I mean that literally. Today is exciting because we're going from the 27th floor to the 45th. I snuck a look at my new office yesterday and was giddy and dumbfounded. I took a picture of the makeshift sign on my door -- just a scrap of paper with my name written on it with a Sharpie marker. Anyway, it's enough for me.Everything up there smells like new house, new construction, that plasticky scent. There is a large fish tank that serves as one of the conference room walls, and many green plants lining up the corridors. I think I am most impressed with how much ambient lighting there will be. That high up, with the windows situated so, creates a different effect than what's on the 27th.
The view from my window is the tops of downtown buildings, many helipads. Whatever they call that which you land a helicopter on. Most prominently, I look down on the top of the One Wilshire building. It's on the other side of where I am now, so I'll have some time to figure out exactly what's beneath me.
I haven't had a chance to blog, because I'm barely home anymore, except to pat Dozer's head and check out a Tivoed episode of "The Golden Palace" (5 in storage right now). Suffice it to say, things are going swimmingly and I'll enjoy it while I can!
Also, this week presented many opportunities for good eats. We tried out Echigo on Santa Monica, which had probably the freshest sushi I've ever eaten. Now, I am not some sushi connoisseur, nor have I actually had it in Japan (that I would recall, since I was so little). And who knows? Perhaps it was just the spare portions and extremely warm, salted rice that created the illusion of extraordinary authenticity. We were also accosted at the front, before being seated, and warned, "There are no California rolls here. No teriyaki." Justin said it may have been a case of racial profiling. He is exceedingly white.
Another night, I finally went to Palomino on Wilshire. Goodness, what excellent rotisserie chicken. What made this different was that the skin was so crisp you would have thought it was fried. The rosemary and pancetta flavoring was too strong and a bit smoky the next day. But I was impressed with the place, and felt that if anything could be categorized Cal-Italian, that was it. They also had a rich Baked Chocolate dessert that is an unusual spin on your flourless chocolate cake.
I also had a prime rib sandwich at Cozy's on Wednesday, that, had I not been pretty hungry, is completely unremarkable. I hoped for horseradish sauce in it, but I think it was mayonnaise and relish. And when I dissected the sandwich -- as I always do -- I think the slab of meat more resembled chuck than prime rib.
Last night was La Bruschetta on Westwood. I had not been there in many years. Maybe some management changed because there were significant improvements. I remember misspellings on the menu and mispronunciations from the Hispanic waiters way back when. In contrast, last night everything was letter perfect and our waiter was a native of Torino. They had an extensive wine list, which listed Brunello di Montalcino, a requisite in any good Italian joint. In fact, that's a good a gage as any, because in Italy everybody knows Brunello is the best.
But I digress. Any time I see tonnato on the menu -- much like prime rib, flourless chocolate, bacon -- I will order it. They had a vitello tonnato which was so perfect and delicate and salty... I asked that they box it up so I could enjoy it in the days ahead. And for nostalgia's sake I ordered the spaghetti alle vongole. I do believe Manila clams belong in Asian food, but they did it so well. I can't really attest to what made it so good, maybe too much white wine and way too salty, but this is how I like my Italian food. I can't even say it was authentic, but damn tasty. I had it this morning for breakfast.
Gosh, I'm getting hungry. Tonight I'm having something downtown with j. and Reynabelle. Tomorrow night will be a potluck and I plan on making something overly complicated. Sunday, I've requested Szechuan with my mom.
And this is the thing. Although I will have eaten out 5 nights this week and endeavored something of good culinary mettle tomorrow, nothing will compare to Sunday lunch with Mom. We will have salted pork in hot oil and maybe something slow-roasted in a clay pot. And these Chinese dishes will outshine everything that I've had this week. I can't, can't wait.
posted by Lucy Sloan @ 9:50 AM
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