Archive for the ‘news’ Category

LA Street Food Fest @ the Pasadena Rose Bowl

by josie on July 19, 2010 Share

LA Street Food Fest @ the Pasadena Rose Bowl

Did you see us the last LA Street Food Fest? If you didn’t, then I better see you this time around because the LA Street Food Fest is back! As you know, I’m an Eastside girl and so are Shawna Dawson and Sonja, co-founders of the LA Street Food Fest. Shawna and Unique LA’s, Sonja, have partnered up once more to bring you the best of what Los Angeles has to offer in terms of street food life and culture.
Josie’s still broke (don’t feel too bad for me, I’m happy as hell) and will be volunteering once again. I have A VERY SPECIAL JOB this time around so you better stop by and say hello. I’ll be Tweeting the whole …


Debbie Lee & the 1RST Week of the Ahn Joo Truck

by josie on July 4, 2010 Share

Debbie Lee & the 1RST Week of the Ahn Joo Truck

If you’ve read any UG post in the past two years, you know that Josie has always been a strong adherer to the phrase “Price: Pleasure.” And, as many of you may  know, I quit my corporate job two months ago to start a business and possibly pursue graduate school. However, along with the great feeling of independence came less (and less) disposable income. Starting a business has limited my time and bank balance. I am no longer bringing home a steady bi-monthly paycheck and working harder than ever has limited my time for bullsh*!  But, on the whole, I think this ‘I’m not going to pay for bullshi*! and I’m certainly not going to date bullshi*!’ mentality has been …


Roy’s Ohana Tour Excites & Delights

by josie on July 3, 2010 Share

Roy’s Ohana Tour Excites & Delights

Every meal I’ve ever had at Roy’s has always been an insightful delight. And frankly, it’s nice to see a chain restaurant with some personality. If the food wasn’t enough to get you in the door, their new promotion should be. Until August 31st, Roy’s will be doing a special Ohana Tour promotion. This will allow the chefs at each location to creatively spin some of their most popular menu items. Here’s what we had:
Grilled Albacore Flatbread with Pickled Red Onion, Smoked Fetsa, Herb Pesto, and Tzatziki
Yellow Fin Ahi Poke with Wasabi Aioli, Avocado, and Caviar
Spiced Duck Confit Tarts with Sage Chevre (Goat Cheese)
Short Ribs of Beef Au Poivre with Truffled Tater Tots and Tomato Jam
Strawberry Basil Panna Cotta

“The …


Burbank’s Honest Pint: Tony’s

by UncouthGourmands on July 1, 2010 Share

Burbank’s Honest Pint: Tony’s

I was quite excited when I found out I would be covering a craft beer and vegan tasting. I indulge in all types of drinks, but I have a special place in my heart for craft beer. Tony’s Darts Away in Burbank proudly proclaims to be an all-craft, all draft, vegan /not-vegan refurbished dive bar, for beer or wine, with basement couture I must add.
Tony’s serves draft craft beer and draft wine. Wine in a keg? I know what you are thinking… UNCOUTH! I must say the Pink wine is just right; it is not too sweet and not too bitter. My favorite blonde was the Orange Wheat; it has a super light taste with a citrusy aftertaste. I preferred …


Bucket List: Louisiana Style Fried Chicken

by josie on June 29, 2010 Share

Bucket List: Louisiana Style Fried Chicken

I’m a lady who has no qualms about butter, lard, or MSG. I’m a pure pleasure seeking hedonist by nature, and I will eat whenever and whatever makes me happy. I know the JGold put out a list like this earlier this year, but I wanted to start a series of my own – The UG Bucket List. Things that, I feel, everyone should try before they die. My first pick is Louisiana Fried Chicken.
Our CTO, Ian, and I were roaming Venice last week and on impulse decided to stop into a strip mall after we saw a long line and what looked to be some credible fried chicken loving customers. The place was Chinatown Express / Louisiana Fried Chicken. I …


Water Grill: Rooting for Amanda of ‘Top Chef’

by UncouthGourmands on June 22, 2010 Share

Water Grill: Rooting for Amanda of ‘Top Chef’

Top Chef is one of my favorite shows on television because it gives humble chefs the chance of a lifetime. Top Chef is back with a new season and a special Angeleno, Amanda Baumgarten. Amanda is the sous chef at a prestigious Downtown LA restaurant. I was lucky enough to be invited to Amanda’s party for the season premiere of Top Chef at her second home, Water Grill.

The occasion was a tasting and viewing party, and I was honored to be able to attend. I’d never been to the Water Grill, but after the dinner I could absolutely understand why Amanda was chosen to participate on Top Chef. She posses a great culinary skill and I was impressed on how well executed …


Eat My Blog Charity Bake Sale: Summer Edition

by josie on June 18, 2010 Share

Eat My Blog Charity Bake Sale: Summer Edition

It’s official! Our favorite charity bake sale is back. The bacon baked goodies can be smelled from a mile away and this Saturday you can join in on the fun – And make a difference in your community. GastronomyBlog along with many other local LA bloggers are getting together this Saturday, the 19th at Tender Greens in West Hollywood. Below is the reasonably priced menu. Please come by and help us raise some much needed money.


Checkers Downtown Eclectic Wine Series

by josie on June 16, 2010 Share

Checkers Downtown Eclectic Wine Series

I don’t have Mayoral status on Foursquare, but I may be the biggest Thursday patron at Checkers Four. Their dishes/drinks are always thoughtful and well-executed. I’ve worked in kitchens before and there are ’special’ kitchens where the work seems like simple manual labor, but the work is actually very profound. The caliber of quality is noticeable and the staff attentiveness is spot on. Checkers in one of those special places at the moment for me. This is a photo recap of last week’s FOUR happy hour. It was delicious. Tomorrow’s menu will have foie gras – btw. Foie gras for $4?! Ummm… Yeah, I’ll have to stop by.

Additionally, below is the info for the Eclectic Wine Series at Checkers …


Taste of the Nation: ‘Word is Bond’

by josie on June 7, 2010 Share

Taste of the Nation: ‘Word is Bond’

I’ve been listening to a lot of OG rap these days and I got to thinking, what if my life was an ongoing rap video? Unfortunately, it isn’t. However, if it was it would include: free flowing champagne, my best friend (peep), celebrity chefsville, little tidbits of LA’s best food, and a cute boy I once dated long ago. Oh, wait! That was this year’s Taste of the Nation. (Except I didn’t drink – I was driving.)
It’s the one event you wait for all year long, and every year, you’re never disappointed. I wasn’t. Taste of the Nation LA brings together 40 of LA’s ‘it’ restaurants for a great cause. We loved last year’s event and this year we couldn’t wait to volunteer …


Champagne & Chocolate Party @ John Kelly in HWood

by josie on June 3, 2010 Share

Champagne & Chocolate Party @ John Kelly in HWood

A good chocolate is like an unavailable man/woman. Your conscience tells you to avoid it, but your heart tells you to live in the moment. And even though you know you should put it down, you keep on going back for more. I think it’s obvious that when it comes to some men, I clearly have terrible judgement, but the same cannot be said when I speak about chocolate. Lemme tell you a story about a girl and some fudge… Ok, I’ll spare you the horny details, but I urge you to come and try the chocolates yourself.
This Saturday, June 5th, JK Chocolates will be hosting a party to celebrate their boutique launch. It will be complete with champagne and, of course, …