The Maine event

Living in LA means keeping abreast of the constantly evolving restaurant scene.  Locally grown ingredients, craft breweries sprouting up like California poppies in April, and freshly squeezed juices with odd, sometimes inedible sounding ingredients seem like the only offerings in this glamorous town.

But that would be an incorrect assumption.  We are also experiencing a fat trend here, which is being nurtured by our huge selection of specialized food trucks.  Which we're ok with.

One of those food trucks, while not one of the worst offenders by any means (Coolhaus, anyone?), is The Lobsta Truck.  Full disclosure: I may have a personal relationship with the owners and managers of this mobile eatery, but my review has not been slanted by this in any way.  No really.  If you don't believe me, you'll just have to try them for yourself.

The grill

If you're lucky enough to spot the big red truck, pull on over and get in line quick.  While the menu isn't huge, it doesn't need to be.  Lobsta rolls, crab rolls, two types of soups, whoopie pies, and ice cream sandwiches along with a good selection of sodas and chips are all you need.  I opted for the Lobsta Roll.  And man, did I inhale that thing.  I wanted another almost immediately after finishing my first, which is a truly rare occurrence.  Just take a look at that beautiful lobster, covered in either butter or mayo (or half and half), on buttery golden Texas toast.

A Lobsta roll

Starving yet?  Check out their website to see where they're stationed this week.  They cover a large area, so don't worry if you're in the valley or OC- you've still got a chance to try out this yummy truck.

Anyone out there want to see a particular truck reviewed?  I'll head on out and give it a try!

Empty promises and a full sink

Forgive me, Father.  It's been one year since my last confess...er, blog post.

Yes, it's been a while.  I hope we can still be friends.

Recently (as in, yesterday), I started contributing to an online magazine for the city of Pasadena.  Technically, I am the lifestyles editor.  In addition to photography and "reporting," I have to attend various events in Pasadena and the surrounding areas that include modern art auctions, restaurant openings, and beer tastings.  It's a really tough job.

Yesterday I attended the official grand opening for a grilled cheese sandwich restaurant called Melt It! Grilled Cheese Co.  You can check out my article here.  It was actually perfect timing since I managed to track down the Grilled Cheese Truck a few weeks ago.  

The Brie: brie, fig compote on a French roll from Melt It!

The Mac 'n' Cheese grilled cheese from The Grilled Cheese Truck

My opinion?  Well, while I wanted to give a real side-by-side comparison, I caved and ordered the Brie instead of Melt It's Mac'n'Cheese.  I wished for more cheese, but realized the molten perils that come along with over stuffing a grilled sammy with brie.  The addition of the fig compote really made the sandwich and I appreciated the quality and amount of the bread- crusty, flavorful, and not too thick.  As for the famed Grilled Cheese Truck?  It was about what I was expecting.  A decent amount of cheese with some pretty good macaroni nestled between some disappointing bread.  The side of chipotle mayo was a great addition.

Did I mention that Melt It! makes deep fried Oreos, too?  If you haven't been able to figure it out from my previous cupcake post, I LOVE Oreos.  That may have put Melt It! over the edge.  That and I don't have to stand in line behind a food truck's exhaust pipe while my stomach eats itself.  I highly suggest you check them out.

Deep fried Oreos

What's going on in MY kitchen?  Next post I'll show you what's lurking in my cupboards.