Offset Coffee - Torrance

Pre-pandemic, before baby, back when I had time to sit in a coffee shop to study, to stew, or just to get things done without the distractions of home, Offset would have been my jam. I would have spent hours sipping a cuppa coffee, savoring the tranquility, relishing the quiet buzz.

That part of my life is over, but my love for Offset is not. They sell their blends in bags, made for your home grinder so you can bring the magic back. 

But once in a while, we do get a moment to grab something to go. I love my classic Cappuccino, and they know how to make one right. And what's coffee without a sweet, crumbly slab of Coffee Cake?

The menu is overwhelming, but sticking with a simple Drip Coffee will always be a win.. Pair with this fall/winter Galette, a flaky crust-purse full of sweet sliced apple. 

I love Offset. Come for a cup of the best coffee in Torrance! 

Sandwich Saloon - San Pedro

I just wanted a Breakfast Burrito the size of my face with meat and melty cheese. 

They make that here, and it's the best one I've had all year. Juicy strips of seared steak, packed with three soft-yolked eggs and melty mild cheddar mixing with a smear on refried beans and cubes of potato. 

They say there's a lot of hidden gems in San Pedro, but you need to know where to look. I barely even looked for Sandwich Saloon, and already I am hooked. They also offer omelets and staples like pancakes and biscuits with gravy, but I don't know if anything can be better than this burrito!

Auntie’s Cafe - Gardena

“What do you recommend?”

“Everything is good.”

“What do you like?”

“I like everything.”

Eye roll. Just help me choose something, please. 

Corned Beef Hash & Eggs after intense deliberation. Hash patties pan-fried with a crispy crust, eggs sunny side up by choice with gooey yolks that break and ooze, quartered potatoes seasoned well. Even the world’s pickiest toddler tried a bit of everything and she even had an extra bite of the hash.

Floppy, fluffy Pancakes in a short stack, wider than they are tall. Enough for two meals at least for only $6.25. 

The OG Loco Moco looks like dirt and mud and tastes like comfort and warmth. Gravy goop and runny eggs over a thick beef patty that could be a bit more moist.

I like everything, no eye-roll at all, and there's a good reason why. They periodically purge their menu of dishes that do not sell so literally everything is a fan favorite. The quality is commendable, the service is exceptional. I love Auntie's and so will you. 

Mian - Los Angeles

Man, it's hard to find a place like Mian. Supply chains are shot and prices are soaring, and if you want good food, prepare to pay. 

Except Mian-Los Angeles is an LA establishment with SGV prices, and you can get gooey, tar-yolked Thousand Years Egg in Chili Sauce for a measly price of $5. Be prepared for the pungence - you love them or you hate them, and there is no in-between. Either way, the chunky green chili sauce is to die for.

Soothe your spice and slake your thirst with a cup of Mung Bean Tea. It's a sweety-beany slurp, and it only costs 3 with refills for free. 

Have you ever seen anything quite as pretty as this Pork Pan Fried Dumpling dish? The juicy mince is a contrast to the crispy starch-fry and does a flavor-dance with a sauce both spicy and sour.

The Half Crispy Skin Chicken may not be their main attraction, but it's something to cluck about. The skin isn't all that crispy, but the chicken is pretty perfect.

You can't come to a place called Mian and not have a bowl of mian. Their signature Chengdu Zajiang Noodle is possibly the best bowl of noodles I've ever tasted - just the perfect balance of long, eggy al dente noodles coated with savory pork, a rich fried egg and a slightly spicy sauce you can't stop eating. 

Of the Osmanthus Rice Balls, I was not a fan. The sweet rice balls were rock hard, and I'm not sure if they were undercooked or if this is just how they are. The simple slightly-syrup they come in is refreshing after a hot meal on a summer day. 

Man, I'm in love with Mian. The food is as straightforward and simple as it sounds, but it's executed with absolute mastery, and I dare you to find better mian in LA.

Truth BBQ - Houston, TX

Everyone has a pandemic vice, and not all of them are bad. Covid has created many a sommelier, I'm sure, and for others it's a healthy new hobby like hiking or an anxiety-alleviator like gardening or crochet. 

My vice is a map of mail-order barbecue from legends such as Snow's and staples such as Truth. 

We get a bit of a sampler, and as usual, start with some Sausage. This casing has a real snap to it, the most pop of any I've had. That meat is juice-dripping so revel in those rivulets of liquid pork. Goes good with some of their semi-sweet Stay Gold Mustard. 

Racking up some points are the Truth Ribs, tender outside and crimson within. Strong smoke, though they do have to be torn off the bone with very little force. I dig this rib rub, but smearing a little of the OG BBQ Sauce on top will do. It's a thin sweet-water, and it gives that black pepper seasoning a little lift. 

The White Lightnin' sauce is as it sounds; about as thick as it can get without becoming a solid, a ranch dressing where mayo subs for milk. Smear on just about anything for a rich hit of something smooth to balance out the smoke and salt. Pro tip: Spread some on a chicken biscuit-sandwich and the result is electric. 

Alright, I already like Truth, but my truth lies in the Brisket. A hard-packed pec of hulky heifer, a notoriously difficult cut, a challenge-accepted by the star pitmasters of the Lone Star State. Meat melts on the tongue under a gooey girdle of fusing fat as smoke permeates the palate.

Truth be told, I still prefer Snow's, but I don't know if I could easily pick a favorite if I compared them side by side. Almost alike yet each with its own distinct and spectacular style. Same-same but oh-so different.

Kappo Irifune - Torrance

Tucked away in Old Town Torrance is a quiet little mom n' pop called Kappo where Japanese food and sushi are served. Dwarfed by the novelty of giants Madre and Miyabi, it's only the locals who clamor for Kappo. 

It was time we gave it a try, and their Omakase was a lovely lunchtime deal. In light of today's prices, $40 is a steal for a fresh set of sushi.

The Salad starter was your standard lettuce with tangy ginger dressing,

But the Chuwanmushi would make you pause. Fragrant mushrooms make a compelling topping, and buried chunks of fish add a significant sea savor. 

The first round presented a lean tuna, creamy amberjack, briny ikura, bitter uni, smooth salmon, and sweet tamago.

The second round scallop was so good, I ate it before I could take a picture, quickly followed by a succulent shrimp, chunky chu-toro, slick o-toro, sea bream with a sizzle of yuzu, and a sea-candy slice of eel. 

Deep fried shrimp heads came several days later, it seemed,

And this child's-birthday-party Fried Banana dessert didn't do much for me. The banana is bland, and the chocolate chips did little to alleviate my boredom, which set in well before we got the check.

Service here is not speedy if they sit more than two tables at a time. The poor young lady had an entire table to tend to with literally zero help, and she scrambled the best she could. After an extra round of miso soup for the inconvenience and so many heartfelt apologies, our annoyance became a small smile. Don't dine here if you have somewhere to be, but if you're craving a decent set of sushi, consider getting some from Kappo.