Foodie Friday: PICCA

This time I ventured east from my normal stomping ground to Picca on Pico Blvd, Beverly Hills.  At first glance, this place was hip, lively and fun.  Loved the atmosphere and music!  The hostess was welcoming and offered us the choice of sitting in their balcony or at a tiny table tucked in a corner.  We opted for the balcony and sat down side by side for some people and bar tender watching (the bar tenders are famous for shaking your drink like a Polaroid picture).  After waiting almost 10 minutes, we were finally greeted by our server who suggested cocktails and explained the Restaurant Week menu.  Our drinks arrive another ten minutes later followed by an additional 10 minute wait for our server to return to our tabel to take our order.  Once the food started to roll out, we realized that our entrees were coming out before the appitizers, but since Picca is a small plate style, it didn't matter too much.  The food was good.  Great plating and use of spices.  My one critique is that they may want to dial it back on the salt, but overall I was pleased.   To tell you the truth, the lack of attentiveness from our server killed our experience.  While she was very friendly, we often found ourselves neglected.  Overall an OK experience.  My favorite dish was the Quinoa Fried Chicken and the Tres Leche Cake.  However, the best part of the meal were the drinks!  If we come back, I'm just going to head straight to the bar.

The Avacado and Anejo Honey Sour  - Delish!

Yellowtail Tiradito

Peruvian Caesar Salad

Black Cod

Anticucho Camarones

Chupe Gratinado

Chicharron De Costillas

Estofado De Carne

Quinoa Fried Chicken

Tres Leche Cake

Chocolate Cake

Photos by Esme

Foodie Friday: The Foundry

Oh boy do I have a treat for you!  As some of you know, it is dineLA Restaurant Week.  This happens to be my most favorite time of the year!  Restaurants from all over the city create special pre-fixed menus, and people like me get to taste LA's finest for either $25, $35 or $45 depending on the restaurant.  This week I tried The Foundry on Melrose, and chef Eric Greenspan did not disappoint.  The Foundry has a sophisticated menu without the snooty uptight attitude you might find at other white tablecloth establishments.  I was able to dine, feel special and get my foodie on.  Not to mention our tabel was visited by chef Greenspan himself not once, but twice during the evening.  This is a guy that clearly cares about his guests.  That was apparent in the service we received, the wine we drank and the food we devoured.  Well done Foundry!

Yummy Biscuits

Golden Beet Soup with Rye Goat Cheese Croquettes

Tuna Tartar

Crispy Skin Branzino

Hanger Steak

Cheddar Apple Crumble