A Guide to Attainable Luxury

 

Foodie Friday: Los Reyes de la Torta (Phoenix)

August 5, 2010 | posted by Jenn
 
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After a particularly “fun” Saturday night (and by fun, I mean that I had imbibed a little too much vino!), I needed something substantial and hearty to ease the Irish Flu on Sunday afternoon.  Enter Los Reyes de la Torta,  renowned in Phoenix for their (what else?) tortas (we gringo’s call them sandwiches). After a chance viewing of their “Del Rey” on Man Vs. Food, I knew it was the only way to end  my indulgent weekend.

The place was packed (there are so few secrets anymore), but we only had to wait five minutes for a table, where we were promptly offered one of their delicious, freshly made drinks.  My husband’s horchata was the best I’d ever tasted and my cucumber agua fresca was just the refreshment I needed…thirst quenching and frothy!

The menu was overwhelming with choices, but there was no decision to be made.  The “Torta Del Rey” is a monster of a sandwich, filled with pork, ham, thinly sliced breaded beef, chorizo, hot dog, cheese, fried egg, avocado, beans, lettuce, tomato and jalapeno piled onto a soft Mexican roll.  You’d think after reading that description we would have opted to share…but no! I decided we had to sample some of the other items on the menu and hogged a Cubano torta all for myself.

The sandwiches were piping hot, oozing with cheese and other goodness and, to say the least, absolutely incredible.  While it probably isn’t the most “health conscious” option out there, sometimes you’ve gotta cure what’s ailing.

One torta, an asprin and call me in the morning.

Los Reyes de la Torta.  9230 N.7th Street.  Phoenix, AZ.  602-870-2967

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Foodie Friday: Lazy Ox Canteen (L.A.)

July 29, 2010 | posted by Molly
 
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In my travels to mini urban artsy meccas (i.e. Portland, Seattle), I have always been impressed with the food scene…modern bistros with a neighborhood vibe and sensational cooking. Because of the vastness of LA, we sometimes lack that community feel, even in our towns within our towns. Enter Lazy Ox Canteen in Downtown L.A. Somehow, even positioned a few blocks from Skid Row, it has managed to create the exact feel that could be played out perfectly in a romantic comedy. Cue The Holiday score by Hans Zimmer.

Dimly lit, and chatter in full swing, my husband and I scored a lovely table for two tucked away in the front corner, with a view of the entire restaurant on one end and the patio on the other. Giddy with high expectations, our waiter arrived and blew our high hopes out of the water, recommending a “gorgeous” Viognier (not on the menu). I love a waiter who is as excited about my dining experience as I am about my dining experience. Rare.  Awesome.

But, Lazy Ox is not just smoke and mirrors. The food! The food! Perfect for sharing (for two), the menu changes depending on available ingredients. We started with the Abalone (divine) and then moved on to the Dashi Marinated Yellowtail (zesty) before our main course of Roasted Sea Bream (good, but could have skipped even with the table side fillet service). But, the Brick Roasted Mussels with grilled bread…if I could bathe in a big ole tub of that basil, white wine and house made sriracha, I would. And I’d stay there for eternity. It was THAT good.

The great thing about sharing is that it most always leaves room for something sweeter. Having done my research, I knew to order the Rice Pudding with Carmel Sauce the minute I arrived (apparently, this can go fast), so my mouth was ready and watering when it arrived. Now I know what I would have missed. And it would not have been pretty.

Thankfully, we’re not living in a tragedy here.

Lazy Ox Canteen. 241 S. San Pedro Street.  Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles.  213-626-5299

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