FoodFash

Adventure Begins in the Kitchen

Temper Tantrum Twenty-Eleven

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I arrived at LAX this morning only to find out that my connecting flight from Houston to Tampa was cancelled.  After 45 minutes of shuffling, the best option they could offer was a 6 hour layover in Houston and an authorized preboard pass.  An authorized preboard pass that indicated I was disabled…  Could I be OK with that??

After 9 days of consistent birthday, award winning, friend reunion celebrating, all I wanted to do was lay in MY bed.  I couldn’t help but melt down at the Houston ticket counter.  My eyes welled up.  I tried to explain how different my situation was from the hundreds of other people who were in the same boat.  I was tired and hungry and frustrated.  With all those powers combined… I was Captain Temper Tantrum!

I looked teary eyed and ridiculous as they handed me a $300 travel voucher to compensate for the inconvenience.  But, instantly, my eyes dried up and 6 hours didn’t seem sooooo bad.  After all, I could blog about it, right?

What to eat, what to eat…  Sit-down restaurant choices at Houston Hobby?  Buffalo Wild Wings, Pappa’s Burgers, and Pappadeaux – Sick!

I was oddly in the mood for oysters and I recalled this article that states oysters “belong with plants in almost every ethically relevant way”.  April has an R, an outdated rule of which I still follow.  Oh my, Pappadeaux it was.

My meal was just short of gross.  Oysters and salad at an airport on a slightly hungover belly – what was I thinking?!

I

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Where Thai food is concerned, the only thing better than super tasty Thai is super tasty Thai with a side of Thai Elvis, who can be found exclusively in Hollywood at Palms Thai Restaurant.

Frosty mug o’ beer to the tune of Heartbreak Hotel?  Yes, please.

Ariel and I kept it classic by ordering Tofu Pad Thai and Vegetable Curry.  I say classic because I’m fairly certain these are the two most Americanized Thai dishes one could ask for.  Irrespectively, they’re our faves.

The boys opted for a more authentic route.

Matteo had the seafood noodle soup.

And Adam ordered the Spicy Noodle Soup.

Ariel and I eagerly mocked the boys and their food presentation poses.

Palms Thai, or Thai Elvis as we like to call it, is guaranteed goodness.  And!  The deliciously heaping portions are cheaper than cheap.  With most dishes in the $7 range, you can order whatever your little heart desires without breaking the bank.

 

Silver Lake Extravaganza

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Ariel and I stumbled upon a shopping gem while walking back to the car after Silver Lake Jubilee last year.  I’ve been dreaming about that store for a solid ten months now, so a Silver Lake shopping extravaganza was the most appropriate present I could give myself for hiking Runyon every day since my arrival.

We scoped out the area (virtually) for a vegan cafe prior to getting our shop on.  Flore Vegan Cuisine it was!

I’ve had fairly solid kraut cravings lately, so ordering anything but the Tempeh Reuben wasn’t an option.  Ariel, afraid of what a vegan Reuben may taste like, ordered The Wrap.  Both sandwiches were served with a mondo side of greens.  I’m not sure either of us loved our meals, but it was nothing to complain about either.

The lemon poppy seed cupcake was brag-worthy.  Ariel ordered a second after tasting mine and the server tossed in a third to apologize for the wait.  Hooray for leftover cupcakes!

We headed next door to Pull My Daisy, Sarah’s favorite store.  Words can’t express how much I miss seeing that chickadee during my LA adventures!

Then it was off to find our gem!  Vintage, embroidered fish vest, anyone?

(I couldn’t resist trying on something that ridiculous!)

I Dodged Jet Lag!

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I arrived in LA last night, went to sleep at a normal LA weeknight time, woke up at a normal LA weekend time, and currently have the appropriate amount of energy for the current LA time.  I’m confused, but happy.

The rest of my first day went a little like this…  Geared up for free yoga at Runyon Canyon, found out yoga was cancelled, re-geared for hiking, and quickly remembered how the slightest bit of vertical cardio makes this Florida girl huff and puff like an 80 year old man.

The second we got back to the apartment, we were STARVING.  Luckily Matt and Steve were too, so we swooped them up and headed to 101 Coffee Shop.

Ariel and I split the Portobello Sandwich and Veggie Sandwich.  Both wins in my book, but I definitely preferred the Portobello.  Made a mental note to recreate basil mayo upon my return to T-Town…

Matt, who in my experience orders a salmon dish 3 out of 4 times, had the Grilled Tandori Salmon Sandwich.

And Steve had a classic pancake and egg breakfast with a side of bacon and Ray Bans.

My overall impression of 101 was…  I know I’ll end up here at least once per visit from this point forward.  It’s close, the food is good and dairy-free friendly, and the service was super.

Now on to 8 more days of repetitive, inside joke fun!  Hot Snookie, anyone?

(Hot Snookie = Vanessa Hudgens in Sucker Punch)