a week of meat...

i'm not known to eat healthy...or rather...i don't live the healthiest of a balanced lifestyle.  i don't sustain healthy practices so i binge drink and i binge eat.  and then when i deem it necessary "you'd break up with yourself if you got fat"...that's when i binge exercise and binge eat lettuce.  this year, i tried to refocus my life with exercise and better diet but this might be the first time i feel age has undermined the metabolic system but age has also jaded the drive to stay fit...and so i the spurts of exercise and health were consistently torn apart by weekends of debauchery...the one place i found solace was on bixel at 7th.  a place where i ingested only seafood, one bowl of purple rice, a steady dose of 반찬, nominal amounts of beef, no pork...and regular exercise.  and when i moved...

i spent a week eating things i probably shouldn't have....and to make matters worse...i spent that week with someone who doesn't have a glimmer of healthy eating in him.  regardless...here's the menu... (i think it goes without saying that alcohol was on the menu...every night of the week).

mastros penthouse - it was touted to be better than peter luger.  the traditional new york steak house resides on the first floor while the third floor features a dj, loud music, a bar, and waitresses in corsets.  it's like STK but doesn't LA have an STK already?  over a conversation about taiwan, real estate, korean fried chicken franchises...we ordered a steak tartar to start.  (we didn't finish it).  and jumbo shrimp cocktail.  (also nothing to rave about).  we ordered a steak for 2...and a bone in ribeye.  rare plus.  mushrooms, creamed spinach and a jalapeno mac and cheese filled the table.  and the mastro's butter cake ended the meal.   in conclusion....just get the rib eye.  melt in your mouth tender.

alberta's mexican food - i had meat overdose after mastros...so i went for the fish burrito.  not like the fish was healthier because it was deep fried, but id like to think it digested easier cuz i didn't feel retardedly full afterwards....

moodiness doesn't let you take many pictures.  it also doesn't allow for a lot of meals.  and even when it does...and even when people tout places like "it's sooo goood"....it never is.  on top of which i don't trust a californian's palate.  a city that's overrun with chain restaurants where high caloric entrees are overcompensated with an avocado chicken salad for lunch.   (exception: californians know their mexican food...but i dont really like mexican...)

mexicali

so ban - here's the thing about LA korean food.  it's GOOD.  it's just as good as korea even specialty items.  there may be less choice of high quality korea compatible establishments but that one is really good.  the 간장게장 at 소반 is absolutely delicious.  there are other places that serve it...but this one is by far better....

with that being said...고기집 in LA is BETTER than korea.  Korea imports it's beef from the US and Australia unless you're eating that infamous 한우 which they claim is better than Wagyu.  LA BBQ is cheap and delicious.  the plethora of all you can eat places are a testament to how cheap beef can be, though i recommend paying up for the a la carte restaurants...like chosun galbee or parks bbq.  if you happen to end up at corner place...make sure you get the 동치미국수 though i wouldn't recommend going there.  it's gross. gnats and horse flies....gah...

the hamji bat night will be a night to remember because that's the night that started it all.  or ended it all.  i never made it home.  and i remembered a feeling of nonchalant because i was downing soju and eating glorious pork ribs and 감자탕...meat and soju...it does crazy things to you...

breakfast burrito - ive had small breakfast burritos....but never this kind of monstrosity that i've only seen Adam Richmond eat it on the travel channel.  i've never had potato in a tortilla either.  it was gross.  eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes, cheese and you pour that green sauce over it...

mendocino farms pork belly banh mi.  - it's ok.  it's tasty.  it's a bit spicy.  maybe you shouldn't put banh mi as it's name.  cuz banh mi by nature is just cheaper.  and for me, tastier, lighter, brighter and more fulfilling.  not to say this sandwich isn't good, it's just made for a sandwich franchise and the corporate lunch crowd....

when she's not looking...LETS GO TO WHERE THE CHINESE PEOPLE ARE...savoy kitchen isn't really hainanese chicken but regardless it's still pretty good.  and healthy.  and cheap.

IOTA - strawberry macaron green tea ice cream...i didn't eat it.  i just took a picture of it.