Saturday, February 11, 2006

Art's - Studio City

Today found us in Studio City, where Brian did a presentation for the new book he illustrated at Storyopolis. Afterwards, we still needed to run a few more errands, so against my better judgment, we had to dine out again. But it was good! We ended up at Art's Delicatessen. We've walked past it tons of times, and today we decided to go in. It was crowded (good sign), and the menu was HUGE.



Being a vegetarian who eats seafood limits my options in a deli, so I went with the traditional tuna salad on rye with a side of potato salad (which I could not finish - really, really rich potato salad).





Brian had a BLT and potato salad,



and we also had a plate of pickles (which tasted like they must pickle them in house - very fresh and good - and subtle).



The place has been around since 1957, and they even have a wine list and serve mixed drinks! They serve breakfast all day, and their sandwiches are ginormous. Their rye bread was the best I've ever tasted. I probably should have asked where they get it. The servers were all mostly older women - like you see at most delis. Good service, good food. I'd go back when I'm in a deli mood again!

Art's Delicatessen
12224 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91604
818-762-1221

Friday, February 10, 2006

Din Tai Fung - Arcadia

Today, as is our way most Friday afternoons, we had lunch at Din Tai Fung Dumpling House in Arcadia.



It was a sunny, warm, February day in SoCal, with temperatures in the 80's (yay! I'm glad I'm not still living in Ohio!), but it was kind of smoggy.
It was crowded (as usual), but not too crowded. We only had to wait about 15 minutes for a table. The wait is MUCH longer on weekends.
















Here we are preparing for the food to arrive! If you've never been to Din Tai Fung (you should go) - you are greeted with little dishes of slivered ginger, to which you add black vinegar (and soy sauce or chili oil as well, if you want). Now you're ready to dip your dumplings!










We ordered the following:



veggie dumplings (sitting for a second in the vinegar dipping sauce)
















fish dumplings (my favorite!)
















chicken dumplings
















juicy pork dumplings (Brian's favorite!)
















sauteed green beans (a bit garlic-y and salty - yummy - and VERY fresh!)
















There was a lot of carnage on the table as we were nearing the home stretch!
















and we finished it off with red bean paste buns for dessert!
















Needless to say, we were quite full and satisfied afterwards.

Din Tai Fung Dumpling House
1108 S. Baldwin Avenue
Arcadia, CA 91007
626-574-7068