Jame Enoteca UPDATE - El Segundo

Revisiting a local favorite, a legit fine-dining-level Italian pasta house situated in El Segundo's Main Street strip. 

The goal is to try new things, and although the menu has stayed fairly static for several years, much of it is new to me. 

My choice of Ospi's Crispy Provolone proves to be quite unwise as giant sandwich-sized blocks of mild, stringy cheese with a hard fried shell settle in the stomach with the lightness of a brick. The creamy vodka sauce is no standout, and this brick most bland needed something sharp.

The cheese is so heavy I can't fully enjoy the other items. A shame as both pastas are just amazing. The Tagliatelle al Ragu is deeply savory, a significant quantity of simmered meat that grips the ribbon strips and lingers very long.

It's first encounter with Mandilli, these floppy, pocket-squares of softer-than-al-dente sheets. The texture and the look, the way they flap and fold on the fork is enchanting, even more so as they're running with a silky jade-green pesto.

The apps are alright, and the sandwiches look fun, but the perfection is in the pasta. Just revel in the texture and savor all the sauce. 

Sampa - Los Angeles

Filipino fusion with Filipino friends. Fare from a chef who combines classical training with Filipino flair, a rather fascinating find. 

Starting with an app of Tempura Squash Blossoms, you can see the proficiency with hints of creativity. The calamansi adds a scent of citrus to the cheese, the blossoms carry their delicate fragrance, and the zucchini keeps its texture.  

Of all their dishes, the Skyflake Caviar is the most interesting by far. A pile of all the good stuff served on Filipino saltines, the combination of wagyu with uni and caviar creates a surprisingly cohesive umami mix. 

How can you not get something called "Crab Fat Fried Rice"? Aromatic and authentic with a buttery crab that goes quite deep, this dish has just enough flavor and just the right amount of restraint.   

The Crispy Duck Pancit, unfortunately, is my least favorite of the lot. The duck is woefully underseasoned and sadly unadorned. Simply sliced and laid across the top of scant shredded veggies and very few noodles, this noodle dish is little more than a miss, especially at the whopping price of $48.

The Ube White Chocolate Souffle should get props, if nothing else for daring to serve a souffle. This souffle is solid, well-risen and not too much egg, with a lovely pandan anglaise to be poured inside. 

I didn't love it all, but I do remain intrigued. Unfortunately, I don't think I could truly see the skills of this chef based on what we ordered, but I see some real potential in the flavors of those apps. I need to come back to Sampa to try a few more things, and based on what I've had so far, Sampa is something I'd gladly try again. 

Glutenus Maximus Bakehouse - Vista, CA

The name is pun, the pun is a butt joke, and when you visit their website, the cursor is a croissant. 

If that's not enough reasons to pick up some pastries, try the Milk & Cookies Cruffin. Cruffin >>>> Cronut IMHO, less grease, better texture, fluffy layers both chewy and soft. Cream filling optional per my personal preference, but theirs is delicious and makes a perfect breakfast-dessert.

All items are best to share - this Butterscotch Pecan Sticky Bun is a brick, a gooey, runny-sauce, super-sugared accompaniment to a cup of morning coffee. 

Stick to simplicity if you want. The Ham and Cheese Croissant is solid,

the Blueberry Muffin is good, 

and the Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie is a crowd-pleaser for sure.

Love the locals, hate the chains, support the legit bakers like those at Glutenus Max!

The Local Provisions - Temecula, CA

Casual little gastropub in a cute little complex, nestled in the wine-country suburbs. A game plays on sizeable flatscreen, a bar houses bottles and taps, and the menu features local foods and brews. 

Come in for a taste of all that is comfort; good beer that goes good with the food, good food that goes good with beer. 

Start with a steaming Soft Pretzel, speckled with salt, best when alternatingly dipped in earthy mustard and goops of gooey beer cheese.

The Gumbo can be a starter, a soup, or a meal, a thick stew that's a little heavy on the salt. 

If you're always down for a sandwich, check out the Classic Reuben with those layers of tender pastrami and enjoy with a side of fries or chips. 

The Cuban Sandwich is exceptional - I can't get over how savory they get their pork, and serving it on a much-thinner pita keeps that savor strong. 

It seems like simple stuff, but they know exactly what they're doing. The classics are impeccably done, but they throw in a twist here and there to make this pop and make that catch your tongue. 

Somi Somi UPDATE - Torrance

I thought a few YEARS would be enough time to work out the kinks, but this little mall stall just can't get their act together. No less than FOUR people are working at a time, yet they won't even make eye contact while pointing you towards the ipad, which spits out order slips they can't be bothered to check. 

After way too long waiting for food that doesn't have to be cooked, you're given a cold, stale cone, mine atop an ube and matcha swirl, for the outrageous price of $8.

Hey guys, we can see you. Two of you were working while the other two watched. Thanks but no thanks for the craptastic cone. I had such fun at the Hawaii locations, but after this ordeal, I will never be stopping by again.