Curry with a Side of Decor - Electric Lotus

My dear friend Sarah just informed me that she will be cooking dinner for me tonight...score! What makes this free meal even better is that it won't be your average college student microwaveable pizza, but some home cooked curry, yum!

Of coarse at any mention of food my head begins to file through the endless experiences I have had with the dish; which versions I have had, where I have eaten it, who cooked it, which was the best, etc. I may not have the best memory when it comes to say, where I left my keys, Spanish vocab words, or even my friend's birthdays, but there is probably no food detail that I can't remember....

I have had some awsome curries in my day; great homemade ones (my brother wins this one so far), and eaten at some incredible Indian restaurants. However, one of my favorite places to hunker down for a family-style Indian feast is the Los Feliz find, Electric Lotus. There are alot of fantastic Indian restaurants in the L.A. area where you will find the curries full of flavor, the naan a perfect mixture of soft and crispy, and the basmati rice cooked to impeccable fluffiness, and Electric Lotus is no exception. However, it's not just the food that that makes me come back to this specific location time and again, but its the vibrant ambiance that makes this it this spot special. Upon entry to the Vermont Ave corner spot you will be greeted by a flush of colors; bright blue walls, hanging golden curtains, and plush red booths. Choose to sit in one of the tucked-away booths where you can chow down on some garlic naan and a bowl of bubbling curry lit by the glow of hanging lanterns. Curry doesn't get much better than this.

Electric Lotus

4656 Franklin Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90027

(323) 953-0040

The Venice Canals.... in L.A.?

It is finally beginning to feel like "spring" in L.A.

At home in Portland the onset of spring weather would consist of blooming flowers, April rain, and breaking the 60 degree mark. However, since I moved to Los Angeles almost four years ago I have fond memories of doing homework on the grass in 80 degree weather and weekend beach trips...starting at the beginning of March. This week's perfectly warm weather (a mild 77 degrees) is making me yearn for one of my favorite outdoor spots (warm or cold): Venice Beach.

I can't even count how many times I have been there at this point; strolling on the Boardwalk to people watch, wandering through the funky neighborhoods for the next graffiti art find, and hitting up one of my favorite streets in L.A., Abbott Kinney, for funky finds and pizza. Although I had heard of the Venice Canals I had never actually been to them, that is until about a month ago. While attempting to track down our car in the dark, which was hidden somewhere in an anonymous Venice neighborhood, my friends and I stumbled upon an entrance to the canals.

I have since been back during daylight hours, and can say that the canals are one of the most interesting finds in L.A. They are literally canals (like the ones in Venice, Italy) in the middle of the city, forming its own little neighborhood of unique houses and archetypal Venice bungalows connected by walkways, arching bridges and row boat transportation.

Considering that a stroll through the area doesn't cost more than the gas money to get there, I can say it is a shame that I had never been there before, and it's a shame if you live here and haven't been too, especially when the warm weather is calling....

Classic is Fantastic - Santa Monica Pier

So if it wasn't already apparent I will fill you in on the fact that I shy away from ultra-touristy L.A. spots about as much tourists flock to them. After living in Los Angeles for almost four years I feel that these crowded places are some strange facade of a city that has a surprising amount of hidden authenticity. I have spent so much time defending the fact that L.A. isn't just about kitschy Hollywood lights, movie stars, and bikinis that I forgot that some of these, at times annoying, stereotypes hold some actual importance.

Whenever friends from town come to visit I do my best to satisfy their need for campy L.A. while attempting to show them a little of what I consider the "real L.A." But after an extremely satisfying trip to the iconic Santa Monica Pier I have begun to reconsider my notions of avoiding such spots. Perhaps it isn't about avoiding these spots all together, because these spots, however touristy, are an essential part of the Los Angeles culture. I think that maybe it is about the balance between the touristy and hidden, the campy and kitschy, the iconic and the avant-garde.

My latest visit to the Santa Monica Pier with two of my best friends from home was one of the most fulfilling trips into L.A. I have in the last few months. I mean really when you think about what's not to love about an old-school arcade, a sunset ferris wheel ride, and a cheesey roller coaster ride all set over the California coast?

So I say here's to the little bit of tourist in us all: A little bit of classic tourist mixed in with the truly native can totally fantastic... I guess it comes down to all things in moderation, even travel.

"Feed Big Bertha" at Playland Arcade

Old-school photo booth reels

"West Coaster" Roller Coaster at Pacific Park Rides

View of the "Pacific Wheel" ferris wheel

(suggestion-hop on at sunset, the view of the coast can't be beat)

Croissants, Croissants, Croissants

Flaky, buttery, sweet, savory, delicious. What more could you want?

Medialunas (croissants) are a serious staple of the Argentine lifestyle. Tres Medialunas con Cafe (three croissants and coffee) are on every single menu in Buenos Aires (well almost). After spending six months there last year I obtained a serious love-hate relationship with the buttery little morsels; love because of their buttery deliciousness, and hate because of, well, their buttery (and carb loaded) deliciousness. However, I still find them to be one of the best occasional treats to accompany a morning or afternoon coffee.


Since coming back to the states I have had a seriously difficult time matching the deliciousness of the croissants from my favorite cafeteria in Buenos Aires. Although I haven't matched the same melting goodness, I have found a place the competes in a whole other realm of croissant divinity.

Behold the largest, most filling croissants that at least I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. Seriously, we are talking huge. But, grandness alone doesn't equal greatness. The croissants at Cafe Los Feliz come in a multitude of tempting flavors including savory versions like mushroom, ham and Swiss, and spinach and cheese, as well as some mouth-watering sweet versions like chocolate filled, apple filled, and my personal favorite the almond paste filled croissant. The almond filled is a large, traditional half-moon croissant filled with a thin sugary almond past, with toasted, sweet almonds on top...perfection. The creative versions offer something for every croissant desire, and yes they are all delicious; flaky, buttery dough, fresh flavorful ingredients.

The tiny, unassuming exterior of Cafe Los Feliz is easily missed, but once you enter the gleaming display of baked goods and the impeccable service will charm you. While you're there grab a cafe latte with one of your treats. The woman behind the counter may seem a little serious at first, but when she asks, with a smile, if you would like a little cocoa and cinnamon on top of your latte I guarantee you will be in a child-like enchantment (cocoa on top of a latte? Who would have thought!). Of course this only works if you haven't already snuck a bite of that warm croissant; you'll instantly be under the magic spell of Cafe Los Feliz.

Cafe Los Feliz

2118 Hillhurst Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90027

(323) 664-7111

Apple Filled Croissant at Cafe Los Feliz

SNOW!... or at least ICE

I am currently sitting at home, about to eat some spicy Mexican Pozole stew, and staring outside at the snow covered pines. Sound like a perfect winter night? But, it doesn't sound like a winter night in L.A., does it?

Being back in the Northwest and experiencing a seriously wintry December made me realize how much I missed the seasons. If you are still in L.A. you may not be getting snow any time soon, but you can at least get a taste of some holiday ice.

Just a few blocks from Third Street Promenade Santa Monica hosts a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink open for Angelenos to get their wintry fix. For only $10 dollars you get admission and rental skates, and your wrist band can be redeemed at any Orange or Los Angeles County Starbucks for a free tall hot beverage. So bundle up (at least a little), and enjoy some winter ice under the palms....L.A. wouldn't do it any other way.

Ice at Santa Monica

1324 5th St. and Arizona Ave.

Santa Monica,CA

http://www.downtownsm.com/calendar/icerink.html

Cajun Christmas Tradition

My family has a an unusual yet awsome Christmas Eve tradition: Cajun Gumbo.

Although we only lived there a few years, my family has a feisty connection to America's creole capital, New Orleans. Already a family that lives largely through cooking and good food, we (mostly my dad who is the household chef) were shaped by the unique, powerful, spicy, and historic flavors of Cajun and creole cooking.

Having moved to Portland we still keep the Southern spirit alive through frequent Cajun meals like jambalaya, red beans and rice, fried catfish, crawfish etouffee, and of course gumbo. Every Christmas Eve we have friends and stragglers over for a laid back gumbo party, which tends to be a hit (occasionally more so than the Christmas day ham).

Now that I am based in L.A. I have serious cravings for the flavors of New Orleans, and after a little searching I have found perhaps one of the most authentic Cajun joints in town. Maybe it won't become your Christmas favorite, but it may still become an L.A. favorite.

The Original Farmer's Market

6333 West Third Street #312

Los Angeles, CA 90036

http://www.thegumbopotla.com/index1.html

The Gumbo Pot is located at the Los Angeles Farmer's Market, one of my favorite eating spots in the city (more to come on that). It is a hoppin' stall connected to courtyard seating with a vibrant and simple Cajun menu. Although pretty much everything they whip out of the kitchen boasts authenticity, some standouts are the variety of Po' Boy sandwiches, Muffelata, red beans and rice, and of course the gumbo. I'm a personal fan of the traditional seafood gumbo, but the gumbo ya ya with andouille sausage and chicken is killer as well. The dishes come with the must have cornbread and your choice of side including salad, sweet potato chips and collard greens. If you have room after your hearty meal stick around for a warm beignet (french bread doughnut with powdered sugar), you won't regret it.

.

Christmas in L.A.?

Despite the lack of wintry weather, there are still Holiday activities to participate in here in L.A. Perhaps one of the most intriguing is the mile long DWP Light Festival at Griffith Park. I ventured there with my roommates this weekend, and although it wasn't the most outstanding lights show I had ever seen, it was definitely still worth the trip. As my roommate Katie mentioned, the only thing missing were some snow machines....maybe next year.

DWP Holiday Light Festival

4730 Crystal Springs dr.

Los Angeles, CA 90027

http://www.dwplightfestival.com/index.htm

Venturing through the tunnel of lights.

Christmas in L.A.

Happy Holidays!