First Friday's in Venice, Ca at The Brig

New Flavors of Gourmet Food Trucks ride the roadway of Success!

I have always liked this picture, and I figured out why while I was looking through my memory chest. The man shown in the sign reminds me of my cousin who was a famous Italian boxer named Giacobbe or what we  kids called our uncle "Giaco"or Jacob, but the public knew him as middleweight boxing champ Jake LaMotta. He is a good man despite the controversy during his boxing life, in July he celebrated his 89th birthday. Now onto the food adventure!

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Zach Scherer Sous Chef  (LF) Chef/owner David Fune (C)
Danielle Struwe Event Coordinator (C-RT)  Chad Fune Av/owner (RT)


When I think of a gourmet food truck with classically trained chefs, the Vizzi truck team comes to mind. Their menu reflects a team of dedicated chefs that are raising the bar in normal truck fare. They have menu items such as:

• Braised American Waygu sliders- served with a sweet Maple-Balsamic hand shredded BBQ Beef, Chimichurri-Crème Fraiché (In France crème fraiche is unpasteurized, but in the US crème fraiche (pasteurized cream method) is made 2 ways such as; To simply allow heavy cream with about a tablespoon per cup ratio of yogurt or buttermilk added. The mixture sits at room temperature for 12-24 hours. The more common method of making crème fraiche is to heat the cream first, and then add the yogurt or buttermilk to the heated cream. Again the crème fraiche sits out at room temperature for up to a day. Both French and US Methods allows the crème fraiche to be refrigerated and kept for up to about 7 days.) Sauce, with a Cilantro-Scallion finish.
  
  
  
  
  
• Lavosh Chicken Piadina- Made with Jidori Chicken (Japanese term meaning "chicken of the Earth." These chickens are fresh, all-natural, no hormones, free range and eat the best feed. Jidori chickens are extremely fresh that some Japanese restaurants even serve them sashimi-style), Heirloom Tomato Salsa, Crème Fraiché-Chimichurri Sauce, Brie, Queso Fresco.
  
  
  
  
  
• Statham Spaghetti-made with a Garlic Cream & Black Forest Ham Reduction that simmers for 3 hours, which I have made personally. The Fune brothers along with Zach have helped create a gourmet menu that has been received well by hungry followers. Stay tuned for their special fall revolving menu coming soon.

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Sumant Pardal of India Jones Chow truck front cover of AAA Westways Oct. 2010.
Big Congrats!!

There comes a time when you can look back at the fruits of your labor and smile proudly of an accomplishment. This is one of those times. Sumant is a humble chef who has 25 plus years of being a successful restauranteur, which runs in the family. Sumant is a chip off the old block as his father started in the restaurant business back in 48 in Jaipur, India.

You must try Sumant's Northern India fare as his menu is traditional with a twist, its a Wow! from his Frankie to his Butter Chicken, both are crowd favorites. Also, joining us was Matt Geller CEO of  So Cal MFVA, who defends, educates, and works hard for the food truck owners that we get to enjoy each day roaming the streets through his collaborative great efforts, that you will experience watching the special video interview with both Chef Sumant and Matt. I thank Chef Sumant and Matt Geller for allowing me to share this wonderful interview with all of you. Please enjoy.

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Kabob N' Roll Mediterranean truck on Abbot Kinney

The owners of Kabob N' Roll Wael (pronounced Y. L.) and Chrissy Khalil who are from Egypt serve up some of the greatest authentic Mediterranean food in LA. The menu is inspired by Wael's mom Farida who has a menu item named after her called Farida's Famous Falafel, a favorite amongst the vegan friendly folks. She can be seen greeting and serving their loyal customers at the window in the video interview below.

When you visit be sure to say Hi and tell them Big Tony Ragu sent you! Wael is very passionate about his food and his customers. He can be seen chatting with them or helping them decide what to try. Enjoy the food pic and video interview of the foods we tried.

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Farida's Falafels (LF) Chicken Kabob-well seasoned (RT) Dolmas-stuffed grape leaves (C)

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Owner Rob Ananian of Greenz on Wheelz (LF) BBQ Chicken salad is playing himself (RT)

We have been to the Greenz on Wheelz truck a few times, but caught up with them at First Friday's. Rob comes from a restaurateur's background, boasts of his vegan friendly menu, which passed the test. Rob's experience with restaurants is displayed by his creation of the signature BBQ sauce that was used in the menu items that we tried are carried at Whole Foods under the name Dee's Original. Enjoy the video interview. 

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Chinese Chicken Salad- made with romaine lettuce mix, almonds, water chestnuts, green onion, crispy noodles, sesame seeds, and finished with a rice vinegar infused tangy dressing. 

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Tuna Melt-Cheddar cheese, tomato, ortega chili with a side of BBQ.

First Fridays in Venice at the Brig on Abbot Kinney August 6th

The Stretch of real estate on the 1500 Block of Abbot Kinney is right along the way to the famed Brig in Venice Ca, is now the site of a Gourmet Food Truck food extravaganza. The1st Friday of every month over 30 plus food trucks come out to share their culinary delights along Abbot Kinney. Follow me as we hunt down and sample a few of those wonderful 30 plus gourmet food trucks. So many choices, Love that!!!

My first stop was the Border Grilll, a modern twist on traditional Mexican dishes. I was met by a friendly guy named Dino aka Mr sexy-look for  the guy with the hat (His tip jar says the more you tip the sexier you will become). I don't know if that is true, but after eating the Green Corn Tamale cup and the Crispy Baja Fish Tacos. I did have a lil swagger about me... Hmmm maybe its does work, Ole! Their other Menu items are a must try too.Yumilious rating 10 ++.


Green Corn Tamale

Description: A sweet corn Masa, crema, salsa fresca served in a sno cone cup.


Crispy Baja Fish Taco

 







Description: Crispy fried Fish, Chipotle honey, and creamy salsa fresca.

The next stop was the Kabob N' Roll Gourmet Mobile Mediterranean truck. I was met by the sweetest young lady and her uncle Y.L. who manages Kabob N' Roll. We tried their Falafel with Pita Sandwich; a well seasoned ground chickpea and fava bean mixture that was fried to perfection, with lettuce, and a mild Taziki Sauce wrapped in a fresh Pita Bread. This was my 1st time at this gourmet truck and they did not let me down. I say shukran pronounced - shock- run to Y.L. for serving delicious food. I will be back to try other selections on there wonderful menu.

  Falafel with Pita sandwich: Image coming Soon.....

We needed a slight change and decided to try something sweet and cool . We found just that in a brand new gourmet food truck just out a few weeks. They were debuting for the first time at the Brig's 1st Fridays Street food party. I was met by Co owner Joe Spallone and his dad Rob Spallone from The NY Ice Connection, a Gourmet Italian Ices Truck. The Menu Items are named after Gangsters.

We ordered the Cherry Capone and the Bumpy Chocolate Johnson ices, The ices were soft and smooth, the way ices are supposed to be. The flavors were strong through out the entire mouth melting experience with a nice surprise of small chocolate pieces in the Bumpy Chocolate Johnson ices we ordered were friggin great! You will feel like your in little Italy in New york, with the Italian themed music playing in the background, the bold NY Styling of the truck's graphics, and of course the New York owners authentic accents. Watch it Pal! LOL. The NY Ice Connection is making you an offer you can't refuse so check out their other great menu items or else! BTW the Spallone's are from my old stumping grounds of Queens, New York.



The end of my food journey for the night ended at one of LA's best gourmet food trucks for Spanish Tapas. The PapasTapasTruck. Mike Muccia the co owner and chef saved me some TriTip (shhhh don't tell anyone.) You will find out why? later in the paragraph. We came for one of the popular menu items the famous Croquetas, but Julia Muccia Mike's lovely wife said "We have Sold Out!" Mike and Julia saw it was BigTonyRagu and said come back in 30 minutes.

Mike had our favorite dish from their truck the TriTip Tacos, the meat is so soft that you can cut it with a fork, the lovely sweet aroma of the spanish spices such as coriander, paprika, and sofrita (ajicitos-sweet chilis, cilantro, spanish Onions, oregano, olives, pimentos, and garlic to name a few spices) which adds a nice kick to your palate. Their warm fresh tortilla massages your mouth while the sofrita indulges your senses further to finish your total TriTip experience off into flavor orbit, BAM! Oh yes, its that amazing!


The end of the night was great as The Muccia family places up the one sign of a successful night in the gourmet food truck world. I hope you enjoyed this exciting food adventure. Look for the PapasTapasTruck Featured article coming up at the end of August.Until the next food adventure, happy eating!