Friday, November 27, 2009

Kuru Kuru Sushi

This is awhile ago, when I had a different schedule at work (nights). Louisa and I met up with Bryan at Kuru Kuru sushi, as Bryan had a craving, and we were up for anything. I had gotten some takeout here before (decent) and was willing to give them a shot. The place was pretty full with people from the studios having their dinner, so space was limited. We initially sat at the sushi bar, but moved to a table once one cleared up.

Bryan and I were intrigued by a particular item on the menu - called "Monkey brains". Whaa? So, I HAD to order this - after all, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is one of my favorite movies of all time. This is what arrived at the table...
Kuru Kuru Sushi
...hrmm. I guess...monkey brain-ish. Kinda. Far as I can decipher (the waitress wasn't very descriptive, and the menu literally only said "Monkey brains") it was a mushroom, stuffed with tuna or other fish meats, tempura fried and covered in a siracha and teriyaki sauce. The novelty of the name was pretty much the best thing about it, I mean, it was edible but I don't think I'll order it again. The mix of fish meat became quite overcooked in the frying process, the mushroom itself was fine. I guess they did the best they could with presentation.
Kuru Kuru Sushi
This was Louisa's salad that came along with her dish. Sad iceberg lettuce leaves covered in ginger-y dressing. Serviceable, but very much a great example of "camp salad" (Owen's reference to how it's cheap lettuce in a bag, that came with purple lettuce and carrot shreds, that he was forced to eat during YMCA summer camp. Oh, the stuff that we endure as kids.)
Kuru Kuru Sushi
This was the rest of Louisa's dish, the Chicken Teriyaki dinner. The char-grilled chicken is over a bed of noodles, and white rice on the side. Louisa liked this, I've had it for that one time I had takeout and it's pretty decent. Good grilling on the chicken.
Kuru Kuru Sushi
Bryan's sushi cravings were satiated by this roll, I'm not sure what they called it, but considering they named the last dish Monkey Brains, I'm going to call it "Snake Surprise". I think it's a California roll topped with pieces of salmon sashimi. He was fairly happy with this roll, although Bryan is pretty much happy with most things he orders.
Kuru Kuru Sushi
I got a chirashi sushi box, scattered pieces of sashimi fish over a bed of sushi rice. From what I remember, it had tuna, salmon, whitefish, shrimp, and flying fish roe. The quality of the fish was not extremely great but it was ok. The salmon was a bit stringy. They were fairly generous with portions though, so I guess I can't complain too much.

I definitely have to try some more sushi places in Burbank to compare but this place falls neatly in the mid-low range of sushi places, but service was friendly and the turnover seemed pretty frequent so I would be willing to come here again.

Kuru Kuru Sushi
521 N Hollywood Way
Burbank, CA 91505-4983
(818) 846-6552

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Mozza to go

Whew, finally a moment to catch up on posts! Thanksgiving vacation is such a blessing.

I was eagerly awaiting the opening of Mozza to go - so exciting to be able to get the amazing pizza at Pizzeria Mozza in a take out window instead of at the restaurant, which is usually very crowded and busy. It's also nice to be able to call them beforehand and have the pizza ready right when I walk up...it's great! The nice part of this very small space is the products you can get, here's a wall of stuff you can buy from Mozza to go...
Mozza To-Go
Dry pastas, canned tomatoes, really high quality products available for purchase. I even hear you can buy soap that they make from their used cooking oil. Sweet!
Mozza To-Go
Bryan tried the Pizza alla Benno: Speck, pineapple, jalapenos, mozzarella & tomato. Bryan's not a picky eater but he loved this enough to want to go back a few days later, and get the same pizza. Once he likes something, he usually sticks with it always. Note the delicious bubbly edges on the crust - one of the best things about Mozza pizza!
Mozza To-Go
I got a Coach Farm goat cheese, leeks, scallions, garlic & bacon pizza. The leeks and scallions added a nice fresh contrast to the creamy goat cheese, and the saltiness of the bacon and mellowness of the roasted garlic. A perfect pizza? I might have to submit this one up for a nomination, for sure.
Mozza To-Go
I got this pizza to go for Owen, his favorite Fennel sausage, panna & red onion pizza. The house made sausage, laced with fennel, with delicate red onion strands, it really stands out as a classic favorite with high end ingredients.

I wish I lived closer to this place so I could actually order delivery from here. Mozza to go is a welcome addition to my "special treat" take out rotation. Oh, I also got a butterscotch budino to go as well, I forgot to take a picture of it cuz I scarfed it down too quick...I think it tasted even better because I was in my PJ's instead of in the crowded restaurant. Do yourself a favor and try some takeout from this place!

Mozza to Go
6610 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038
323-297-1130
http://www.mozza2go.com/