Erick Schat’s Bakkery UPDATE - Bishop, CA

 

We took a toddler on a 9-hour roadtrip to Reno and it wasn’t as terrible an idea as we thought. 

She slept for most of the first leg, and we only made one stop for sandwiches at Schat’s. There’s a park with a playground across the street, perfect for a picnic of Roast Beef on white and multigrain with Turkey. The meats are freshly sliced, but let’s be real - it’s all about the bread at Schat’s. 

It’s all good here, and it’s all good to go. We got some Shepherder’s and some Dutch Crunch for the road, and I recommend their cinnamon pull-apart Monkey Bread if they have it. The Pound Cake can be part of a complete breakfast, and we completely ate it in a day. The bread is good, and the bakkery is solid. Just wear pants with an elastic waist.

85 Degrees - Torrance

Say what you will, you pastry snobs, but I like 85 Degrees. Butter replaces sugar, savory suffices for sweet, and less is more at this clearly successful Asian bakery chain.

Keep it simple with a fluffy, pull-apart Brioche if your morning coffee is looking lonely. 

Savory options like the Curry Bun are better warm, but what’s not to like about curried meat with corn?

The Potato Croquette can be greasy when cold but I’d still sort a deep-fried mashed potato ball into the “why not?” column. 

They made a Sweet Wreath for the holidays, and I love it. Fluffy sweetbread with a sugar-glaze, like an Asian Krispy Kreme but with more substance and character.

The Berrytale is a fan favorite. The cream cheese unsweetens the berry fruity filling, like a stuffed French toast without the fuss.

The chocolate fillings are a guilty pleasure, and I love the speckled Dino Egg Chocolate bun. The inside is a thin line of crunchy, cookie-sequence chocolate so it’s not too heavy to finish by yourself. 

I love the Custard Bun filling - it’s a happy medium between pudding and cream.

The Red Bean finds the right balance between sugar and bean. 

Everything is sweet, but everything is subtle. Even the Strawberry Chiffon Cake is airy and light. Fluffy cake layers, filled with vanilla cream and strawberry mousse, perfect for a first birthday or an 80th.

I know it's a chain, and I know there are many competitors, but I still really like 85 Degrees. Good selection, good variety, and you can’t go wrong with anything taro. 

Torrance Bakery - Torrance

Welcome to your neighborhood bakery. They're pretty well-known in Torrance and much of the South Bay, but that sweet blue awning helps keep the local feel. 

Across the street from a small green mini-park in an area built for walking, they have plenty of options to go with your morning coffee, whether you sit and sip or take it to work. My favorite is the Buttermilk Donut, prefer the plain to the glazed. It's simple, but this hearty loaf has a crisp outside and not much sugar so it highlights the flavor of the milk. The Apple Fritter has chunks of apple and cinnamon sugar encased in a glaze to keep it moist, and other options abound like a fluffy Glazed Donut, a long Chocolate Bar Donut, and a doughy Blueberry Scone.

We always get the buttermilk, but we try a few new things every time. Sugar Cookies keep it simple, and the malasada-like Filled Donuts have a nice gooey raspberry or custard pudding.

Despite being all about the sweets, they err on the side of less sugar. The Snickerdoodle is one such example, and I appreciate not being assaulted by sweetness.

They also make a large Black and White Cookie, a plain base with firm frosting. 

I don't have a favorite bakery yet because I just don't go to many, but I do appreciate the one I can walk to. But don't just judge by my opinion - judge by your own palate and the line out the door!

Sartori Thai - Torrance

 

Watch out Old Torrance, Sartori Thai moved in. Where Japanese was the only Asian, there’s now a Thai contender. 

They don’t look like much from the outside - the storefront tucks into a bit of an alcove, and the inside decor is dark despite the high and spacious ceilings. 

It’s casual fare with a little bit of flare, starting with tradition. The sweet n’ spicy Som Tom is a mound of crunchy green papaya soaks up a tangy mix of spice and lime, a seafood flavor added by little dried shrimp. 

                 

I was skeptical of the Spicy Ribeye Salad, but it’s oddly satisfying in a way that is surprising. Juicy chunks of flame-kissed steak are punctuated with raw onion and cukes and a little bit of cabbage soaked in a dressing of citrus with strong notes of fish and shrimp.

Order enough and you get Egg Rolls for free. Wraps of shredded veggies are deep-fried to a light brown crunch. 

There’s a brown slurry of Duck Curry full of pineapple and coconut milk. It’s a lot sweeter than most I’ve had, but enjoyably so, depending on your preference. 

Their Pad Thai is of the "wetter" variety, expectedly sweet n’ sour, nutty and nice. 

The Tom Yum Shrimp Fried Rice is where their creative potential shows. They infuse fried rice with the flavor of tom yum soup, and it sinks into every grain. Add some tender mushrooms and shrimp, and it’s a tangy citrus delight. I’ve never seen this on any other menu, and it’s a must-order on theirs.

                         

Even if you’re not a dessert person, there’s no better ending than Mango Sticky Rice. The mango is pulpy, the rice is sticky, and the coconut milk is gooey and sweet.

There’s not a lot of great Thai in the South Bay so Sartori Thai is a pleasant surprise. I’ve liked every dish so far, but it’s that fried rice I’ll keep coming back for.

Curry House Coco Ichibanya UPDATE - Torrance

 

I wasn't all that impressed the first time around, but with every order I like them more.

They make a solid curry, and they offer more variety than most. There are the usual suspects, a crusty Pork Cutlet, a juicy white-meat Chicken Cutlet. All are begging to be doused, and they keep their crunch as they swim in a murky curry river.

Tried the Minced Beef Cutlet this time around, and it was like a jumbo burger patty coated and fried so all the juice stays inside. It's chicken-fried steak with a more delicate fry. RESPECT for the level 5 spicy curry because it BURNS. Veggies are great, and the addition of green beans, carrot, potato, and onion is good enough by itself. 

It's not all cutlets and curry if you're looking for some fun. Unthought-of sides like Naan are good for dipping, and the Garlic Cheese Naan Bread is a good idea all around.

There's even a Curry Udon if you're feeling a little more carb. The udon noodles are the right texture, and even with just chicken, they make a hearty stew. 

Lots of choices, lots of heat if you need. Solid, stomach-sticking comfort curries made with just about anything and little bit of everything.Plenty of curry in the South Bay, but you could definitely do worse than Coco. 

Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles - Los Angeles

Aaron Sorkin once said, “History is made by those who up.” In the case of Roscoe’s, history is made by those who show up first. 

No doubt Roscoe’s was one of LA’s first, if not the true first slinging up that southern stroke of genius known as Chicken and Waffles. Have the straightforward Sir Michael and let a river of syrup marry the sweet and savory,

Or smother your leg and thigh in a smush of onion gravy with a side of grits (the Southern Style). Cornbread and biscuits are never wrong, and they’ll soak up whatever the chicken can’t.

My photos reflect just how well their fare will fare on the long trip from LA to Torrance, but Instagram-ability is no reason not to take a bite out of LA history. Roscoe’s fed soul food to some very famous souls so don’t sell their soul food short. Try it when you’re in the neighborhood, even if you only want it once. 

Umenoya UPDATE - Torrance

We should start interviewing new hospitalists at Umenoya using the Spicy Miso Ramen as a litmus test. So much would be revealed for the price of a noodle soup.

"Have a seat."

[Open the menu.] 

"What would you like? I recommend the Spicy Miso Ramen - there's no better broth, spicy miso chashu if you're hungry."

[You order.]

Order anything else and we'll send you packing, dietary restrictions aside. Order the spicy miso, advance to the next round. 

[You start to eat.]

"What do you think?"

Is it the best you've ever had? Yes? At least one boss will vouch for you.

Love it? Advance to the next round.

Like it? Just okay? Pretty good? Noncommittal or vague answer? Red flag. You're a big MAYBE. 

"What's your favorite ramen? What other places do you like?" Answer carefully for your future with us depends on it.

Not your thing? Get up, get out. You're not going to fit in so you can't sit with us. We'll forgive but we won't forget this. 

They do make other stuff. Vegetarian friends swear by the miso, those with allergies enjoy the corn butter and the shoyu. I opt for the Tsukemen when I can't stomach so much broth. 

They also make a fantastic spicy tuna bowl on a hot day, and apps like Takoyaki can be fun. Don't worry, we won't do the Gyoza Roulette with you until after you're hired. The spicy one will be your initiation. 

Pass the ramen test? I'll raise my green tea (they don’t serve alcohol) and toast. A warm welcome to you and a warm thank-you to Umenoya, the unofficial ramen of HCP!