Off-the-menu eats at Short Order LA

My friend had a Blackboard Eats deal she wanted to use at Short Order LA – a gourmet hamburger place that’s a  collaboration of Amy Pressman and Nancy Silverton. Don’t be afraid because I wrote “gourmet” – the scene is very casual and I’ve walked by this place many times but haven’t tried it because I often choose the farmer’s market food court on the other side because of the selection and affordability. But like everyone else who is part of the deal craze, we decided to check out the pricy side of life thanks to my friend’s deal.

My friend’s deal got us orders of off-the-menu-burgers, fries, and cocktails. It was a beautiful spread as you can see.

The burger off-the-menu was the Rocky Mountain Burger that was topped with fried shallots and homemade BBQ sauce. The shallots weren’t overwhelming like onion rings – it’s crispy well-seasoned flavor was thanks to the cornmeal batter . The burger part was a mix of three cuts of beef (brisket, short rib, and flat iron). It was topped with iceberg lettuce, and aged chedder cheese. The BBQ sauce was sweet and tangy and paired well with the fried shallots. This is definitely a beautiful burger and beyond filling.

We shared a side of fries and let me tell you, the fries were just right! Served fresh and crisp with the right amount of salt. I admit we did overdo it with the fried food during this meal but don’t fret because we washed it down with cocktails. Here’s my “Blow the Whistle”, which reminded me of a “greyhound,” in the foreground and my friend’s “Frisco Sour” in the background.

I admit I didn’t finish my meal because it was all quite filling. I definitely recommend if you head out to Short Order LA, enjoy the patio with some cocktails and appetizers and perhaps split a burger if you don’t have a large appetite. I’m looking forward to going back and trying something on-the-menu next time!

Finally, we meet… its about damn time!

Sorry for the long pause between posts but June has been one busy month for me. Between prepping for multi-media training from Knight Digital Media Center in Berkeley to the Marketplace “Moving by Degrees” event I worked on, I’m now rejoining the living. But don’t fret, I’ve been able to fit in some quality eats. Actually, I’ve been munching on dishes that I’ve been meaning to check out since I’ve moved back to SoCal.

Last month I finally caught up to the Buttermilk Truck in downtown LA.

As you can see from above, they are known for their red velvet buttermilk pancakes. Yours truly actually got the last ones! I took it as a sign… a sign that I should be devouring those mini fluffy cakes on the streets as other watched on. I’ve actually seen this truck often but the lines have been too long so I was pretty excited when I only saw a few people in front of it on a late evening in front of the Downtown Independent Theatre.

Right before that, I also encountered another gourmet food truck in LA that my taste-buds have been craving: Dosa Truck.

My friend and I actually decided to split the dosa because we wanted to save room for other food we might find on the streets of LA (good thing since we stumbled upon Buttermilk!). But I admit the dosa was OK – the filling was a bit dry but the outside had a nice light crunch so it made up for it.

Last month, I finally had an Umami burger! My friends at Poketo were having a Ping-Pong game on the closing day of their exhibit “Los Angeles, I’m Yours” at Space 15Twenty which happens to be next to Umami Burger! Finally, the stars were aligned for me to try my first burger at this place. So how does an Umami burger look like? Like this…

This petite burger is the signature burger – it’s narrow and small but it’s tall and just pretty. I thought my burger reminded me of Pacman. My friends say other burgers on the menu are better than this one but I was pleased with the one I got – but perhaps a taste comparison is necessary for a post for the future. The only thing I wished is that this came with fries – you see, everything at Umami is a la carte so the bill can get a bit spendy.

I can’t wait to check off some other items I’ve been wanting to try. Now I just need some foodie companions and an empty stomach… any takers?