Colorado Chow

IN SEARCH OF GOOD FOOD / RESTAURANTS / CHOW ON COLORADO BLVD. AND VICINITY
(including Glendale, Eagle Rock, Pasadena, Arcadia, Monrovia)

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Blue Dot Acai and Yogurt Parfait
Slightly Off Colorado

I've never been to Brazil. Always wanted to go. According to Mike, one of the founders of this new Blue Dot operation, he's been to Brazil and got hooked on the Acai smoothies. Coming back to the US, he couldn't really find the good stuff. So he set out to bring Acai to Eagle Rock.

This joint went through about one and half years of work to finally open. I passed by the work in progress many times and I had my doubts as to whether it would open or not. Kudos to Blue Dot for hanging in there.

acai bowl from blue dot acai and yogurt parfaitSo now that they are open, I do my Eagle Rock duty to try to support local businesses. And now, I'm a convert to Acai. The Acai bowls are more of a meal than a quick snack. The pic here is of the Original Acai bowl (partially eaten - sorry couldn't wait to dig into it before the photo op) - with acai, granola, bananas and drizzle of honey. They have two more versions as well. Lately, I've been getting into the Acai Triple Antioxident with blueberries, kiwi, raspberries and shaved coconut.

Ask them about Acai and they will launch into the health benefits of this berry.

They do have the Froyo yogurt parfaits with your usual toppings. I've had this too and it's good. So, if anyone visits me with a craving for Pinkberry, I'd just stay local.

The place is a work in progress. They're throwing artwork on the walls. Very minimal. Some seating but no tables. I see people just eating in their cars. I would suggest a few tables.

Blue Dot Acai and Yogurt Parfait
10am - 10pm
5110 Townsend Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90041
bluedotacai.com

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Saturday, September 05, 2009

Little Flower Candy Company
1422 Colorado Blvd. Pasadena

There is some great scone action happenning at the Little Flower Candy Company operation.


  


How about a Ham and Cheddar scone? Had to have one when I saw it. They also had a Goat Cheese and Thyme scone. So I had to have that one too.

Little Flower Candy Company
1422 W. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena CA 91105 (626) 304-4800
Mon-Sat: 7AM - 5PM; Sun: 8AM - 3PM
littleflowercandyco.com

Previous post on Little Flower Candy Company

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Saturday, January 26, 2008

La Estrella Taco Truck: Colorado and Highland View

As the commentor pointed out on my post about the La Estrella Taco Truck on York, La Estrella has established a presence on Colorado Blvd. in Eagle Rock. Their blue Taco Truck is parked on the corner of Colorado and Highland View in a gas station lot.

I've been stopping by for late night tacos many-a-times since finding about this taco truck!

La Estrella Taco Truck
Colorado and Highland View, Eagle Rock
Hours unknown

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Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Cindys Restaurant
1500 Colorado Blvd Eagle Rock

This is another old post that was in draft mode. Trying to clean up and get stuff posted by the end of the year.

Earlier this year, some people were apparently racing on Eagle Rock Blvd and one car crashed into Cindys. The building looked horrible. See for yourself. I hardly go to Cindys because it is your basic diner schlop food but I felt bad for the restaurant.

So, after they fixed up their joint, I did visit them a couple times to help them out. It is an old working restaurant that started like in 1946 or something. It's been there for a while. I wish the food were better.

While they were working on fixing the place up, I was wondering if they would do anything different with the interior. They matched everything to the orange decor that it was before. By the way, if you have anyone you know who is obsessed with orange, this is is a place to take them.



Cindy's Restaurant
1500 Colorado Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90041 (323) 257-7375

P.S. What is it about Colorado Blvd and crashing into food establishments. In 2007, Swork's front enterance was crashed into and also Pete's Burger joint was crashed into as well.

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Saturday, November 03, 2007

Brownstone Pizzeria
2108 Colorado Blvd. Eagle Rock

Eagle Rock is getting more exciting by the day. Just a few weeks ago, Brownstone Pizza openned its doors. As the name would suggest, they do a decent thin crust New York pizza.

The no-frills interior has a few tables but it certainly won't be featured in any interior design magazine. The staff are still working out the early business kinks but are super nice and appreciative of the customers.

It's great to have a close neighborhood pizza joint where you don't have to wait hours and you can get pizza by the slice. On top of that they use real mushrooms.

However, to be completely honest, if we are just focusing solely on pizza, I do have to say that, although its making some waves on Chowhound, I wouldn't personally classify this place as a food destination where people should drive accross town to get to. For me, I'd be more likely to drive to Larchmont Village Pizzeria.

Having said that, one of the great things is that Brownstone Pizza is located right next to the Colorado Wine Company. So the combination of the experience changes in a synergistic way. You can grab slices before, during, or after some wine/beer tasting.

I just hope that Brownstone Pizza can get the city to let them stay open later.

Brownstone Pizzeria
2108 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90041 (323) 257-4992
Mon - Sat: 11:30 am - 9:00 pm; Sun 3:30 pm - 9 pm

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Saturday, October 20, 2007

Italian Bakery and Deli:
1726 Colorado Blvd

I needed a quick bite to eat so I went to the Eagle Rock Italian Bakery right across the street from Toxic Belch (Taco Bell). I got me a quick sandwich and it hit the spot. They do a good sandwich here.

This is a real neighborhood family institution. I've talked to many grown adults who reminisce about growing up in the area and who stopped by the Italian Bakery all the time as a kid.

They carry basic Italian grocery goods and Italian baked goods. They make cannolis, cookies and cakes. They bake bread daily. They can do party platters, and can make stuff for events...etc.

It took all my will power not to get some pasteries/desserts. See what I mean?





Italian Bakery and Deli
1726 Colorado Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90041 (323) 255-8224

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Saturday, August 04, 2007

Elements Kitchen: Part III
Hopefully On Colorado!

OK, if you can't tell by now, I'm a fan of Elements Kitchen. That is why I was totally floored when I saw two posts about them - on Eagle Rock Talk and Eating LA - which stated that Elements Kitchen is moving or openning up shop on Colorado Blvd in Eagle Rock!!

From all the stories I've heard about openning a restaraunt in Eagle Rock, there are a lot of hurdles to get through - but I sincerely hope Elements Kitchen will open in Eagle Rock. I'll certainly be there all the time.


So, here I leave you with some Chilled Cucumber and Yogurt Soup (with champagne vinegar, white pepper, iced radish and mint), Heirloom Tomato "Carpaccio" Salad (with micro arugula, fine herbs, and fried capers), and some Yuzu Sorbet.

elements kitchen
107 South Fair Oaks Ave, Suite 110, Pasadena, CA 91105 (626) 440-0100
www.elementskitchen.com
Read Part I and Part II

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Sunday, July 01, 2007

Spitz: Now Open 7 Days/Week
2506 Colorado Blvd.

We interrupt this blog for some more Spitz news.... Now they are open 7 days a week!!

How can you not celebrate another day to enjoy a doner kabob. And remember, especially in this heat wave, they also have some great gelato. See you there!

BTW: You can check out Bryce talk about Spitz in a video posted on CitySearch

Spitz
2506 Colorado Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90041 (323) 257-5600
eatatspitz.com

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Sunday, June 03, 2007

Colorado Donuts
1578 Colorado Blvd

Sometimes you just need a guilty pleasure. I went for an apple fritter at the local donut shop in Eagle Rock. Go for it, you can work it off later....

Colorado Donuts
1578 Colorado Blvd Ste 14, Los Angeles, CA 90041 (323) 340-1962

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Saturday, April 14, 2007

Spitz: Happy Bday!!
2056 Colorado Blvd

Hard to believe, but a year has gone by since Spitz openned their doors to the public.

Everyone should get their ass over there and celebrate!


Spitz
2506 Colorado Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90041 (323) 257-5600
eatatspitz.com

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Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Seafood City #13
2700 Colorado Blvd

Wow, I just went through some of my old "drafts". This is one of those posts that was sitting in draft mode from last year!

On September 25, 2006 Seafood City officially opened in the Eagle Rock Plaza Mall - sandwiched between Target and Macy's!! With already a Jolibee and Goldilocks in the mall, and now a Chow King, Filipino chains are taking over that mall. "This is the first time that an Asian supermarket—not just Filipino—has opened inside an American shopping center, alongside such retail giants as Target and Macy’s," according to the The Manila Times.

This is a BIG store and is like the Filipino equivalent of the Chinese 99 Ranch Market or the Japanese Marukai. The music in the market is in tagalog! On my first visit, my head was spinning - it was overwhelming.

Just as the name would suggest, this place has tons of different seafood - all laid out on ice. They'll even fry up a whole fish for you.

They have aisles full of dried noodles, canned fruit, and fish sauce. They have a huge frozen section with large selection of lumpia, tropical fruits, and ice cream desserts. I picked up some ube (purple taro root) popsicles myself.



I posted about ARKO Foods previously. Seafood City is going to be some serious competition. But alas, Seafood City doesn't have any "point point" joint in the market. So ARKO, keep making your food!

BTW: Right outside of Seafood City, it felt like being in a mall in the Philippines. They have a kiosk for Karaoke where you can fulfill your desire to be the next American Idol, and belt out a tune right there in front of all the shoppers!

Seafood City
2700 Colorado Blvd.
In the Eagle Rock Plaza Mall
8am - 9pm daily

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Friday, December 01, 2006

Goldilocks
2700 Colorado Blvd.

Could it be? I found a Porto's Bakery cheeseroll knockoff at Goldilocks - in the Eagle Rock Plaza Mall. I had to sample a couple just to see what was up. But you know, these don't even compare to Porto's. If you want cheese rolls, go to Porto's.

If you are really looking for some empty calories at Goldilocks, try out an individually wrapped Goldilocks Ensaymada (a Brioche with cheese). This thing also has butter and sugar on it. You can throw the ensaymada in the microwave for a few seconds just to melt the cheese slightly.



You can throw these in the freezer and have them any time you want.

Goldilocks
2700 Colorado Boulevard, Ste. 110, Los Angeles, CA 90041 (323) 543-2676
http://www.goldilocks-usa.com/

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Monday, November 20, 2006

The Oinkster
2005 Colorado Blvd.

Another new place that recently openned their doors in Eagle Rock is Oinkster. "Slow Fast Food" is their tagline. The place is the concept of fine-dining chef, Andre Guerrero. Taking over the old Jim's Burger joint, they rightly kept the old school architecture and the A-Frame signage. But I do feel like some of it is a little overdesigned and does not feel comfortable to me.

The specialty is house cured pastrami, twice-fried belgium fries and house made dipping sauces.

I went to Oinkster on their second day and have been back several times. On my earlier visits, I thought the portions were on the skimpy side and the staff kept forgetting the sauces, but a lot of the kinks have been worked out by my subsequent visits and the portions have increased. The pic is the Oinkster Pastrami - with Gruyere cheese, caramelized onion and red cabbage slaw.

So how was the sandwich? The Oinkster pastrami was tasty - smoky and peppery. How was the fries? The belgium fries were nice and crispy. But, I wouldn't recommend the fries to go because they are no good when soggy.

The Verdict? I really want to love this place, but it wasn't love at first bite - like Spitz. And even after going back a bunch of times, I can't tell people to drive accross town just to try this joint as a desitination spot. If you are around Eagle Rock and have a craving for pastrami, then Oinkster would definitely fit the bill. Luckily I'm in Eagle Rock, so I'll be by from time to time and support a local eatery.

Oinkster
2005 Colorado Blvd, Eagle Rock CA (323)255-OINK
www.oinkster.com - info@oinkster.com

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Saturday, April 15, 2006

Spitz: Home of the Doner Kebobs
2056 Colorado Blvd

It's always great to see some new establishment launch in the neighborhood and, if its good, I'll do my best to support it. Driving past this joint, I've been eyeing Spitz with intrigue ever since they put up their bright orange signage claiming to be "Home of the Doner Kebobs". Now that is bold.

I waited for a few weeks but didn't see any activity there on my drive-bys. That was like 6 months ago. I did a little research on the web and saw the interview with the Spitz owners in lafoodblogging - two Oxy graduates. Props to going through all the hurdles to launch!

My own personal experience with Doner Kebobs are early in the wee morning in London and Paris, eating from street vendors - after a night of um.... youthful revelry.

And believe me when I tell you, at that moment in the cold streets, those Doner Kebobs were great gifts from above - the best - even though I don't remember how they tasted.

I visited Spitz on their Day 4. They were definitely working on getting the kinks out. Cashiers trying to figure out how to use the cash register. The staff working on getting in sync.

I tried the "classic" Kebob. Thin slices of lamb and beef (homemade) with lettuce, tomato, bell peppers, onions, and tzaziki sauce. All served inside a panini toasted focaccia. They shaved the lamb/beef off of a vertical rotisserie spit with an electric meat shaver. While watching, I was thinking - Daphne's?

But, alas having one in hand after 6 months+ of curiosity, I am happy to report that the Doner Kebob was delicious! They also do a Chicken Kebob version as well as a Falafel and Veggie one. I give Spitz an "A"!

I also tried a side of the Sweet Potato fries. These were not soggy - they were crispy and actually pretty good.

Spitz also has an assortment of interesting gelato flavors - I saw ginger, green tea, tiramisu, burgundy cherry....etc. I was going to try out some of the flavors but a line formed, so I decided to save the Gelato for another time.

For now, all I can say is that: Doner Kebobs are On in Eagle Rock!

Spitz
2506 Colorado Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90041 (323) 257-5600
eatatspitz.com

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