Island Pacific - Canoga Park

Take out. Embutido, tocino, fried rice, pansit, talong with bagoong (fermented shrimp paste-will make whitey cringe).

Golden Fork Restaurant

13316 Vanowen Street
Valley Glen, CA 91405

The Golden Fork Restaurant makes their BBQ kebabs fresh from the BBQ pit in front of the restaurant facing the parking lot. High visual advertising to the foot/car traffic (mostly car traffic). Literally, this is how I caught wind of them. So after my work out at the gym, I gave it a shot and I wasn't disappointed. I ordered for take-out the beef lula kebab (first time I ever heard the word lula), with a Greek salad (made out of beets) and Stolichniy salad.

While waiting in line for my order, I started talking to an Armenian QT about how this was first time ordering from this place. She had noticed me and my gym shorts and assured me everything on the menu is delicious. She invited me to wait in the restaurant but I begged off saying I wanted to be closer to the food. Why am I so dense?

Its a kinda relaxed restaurant where I could order up the menu and sneak in some Russian vodka; drink, laugh, eat and talk the night away. Just like their old country: Russia.

El Taco Llama

7559 Topanga Canyon Blvd.,
Canoga Park, CA 91303

They overcooked my machaca. The texture of the scrambled eggs was comparable to a dry sponge.

For a better machaca, go to Sam's Burgers.

Carniceria Don Juan

12922 Vanowen Street,
North Hollywood, CA 91605

Fresh BBQ chicken with Mexican spices? Carniceria Don Juan makes it fresh out of the pit. I love fresh BBQ. Too bad the LAFD gots to screw everything over with their regulations. The carniceria often gets busted for placing the pit too close to the street. But thats good advertising! So... some weekends there might be BBQ chicken, some weekends there won't be BBQ chicken. Sigh!!

Big Earl's

7213 E. 1st Ave,
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

I saw Big Earl's from the Pita House. Automatically, I said to myself I've got to have something to go on the way back to Los Angeles. The Texas Brisket with slaw made my evening drive to Los Angeles all the more enjoyable.

Pita House

7210 E. 1st Ave,
Scottsdale, AZ 85251




For a small town of 250+K, Scottsdale has a good selection of cosmopolitan restaurants. Dining at the Pita House felt fresh with it cafe style outdoor seating. The Gyro Classic plate left me feeling full but not heavy for my long drive home to Los Angeles.

Tottie's Asian Fusion

7901 E. Thomas Rd., Scottsdale, AZ.

How did I come by this place? On 05/27/11, I was doing laundry at the other side of the street and I took a walk-about to this corner corner mall. I saw there was a gym-some girl who looked like a fitness model was doing her routine in front of the mirror. I saw Tottie's and Pranksters. Prankster's had this volleyball scene going on behind the pub. I love the athleticism and the youthfulness of the crowd.

I took the AZ light rail, went sightseeing, and bike riding on Scottsdale's bike course. It is so picturesque and scenic with gorgeous men and women. I got back so late, I didn't even bother to return to my hotel room (right next to the bike course) to shower. I just went all sweaty and funky to Tottie's.

I had the Vietnamese spring roll. What struck me as different was the addition of Sirracha to the peanut sauce. Pure genius as to the combination. Then I had the Red Curry Salmon with mixed vegetables (blanched). The salmon was cooked to perfection. Charred on the outside and slightly rare on the inside. This can be duplicated at home by cooking the salmon over a medium heat with 2 minutes on each side, just like a beef steak. The sauce I ordered was medium Thai hot. A well balanced rich coconut milk with chilis. A job well done by the saucier and the chef.