How can there be a restaurant called "There's No Place Like Home", and I didn't know about it?!
This week, my husband was rehearsing a show and was unavailable for Freedom Friday. Oh, the horror! But I quickly rallied and recruited aforementioned awesome friend Jimmy to be Stan's Stan(d) In. He lives in Los Feliz, so we chose this place with the name I melt for, right around the corner from him. You can't miss "Home", as a huge red sign hangs over the outdoor patio seating area as you walk in, as if announcing to the neighborhood that you've arrived at the zenith of comfort and coziness. I almost expected Aunt Em to emerge from the kitchen to hand us our menus.
We sat inside on this chilly November day, and were greeted by our waitress, a good old gal who was so friendly and helpful we almost asked her to join us. She explained the highlights of the menu, and was very enthusiastic about her favorite items. She also joined Jimmy in a discussion of the best and worst wheat-free products available at Trader Joe's.
Jimmy got the red velvet pancakes, and I ordered the Eggwich, designed As You Like It. As I Liked It was with eggs scrambled fluffily, as-crisp-as-they-could-get-it turkey bacon, smothered with cheddar cheese, on grilled sourdough. This was one awesome Eggwich, accompanied by home fries- the kind with tiny perfect squares of red and green pepper and onion mixed in. Who invented breakfast? I'd like to kiss him.
Jimmy raved about his red velvet pancakes, but I didn't try a bite only because I am not a huge red velvet girl. It's just chocolate with red food coloring, right? But the red throws me off. I think I prefer taking my chocolate straight. And keeping it out of my pancakes.
Jimmy and I talked about everything under the sun, which always happens when we get together. We're very like-minded and seem to agree on most things of grand importance, from the key to world peace to the best and worst movies (perhaps we only disagree about red velvet). On this particular day, we were lamenting violence in film and TV. We agreed that many psychological dramas and creepy thrillers can be great fun... but both of us have trouble watching scenarios of blatant brutality towards human beings. I know for me, something changed when I had kids (I can hear the collective childless-adult groan now). But it's true; after Addie's birth, I was shocked to find myself walking out of the room early into a renting of "Pan's Labyrinth", because of a particularly brutal scene involving a father and son. This scene would certainly have bothered me before I had kids, but it is unwatchable now. It followed me into my dreams. I will replay the images over and over again. It's not worth the wrenching sadness it causes within me. Lots of people tell me I'd really enjoy "Dexter", but I haven't seen it because I'm afraid I won't sleep.
By contrast, I watched "Paranormal Activity" on Halloween. I was tense the whole time, but it was a fun tense... and I didn't dream about it, or even think about it, again. Supernatural and demonic, I can handle. Throw me an Exorcist or a Rosemary's Baby anytime. I love it. But I will never watch "Saw", any of its countless sequels. What good are these movies in the world? They only serve to give bad people innovative torture ideas. For the rest of the population, they're a way to watch horrific things happen to ordinary people. Who sits in a room and thinks of these things? What a waste of brain cells. I can't think of anyone I'd want to see tortured in this manner. Okay, maybe Katherine Heigl.
Funny that Jimmy and I were sitting in a restaurant called "There's No Place Like Home", talking about violence and death. Maybe we needed to provide a yang to the eatery's yin. Whatever the discussion, I always come away from Jimmy feeling a little closer to The Truth, whatever that is. Pity we can't spend a week at some culinary retreat. We could solve all the world's ills during our meals, and I'd never get fat because Jimmy's a nutritionist.
Next Friday, my hubby will be performing in Palm Springs and I'll be spending Black Friday with my two wonderful boys, eating leftovers and belching a lot. So stay tuned for the following Friday, when Freedom will be restored and Stan and I will be reunited to embark on yet another Los Angeles eating adventure.
Speaking of eating... Happy Turkey Day, everyone.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Double Feature Freedom Friday
Today I shall proudly report on our last two Freedom Fridays, since I neglected to post last Friday. What a week to neglect! We went to what had to be my favorite F.F. place so far: BeaBea's in Burbank. Stan found our destination last week, and he did it unprompted, too! He got inspired, went onto Yelp, and announced where we were going. I was thrilled and delighted! So mid-morning, we took our hungry selves to a strip mall on Pass Avenue. Tucked in the back corner was the little diner with the big menu. BeaBea's tag line is "Breakfast is Everything", and when I saw that on their awning, I already knew I was going to love it.
The joint is obviously a local favorite; it wasn't overly crowded, but we got the immediate sense that they have their "regulars". There's a counter, where customers chatted it up with the wait staff like they were all old buddies. We told our waiter that it was our first time, and he happily regaled us with his personal menu favorites.
It is a restaurant where you definitely need suggestions. The breakfast selection is massive. Under the heading "Pancakes", there are twenty options. Same goes for "French Toast", "Waffles", and "Crepes".
Do you already love this place? I thought so.
Because it was a mere three days before Halloween, I decided on the pumpkin pancakes, our waiter's very first suggestion. Stan, who is usually in a more savory mood, got the Volcano Scramble. A perfect combo, as we always go halfsies. Mind you, it was tough to pass up the specials... there was an apple walnut pancake a la mode, for example. But we went classic, simple, and straightforward for our first BeaBea's bonanza.
Wow.
The pumpkin pancakes were perfection. A light sprinkling of powdered sugar on top. I slathered on the butter because... well, because it's butter... and asked for an extra maple syrup, because I hate to run out. I've been to The Griddle before (where the pancakes are the size of manholes and I'm not complaining), but these pancakes were even better, simply because they weren't so rich that you're done after three bites. These had just the perfect amount of sweetness that kept you coming back for more until the plate was empty. At The Griddle, I felt terribly guilty that when I was full I still had enough on my plate to feed a small third-world country.
Stan's scramble was delicious too... eggs, mozzarella, cheddar, chicken apple sausage, tortilla strips, sour cream and tomatillo sauce, with hash browns on the side (Stan orders his extra crispy and they got it right). We sat, holding hands, filling our bellies and commenting about how much we love our Fridays. This may be the best idea we've ever come up with!
Today, we decided to turn it into Freedom Friend Friday and meet our wonderful amigo Jimmy for breakfast. Originally we had chosen Alcove in Los Feliz, but it's an outdoor cafe... so when the rain resumed mid-morning, we quickly re-routed ourselves to Fred 62. It's a very popular kitschy diner on Vermont. We sat in a cozy booth and basked in the excitement of a rainy-day egg delight. There's nothing like breakfast in the rain! Stan and I were both in a savory mood (Stan was shocked I did not get a pancake/waffle/french toast concoction), and this time we both opted for their breakfast burrito.
Jimmy is eating gluten-free these days, so we almost made him sit at another table. The only reason we allowed him to stay is that he really is having trouble with gluten; he's not just deciding to be a pain in our wheat-eating ass. We appreciate that. But he had to order an egg sandwich without the bread, so there you have it. I'm sure it was tasty, but who cares. Bread is everything.
What's surprising about Fred 62 is that it looks like your average greasy spoon, but what emerges from the kitchen is actually quite artful. Our burritos were beautifully coated with a delicious red sauce and perfectly drizzled with sour cream, then sprinkled with cilantro. Inside was a mesmerizing combo of scrambled eggs, chorizo, jack and cheddar cheese, and green onion.
I can't believe I ate the whoooooole thing.
We haven't really had a "miss" yet on our Freedom Fridays. I like to think it's because the world senses this is a good thing. We are in the Karmic Zone, treating our tastebuds and our marriage to a weekly treat. Even if we run into a meal that stinks, the company will never let us down. Today, we spent an hour with a true friend. We laughed, we commiserated, we shared ideas and stories and insights. Talking to Jimmy is never boring. He's one of those people you just feel lucky to have in your life.
Him, and breakfast. Because you know what BeaBea says.
The joint is obviously a local favorite; it wasn't overly crowded, but we got the immediate sense that they have their "regulars". There's a counter, where customers chatted it up with the wait staff like they were all old buddies. We told our waiter that it was our first time, and he happily regaled us with his personal menu favorites.
It is a restaurant where you definitely need suggestions. The breakfast selection is massive. Under the heading "Pancakes", there are twenty options. Same goes for "French Toast", "Waffles", and "Crepes".
Do you already love this place? I thought so.
Because it was a mere three days before Halloween, I decided on the pumpkin pancakes, our waiter's very first suggestion. Stan, who is usually in a more savory mood, got the Volcano Scramble. A perfect combo, as we always go halfsies. Mind you, it was tough to pass up the specials... there was an apple walnut pancake a la mode, for example. But we went classic, simple, and straightforward for our first BeaBea's bonanza.
Wow.
The pumpkin pancakes were perfection. A light sprinkling of powdered sugar on top. I slathered on the butter because... well, because it's butter... and asked for an extra maple syrup, because I hate to run out. I've been to The Griddle before (where the pancakes are the size of manholes and I'm not complaining), but these pancakes were even better, simply because they weren't so rich that you're done after three bites. These had just the perfect amount of sweetness that kept you coming back for more until the plate was empty. At The Griddle, I felt terribly guilty that when I was full I still had enough on my plate to feed a small third-world country.
Stan's scramble was delicious too... eggs, mozzarella, cheddar, chicken apple sausage, tortilla strips, sour cream and tomatillo sauce, with hash browns on the side (Stan orders his extra crispy and they got it right). We sat, holding hands, filling our bellies and commenting about how much we love our Fridays. This may be the best idea we've ever come up with!
Today, we decided to turn it into Freedom Friend Friday and meet our wonderful amigo Jimmy for breakfast. Originally we had chosen Alcove in Los Feliz, but it's an outdoor cafe... so when the rain resumed mid-morning, we quickly re-routed ourselves to Fred 62. It's a very popular kitschy diner on Vermont. We sat in a cozy booth and basked in the excitement of a rainy-day egg delight. There's nothing like breakfast in the rain! Stan and I were both in a savory mood (Stan was shocked I did not get a pancake/waffle/french toast concoction), and this time we both opted for their breakfast burrito.
Jimmy is eating gluten-free these days, so we almost made him sit at another table. The only reason we allowed him to stay is that he really is having trouble with gluten; he's not just deciding to be a pain in our wheat-eating ass. We appreciate that. But he had to order an egg sandwich without the bread, so there you have it. I'm sure it was tasty, but who cares. Bread is everything.
What's surprising about Fred 62 is that it looks like your average greasy spoon, but what emerges from the kitchen is actually quite artful. Our burritos were beautifully coated with a delicious red sauce and perfectly drizzled with sour cream, then sprinkled with cilantro. Inside was a mesmerizing combo of scrambled eggs, chorizo, jack and cheddar cheese, and green onion.
I can't believe I ate the whoooooole thing.
We haven't really had a "miss" yet on our Freedom Fridays. I like to think it's because the world senses this is a good thing. We are in the Karmic Zone, treating our tastebuds and our marriage to a weekly treat. Even if we run into a meal that stinks, the company will never let us down. Today, we spent an hour with a true friend. We laughed, we commiserated, we shared ideas and stories and insights. Talking to Jimmy is never boring. He's one of those people you just feel lucky to have in your life.
Him, and breakfast. Because you know what BeaBea says.
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