549107 Fri Aug 15 16:57:27 -0700 2008 0 2 Los Angeles Area 0 3961081 so i had to take the gf to lax on tuesday ( drove from vegas ) and i had some biz on thursday, so i decided to stay on the westside for a few days to relax and partake in some good eats. i probably spent 2-3 hours on chowhound and yelp mapping out various food options for my 2 day stay. decided not to have concrete plans/reservations since i was unsure who might join me in my food tour. after dropping the gf off at the airport at 12 pm, decided to re-visit Porky's bbq on manchester. ordered the pulled pork sammie, mac n cheese for a side and a diet coke.( $9.80 ) only a few customers ( while driving by the forum i noticed a biz called gumbo something or another - maybe gumbo stand - has anyone been there ? i was gonna go by after porky's but after my sammie - i was full ! ) the sammie is huge - the menu says it's 12 ounces of meat - i believe them ! asked for sauce on the side - they did tell me they put a memphis vinegar-y sauce on the sammie besides the bbq sauce - i was fine with that . the meat was very tender. for hickory smoking i was expecting a smokier taste then it had, but it still tasted great especially with the slaw on top. the mac n cheese - GREAT !! I was very surprised by the taste of the m&c - it had a certain tang to it - i was thinking either sour cream or possibly cream cheese was added to it. it was very creamy . so i now make the trip to Vence to check in - wanted a low cost yet close to the beach option - venice on the beach hotel - it's on ocean front walk - between washington and venice $114 / night !!! what an awesome deal !!! the patio was a perfect spot to enjoy a beer, watch people walking/riding/running by and the beautiful sunset and you are close to the freak show, but not in the freakshow !! decide to go for a power walk down the "boardwalk" - was thinking about lifting weights with the muscle beach folk - but the area was closed off due to a police arrest of one of the muscle heads ( selling 'roids ?!?! ) so i kept walking - listening to the various musicians looking for hand-outs, the numerous henna tatoo places, etc but no knife/fire jugglers - is that done anymore ? maybe it's just on the weekends. the walk was hopping ! the only downer to the hotel is limited parking - i decided i would walk to my dinner spots. the first night - a mile stroll to abbott pizza. it was a great night for a stroll, walked by the vence waterway, enjoyed the zero-lot custom homes. i come to the pizza place - about 10 different pizzas to choose from - i opt for a slice of meatlovers and a slice of wild mushroom. i take it back to the hotel , stop at a liquor store and get a mini-keg heineken can and sit on the patio and enjoy dinner - people, it was a beautiful thing ! the pizza ok to above average, the beer, ice cold, the view and the waves crashing, priceless !! before hitting the sheets, asked the manager how long of a walk to the santa monca farmers market - about 2 miles. decide to go on a major power walk in the morning. so i decide to make the walk to the farmers mkt and either eat breakfast there or at the nearby anisette. well - 2 miles ?!?! i don' think so ! minimum 3 miles, my guess - i'm going to say 4 miles just for the sake of exercise . walk the market - the fruits looked great ! i tried a natural juice of peach - apple. very refreshing ! i did buy a berry filled roll from the rockenwagner stand - not bad. but let's see, i've got $30 in my pocket , either i go low budget and catch a cab back or go large and walk back - i opt for large - anisette here i come. Anisette is on Broadway near 2nd, very close to the market. just a few customers. i sit in the bar area. what a beautiful restaurant. the bar reminded me a little of Bouchon in vegas. i even went upstairs to snoop around - cool. they even had a bathroom attendant ! i order the eggs benedict and coffee ( $17 ) the coffee - very strong ! i'm pleased that they leave a wine bottle sized water for me ( a little hot from my walk ) the benedict - layers starting with a potato base ( shredded ) then small muffins, ham , eggs , hollandaise sauce. it was difficult to cut thru the bread. i decide to eat each layer separately then try together. the potato - very rich, seasoned perfectly, but luke warm. the bread, dense, too dense. i decide to cast that aside. the ham - perfect !! the eggs and sauce - delish ! nice tang to the sauce. so the long walk back. shower and then , gee, it's time for lunch ! called a buddy that works in century city - let's hit apple pan, I'VE NEVER BEEN THERE ! make the drive to apple pan. order the hickory burger, fries and a diet coke ( $11.50 ) - my buddy orders the steak burger. in general, i don't get it ! the fries - boring. we almost finish the fries before the burgers arrive - i can tell i won't like it in its prepared state - too much vegetation ! but i take a few bites before i deconstruct down to the meat and cheese only. even in that state i found the burger to be very average. for the price both of us could've eaten at in-n-out ( well close ) i guess i had high expectations !! my friend asked if i would look at a biz venture he just bought - back in the santa monca/ venice area. spent a few hours there. decided that my buddy owed me an afternoon snack for my "free" advice ! let's see, how about vanilla bake shop ?!?! vanilla bake shop - 512 wishire blvd. cute shop. i like the option of regular size and mini-cupcakes. i opted for the mini's. i was disappointed to hear you had to buy in 3's , okay, i guess i gotta buy 6 ( $10 ) with a pelligrino ( $2) picked up the old fashioned, the brownie, the red velvet, berry, choc-raspberry, i forget the last one. the red velvet did not impress me, the old fashioned with a dense whip cream filling - IMPRESSIVE ! they had other desserts besides cupcakes. back to the hotel in time for my brown-bag beer on the patio to enjoy the sunset - BEAUTIFUL ! alot of surfers out today so i take a walk on the venice pier to watch for awhile - a few decent waves. i tell ya, all this walking - my legs are killing me ! decide to hit dinner at one of the 6 or 7 restaurants on washington at the entrance to the pier. Decide on C&O Trattoria - order to go ( i wanted to sit at the hotal patio again ) - after placing the order, walked across the street to cabo catina to partake in a margarita. sit at a table in the bar area and wait, and wait, and wait - server walks by, i give a casual nod - she sees me and then i wait, and wait. - F this !! i walk back to my new fav liquor store, pick up a few beers, pick up my food and off to the patio. I went with the "17 hour short ribs " and a small side of pasta and one meatball ( i gotta try the meatball ! ) 17 hours ?!?!? are you sure it wasn't 17 minutes ??? i was not impressed ! but i tell ya , the beer was cold !! the garlic knots were decent too ! next day i had work in glendale. so i decide to treat the office i was going to with some nice primo donuts ! picked up some buttermilk, cinnamon rolls, the maple and choc bars. i munched on a buttermilk and a cinnamon roll on the drive to glendale - a perfect end to my two day getaway !!! i found out i have to be back in so cal next week for at least 2 days on biz - i'm seriously thinking about extending the stay 2 days and do it again - i've got so many places to eat at on the westside !! Fri Aug 15 16:57:30 -0700 2008 11751 kjs