Sunday, March 28, 2010

Spicy Fish Soup at Pacific Fish Center

The fog rolled in as Laleanne and I pulled into the parking lot on the east side of the Redondo Beach pier. It was cold, a bit damp, windy and we were both wearing dresses, so a little speed walking was in order as we headed to our destination. The Pacific Fish Center is a Korean run seafood restaurant that usually has a line running out the door and onto the pier. The crowd is a mix of Korean families, Filipino couples and groups of Chinese students – insert one blonde haired blue eyed girl on a mission and you can picture the situation quite nicely.

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Laleanne and I neared the front of the line where the photo menu is posted for easy ordering. The woman working behind the cash register assured us a small spicy fish soup would be enough for 2, so we took her word but ordered 2 other dishes as well just in case. As we waited for our number to be called, the line cooks plucked wriggling sweet shrimp and crabs from the tanks and plopped them on scales for weighing. This made for excellent entertainment and a good distraction to our growling bellies.

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At last, our number was called out in Korean by a Hispanic host (probably one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen, this guy had memorized the numbers 1-100 in Korean!) We were seated next to the window, but we were too ravenous to notice the waves crashing below us or the pristine smell of the ocean. Waitresses whizzed past our table pushing carts piled high with live sweet shrimp, steamed crabs, platters of sashimi and bubbling pots of spicy fish soup. This was torture, we were starving.

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Live Shrimp

Finally, our first dish was served – half a dozen oysters. Simply shucked, served on a plastic plate with lemon wedges, we dove in, adding dashes of Tabasco and cocktail sauce. These were Laleanne’s first oysters, and all I can say is, oysters better watch out, because she’s gonna eat you every chance she gets. Mild with a clean taste of the sea, these were a perfect beginning to some good eating.

Oysters in a half shell

A pile of steamed Manila clams in a broth of scallions, jalapeños and garlic was next. The tiny clams were plump and fragrant with the aromatics from the broth, which we sipped using makeshift spoons from the clam shells.

Manilla Clams

The spicy fish soup was something to behold, still bubbling, fiery red and laden with fish it was placed before us. Slivers of daikon, mushrooms, scallions, onions studded the broth of chili paste, ginger, garlic all perfuming the pieces of halibut and tofu – the stars of this soup. This soup is for those with adventurous palates, as all parts of the fish are used – fins, skin, tail and bones. But if that doesn’t make you flinch, you’ll enjoy every mouthful, I suggest ordering it spicy and pour it over steamed rice.

Korean Spicy Fish Soup

This place isn’t fancy, but service is prompt and without frills, and décor is non-existent. But with views of the sea, the jam-packed dining room and the chatter of satisfied diners, this is a place you can’t help but enjoy.

The Day’s Damage: $9 oysters + $11 clams + $20 fish soup + $4 water = $44 total
Item 3: Check

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Grand Central Market & Fashion District

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laleanne: Our first adventure took us to the heart of Los Angeles’ Historic district where we meandered around the Grand Central Market. This open-air market is a captivating medley for the senses. Aisle to aisle there are stands with fresh produce, barrels of beans and nuts, and even clear cases filled to the brim with unique Mexican spices. Immediately, you are hit with a smorgasbord of scents from all of the food vendors freshly grilling, sautéing, and frying made to-order meals. As usual, my sense of smell overwhelmed me and I was eager to eat anything handed to me—literally.

We made our first lunch stop at Sarita’s Pupuseria. Pupuseria? Is that Spanish for where they make Mexican pupu platters? Carla quickly defined “pupusa” for me as something similar to a pancake filled with savory goodness. I’m in! Officially a pupusa is a thick, hand-made corn biscuit-like flat bread, made using a maize flour dough that is stuffed with anything of your choice (cheese, vegetables, or meat). I chose a pupusa de hongos con queso (cheese and mushrooms) and Carla had a pupusa de jalapeno con queso (jalepenos and chese). Wrapped around Sarita’s stand is a counter with bar stools overlooking the cooking area. We perched up on some stools and watched the ladies pound, knead, and cook our pupusas. Served with a side of pickled cabbage and a bottle of a hot sauce, we went to town on our pupusas. Imagine a crisp pancake filled with cheese, paired with the tartness and crunch of some cabbage and the kick of hot sauce. Trust me, it’s tasty. Here’s the big plus, the pupusas are about $2.40 a piece. Cook up a couple of those, mix and match them if you want, and you could have a full meal for under $5.

carla: Next up, it was time to get our ceviche fix. Laleanne and I are huge supporters of Mariscos Chente, so any opportunity to satisfy our ceviche cravings elsewhere are always entertained. Maria’s Fresh Seafood at Grand Cetnral Market makes three kinds of ceviche: fish, shrimp & a mixture of the two. We ordered a pint of shrimp ceviche and headed to Las Morelianas as it was said to be the best spot for carnitas at the market. As we walked up to the stall, we were immediately handed a taco each filled with moist, delicious carnitas. This was a just a mere sample given to us in order to help our decision making, needless to say this did not make the ordering process any easier. Las Morelianas specializes in slow roasting the ‘whole hog’ – the results are delicious. Ears, skin, snout, feet, ribs, stomach, heart – they’ve got it all. Drizzle some mild tomatillo or fiery red salsa over top, and it’ll be the best $2.50 you’ll ever spend.

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Once we had demolished our pupusas, ceviche, tacos & a Mexican Coke– we made a quick stop at the bathroom (btw it’ll cost you a quarter) and headed back to our meter on Hill street. As we approached the car, we realized the meter had expired 5 minutes prior so we were faced with one of LA’s finest slapping a fat ticket on my windshield. Begging and pleading didn’t help, we were now proud owners of a $50 parking story. About $10 for every minute we were late:) But no need to worry, we pulled a movie trick and put the ticket back on the windshield for free parking later on!

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Fashion District

laleanne: For years I’ve had friends talk about the LA Fashion district and how it is the place to go to buy purses, shoes, and clothes for dirt cheap. Having never really ventured into LA, I imagined something close to the 3rd Street Promenade with different vendors on either side of the street selling fabric, knock off bags, couture clothing, and other items. Boy was I surprised to see what it’s really like. The LA Fashion District is literally building after building of street-style vendors selling everything you can imagine all crammed into a couple blocks of space. Vendors were even selling contact lenses! Now, I don’t suggest you go and buy contact lenses from a street vendor in downtown LA, but still—being able to have the option is intriguing and weird. People crowd the streets, pushing past each other trying to get to the next stall. If you’re looking for a knock-off Chloe, Dolce, or any other brand name bag—this is your place. I immediately eyed a great violet Chloe handbag in the first block (fake badge and all). Carla mentioned how odd it was that they would put the “fakies” in the front display cases—that’s asking for trouble. With the prospects of finding something better in a different store, we moved on with the intention of returning later.

carla: After winding our way through the crowds, and attempting countless negotiations for purses, boots and wallets, we headed into a store which made me very happy. Crazy pink patent stilettos, studded grey platform heels, open toe Gaga booties, prairie girl wedges – the walls were lined with the craziest of shoes. I left with a pair of black gladiators sandals covered in silver and gold grommets. 16 bucks, thank you very much! I also scored a flouncy tangerine tube top for 12 bucks. Happy happy!!

laleanne: So we hit all the stores on this main block and I had yet to find my “IT” bag. So we headed back to the very first stall for me to grab the Chole I saw earlier. To our surprise, the entire store was being reorganized. Guccis being moved to the back and all the blatant handbag knock-offs being scrambled around with the fake leather bags. Weird. Alas, I was too late. The stalls stupidity caught up with them and the store got raided. There goes my Chloe. Oh well, it wasn’t going to be my lucky day. Maybe our next trip for cheap bag and shoe hunts will be more profitable. So we started heading out but felt like a little snack, so we headed across downtown to Bottega Louie.

carla: With our parking ticket strategically placed on the windshield on Grand, we popped into Bottega Louie for a quick snack. Iced tea, a mini-turkey avocado baguette, raspberry tartlet and a chocolate cannele were all enjoyed sitting in the cavernous café space. All in all, this was an excellent way to start our list. Adventurous and unexpected to say the least!

The Day’s Damage: $5 pupusas + $4 ceviche +$7 carnitas ,coke &water + $4 parking + $16 sandals+ $12 top+ $5 parking+ $50 ticket = $103 total
Item 22 & 26: Check

Thursday, March 11, 2010

The List

It all started with a conversation. Turned into a list. Now it’s a challenge.

In a quest to fully see and know the soul of Los Angeles, we’ve put together our list of 50 experiences that will bring us closer to becoming a true Angeleno.

Beverly Hills
1. Brunch at Barney Greengrass in BH
2. Window shop at Rodeo Drive

South Bay

3. Fish soup at Pacific Fish Center in Redondo
4. Hangar 18 for rock climbing
5. Explore San Pedro

Hollywood & Melrose

6. Hike up to Hollywood sign
7. Magic Castle
8. Roscoe’s chicken and waffles
9. Hike Runyon canyon

Culver City & Venice

10. Walk Venice Beach

Santa Monica

11. Typhoon Restaurant

La Cienega & West Hollywood
12. Pink’s Hot Dogs
13. Campanile – Thursday Grilled Cheese Night
14. Price is Right
15. The Bazaar

Downtown & MidCity

16. Edison - Wednesday
17. Great Los Angeles Walk
18. Find the best Chinese restaurant in Chinatown
19. Pastrami Sandwich from Langers Delicatessen
20. Drinks at Trader Vics
21. Downtown Art Walk
22. Visit LA fashion district
23. See a movie at the Million Dollar Theatre
24. An evening in K-Town to do Karaoke
25. French Dip sandwich at Coles Downtown
26. Lunch at Grand Central Market
27. Walt Disney Concert hall
28. Go to an LA Derby dolls match
29. Parks BBQ
30. Drinks at the Bona Vista lounge at the Bonaventure Hotel
31. $45 Omakase at Toshi Sushi

Westwood & West LA
32. Go to the Museum of Tolerance
33. Shabu Shabu

Los Feliz & Echo Park

34. Visit Historic Filipinotown

Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank & San Gabriel Valley
35. Picnic at Griffith Park and visit Griffith Observatory
36. Pizza at Casa Bianca

Beyond the Zone & Location TBD

37. A day at Del Mar Race Track
38. Tequila Tasting
39. Pub Crawl
40. Morning at the East Los Angeles Farmers Market
41. Midweek sample sale
42. Eat at 5 food trucks in one day
43. Go fruit and vegetable picking
44. Attend an LA Food Festival
45. Spur of the moment Vegas trip
46. Half Marathon
47. Sign up for a Flying lesson
48. Learn to drive stick shift
49. One Foot reflexology experience
50. Compare the top 3 LA Burger institutions
a. Apple Pan
b. Pie & Burger
c. Cassel’s Burger