Monthly Archives: May 2009

The Perfect Pastrami

by Brian

For those of you who live in a cave, and tell time with a sundial, let me be the first to tell you that today is Cinco de Mayo.  Today is a day of drinking giant margaritas, ice cold cervezas and gorging on carne asada street tacos by the armload.  Of course, that is what is going to happen tonight.  Meanwhile, Mikey and I still have work to do and therefore my review this evening will have nothing to do with Mexico, Mexican food or booze of any kind.

What you probably don’t know is that Germans make up one of the largest foreign groups in Mexico.  The German people are also the reason why Dos Equis is so awesome, thanks to the import of their lager style beer.  It is in honor of that contribution, on this largest of Mexican holidays, that I give you this review: a genuine German deli.

Meats, Cheeses and so much more...

Meats, Cheeses and so much more...

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Filed under Thousand Oaks, Ventura County

Thai one on after you tie one on

by Brian

My buddy Adam, of Orochon Ramen fame, makes his triumphant return to EatMeCalifornia in this first post in a series on Asian cuisine.  As many of you know, I am not asian.  I’m not even smart like asian people tend to be.  I grew up eating meat and pototo based meals, and as a result, was morbidly obese at the age of 12.  Okay, not really, but I was husky.

Anyway, Adam is my new Asian food guru.  He promised to show me the ropes and keep me out of trouble.  To get a good baseline for Thai food he took me to one of his favorite Thai restaurants called Sanam Luang Cafe.  The real credit for this find goes to one of my former fraternity bros, Tam.  His parents grow the fabled Ghost Pepper, which is the hottest chili in the world.  Because of this, he knows everything about pretty much everything.  So thanks, Tam, for lookin’ out.

Sanam Luang Cafe – West of the 170 on Sherman Way in North Hollywood

It looks different at night... i'm told.

It looks different at night... i'm told.

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Filed under Los Angeles Area, North Hollywood

The Final 3 on Hells Kitchen

by Mikey

We are nearing the finale and thank goodness.  This has been a rough season to watch.  I think Gordon may have to do a Hells Kitchen from somewhere else and find a new talent pool.  This whole season I’ve been comparing these guys to the Top chef contestants and maybe that’s my mistake.  Maybe they really want that whole rags to riches thing to happen.

last-31

We start off from last week waiting for whatever surprise Gordon has for them.  Again, I was hoping it would be Rampage Jackson blasting out of the kitchen to fight the last 3 finalists, but instead it was just their families coming out to hug and cry with them.  This isn’t the kind of crying I like.  I want down home, American, why are you all rejecting me, I’m breaking down emotionally kind of crying. Continue reading

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Filed under On TV

Danny’s Deli and Grill

by Mikey

Ventura is in need of some seriously good deli’s. Thousand Oaks is loaded with them but Ventura thus far has been lackluster. T and I were hoping this family owned Deli would be the beginning of some good stuff. The question remained would the huge jar of scary pickles be to much for us to handle? Continue reading

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Filed under Ventura, Ventura County

Our Readers Are Super Talented In The Kitchen

by Brian

I didn’t run this by Mikey, but I doubt he’ll mind too much.  Tonight I’d like to spotlight one of our fine readers before my review.  Her name is Amy and not only does she have awesome taste in food blogs, but she can bake a thing or two as well.  How do I know this?  Well she dropped some samples of one of her newest creations by my office the other day.  It was our first official fan gift, so I just had to write about it.

high hat cupcake

Amy is the creator of Stolen Sweets Bakery.  I’m pretty sure everything that she makes is created with ingredients stolen off the back of a hostess truck.  I’ll have to confirm that though.  Anyway, I’m not usually a cupcake guy, but these were just too interesting to pass up.  They are called “high-hat” cupcakes and are made of chocolate cake and an interesting marshmellow creme frosting which is then dipped in chocolate.  Think ding-dongs, but like 1000 times better.  Here’s the interior view:

highhat interior

What really makes these cupcakes different from the kind that I make is the fact that they are really tasty.  The cake was super moist and the frosting tasted like a mix of marshmellow creme and powdered sugar.  It had that grainy texture that you only get from something that you know is really bad for you.  The chocolate coating just flakes off and melts in your mouth like a little bonus gift.  Did I mention that they taste really good?

Mikey didn’t get to try these because my coworkers stole them all before I had a chance to save him one.  Maybe Amy will be nice enough to share her next creation with both of us.  Stay tuned to EatMeCalifornia.com for more on Stolen Sweets.  We’ll let you know as soon as she is officially open to the public.  Right now were just lucky to be the guinea pigs.

Also, you should know that Amy is a great writer and has her own blog.  You can see it in our Sites We Like on the right side of this page.  It’s called Parenting With Duct Tape.  Check it out and read all about Amy’s adventures with life, parenthood and raising kids and one incorrigible husband.  (Sorry Dean)

In keeping with the sweet theme, I chose to review a place I had heard about, in Thousand Oaks, which is supposed to have the best donuts.  Did they?  You’ll have to keep reading to find out… Continue reading

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Filed under Thousand Oaks, Ventura County