Cha Cha Cha

Cha Cha Cha
7953 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90048

Jessica was a bit under the weather, so my intent was to find her a place with some hearty chicken soup. My first idea (name withheld as it may be a future SFR) I decided was too far away, but couldn't think of or find anywhere comparible nearby. I was about to throw in the towel and go to a place around the corner we could walk to (name also withheld; see above), but she guessed it right away, taking the secret out of the Secret Friday Restaurant. So I went back to plan A, but spaced out en route and went the wrong way. Which turned out to be a good thing, as I remembered we've been meaning to go to Cha Cha Cha forever but have always had bad timing.

At long last, perfect tapas were ours for the taking. Tapas are great for a date, as you can essentially turn it into a buffet for two delivered to your table. The waitstaff tried to hussle us out of there, but otherwise this was another big winner. We went mostly meat free, aside from the "Banana Boat" plantains infused w/ ground beef to satisfy the carnivore in me. I also inadvertantly accomplished my chicken soup mission with some great chicken gumbo we made short work of.

Tapas:
-Mambo Gumbo (Chicken, Rice, and Vegetable Soup)
-Guava and Goat Cheese Quesadillas
-Banana Boats (Plantains w/ beef and vegetables)
-Black Bean Tamales
-Empanaditas (w/ vegetables, mozarrella, and goat cheese)
-Sopes de Pollo (my fave of the night)

Wine:
Sangria!!!!!

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Axe

Axe
1009 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291

Our secret friday restaurant thing has been going on for a bit over a month now, but tonight at Axe (pronounced Ah-Shay) the idea for a review blog to chronicle these visits was born.

We originally tried to go here a few weeks ago, but were negged at the door for not having a reservation. The same mistake was not made this time. From the reviews it sounded like the type of thing Jessica would love, and it turned out to be our favorite since the inception of the SFR. This place was a winner from Appetizer to DeZert. The decor is sparse at first glance, but at the same time inviting. By the time you settle in it really grows on you. Great service (though a bit strange early on when we couldn't quite pinpoint who our actual waitperson was, and 3 different people came to tell us about the same specials), yummy food from locally grown organic sources, concise but classy wine & beer list, and a rare dessert treat to cap things off.

Appetizers:
Vegetable heavy antipasti with prosciutto (AMAZING)

Main Courses:
Curry Lamb Stew, Pork Chops with Swiss Chard & Farmhouse Cheddar Mac & Che

Desserts:
Homemade ice cream (1 coffee & 1 cardamom)

Wine:
Topanga Vineyards Black and White Cabernet 2001

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