Food & Lib: The Fat Dog, NoHo

I'm always looking out for new and exciting places to open up near our apartment, and in the NoHo Arts District, that's becoming an ever-common occurrence! Most recently, a second location for The Fat Dog, which first popped up 4 years ago in Hollywood, has launched with a soft opening last week in North Hollywood - an opening 2 years in the making.

Located on Magnolia Blvd, wedged between other new eateries of varying faire (a few doors west is the delicious Bow & Truss, which I reviewed last year), this gastropub offers an expansive bar, refreshing summer cocktails, and of course, a coveted and shady outdoor space perfect for a large group or pup-friendly brunches. It is reminiscent of some of my favorite restaurants on the West Side (think Father's Office in Culver City or Plan Check on Sawtelle), but even better, because it's but a short walk from my apartment.









I got a group of friends together to scope it out, and naturally, we all ordered different things to test out their [for a short time] limited, soft opening menu. But don't let that fool you! There is something, many things, for everyone to enjoy! Eater LA may have posted gorgeous pictures of the new location (worth checking out), but for me? It was all about the food & libations!

First up? Specialty cocktails!





All of the cocktails of, you guessed it!, doggy-themed names. I went immediately for the Off the Leash (the lovely pink one): the Fat Dog's take on a Whiskey Sour, with agave and aperol thrown in for good measure. Another popular choice for the table was the Well Groomed (the gilded up one above), with bubbly ginger beer mixed with Pimm's, lemonade and cucumber. Not pictured? The Tootsie Roll Over with a cacao rum - delicious, and an easy replacement for dessert - as well as one of my favorites, a gin concoction muddled with arugula! Sounds strange, but it's such a fragrant, refreshing "green juice"-like cocktail, perfect for summer afternoons.

Of course, some of us went the hoppy route and paired beer with their pub food.

I couldn't wait any longer, I had to order from the appetizer / small bites menu! Jalapeno Mac & Cheese was a no-brainer! Within seconds, the cast-iron skillet had been cleared as we all scrambled to claim a spoonful.




A beautiful Kale Caesar Salad made an appearance too, complete with a fried egg!




For me, though, it was the Fried Pickles with Ranch yogurt dip that stood out on the menu!





I love everything about this presentation. And the pickles? The best I've ever had! These weren't your standard pickle chips - we're talking crunchy, dill spears fried to perfection! I dream about these... I'm even salivating right now thinking about them. Not surprisingly, I had a hard time sharing!

Next up came the entrees. The menu is more limited now than it will be in the coming weeks, but we certainly didn't have a problem finding something that sounded incredible. In fact, we got five different things! The star, of course, is the signature Fat Dog - a massive grilled hot dog on a poppy seed bun, with sport peppers, tomatoes, onions, and potato chips. Think of it like a Chicago Dog on steroids!






Whenever I go to a new place, my instinct is to go for their signature hamburger first. If they can't do that right, why even bother, amiright?!

And you guys? It was spectacular! The least fussy, but most satisfying Burger I've had in a long time, with a little punch from the shaved Manchego cheese.






Just... just take a second to look at that. You can almost smell it, the perfect medium rare. And the best part? You can get The Flight burger sliders as an alternative, or to share with the table!




And there's something about fries right out of a paper bag that makes them taste 100 times better, huh?

Finally, the crispiest Fish & Chips, with wedge cut fries.




This is easily my new favorite place to spend an afternoon in the Valley. The outdoor space, with long picnic tables, is a lovely place to bring your puppy, order a drink and some appetizers, and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood. I mean, how relaxing does that look?



Definitely don't wait, it's worth hurrying to try this place out before it gets too crowded! Considering they've been open for less than a week (at the time of this posting), their service was wonderful, their atmosphere calm and quiet, and the menu expansive. They even have an Alternative Burger for their Vegetarian or Vegan customers! I have a feeling they're going to do incredibly well in this location. Every Saturday & Sunday, they serve brunch until 3 PM, featuring a half-dozen $5 cocktails to choose from. That is going to be our next mission at The Fat Dog: Weekend Brunch.

Go check it out! You won't regret it!

Place:  The Fat Dog
Neighborhood:  NoHo Arts District (North Hollywood)
Food:  Yes
Full Bar:  Yes

Joe Coffee, North Hollywood

I feel so lucky to—for the first time in my life—live in a walkable neighborhood. This means waking up, popping downstairs, and going across the street for your morning coffee, or danish, or mimosa. It means not having to deal with parking; and in Los Angeles, that is the truest blessing.

John and I had a lazy morning yesterday, the first in quite awhile. The few days of LA rain had ceased, and we were once again looking at clear December skies with 70°+ weather. Any wonder why I love it here? There are several breakfast places in our North Hollywood neighborhood we still need to try, but top of my list was a new little coffee shop nestled into a tiny space on Lankershim Blvd. The Magnolia-Lankershim corner Starbucks is always jam-packed, and considering the artsy area, I knew there had to be a better option for finding a good latte.

So we walked on over to Joe Coffee, which is a recent addition to the block, taking over the space previously housing Bob's Espresso Bar. The previous staple, from what I hear, has pretty big shoes to fill, so we entered Joe Coffee with plenty of curiosity.




The place wasn't too crowded for 10:30 in the morning, which for me meant there were still plenty of goodies left to choose from in the baked goods display! Joe Coffee officially opened this past November, so word likely still needs to get out that there's a new coffee joint in town.

The baristas were so friendly, and the place gets bonus points for being doggie-friendly! There was a man ordering his drink with his beautiful Boxer in tow when we arrived—the pup was flirting with everybody, being the best customer ever.

The pricing of the drinks is to be expected of a smaller espresso bar, with lattes upwards of $4 and drip coffee in the range of $2-3. But their loose leaf tea selection was great, and they even offer a variety of pressed juices, which is a huge plus.

And that's when I saw them...



Home-made POP TARTS. You guys, I could have died and gone to heaven. Immediately, John asked the barista if the Pop Tarts were any good—her face told us everything: snag one now, because they are worth every bite. They are made fresh daily at Susina Bakery & Cafe in Hollywood and come in a variety of flavors. Yesterday, they were offering blueberry, raspberry, and pumpkin. We opted for raspberry, even though pumpkin would have been more festive. ;)

With the order placed and the pastries popped into the warmer (we also got a chocolate croissant, also from Susina), I took a minute to look around the place. The first thing I noticed was the massive chalkboard wall sporting an impressive "Mad Hatter" themed mural.





I couldn't stop staring at it! It took me a few minutes to even realize it was chalk! After a little bit of digging online, I found that this piece was done by local artist Phill Bourque. Very impressive, and I wonder if this is here to stay, or if it will eventually change? No idea, but I certainly will be checking in to see what other artists they'll bring in to compliment the shop.

Our coffees and pastries didn't arrive quickly, which some people might find annoying. We weren't in a hurry though, and planned on eating in anyways. They weren't slow, by any means; the whole place just felt leisurely and relaxed, including the service. Personally, on a Saturday morning, I prefer that. If you want regimented and speedy service, there's that jam-packed place I mentioned before just down the street. I'd rather the patrons and the servers enjoy banter and chatting without feeling pressure to rush.

Our lovely barista brought our lattes and snacks right to us rather than calling our names or number. Love it. Now, it was time to go to dive in.




The latte was delicious, and it's just so refreshing to have an espresso drink where the barista knows how not to burn it. And the Pop Tart? OMGEE. It was like a cookie and a hand pie had a sweet, decadent baby. The frosting on top wasn't too sweet, but the combination of filling and frosting is perfectly rich. John and I split it, which was the absolute right decision (considering neither of us normally have sweet tooths.) But I might have fallen into a food coma had I eaten the whole thing!

I mean, how could anyone resist this?



The outside tart is thick, crispier on the edges and softer around the filling. Trust me, this is what I call a grown-up pop tart! (though who am I kidding? Pop tarts are clearly for everyone.) ;)

They also offer a larger menu of salads and paninis for the lunch crowd, so that's certainly on my list of things to try. From what I can tell, they have an offering that's sure to appeal to anyone (they even have a selection of vegan baked goods)!

Considering this new shop is so close to our apartment, John and I have already agreed it may need to become a weekly stop. The atmosphere is laid back and comfortable, and I can only hope that it becomes the go-to spot for locals. If you're in the area, consider stopping by and grabbing yourself a cup of Joe and a pop tart—so long as you get there before I do. Oh! And they are offering a scrumptious-sounding seasonal drink menu, so hop in before the holidays are over!

Location: NoHo Arts District, 5251 Lankershim Blvd.

Food & Lib: Bow & Truss

Bow & Truss on Magnolia Blvd, NoHo Arts District

Just around the corner from our new apartment in the NoHo Arts District, there is a long string of old and new restaurants and bars -- with more opening every week, it seems. After several months of passing what looked like an idyllic courtyard and patio bar, I finally decided it was time to check out Bow & Truss when my sister was in town last weekend.

The patio I speak of sits just inside a large iron gate. A sand pit and granite table surrounded by outdoor loungers, tall bar tables with generous space, and even a fully stocked bar. Market lights glitter at night, and more than once, we've seen film crews parked in front, taking advantage of the unique looking space.

And that's before even going inside. Frankly, it didn't even occur to me that there was an indoor restaurant, since the patio was where most people gathered. But just inside the ornate doors, another massive rectangular bar greets you. Inside is just as spacious as out, and given how hot its been, we opted for cooler, less scorching booth seats.

Our late Saturday lunch may be the very best time to come to Bow & Truss. It is a popular brunch location -- with a full selection of mimosa, sangria, and Bloody Mary day-drinking options, it's not hard to see why. In passing, I usually see the largest crowds congregating in the courtyard well after dinner, so I fully plan on visiting during those times.

But for lunch (around 2 PM), the restaurant was calm and quiet. Just how I like it at that time of day.  The servers were attentive and our waitress could not have been sweeter. Described as "a Spanish Taverna," Bow & Truss has a small but tasty Signature Cocktail menu, that features a slew of spicy and sweet libations.

I opted for the Burnt Pepino (pictured below-left; $12), because, well... jalapeños. I'm kind of obsessed. And it was spicy. Just the right amount (and I appreciated the warning from the waitress, which indicates that some people may have been surprised, and therefore upset, by the heat.) Though I don't pity those people much. Since, you know... it says it's hot on the menu. Base liquor was vodka, my preference, and with the added hint of cucumber, it was perfect for a summer afternoon.

John ordered another spice-fueled drink, named Signal Fire (pictured below-right; $12). This one was gin-based, and the gin was infused with jalapeño rather than muddled (like mine). As a result, it didn't have the same fire, which John preferred. Some sweetness accompanied the peach/cilantro syrup, and it made for quite the satisfying drink. John was happy, so as I result, so was I.

I would recommend either highly for anyone who likes a spicy kick in their cocktails. And those who don't? I dare you to give them a try!

We opted for a lighter lunch, but their lunch/brunch menu wasn't short on options. Everything had the perfect amount of Spanish flare, and I look forward to trying their actual breakfast items. But since I'm a lunch-over-breakfast kind of girl, I opted for their [gluten-free] Chipotle Chicken Salad (not pictured, $12).

I think there was some lettuce in there with my chicken! I can hardly complain though, because the chicken was BBQ-charred perfectly, and the dressing was full of flavor. I mean, it was huge. I was sure I wouldn't be able to finish it, but as I scooped the last bite from my bowl, I realized that it was just too good to save for later. Wow, I'm hungry again just thinking about it.

This may be one of the trendiest new spots in North Hollywood, adding a bit of variety to current dining options in the area. And with a more relaxed and California-weather appropriate atmosphere, Bow & Truss might be the go-to place for these warm summer days - and nights. 

Place:  Bow & Truss

Neighborhood:  NoHo Arts District (North Hollywood)
Food:  Yes
Full Bar:  Yes