Lemonade at LAX — Food Upgrades at LAX

Reports of the rebirth of food at our local mega-airport have not been exaggerated. LAX has been sagging age-wise, and not in a fun retro way. It’s food offerings have been quite terrible for all that time, with the highlight being McDonald’s in terminal 1 or Chili’s To Go. But LAX’s overlords have decreed that they will put in high-quality, local, successful eateries, including Pink’s, Campanile (I won’t be eating there), and Lemonade.

Essential Chocolates – Ding Dongs!

Essential Chocolates has two branches, one in the Westside Pavilion and one on Washington in Culver City, serving a small menu of handmade chocolates and baked goods. Full of precious confections, they serve the ultimate precious treat — an adult version of Hostess Ding Dongs.

Half and Half Tea House – Boba with a Side of 30 Minute Wait

Half & Half Tea House has risen above the fray of boba shops all over the San Gabriel Valley to become the premiere boba shop. As a testament to this fact, hordes of people wait in line for a chance to suck down the intensely sweet, intensely tea-y drinks.

Daikokuya – the Godfather of LA Ramen

This post is long overdue, and woefully incomplete. I lost my photos of most of my meal and haven’t replaced them yet. But the occasion of Daikokuya’s 11th anniversary necessitates a post of the place that inspired my, and most of LA’s, ramen awakening.

Guisados – Tacodouche edition – Best Tortillas Ever

Guisados opened up in Boyle Heights a couple years ago in an old tamale shop. Situated next door to a tortilla maker, the killer app here is fresh masa brought over almost every hour for the freshest, most awesome tortillas ever.

Williams-Sonoma Holiday Giant Caramel Apple

In very untimely fashion I present the Williams-Sonoma Holiday Giant Caramel Apple, one of my favorite treats. At $25, it’s too expensive to buy for yourself. But it’s a great example of selfish giving to gift it in a situation you know you’ll be able to join in on the love.

Chego – More Pictures of Pre-Lapsarian Chego

Terrible rumor yesterday that Chego is moving to Chinatown. I don’t think it’s confirmed yet, so no need to panic until Choi bowls are no longer available on the Westside. But I’m taking the occasion to post some old photos of Chego before they closed down the storefront for “renovations.”

This could be the saddest closure since the Spice Table’s lunch service.

85°C America – Imagine a Starbucks Where People Waited in Line for an Hour for Pastries

85°C is the Starbucks of Taiwan, with a branch on every corner and people from all walks of life stopping in a couple times a week for drinks — boba milk tea or sea salt lattes. 85°C has since opened 4 branches in America, all here in Southern California, but the draw is a huge assortment of breads, pastries, and fancy cakes — as well as a drink bar with many of the drinks that made them famous in Taiwan.

[* apologies for the lead photo. 98% of the clients are Asian, so this photo of the white girl in the inappropriate shirt is not representative.]

Waiting in Line at Souplantation

I heard, but cannot confirm, that the Souplantation in Carmel Valley, San Diego is the busiest in at least the area, if not the world.

Presented without douchey comments, this picture of the line that I was almost done with after having waited 45 minutes to enter. A Souplantation.

Souplantation
3804 Valley Centre Dr,
San Diego, CA 92130
858.481.3225

Simply Salad – Let the Court Staff Eat Salad!

Simply Salad just opened its second location in downtown LA, bringing a quick, fast, light lunch to an area heavy on good food but light on this kind of thing. Across the street from Pete’s Bar and Grill, home of a decadent blue cheese mac and cheese and a frequent lunch spot for police chief Charlie Beck, and near Baco Mercat, Bar Ama, Blossom, and Big Man Bakes. There’s a lot of good stuff there, but not a lot for those still sticking out new year’s resolutions.