so after a long hiatus, i have returned! i can't say i'll be back in full force, since foodblogging is almost like a fulltime job and i already have a full time job! i'll do my best =)
what's new in my life? a new camera! the canon s90. yes, i know you are allllllll sooooooo jealous. i'm still trying to learn how to use it. with this first attempt, i don't think i did the best job since the pics are still grainy for some reason. but no worries, i am determined to get the most out of this camera.
Dumpling Man gave me this camera on my birthday as a belated christmas present. a gift is a gift, even if it comes late, right? So we went to Grace to celebrate. I heard so many good things about this place from my friends who went during Dine LA week. I was really looking forward to the famous donuts.
The ambiance: A
The place was clean, modern, but not stuffy. It reminded me of Providence but more open and lit. The place was pretty empty for our 7:15 reservations. We eyed a young Asian couple at the upper right and guessed if they were real foodies or not. At the end, we decided they were just cuz they were Asian. I've been told lately that a lot of yelpers and food bloggers tend to be Asian. Anyone care to refute this??
Right now, they have this "7 Year Itch Menu." 3 courses for $47, 5 for $57, and 7 for $97. I made the typical piggly wiggly move and went for the 5 course tasting menu. Maybe if I didn't have to go to work the next day and round on 20 patients by myself I would opted for the 7 course menu or even a wine pairing. Anyways, I started off with the Dungeness Crab Salad with english peas, mint, and meyer lemon vinagrette.
It was certainly refreshing, but I couldn't help but feel like the crab tasted "water logged." Not mushy, just like too much water, not enough crabbiness. Still good overall.
The next appetizer was Tuna with a Spanish Touch served with olive oil, smoked paprika, lemon, crispy castelvetrano olive. I actually wasn't a fun of the "Spanish Touch" with the very strong olive oil and crispy olive. Olives aren't my favorite thing. The tuna also tasted sorta tasteless. I liked the crab dish better.
The first entree was the Bacon Wrapped Saddle of Rabbit served with anson mills polenta, asparagus, and thyme infused game stock. I probably liked this dish the least, probably because I wasn't really sure what I was eating. I was expecting rabbit but it tasted more like sausage and bacon. The polenta was creamy and delcious of course.
The Braised Short Rib and New Zealand Langostine served with parsnips, cremini mushrooms, and veal jus. This langostine would NEVER fly on Top Chef. It was totally mushy and texture less. I dunno if that means it was overcooked or just not good to start with. The short rib was nicely prepared and delicious as are most short ribs. Tender, saucey, juicey. I was liking up the sauce and the mushrooms. This dish could have used a nice glass of red wine to accompany it. Alas, no wine for this birthday girl.
Dumpling Man opted for only 3 courses. Here is his second course, Grilled Tenderloin of Wild Boar served with yukon gold potato spaetzle, brussel sprouts, and violet mustard sauce. His dish was very interesting because neither of us had boar before and it was actually quite tastey and not too gamey. Dumpling Man had never had spaetzle before and very much enjoyed it. I also like the sauce.
And for the finale! DONUTS!!! Salted Caramel Donuts with bourbon caramel pecan ice cream.
Too bad I didn't get any pictures =( I had just totally forgotten about taking pics and when I saw the delicious donuts I just dug right in. They tasted quite light and chewy in a good way. They didn't taste that much like donuts, so I really think its shape is what makes it a donut. The ice cream was truly rich and flavorful with pecans. Overall this dish was definitely a winner and topped off a good dinner.
Grace Restaurant
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Neighborhoods: Mid-City West, West Hollywood
(323) 934-4400
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4 comments:
after the build up on the donuts, you forgot to take pictures?! oh well, i can empathize as there have been many a times where i've dug into the food and totally forgotten about the camera.
you sound a little mixed on the restaurant. did you enjoy it? was it better than providence?
interesting comment on the asian foodie bloggers. i think there are a fair amount of bloggers that are asian, but i wonder if asians in general like to blog, period. like about anything... or maybe it has something to do with the asian stereotype of being shy, reserved people and only feeling comfortable sharing their voice in a non-confrontational manner?
Dude, you guys didn't get the Duck?? That was definitely the best thing we ate there. Can't even seem to remember what else we had hahaha.
@JN - I never thought about asian food bloggers that way, but you may be right! Also asians are nerdy and we sit in front of our computers all day long and go out with cameras in tow. Providence was by far superior. I probably wouldn't go back to Grace considering all the other great places to try. Maybe I'd go back for DineLA considering the great bargain and a chance to take a picture of the donuts!
@Darius - There was no duck option! The donuts were good tho!
Oh boy, about those Asian bloggers--you need to read this. ;)
BTW, Grace is closing on June 19th, possibly reopening in 2011.
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