Koi

I'm always surprised that some of the best spots in LA are in the most random locations.  Or, um, I guess that could be explained by my absolute resistance to acquainting myself with LA and thusly locations seem more random than they actually, probably are.  In any case.  Koi was on la Cienega near Santa Monica.  WhatEVER.

The creative team I was traveling with had been to Koi at least a few times before, so I let them order and never even attempted to read the menu.  It was too dark anyway, without my glasses on I could barely make out the fork at my placesetting let alone a menu.  However, for all my reluctance to appreciate LA, when the deconstructed California rolls arrived, I was in sushi heaven.  Our waiter recommended adding fresh avocado to the soft crab wrapped in super thin rice paper with smoky toasted sesame.  Tuna with jalapeno, miso cod, lobster tacos.  I was barely willing to tear my attention away from the ridiculously innovative sushi bites to catch a glimpse of David Spade at the table next to us.

Speedos on Bondi

Recommended by my too-hip Aussie coworker, I was a little worried Speedos might be too much of a scene for me to relax at on a casual Sunday morning, my single day off in Sydney.  But I forget that Bondi is the Santa Cruz to Sydney's already lax SF and any clothing in addition to board shorts and bikinis is pretty much optional.  Speedos was meters from the surf, catering to locals and wanderers looking for coffee by the bar or comfort food by the truckload.  Close to 1pm (it took me a while to figure out the right bus to take to Bondi and a bit longer to walk the arc of the beach) I was ravenous and opted for the menu listing with the most goodies.  Thick Turkish toast, eggs with yolks the color of pumpkins, soft bacon, sweet sausage with sweeter tomato chutney and crispy hashbrowns.  Sure, it was far more food than I needed, but I thoroughly enjoyed tasting the range of flavors and combinations. 

Still My Favorite Brunch

Less than a mile from my old home in Belltown, Lola is still my favorite.  Loud in that airy, sparkling way that feels cozy and comfortable with a twinge of excitement.  Whether celebrating with a group or finding a table by the window with Shelly, it always feels like an event.  For my birthday, Sherry and Kristin surprised me with brunch there on a crisp, crystal clear Seattle morning.

We had to start with beignets, as one does at Lola, which arrive with clotted cream, strawberry rhubarb compote, and taste like warm, sugary...vehicle food.  I love how light and fluffy they are on the outside,   crispy on the outside with giant granules of sugar so you can't miss the texture match.

In a sort of embarrassing coincidence, we all ordered the exact same dish with the exact same style of eggs: Tom's Big Breakfast with octopus, pumpkin, spinach, bacon, red onion and sunny-over-medium egg.  All of this on a bed of garlic yogurt with vegetable caviar and seeds that pop with flavor.  I really can't forget to mention the spectacular coffee but I guess that goes without saying in Seattle.  Can't wait for my next trip north, as soon as it starts to get cold in SF, I miss meandering around Belltown.

Culinary Mecca

Chris secured us a reservation at French Laundry for lunch the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  Holiday weekend + Napa + three-star Michelin restaurant = culinary mecca.  Epic.