misc. food blurbs
86 ICE
Published January 27, 2024
all time
“happy anniversary!”
the trip to all time in los feliz was an adventure, start to finish. from the food to the context before, then as we were leaving, it was just sheer comedy that only me and my friend would find hilarious, but of course i have to explain it all.
setting the scene: just me and my friend, two twenty somethings searching for the perfect new years outfit on melrose ave. i hear my friends stomach grumble, and mine grumbles in reply. we nod knowing it was time. but of course... where do we go? we have a rule. no eating at the same place while we have so many places to try. i perused my list on my notes app that is filled with new places, and all time pops up.
i gasp. it’s been on this list since the day it was created. how did i not think of it sooner? i explain to her how it’s farm to table and all natural. she’s sold. i go on the website to get a quick last minute reservation on open table. its 6:45. they have a 7:15. i grab it before someone get their virtual hands on it. then as we confirm, it poses the question if we’re celebrating this evening.
“how funny would it be if i put that it was our anniversary?” i ask.
“oh my god... yes. do it” she replies. the deed is done.
we arrive late. los angeles traffic is a cruel mistress. we called to tell them. we were safe. we arrive at 7:20. i let them know my name and our reservation time. the hostesses demeanor goes from forced cheery to thrilled.
“i see we’re celerating this evening!” the host nearly shouts.
“oh YEAH” i look at my friend and grab her arm tenderly, “it’s our anniversary!”
the host warmly congratulated us and we hear another employee go “awhhhhh”. my friend and i are breaking character by starting to laugh. we somehow keep our composure. then we sit down and experience the beauty of all time dinner.
it’s f**king ironic that of all things we could have put for our open table celebration option that it was our anniversary. this place was full of couples, and you can immediately see why. the lights are dim, the candles are lit, and from our table we had a view of one of the largest wine walls i have ever seen. understandably so, the wine list was superb.
setting the scene: just me and my friend, two twenty somethings searching for the perfect new years outfit on melrose ave. i hear my friends stomach grumble, and mine grumbles in reply. we nod knowing it was time. but of course... where do we go? we have a rule. no eating at the same place while we have so many places to try. i perused my list on my notes app that is filled with new places, and all time pops up.
i gasp. it’s been on this list since the day it was created. how did i not think of it sooner? i explain to her how it’s farm to table and all natural. she’s sold. i go on the website to get a quick last minute reservation on open table. its 6:45. they have a 7:15. i grab it before someone get their virtual hands on it. then as we confirm, it poses the question if we’re celebrating this evening.
“how funny would it be if i put that it was our anniversary?” i ask.
“oh my god... yes. do it” she replies. the deed is done.
we arrive late. los angeles traffic is a cruel mistress. we called to tell them. we were safe. we arrive at 7:20. i let them know my name and our reservation time. the hostesses demeanor goes from forced cheery to thrilled.
“i see we’re celerating this evening!” the host nearly shouts.
“oh YEAH” i look at my friend and grab her arm tenderly, “it’s our anniversary!”
the host warmly congratulated us and we hear another employee go “awhhhhh”. my friend and i are breaking character by starting to laugh. we somehow keep our composure. then we sit down and experience the beauty of all time dinner.
it’s f**king ironic that of all things we could have put for our open table celebration option that it was our anniversary. this place was full of couples, and you can immediately see why. the lights are dim, the candles are lit, and from our table we had a view of one of the largest wine walls i have ever seen. understandably so, the wine list was superb.
the first thing we see that we both agreed we had to have, was our server. we were both a little smitten to say the least, and our diabolical plan of joking and saying it was our anniversary backfired on us. so instead, we settled on the ceviche (i’m a creature of habit of course i had to get ceviche). then because we’re good diners who work in the service industry, we order a side of japanese sweet potatoes and a roasted chicken dish on the spot.
the ceviche hit the table.ceviche to make you dance
at first glance we were thinking “ok, this is cute. three little tostadas, looks yummy”. we take our bites. we look at each other with wide eyes. i started dancing uncontrollably. in my seat. my tastebuds were dancing and my body with them. my friend had tears in her eyes from the flavor. we both sensed it. there was a nostalgia that came from that ceviche that reminded the both of us of childhood. the memories we couldn’t quite pinpoint. there was a lime zest that amplified the fish to an extent i couldn’t comprehend. the shells had the most perfect crunch...
i started to feel envy. my friend doesn’t eat land animals which meant the rest of the ceviche was hers. i had to remember that i still had more coming so i could remain cool. then, the chicken and potatoes arrived.
the ceviche hit the table.
at first glance we were thinking “ok, this is cute. three little tostadas, looks yummy”. we take our bites. we look at each other with wide eyes. i started dancing uncontrollably. in my seat. my tastebuds were dancing and my body with them. my friend had tears in her eyes from the flavor. we both sensed it. there was a nostalgia that came from that ceviche that reminded the both of us of childhood. the memories we couldn’t quite pinpoint. there was a lime zest that amplified the fish to an extent i couldn’t comprehend. the shells had the most perfect crunch...
i started to feel envy. my friend doesn’t eat land animals which meant the rest of the ceviche was hers. i had to remember that i still had more coming so i could remain cool. then, the chicken and potatoes arrived.
i will preface with how picky i am about my roast chicken. i have been spoiled by my own cooking. i have mastered the best way to get it moist and crispy. they did me well. the skin had that crisp that feeds my soul as much as my appetite. the beans had a smokey flavor with them that was a perfect accent to the chicken. then the potatoes... dear lord those potatoes...
my friend tried them first. her eyes went wide again as i hear her say “girl... you need to try this”. i did. again, it was as if i had no control over my body. i was dancing. i looked at her and said “these aren’t potatoes, they’re candy”. she agreed.
the rest of our meal was either in silence or in awe over how good everything was.
in between the chewing when our server would check in, we would both subtly flirt with him.
we were too full for desert.
as we were leaving, the hosts again congratualted us on our anniversary.
in front of our server.
our plan was foiled again.
we shall return...
email @serenaauriel@gmail.com
*if someone from eater or the infatuation sees this, please hire me