Quick Bites :: Ink.Sack

I could have slept in this past Saturday and further nursed my wicked allergies/cold (that I would later find out was a sinus infection), but why do that when the Work Son was offering a ride to LA to pick up sammies and ice cream? Only condition was that I had to busy myself for about 45 minutes while he got his haircut. He added that there was a popular coffee shop just around the corner where I could hang/read/write while he got snipped, I was all in – just had to load up on the OTC drugs.

The shop was Urth Caffe – which proved to be a little too well known, as I spent William’s hair cutting time waiting to order, and then waiting again for my drink, a Spanish latte that was delightfully rich and bold, just sweet enough, but teeny. The 35 minute wait to 2 minute swig ratio is just wrong.

The sandwiches were from Ink Sack, another short walk from the barbershop; a shop owned by Michael Voltaggio of Top Chef fame, known for general badassness. From here, I got the cold fried chicken sandwich on wheat and a bag of crab chips. The sandwich fared much better than my coffee in its ratio; add to it that it was affordable at five bucks and was packed with bright flavors (moist chicken, a creamy sauce with a slight tang) and robust texture (the chicken had a good bite to it, the bread balance soft and crunchy). And I didn’t ask what made the chips crabby – they looked like ordinary potato chips – but I finished every last greasy, crunchy crumb left in the bag. This place was definitely worth getting out of bed. (Work son William went for the turkey melt and the pork shoulder banh mi).

But then there was ice cream. Salt & Straw was our destination. I’ve been to one of the Portland locations but never to LA’s first outpost. After samples, I almost went with the gritty, unapologetic Stumptown Coffee & Burnside Bourbon, but opted instead for the indulgent Salted Malted Chocolate Cookie Dough. Honestly, I think the odds of going wrong at Salt & Straw are 0 to none – they just make quality ice cream. And they’re so cute!

Outing done, I spent the rest of the afternoon and the next day in bed, finally getting myself to urgent care on Monday with a trip to Northern Cali planned for the next morning. Happy to say I’m 90% recovered with a 100% chance that I’ll be eating lots more once I’m fully back.

Baxter Finley Barber & Shop
515 N. La Cienega Blvd.

Urth Caffe
8565 MelroseAvenue in West Hollywood
and other locations

ink.sack
8360 Melrose Avenue

Salt & Straw Larchmont
240 N. Larchmont Blvd.

Quick Bites :: California Fish Grill

I’ve been awaiting the opening of California Fish Grill for weeks, watching the progress from outside its window when I visit Habit Grill or Starbucks on Lakewood by the Long Beach Airport. Today, I was so craving it that I called around 9:00 to ask when they were going to open (the website only answered me vaguely with December 2015). No one answered, which I took to mean their doors might be closed until quite late in the month.

So the Work Wife and I settled on Habit Grill (it’s our current “go to” spot, as were Chipotle and Pick Up Stix and Togos at some point), needing to park quite a distance away with our near noon arrival. So we had to pass California Fish Grill, which appeared to be bustling – still the sign on the door boldly stated they would not be open until the following week; that they were training. Just as I was going to scoff at the lucky souls picked to sample their food on training day, I was asked to be one of those lucky souls.

That’s right – lunch on them, the smartly dressed man said when he approached. So my Fish Grill dreams came true, just like that. A pair of succulent, richly dressed and flavorful fish tacos served with saucy beans and zesty rice. They were ready, indeed.

So if you persevere, if you believe and hope and eat a lot and stalk restaurants like I do, you’re bound to be offered at least one free lunch in your life.

California Fish Grill Now Open!
3801 Lakewood Blvd. in Long Beach
and other locations