Little Next More

Getting East siders and West siders together can be challenging. Meeting in the middle is a splendid compromise and Little Next Door was the perfect choice. Located just West of LaCienega on the South side of W. 3rd, this fresh French market and bistro sits adjacent to it's fine dining cousin Little Door. I got there first and chose a seat on the sidewalk patio closest to the street. Good vantage for the pics but not the quietest seat in the house. There are indoor seats as well but the patio was busiest. The menu was quite extensive for bistro fare and there is a charming market counter inside with prepared foods, bakery and pastries. We ordered 5 of the six cheeses and it came with grapes, bread and fresh preserves. Alas it was the Proseccos that were the star of the late afternoon. First is was the white peach, then the passionfruit, then the mandarin then the lychee and THEN..the hibiscus rose, which was my favorite, my friend preferred the passion fruit. We also found room to split a Greek salad that despite lacking cucs had arugala, pine nuts, lots of sun dried tomatoes and chevre.

Daily Hours 9 AM - 6 PM

8142 West 3rd Street, LA CA 90048
(next door to The Little Door)

Tel: 323.951.1010
Fax: 323.951.0487

Gasless Ghetto Gourmet

Well sort of anyway, no gas was used in the cooking of this meal. But I definitely jumped into my carbon emitting four banger and booked over to Mar Vista with no concern for fuel economy. I arrived an hour late but just in time for film maker Chris Paine introduce his acclaimed film Who Killed The Electric Car. Everyone ate the killer squash soup, salmon and desert while watching this murder mystery styled documentary regarding GM's burial of its EVI electric car program. I had seen the movie before and loved it. Fascinating stuff what a few people can do when they get together and refuse to go away. When I first saw the movie I came away feeling as if the filmakers had deliverd a devastating blow to the mammoth General Motors Company. But after meeting and speaking with the film makers and players it was not that simple. These folks were on the GM bandwagon! Touting the promises and efforts GM has made since the subsequent embarassement that was realized by the film.


All in all it was another great night by Jeremy at The Ghetto Gourmet. They should be returning to LA again in about a month, be sure not to miss out on what will assuredly be another astounding effort.

Barfly

When this is the view you have at the bar or patio seat, you're sipping beverages and nibbling on free apps it's hard to complain about a little noise. Proud bird restaurant/aircraft museum and banquet facility lays adjacent LAX's runway. I'd noticed the old airplanes in front of the place a number of times passing it on Aviation just North of the 105. Open from 11pm to 10am daily, happy hour 4-7 M-F discount drinks and free apps. $14.95 lunch buffet seemed like the best deal and what most were ordering.

Ghetto Ghet

It seems that most of the time when I have heightened expectations from an event, or movie or person I am disappointed. Maybe it's all the hype that binds disappointment to the never satisfied. Either way I thought that the Ghetto Gourmet was going to be the raddest dining experience of my life, this gave me cautious trepidation. Every other time I'd set up big expectations I'd actually set my self up for a let down. Well, the Ghet did not disappoint, as a matter of fact it exceeded expecations. I brought cold sake and champagne after being emailed the menu last minute.

Rice Paper Wrapped Tiger Prawn with Ginger and Garlic

Tuna Tower with Shiso and Uni Sauce

Fresh Veggie Spring Roll

Lobster Bisque Shot with a Corn Fritter

Tomato Consumme with Roast Pumpkin Dumpling

Mini Chocolate, Banana & Macadamia Nut Pies

It looked like a good sized menu but left me wanting twice the portions of each course. But far and away the best part of the night was the group. Billed as the dinner in the dark we were drenched in candlelight to enjoy each others exuberence. What a great crowd and night. Do not miss a chance to dine like this.

Not Nearly Nordic Nough

You have to call the Irish Consulate in San Francisco to attain the application for an Irsih passport. Passports are to anyone with a parent born there. Apparantly there's a lot of Irish in San Francisco and when I went to Dropkick Murphey's last weekend the passport wouldn't have gotten a bushmills neat and guiness back to save your life. It was Social Distortion meets my Tribe loving, nightmare of a redsox fandom, hooligan mob looking as if they wanted to kill a man. My friend and I with antique related back ailments scuttled to the back of the crowd hoping not to get clobbered by the thug crowd. Interesting thing was everyone got on stage and thrashed at the ending and it was pretty impressive, it served as quite the bonding experience. Went to dive bar downtown THE 101 and the Missions CASANOVA to round out the perfect night out in the city.

Bite ein bit

So next time you're in Milpitas Sheraton don't bother asking for the EU's best selling beer. They have the handles and all but the beer is en route. Fat Tire works fine as I try and get my way into Oracle, and I'm not talking software. Silicon Valley is a bit desolate these days and It's my first time time there so I guess I missed the HAYday, which is surprisingly more like agra Sac than close to the city tech center, lots of vacant commercial space.

Happy Hour Halloween

Lucys 51 Halloween served as best bet in town for fast food served with flair on steps from the WORLDS BEST trick-or-teating (Toluca Lake). I was hungry and was able to cordon off an entire section of the bar/eatery for myself. They were prepared for the all hallows eve revelers with hanging ghosts and cobwebs. The happy hour menu was great, seared ahi, fried ravioli and sweet potato fries balanced out the pumpkin martini just fine. I scarfed it and went trick or treating. Thats right 38 and trick or treating and I have finally found the top targets, where they serve up full on haunted houses, mansion after mansion and have full candy stores set up at the end of gated driveways. Yes Toluca Lake, Burbanks attached alienhead sister city has a new purpose.

Now What Mother Echo Parker?

Short Stop. It's been a staple for seductive flossies and make out artists of all kinds. Echo Parks best bar is now part of a three in a row barhopper special. El Compadre, The Short Stop and Little Joy. If you've not experience this trio of delight and debaucerhy you oughta. Start off with strolling Mariachi's and Margaritas at El Compadre, the sister spot to the Rock Walks urban legend. Then saunter 50 feet to the right to The Short Stop, LA's BARHOPPERS pick as #1 hook up bar on the East side. Then stumble into Little Joy, only another bleeding 30 meters to the punkest bar we know of. Total chaos mass confusion, and a great jukeox. Tell Joe at Little Joy and Mario at El Compadre and Justice at The Short Stop that LA BARHOPPER sent you may get our hook up.

Rusty Scupper

Down on the Santa Monica Pier, by the famous ferris wheel, along the wood plank boardwalk sits an adventitiously poised all American bar. Rusty's Surf Ranch may serve less than adequate food but it's the best thing going the way of bars on the pier. It has a pool table and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Live music on the weekends would be it's other main draw. Usually closed by midnight.