Church & State

1850 Industrial Street
Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 405-1434
http://www.churchandstatebistro.com

Los Angeles restaurateur Steven Arroyo hits a home run with his new french theme brasserie located in downtown Los Angeles at the bottom of the Biscuit Company Lofts.  The decor is great for a casual afternoon lunch or even a romantic evening dinner at their outside patio seating.  The vegetarian selection includes flat bread pizza, nice selection of cheeses, french fries, vegetable baguette and a tasty potatoes au gratin dish.  The tapas style food is very similar to his popular Cobra’s & Matador restaurant and has the same energy, great wine selection and friendly service.  This is much different than most restaurants in the area, including the Royal Claytons that is across the street at the Toy Factory Lofts.  It is definitely a must eat for downtown dwellers and workers that are looking for a more fun dining experience not yet found in Downtown. 

Flat Bread Pizza

Potato Au Gratin

Vegetable Baguette / French Fries

What does Barack Obama like to eat?

Check out this great article on the Obama’s favorite restaurants in Chicago and the types of food you can expect to eat if you ever get invited to the White House for dinner!

 Obamas enjoy fine food, wine, but hold the beets

 

Michael Mina XIV

XIV (Fourteen)
8117 W Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA
323.656.1414
Sun-Wed 6pm-11pm; Thu-Sat 6pm-2am

I have been waiting for this restaurant to open for many months and have been excited about XIV for so many reasons.  The first was that it is down the street from the hill I live on and second that it is the first Michael Mina restaurant in Los Angeles.  The design of this restaurant is modern and stunning, I have never seen a restaurant like this in Los Angeles and I have to commend Philippe Starck on his work.  Unfortunately for SBE this is where the amazement stops!!  I went to have dessert and tea around 1230 AM Saturday night with some friends, because we were going to the SBE  lounge Hyde down the street on Sunset, and let me tell you I was so disappointed.  First problem is that we had to wait 20 minutes for a table when the restaurant was half empty, the second problem is that this place is a bit of a rip off.  The way they charge is $8 per person per dish, so for example if you order one of the desserts everybody at the table gets the dessert so it costs the table $32.  We ended up ordering three dessert dishes and a couple of cups of tea and the bill was around $150.  Imagine if we had ordered a full dinner  with drinks our bill would have been over $500.  Normally I would not complain about the costs of a great meal, but the desserts were not even good, in fact my friends actually disliked them so much that after one bite that they did not even finish the remainder of the dessert.  They try really hard on making these creative dishes that are presented extremely well, but they forget the fundamental goal of a restaurant which is to make great food. 

To get a a different perspective of XIV check out Eater LA review http://la.eater.com/archives/2008/10/30/eater_inside_xiv.php

Picture from http://la.eater.com/

 
White Chocolate Ice Cube

Hazelnut Milk

White Single Needle Tea (The only good thing I had at XIV was the most amazing cup of tea!)

 

del.icio.us Tags: XIV,Fourteen,SBE,Sunset,Michael Mina

Really Cheesy in NYC!

Artisanal Fromagerie & Bistro
2 Park Ave
New York, NY 10016
(212) 725-8585
www.artisanalbistro.com

The cheesiest place in NYC is not in Time Square, but right off  Park Ave serving the biggest and finest cheese selection I have ever tasted.  Artisanal focuses on providing the diner with a cheese and wine experience that you will not forget.  If you are not completely knowledgeable with cheese and wine, the waiter’s will be able to guide you through the selection process and choose items that are favorable to your palate.  I would definitely go to this restaurant very hungry because the cheese and wine fills you up very fast, but leaves you extremely satisfied.  To enhance the dining experience I suggest dining with 4 to 8 people, that way you are able to order more and taste a greater variety of dishes. For the full menu click here http://www.artisanalbistro.com/menus.php

 

 

Assorted Cheese Grapes, Fig, Apples, and Pear

Strong Blue Cheese Fondue

Dolce Group Deals

If you don’t have money to be eating at the trendiest restaurants every night, then you need to keep your eyes out on this great chance to eat at the Dolce Group Restaurants for 50% off.  Here is the Deal:

50% Off every Monday @ Dolce

50% Off Every Sunday @ Ketchup

50% Off Every Tuesday @ Bella

The Shake Shack NYC

Madison Square Park
New York, NY 10010
Phone: (212) 889-6600
http://www.shakeshacknyc.com/
 

Restaurateur Danny Meyer has created a gourmet burger joint in the middle of Madison Square Park that is to die for!  The burger joint feels like a trendy an In-n-Out in Los Angeles, but with gourmet style of food and a trendy park to enjoy the beautiful summer nights.  Another great thing about the Shake Shack is that they serve wine and beer, so it actually makes for a great place for a casual date.  If you want great food, good prices and an amazing atmosphere (as long as the weather is good) this could be your spot to eat at during the New York recession.  Keep in mind that the lines are always really long but they have a live camera called the Shack Cam that shows you how long the line is, check it out at http://www.shakeshacknyc.com/. Try the Chocolate/Vanilla custard for desert!

 
Shroom Burger and Cheese Fries

White Wine served in plastic cups, it is a park.

10 Things the Food Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know

Great article about the “10 Things the Food Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know“

Chin Chin NYC

Chin Chin NYC
216 East 49th Street
New York, NY 10017
(212) 888-4555

I have always thought there was no Chinese restaurant that could give Mr. Chow’s a run for their money, but I finally got a chance to eat at Chin Chin last week in NYC, and let me tell you I think I found my new favorite Chinese spot in the country.  Thanks to the recent financial turmoil in NYC, you can virtually walk into any of your favorite restaurant in the city and get a table.  So last week, I walked into all of the restaurants I usually make reservations or get turned downed and told to call back next week.  Chin Chin is one of thos restaurants (not to be confused with the not so good casual restaurant on Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles).  This upscale Chinese eatery definitely has a great vegetarian menu filled with flavor and served from some of the best restaurant staff in NYC.  I actually was shocked on how friendly the service was, very rare in NYC, where most waiters are rude and don’t make you feel at home.  The friendly service and the tasty food made this a home run, and a definite must eat the next time you are in NYC or if you live in NYC and dread going to midtown, suck it up, it is worth the trip.

 

Variety of Sauces served prior to the main course

angel hair pasta with fresh greens (noodles were fried till crispy, wow!)

Ma Po Tofu, angel hair pasta, and dry sauteed string beans

Pistachio Ice Cream

West Village Brunch @ Cafe Cluny

Cafe Cluny
284 West 12th Street
New York, NY 10014
212-255-6900

Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-12am, Sat-Sun 10:30am-4pm, 5:30pm-12am

Cafe Cluny is probably one of the best casual brunch spots in New York city, located in the quiet part of the West Village, this restaurant is extremely busy for brunch and it is pretty obvious why.  If you are looking for a great breakfast sandwich on a Saturday morning this is the place to be at.  They serve brunch on the weekends till 4 PM so you can get wasted the night before and have a tasty afternoon brunch.  

Breakfast Sandwich w/ Fries (Fried Egg, Tomato, Avocado & Spicy Mayo)

Try This! Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich Stuff with Doritos

I have probably eaten 2000 Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, and recently I got bored of them and thought what I can do to this sandwich to spice it up.  I have tried sliced bananas and they were pretty good, but a couple of weeks ago I stuffed Nacho Cheese Doritos in my PB & J sandwich and I think I found the secret for the next 2000 PB & J sandwiches I plan to eat.  The Doritos add a crunch and a much needed flavor boost to the whole experience.

 

 

del.icio.us Tags: jif peanut butter,smuckers,doritos,peanut butter & jelly