spring forward.

As much as I love transitioning into longer, sunnier days, the process of "springing forward" is always a nightmare. Everything feels too bright, too intense...just too, too.

The funny thing is it all hit me on Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. this year. Saturday turned into the crankiest day of 2015 so far, and I decided to treat myself to a ticket to the LA Weekly's "The Essentials" food event. It's hosted in conjunction with their "99 Essential Restaurants" issue and features many of the hotspots on the list. I figured food had to cure a case of the Spring Forwards--just like it cures everything else.

The massive event was held at the California Market Center in downtown L.A., and it was packed. The line to enter snaked endlessly before you finally made it to elevator which took you to the top floor.

Surround by sweeping views of the city, I stood in more lines for the most delicious bites L.A. has to offer.

From A-list trucks (Kogi, Guerilla Tacos, Mariscos Jalisco) to revered institutions (Guelaguetza, Philippe's, Spago, Jitlada) to the new hipster kids on the block (Petit Trois, Pot, Sqirl, Saint Martha), the noshing experience spanned from Santa Monica to Sun Valley to the San Gabriel Valley.

There was plenty of beer, wine, a Keurig coffee stand, but I opted to wash it all down with a Jarritos mocktail.

I think what made the occasion especially lovely was that it represented a side of L.A. few people understand. Paradoxically, the sprawl of the city brings together a thriving, tight-knit community that celebrates something other than entertainment.

Don't get me wrong--it was all entertaining. The food, the chefs, the people watching, the views--it all made for a smashing way to celebrate the shortest day of the year.

love.

10 things I'm loving now. Here they are.

1. The Morning Glory Salad at Jitlada.

All photos by Toy Tanks, unless noted.

Much has been written about Jitlada and its exhaustive typewritten menu of authentic Southern Thai dishes and the walls lined with drawings by Matt Groening (a regular). So I don't need to re-hash it for you. But I will say that if I had to choose my one favorite dish since living in L.A., the Morning Glory Salad would be it.

I suppose I should explain what it is. I'll try: lightly deep-fried morning glory--the vegetable, not the flower--tossed with shrimp, cilantro, onions and tempura bits, all in this amazing lime dressing (they wouldn't tell me what was in it).

I had only had Americanized Thai food before moving to L.A., and I hated it. Sampling ThaiTown's  strip mall holes-in-the-wall--and there are tons of them--has been quite an experience. Actually, my go-to for Thai these days is Ganda. Fish Tom Yum this first thing I ate after recovering from the flu this year. Jitlada is where I go for something special or to take out-of-towners.

One of my favorite food bloggers, Jo Stougaard of My Last Bite, has "trained" her taste buds to handle the unparalleled hotness of Jitlada dishes by first eating a habanero pepper a day, then graduating to a ghost pepper a day. That is dedication to a restaurant. She is determined to eat her way through the menu and you can see her progress on her flickr page.

2. Pho Café is another strip mall gem on the stretch of Sunset between Silverlake and Echo Park. I love it, because there are numerous vegetarian options, and it's super authentic--so I don't have to venture into the wilds of the San Gabriel Valley every time I crave pho.

On the other hand, it's in Silverlake, which...sigh, you know how I feel about this. Yet the food is worth enduring the Silverlake-esque conversations that surround you. On my last visit, I overheard a hip, young fella ask his dining companions whether he should get a tattoo of his face on his face.

I'm thinking of starting a feature on TTandCF called "Places that Make Silverlake Somewhat Bearable." What do you think?

3. Just started this--the audio version--and I'm loving it, a sweeping epic novel, the story of Logan Mountstuart, novelist, spy and art dealer, told the form of journal entries.

"We keep a journal to entrap that collection of selves 

that forms us, the individual human being...

riotous and disorganized...I am all these different 

people--all these different people are me."

Photo via pbs.org.

Once I'm finished, I'm looking forward to the Masterpiece Classic adaptation. Yes, I have become my parents.

4. Another feature I'd like to start on the blog is "I Can't Believe I've Never Been to..." I'm going to kick it off with Mariscos Chente, one of the top spots in the city for Sinaloan seafood. I finally made it over there (well, it is on the Westside!) and loved it. A total family-run vibe, burning-hot salsa, a jukebox, and I was the only gringa (or gaba as the Mexicans really say) in the place.

Photo by one of George's schoolmates, parents or siblings.

5. I love this photo of George Harrison.

6. Camellias blow my mind. Love them. They are like architectural Japanese dresses.

The Hollywood Walgreen's is not your mom's Walgreen's. Oh, no.

7. Sushi from Walgreen's. That's right. Also, shut up. It's incredibly good. Yes, it's of the "rock-n-roll" variety, which horrifies sushi purists, but I have become obsessed with it. I love the chefs who make it. They seem so proud of their creations and inform me every time I'm there, "Everything is made fresh today." And it is fresh, delicious and perfect for lunch.There are dragon rolls and "spicy chili rolls," all with lots of that crunchy stuff, and one day there was even a roll topped with diced strawberries--and yet, I'm not offended by any of it.

8. I love the sign at the Malibu Pier.

9. I am making a commitment to get to the beach more this year. I'm ashamed my dog has yet to experience the ocean, but beaches that allow dogs are few in the L.A. area. My friend Gerry told me about Mugu Point, near Leo Carrillo. Both dog-friendly. I see a pilgrimage some time in the near future.

Photos and original design by David Schwen.

10. I love these Pantone food pairings by Minneapolis-based graphic designer, David Schwen.

Thanks for checking the blog out. I'll be back soon. Love, L.