CONFESSIONS OF A FAT GIRL

Everybody Run - Don't Walk - To Girasol For Brunch

Before I moved in the Fall of 2014, I lived just a few blocks away from 11334 Moorpark St., a restaurant space rather famous in our neighborhood for nothing lasting in it very long. Something would go in and we'd all start placing bets on how long the new dining establishment would last. And sure enough, it would be gone in a hurry -- onto the next. Rinse. Repeat. 

But I started to see Top Chef fan-favorite (and one of my Top Chef favorites!) CJ Jacobson around the neighborhood. I walked by him on the street once, I saw him in my local coffee shop... And I wondered if perhaps he was going to be next up in the seemingly doomed space and felt optimistic about it. Three years later, we still have Girasol in that no-longer-doomed space and I recently paid a visit to try their brunch menu! 

Interestingly, CJ grew up relatively indifferent to food but his rich life experiences eventually converged to create an intense dedication to cooking. His craft is best described as "rustic-refined" and revolves around a profound respect for the hyper-seasonal, local ingredients he brings into his kitchen at Girasol, which he conceptually collaborated on with Jorge Pultera, former manager at The Ivy, Koi and Red O. From the moment you walk into the restaurant, you know you're in for something special because CJ and Jorge took the ambiance seriously. Not sure what a "Girasol" is? Perhaps the etchings in the ceiling might give you a clue -- inspired by the petals of a sunflower. The entire space is really beautiful. 

In fact, everything about Girasol is really beautiful -- from the kind staff to the cocktails to the food. Everything is art there. Each day you can order from their craft cocktails or wine menu, or you can try whatever the bartender has customized for the day. We were treated to a minty, crisp, refreshing cocktail that I could perhaps relate to you by saying it's like a moscow mule but better. And I wanted to try something non-alcoholic as well so I landed on a prickly pear (which is cactus)"soda." It wasn't as sweet as I thought it would be but still very good and refreshing. And again - artful in presentation. It almost glowed.

When it was time to eat we were more than happy to begin with their homemade bread, herb butter and jams. Absolutely delicious and could very well be a meal in of itself if you allow it.... But don't. It's delicious but save room for your meal. Trust me. 

 

The unanimous staff recommendation seemed to mandate we also tried the Octopus Gazpacho starter. I've actually had octopus before -- it's quite good though I still can't bring myself to eat the really squigly tentacle pieces. They served it up with cucumber, avocado, some mixed greens and tomatillo. Again, I could have had this as a meal. Apparently the dish was inspired by a salad on their regular menu -- which I now need to return to try. 

Look how green and fresh it looks! It tastes that good, too.

Instead of each having our own main courses, we shared two. I think if we asked they would have brought us everything on the menu but I selected two stand-outs. The Bread Pudding French Toast was basically dessert. I've never had French toast like that. And I don't know what they do with the syrup but it's the best damned syrup I ever had, I tell you. The Maine Lobster Benedict just blew my mind, though. Once I took a bite of that I was making proclamations of love and lust and declaring Girasol my new favorite brunch spot in all the land. 

Here's the thing I quickly realized as well. Despite all that we ate, we didn't feel sick or stuffed. There wasn't any of that heaviness that usually comes with eating really rich food. Everything we ate certainly seemed rich and decadent but I only felt satisfied and happy at the conclusion of the meal. I think that comes with all the wonderful, fresh, organic ingredients Girasol prides themselves on. Clearly everything we dined on was of the absolute best quality. 

And I stand by my statement - it really is my new favorite brunch spot and I urge you all to try it. I hope it lasts years and years and years in that formerly-doomed building on Moorpark. When I drive or walk by there now, I certainly won't think of it as doomed anymore. Much more likely I'll have lobster benedict fantasies.  

More:

• Girasol's website
• Parking is on the street or with the $5 valet in the rear
• Dinner everyday  5pm – 11pm, Brunch on Sundays: 11am – 3pm
• On Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• Executive Chef CJ Jacobson on Twitter and Instagram

Johnnie's Pastrami - An Oldie But Very-Goodie

In all my years of life....

((dramatic pause))

I had no idea I loved pastrami. 

When I announced as much on social media, I took a bit of heat. I guess it's fair. I'm a nice Jewish girl who grew up eating in delis but I've just always stuck to club sandwiches and corned beef. 

Now, I have nothing to compare it to but I doubt anything will ever meet the standard set by Johnnie's Pastrami in Culver City. It's rather unassuming from the outside -- some might even say it's dated. Established in 1952, it has become a Southern California landmark. The jukeboxes on the counters and booths are all original. So are some of the waitresses. But that's really just a part of the charm. They have kept the building, decor and menu simple... and I think a little simple goes a long way to perfection. 

They have two quaint, lovely outdoor seating areas though I chose to sit inside and enjoy the endearing ambiance. Everyone is welcomed with a cup of delicious, crisp pickles. I ate most of them -- I think I allowed my friend a couple. 

The menu is, again, simple, but offers plenty of choice. But how do you go to Johnnie's Pastrami and not order PASTRAMI?! So there I was, trying it for the first time and just WOW, guys. Corned beef and pastrami are both cured in a sat water solution but corned beef is boiled while pastrami is smoked. And with this sandwich, I definitely got that salty smokiness. The meat was really tender and flavorful... I had a choice of sides and selected - what else - french fries. Those were also simple and perfect and I thought it was a nice   touch that they serve their ketchup topped with a dollop of deli mustard. 

I mean.... As the kids say, I can't with that sandwich. 

I always like to try a few things from a menu when I visit a new restaurant so we also ordered a side of onion rings, which were awesome and also came with the same ketchup/mustard combo. 

Fun fact - I took half my sandwich and some onion rings home with me and got to enjoy Johnnie's again for lunch the next day. It was still pretty damned good. 

Something else -- Johnnie's has amazing hours, opening at 10 AM daily, closing at 2:30 AM Sunday - Thursday and 3:30 AM on Friday and Saturday. Guess what? I think it's the perfect place to stop after a night out drinking. You know how that goes. The bar kicks you out and you need something really yummy in your belly? That late night snack to cap off a night out? If you're in the area, you have a new place to target. 

Part of me is thinking I should close with something like "I'll have to go back and try something else on the menu" but right now, I'm just thinking about how I waited 36 years to try pastrami. I'm such a dumbass. :)

More:

• Website
• Parking: They have a lot in the back and ample space! 
• On social media: #johnniespastramiLA and/or #johnniespastrami

Do It For The Puppies!

Meet Odie and Tucker, who miraculously sat still for at least twelve photos!

Seriously. Do you have pets? With costumes on. That's a feat. 

In the "Dog-Eared Classics 2016 Calendar," the two lovable pups portray their favorite characters from classic literature like Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley, J.M. Barrie, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Tucker and Odie are both rescue dogs themselves (and happen to belong to a couple of friends of mine) and really excited to be canine supermodels and supporting worthy causes (I imagine that's what they would say if they could speak). 

"Worthy causes, you say?" 

Yes, and this is especially important to my local readers -- a portion of the proceeds from this calendar will be split between:

• The Volunteers of the Burbank Animal Shelter: The VBAS, a 501(c)(3) animal service agency, is devoted to providing medical, social, behavioral and financial care for animals at risk and determined to eliminate animal homelessness in the Burbank community.
  
  
• The Animal Protectorates. TAPS mission statement is summarized with the 4 prongs of their acronym: Teach, Advocate, Protect, and Support. TAPS, a 501(c)3 corporation, facilitates the direct protection of animals in every possible way; provides sponsorship for, and financial support to programs and organizations involving animal welfare; provides outreach and education to promote an increased awareness of animal cruelty; encourages every citizen to become active, involved and responsible animal guardians; promotes the legal re-classification of animals to a category other than property; and, carries on other charitable activities associated with these goals as allowed by law.

The calendar is only $13.50. Wouldn't you be happy to give $13.50 so that a few of Tucker and Odie's buddies can find happy homes this holiday season?

Click here to purchases from Amazon.

I Haven't Posted About Paris

I haven't posted about Paris. 

Oh. I changed my profile pic to that Facebook temporary one with the red white and blue overlay but ... For a day. 

 

I posted something about puppies last night. Which made me smile.

 

You see, I can't wrap my brain around it. Any of it. So I ignore it. These are things that happen in a Jerry Bruckheimer movie, not in my world. Not where me and my friends live. I ignore it because otherwise, I think about it to try and make sense of it. But that's a useless endeavor, of course. 

 

So I haven't posted about Paris. Or Kenya, Beirut, Syria, Nigeria... 

Frankly if I think about any of it for too long I start to feel sick to my stomach. Anymore time dwelling on it beyond that and I find I'm terrified. Maybe, then, it's selfish of me to remain silent. 

And then there's the part of me that knows remaining silent makes you part of the problem. I am an intelligent person and I could contribute to the conversation. That debate within my own mind is what put me in front of my laptop right now to write this.

But enough of that.

I think I liked it better when I was silent. 

Quote of the Day

How to Fail at The Daily Grill's "Simply 600"

Daily Grill has relaunched their "Simply 600" menu which is all about loads of flavor and, thankfully, not loads of calories. 

So on a recent weeknight evening, I went with some other influencers to give it a try. And while I will grant you that everything I had from the "Simply 600" menu was, in fact, loaded with flavor and absolutely delicious, I must also confess that I totally failed at the Simply 600. 

Here's how. 

I mean, we started off well - the hummus plate was FABULOUS. The veggies were fresh and delicious and the pita bread was perfection...

But we simply couldn't resist the spinach and artichoke dip, which was warm and cheesy and wonderful. The accompanying crustinis were that perfect texture of not overly cooked and too crunchy, but still toasty.

For my entree, I did stick to the "Simply 600" menu and opted for the blackened ahi tuna salad. Only caveat -- I added shrimp because I had a feeling the tuna might be spicy. Which it was. But by god, it was presented like art. 'Twas almost a shame to eat it....

Oh, but I did also get a side of amazing onion rings for the table. Because we needed a side dish. I have no other reason.

This "Simply 600" fail was not exclusive to me, by the way. Check out what Maya ordered. I salivated.

I did think what Chris ordered looked pretty drool-worthy as well, though, and it was on the "Simply 600" menu. Behold the lettuce cups:

Among our group we are a pretty diverse set of eaters. Carnivores, herbivores, vegans, healthy-eaters, cocktail connoisseurs and so on. And there was easily something (and more) for everyone to try! Whether you do the Simply 600 or not, Daily Grill is reliably varied in choices and delicious eats. It's also a great spot for groups and, I've found, a perfect business meal meet-up location.

Oh, and they also have amazing dessert. This was really the proverbial icing on the sundae (pun intended):

And if that isn't the most successful fail in history, then I don't know what is. 

Need more? Well have a look at the menus for yourself!

Simply 600 Dinner Menu

Simply 600 Lunch Menu

See you there? I promise we'll order a healthy salad... and some onion rings. 

Influencers harnessing their powers for good.