Tag Archives: Good Food

BLUE PLATE TACO

October 26, 2013 8:58 pm ⋅ 1 Comment ⋅

WHERE:  Blue Plate Taco is located at 1515 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, just across the street from the Santa Monica Pier.

The menu is diverse, serving everything from a Mexican Chopped Salad with kale and quinoa, Carne Asada Tacos, and Lobster Tacos (a crowd favorite), to Grilled Yellow Peaches and Crispy Plantains.

Reservations are not accepted here, but you can call an hour ahead and put your name on the list.

This is a great family spot, there is something for everyone.  We love sitting outside in the moonlight under the palm trees enjoying the cool ocean air.

Click the RSS button to the side to be notified about each blog we post… or your email address to subscribe.

char with moon

 

blueplate-taco

MOTHER SAYS:

The Ceviche Amarillo is original, it has yellow pepper blended with lime, pineapple, onion and ginger.  It is light and refreshing, but the cilantro and onion slightly overpower the dish.  However, others think it is the most delicious Ceviche ever.

The Pumpkin & Squash Puree Soup (a special for the night) is very rich and flavorful.  Charlotte and I love it.

My favorite is the Vegetable Taco, the best Vegetable Taco I have tasted…ever.  I enjoy the taco with their famous “Westside” drink – vodka, cucumber, mint, fresh lime, soda water and agave.  Maybe, just maybe that’s why the taco is so good!

Sadly, they are out of their Chocolate Pot De Creme, so we have the Churros & Raspados, (Mexican Shaved Ice) which is good… but it is not chocolate.

ceviche

soup

westside

 

DAUGHTER SAYS:

We start with the home made Chips and Guacamole, YUM!!!! Then the waiter says he is going to freshen up our plate, I think, “This is music to my ears. A clean plate, and MORE food”.

I share my mom’s soup, which I love, but a few bites are enough.  I also have the Steak Tacos & Beans, I eat it all.  I adore this place.

Chocolate desserts are really the only desserts I can rave about, so I will refrain from commenting on the Churros & Raspados, it wouldn’t be fair.  Rivers (my 5 year old brother) loved it, so most other kids probably would too, as he has a sweet tooth. My mom loved dipping her Churro in her Mexican Coffee.  I still want to try their Chocolate Pot De Creme, I bet it is delicious.

snocone

foodies-blue taco

 

OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE:  8 out of 10 – A great Santa Monica Restaurant with outdoor seating, and a light, chic, airy indoor bar and seating.  This is one of the better Santa Monica spots we have been to.

SERVICE: 9.5 out of 10 –  The staff is overly friendly, and accommodating.  They are on top of it.  We loved getting Mexican blankets when the ocean air became too cold for us.

FOOD:  8 out of 10 – So many flavors, so many options.  We are really impressed.

OVERALL: 8.5 out 10 – This is such a great place for families or a night at the bar.  We will definitely go again, we have to try the Lobster Tacos.

sissys

 

 

 

Have you been to this restaurant?  Did you like it?  Did you love it?  Did you loathe it?  Let us know by posting in the COMMENT box at the top of this post.

And don’t forget to click the RSS feed to be notified about every blog we post, or add your email address to subscribe.

Thanks!

 

Posted in: Best Restaurant, California Restaurant, Food Blog, Food Reviews, Foodies, mexican, MoDaFoodies, Restaurant Reviews ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

FISHING WITH DYNAMITE

August 25, 2013 1:07 am ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

WHERE:  Fishing With Dynamite (FWD) is one of the newest hotspots in Manhattan Beach, it opened about three months ago…

FWD is a tiny upscale cafe on Manhattan Avenue.  It definitely has an east coast vibe, it is a breath of fresh air.  We only wish it had outdoor seating.

FWD features an incredible selection of oysters, clams, lobster, mussels, scallops and shrimp.  We did not order any of their famous platters, but the couple next to us did and it looked insane – I almost asked for a bite or at least a picture, but my manners got the best of me.  We will be back to try it all.

This is not really a kid-friendly spot unless you have a very well-behaved foodie as a child.  The restaurant is very small, there is no kids menu and the items on the menu are very sophisticated apart from the mahi mahi fish tacos which are very spicy.

We went with my aunt and uncle from Arizona, and Rivers (my 5 year old) of course. We were all impressed and had the best time.

Click the RSS button to the side to be notified about each blog we post… or your email address to subscribe.

foodies 2  fwd

MOTHER SAYS:

Charlotte and I split the mahi mahi fish tacos.  They are ‘muy delicioso’, just as it says on the menu.  The house made corn tortillas are the best part aside from the perfectly crisp mahi mahi, fresh guacamole and spicy sauce… need I say more?

The farro and beet salad is so hearty, flavorful and crunchy, with roasted beets, orange, arugula, feta, beet chips and pistachios, you should try this along with a fish dish, when you go.

The maple pudding with rosemary sandies is a must for dessert.  It has hints of bourbon in it and delicious candied pecans.  The little cookies with rosemary are tastefully original and are the perfect pairing for this pudding. YUM!

fish tacos fwd  beet fwd

 

DAUGHTER SAYS:

The fish tacos get a thumbs up.  I love the soft, warm, fresh corn tortillas.  The fish is crispy on the outside and tender and flaky on the inside.  They come with a yummy guacamole and a green spicy sauce to pour over the tacos.  I love the spiciness.

The fries are so good, sprinkled with fresh rosemary, they are served hot.  I finished the entire cup.

The pudding is delicious, but I do not like the candied pecans.

I will definitely go back with my mom to try more fish.

fries fwdmenu fwd

 

OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE:  7 out of 10 – In the heart of Manhattan Beach, it is a great addition.  The restaurant is small and feels a little cramped along with being a little noisy.  The small bar area looks like a fun place to sit.  There is a small ocean view, we wish we could sit outside.  The decor is perfect, it sort of has a Nantucket/lighthouse feel.  We like it.

SERVICE:  8 out of 10 – Incredibly friendly staff.  It is a little slow at times, but the perfect place for a leisurely lunch.

FOOD:  8 out of 10 – We really need to go back and try more.  We loved what we ordered and appreciated the originality of the food.  They serve from the “traditional school” as well as the “new school.”  Items like thai shellfish coconut soup and black miso cod appear on the new school menu, while new england chowder appears on the old.

OVERALL: 8 out 10 – It is a fun, sophisticated, quaint spot to explore your taste buds.  You should definitely try it.  Make sure to try one of their famous platters.

 

thankful fwd

 

Have you been to this restaurant?  Did you like it?  Did you love it?  Did you loathe it?  Let us know by posting in the COMMENT box at the top of this post.

And don’t forget to click the RSS feed to be notified about every blog we post, or add your email address to subscribe.

Thanks!

 

Posted in: Best Restaurant, California Restaurant, Food Blog, Food Reviews, Foodies, MoDaFoodies, Restaurant Reviews ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

CHOLADA

August 10, 2013 1:49 am ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

WHERE:  Cholada is Thai Beach Cuisine, located on Pacific Coast Highway in South Malibu opposite Topanga Beach.

It is reminiscent of an old beach shack (which looks like it should perhaps be demolished!), but it is recommended in the Zagat Guide (which is good news), and yes there is an ocean view (if you sit outside on the upper patio).

We love it because it is quaint and inexpensive, with delicious food.  It is a great place to take your kids.

Click the RSS button to the side to be notified about each blog we post… or your email address to subscribe.

moda foodies, cholada

MOTHER SAYS:

We ordered the Yellow Chicken Curry which is my favorite, mixed with their delicious Brown Rice.  The chicken, potatoes and carrots are soaked in a sweet curry sauce, which is so satiating and filling, you just can’t stop eating it.

The Fried Spring Rolls are hot and delicious with a spicy dipping sauce – we prefer these to the Cholada Wraps (steamed rice skins filled with vegetables, basil and shrimp).

The Pad-See-Ew – pan fried noodles with eggs, broccoli and chicken – are a big hit with the kids.

The Chicken Fried Rice is light, fluffy and flavorful.  The best part about Cholada is all of these flavors taste so good mixed together.  The food is rich and you get full fast.

We love this spot, the food is hot, sweet and spicy.  They have a light South African Chardonnay that compliments the distinct flavors in the food.

Sitting outside is so tranquil.  It is pretty casual – paper tablecloths on picnic tables kind of casual.

 

chicken currynoodles

 

DAUGHTER SAYS:

As I sat down at our picnic table, I said, “Let me enjoy this incredible view, it’s beautiful with all of the flowers.”

I do not like the Cholada Wraps, and think the Fried Spring Rolls are much more scrumptious.

The Noodles and Fried Rice are better than anything else.

The Yellow Chicken is so delicious, and the Brown Rice is worldtastic!

I gotta lay down, I think I ate too much… but not too much… I can’t wait for dessert.

full girl

 

dessert, cholada

 

OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE: 7 out of 10 – We think sitting outside is the only option here.  We love sitting at the picnic tables surrounded by flowers and a slight ocean view.  It is such a unique and quirky spot.  We love the casualness of it.  The beach shack vibe is our favorite along with the semi-manicured patio, it has character.

SERVICE: 9 out of 10 – The service is fast.  The waitstaff is very friendly and extremely accommodating to children.

FOOD:  7 out of 10 – Thai food at its best.  The Fried Banana Rolls with Coconut Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce were the perfect ending to a night of delicious and unique flavors.

OVERALL: 7 out 10 – It is easy, fun, good food and you get to sit outside in a funky garden with mismatched patio furniture.  It is a gem.

 

Have you been to this restaurant?  Did you like it?  Did you love it?  Did you loathe it?  Let us know by posting in the COMMENT box at the top of this post.

And don’t forget to click the RSS feed to be notified about every blog we post, or add your email address to subscribe.

Thanks!

_______

Posted in: Best Restaurant, California Restaurant, Food Blog, Food Reviews, Foodies, MoDaFoodies, Restaurant Reviews, thai food ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

TRUE FOOD

December 22, 2012 4:42 am ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

WHERE: True Food, Santa Monica

At the renovated Santa Monica mall, with fabulous indoor/outdoor seating and a clean modern vibe. We went with some of our closest friends (Veronica and her two boys) to have some pre-Christmas cheer.

MOTHER SAYS:

Veronica and I shared the chicken chopped salad (sans the chicken) with cranberry, local dates, jicama, manchego, farro, marcona almonds & champagne vinaigrette.  The sweet and savory flavors blended perfectly with the crunchiness of the almonds and chewiness of the farro.  It was my favorite item of the night.

We also shared the miso soup and tuna sliders, they were good.  The Tuna was lacking flavor, but was served with a fresh, simple kale salad and butternut squash.

Click the RSS button to the side to be notified about each blog we post… or your email address to subscribe.

image

DAUGHTER SAYS:

The bison chili was so yummy.  The meat was good and it was so so spicy and I loved it.

I loved my pasta noodles dipped in marinara.  It is a great restaurant.

Rivers (Char’s 4 year old brother) had the margarita pizza, which he thoroughly enjoyed.  It had a thin, crunchy crust and was not too cheesy.

Wilson (Char’s 8 year old friend) had a turkey sloppy joe, he loved it – and ate every bite.

image

OVERALL RATING:

LOCATION/AMBIANCE: 8 out of 10 – a bright and light modern restaurant filled with greenery and a comfortable patio.

SERVICE: 7 out of 10 – nice but not completely accommodating for children.

FOOD: 8.5 out of 10 – healthy, light and flavorful.  Your body feels nurtured after eating here.

OVERALL:  8 out of 10- a wonderful option for lunch or dinner.  It gets packed, so go early or late.

Have you been to this restaurant? Did you like it? Did you love it? Did you loathe it? Let us know by posting in the COMMENT box at the top of this post.

And don’t forget to click the RSS feed to be notified about every blog we post.

Thanks!

_______

image

Posted in: Best Restaurant, California Restaurant, Food Blog, Food Reviews, Foodies, MoDaFoodies, Restaurant Reviews ⋅ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,