Showing posts with label Los Angeles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Los Angeles. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Another LA Spot




I warned everyone a few posts back that I will be writing about places outside the Bay Area for period. I am traveling a lot these days, so when I get home I have wanted to stay at home and secondary reason is the travel season is upon us and many of you will be getting away, so I thought it was worth mentioning some place away from the Bay if you happen upon one of the fair cities I will be traversing through in the next eight weeks. I will still mix in local spots, so check back.

Not really Los Angeles, Culver City is South of Westwood and West of Downtown and very close to LAX. Culver City is home of Sony Picture Studios and has gone through a tremendous amount of redevelopment. Culver City at onetime was described as a wasteland. For years, no one went to Culver City because of its rough image. That has all changed.
In a region where it is hard to find walkable business districts Culver City has work hard to turn the downtown into a destination place. Free parking and easy freeway access make it a hot spot. Culver City has turned into a hip, modern and progressive community that combines unique restaurants and entertainment with a rapidly expanding multimedia hub.

One of the success stories of the redevelopment is Ford’s Filling Station. Owner and Chef Benjamin Ford calls his place an American GastroPub. The goal is to have simple food done very well. You will pay for the frsh ingrediants and quality that is produced. This no average pub. Ford may be more famous for being the son of Actor Harrison Ford, but the food is the star of this show.

One of the unique things about Ford’s is the Cured Meat section of the menu. If you are into meat, this is a must. The Salame, Prosciutto, Coppa, Mortadella, Sopressatta are just the standards on the list. They offer plates to try one, two or three different meats. The cured meat along with cheese list is a great way to start the meal.

The menu changes but a few staples are almost always on the entrée menu. The buttermilk fried chicken and skirt steak are staples. On my trip I tried the flatten chicken it was moist and had a lot of flavor. Others in my group had the Fish and Chips and the brook trout.

Ford’s has a full bar and daily drink special. Like most dining places in LA there is outdoor seating, and this is a must to take in the scene. Bring your sunglasses and ask for a prime spot. You may look like one of the Executives from the studio that dine at Ford’s.

http://www.fordsfillingstation.net/

Friday, May 23, 2008

F.O.


When I travel to Los Angeles, there is only one dining place that is a must stop. Father’s Office (F.O.) in Santa Monica. This pub is not that big and the bar is simple; draft beer. What F.O. delivers is great food and a beer for anybody.

The “Office Burger” is not your typical all American burger, and if you need to have ketchup on the burger this is not your place. The burger is served just one way. There is no substitution, there are no changes, do not try asking. The burger is awesome, but comes with a side of attitude. The Office Burger made from dry aged beef and contains, caramelized onions, applewood bacon compote, gruyere, matag blue cheese, and arugula. They meld all of the additional ingredients together before placing them in the bun. Not a cheap burger around $12.


The sweet potato French fries are worth the trip to the West Side. The Sweet Potato French Fries are seasoned with roasted garlic, herbs, and served with a blue cheese aioli. Their regular fries are also great, but these offer a nice complement to the burger.


F.O. has 36 Beers on Tap most are staples but they do rotate part of the stock. This is a beer drinkers paradise. Plus Santa Monica is not a bad place to hang out while visiting SoCal.

Go early! F.O. opens at 5 PM most nights, 4 PM on Fridays and Noon on the weekend. If you go on the weekend, go before the 20-somethings awake from a night of clubbing. The Santa Monica place is small, and gets packed very quickly. Also when its crowded expect dealing with the door-man, positioning yourself for a table and waiting. When I mean staking out a table I literally mean boxing other people out for a table. To snag a table you pretty much just have to hang out over someone's table till they clear.

If you don’t like the crowd, phone your order in and head down to the beach.

F.O. has just opened a second location in Culver City, in the new trendy redeveloped area. Same hours, same menu, slightly larger place to serve the hungry and thirsty.

Santa Monica
1018 Montana Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90403
TEL: 310 393 BEER (2337)

http://www.fathersoffice.com/