Porto Bakery

The infamous potato balls have been mentioned numerous times during this trip and what better time to devour these than when I was hungover? We had a raging night and I woke up to a box of these Porto Bakery goodies! I am such a lucky girl :) The potato balls were indulgent and worth every calorie. The meat filling was rich and the ratio was perfect because if there was too much potato it would ruin it! I believe it would be even better fresh because it would be piping hot and even crispier but no complaints! The sweet pastry was also delicious and delectable. Make sure you give this family style Cuban bakery a visit!!

Porto Bakery

Various Locations

Tagine

Tagine was not initially on my list but I am so glad that M brought this restaurant to my attention! One very special fact about this restaurant is that its owned by RYAN GOSLING!!! Throughout the meal we would peek up excitedly whenever the door opened... yet it was not Ryan. The people who came in probably were wondering why we looked so disappointed haha! Anyhow, the food was fabulous but I am not going to make individual reviews on each dish. Ugh these photos are bit overexposed because the restaurant was very dark. The food was absolutely delish though and contained such unique and exotic flavors. I am no expert on Moroccan food at all and therefore unable to tell if the dishes were unique yet I could definitely say that the flavors were lovely and very different. Some were a little surprisingly and not combinations that I was used to but I was glad that the dishes were so bold and interesting.

Tagine

123 N. Robertson Blvd 

 Beverly Hills CA 90211 

USA

Ramen Burger

The ramen burger was causing a huge stir and T and I decided to create our own at home. It was a lot of fun making it and it was SUPER filling.

Ingredients

Minced beef

Cheddar cheese

Bacon

Ramen noodles 

Mushrooms

Japanese leeks

Kewpie mayonaise (BESTEST)

Shabu shabu sesame sauce 

Onion

Egg

Soy sauce 

Salt

Directions

1. Buy Ingredients (we went to the supermarket under SOGO)

2. Dice up 1/4 to 1/2 of the onion depending on personal preference and mix with the meat. Add soy sauce and salt and mix together. 

3. Quickly cook the noodles, drain, and wash with cold water. 

4. This bit was a bit tricky. We have read in some recipes that egg was added to hold the noodle patty together but we decided to go with the original recipe's method and just press down the noodle in a bowl to mold it. 

Press that downnn 

5. Sautee the mushrooms with diced onions and then pour in the japanese shabu shabu sauce.

6. Trim some of that bacon fat off... 

7. Slice up the japanese leeks. T and I LOVE leeks and scallions so the more the merrier. 

We're creative ;) 

8. Left the noodle in the bowl for around 15 minutes and it definitely did not hold up. It fell apart when we tossed it onto the pan :(

9. Stare at hot bf 

10. We decided to go the egg route and so we whisked some egg up and poured it into the patty. It definitely helped a lot in holding the ramen together but it made it a bit dense. 

11. Form the meat patty and fry that up. Make sure you get a nice caramelization of the surface by first using high heat and then turning it down. 

12. Toss on the leeks  then covered it with the cheese. Mmm

13. BACONNN! 

14. Build your ramen burger! 

15. We also fried an egg because we're greedy. 

TADA!! 

It was a lot of fun making it and it was quite the flavor bomb but I actually prefer a normal toasted bun. I felt that the ramen "bun" was too starchy and dense. It also didn't really have any flavor and overall it was just way too filling. I really did like everything that we put into the burger, the meat patty was juicy and flavorful, the mushroom mixture was delish, and the leeks were crunchy and fresh. Be ready for hardcore food coma after this! 

Gjelina

One of my dining priorities was to have a nice brunch and Gjelina had great reviews and was also in Abbot Kinney which was PERFECT because we were able to have a lovely brunch then go to the beach. It was such a beautiful afternoon with great food, amazing friends, and perfect weather. The service was friendly, and the atmosphere was cheery and bright. There needs to be more days like this.

Braised Sweet Corn - Cilantro, Chili, Feta & Lime
This was a wonderful medley of flavors that allowed for the fresh sweetness of the corn to shine through. The feta was tangy, the lime super refreshing, and the chili giving that perfect kick. Not a side to be missed. 

Crispy Fingerlings, Truffle Oil, Herbs & Parmesan
I am usually not the biggest fan of chunky potatoes but this was delishhh. I adore fries, hash browns, and tater tots, but I don't like home fries or chunky fries (you get the idea). These potatoes were perfect! The insides were fluffy and there was enough crunch to balance it out. And these crispy babies were all smothered in a aromatic truffle oil and parmesan blanket. Yum!

Braised Pork Meatballs, Tomato, Parmesan & Grilled Bread
Meaty juicy meatballs with a rich and fresh tomato sauce = amazing. The meatballs were so well flavored and plump and it went perfectly with the crunchy bread. We ordered two of these it was so good! 

Lamb Sausage, Confit Tomatoes, Rapinim, Pecorino & Asiago
I felt that this could use more cheese and gooeyness but the crust was delicious and crunchy and the toppings were high quality and tasty. 

I could not find this pizza on the menu! Maybe a special?
This pizza was gooey-er than the one above, it was good but not particularly memorable. 

Burrata with Grilled Peaches and Prosciutto
Ahhhh I love love loveeee this dish. The grilled peaches were divine and add on the prosciutto and creamy dreamy burrata?!!?! In heaven. 

Squash Blossom, Zucchini, Cherry Tomato, Burrata & Parmesan
This was my favorite pizza out of the three. The vegetables were so fresh and this combination was so unique. This pizza was also so visually appealing. 

Salt and Pepper Frites - Romesco & Aioli
I love fries and I love aioli. Enough said. 

This may also have been a special: Brisket Sandwich with Purple Slaw & Cheese
I took a bite of this and it was BOMB. The brisket was so tender and the slaw provided the perfect tangy balance. The only thing is that the bread was a bit too fat it seemed to be soaked in oil and that was a bit much. 

Warm Strawberry and Rhubarb Crisp - Almond Gelato
I think the rhubarb was a bit too sour but I don't have very distinct memories about this dish. 

Butterscotch Pot de Crème - Salted Caramel and Crème Fraîche 
AMAZINGGGG. So so creamy and luxuriously sweet. Give me more. 

Flourless Dark Chocolate Cake - Crème Fraîche and Hazelnut 
This was dense and rich but nothing after that caramel heaven in a pot. 

I really enjoyed my time at Gjelina and I can't wait to return next time I am in LA!

Gjelina 

1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd

Venice

Los Angeles

CA 90291

USA