I just came back from a 2 week time off in LA and it was FREAKING wonderful. Though it wasn’t all play. The first week I spent it with these guys (yes I was doing work) and the second week was a total tv on the couch time.

Besides eating burgers from In-N-Out and mom’s cooking, most of the meals I had were from places I have never been before. Luckily everything I ate during my 2 weeks in LA was mighty delicious.

Check out what I ate after the jump…
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I’m in LA, tagging along with the Big Gay Ice Cream guys with special guest Fany Gerson of La Newyorkina. It’s gonna be an awesome week and hopefully my LA friends will come out to hang and eat some tasty sweets!

Also while chilling at Duff Goldman’s new cake shop (Duff’s Cake Mix), I finally met my tv crush (Anna)!

Below is their schedule. Be sure to check their Twitter for up-to-date info, in case of possible location/time changes.

10/23 TUESDAY
Duff’s Cake Mix 2:00-5:00pm
8302 Melrose Avenue @ N. Sweetzer Ave (map)

Kogi BBQ route 6:00-9:00pm
14209 Ventura Blvd @ Calhoun Ave, Sherman Oaks (map)

10/24 WEDNESDAY
Kogi BBQ route 11:30am-2:30pm
Yahoo! Center, Broadway & 26th St, Santa Monica (map)

Heath Ceramics 4:00-7:00pm
7525 Beverly Blvd @ Sierra Bonita Ave (map)

10/25 THURSDAY
World of Wonder Productions 12:00-4:00pm
6650 Hollywood Blvd @ N. Cherokee Ave, Hollywood CA, alleyway (map)

Graffiti Sublime Coffee Bar 5:00-8:00pm
180 S. La Brea Ave @ W. 2nd St, LA CA, parking lot (map)

Studio of Environmental Architecture 9:00-11:00pm
57 Market Street btw Pacific and Speeday, Venice (map)

10/26 FRIDAY
Private Event 12:00-2:00pm

Duff’s Cake Mix 3:00-4:30pm
8302 Melrose Avenue @ N. Sweetzer Ave (map)

Animal Restaurant 6:30-11:00pm
435 N. Fairfax, LA CA, parking at lot at Rosewood Ave (map)

10/27 SATURDAY
Susan Feniger’s Street 12:00-3:00pm
742 N Highland Ave @ Waring Ave (map)

Faultline Bar 8:00pm-11:00pm
4216 Melrose Ave @ N. Vermont Ave (map)

Editor’s note: Our LA contributors (Sandy Lee and Susana Fung) got an early taste of what to expect at this year’s LA Street Food Fest, happening tomorrow at the Rose Bowl. Photo by Susana Fung

The LA Street Food Fest is back for the 3rd year this Saturday, July 21. And it looks to be better than ever. Over 100 food trucks and restaurants will be on hand, from the “gourmet” variety to the local loncheros to special guests all the way from Baja. Their offerings are ranging from ice-cream served alongside chicken and waffles to cola-glazed Berkshire pork to poutine and moqueca (Brazilian fish stew). Booths from well regarded restaurants such as Picca, Spice Table, Sotto and Short Order will be on hand as well.

Taking place at the Rose Bowl, a limited amount of tickets will be sold, which should stave off the crush of the hungry crowds that have overwhelmed other such events. Ticket price is $45 for regular admission. It is all-inclusive, thus the food and the samplings of cocktails, tequilas, and beer are all incorporated into the cost. A VIP option is also available for $65.

Of course the goal for a food event that brings together such diverse eats into one centralized locale would be to try everything on hand. But if it’s not physically possible to eat everything in sight, dishes not to be missed include:

Hansik Truck/Moo Dae Po II: LA Galbi
Flavorful, smoky Korean grilled meat perfect for the outdoor locale

The Grilled Cheese Truck: Cheesy Mac & Rib
Rich and cheesey goodness

Lazy Ox Canteen: Paella
Chef Perfecto Rocher is a third-generation paella maker from Spain that has spent time working under Chef Ferran Adria of El Bulli

Kings Row Gastropub: Curried Al Pastor Port Belly with Fresh Naan
Tender meat atop naan accompanied by a curry sauce with avocado, red onions, and pineapple

Antojitos Carmen
Get the chicharron taco with meat if available. Crispy pork skin. Is there anything else that needs to be said?

HAUS: Spicy Chicken Dukboki
Juicy chicken with a hint of sweetness grilled to just the right temperature.

This meal took place right after my family and I ate at Plan Check. So………….I thought we were gonna go light but knowing us (our eyes are hungrier than our tummies) I should’ve known better.

Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe is located in Santa Monica. The space was actually quite nice and the atmosphere was very causal. The counter was lined with baked goods like croissants, chocolate croissants, cakes, tarts…etc and behind the counter were beautiful looking breads all sitting on shelves. The thing to do here is get in line. People behind the counter will take your order and after you pay they will give you a number. They’re not big on people sitting down first since the tables are for paid customers. But there was a sort of hostess, after you pay, to find you a table.

I wasn’t sure what my sister had ordered but I asked for a chocolate croissant. Eventually we were given a table outside on the street. Once the food started coming, I regret eating way too much just 30mins before that.

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When I first heard about UMAMIcatessen, I thought it would be similar to FoodParc where you can go to different stations for different foods. When I arrived, I was totally wrong. It was basically a regular old restaurant but just that they have few different sections that you can order food from (from a waiter). Located in downtown LA, UMAMIcatessen was tailored to the working crowd in the area.

If you’re not familiar with Umami, you will be soon as they are planning to open a restaurant here in NYC. They do pretty good burgers (a little small for me) and damn good tater tots.

On this trip I tagged along as my sister was there to shoot photos for her friend Joy of Oh Joy! You can check out the post here.

Check out what we ate after the jump..
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This month old restaurant is doing something fantastic. Located on Sawtelle Blvd in West L.A., the atmosphere and staff were causal and friendly. The menu was not overly complicated and had just the right amount of items. Definitely go with a group so you can try out many of the dishes/sandwiches/burgers. So sit back, grab a beer (I had a delicious Strand Brewery 24th St. Pale Ale), eat delicious food and enjoy the LA weather.

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As I mentioned in my previous post about Old Town Rancho Cucamonga, that it was great that the city had left some parts of the city untouched. Here’s another reason why, The Deli. Situated next to a generic liquor store, it’s quite hard to miss the sandwich shop. With it’s giant window decoration advertising their Weenie Wednesdays, all their hot dogs for $1 on Wednesdays, who wouldn’t notice that?!

On my January LA trip, I tried to go to this place but it was closed. That made me more determined this time to go there. The menu mostly consisted of sandwiches with few burger and hot dog options. This is pretty much an old timey sandwich shop and the only thing that has changed over the years are the prices.

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