review - All American BBQ

ALL AMERICAN BBQ
18697 DEVONSHIRE ST NORTHRIDGE

CALL 818-363-6500 FOR INFORMATION

All American BBQ has been open in Northridge for about three months, but its vision came about years ago when Gerald Baker, born in LA, and Mike Musantry, from New York, met unexpectedly on a vacation and became buddies. At the time, they were both cops on different

Owners/ Buddies Gerald Baker and Mike Musantry

coasts, and as they both love food - especially Chef Baker who loves to cook - they decided that upon retirement from the police force they would open a restaurant together. With Musantry's Italian family background and an already successful business with ice cream trucks All American Softy, and Baker's grandma's famous recipes for peach cobbler, corn bread and the like, BBQ seemed to be an ideal all American choice.

When you first enter All American BBQ, you are instantaneously grabbed by the spaciousness of the place and its cleanliness. On the left is the All American Softy stand with a counter, reminding one of an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. In the middle is the kitchen and long main counter with pictures of the scrumptious food choices and a wide screen television above. On the right, as well as in the middle, there is an abundance of tables spread out comfortably, making you feel at ease and setting the mood for a highly valued meal experience.

Both Mike and Gerry were on hand to serve me and my friend with a platter of delicious food. Friendly Mike, dressed in his wild and crazy All American Hawaiian style shirt, talked up a storm about their aspirations and made us feel right at home. His partner Gerry served us a platter that included baby back pork ribs, big beef ribs, chicken breast, pull pork and tri-tip sandwiches, corn bread, macaroni and cheese, and samples of their homemade chili and soup of the day, beef barley. There are two different kinds of BBQ sauce mild and spicy. The mild is not overly sweet, but tart, just right. They are not bottled yet, but should be. And I am a connoisseur of ribs, especially the beef ones. In many shops, they come tough and difficult to chew. These had an angel's touch, tender and juicy even before adding the BBQ sauce. Mike said that they never drench their food in sauce, but let the customers add their preferred amounts. The meat stands out on the sandwiches; they use a smoke machine, which really makes a big difference in its tenderness and flavor.

I was so very much impressed by the pride that these two guys have in their establishment. Gerry Baker praised his grandma's cooking, bragging that Famous Amos must have used her recipe for chocolate chip cookies, they were that good. He stands by her recipes and what she taught him. Such a passionate chef! Mike Musantry praised his Italian father and said how proud he was to be an American. He was thrilled to say that many celebrities use their catering services for parties. By the way their catering is family style and reasonably priced.

Some of the other items on the menu include: hot links, salmon, and petite filet medallions. All the entrees like the above or the ribs come with a side salad or two regular sides, all at about $12-$15, except the full rack of pork ribs that cost $23.95. But, there's a lot of delectable meat on those bones, so they are well worth the extra bucks. On the sides menu, there are also garlic mashed potatoes, fries, both sweet potato and regular, potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, steamed vegetables, garlic bread and corn on the cob, all at moderate prices and the first several items served by the half pint, pint and quart, as well as in regular portions.

Visit All American BBQ and bring the kids. There's a hot dog/hamburger menu especially for them. For the adults, it's about the best BBQ to be found in the San Fernando Valley. So treat yourselves! Your taste buds will thank you. I know I'll be back!

review - Slaw Dogs

THE SLAW DOGS 
AT THE VILLAGE 
6220 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 
(747) 226-3119 / Fax (747) 226-3499

I first reviewed the Slaw Dogs when it was located on Ventura Blvd in Woodland Hills about two years ago. Here's what I had to say about it:
http://howtoeatheartily.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-slaw-dogs.html

The Slaw Dogs has now reopened in the new Westfield Topanga mall, and in my mind, it's a smart move. There is a steady traffic flow at this new mall, both young and old... and who doesn't love a hot dog...at lunchtime, dinnertime, or as a between-meal snack? Especially if it's served The Slaw Dogs way with all natural ingredients and in the most unexpected and delicious combinations. Owner Ray is indeed playful and has explained that at a barbeque - where it all began - something would fall on top of something else, and the taste combo that resulted is what prompted him to consider serving it that way regularly...seriously.

The Slaw Dogs menu has much, much more to offer besides its main attraction of hot dogs. There are also burgers, breakfast sandwiches, served all day, finger food like homemade pretzels, fork food like parmesan garlic fries and tasty salads. There is also soft-serve ice cream - homemade on the premises, and super sodas like all natural root beer and  reduced sugar black cherry under the new label Stubborn. As you can see in the window sign below, Ray has devised a root beer float with his delectable soft-serve, and even a beer float for a mere $4 more. It's worth it!

I have to admit. I am not a beer drinker, except maybe on a real hot summer day. So when Ray asked if I wanted to try a beer float, I was a little skeptical about what I would taste. Ice cream with beer? Well, let me tell you, it's a real pleasant combo. The rich milk and cream in the soft serve offset the bitterness of the beer, making it a unique taste treat, without ruining the taste of the beer that so many of you do love. Try it! It's especially delicious when you are munching on a homemade Oktoberfest pretzel, served with hand-made dipping sauces. My friend and I sampled a breakfast sandwich on a brioche with fried egg, double bacon, American cheese and chipotle sauce. It's yummy! We also tried a Turkey Club Salad in a wrap featuring a turkey dog, which is a little spicy, but in combo with the bacon, cheese, onion, cherry peppers and ranch dressing, it's super! Finger food? Popcorn chicken at Slaw Dogs: all white meat chicken, coated with spicy crunchy garlic sauce and cabbage slaw are fantastic, particularly served with Ray's garlic parmesan fries. And the size of the chicken pieces is so generous and the flavor, scrumptious, unlike those teeny, tiny tasteless ones at KFC!

One of the newest hot dogs is the Reuben Dog, which boasts a butterflied turkey dog, pastrami, swiss cheese, sauerkraut, special sauce on marble rye bread. And it is a winner! Other new additions to the menu include: The O.G. Thai Slaw Dog, The Super Dog, featured on the Food Network, the C4 Super Dog, featured on the Travel Channel and Sonoma, created especially for vegans. All of these items are reasonably priced from $6-$10.

What I find most appealing about this new venue for Slaw Dogs is its ambiance. You can sit outdoors, as the restaurant kitchen is like a little shack. No room indoors for seating, but more than ample, outside. That's just fine, as there is so much to take in while you are eating in the courtyard. The innumerable passersby, the classy window dressings for the upscale stores and I understand there's even entertainment on select days and evenings. Try Slaw Dogs in its new location! You'll have a great time! I'll be back!

review - Gasolina

Gasolina Cafe

(818) 914-4033/21014 Ventura Blvd./Woodland Hills, CA 

Open Daily 8am-4pm

Looking for something different in your choice of restaurants that is simultaneously healthy and delectable? You need look no further than Gasolina Cafe in Woodland Hills. Gasolina, under the ownership of chef Sandra Cordero, opened a mere eight months ago and is already boasting quite a fan following. Give them what they want and they will come is indeed a true saying. It's a small and narrow place with seating at a few tables in front and on an outdoor patio, reminding you of a typically pleasant European cafe. 

On hand to greet me and my friend Jim on Friday the 13th - it was my lucky day! - was striking Chef Cordero - cordero in English means lamb - and the name truly fits, for she is as sweet as a lamb. She made us feel right at home as if she were cooking for us in her own home. If you know the Spanish, mi casa es su casa. Cordero is half Spanish and half Dutch. Sandra grew up a farm girl in Galicia, Spain, appreciating olive oil and the use of farm fresh eggs and other pure ingredients. She started cooking at an early age, so it is no wonder that she now possesses expert knowledge like how to whip up delicious lamb balls, papas bravas and empanadas with a flaky crust. You have to aim to please everyone, so this empanada's crust is a slight variation on the one you’re used to.

Cordero and her Kentucky born hubbie ride motorcycles as a hobby, and she somehow wanted to incorporate this biker enthusiasm into her very first restaurant....so voila...Gasolina. Stop in and fuel up is their slogan. Gasolina is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm serving unusually prepared breakfast and lunch. Sara presented us with a menu and then asked our preferences, bringing shortly thereafter about three selections each. I started off with homemade mint lemonade; my friend had a fresh watermelon juice. The lemonade is a real tart treat as opposed to the sugary ones I've been accustomed to. Next up came our first entree. I had patatas bravas which are similar to home fries on a plate with chorizo, serrano ham, aioli, brava sauce and a sunny side up egg on top. If you have never tasted papas bravas, they are crunchy on the outside with all the rich chewy potato goodness on the inside.  Jim had the garlicy shrimp scramble with shrimp, egg, garlic laced with fresh asparagus and toast.

We sampled each other's; the taste was divine, not overly spicy; everything blended together just right. Next up came the house cured salmon sandwich with beet cured salmon, herbed crema, cucumber and watercress. For me, the piece de resistance was the cordero lamb burger served with avocado, lettuce, cucumber relish, romesco sauce and aioli. I love lamb, and this was so juicy with the avocado and sauces giving it that extra zing.

For dessert there was a precious chocolate mousse with berries. Jim and I shared the churros con chocolate, a long time latino favorite. The churros are laced with sugar and come warm and scrumptious. Gasolina is particularly proud of their shop blend coffee, so both of us sampled a wonderful cappuccino with our desserts.

Also on the menu to whet your appetite are lentil stew, as well as great salads like chicken and baby kale, shrimp and avocado... and pulpo gallego salad with octopus a la plancha. They serve Spanish style toast as well. Sandra explained that she imports all her cheese from Spain and that they "source local farms, serve good quality ingredients, use organic milk and local cage free eggs and chicken. We operate a scratch kitchen where everything is made in house and to order." All egg dishes, sandwiches and salads range in price from $10-$16.

So with such fresh healthy food at moderate prices and served with a smile by Sandra herself, who could ask for anything more? Everything es muy sabroso. Stop by any day from 8 am to 4pm and fuel up!

owner.chef Sandra Cordero

review - Sloan's Ice Cream at Westfield Topanga

Los Angeles
The Village at Westfield Topanga

6250 Topanga Canyon Blvd. Suite 1560
Los Angeles, CA
818-453-3500
Sun-Thurs 8AM-11:00PM
Fri-Sat 8AM-12AM

“Simply put, we created Sloan’s to be a dreamland for everyone, kids and adults of all ages. Our focus has never changed. In fact, we just keep enhancing the experience and now we’re ready to immerse even more people in the Sloan’s brand,” said Sloan Kamenstein, founder, owner and a classically trained chef who honed his craft at London’s Le Cordon Bleu culinary school and trained in kitchens throughout France. “One taste, sniff and glimpse of Sloan’s sends the senses soaring. The time has come to share Sloan’s yumminess beyond South Florida.” - Sloan's Ice Cream.

You know that giddy, childlike feeling of excitement that comes over you when you see something you cannot resist? Well, that's what hit me when I entered Sloan's Thursday afternoon. Piled high on shelves to the right are stuffed dogs, bears, ducks, sea otters and other creatures of various colors and sizes. There's even a life-sized zebra near the restroom. Also on the right is a huge candy display where you may watch an employee make homemade fudge - which, by the way, is to die for - and candy caramel apples. I haven't seen those since I was about 5 or 6 years old. To the left are homemade brownies, cookies and donuts - and then the piece de resistance - the ice cream stand with a multitude of flavors including Birthday, which is made from real birthday cake.

Store manager Rachael Aguon was on hand to give me and my friend a grand tour. She explained that the first store was built in West Palm Beach, Florida in 1999 by Le Cordon Bleu graduate Sloan Kamenstein and that the store is primarily of pink decor because his mother adored pink. Sloan and one partner make all the ice cream and pastries by hand and ship the ice cream to California in special trucks once a month. So it is made in the home base of Florida, and boy oh boy, is it distinctive: rich luxurious texture, real buttery, with all good ingredients. Birthday tastes like real birthday cake, because, as I mentioned above, birthday cake is frozen and then mixed into the batch. You can taste the smooth texture of the yellow cake and the frosting - no kidding! Pretty Rachael is out here from Florida to help oversee the new store at Westfield Topanga. She knows her stuff and makes you feel right at home. She loves her work, and it shows in spades. 

Doggie Treats

 We were treated to scoops of ice ream - my friend had a luscious hot fudge sundae and I sampled the birthday as well as black and white malt which has real malted milk balls throughout. She then proceeded to bring over a chocolate chunk cookie and a sea salt caramel brownie, both of which I saved for later. The chocolate is plentiful and melts in your mouth, and the brownie is so rich I must have gained a pound just from smelling it.

There are over 30 flavors. Talk about Baskin Robbins. No, don't! Sloan's is far better. I'm a fudge lover and so I chose a few flavors to purchase. Rachael gave it to me as a gift. How sweet is that! It is some of the best fudge I have ever eaten - chocolate raspberry, chocolate peanut butter, cookies and cream...and birthday cake! Rich, smooth, creamy, just like the ice cream: makes a great gift for your friend or relative especially with the holidays right around the corner. Another great item at Sloan's are doggie treats. That's right, you may purchase little cookie treats - not chocolate, of course, as chocolate is bad for animals - but made out of pure ingredients that our four-legged friends just crave.

I had heard that I must check out the bathroom at Sloan's. (see photo above) Spoiler alert! Well, no, you'll still find it fun. You can be seen through the window. For privacy, all you have to do is lock the door and the window fogs over.

Sloan's is for kids of all ages. It's a super fantasyland a la Willy Wonka...and the treats are all fresh, homemade and delectable, and all at moderate prices. Who could ask for anything more? While you're there, check out the rest of the exciting Westfield Topanga mall. It's a thoroughly satisfying experience on a pleasant sun-filled California day!

Clifford Clinton's Clifton's Cafeteria Downtown

Clifton's Cafeteria
648 Broadway
(downtown Los Angeles)

A downtown Los Angeles institution since the 1930s is Clifton's Cafeteria. The restaurant closed a few years back for restoration and just reopened on October 1, 2015. It's a sign that Broadway is back, as Carrie the Killer Musical Experience is playing right down the street on the opposite side at 615 Broadway between 6th and 7th streets.

Lines were around the block the first weekend, making Clifton's the most popular restaurant downtown. It's assuredly interesting, a uniquely fun experience with its museum sized stuffed animals on display and with tables on the first and second floors and now on three tiers in one section between the first and second floors. There are small cascading fountains, jungle-like painted walls; the entire atmosphere is like being on a tres civilized safari.There is a huge bar on the second floor - with a life-sized tree in the middle, jutting up to the third floor, and on the third, an amazing array of spacious rooms that all open onto a foyer. Each room has gorgeous decor including a great number of elegant European-style settees. There is certainly ample space here for some very interesting Hollywood parties.

On the main floor, there is a box of new toys for small children, from which they may choose a plastic sword or coloring book, to keep them occupied. Behind the eating area on the first floor is the big, open clean.as.a.whistle kitchen. Helpful hosts and hostesses walk you in and show you the carving station, soup and salad bar. hot entree and sandwich bars. There is a bakery with display cases in the main foyer as you first walk into the establishment, where you may purchase homemade goodies like croissants, pastries and cookies. The chocolate chip cookies are rich in chocolate and really scrumptious.

Let me say that I had the famous turkey dinner. It was very good, with the exception of some runny cranberry. I've had better, but the whole experience of having an attendee bring me butter for my roll and another person bringing me a glass of ice water and one assisting me to the elevator outside the kitchen was one I cannot forget. In fact, I cannot remember a restaurant where I could get a meal for $20 and get this much gratuitous attention. Everyone is there to serve and accommodate you to a fab dining experience. Let's see if this is still the case in another six months to a year. It is a grand reopening after all!!

Pay Clifton's a visit. The decor alone is worth it. Judging from plates that I could see, their burgers and mile-high fries appear quite special.

review - Blue Dog Beer Tavern: Breakfast AT BLUE'S

Blue Dog Beer Tavern

4524 Saugus Ave, Sherman Oaks

818-990-2583

Fantastic news for San Fernando Valley residents! Blue Dog Beer Tavern in SO is now open for breakfast Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. I was excited to attend the breakfast grand opening Saturday September 19 and particularly thrilled to be invited to sit with co-owner Tony Kouba and his friends. Also on hand to greet us was co-owner Paul Scrivano. Both were exceedingly warm, friendly and helpful in choosing which of Blue's scrumptious breakfast dishes we should try. It seems that their success in the last six years for lunch and dinner boils down to a good old sense of community philosophy that, according to Scrivano, is to give the customers what they want. "If they come in over the next few weeks and ask for something that is not on the menu like lox and bagels, then that's what we'll include." Don't try to change the customers by giving them what you want; satisfy them! Judging from the crowd inside and out on the ample porch, it works. The restaurant seats about 90 people inside and out, and it was filled to capacity. The food was uber delicious.

My friend Jim and I savored the Breakfast Toast items. I had the fried egg, Applewood smoked bacon and avocado toast; Jim had the fluffy, soft -scrambled eggs with chives... and the blueberry compote on housemade ricotta cheese. All were plentiful servings and really delicious. A word or two about the blueberry toast. The fruit is a good-sized portion and ultimately juicy, and in combo with the ricotta, the taste is unique and flavorful. Tony ordered another blueberry compote and insisted on sharing it as well as a toast with caramelized cinnamon apples and whipped cream (picture below). Mmmmm! If you have never had dessert for breakfast, well try this one; it's the next best thing to total bliss. If I had known the portions were as big as they were, I would never have ordered Sunshine Sammy, a lightly grilled potato bun filled with bacon, cheddar, avocado, chipotle aioli and topped with a sunny side egg. Wow! And it was served with housemade fries too! According to Tony, only the freshest ingredients are used, and all potatoes and meat are made and ground on the premises. Bread comes in from the outside, but is cut to their own specifications in house. All the breakfast items are reasonably priced at $8/per item. There are also a morning quesadilla, and a Taco' the Morning To You for only $7. Paul mentioned that French toast is planned, and they are open to unlimited suggestions. Mine would be to probably add omelettes and some kind of breakfast potato like hashed browns or cottage fries. Waffles would also be nice, especially with that blueberry compote/ricotta spread on top!

with Tony Kouba

On the beverage side, there are fresh squeezed orange juice, fab mimosas, a house Sungria, a Pinot Noir with OJ, sprite and cut fruit for a mere $8/per glass. To top all that off, there's deliciously brewed Stumptown coffee from Pennsylvania, including flavors like cherry and toffee and fudge for a mere $3/per cup + refills.

with Paul Scrivano

For the health-conscious eater, there's also  Bowl o' Granola and a Savory Breakfast Risotto served with a sunny side egg, grape tomatoes, all blended with pesto sauce and spinach in a salad bowl, for only $9.

Service at Blue's is friendly and uber fast. And the atmosphere is so laid back and comfortable with a big screen TV for sports watching. The walls are handsomely adorned with many, many pictures of dogs of every breed. Bring the kids, and you and your pets will be accommodated on the porch! It's my kind of hangout. I'll be back!

review - The Melt in Westlake Village

The Melt Westlake
180 Promenade Way
Next to Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas
Westlake Village, CA
805-228-4658

Westlake Manager Miguel Vargas Aims to Please.

Hardly your average burger palace, The Melt, founded in San Francisco in 2011 by Jonathan Kaplan, is a unique chain of family oriented fast food restaurants with an emphasis on healthy food, food that contains all natural ingredients...and lots and lots of cheese. Simple food like grilled cheese sandwiches, cheeseburgers, BBQ bacon chicken sandwiches, and tomato basil soup have never tasted this good, this fresh. And it's all offered in a clean relaxed atmosphere and at affordable prices.

The newest store in the chain is The Melt in Westlake Village, open since May of this year and run by Miguel Vargas, an affable lad who waits on tables taking customers' orders, spreading cheer in whatever way he can. He is there to serve and does a pretty damn good job of it. He was there on Monday July 6 after the holiday weekend for my visit and was more than eager to fill me in on the details of what makes The Melt different from your typical burger joint. It stresses family dining, putting an extra special emphasis on kids as well as adults. The menu  provides great economical meals for kids like a cheeseburger, grilled cheese, mac n' cheese or chicken caesar salad, served with a sliced apple and including a drink like milk or house-made lemonade all for slightly over $5. Amazing offer!

On the adult side of the fence there are burgers such as the original with aged cheddar, lettuce and tomato with melt sauce on a potato bun, or the spicy mission with Monterey Jack, charred jalapeno, avocado and pickled onions with house-made spicy ketchup - organic with no fructose corn syrup utilized. There's also the 'Shroom with fontina, mushrooms, fresh spinach and grilled onions on a wheat bun or the bacon BBQ with aged cheddar, double bacon, grilled onions and tomato with BBQ sauce on a potato bun. All of these burgers, by the way, range in price from $4.95-$6.95. There is also quite a variety of fries: naked, sweet potato and well dressed that includes russets, cheddar, fontina, and jack with bacon and crispy onions. $2.45-$3.95. My friend and I had the BBQ bacon burger which was absolutely delicious. I also chose the Trio Mac n' Cheese, made from scratch with creamy aged cheddar, fontina and jack with crispy onions. Yummy! My friend chose the T-Mac with truffle,with fontina, provolone, and mushrooms with parmesan. $3.95-$5.95. I also tried the artisan crafted Two Tomato Basil Soup, a delicious puree for only $2.95. The soup also  makes a great dipping sauce for the various kinds of fries. Sweet Corn Tortilla Soup is another option.

The wall says it all about what Jonathan Kaplan started in San Francisco back in 2011.

Miguel was quick to point out that all natural ingredients are used in all the food, including the soft serve ice cream which is truly scrumptious. For those with a big, big appetite, there are s'mores topped with soft serve vanilla bean ice cream. And... homemade milkshakes: vanilla bean, double chocolate, cappuccino, cookies & cream, mint chocolate chip and snickerdoodle. On my next visit this will be a must, as I cherish the taste of a good milkshake and, based on my sampling of the soft serve, I'm sure these are fabulous, for a mere $4.95.

For the salad lover, there's a caesar, field greens, chopped cobb and a smaller version on-the-side of either caesar or field greens for half the price. There are also four different kinds of grilled cheese sandwiches including the classic, the Italian Job on spicy garlic bread, the Mac Daddy with macaroni and bacon and the Truffle with two cheeses and fresh spinach. $4.95-$6.95.

It's nice to see a sense of humor in advertising, and I love the suggestion on the napkins: "Wipe that cheesy grin on your face" and their fun wall posters "Holy Macaroni" and "We have Nice Buns." Makes for a delightful experience all around!

I like a fast food restaurant only if it's spotlessly neat and if the servings are of ample size... and of course reasonably priced. The Melt meets my needs. It merits 5 stars. That mac n' cheese is to die for and so is the soup. Customers are flocking in, because they obviously appreciate good food. You will too. Stop by the Promenade in Westlake, or in Burbank or if you're in Hollywood, visit The Melt on Sunset, and simply enjoy!