Blu Jam Cafe

Ahhhh Los Angeles; home to Hollywood, Silicon Valley, no snow, everyone owning a pretentious Toyota Prius and an unnecessary amount of pets.

Auspiciously, LA also is host to a remarkable culinary scene, so I took full advantage of a Thanksgiving trip to see a close friend, to incorporate a visit from one half of the Gastronome and the Chowhound.


Storefront

My first true meal was breakfast at Blu Jam Cafe. We opted to sit outside since the temperature was obviously weather-permitting. I was unaware that this was foreshadowing for the arrival of pets at neighboring tables, but whatever.


Hot Tea

As I was soon to discover, hot tea ($3) arrives in its own French Press everywhere in the Golden State. I ordered some decaf hot tea and it was very great. The novelty was pleasing.


Coffee

There are many things I don't know, and coffee is one of them. I don't know if this was a latte, frappawhatever, mocha-chai thing or what. But it looked awesome and came with a little cookie. It was approximately $3.50.


Loxex

For my breakfast I ordered the Loxex ($14.95). It was served with Norwegian lox, three eggs, onions, brie, tomatoes and potatoes. All of the flavors worked effortlessly. Brie is always a gamble. The flavor can be heavy and overpower the other ingredients. However, here it served as a good balance. The sour cream and chives added a clean touch. The standard starches of bread and potatoes were perfect. Presentation was key as well. It was Although the price was staggering, I was impressed.



Migas

My friend ordered the Migas ($10.95). This dish was right up my ally. Clearly infused with Mexican influence, this spicy omelet had all the right elements. Delicious scrambled eggs were combined with bell peppers, tortilla chips and mozzarella cheese. The heat came in a scaffolding effect of spice. You the jalapeños started off at one level, and the chorizo sausage stepped it up, followed by chipotles. Each component was a little spicier than the next but none were too overpowering. Topped with roasted salsa and served with a flour tortilla and potatoes, this was awesome.


Side Chicken Curry

For absolutely no reason, we ordered a scoop of chicken curry ($3.95). While I do love curry in many forms, I am not a fan of raisins. However, they contributed an unbelievable sweetness to this savory dish. The presentation was clean and the flavors were seamless.


Turkey and Fennel Sausage

Where my friend ordered the chicken curry, I acquired yet another protein in the Italian Turkey and Fennel Sausage ($3.50) side. These were juicy, plump, and crisp. I am usually not a fennel enthusiast because the flavor is too pronounced, but I found that in this case, it was tremendous.
This was my first breakfast in Los Angeles and was very satisfied. I would have said the prices were high, but they were comparable and competitive to the area. Great experience. I would certainly dine here again.

Rating: Strongly Recommended
Website: www.blujamcafe.com

Founding Farmers

New Jersey diners basically have a stranglehold on the breakfast market, thus all-but eliminating small eateries outside of bagel shops or coffee houses. Fortunately, other states (or federal districts) do not have to deal with such a rabid infestation of diners.

Washington DC, in my estimation, receives a worse wrap than it deserves. Great dining, good hockey, historical landmarks, and horrendous traffic are always the earmarks (or indicators of) for an up and coming (city).

In my search for a good breakfast place, I created an aggregate list based off of rankings from the web and Zagat. One location that kept on popping up, which happened to be less than one mile from the White House, was Founding Farmers.

In what appears to be very DC fashion, Founding Farmers, situated at 1924 Pennsylvania Avenue, is located in a seemingly new high rise, with modern construction. The interior seems more suited for yuppies, preppies or wannabe politicians. Either way, the very chic and trendy styling was not a bother. That being said, this is certainly a place where the gastronome appears.
My wife ordered a cup of coffee ($3) and I jumped on the opportunity to guzzle a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice ($5 each). My wife raved about the coffee, commenting that the brew was strong but not bitter. I guess the English teacher in me wasn't working that morning, but for some reason I assumed that they would be using a juicer to make my OJ. Much like Bob Wiley was curious if the corn was hand-schucked in What About Bob?, I am sure the juice wasn't actually hand squeezed, but it probably used a citrus juicer and not an extractor because you can only achieve the little bits of pulp when you do it by hand. Regardless, the fresh juice was consumed quickly. In retrospect, I have difficulty justifying the price for each glass.

The menu was smaller than initially expected, but it had all of the standard fare with options; French toasts, pancakes, eggs, benedicts, etc. For our breakfast we ordered stuffed French toast and I ordered pastrami hash.


French Toast Bananas Foster

My wife ordered stuffed French toast with vanilla crème bananas foster ($10). Three rectangular cubes arrived with the crème spilling out one end. The foster sauce was in a ramekin but was not an afterthought. This rich sauce added sweetness where the toast was dense. Each bite was sweet and sublime. However, the density of the dish yielded two unfortunate side effects; 1) we filled up very quickly and 2) we realized it was too much like a donut than an authentic French toast. This could easily be shared by two people who decided to eat one entree and a few side dishes.


Pastrami Hash

The pastrami hash ($12) hit the spot. I was looking for a sizable meal but not one where I could get stuffed. Served with two poached eggs atop the hash, I was ready to dig in. Accompanied with two slices of ciabatta bread, I was admirable of the creativity and flavors. The eggs were drizzled with a hollandaise sauce which contributed a rich buttery node. The hash itself was clean and not oily which is unfortunately common in diners. The onions and peppers harmonized with the potatoes for a fantastic essence.


Homemade Sausage

We were split on our opinion of the homemade sausage ($5 each) and side of bacon ($5). I liked the hint of maple in the sausage, where my wife found the combination of flavors mismatched. I wasn't as crazy about the bacon, but I certainly ate it. One criticism I have about the sausage is that it arrived on a plate that was much to big. It really drew attention to the fact that one single sausage was costing me $5. Had it been on a smaller plate, I think you wouldn't be crying foul.

The total price for the meal was $49.50 (sales tax in DC is a hefty 10%) before tip, a bit steep for breakfast, but not in the interest of journalism. I would say that it is certainly overpriced, but the meal was above average.

Rating: Strongly Recommended
Website: www.wearefoundingfarmers.com

BLT Steak

BLT stands for Bistro (of) Laurent Tourondel. Until earlier this year Tourondel also owns six other locations of the same name across the country, one in Puerto Rico and another in Hong Kong. They all have received considerable press and have a good reputation.

Located on I Street, and one half mile from the White House, we looked for a top notch steakhouse that would dazzle our taste buds and rival any of the good places we've been to before. A tall order it may be, but a welcomed one. We ended up at one of the top steakhouses in the Golden Triangle section of DC.

We made reservations and arrived early. The dining room features contemporary "American steakhouse" styling and low ceilings. I felt that the tables were slightly closer together than I would have liked and it takes away from the intimacy you might want in a fine dining experience. This lack of privacy was supported by a rather noisy ambience.


Chicken Liver Pate

Chicken liver pate is complimentary. It was served with crostini. It was palatable and no longer maintains the exotic status it once had; at least to me. I did enjoy it, however I do not see the hype of appeal. It's creaminess was balanced by the crunch of the bread. I did find that the saltiness stood out.


Popover

Popovers were absolutely sublime, but I do prefer the Root's Steakhouse ones more. However, BLT has a leg up as they actually give you a small recipe card with it. Served on a wooden plank, I was surprised at the presentation. I was relieved a steakhouse finally offered unsalted butter. Impressively, in each butter-slathered bite, I could still taste the hint gruyere cheese that is baked in to each roll.

We ordered barbecue pork belly ($16) as an appetizer. It was fatty but very tender. It came served with (incredible underrated) figs and gorgonzola cheese. The figs were charred which brought out the natural sugars and worked with the tang of the cheese. The pork melted in your mouth with each bite. I could tell that it was perfectly cooked. That being said, I don't think I would order this again. I found the overall combination of flavors to be unusual. The barbecue sauce, in this case, did not complement the other ingredients which made an unbalanced flavor profile. And while the pork was still the star of the dish, I found there was an inconsistency with the supporting cast. Many of the combinations would have worked better individually, but not here.


Loaded Potato Skins and Roasted Asparagus

For our side dishes, which were expectedly a la carte, we ordered loaded potato skins ($9) and grilled asparagus ($10). Covered in melted cheese and sprinkled with bacon bits, the potato skins were standard but not impressive. The grilled asparagas were cooked perfectly; tender to the touch but held a good firmness. These were well-seasoned. If we weren't so full from the appetizer, pate and rolls, we agreed we would have enjoyed them much more.


Filet Mignon

My wife ordered the filet mignon ($42) medium but on the rare side. This was due to the fact that medium rare was cool red where that typical classification is used for rare. One doneness option I'd never seen before was "blue;" a step below rare. We both agreed that may appeal so some but certainly not us. When it arrived, it was served in a cast iron skillet making for a relatively simple and typical presentation. The meat was perfectly cooked when cut. The crisp exterior was met with a tender and lean inside. My wife commented it was one of the better filets she has had.


Short Ribs

After debating about the American Wagyu, I ultimately went for the short ribs ($36). It arrived in a small cast iron crock pot. I was immediately impressed with its preparation when I needed to use two forks to remove it from the pot; or it would have fallen apart. Great problem to have and a good sign about its tenderness. I was able to easily remove the bone, and the first bite was excellent. Tasting it only made it better. The contrast of flavors worked well and their homemade barbecue sauce. I feel that the size was appropriate for the upscale setting and cost.


Caramelized Cheesecake

Making sure to save room, my wife continued her trend of predictable desserts by ordering the carmelized cheesecake ($10). It came with a berry-lime "soup" composed of fresh blueberries, raspberries and black berries. On top was a quenelle of strawberry sorbet. Served in clear glass fishbowl garnished with mint leaf, this dessert offered a nice interpretation. The caramelization provided a crunchy addition to the texture. I found that the berry-lime soup added sweetness where the cheesecake was rich. My wife was blown away by this dish.

The total bill was $149 before tip. This was certainly worth the price. I will dine here again.


Website: www.bltsteak.com
Rating: Highly Recommended

Bistro Bistro

When you're lost in an unknown city, can't find your intended restaurant, and you pick another place nearest to your lucky parking spot; you might just be rewarded. Maggie (my GPS) and I had it out again so I simply chose to pull over.

In a trip to our nation's capital, our stomachs yearned for good food. Walking up Connecticut Avenue NW, we left our vehicle and navigation systems behind us. We stopped at a menu on an easel outside of a small eatery. My wife and I found agreeable menu items and we entered.

Bistro Bistro has been around for a year and smartly located just off the Dupont Circle near Downtown, Washington, DC. This French/Mediterranean location has a formal but understated decor. The restaurant offers a pre-fix three course (appetizer, entree, dessert) for $26 to those who prefer an alternate to the a la carte menu. I was pleased to find mussels and fries because I had been bothering my wife about it since I saw an episode of Throwdown with Bobby Flay on the Food Network. For her sanity and my well-being, this was a great option.

Following our drink order, a basket of piping hot fresh French rolls were brought to the table. The basket added to the appeal of this rustic, cozy European dive. The bread came with two ramekins. The first contained olive oil, onions, garlic, fresh pureed, parsley and minced olives. This was absolutely spectacular and I didn't miss butter at all. Our server said it had nor formal name but I would describe it as a Mediterranean chimmichurri. The second ramekin had a chunky sauce similar to salsa containing cucumber, tomatoes and onion. We felt the flavors were crisp and appreciated the bright colors.


Lamb Sausage

For an appetizer, I ordered the petite merguez ($6.95). As a general rule, I don't prefer straight lamb, but certain combinations and preparations have eased me intro trying it more. These lamb and beef sausages are sautéed with lentils in a tomato reduction. I found that there was a rather pronounced lamb flavor, but not overpowering enough to turn me away. The sausage links were perfectly cooked; soft and flavorful. I thought the blend of ground beef and lamb allowed for good balance. I could detect the presence of cilantro, which added a nice addition to the flavor of the meats. The lentils were spicy and absorbed the tomato essence all the way through. Additional cilantro and red pepper added depth to the dish.


Moules and Frites

For my entree, I ordered the moules bistro ($7.95) and French fries ($3.95). This dish of clams and mussels were cooked in a broth of white wine, shallots, garlic and capers. I immediately remarked that the bivalves were exceptionally clean as no grit was evident. It was delicious. As I got to the broth, I noticed that it was slightly saltier than I would have preferred. However, the starch from the fries offset it by counterbalancing it. Overall I was vastly pleased with this dish.


Caesar Salad


My wife opted for the "two-appetizer" approach for her entree with soup l'oignon and a Caesar salad ($4.50). The salad was very fresh. The lettuce was crisp, the cheese was sharp but not overwhelming, and the dressing tied it all together. My wife noted that it was in the top five of the best Caesar salads she has ever eaten. Additionally, I have to say that this plate really made the presentation stand out.


French Onion Soup


The French onion soup ($4.95)arrived still hot. The cheese was melted nicely and crispy caramelization indicated proper use of a salamander or broiler. The broth was meaty and no overstocked with onions. I found the saltiness to be light and therefore appropriate. It still managed to be heavy on flavor which suggested proper seasoning.

Dessert always poses a dilemma of culinary, marital ethics (yes, I've coined an expression). Do you both order something you can share? Or do you cleverly order a dish you know your spouse won't like, play dumb, and be selfish to enjoy it all yourself? Since this is all in the interest of journalistic integrity, I never have to worry about such a conundrum.


Pear Tartlet

I ordered the pear tartlet (6.95). The base of the tartlet was a crust of puff pastry and topped with almond cream. Sliced pears were circularly shingled creating incredibly neat presentation. The almond cream seamlessly inserted itself in each bite developing layers of flavor. I found that it was harder than it should have been to cut with a fork, but this blip did not take away from my positive reaction. This is a mouthwatering dessert.


Tiramisu

Being that she was considerably less adventurous BD (Before Dave), I can almost justify the astonishing and rather scandalous reality that my wife hadn't eaten tiramisu in 23 years. As she pointed out, it has all the components she likes - espresso, mascarpone, and in this case, sponge cake (substituted for traditional lady fingers). Alas, it was a bad suggestion. The flavor combination was not to her liking.

The servers were knowledgeable, courteous and attentive. This was an excellent experience. The entire meal was $65 after tip. I found this to be very reasonable.

website: www.bistrobistrodc.com
Rating: Strongly Recommended