Tuesday, August 12, 2008

MVP'S

3701 E 4th St
Long Beach, Ca  
(562)439-0809
M-F 10:30 - 9 PM Sat 10:30 - 7 PM Sun 10:30 - 4 PM 
CASH ONLY!

In the mood for some good old fashioned, lets dine at a dive, where the locals thrive, the food can't be beat and the fries are served up on a platter? Well, look no further!

MVP's in Long Beach, California is a tiny, hole in the wall, drive by too fast and you'll miss this fine, dive eating establishment. It is located on a somewhat major street, nestled between apartment buildings and craftsman houses.

What's on the menu you ask? Well, every item on the menu is named after an all American sports MVP. From a mile high stacked burger served up 6 ways with the title of "The George Foreman I-VI" (The Forman VI being my faav->feta and red onions) to the home of "The Pete Rose" (a vegi patty burger) Yesss! They cater to all palates. Other menu items include, The Tiger Woods, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jean-Claude Killy (chicken breast on squaw with sprouts and avocado), The Harry Carey (club sandwich), The Michael Jordan, The Duke (a Hawaiian style burger with swiss, tasty sauce and a pineapple to boot) and The Shaq Burger to name a few. A burger here at MVP's can easily be shared between two or just you :)! Such a diverse menu for a great price too!

They have either a half or full order of Cajun style fries (yumm). A full order is good enough to share with at least 3 people. When stopping by, don't forget to ask for a side of Cajun sauce to dip those tantalizing fries in!

The dining environment is an outdoor patio, with a walk up window. The joint is sitting in front of a craftsman style house and but don't let that throw you off. The kitchen quarters is small (two chefs maximum), so the food can take a bit if their is a line (and there is always a line)! The food is made to order which ensures the freshness of your meal. MVP's has a strong local following, customers from all backgrounds, business professionals, artists, college students, you name it, the aroma will bring you in! So, if you're a hamburger connoisseur, be sure to add MVP's to your list. You will find yourself making up reasons to visit Long Beach! 


Monday, August 11, 2008

Don Cuco's

3911 Riverside Dr.
Toluca Lake, Ca 91505
(818) 842-1123

Mon-Thurs 11am-10pm
Fri-Sun 11am-11pm

The first Don Cuco was opened in 1969 by Augusto Salazar who came here at the age of 17. It wouldn't be long before his restaurant became a favorite amoung locals and 3 other locations would open in Glendale, Simi Valley and in The City of Action. When you first walk into the original Don Cuco's in Toluca Lake, you are instantly hit with the amazing aroma coming from the kitchen, the cheerful colors that remind you of your last trip to Baja California and not only do you feel welcomed by the hospitable staff, but more so by the looks on the other patrons faces. As the hostess walks you over to your table, you can't help but notice the jovial like conversations coming from the other customers. Before you know it, you are sitting there, looking about noticing the festive Mexican decorations, consumed by the laughter coming from the next table over and can't help but realize that you are about to really and I mean really enjoy not only the food but the experience over all.

The servers work as a team and you are encouraged to ask any of them for anything at all. They do not flag down "your server" and are prompt in getting what you need. The food is impeccable. The plates are filled to the rim and when it first arrives you cannot help but smile. From beef or chicken taquitos (with more than a dollop of freshly made guracamole), jumbo shrimp, beef or chicken mixed with veggie fajitas that are brought to you sizzling hot off the skillet, burritos swimming in salsa, Tacos al la carte, enchiladas made up 7 different ways, Mexican jambalaya to seafood plates served up Mexican seaside style. They are usually accompanied with Spanish rice and warm cheesy beans that can make you forget your main course. So many tantalizing choices you can't help but try and figure out when you can come back!

The environment is loud, the flavors are loud and the margaritas are screaming! WOW, these potent babies are served up large and you will sip until you can't sip anymore. So wonderfully good!

They have an outdoor patio for those luncheons that you are so lucky to share with Don Cuco! Be sure to invite your friends when visiting, the more the merrier. You'll forget about the drive, forget the fact that you are still in L.A. County and feel as though you are in Rosarito enjoying traditional style food and basking in great company. Don't forget to save room for desert. Normally, I don't usually have room for this but in the case of Don Cuco's -lick your lips- Hot Apple Chimichanga, you will do what it takes to squeeze it in! It feeds a group of at least four and believe me you must make room!

Ms. Betty has shared more than one occasion at this fine establishment. The best memory was when we arrived in a pack of over 12, I had baked a chocolate banana cake for a friend and the staff was more than willing to help with it. They took the cake the moment I walked in, added their own candles (since I left them at home), brought it out when we were ready, slapped a sombrero on the birthday boy and sang a Spanish Happy Birthday song! It was a great night, they maneuvered the tables to accommodate our group, the food was excellent  and the margaritas were heavenly! My favorite dish is the Carnitas Plate. Cooked in its own juices with a portion of guacamole that you will have your friends eyeing your plate! Love, love, love Don Cuco's!

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Sunday, August 10, 2008

LA SERENATA DE GARIBALDI

1842 East First Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033
323-265-2887

M-F: 11:30a - 10:30p
Sat/Sun: 9:00a - 10:30p

It has been said that certain scents, flavors and/or sounds can take you back to your childhood. La Serenata known for its variety of sauces created to tantalize the most blandest of palates, has done just that. Anyone who has grown up in a Traditional Mexican home can tell you that it is their grandmothers homemade salsa made in a molcajete that can stop sibling rivalry in their tracks and has been known to even unite arch enemies. Perhaps it is the love that goes into each and every smash of the chilies or the carefully roasted garlic that causes the intoxicating spell. Being a Latina born and raised in Southern California, I have discovered many a Mexican dining establishment in my time. All have their own delicious bragging rights and depending on what I am in the mood for, I visit each one accordingly.

As for La Serenata, I must say Owners Jose and Aurora Rodriguez have been able to capture the love that goes into each and every batch of salsa made grandmother style. They have over 30 different salsas catering to those cursed with taste bud fickleness. The menu ranges from the traditional such as chicken flautas to gorditas stuffed with succulent jumbo sized shrimp. The salmon enchiladas are so fragrant you'll want to sit there for a moment and just take in the aroma. They have fish tacos adorned with avocado and cilantro....YUM. Their sea food stews are made with white wine and you can either have it with jumbo sized shrimp or halibut....DEVINE.

La Serenata first opened their doors in 1985 and thank goodness for that! 

This is a health conscious eating establishment since they only cook with olive oil and the absolute freshest ingredients. The soups which accompany the entree's are treated like the star of the show. Soups vary from carrots (my fave), garbanzo beans, portabella mushrooms and turnips. The homemade style tortillas are made on site as well as the deserts. The deserts are both baked daily and inspired by pastry chef Marco Rodriguez (Jose's son). All this and I haven't even gotten started on their bar menu. It is known that when you want Mexican food, it is not the same unless you have a Margarita sitting somewhere on the table. La Serenata margaritas are devilishly good. DEVILISHLY GOOD.

Entree's start around $13.50 on up. There are two separate entrances. The off street entrance is great if you are lucky enough (the place is always busting at the seems) to find off street parking or you can use their valet service in the back of the restaurant. Valet is $3.50 but the parking area is tight so make sure you arrive early. So, the next time you are in the mood for Mexican Cuisine, whether it be a carne asada plate or a delectable seafood experience, La Serenata De Garibaldi will cater to your every taste budded whim.

What's Ms. Betty's favorite plate? While the Jumbo Shrimp dish served up in a cinnamon savory sauce unlike any other is tantalizing and The Carne Asada plate is mouth watering, El Salmon in salsa del molcajete is my favorite...hands down! This place brings me back to my carefree childhood days when I used to sit at my grandmothers side as she smashed chilies in the molcajete and told me stories of her youth. No dinner was complete without her salsa and when I cut off my first piece of salmon, swirled it around in the bed of salsa, then topped it with the sliver of avocado which adorned the plate, it took me back. Way back into that kitchen sitting next to my grandmother. Thank you Jose! When our most friendly server asked me how I liked my dish being that it was the first time trying it, my response was, "Me enamore." "I fell in love." My favorite spot to sit and dine is between the pillars. Being a visual person, I love to see the goings on and yet it lets you feel as though your in a secluded romantic area. And Miss Betty absolutely loves romantic candlelit dinners for two! My favorite time to go is between mid to late afternoon. The place seems like it's all yours, fresh flowers are brought to your table, even when your finished eating and your well passed a lengthy flirtatious conversation, the servers leave you alone offering you coffee and encouraging you to stay as long as you wish. What a way to spend a fabulously lazy Sunday afternoon with spectacular food, great drinks and devilishly witty conversation!

MOLCAJETE (Mortar when translated in english): In traditional Mexican households it is used for grinding herbs, whole spices and rubs, and for mixing sauces and pastes. It is considered an honor to have it passed down generationally.

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