Road to Seoul

I was determined to get Korean BBQ this time around. How many times have I been in Los Angeles and yet it always escapes my mind! 

My friend, Dora, took us to Road to Seoul in Ktown. Rumor had it that it's one of the best places around.

The kalbi marinade was a bit sweet for my taste but still pretty good.

Kimchi and seaweed salad. 

Overall, got my KBBQ fix for the next month or two! 

FOOD-LA.

Planned on FOOD for breakfast today, but it somehow came to be lunch (as usual). 

Chai Latte. See what I mean here? Food's officially serves the best chai in my book! The spices are so flavorful and there's just the right amount of sweetness. 

Of course, brie! Smoked ham and brie panini. It was an overload on the ham, but the pears were godly! It's not even pear season until June! 

Smoked Ham and Brie Panini - with asian pear, wild arugula and whole grain mustard.

Morning FOOD Sandwich - with organic eggs, Vermont cheddar, applewood smoked bacon, English muffin, food's potatoes with marinara and aioli. 

Such tasty sausage and turkey maple to boot! Who would've thought the day would come...

FOOD is part cafe, part neighborhood market. They carry all the essentials of a truly great homemade meal. I noticed an awesome selection of honey and jams on the wall, as well as Dr. Bob's homemade ice cream in the fridge. It's too bad I can't buy any for home. Oh firstworldproblems...

Mashti Malone

In a strip mall down La Brea Avenue is the famous yet unassuming ice cream parlor that is Mashti Malone. I've never been to Iran, but I've had a little taste thanks to the medley of Middle East flavors.

Rosewater is an essential ingredient in Iranian desserts, which is evident by how many different kinds of rosewater ice cream Mashti has created. Among the selection is a couple that you don't see in a typical ice cream shop: Rosewater Saffron with Pistachios, Ginger Rosewater, Rose Sorbet with Sour Cherry, etc. Heavennn!

The Orange Blossom with Pistachios lived up to its name quite well. It reminded me of Jo Malone's Orange Blossom Cologne. What a coincidence that I love both! 

As for the Peanut Butter Cup - I wanted to inhale it! Creamy with swirls of fresh peanut butter and huge chunks of peanut butter cups throughout. Gyahhh! 

History

Mashti (Shirvani) and his brother Medhi bought the ice cream establishment, then known as Mugsy Malone, in 1980. At the time, Mashti could only afford to replace half of the old sign, which is how the name Mashti Malone came to be. 

Mashti, the mastermind behind all of Mashti Malone's spectacular flavors, found inspiration in his longing for authentic Iranian desserts, thus explaining the use of distinctive Middle Eastern ingredients such as rosewater, saffron, cardamom,  orange blossom, mango, pistachio nut, pomegranate, Arabian gum, rice starch, and sahlab.