Joan’s on Third: Love At First Bite

Do you believe in “love at first sight”? I personally don’t, and I can’t think of anybody I know who does. But I’m sure there are people (maybe you) that do believe in it, maybe not for themselves, but of its existence. As a God-fearing human being, I just simply don’t believe it for anybody. But I digress.

I am, however, the type of person, that when it comes to lots of foods, just the mere mention or sight (i.e. a photograph), I get an instant craving. Well, mainly at the mention of a food. At the sight of a photograph, especially if I read up on it and find out that the restaurant that produces such dish is local, I begin to covet. Yes, my religion forbids me to covet, but what’s the harm in coveting food? And I’m not talking about gluttony. There’s a fine line between loving to eat and gluttony. I fortunately fall into the former category.

Such is the above case with this bad boy:

Courtesy of http://www.bonappetit.com

That, my friends, is the grilled cheese and short rib sandwich from Joan’s on Third in Los Angeles. I subscribe to Bon Appetit and once I saw this cover and what page it was on, I immediately flipped to said page (as well as almost drool on my fresh magazine). Bon Appetit had this section which is basically a reader recipe request, in which they send in a request for the recipe of something they had and loved at a restaurant they went to and BA will respond by posting it in the magazine. So yes, this means I do have the recipe of this sandwich and technically can make it at home.

Once I realized this was from Joan’s on Third, I immediately made note of it to come in one day and have this sandwich.

Just the other day I had decided I was going to go in this week for lunch for the sandwich as well as go down the street to Kiss My Bundt for dessert. Long story short, I was able to get Andrea from LA Easy Meals to join me and decided to meet her for lunch today, of all days, St. Patrick’s Day.

After parking in the surrounding residential neighborhood *cough* 2 hours 8AM-6PM *cough*, and walking up, there was quite a bit of outdoor seating. Walking in, to my pleasant surprise, this place is more than just a restaurant. It’s also a food boutique with a bakery counter, small gourmet foods market, as well as a charcuterie and cheese counter. They also had an assortment of confections, chocolates, and candy for the Easter season. I arrived before Andrea did and walked around the for sale items while I waited. This area reminds me of Nicole Gourmet Foods in South Pasadena.

I really liked the minimalist decor this place had. The tables on the inside were marble top, the floor was bathroom-esque tile, but beyond that, pretty simple. The place, while not insanely crowded, was still hustling and bustling during the mid-week lunch hour. When Andrea arrived, we went up to the sandwich/deli counter. They actually had a moderately sized poster of the Bon Appetit cover hanging from the ceiling. I though that was cool. When I got to the front, the guy asked me what I wanted

“I want that” pointing to the poster. The guy just smiled and put it in. I also ordered a side of the bocconcini(?), which was basically little balls of fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, chiffonade basil tossed in olive oil. I personally love fresh mozzarella so it was a no brainer. Andrea apparently ordered a sampler of salads. Well, not like leafy salads, but I one was like some curried chickpea salad? *shrug*

She also got an order of roasted vegetables.

My bocconcini was simple but good. Same profile as a caprese, but this is just a simple way of doing it.

However, I finally took a bite of my sandwich and immediately was transported to degustational bliss. Yes, I probably just made up that word. Wait no, I’ve used “degustational” before. As Krista, the owner of Kiss My Bundt just down the street told me via twitter, the bread was perfectly crispy and not too greasy, and the entire sandwich just worked so well. The caramelized onions are actually pickled, which simply vinegar and sugar are added to the caramelized onions in the pot until all of the vinegar is absorbed. The short rib was moist and tender and there was just the perfect amount of melty cheese. I will have to say the arugula got lost amongst the other ingredients, but it’s cool that its there.

Within just a couple of bites, I had already determined this was probably one of the top 3 sandwiches I’ve ever had. Actually could arguably be THE best sandwich I’ve ever had. The Godmother from Bay Cities Deli in Santa Monica is definitely up there. And then there’s the bbq pulled pork sandwich from The Oinkster in Eagle Rock. Yes, definitely top 3.

Though unlike other grilled cheese sandwiches, this one was still REALLY REALLY good at room temperature. Natassia of Let Me Eat Cake, who apparently is a manager here at Joan’s on Third, had come by to chat it up and talk. We hadn’t met in person so it was cool to finally meet. But again, allowing my sandwich to get “cold” after our chatting, the sandwich was stilll AMAZING. And also, as Krista and I had agreed when we went in to her shop that the bread was still crispy after sitting for so long and did not get soggy from the short rib or the cheese. THAT, my friends, is a result of good toasting.

Damn, just writing this up makes me want another one of those sandwiches. I seriously was *THIS* close to going back and taking another sandwich to go after our visit to Kiss My Bundt. It is seriously to die for!

I am VERY happy to know that the sandwich was as good as it looked.

Joan’s on Third
8350 W. 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90048

Gary Danko

When I was planning my trip to San Francisco, I had turned to some fellow foodies and bloggers about which fine dining restaurant I should go check out. While Gary Danko was the only one really off the top of my head that I had heard about, I received some very good recommendations that I will definitely check out in future visits up to the bay.

Someone had suggested Fleur de Lys, and while I love Hubert Keller and would jump at the chance to meet him or dine at his restaurant, I have already been to both Fleur de Lys and Burger Bar in Las Vegas (on separate visits), so while a small part of me wanted to go there and compare the 2 locations, I opted to go for something different.

I went ahead and made reservations at Gary Danko about a month in advance, not knowing how much of a demand there were for reservations there. They called a couple days before my reservation to confirm it. I love it when they do that, it gives you a brief sense of importance, that THEY are calling YOU, only to immediately come to the realization that they do that with everybody. Hey, no one says you can’t pretend, even for brief moments.

Located on a non-descript corner of what seems to be the “border” of Fisherman’s Wharf and Russian Hill, you would relatively have no idea it was there if you didn’t know where it was or were looking. I, however, was looking for it and spotted it right away as I was walking up the street. Yes, I walked. Nothing like getting in some exercise before I high end meal. Before stepping in, I shot this video.

Upon walking in, I was greeted by a bright smiling hostess. She informed me I could be sat until my friend had arrived and offered to check my camera bag and to wait at the bar. I did so and ordered water. The bartender and I made small talk while I waited. My friend arrived and we were taken to our table. The other host pulled out the table and my friend were “forced” to sit on the same side. Almost like we were on a date, but it wasn’t. *shrug*

Our server, Darrin, shortly showed up to give us our menus and took a beverage order. He explained the menu, stating a set 5-course menu on the left or the option to customize a 3-, 4-, or 5-course menu on the right. Considering we needed to be elsewhere at 2.5 hours and some recommendation and accommodation from Darrin, we opted to both get 4 courses. My friend ordered the wine pairing but I didn’t.

While all of the dishes sounded exquisite, we both decided to get the lobster risotto with shimeji mushrooms and butternut squash. For a 2nd course, I ordered the pancetta wrapped frogs legs with garlic puree, potato, lentils, and parsley and my friend got the branzini with cauliflower, orzo, butternut squash and pumpkin seeds. For the main course, I ordered the roasted pork belly and tenderloin with brussel sprouts, bacon, parsnip puree, and a maple cider glaze while she got the foie gras stuffed quail with mushrooms and Quinoa, yams, salsify and a pomegranate gastrique. For dessert, I ordered the warm Louisiana butter cake with caramelized apples, huckleberry compote, and vanilla ice cream while she got the orange soufflé with raspberry sorbet and raspberry sauce. I will have to say that first 2 and 4th courses were recommendations from a friend, but I trust her taste and judgment in good food.

Before our first courses came out, one of their sommeliers came by to introduce the first wine that he paired for my friend. He was very nice and very concise in his descriptions. I actually have since forgotten all the wines that he had paired with each of her courses.

Then came out an amuse bouche. I have since forgotten what this was, but it was pretty good.

The lobster risotto came out and it looked and smelled so good. I don’t know anybody who isn’t a fan of risotto but if anybody reading this is not a fan, you are totally missing out. The texture of the rice was perfect as was the lobster with its flavor perfectly permeating throughout the dish. The mushrooms and butternut squash provided a wonderful earthy contrast to the risotto and lobster. I could eat a big huge bowl of this. Because this was the only dish we both ordered, I had a taste of my friend’s wine and it paired quite well.

Again, before our 2nd course came out, the sommelier paid us a visit to introduce the wine he paired with each of my friend’s dishes. He would do the same for each course.

When our 2nd courses arrived, literally the first thing that popped into my head was “Wow, it’s very green”. Once you see my photo, you’ll understand. 4 pancetta wrapped frog legs surrounding a molded cube of potato and lentil salad. This was really good. The frog legs were cooked perfectly and were well seasoned. The potato and lentil salad was a nice way to cut the richness of the legs and pancetta. My only gripe about the dish was that the pancetta seemed to overpower the frog legs. I mean that’s just me.

My friend’s branzini looked really good and was simple in presentation. I did not have a bite, but she said it was very good and everything on the plate worked.

Main courses then came out. Roasted pork belly and pork tenderloin. Pork 2 ways; how can you go wrong? The pork belly was so succulent and the tenderloin was cook to a nice medium (yes, that’s safe) and everything on the plate just absolutely worked so well together. I can’t comment where this ranks on the pork bellies I’ve had, because I’ve loved it all. Pork belly will NEVER go out of style. Or at least I hope so. Needless to say, I loved this dish.

My friend’s quail looked really good. A whole bird with nice browned skin, neatly presented atop the mushrooms and butternut squash. I unfortunately did not have a bite of it, especially being stuffed with foie gras, but she said it was really good. I could only imagine the balance between the richness of the foie and quail with the earthiness of the mushrooms and butternut squash.

Now, for dessert, I do remember the sommelier pairing my friend’s orange soufflé with a Riesling. Our desserts soon followed and they looked so good. As most of you know, I’m a pastry chef, so I have a particular affinity to dessert. Plus, the way I see it, dessert is usually the LAST thing a patron will be eating, so you want it to be good.

If you recall, I ordered the warm Louisiana butter cake. A warm cakey thing topped with caramelized apples and tasted SO good. The huckleberry compote was a nice tart balance and the ice cream added a hot/cold contrast into play. Loved, loved, LOVED this.

My friend’s soufflé was MUCH more airy than the soufflé at Chez Panisse the night before. It was ever so delicate with a touch of orange flavoring. Both being citrus soufflés, it was hard to decide which was better.

We finished the meal with assorted mignardise. I honestly was too full to eat any of these, but I still snapped a shot anyway.

Our server, Darrin, was just phenomenal throughout the evening. He was genuinely courteous, patient, and very attentive. Our waters were filled without request, and even the sommelier who helped us through the evening was really nice. We actually struck some small talk and I told him I was in the industry and he was saying that he’s in process of getting his Master Sommelier’s certification, just essentially is waiting on the invite. Yes, apparently sommelier’s have to be invited to take the certification. I thanked him for the service and wished him luck. They were also kind enough to call a cab for us, knowing that we needed to be somewhere immediately following dinner.

While there are many restaurants in San Francisco that I will be looking to try on future visits, I would welcome the opportunity to come back to Gary Danko.

Gary Danko Restaurant
800 North Point St
San Francisco, California 94109
(415) 749-2060