Every week involves a steady stream of food, drinks and people. Of course not every taste or conversation is post-able, but the range of experiences is usually pretty amazing. Lucky me. Discover highlights from March 5 – 11, 2012, some of which will help to fuel full posts.

March 6, 2012 – Christopher “nicely” Abel Alameda is all about the customers at his new home, Handsome Coffee Roasters.

March 7, 2012 – Fidencio Mezcal co-founder Arik Torren presented his lined of Oaxaca-born mezcal at Las Perlas, including a double distilled mezcal made with un-roasted piña called Sin Humo, and Pechuga, produced by hanging a raw chicken breast in the chamber of the still.

March 8, 2012 – Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night until at least May, Gary Menes transforms the Tiara Cafe counter into Le Comptoir LA, presenting a five-course, seasonal menu. The base menu is strictly vegetarian, though he provides supplements at almost every turn, including Oregon black truffles.

March 10, 2012 – Afghan Express, a family-run restaurant in Gardena, features classic Afghan dishes like Mantu, thin-skinned beef dumplings dressed with dried mint, yogurt, leeks, and lentil- and beef-studded tomato sauce.

March 11, 2012 – The definition of “croissant” is clearly loose at Ikram Bakery in Fountain Valley. Their Tahini Cevizli Acma was more similar to challah, streaked with sesame walnut paste.

March 11, 2012 – One of my favorite dishes at Huong Vy in Little Saigon was Banh Khoai Dac Biet Huong Vy, a crisp cross between a crepe and taco filled with pork, shrimp, bean sprouts and enoki mushrooms, spoonable with sweet brown sauce.
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