So Cal: Nékter Juice Bar, a healthy Breakfast and Snack Choice for the Person on the Go

While in San Diego, I got a chance to visit Nekter Juice Bar to grab some grub.   Preparing for a day of Comic Con, I needed to take the kids for some nourishment.  One can easily do six to seven miles in a day.   The kids got the Acai bowls.  If you are admitted unhip person.  Heck, I may be unhip for using the expression, “hip” then let me explain the acai bowl.

It is a Brazilian dish made of frozen and mashed açaí palm fruit. It is served as a smoothie in a bowl or glass, and is commonly topped with granola and banana, and then mixed with other fruits.  At the San Diego location, bowls were about $9 each.

As for me I ordered, the vegan ice cream.  They offer four choices.  I selected the orange twist which sort of reminds you of a creamsicle.  The other selections include chocolate haze, monster cookie dough,  and peanut butter swirl.  Let me warn fellow weight watcher smart points folks that 180 calorie serving is high in smart points.  Nevertheless, the handcrafted coconut milk based delight doesn’t disappoint.  The vegan ice cream priced between $4 and $6 bucks.

Orange Twist

There are locations in Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Porter Ranch, Thousand Oaks and more.

Click Here to Visit their website

 

 

 

 

Northridge, CA: Waffle Love

I can just hear Morris Day now, “Waffle Love, Oh- Wee- Oh- Wee- Oh” Now, some of you of a certain age catch the joke but others of you may need to travel to 80’s music history catch up on Morris Day and the Time.   Waffle Love is a small shop in Northridge, CA(The San Fernando Valley) located on Reseda Blvd.   Despite their proud accolades from the Food Network posted on the from the building, I didn’t have high expectations.

Dulce de Liege

However, this restaurant needs to been shown some love for specializing in waffles and doing them extremely well.  With Waffle themes of Banana Cream Pie (A waffle filled with chocolate),   the churro waffle and Dulce de Liege, you are in for a decadent treat.   If not for breakfast you may want to make this a dessert spot.

The Banana cream pie was good.  The Dulce de Liege was excellent with an incredible unique flaky and crispy texture.

Van Nuys, CA: South African Cuisine at Springbok Bar & Grill

Springbok Bar brings the tastes of South Africa to Van Nuys, CA.  This restaurant is a diamond in the rough.  It is unassuming and near by the Woodley Lake Golf Course.  My dining companion and I had no idea what to expect.   But when I opened the menu, way too many things looked great.

You may think the menu does jump all over the place with style of cuisine and you will notice a heavy amount of Indian cuisine on the menu.   That is in part because South Africa has a large Indian population and the food of India has been embraced in South Africa as if it were it’s own.

Well, I enjoyed South African style samosas.  The were large and packed with flavor.  And I also enjoyed my fish and chips.   Both had a delight salad of arugula, diced tomato and drizzled with it seemed a mustard dill dressing.   Everything was delish.    Check out this spot.

 

On many days they have live entertainment from comedy to trivia to jazz and they often showing a variety of sports giants screens.

Salt & Straw Ice Cream Shop: A Portland and Los Angeles Delight

Roasted Strawberry & Toasted White Chocolate, Honey Lavendar,  Black Olive Brittle & Goat Cheese, and  Freckled Woodblock Chocolate are just of the gourmet flavors you can experience at Salt & Straw Ice Cream shops.

Take 1

To the Left (MCCN Editor having Honey lavender)

My friend who lived in the Portland Area recently moved to LA and asked I wanted to get ice cream.    Now, I don’t love ice cream.  I like it.  I crave it more when it is hot but gourmet ice can change your mind about what you know to be ice cream.  Nothing boring on the menu like plain old chocolate, ice cream or strawberry.  And the title of each flavor at this shop is likely to be more than one word.  Like popular yogurt shops they let you endlessly sample flavors.   Considering that the flavors are so different, it is best than you can before walking on the wild side.

Take 2

The proof is in the putting when you can bring friends back to enjoy the experience with you.   We’re not selfish like Eddie Murphy’s famous comedy skit, ” I got some ice cream and you ain’t gone none. ”  No, the more the merrier when it comes to sharing in masterful taste experience.

Visit the website for locations:  http://saltandstraw.com/

Gen Korean Barbecue House

There’s always a line and I know to not underestimate the reason why.   Gen Korean Barbecue house has several locations but I visited the one in Northridge.  The food is marinated well all you need to do is keep your eye on your meat or seafood.  Let it cook on each side for about 2 minutes and you are ready to eat.

They start you off with a well seasoned salad and you also can request soup.   I had a spicy tofu soup and it was relish.   Among the meats we cooked on the grill were pork belly, brisket, shrimp and more.   Absolutely nothing disappointed.   All you can eat for two hours.  The food is so good you will be coming back for more.   Their only stipulation is not to waste the meat or you get charged for it.  

10151 Reseda Blvd, Northridge, CA 91324

by Crystal A. Johnson

 

A Restaurant’s 12 Days of Christmas Lunch

Newport Beach, CA – November 21, 2016 – This holiday season, A Restaurant is pleased to open doors on select days in December for the annual 12 Days of Christmas Lunch. Beginning Thursday, December 1 and continuing on select weekdays through Friday, December 16, A Restaurant will offer a seasonal holiday lunch menu, courtesy of Executive Chef Jonathan Blackford.

A Restaurant’s 12 Days of Christmas Lunch menu offers a variety of classic starters including a Pozole Verde, Braised Niman Meatballs and A’s signature Spicy Yellowfin Tuna. A diverse list of entrees features the Fusilli Pasta, Blackened Shrimp Salad and the A Burger.  A Restaurant’s classic steak cuts are also available for lunch. Favorite side dishes are offered including Blue Lake Green Beans, Mac N Cheese and House Bistro Fries. For those looking to celebrate the holidays, a special captain’s wine list will be available, offering hand curated 99 and 100 point wines selections.

The 12 Days of Christmas Lunch will be open December 1-2, 6-9 and 13-16 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Reservations are currently available through Open Table or for larger parties by contacting the restaurant directly.

For more information on celebrating the seasons at A Restaurant visit http://arestaurantnb.com/.

Northridge, CA: The Falafel Palace

This reviews pains me a bit.  Sometimes, a meal falls short.  I normally enjoy The Falafel Palace but this dinner fell short for not all me but my friend too.  She was a first visitor so she wasn’t impressed.

Let’s talk my plate first with lamb sitting a top of head lettuce( which I hate but that’s not their fault) complimented with tabouli and baba ganoush. My lamb was flavorful but  dry. My tabouli was just too dry and lacked flavor.  The baba ganoush was good.  They also offered me a sample of their falafel which I enjoyed.  However, my dining order a pita filled with falafels and she thought it lacked flavor.  Considering that I have been to restaurant in a year.  I want to give them the benefit of the doubt of a bad day.  My others visits, I have no complaints.  That is why I have kept coming over the years.

Review by Crystal A. Johnson

9255 Reseda Blvd, Northridge, CA 91324

Phone:(818) 993-0734

 

 

 

 

 

Woodland Hills, High Tea Cottage

What a wonderful little spot in the San Fernando Valley.  The High Tea Cottage is located one block south of Ventura Blvd in Woodland Hill.  The staff is friendly and don’t be surprised if they engage in conversation with.

Look out for special days like Downton Abbey Teacher or Customer Appreciation day which prices are slashed in half.  I was fortunate to visit on a Good Friday customer appreciation day.

We started with tea and delight fruit salad.  Then we enjoyed our tea sandwiches and scones and enjoyed our fruit filled Belgian chocolate cups.

Address: 21938 Costanso St, Woodland Hills, CA 91364

Phone:(818) 887-2117

 highteacottage.com

 

Van Nuys, CA: Swiss Chef Restaurant

MCCN Editor enjoying her Schnitzel dinner.

How can you go wrong with an accordion playing chef? Um…You can’t.  It’s pure comedy when you don’t expect it yet his playing and food are no joke.  This is the experience you get at the Swiss Chef Restaurant where the serve homestyle German, Swiss and other inter-continental cuisine.

You walk to the restaurant and you are greet with decor of an abundance of European flags.  You see a Chef walking around and conversing when he gets an opportunity to do so.  And if it is your birthday, the Chef pauses from the kitchen routine to play the accordion for you.

Despite warning my dining partner that our meal may be a little pricey, she was game for the adventure.  The average dish averages around $26 per entree, an appetizer between $6 and $20.   Valet parking in $3.50 but if you are lucky, maybe you can find street parking.  If you plan on splitting a meal there is a $6 sur-charge.  Now you are equipped with financial facts.   Is this dining experience worth it?  My experience included heartiness of homestyle cuisine is flavorful and ingredients are obviously fresh.  The side creamed spinach was incredible.  It was light and the Spinach was lost in the cream.  The red cabbage was delightful and the meat of schnitzel was tender.  The scene stealer was dessert time and the sour cream sorbet.  It had me at hello when I perused the menu.

This seems like a great place to have fun with friends and family.  With paper streamers hanging from the ceiling, it is best described at festive setting.  There white table clothes not protected by glass and that is an impressive novelty.  Is this the place you want to take a date? Yes, if romance to you equates to having fun.

Sherman Oaks: The Review of Fish Dish

On a Tuesday night the neon lights of Fish Dish on Ventura Blvd caught my attention.  The food critic(me) is trying to be slightly healthier though I admit that fries are a weakness.  My interest in fish tacos has reawakened since having a fabulous fish taco from Señor Sol.  At Fish dish, they offer various types of fish tacos and you have a choice for it to be friend or broiled.  I opted for the broiled Cajun fish taco with an order fries.

At Fish Dish, they give you an ample amount of fish but for me I found the flavor bland despite the so-called Cajun touch. It was not a bad taco.  The fish tasted fresh and I believe many would be pleased with it.   They have a nice salsa bar.   And the sauces are really good.

The location is rustic and cool.   You order at the counter.  It is a no tipping spot.   Parking is always a challenge on Ventura.  Most of the nearby parking is metered.