Mix n' Munch in South Pasadena

I walked into Mix n' Munch late on a Sunday morning after a street run. I remembered reading a short article in Time a few years back about how cereal cafes were going to take America by storm. It was a quirky concept that, as far as I know, never really took off. Imagine inviting someone out for a bowl of cereal instead of a cup of coffee or some frozen yogurt. In my mind, I pictured a long line of hipsters trying to figure out which vintage cereal box icon they identified with most. But when I decided out of curiosity to look up what had become of this craze, my search led me to this little cafe in South Pasadena on Mission Street.

Mix n' Much offers 25 varieties of breakfast cereal. You can create  your own mix or select from a list of their pre-set combinations. The angel on my right shoulder told me to go for the health conscious Runners Choice, a mixture of Honey Bunches of Oats, strawberries, bananas, almonds and ground flax seed. That probably would have been the right choice, but I ultimately listened to the devil on my left and ordered a mini portion of the Rock and Roll Circus Bowl, a mixture of Captain Crunch, Froot Loops, blueberries, rainbow sprinkles and Circus Animal cookies—Breakfast of champions, right?

The Rock and Roll Circus Bowl contains all of those bright and happy breakfast cereals that cause violent tantrums among children in the cereal aisle of the grocery store. To be honest, I could have lived without those frosted and sprinkled Circus Animal cookies. I eventually found myself eating around them. To me, they're the "Green Eggs n' Ham" of cookies. "I do not want them in a box..." or however it goes.

The real star of the show (and what I believe makes Mix n' Munch a sustainable business) is the customized grilled cheese sandwich menu. Much like with their cereal, the grilled cheese menu offers create-your-own sandwiches as well as a selection of signature creations. Of course, they sell a lot of the "Mix n' Munch Breakfast Sammy" perhaps with a side of cereal. I decided to customize my own sandwich, mixing pepper jack and gruyere cheese with tomatoes, avocados, sauteed mushrooms and bacon on wheat bread. It really hit the spot (as a grilled cheese sandwich often does), but I don't care to know what the calorie count was on that. I think on my next visit, I'll try the Mix n' Munch Cristo or the Spamtastic (Yes, I love Spam and I don't care who knows it). If you're not in the mood to reinvent the wheel, they do have a classic grilled cheese available. You don't have to be a "foodie" about it.

The casual cafeteria-like setting makes Mix n' Munch a great place for quick encounter with a friend. You can also hang out and use their WiFi. And yes, I'm aware that I can get a whole box of whatever cereal for the three bucks I paid for my mini Rock and Roll Circus Bowl, but when do I ever have four different cereals, blueberries and sprinkles in my pantry? (#FirstWorldProblems) 

Mix n' Munch is open daily for breakfast and lunch. Check out their website for hours and more details.   

Holidays 2011

Happy OktoBEER

It is only the first week of October, and yet I'm already late to the binge-beering, sauerkraut-piling, Jäger-bombing, lederhosen-wearing extravaganza that is Oktoberfest. A Bavarian tradition dating back to 1810, Oktoberfest kicks off in late September and lasts 16 to 18 days. Since I can't be one of the more than five million people that attend the world's largest fair in Munich, Germany, I make the most of what SoCal has to offer. Below are some options available for those interested in some good German-style fun, practically in your own backyard.

Old World Village | Huntington Beach

The eight acres off the 405 freeway at Beach Blvd. in Huntington Beach upon which Old World Village modestly sits can be considered the epiccenter of Orange County's Oktoberfest scene. From Sept. 4 to Oct. 30, the authentic Bavarian-style Village is arguably the most popular Oktoberfest celebration in Orange County. With its live (genuninely German) oom-pah-pah bands that play Wednesday through Thursday and the "deal-icious" ($2 off) drink specials Wednesday through Saturday between 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Old World Village Oktoberfest draws large crowds, especially on weekends. If you're only going to make it to their Oktoberfest once this year, try to make it on a Sunday. At 3 p.m. every Sunday, Old World hosts the Dachshund Races, where swift, short-legged wiener dogs race competitively on a small track. Dog owners and spectators get really into the action. Side bets, anyone?

Below is a promotional video from last year's Oktoberfest at Old World Village.

Standard Admission: $15 Fri./Sat. (Print your $5 off coupon here.) and $5 on Sun.
Check out Old World Village's website here.

Phoenix Club | Anaheim

The colony of German immigrants that founded the city of Anaheim still runs The Phoenix Club on Sanderson Ave. off Ball Rd., where they hold one of the biggest Oktoberfest celebrations in California every weekend from Sept. 16 through Oct. 30. Saturdays seem to be prime time at the Phoenix Club, where at 2 p.m., dance instructors offer free polka lessons. Save yourself the $5 admission when you arrive between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. There are plenty of activities for kids, which makes this the most family-friendly Oktoberfest celebration in OC. Be sure to bring plenty of cash, as much of the food and beverage (though worth it) can be pricey. But don't fret, because that small $6 German beer will pack a bigger punch than the pint of Coors you might be used to. German food is typically heavy, so whatever you order will go a long way. The potato pancakes are a delicious oily, salty snack. This particular Oktoberfest also earns points for having plenty of seating and open space. I suppose one should expect no less from Orange County.

Standard Admission: $5 (Kids under 12 free)
Check out The Phoenix Club's website here.

Alpine Village | Torrance

The absolute largest and most popular Oktoberfest celebration in the greater Los Angeles area unfolds every year at Alpine Village in Torrance under a massive 32,000-square-foot tent. Held every weekend between Sept. 9 and Oct. 23, Oktoberfest at The Alpine Village is a loud and festive celebration complete with oom-pah-pah beats, German fare, and great beer (With official sponsorship from Paulaner of Munich). While Alpine Village carries on its legendary Oktoberfest, faithful patrons have griped about some of the changes this year, particularly with respect to the heightened level of security, which is likely the result of one bad apple ruining the fun for everyone else. Admission prices also raised to $20 this year. Be sure to arrive early, as the line at the entrance can get pretty ridiculous and parking can be an ordeal. What used to be a South Bay gem is now a magnet for scores of out-of-towners who have discovered it in recent years.

Standard Admission: $20 (Tickets available online)
Check out The Alpine Village's website here.

The Abbey | West Hollywood

When I heard that a gay bar in West Hollywood would be hosting their own take on Oktoberfest, I thought of every stereotypical thing I knew about "WeHo" and about Oktoberfest in general. What The Abbey Food & Bar on Robertson has come up with lies somewhere in the middle of those two experiences. It just wouldn't be Oktoberfest without the currywurst, giant pretzels, Hefeweizen, and beer pong. The Abbey provides all of that in full effect. On the other hand, it just wouldn't be a true WeHo affair without a drag queen host(ess) and some go go boys, who shake their tail feathers in skimpy lederhosen. All in all, a unique and interesting take on Oktoberfest. Though, I'm not sure how comfortable one would be ordering "Pig on the Spit" at a gay bar. (What? Too much? Sorry.)

Admission: Free
Check out The Abbey's website here.

Ocean Beach | San Diego

A newly expanded 2-day event in the Ocean Beach area, the OB Oktoberfest is a chance for San Diegans to enjoy the Bavarian-style festivities near the water. Friday night will include a battle of the bands final exclusively for tribute bands that will cover the likes of AC/DC and Red Hot Chili Peppers for a $4,000 cash prize. The 91X Happy Hour tonight between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. will give event attendees a chance to double their fun with two-for-one beers and bratwursts courtesy of local radio station, 91X San Diego. The Saturday beer tasting from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $15 will get you six tastes of 15 local microbrews. Also, the Charger Girls will be around tonight.

Admission: $3 donation (Beer Garden)
Check out the Ocean Beach Oktoberfest website here.

Sugar Rush at Sports Club/LA - Orange County

My dinner the other night was a frosted sugar cookie, a 7-layer bar, a couple of mini-cupcakes, some other cookies, and some baklava. I actually don't have much of a sweet tooth, but when my gym hung up promotional posters for Sugar Rush, a members-only dessert sampling event featuring some of the most sensational sweets in Orange County, I felt I had no choice but to go town on all of the free offerings of the affair. I realize there's something inherently wrong with eating such decadent treats at the gym, but rest assured, I proceeded to run five pointless miles on the treadmill upstairs immediately after I had my last cake pop. Thank you, Sports Club/LA.

Wildflour Cupakes

There was a lot going on at the Wildflour Cupcakes table. Definitely the centerpiece of the event, the offerings from this Fullerton bakery included a variety of flavors. My favorite was the Fleur de Sel cupcake. Rich chocolate cake with salted caramel buttercream frosting, it's as if the salty flavor pinches your taste buds before they are enveloped in the sweetness of the caramel. The Mango Coconut cupcakes were also a delight. They also featured some of their cake pops. The peanut butter cake pop tasted just like a Reese's peanut butter cup.

Check out the Wildflour Cupakes website here.

SusieCakes

An all-American bakery that has received national press for the treats that come out of their kitchens, SusieCakes is well known for their signature cupcakes. Unfortunately, they were nowhere to be seen at the event. I'll have to visit one of their four SoCal locations in Newport Beach, Brentwood, Calabasas, or Manhattan Beach to experience them. They did however feature their 7-layer Bar (above). It is baked with chocolate chips, coconut, and pecans on a  graham cracker crust. It was delightfully rich, but I wasn't feeling the coconut moment. Coconut is usually hit or miss for me.

Check out the SusieCakes website here.

The Cravory

The Cravory laid out just a few of their 950 cookie creations, some of them sweet and others savory. They of course had some classic pieces, such as the Birthday Cake (Sugar cookie with sprinkles) and the Ultimate Chocolate Chip (self-explanatory). I tried one of their more unconventional creations, the Pancakes & Bacon. It was rich in the pancake and maple flavors, but the small pieces of dry bacon added a bit of salt. It was like a small bite of breakfast. Another unique and savory flavor on the table was the Rosemary Balsamic, which is one of the most popular among their signature cookies. I can see the savory cookies making good snacks, but who wants a dessert that tastes like another meal?

Check out The Cravory website here.

Bakluvit

The absolute highlight of the event for me came from the Bakluvit table. Baklava is one of those desserts I hated as a kid because it wasn't chocolate cake (How prejudice of me, right?) and as adult, I like it just fine but won't go out of my way for it. That all changed when I bit into the ChocBak, their limited edition hand-crafted baklava that won me over with its chocolateness. It's rich, sweet, and it melts in your mouth. The BakScotch was even more rich and flavorful with what their website describes as "layers of crisp fillo dough, fresh California Walnuts, and a hand-crafted lightly sweetened layer of butterscotch wonderment." The founder of Bakluvit traveled the world in search of the finest ingredients, which do not include honey or corn syrup.  Wherever he went, it was worth the trip.

Bakluvit takes online orders through their webite and ships out of their Newport Beach kitchen daily. A box of 15 costs $28.00. I'll have to order a couple boxes for the next grown-up party I'm invited to.

Order from Bakluvit through their website here.

Bruxie (Old Towne Orange)

ORANGE, Calif. - I'm all about re-purposing breakfast foods so that they can  be enjoyed at lunch and dinner. Luckily, so are the three guys who opened Bruxie Gourmet Waffle Sandwiches on the corner of Glassell and Palm in Orange. I realize that Roscoe's has been doing something similar for decades in Los Angeles, but the waffle sandwiches that come out of this historic Old Towne Orange shack are uniquely sensational. OC foodies have been eating up the novelty of Bruxie's creations since it opened at its location near Chapman University last Fall.

The Bruxie waffle is made in a style that originally hails from Brussles. Described as light, airy and crip, it is leavened by yeast rather than baking powder, so it isn't necessarily like the kind of doughy, sugary waffles you'd get at a greasy spoon diner. Biting into any of the menu's offerings is nothing like biting into a syrupy McGriddle (Though you can add maple syrup for a dollar).

The most popular items on the menu is the Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Waffle ($6.95), the Bruxie Burger ($6.95) and the Prosciutto & Gruyere ($7.95).

Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Waffle

Buttermilk-soaked, deep fried and drizzled with honey chili sauce, this tender chicken breast with a crispy exterior is tucked in the fold of the waffle with a small helping of coleslaw. What made this sandwich for me was the honey chili. A bit tangy and a tad sweet, the sauce is reminiscent of the Asian sweet chili sauce I grew up dipping egg rolls in.

Prosciutto & Gruyere

The Prosciutto & Gruyere, which I had on another visit, packs a more subtle punch of flavor. The thinly sliced dry-cured ham is delicately salty (as prosciutto usually is), and the presence of the gruyere cheese works well against the taste of the whole grain mustard and chives. It sort of reminded me of the paninis I used to get at one of the cafes around the corner from my apartment in Florence, Italy.  

With seven items on the savory menu and six on the sweet menu, I'm certain I'll eventually get around to trying everything. There are also seasonal specials available, such as the Pulled Pork or the Pastrami. I think for my next visit, I have my sights set on the sweet side of Bruxie. I know I'll have trouble deciding between the Nutella & Bananas and the S'Mores. If anything, I'll have to bring a friend or two next time who's willing to share a few of these in one sitting. Any takers?

NOTES

• The waffle fries are deep-fried in 100% peanut oil. Good texture, but a little too peppered in my opinion.
• The beverage collection includes locally crafted pure cane sugar sodas.
• There are tables for parties of two and four in a shaded space attached to the building. There is also a counter on the other side of the building and bar-height tables in the parking lot. 
• Count on having to park on the street. Most of the nearby spots are 30-minute spaces.
• Due to the historic nature of the building, there are no public restrooms.

Bruxie is located at 292 North Glassell St. in Orange, California.

Check out the Bruxie website here.

Rao's | Las Vegas Restaurant Week

Last weekend, a friend and I caught the tail end of this year's Las Vegas Restaurant Week, a fundraising event and a celebration of food and drink on the Las Vegas Strip and surrounding areas. Out of the more than 120 restaurants that offered prix-fixe menus at $20.10, $30.10 and $50.10, we chose to snag a table at Rao's Restaurant at Caesars Palace. Las Vegas Restaurant Week opened on August 29 and closed on September 11. Participating restaurants donated $4 to $6 to the Three Square Food Bank for each meal sold off their Restaurant Week menus.

Reminiscent of its original NYC storefront on an East Harlem street corner, Rao's at Caesers Palace has two ten-table rooms and additional seating in a banquet area as well as on a poolside outdoor patio with a bocce court. The seating area outside of the entrance lets you see all the action happening on the casino floor.

Fritto Misto (That's 'Eye-Talian'): Deep fried calamari, jumbo shrimp and zucchini with remoulade and marinara on the side

A nice selection of carbs in a basket

Our waiter serving the pasta out of a covered chafing dish. By the time it's in front of you, it's still piping hot.

Pasta is served al dente. I had the Pennette alla Vodka, one of Rao's most popular dishes, which features San Marzano tomatoes, diced Italian ham, vodka and a touch of cream. We also ordered a serving of their famously hearty meatballs, which come "in pairs, both the about the size of baseballs" said the waiter. (Giggity)

For dessert, NY Cheesecake with side of berries dusted with powdered sugar.

A sitdown interview that Caesars Palace did with Frankie Pellegrino Jr. of Rao's discussing their Restaurant Week events and activities.

FOOTNOTES on Rao's

Cheapest wine by the glass is a $15 Chianti

 

Rao's is also known for specialty olive oil, sauce, marinades and dressings, which are all available for purchase online here.

Rao's Website

Rao's Yelp

Wicked Spoon (Las Vegas)

Gourmet buffet at The Cosmopolitan. $22.00 brunch, $35.00 dinner

From top left: BBQ pork slices, KBBQ short ribs, BLT salad, tangerine chicken, macaroni & cheese with ham

From top left: Lamb shank, fresh cod, pork fried rice, white clam pizza

Chocolate covered strawberries sprinkled with peanuts and Oreo cookies

Gelato station

A giant spoon at the entrance? The decor was obviously decided by a Filipino

The Cosmopolitan goes big on chandeliers

Wicked Spoon Website
Wicked Spoon Yelp