Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts
Posted by
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Filed Under: Divina Cucina, Food, Italian Cuisine, Montrose, Restaurant Reviews
A friend accustomed to fine dining was visiting from London and wanted to take me to a "nice" dinner in my neck of the woods—Montrose. I'd heard good things about Divina Cucina on Verdugo Road, so we decided to give it a try.We sat on the covered patio by an attractive fountain, as the main restaurant was packed and a little noisy for quiet conversation.
The menu is extensive, and we were struggling to decide from the many tasty sounding offerings when the waiter threw a spanner in the works by coming up with some irresistible-sounding specials.
After much deliberation, I opted for polenta e gamberetti—sauteed shrimp and mixed peppers over grilled polenta with red pepper sauce. And my partner opted for funghi portobello alla griglia—grilled portobello mushroom and red onion, smoked mozzarella, and sweet pepper sauce. Both were beautifully presented and mouth-wateringly good.
For our main course, we both chose handmade pasta—I went for the spinach tortellini and my friend for one of the day's specials, linguine in a light lemon sauce. Even though he's normally a steak man, he was raving about it.
The cuisine could best be described as Italian with an elegant twist, thanks to the charming and equally elegant husband-and-wife owners, Alicia and Horatio Lavanchy, who hail from Argentina by way of Italian parentage.
For a small restaurant, there's a surprisingly extensive wine list with a very nice selection of Italian wines in particular. I counted seven varieties of pinot grigio and 11 chiantis. We opted for a pinot noir, with nine to pick from. There's also a good choice of port, sherry, and dessert wine.
We came out at around $90 for a superb two-course meal, including delicious homemade breads, with wine and coffee.
Divina Cucina is more upscale than your average Italian, but relaxed and friendly as a family run restaurant should be. My friend was so impressed he insisted on picking up the tab—needless to say, he can come back anytime!
It's super busy on Fridays and Saturdays so if you want a quiet romantic dinner, pick a week night. Divina Cucina is also open for lunch. Reservations are recommended for parties, especially on weekends. There is parking at the restaurant but very few spaces on a tricky corner, so best to park in a public lot or on the street and walk.
Divina Cucina
3730 N. Verdugo Road
Montrose, CA 91020
818.248.3077
www.divinacucinarestaurant.com
Entrée Price Range:
$12.95-$20.95
(Plus a selection of daily market price fish)
Hours:
Tuesday-Friday: 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 5:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
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Posted by
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Filed Under: Food, Grocery Stores, Guest Bloggers, HK Market, Jons Marketplace, Seafood City, Shopping, Super King
[This is a guest post by Kendyl Young. Kendyl is a longtime local realtor, and runs Kendyl's Open House, a hyperlocal blog about real estate and the communities of Glendale, La Crescenta, and La Canada, above the 134. Kendyl's Open House features the best real estate deals and up-to-the-moment community happenings every day.]We live in an area of amazing culinary diversity, and this is completely reflected in our grocery stores. Now, I'm not even going to address the intimate family markets that populate so many of our corners. These are often hidden gems of ethnic yummies and super fresh backyard produce.
This post is about the supermarkets that cater to our diverse cultures and, frankly, kick the major chains' butts from here to you-know-where.
They all share common traits. First, there is the produce. The produce is amazing. Large. Beautiful. Cheap. Did I say cheap? Okay, when Ralphs has red bell peppers at $4.29 a pound, these markets often have them at $1.29. Sometimes even 2 pounds for a dollar. There are items not available at the major chains—Persian cucumbers, Mexican papayas, and cactus paddles are just a few examples. And everything seems fresher and tastes better.
A word to the wise: avoid shopping mid-morning on weekends. There are crowds of very sturdy people who have a single-minded focus on getting the very best tomato or cucumber from that pile over there. They will knock you down in a New York minute if you get in the way. They are NOT rude (mostly)—they are as oblivious to you as a crowd of sorority honeys would be at Barney's annual sale. Move aside. Your life (and shin bones) are more valuable.
Second, there are the items catering to ethnic cooking. Special vegetables, spices, condiments, and prepared foods. Often you can strike up a conversation with a casual shopper and find out what that strange green veggie is, how it is prepared, and what it tastes like. Everyone likes to talk about their food! I love to buy snacks and drinks labeled in other languages. I've had some real stinkers, but most are just amazingly good.
Third up are the meats, poultry, and seafood. Now, I'm sorry for all you die-hard Middle Americans out there. I know that the cuts of meat that Anthony Bourdain refers to as the "nasty bits" are off limits for you. You are just missing out. My motto is "eat first, ask questions...never." In these markets, I've seen ox tail (so very very very good), whole fish, chicken feet (also delectable), undefined cow innards, and whole sheep's heads (beyond MY comfort level, but who am I to judge?). The great thing is that, unlike the Chinese markets of my youth, none of this stuff smells!!!! It is all as modern and aesthetically pleasing and American as you could want.
So, here is a list of some of my favorites in Glendale and surrounding areas:
Jons Marketplace
1717 W. Glenoaks Boulevard
Glendale, CA 91201
818.244.2575
www.jonsmarketplace.com
600 E. Colorado Boulevard
Glendale, CA 91205
818.956.0999
www.jonsmarketplace.com
This is my first choice, partly due to location, partly due to the outrageous produce. Seasonal fruit and Persian cucumbers are the standouts in a sea of amazing offerings. If the price is really low, the items are sometimes misshapen or irregular. This does not affect the taste! Bulk spices and enticing juices and snacks labels in Armenian are also very good. Watch out for the sturdy peasant-looking women of all ethnicities. They can be dangerous if you try to get that choice tomato before they do!
Hours:
Monday-Sunday: 7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
Super King
2716 N. San Fernando Road
Los Angeles, CA 90065
323.225.0044
www.superkingmarket.com
2260 N. Lincoln Avenue
Altadena, CA 91001
626.296.9311
www.superkingmarket.com
Too bad this market is a bit of a drive. I would go there every day if it were closer. The San Fernando Road location was formerly the flagship store for Hughes Market. It is spacious, modern, and huge. The produce here is better, more diverse, and even cheaper than Jons! Yesterday I got 4 huge artichokes, 2 for 99 cents, and Kobachan squash, a dollar each. Such a score. Oh, I also got 6 ounces of ground cinnamon for $1.69. I thought the meat looked very fresh.
Hours:
Monday-Sunday: 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Seafood City
Eagle Rock Plaza
2700 Eagle Rock Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90041
323.543.2660
www.seafoodcity.com
This market caters to the Filipino population and specializes in seafood (duh). The selection is amazing, and, while it is no Fish King, the quality is very good. There is a definite fishy smell going on here, but nothing like the smells of my youth. There is an entire WALL of frozen lumpia—that delectable Filipino eggroll—and the greens and vegetables are closer to my Chinese heart than the veggies at Jons or Super King. Weekends are an absolute hoot—they always seem to have some sort of event that involves loudspeakers, cheesy music, and announcers speaking a mixture of Tagalog and English.
Hours:
Monday-Sunday: 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
HK MarketIn these uncertain economic times, maybe we should rediscover a well-cooked meal in the comfort of our own homes, surrounded by the people we love. It's a thought, huh?
831 N. Pacific Avenue
Glendale, CA 91203
818.247.4949
The flagship store is located on Pacific. This is a large, modern building, and the offerings are a bit mind-boggling. Produce, like in all these markets, stand out for its diversity, freshness, and price. Things are not as cheap as Jons or Super King, but still very good. I find the Koreans have the most ginormous Napa cabbages in the world. They also love huge Fuji apples and Asian pears. On the far left side of the store are the prepared foods and Kimchee offerings. Thanks to my friend June, I have been tutored in what to buy and eat and it is very exciting food. I recommend the delectable fried chicken wings in the hot case. Sweet, spicy, salty, and crunchy. Totally addictive.
Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Sunday: 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
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Posted by
Monday, January 05, 2009
Monday, January 05, 2009
Filed Under: Downtown Glendale, Food, Japanese Cuisine, Restaurant Reviews, Sushi
On the largest wall, behind a line of bamboo stalks, is a fresco depicting a picnic scene: three Japanese men and two women dressed in traditional kimonos are seated on a red blanket under a cherry blossom tree. From the high ceiling hang paper lanterns that hover over hungry patrons. The room is dimly lit, with the sushi bar the restaurant's brightest area.Glendale is home to quite a few Japanese restaurants, and sitting in a prime location at the Glendale Marketplace, in a spot formerly occupied by a shoe store, is Ichiban. "Ichiban," in Japanese, quite simply translates to "number one" or "best," and with a wide selection of combination dinners and an even wider array of sushi selections, the restaurant's name is not far off.
I am no sushi connoisseur. I was well into my early twenties before I could down a bite of food that wasn't either fried, grilled, baked, or broiled. Growing up, sushi always translated into "raw fish." Thanks to the Food Network, however (and Wikipedia, of course), I learned that the term "sushi" refers to the vinegared rice used in this type of Japanese cuisine, not to the fish sitting on top or wrapped in it.
You are in for an affordable (50% off rolls!), well-prepared meal here, not to mention friendly and efficient service. Whether you are craving a hot meal (in the form of a combination lunch or dinner plate with chicken, beef, or salmon teriyaki, salad, miso soup, and a bowl of rice) or are in the mood for a roll or two (the lobster and B.S.C.R. rolls are tasty, the sashimi is refreshing), Ichiban is there for you!
Ichiban
120 S. Brand Boulevard #120
Glendale, CA 91203
818.242.9966
www.sporq.com/glendale/ichiban/120sbrandblvd
Entree Price Range:
$7-$11
Sushi Price Range:
$3-$13
Hours:
Monday–Thursday:. 11:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m
Friday–Saturday: 11:30 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
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Posted by
Friday, December 19, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Filed Under: American Cuisine, Coldstone Creamery, Food, Middle-Eastern Cuisine, Restaurant Reviews, Rotisserie Chicken, Sidewalk Cafe, Zankou Chicken
When I saw that a new Trader Joe's was opening a mere four minutes away from my home, I didn't scream quite as loudly as I did when I saw the new large red sign at the corner of Glenoaks and Highland. "Zankou Chicken is going in at Sidewalk Café!," I interrupted my best friend's story to yelp. She wasn't nearly as annoyed as I would have been had she interrupted me (what are best friends for?). Instead, she joined my excitement: "I know! Isn't that great? Too bad we're probably going to have to wait a while for it to open."I know I could drive up to their fancy new location in Burbank or even to their second original location right here in Glendale, but this new Zankou Chicken is opening ("sometime next week," according to an employee) inside one of my favorite spots.
Sidewalk Café is a great place to meet friends for lunch, bring the family for a full dinner, or just grab coffee and read for hours. It has undergone various transformations over the years, but most have been for the better.
Coldstone Creamery (and its silly signage) disappeared. The gelato bar came and then sadly went, but the crepes stayed. New management has improved the service, built a new corner with comfy leather couches for lounging, and updated the menu my new favorite item: creamy vegetable lasagna. They also tried a kebab bar in the Coldstone location, but I never got the chance to try it. It seemed that all I had to do was blink, and it was gone.
Now enter Zankou Chicken. If you've never tasted their amazing rotisserie chickens, then you cannot call yourself an Angeleno (or Glendaleno?). But don't feel bad if you haven't discovered them yet; it took me six years before I did. I'm so happy that I'll be able to return to my favorite spot and order my favorite chicken. Or wait, the vegetable lasagna? Now, I don't know what to do.
Sidewalk Café/Zankou Chicken
901 Glenoaks Boulevard
Glendale, CA 91202
818.246.1000
www.sidewalkcafe.biz
Average Entree:
$8-$11
Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: 8:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
Zankou Chicken
1415 E. Colorado Boulevard
Glendale, CA 91205
818.244.2237
www.zankouchicken.com
Average Entree:
$5-$9
Hours:
Monday-Sunday: 10:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
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Posted by
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Filed Under: Cool Websites, Farmers' Market, Food, Green Living, Montrose, News
A few years ago, my best friend moved into a swanky apartment in West Hollywood, right across the street from the Wattles community garden. On the way up to our hike at Runyon Canyon, we snuck a tour of the garden's periphery and saw, beyond the wire fence, an abundant beauty that reminded me of one of my favorite childhood novels, The Secret Garden. There seemed to be a hundred or more small vegetable and herb gardens, separated by a simple mulched pathway. Bordering each farmed plot were creeping vines and blooming flowers. We spotted busy gardeners, working the weeds, schmoozing under lemon trees.I was insanely jealous. Here was a communal sanctuary, right along Hollywood Boulevard and yet too far from home. When I got back to this side of town, I rushed online and Googled "COMMUNITY GARDEN GLENDALE CALIFORNIA." Sadly, the search proved unfruitful (pardon the pun), as such a garden did not exist.
About a month ago, I became aware of the new Coalition for a Green Glendale, an organization working with the Los Angeles Community Garden Council in building a new community garden at 870 Monterey Road. The Coalition was founded by recent college graduates who have joined with landscape designer Guillame Lemoine (and who I recently had the pleasure of meeting) to "protect, preserve, restore, and enhance the ecological environment of the City of Glendale through conservation, research, education, and activism." Their website also shows that they've been working to make Glendale a more environmentally respectful city by taking even simple steps like handing out reusable bags at the Montrose Harvest Market.
Those who are interested in participating in the new Monterey Eco-Community Garden can go to the Coalition's website for the interest form. According to the Glendale News-Press,
the proposed plan includes communal fruit trees along the edge of the garden (which means anyone could pick 'em!), the possibility of 45 plots of land, and it would serve as a model for future community gardens. Under the current plan, "gardeners would put down a $20 deposit and pay $80 annually for a full plot, $45 for a half plot." Not bad for a year's worth of food and a small slice of Eden.
Visit the Coalition for a Green Glendale website.
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Posted by
Monday, December 15, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Filed Under: American Cuisine, Food, Patrick's Cafe, Restaurant Reviews
A few years back, my husband announced that he wanted to find a restaurant where he could become a "regular." He wanted to find a place where, when he walked in the door, they would say, "Hello, Matthew. Nice to see you."Making your way in the world today
Takes everything you've got
Taking a break from all your worries
Sure would help a lot
Wouldn't you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name
And they're always glad you came
You wanna be where you can see
Our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name
—Cheers theme song
I was all for the idea. I grew up in my parents' restaurant in downtown Chicago. I was almost quite literally born in a booth. My mother told me that when I was born, before heading home from the hospital, they took me to the restaurant first.
Going out to eat is one of my great joys of life. But as we surveyed our mental roster of local eating establishments, we couldn't think of any that we wanted to call "home."
Our favorite place to go was Patrick's, a quiet café in a strip mall, just off San Fernando and Sonora. It was a great place to grab a quick sandwich or to sit and study for a few hours. The owner, Rogel Aragon, always gave a warm reception, and he even remembered our names.
But, alas, our ideal restaurant would be full-service, and, best of all, it would serve our favorite meal of the day, a full breakfast, complete with French toast, hot pancakes, massive omelets, steaming bacon, the works.
Imagine our excitement when Rogel announced that he would be opening a full-service restaurant just down the road. We became stalkers, peering into windows, driving through the alley, knocking on the door. A few weeks before the grand opening, Rogel was kind enough to give us an exclusive tour, highlighting the beautiful design: the striking artwork, the swanky dark wood, the alfresco dining areas. Rogel had an eye for detail, and I loved that he made a concerted effort to pay homage to the original Googie design, keeping the 1950s boomerang detail of the front counter and overhangs.
The new location opened in September 2006, and my husband and I are proud to be "regulars." The food is indeed as splendid as the design. When we're feeling indulgent, we get the breakfast sandwich or the steak and eggs. A healthier but still satisfying option is the oatmeal, served with hot milk, sliced apples, cinnamon, raisins, and granola. For lunch, my standard favorite is the tuna sandwich, while Matthew loves the burgers, which are always served hot and fresh. I also love the Carnivore, a roast beef and boursin cheese sandwich, but you might also want to try your hand at creating your own with their nifty little order sheets.
When leaving the hospital after our daughter was born, we went to Patrick's first and then home. We went partly because I had to get my hands on a tuna sandwich after nine months of living without, but it was mostly because we wanted to introduce everyone to our daughter. And tell them her name.
Patrick’s Café
6720 San Fernando Road
Glendale, CA 91201
818.291.0025
Average Entree:
$8 - $12
Hours:
Monday-Friday: 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
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Posted by
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Filed Under: Britney Spears, Celebrities, Downtown Glendale, Food, Kitson, News, Shopping, The Americana
We don't typically get many celebrity sightings this far east of Hollywood, but The Americana at Brand is enough of a glittery paradise to draw the likes of Britney Spears, perhaps the mother of paparazzi bait. She was seen buying some toys and pajamas for her boys and jeans for herself at Kitson last week. Earlier that day, surrounded by security, she ate at Katsuya, a Japanese restaurant. No news on her chopstick-wielding abilities. (Why don't journalists observe the things I want to know?)And that's about as Hollywood as this blog is going to get. Unless Britney Spears returns to Glendale. And shops at Ross. And eats at Panda Express. Now that I'd like to see—her digging into a big plate of orange chicken. While admiring her marked-down skirt.
The Americana at Brand[Sources: E! Online and People.]
889 Americana Way
Glendale, CA 91210
818.637.8982
www.americanaatbrand.com
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Posted by
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Filed Under: Downtown Glendale, Events, Farmers' Market, Food, Green Living, Montrose, Shopping
[Editor's Note: Hot off the heels of Olivia's terrific post about everything Montrose has to offer comes Kathy's write-up about the farmers' markets in Downtown Glendale and Montrose. Great minds think alike!]When was the last time you ate an apple? And not a grocery store apple, those tasteless fruits flown in from New Zealand and China. I'm talking about a farm-fresh apple, one that has been picked mere days, if not hours before, one that is so ripe, so sweet, taste buds secrete fountains of approval. What's that? You don't live on a farm? Either do I, but I eat farm fresh produce at every meal, and I gather my harvest right here in Glendale on Thursdays and Sundays at our very own certified farmers' markets.
The Thursday market takes place on Brand Boulevard, right north of Borders. Compared to other markets, this one is not the best, but it is certainly respectable, with a good amount of vendors. You will find mounds of beautiful produce, a local baker selling fresh bread and cakes, and a representative from CSUN supplying heirloom vegetables and potted plants. Unfortunately, the sidewalk is a tight squeeze, and the umbrellas catch the cigarette smoke of passersby (how is this healthy living?), but hopefully that will change after the recent smoking ban. You'll find free parking in the building behind the market—just tell the cashier as you are leaving and they won't charge you.
Montrose's Sunday market is a favorite of mine—they have a beautiful selection of vendors, many who are certified organic or grow without pesticides. One vendor in particular sells fresh goat cheese from Soledad that is truly out of this world; they offer amazing flavors like garlic-dill and lavender. The market also includes hot-food vendors, pony rides, a live brass band, and games for kids. It makes for a lovely Sunday morning. The one warning I would give is to make sure that another festival (like Octoberfest or Halloween) isn't taking place on the Saturday before; twice over the past six months, we have arrived only to find no market (and left practically in tears).
I started shopping the farmers' markets exclusively after reading Michael Pollan. In his book, In Defense of Food, he argues for the benefits of eating real food: food your great-great-grandmother would recognize, and food that is local and fresh. Pollan explains that the widespread use of industrial fertilizers and the fact that food is picked when it is not yet ripe and then shipped overseas means that grocery-store produce is lacking in both taste and nutritional quality. He notes, "You now have to eat three apples to get the same amount of iron as you have gotten from a single 1940 apple."
Walk yourself down to Brand Boulevard, pick up an apple—or an orange or a tomato or plum—and take a big bite, knowing that you're supporting a local farmer and living the good life.
Glendale Certified Farmers' Market
100 Block of N. Brand Boulevard
Between Broadway and Wilson
http://www.farmernet.com/events/one-cfm?venue_id=808
Hours:
Thursday
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Montrose Harvest Market
Honolulu Avenue and Ocean View Boulevard
http://www.farmernet.com/events/one-cfm?venue_id=614
Hours:
Sunday
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
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Posted by
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Filed Under: City Services, Fire Department, Food
Not only does the Glendale Fire Department heroically battle natural disasters, it also serves the community by putting its favorite firehouse recipes online! From meals such as the amusingly named "Engine 29 Chum Bucket Chicken Chili" and "Fire Station 21 Ribs from the Crib" to desserts such as "Pride of the Southside Berry Cobbler" and "Fire Station's Death Spirals (Cinnamon Rolls)," now you can experience what it's like to eat like a firefighter. I doubt it's as exciting as sliding down that pole, but who said dining had to be exciting? You just want your food to taste good. And I trust our fire department. Check out the recipes here.[Thanks to North West Glendale Real Estate for posting this.]
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Posted by
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Filed Under: Events, Farmers' Market, Food, Montrose, Parks and Recreation, Shopping
Montrose is one of the best kept secrets in Glendale, and many of us who live there would like to keep it that way, so if you’re reading this, keep it to yourself, OK?When I moved to L.A. from the U.K. three years ago, I imagined I'd be living in a brash city. Then I found Montrose and felt like I'd walked into a Frank Capra movie.
Nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains on the northern edge of Glendale, this small bedroom community is a bit of a rarity. Part of the City Of Glendale since 1913, it's home mostly to families and a few older citizens. In the early days, Angelenos, including many Hollywood movie stars, would ascend to Montrose's then-"country" heights for clean air and spa treatments.
Now, even though Glendale has reached out in every direction so there are no discernable boundaries, Montrose still offers an escape of sorts to a kind of small-town America where the main street was the hub of the community and you couldn't walk down it without seeing someone you knew.
That main street, Honolulu Avenue, has changed little in character, still featuring a variety of independent stores and restaurants, the only chains in the main strip being Coffee Bean and Subway.
So untouched since the 1950s and '60s are some store fronts that Montrose is often featured in movies and TV shows for its architecture and small-town feel.
The focal point of the week is the Sunday Harvest Market, for which a good part of Honolulu Avenue is closed off. A jazz band adds to the atmosphere as shoppers browse and stop off for brunch at popular haunts like The Black Cow and Montrose Bakery.
The market runs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every Sunday and features 70 to 80 stall holders selling fresh produce, mainly from the Santa Barbara and Santa Paula areas, plus original arts and crafts, books, bric-a-brac, and bakery items. There's a petting zoo and seasonal pony rides for the kids.
Montrose's annual Christmas parade attracts some 10,000 visitors from miles around. I took a friend and her family this year, and she was bowled over by the great community atmosphere and the size of the parade—it takes a good two hours for all the marching bands, floats, and vintage cars to get from one end of Honolulu Avenue to the next—pretty impressive for one little town.
Montrose is also well-known for its large number of restaurants, many with outdoor dining. There's everything from sushi to Mexican, Italian, American, and beyond.
But there's more than shopping and dining here. A stone's throw away in neighboring La Crescenta, the Deukmejian Wilderness Park has great trails and stunning views, plus a picnic area.
And in next door La Canada, Descanso Gardens is a beautifully landscaped 160 acres of public gardens to enjoy for just $7. It features a café and a tranquil Japanese tea garden.
Montrose is also only six miles south of the Angeles National Forest so everywhere you look, nature's on the doorstep.
One of my favorite views is driving up the Glendale Freeway and seeing Downtown L.A.'s skyscrapers in my rear view mirror. Then I look ahead to the welcoming foothills I'm driving towards and thank my lucky stars I discovered this gem of a town.
Nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains on the northern edge of Glendale, this small bedroom community is a bit of a rarity. Part of the City Of Glendale since 1913, it's home mostly to families and a few older citizens. In the early days, Angelenos, including many Hollywood movie stars, would ascend to Montrose's then-"country" heights for clean air and spa treatments.
Now, even though Glendale has reached out in every direction so there are no discernable boundaries, Montrose still offers an escape of sorts to a kind of small-town America where the main street was the hub of the community and you couldn't walk down it without seeing someone you knew.
That main street, Honolulu Avenue, has changed little in character, still featuring a variety of independent stores and restaurants, the only chains in the main strip being Coffee Bean and Subway.
So untouched since the 1950s and '60s are some store fronts that Montrose is often featured in movies and TV shows for its architecture and small-town feel.
The focal point of the week is the Sunday Harvest Market, for which a good part of Honolulu Avenue is closed off. A jazz band adds to the atmosphere as shoppers browse and stop off for brunch at popular haunts like The Black Cow and Montrose Bakery.
The market runs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every Sunday and features 70 to 80 stall holders selling fresh produce, mainly from the Santa Barbara and Santa Paula areas, plus original arts and crafts, books, bric-a-brac, and bakery items. There's a petting zoo and seasonal pony rides for the kids.
Montrose's annual Christmas parade attracts some 10,000 visitors from miles around. I took a friend and her family this year, and she was bowled over by the great community atmosphere and the size of the parade—it takes a good two hours for all the marching bands, floats, and vintage cars to get from one end of Honolulu Avenue to the next—pretty impressive for one little town.
Montrose is also well-known for its large number of restaurants, many with outdoor dining. There's everything from sushi to Mexican, Italian, American, and beyond.
But there's more than shopping and dining here. A stone's throw away in neighboring La Crescenta, the Deukmejian Wilderness Park has great trails and stunning views, plus a picnic area.
And in next door La Canada, Descanso Gardens is a beautifully landscaped 160 acres of public gardens to enjoy for just $7. It features a café and a tranquil Japanese tea garden.
Montrose is also only six miles south of the Angeles National Forest so everywhere you look, nature's on the doorstep.
One of my favorite views is driving up the Glendale Freeway and seeing Downtown L.A.'s skyscrapers in my rear view mirror. Then I look ahead to the welcoming foothills I'm driving towards and thank my lucky stars I discovered this gem of a town.
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Posted by
Monday, December 08, 2008
Monday, December 08, 2008
Filed Under: Baja Fresh, Downtown Glendale, Food, Mexican Cuisine, Restaurant Reviews
I'm going to risk what little street cred I have by writing about a chain restaurant. What's more, it's a fast food chain restaurant. The horror, the horror! But I'm willing to face alienation and ridicule because I have to tell you about the best salsa I have ever had. Ever. And I have to tell you that it's at Baja Fresh. Seriously.Look, I don't know anything about Baja Fresh's corporate history or if its company uniforms are made in sweatshops in Borneo or what, but last summer they introduced, for a limited time, Molcajete Salsa, which is hands down the most delicious, flavorful salsa that has ever touched my tongue. Ever.
According to a press release I found online, it's "made of smoky char-grilled tomatoes, fresh and spicy charred jalapenos, and cilantro all crushed together into a bold and spicy chunky textured bite." That's exactly what it is, and, hot damn, does it deliver.
I'm sure it's good on different foods there, but I'm a simple guy. I love it with tortilla chips, and that's it.
When the summer was over last year, they pulled the Molcajete Salsa and replaced it with the inferior Mango Salsa. I was devastated. I asked a manager about bringing the Molcajete back, and I e-mailed corporate headquarters, both to no avail.
Well, my favorite salsa returned this past summer, much to my surprise and delight. We're well into December now, and guess what? The Molcajete Salsa is still there! I honestly hope it's become a permanent member of the salsa bar.
If you ever see me at Baja Fresh looking dejected, you'll know that the company has decided to inexplicably punish my loyalty. But for now I weep—tears of joy and tears of spiciness.
Baja Fresh
Glendale Marketplace
114 S. Brand Boulevard
Glendale, CA 91205
818.549.9835
www.bajafresh.com
Hours:
Monday-Thursday, 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
Sunday, 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Average Entree:
$5-$10
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Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Filed Under: Clancy's Crab Broiler, Downtown Glendale, Food, Restaurant Reviews, Seafood
My friends accuse me of having undiscerning taste buds, so you're not going to see me doing many restaurant reviews here. (In other words, I'll eat anything.)But I must say a few words about Clancy's Crab Broiler because I've been there for Thanksgiving dinner two years in a row now. And no matter how unsophisticated I may be when it comes to food, may I entice you with the appropriately named "Bucket o' Crab," a bunch of Alaskan snow crab legs served to you in a big gray pail?
But that's not really what I wanted to tell you about. If you eat at Clancy's on Christmas Eve (they're closed Christmas Day), they'll give you a gift certificate in the amount of whatever you spend on your meal that day and you can use the gift certificate up to six months later. Can you believe that?! They'll match your bill dollar for dollar!
Reservations for Christmas Eve fill up fast (I missed out last year), so call now if you're interested. I booked my table already, and, for someone with crappy taste buds, my mouth is already watering.
Clancy's Crab BroilerOh my god, their website is an eyesore, but I guess it's okay because they're known for their seafood, not their tech skills.
219 N. Central Avenue
Glendale, CA 91204
818.242.2722
www.clancyscrabbroiler.com
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Friday: 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
Saturday: 12:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Average Entree:
$15-$25
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