So what's the deal with this Guu business? Hustled into a nondescript restaurant front, there are no windows to peer into what goes on behind the wall. A gastro hideout of sorts where only those "in the know" venture in to experience the Japanese tapas craze hitting the city. Chic, modern and surprisingly simple the restaurant is divided into two parts: a traditional Japanese sitting arrangement in your socks on gleaming light wood or sitting cafeteria-style a la Salad King on various wooden block benches lit by dangling industrial lightbulbs. The kitchen is open and the servers greet you as you come in, ALL the servers with a hardy welcome. We downed pints of Sapporo as we tried various and adventurous dishes from wasabi octopus grains spooned on nori, carbonara and kimchi udon, salmon zushi (cream cheese and chive dolopped salmon sushi) and its cousin: ceviched mackerel on the same bed of rice. Ebi mayo; deep-fried shrimps can be savoured or why not try the tuna tatake, available only on the separate daily specials hand-calligraphied. To try:: deep-fried brie cheese on a mango reduction... yes, deep-fried BRIE. (Insert sigh here). Tapas plates are all under $10. Peppered with rousing birthdays and equally loud cackles amongst new friends.. this is not a place for a calm and quiet dinner. Adventure foodies welcome to a neat haunt, new drinks to be had: Ramune anyone? As you leave a raucous good-bye sends you through the door.... Check them out here:
http://guu-izakaya.com/
Only to be found at Menchie's a couple doors down! Weighed yogurt... and all its fixings. An L.A. based frozen yogurt establishment where you can be part of elite company from Taylor Swift and Lautner to Justin Timberlake. Feeling like the store has channeled Hello Kitty like colours and vibe... there are many flavours to choose from, some even twirled together ranging from Red Velvet Cupcake, to various fruit sorbets to Cake Batter, Cookie Dough and the traditional Chocolate and Vanilla. Now here's where the fun begins, add your toppings: a complete fruit bar with tapioca bursting balls of flavour to maple granola, sour keys, dark chocolate chips, coconut (sweetened and toasted) and so much more. Entranced, I opted to become a card-carrying member to earn smiles for discounts on future yogurt. Prices range depending on weight, mine was $4.91 of pure frozen goodness. Check out Menchies here:
http://www.menchies.com/about.php
