LA's Finest
Sunday December 5, 2010 by Ryan Fernandez
Grub is situated on the cozy corner of Seward Street and Barton Ave, in a residential section of Hollywood that is just far enough from the hubbub to offer a peaceful dining experience yet close enough to attract an eclectic crowd.
Grub 911 Seward St Los Angeles, CA - (323) 461-3663
Breakfast and brunch is their specialty here, and the experience definitely has a homey feel. It begins with the restaurant's interior, sporting wood floors, tables and chairs, and big windows that let in a lot of natural light.
The breakfast offerings here are among the finest I've ever had in the Los Angeles area. For a hearty and flavorful start to the day, I recommend their signature Mix-Ups such as this, the Number 2, with corn, tomatoes, basil and pepperjack cheese.
Another must-try item on their menu is their Crack Bacon, which packs flavors one might be more used to finding in Indian food. I can only describe it as a sort of sweet, curry bacon. It's a very original and pleasing rendition.
Grub is owned by Betty Fraser (@ChefBettyFraser) from Top Chef Season 2. Both her food and her establishment are filled with good vibes, and her knack for breakfast is unmatched. Grub has also recently started serving dinner, and minus the sunlight I can only imagine that the evening dining experience here is just as welcoming.
City Sultan
Monday August 2, 2010 by Ryan Fernandez
For a quick bite out in Chicago, there are a lot of options. It's the city of the Polish and the Italian Beef. The gyros are great. The pizza is legendary. 24-hour diners, cafes and eateries abound. Yet, in the hip Wicker Park neighborhood on Chicago's near Northwest side, Sultan's Market stands as a friendly alternative to all the rest.
Sultan's Market 2057 W. North Ave. Chicago, IL - (773) 235-3072
There is a second Sultan's Market branch located about two miles East of here in the svelte Lincoln Park area, but this is the original location of Sultan's, and it's been open for fifteen years. In that time, college kids, the local artist crowd, and the weekend bar crowds have all gravitated to this oasis of Middle Eastern flavor. It is declared by some to serve the best falafel sandwich in the city. Even world-renown hip hop artist Lupe Fiasco was once rumored to be a three-times-a-week patron.
I stopped by to try the chicken shawerma plate, consisting of grilled chicken, red peppers and onion served over lentils and rice, with Jerusalem salad and hummus on the side. Two slices of pita bread are provided to house the components of the plate, but I'd like to point out that the chicken shawerma can also be ordered as a sandwich, which is served pre-wrapped in the pita and ready to eat.
I have found that, when left with the duty of stuffing my own pita bread, I always do a lousy job of rationing the portions, and end up with too little or too much left on the plate. Perhaps I should have gone with the sandwich version of the shawerma.
Each component on the dish was great, but I did feel that the chicken was a bit moist for my liking. I have ordered the chicken shawerma in the past and I remember the chicken being more dry, which I prefer.
Nonetheless, you can't really go wrong when choosing amoungst Sultan's many offerings - they also sell baklava, spinach pies, and a plethora of other unique treats. The dining area is very charming with some lovely ornamental designs on the ceiling.
Dine at Sultan's Market to get a healthy glimpse of life in an artsy Chicago neighborhood.
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