Umami Burger

Our last meal of the trip!  We orginally planned to have coffee and then power home, but an unexpected need to drive through Hollywood inspired us to visit one last place.  And we were sure glad we did!  Umami burgers is often considered the fifth taste (sweet, bitter, sour, salty, umami).  While they served several kinds of burgers, it was the Umami burger that drove us here. 

Manly Burger

Let's start with the manly burger.  This was a burger, with bacon, smoke-salt onion crisps, and cheddar cheese.  Yes, you have probably had a burger similar to this at your local burger joint, but I must say, it was the "special" touches like smoke-salt that heightened the flavor complexity of this yummy, manly burger. 

Our next yummy treat were the sweet potato fries.  It took a while before we could figure out what was going on with these fries, but we finally figured it out.  They were seasoned with salt, a smoky chili (maybe smoked paprika?), and brown sugar.  The combo was sweet and spicy with a back hint of smoke.  They served the fries with three dipping sauces, homemade thousand island, garlic aioli, and jalepeno ranch.  I wasn't sure which of these sauces I enjoyed the most, but I can say, they were defintely not your usual bbq, and ranch.

Finally, the star of the show.  The Umami burger.  This was a patty, with roasted tomatoes, shitake mushrooms, carmelized onions, and a parmeasn cheese disk, garnished with thei homemade ketchup.  THIS SOUNDS LIKE A WEIRD BURGER!  But I kid you not, I was AMAZED at how smooth this burger was to the palate!  It is a hard thing to explain, but all the flavors melded so wonderfully together that the effect was a complete, fully rounded, coating on all your taste buds.  If this doesn't exemplify the concept of umami, I don't know what does.

 If I am ever craving a dosh garn good burger, I know that Hodad's will be top of mind.  However, if i am craving a burger that awakens the senses and makes me feel like a grown up, this is the burger to have!



Cafe Intelligensia

Our last day of the trip, our last independent coffee house.  A short five minute walk from the Marriot, we discovered Cafe Intelligensia.  This is one of those places that individually drips the coffee, made to order.  Full on organic, free trade beans!  This is where baristas go that understand the respect the art of  crafting a true latte.  If you don't believe me, check out the pics of the drinks.