The Kettle UPDATE - Manhattan Beach

 

I liked it better last time, but I didn't hate it this time. 

It's my fault for not making better choices, but the Bananas Foster French Toast is all on them. Walnuts and banana sauteed in brown sugar sounds like a winner, but the walnuts are pretty raw, and, and the bread is extremely limp.

BBQ Pulled Pork Hash sounds like decadent fun, and the execution is pretty impressive inside a take-out container. Love the tater tots, and dumping some pork on top is a good idea. Break the eggs and give it a stir!

Sarah's Favorite...not my favorite. Not bad, though the fruit isn't very ripe.

The orange zest Muffin is nice, but I liked the blueberry better. That said, they still make a mean muffin here. 

No harm no foul. With a menu as myriad as The Kettle, what you order is so important, and it can be a hit or miss. At least at The Kettle, it's usually an even mix. 

The Kettle UPDATE - Manhattan Beach

Imagine it. The worst hangover of your life. The head-pounding, eye-bulging, can-hear-an-ant-breathe-in-the-next-room, even-your-hair-hurts kind of drank-like-you're-still-21 walk of shame. 

Now imagine the best case scenario. Your whole day is gone no matter what you do, and there's no way the nausea will abate before bedtime. But there is something that might get you through the next hour if your sunglasses are dark enough. 

Have a seat on the patio at The Kettle. Wear your mask until your food arrives, and believe me, you'll want to because hangovers make everything smell just that much more. Stay away from the people you didn't come with because they are just too loud. Order Banana Pancakes. These pancakes are fluffy but thin enough to make a manageable stack. There’s something about passing the side of your fork through all five layers and seeing them rebound as your molars cut through the stripes. They're soft enough that you don't need a knife on those mornings when you just can't do the extra work, and they do taste like real but slightly sweetened banana. It's the right mix of sugar and carbs to settle your stomach and fuel the rest of a painful day. 

Need protein? Try one of their 6-egg omelets. I don't really know how many eggs they use, but this rock of a Crab Omelet isn't exactly stingy. It really does taste crabby in a fishy manner so I opt for veggies or pork if you have a hangover or are not accustomed to fishy flavors. Just don't skip the side of home fries. They’re well-seasoned and nowadays, that seems to be a miracle. Plus they got the potato just right; soft but not too mushy. Potatoes are a lost art, but The Kettle seems to have found them. They also throw in a muffin. Mine was blueberry. It was TO DIE FOR. Seriously, I could have just eaten 6 muffins.  

I normally hate brunch, and breakfast is a part of the day I usually skip. But The Kettle does cook a good one if you're in the mood, and you'll leave satisfied and way too full even if you're not. I was lukewarm in my previous review, but I think I got a new appreciation for their pancakes and potatoes. 

Sam Wo Restaurant - San Francisco, CA

We got back late from the Alcatraz night tour, and we wanted to continue the prison theme with food. 

KIDDING. Well, not really. Apparently Alcatraz had excellent food, and you could do a lot worse than Sam Wo right before midnight. 

Their BBQ Pork Noodle Roll is a signature, light pieces of pork and veggie wrapped in a chewy roll. It’s served with a dish of spicy mustard that gives everything a kick. Ask for extra - you want to smear some everywhere. 

The Chop Suey is a light side, a stir-fried mix of greens to go between the mains.

The Kung Pao Chicken isn’t their strongest dish. The flavors don’t quite soak in, and the onions are barely cooked. 

The Duck Dry Mixed Noodle is probably my fave. The noodles are plump and savory, and the shredded duck and lettuce make a great mix.

If nothing else, it's worth saying you ate at the restaurant that employed the world's rudest waiter. He’s not there anymore but I consider it proof of authenticity. Service is swift and smiling these days, and I doubt you'll hear much complaint about the food, but at an hour where most eateries are closed for business, Sam Wo may be worth a visit for hot mustard and hangover prophylaxis. 

Le Cristal - Paris, France

Surely we did not venture into a Mediterranean dive after lunching at The Ledbury? (It reads better in a fake British accent). Indeed, we resigned ourselves. It is surely an abysmal follow-up, but it’s midnight in Paris, and it’s the only thing open for miles. 

Though it is not a first choice, as the only choice, it could be worse. The Pirzola has twin lamb chops that are grilled to a gray, though not tough and is nicely perfumed where rosemary rests.

The Tavuk Sis is a pleasant surprise as the chicken is almost tender, not at all dry, and holds an enticing mix of spices. Both plates are piled with a tomato fried rice and a chopped tomato and cucumber mix, as well as a generous helping of salad with oil and vinegar and a pile of crispy potatoes.

You may not leave ecstatic, but you definitely won’t leave hungry. Le Cristal gets the job done. Not so unpleasant if they’re your only option, but maybe try to check for other options.