Kat's 9 Lives

Come join all the good eats and fun! I think I am signed up for the AYCE challenge... Bring it baby! I have been training all my life for this, not really but it sure seems like it! lol

Event :

Yesterday was the first and hopefully beginning of many Food Truck Extravaganza. I have been meaning to try out the hottest food trucks in OC but I get lazy about driving and monitoring where they are located. So this was the best solution ever! Five of the most popular trucks in the area met at 18678 Teller in Irvine, CA 92612 from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM. This was a last minute event but many people caught wind of this awesome event to come out and join the fun.
My partner in crime for the day was Anita. It's great to share food with friends because it allows us to try more things and save room for the next truck. The first truck I lined up for was the Barcelona On The Go Truck. It's been a while since I've had their delectable Spanish cuisine. Esteban was there with a smile and ready to work. Everyone recommended the Serrano Ham Sandwich. The bread was grilled to perfection with that crisp buttery crunch. Normally I disdain red bell peppers but the ham was so delicious that I could ignore the healthy factor. O=D This was great there and just as wonderful when I toasted the other half at home.
The Chicken Empanadas were the other must have that all the fellow foodies recommended. They were very fresh and juicy. The crust was thin and crisp. There were plenty of fresh filling oozing out. I like empanadas where the crust the doesn't overpower everything. This one had the perfect balance of crust and filling.
Sharing is the best part because I got to try out a lot more of the menu. Others got the Manchego and Fig. I thought the figs were fabulous, perfectly ripe. It went great with the Manchego cheese and Balsamic reduction. Simple, tasty, and healthy.
Carolyn got the Sausage on a bed of greens versus the bread. It's nice to know you have a healthier option. The sausage was flavorful and well paired. I just wished it was grilled slightly longer. Other than that it was nice and plump.
All in all I like this truck and this is the only one I have been to twice down here. Esteban is always very nice and listens to his customers. He still remembered me from High Times, which is pretty good memory. =D The Lime Truck was also great and I will post about them next. It was a great event and I hope they have tons more like this where I can be a food truck monger and eat everything at once! lol Here is a funny video I took of Jeff and Carolyn demonstrating what a Gorilla Burpee is. Keep in mind that these crazy people did it on a full stomach! Awesome! =D

One word, YUM! Thanks to Holly's suggestion and temptation! We ventured over to WoodSpoon right before our reservation at LudoBites 5.0, where we ate the menu. =D There really wasn't that much time so we walked on over for a quick bite. WoodSpoon is said to have the BEST Pot Pie around and I had to check it out for myself, even if this is pre-dinner I had to make space!
I have to say I love this place! The cozy and intimate ambiance really amazed me. Was it anything fancy? Nah, but I loved the simplistic cuteness. The settings had a nice touch and I loved the fresh vibrant flowers. There's an array of pillows spread out on the seats. Everything just worked for me. What's also very intriguing is that they add a nice stick of cinnamon inside the carafe of water, which adds this wonderful fragrant spice to each sip.
Holly highly recommended the WoodSpoon Sangria. Tsk tsk she gave up on ordering food, but she couldn't pass up the drink. ^_~ Their Sangria had a wonderful fruit flavor that emanated in every sip and there was no bite from the red wine. The drink was very smooth, sweet, and refreshing.
For me, I decided to give their Brazilian Coffee a taste. This took the longest to come out and we were really short on time. I really wished I had more time to enjoy and sip this freshly brewed coffee. Boy was it hot hot hot! I singed my tongue trying to gulp it down since it was the last to arrive. Still, the coffee was very aromatic and strong, not super strong but just right.
Of course I had to have the Brazilian Chicken Pot Pie! Encrusted inside was Hearts of Palm, Olives, and Roasted Corn. I actually abhor olives and to tell you the truth I couldn't taste it anywhere. The crust was simply divine. It's not your normal pie crust. Instead it's a delicate and flavorful crust that melts in your mouth. I'm sure it's loaded with buttery goodness. Let's not forget the wonderful filling. There's plenty of chicken embedded with little bites of corn. Don't forget to add the spicy sauce for that extra kick. I'm still thinking about this pie!
All in all I really enjoyed this place. The people were super friendly and I loved the whole vibe. Would it be bad of me for trying to add another pre-dinner before LudoBites 5.0? It's just such a far drive for me that I must pack everything in together on one trip. I definitely have to come back to try their other delectable creations. So many things on the menu looked sumptuous!

WoodSpoon
107 W 9th St
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 629-1765

Last night was the reprise of LudoBites 4.0 at Gram & Papa's in Downtown L.A. Chef Ludo Lefebvre has taken a short breather and come back in full force! His new menu takes us all on a journey across Asia with the vibrant flavors and new twists to old favorites. If you thought LudoBites 4.0 was hard to get a reservation for, then you have a few hurdles set out for you. Last time the reservations ran out within 9 hours, but for LudoBites 5.0 there were over 3,000 people simultaneously trying to score a reservation crashed the system within 15 mins! Be sure to brush up those video game controller skills on your mouse in an attempt to get a reservation. It might be an unachievable quest, but well worth the journey.
As tradition states, BYOB! This was a monumental first for me as I was the one who provided the bottle of wine. It's a new favorite of Holly and I, the Stella Rossa we sampled at the LA Wine Festival from the San Antonio Winery. So dangerously sweet and smooth that we could drink a few bottles without feeling anything. I need to stock up more for any future reservation opportunities or on a hot summer night!
A must have for the evening is the Steamed Duck beautifully topped with Lemon Verbena, Crispy Skin Purée, and Radish. Next to the duck was a succulent White Peach drizzled with a Balsamic reduction. Together they were the perfect combination of sweet/savory, juicy/crunchy, and fragrant flavor & texture explosion. Alone, the duck was cooked just right where the pieces would melt in your mouth added with a tasty crunch from the bits of skin. The radish on top enhanced the sweetness of the duck and the crisp bite was refreshing. What could further add to this dish? The white peach and balsamic reduction brought the dish to a whole other level. First slice a nice thick piece of the duck topped with lemon verbena, crispy skin, and radish then finished off with a luscious slice of white peach drenched with the balsamic reduction... Mmmm... as the loaded fork breaches the entrance of my mouth a Pavlovian response is triggered... my molars sink down and the ambrosian juices of the peach trickle down. Everything just melds into a party in my mouth.
The Santa Barbara Prawns with Poached Eggs and Potato Mousseline topped off with a Chorizo Purée was to die for. Hidden inside were priceless gems. The prawns were raw and delectably sweet. In my opinion the best way for consumption! As I stuck my spoon breaking the barrier and causing the yolk to ooze out like an explosive lava, I delve deep in search of the buried treasure. I really love Chef Ludo's potato mousseline. It's full of cream, butter, and potato that's so smooth and savory. The natural sweetness of the prawns complimented the savory flavors flawlessly.
Even the pouring of the Goat Cheese Soup was a work of art. The perfect sweet shot was obtained as the soup slowly drizzled across the plate. Inside was pieces of Bacon, Tofu, Green Apple, and a Frisée Salad finished off with Lardo. The subtle flavors of the goat cheese ruminated through each spoonful. I am sure I just inhaled a few thousand calories, but well worth every last drop. The soup is delightfully refreshing and light in taste. Each spoonful I was trying to find more bacon or lardo that just made me smile silently.
I decided that today was a special day and I should reward myself. After all, I passed my exam with flying colors. A well deserved Cheese Cupcake topped with Chicken Liver & Ham Mousse and Cornichons. Below was a smooth Kumquat purée to compliment the savory dish atop. With the ever persisting trend of cupcakes, Chef Ludo has reinvented a classic in his own image. The mousse was mind numbingly scrumptious. I was tempted to pick up the plate and lick it clean when nobody was looking.
In fact, I started to dip the Vadouvan Naan Bread accompanied with Salted Coconut Butter on the leftover mousse. Couldn't let any of that go to waste! =D Although to do the naan justice, you definitely have to layer the salted coconut butter on top. The savory flavors of the naan actually brought out the slight sweetness of the coconut. I thought the butter was whipped to perfection. It glides on smoothly and melts in your mouth.
One of Holly's favorite of the night was the Confit Pork Belly, Raw Choucroute Thai Style, Guiness, and Emulsion. There were two generous pieces of pork belly under the pile of wonderfully sliced and pickled vegetables. To my surprise I loved the tangy flavors of the vegetables on top mixed with the savory pieces of pork belly. They really lightened the heaviness of pork belly and gave each bite a delectable crunch.
The Grilled Squid on top an Heirloom Tomato Salad, Black Rice, and Yuzu Red Onions complimented with the Unami Broth and Seaweed Tartar. I loved the oceanic flavors. The squid was nicely grilled and smooth. It might have been the broth or the seaweed that gave the dish that wonderful salty sea taste. From the first bite, I felt like I was in some nice beach enjoying the wonders of the sea. All the complex flavors came together in a simply memorable flavor.
What really caught my eye was the Raw Wagyu Beef with Dried Miso, Somen Noodle, Candied Watermelon, and Mint topped off with a Peanut Vinaigrette. If my eyes were closed, I'd swear that I was in a Vietnamese restaurant. Chef Ludo captured the true essence and taste of Vietnamese cuisine, but with his own twist. I've always loved the refreshing combination of watermelon and mint. The sweetness of the watermelon only added to the Wagyu.
The Grilled Octopus, Oregano, Grilled Hazelnut Polenta, Pineapple Aioli, and Piment D'Espelette Gelée came highly recommended. Alone, the octopus was nicely charred, smoky, and full of flavor. I tried all the components separately and they were very interesting, but they work splendidly together.
When we arrived I took note of the Day Boat Cod with Torched Uni on top paired with Red Bell Pepper Pickles, Ratatouille, and Black Curry. In Ms. Lin's absence, I had to consume the uni in her place! The cod was very light by itself but when paired with the uni and black curry the flavor changes drastically. All the components on the plate were meant to enhance the cod.
By this time we were pretty stuffed and satisfied, but our quest to eat the menu kept us going. After all, there is always room for dessert! I always say there is a second stomach saved just for that reason. LudoBites 4.0 had a great chocolate soufflé so how could they top that? Well for 5.0 they have created a Caramel Soufflé paired with Fleur De Sel Ice Cream and Blanco Grapefruit. It's my own salted caramel paradise! The fleur de sel ice cream toned down the sweetness of the caramel. Maybe I have been studying too much physics lately, but it is like two "in-phase" waves that come together to create constructive interference. The end result is a greater wave. That's how I feel about this dessert. =D
I have to admit that I actually had my doubts about the Campfire Smoked S'mores with Guacamole Sorbet. In my opinion, s'more tend to be overly sweet and overpowering. Not in this case! Instead of the typical Hershey bar, they used a Chipotle Orange Ganache that had the perfect combination of spicy and sweet. The "graham" cracker they made was delicious. I tried the guacamole sorbet by itself and tastes just as it sounds. The smooth buttery flavor of avocado added to the s'mores cut down the sweetness even more and brought out all the subtle flavors. Not only was it delectable, it was fun to play with. Breaking off the cracker and slowly putting all the components on top made me feel like I was at a bonfire with friends, very nostalgic.
We were pacing ourselves throughout the whole meal. The table was only meant for two people and not for two hungry, ravenous really, women. Holly and I are already strategizing for the next trip if we can get a reservation and how to get a bigger table! We thought about caving in a few times as we tastefully devoured the night away and filling our stomachs to the brim. Luckily our gluttony and desire for more of Chef Ludo's fabulous creations kept us going. Towards the end of the meal I was summoning the last of my will power to continue. I kept chanting, "Must eat! Yummy food can never be wasted!" It was a wonderful evening of food and fun. Holly and I really complimented each other well! Thanks for the invite! I came opening night for LudoBites 4.0 last time and now for 5.0, I must say that even though 4.0 was great but for 5.0 Chef Ludo has outdone himself. A definite must!

LudoBites @ Gram & Papa's
227 E 9th St
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 624-7272

I am thinking about changing my reviews. I will be shortening them since they tend to get long. Even though I love being detailed, I am not sure if it's too long for my readers and it does take a lot of time for me to write. There's always a lot of information stored up in my noggin and I am one opinionated woman! So if any of my readers want to know more or pick my brain, just ask. =D Otherwise, I am going to attempt to shorten my posts. I just might put more pictures up because I just love photos!

Thanks for listening and reading as always!

Stay tuned because I am going to start taking over Ms. Lin Guide's blog a little and force her to update as well as be the first guest blogger to open the path for other bloggers who want to guest blog!

Have a wonderful week!

♥ ♥ ♥ Kat ♥ ♥ ♥

Finally able to try Harry's Deli, the talk of the town! Even better, I went with a seasoned veteran, Anita. I've been wanting to check out what all the fuss is about. It has been super hot these days but inside Harry's Deli it was nice and cool with a welcoming atmosphere. I had a difficult time finding this place, guess you can call them a true "hidden" gem? =) It's on the corner of Sky Park N. and Sky Park Circle. Don't be fooled by the exterior, contrary to belief they are not solely a business complex. There are tons of eateries embedded here.
They have a great selection of hot sandwiches. The one that stood out the most for me was the Chicken di Giorgio, which was what Anita recommended too. It's made with a juicy escalope of chicken, buffalo mozzarella, tomato basil sauce, and Parmesan inside a ciabatta bread. I can't stop drooling when I look at the picture of the mozzarella perfectly melted atop the chicken. The chicken was perfectly crusted and cooked to perfection. I reveled at each and every crunchy bite. Mmm! The tomato basil had a refreshing amount of garlic that really added to the savory flavor. Everything came together superbly.
What can make the meal better? Even though it has been really hot these days, I still wanted to try their Creamy Tomato Soup. Everything is made there fresh and you can taste the chunky vegetables in each bite. The soup compliments the sandwiches perfectly. Chew chew chew then sip sip sip and then ahhhh. =D
I have something to confess, I have been thinking about the Chicken di Giorgio sandwich for days now. The best part is that their prices are very reasonable. Harry needs to move down more South so that I may visit him more often! I promise to come 2-3 times a week if you are closer! lol Next on my list to try is Ribeye Steak Sandwich. For me, the hot sandwiches and signature creations are the way to go. Will have to keep coming until I try them all!

Harry's Deli
17881 Sky Park Cir Ste A
Irvine, CA 92614
(949) 261-2116

PK and I really needed something to wash down all the salty food we had at the Wurstküche (will review soon). I had a long drive ahead back down to OC and I wanted a nice pick me up. Since PK's car was near Four Leaf and we passed by them earlier in the day, it only made sense to com here for an after dinner treat. Four Leaf just had their Grand Opening.
There's outside seating on the patio and tables inside. I really enjoyed their light shade so I took pics. The interior had a nice feeling. It's a lot more classy than your everyday milk tea joint. If it wasn't late, I would've enjoyed sitting there munching on my crêpe and enjoying a cool drink. The staff was nice but they messed up my simple order, which I can forgive since they just opened. I ordered a large drink and they gave me a regular. The annoying part was he denied that I ordered a large... I stuck with the regular because I had already paid and didn't want to bother changing the drink. At least PK heard me, but somehow he didn't... oh well.
The drink somehow took a little longer than I imagined. I ordered the Milk Green Tea, which was sweet and flavorful. They must use Ten-Ren or something similar to it. The green tea was aromatic and not overpowering.
I forgive them for their mistake because the crêpe was actually pretty good. The batter they use was very flavorful and it was cooked to perfection. Normally I like my crêpe to be crispy but I decided to just let them make it the way they want and it was just the right chewiness. I'm a little bit weird about my crêpes to be simple and all I wanted in it that night was condensed milk. The prices are very reasonable so I decided to try the crêpe. It's $2.50 for just the crêpe and you can add items to build your own. Since I only had one thing my crêpe was super cheap and well worth it! I wish I knew how good it was to begin with because I would've order 2 or 3 more for home! =D
Funny thing that happened in the car... I ate the crêpe while driving home. Not the best idea by the way! Little did I know that the paper was very thin and did not keep the condensed milk from seeping out. As I was biting into my yummy crêpe, sticky drops of condensed milk began to run down my chin and onto my clothing. Then I suddenly realized that it was dripping from the bottom too! When I got home I was covered in sticky white droplets. You can paint the picture and run wild with it. This did not look good nor very innocent. =P lol Still, the crêpe was delicious and I don't regret it. You know something is good when it gets all over you and you're willing to let that slide.

Four Leaf - Tea & Crêpes
318A E. 2nd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(877) 797-4532

I normally don't look at the newspaper or ads that often, but I happened to come across this weekend's flier. H Mart has some really awesome sales for the weekend that you should check out. I swear my house is going to become a garden *that's already harvested*. =D 10lbs of Green Cabbage for 99 cents! How can you say no? Don't know what we will be cooking or pickling but for that price... who cares! lol The Corn is also 6 pieces for only 99 cents! 3lbs of Mexican Papaya for 99 cents! Tons of great deals you should check out! Check for the closest location and get your shop on! The Korean markets have the best deals on the weekend, so don't miss out!

H Mart
2600-2100 Alton Pkwy
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 833-0111

Feeling like a Thai dessert? Well look no further. BKT, Bhan Kanom Thai, is right around the corner. I wanted to get Mango Sticky Rice at Red Corner Asia but Hellobear talked me out of it because she believes the dessert is much better at BKT. Might as well listen to the expert in this neck of the woods. She convinced me by saying it would be cheaper and better than ordering at the restaurant. I willingly agreed because I was curious what other Thai desserts are available and what else I could write about! =D
From the outside it might look a little dinky, but inside is very nice and clean. The staff were very friendly and answered all my questions since I was in unfamiliar territory. They have a few hot snacks and deserts in the case that looked very tempting. If I wasn't so full from lunch and had dinner plans in less than an hour, I'd be all over the various treats. I was surprised to see they offered shaved ice so similar to the Taiwanese style. There were a few more selections of toppings than what I am use to, one being Pandan. I'm very curious to try their Pandan flavored desserts, but maybe next time.
At first I was really disappointed because there wasn't any Mango Sticky Rice to be found anywhere. I surveyed the entire store looking for my favorite dessert and when I finally reached where I started, they brought out stacks of Mango Sticky Rice! WOOHOO! The mango looked super ripe and delicious. It took all the power I had not to grab the entire stack for home. I controlled the urge and only bought two packs that I carefully picked out. O=) The mangoes were ripe and sweet. I found the sticky rice to be a bit on the drier and chewier side, but overall tasted fine. They include a small container of coconut milk, which wasn't that sweet. Overall it was a solid dessert because the mangoes were really good and it was only $5 for the box, which is not bad.
There were a bunch of tempting treats by the register to get you at your purchase. I admit that I was caught in their tempting web. They were all very colorful and cutely crafted. How can you say no to miniature sized treats? lol I asked what was in each treat and decided to go with the Mochi with Black Sugar and shredded Coconut on top. Not really sure what its real name is but it looked good. The texture was soft and chewy. To me, it was a little too sweet so I let my Aunt devour the entire thing. In reality, I woke up the next day they were all gone... lol
All in all it was a nice little treat and there's so much more for me to explore. I am not sure if it is the best dessert in Thai Town, but it's definitely worth a try. They have so many packaged items that sounded good. I wish I could have took everything home with me but then I will need to be rolled home. If you are in the area and looking for a sweet treat, I recommend stopping by to check it out. They are in the same plaza as Red Corner Asia so you can park for free in the day time too. I'll definitely be back for the Mango Sticky Rice.

Bhan Kanom Thai (BKT)
5271 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 871-8030