

Honk! Honk!  Run me over Tourmobile BUS. It was like a bolt of lightning.  While at Union station, I noticed the booth.  They offered me a decent  option that consisted of 3 1/2 hours on a bus for $30.  I saw the  Jefferson, Franklin Roosevelt, Lincoln, Korean, Vietnam Veterans and WW II Memorials.  It was beautiful. It's one thing to see them during the day, but at night...it's a whole 'nother story.  I was moved.  Our tour guide was quirky, but very knowledgeable.

Only thing, it's not A/C bus, so be warned those picking a day tour, and they don't serve refreshments or snacks.  HOWEVER, if you bring your own bottle of wine like we did, they love it.  In fact, don't be surprised if you are asked to share.  

Although, the tour guide kept raving about booking a follow up for the day tour, I did manage to go to Arlington on my own. Of course, the one day I choose to go, it rains. Luckily, I converted a trash bag into a poncho.  Tacky, but I stayed dry.  Love me as I love our great country.

God Bless America.

Eric Ripert. Sexy.
Almost as smooth as a nice bowl of fresh ice cream.  

Let me give you my mindset...
I was physically hurt, tired, hungry, achy, and looking for something other than fast food. Although I was staying at the  Westin, I noticed a "livelier" restaurant located at  the Four Seasons just down the block.  

The lively, hip, very happening joint was Westend Bistro by Eric Ripert. Yes...Eric Ripert! Like most tourist freaks, I jumped at the chance to taste anything associated with that beautiful man.  

I was surprised at how busy the restaurant was. It was a freaking weekday.  Odd.  We grabbed a seat at the bar and knew we were in for slow service.  It was OK, but I had to wait a while for my bread and wine.

We shared:
House Salad (like a Cesar Salad) $10. Crispy, fresh, simple.

I had:
Wild Stripped Bass $29.  Asian inspired flavors served a long  a textured rice.  Nice consistency overall, and the fish was cooked beautifully.   I enjoyed it.

He had:
Classic Burger $16.  Skip it. Not worth 16 bucks and it was missing onions.

Desserts:

I had:
Chocolate Peanut Tart $9  I was hoping for something different, but I still finished it. It was tasty. It was served with malted ice cream.

He had:
Lemon Beignets $9  They were fluffy and served with Basil Ice cream. Interesting, but not my favorite.

Overall, great experience...but some dishes were disappointing. I hope to sample your genius still yet, Mr. Ripert, still yet.

Bookstore serving coffee? Now why haven't more people thought of that. Seriously folks, a novel Idea that needs to come to California fast.

Located in beautiful Dupont Circle, I thank my lucky Yelp Stars for shining a light and guiding me to this place. I wanted breakfast that was fast, good, easy on the wallet, and new.  Enter Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe!

The outdoor patio was perfect, but  I chose not to melt and sat inside.
After being greeted by a nice waitress, we were given an extensive menu. So many options, so much to eat. I ordered a whole wheat waffle for $9.95.  Blame my cravings, but I wanted something sweet and filling. The waffle was served with butter, fruit compote, and bacon. I don't eat pork and asked for extra fruit. It was OK, but I wish I could have substituted my fruit for some coffee cake to take with me for the rest of the day.  Substitutions are hard, and I got double the fruit. My heart was happy...I GUESS.

I could have sat here for hours.  My whole day would have been spent buying books, reading, chilling, enjoying the sun.  Wow.   Too bad I had to go visit Abe Lincoln. Maybe next time.