RomanTric: Yamashiro on le Cheap

Apparently at Yamashiro, they have a complementary movie night every Wednesday.  In case you're wondering, Yamashiro, is known as one of the most expensive and incredibly delicious restaurants in LA.  And I'm looking at the menu and it isn't HORRIBLE, I mean $13 for awesome rolls and $30 Seared Ahi Tuna.  It isn't that bad.  In any case, the date: 

1.  Go to Yamashiro and get a couple too expensive, of course delicious rolls

2.  Watch the movie in their garden.  Shrek is playing May 19 and May 26 is Sex and the City.

Sounds incredible, let me know how it is, I'm going to try and make it.
More about the movies: http://www.yamashirorestaurant.com/movies.html

-Kate 

Sushi Dates: Sushi Etiquette

from: http://tinyurl.com/yhwaf3k

Date #24: Grilled Cheese & Anaconda Night: A Date that's Easy and Cheesy

THE PROBLEM
Now I'm not complaining but there is definitely a certain amount of "Home-Ec" I missed out on in high school that has resulted in a declined capacity to...play housewife [although I play scrabble and soccer very well]. Unfortunately, we are now in this epic zeitgeist where cooking is cool: it's Bourdain, it's the cooking channel, it's something you're going to have to do on a date eventually.
THE SOLUTION
Although I do recommend learning to cook [Old Town Cooking School Date] there is an easy, albeit cheesy, romantic solution to the microwave-tv-dinner problem. So I introduce: The Grilled Cheese night.

GOOD FOR
Third dates: Perhaps a home visit.
YOU NEED
1. Stovetop/Panini Maker: You will be mocked if you use a microwave.
2. Wheat bread: No panini maker, go with sliced bread
3. Cheese: Can't go wrong with kraft singles (my mom would kill me), chevre noir is a fancy goat cheese that's cheddared I recommend it for grilled cheeses so good.
4. Butter or olive oil: use this to lubricate the bread for grilling (butter is always better)
5. Wine and beer and your favorite dessert of your youth
6. Accoutrements: there are several different ingredients that can go on grilled cheese. I like sliced tomatos, others like bacon and pickles. have several options to customize.
6. Aprons: sexiest apron, men and women, is the half apron that goes from your waist down like chefs wear, hell yeah.
7. An awful movie: I recommend Anaconda or Zombieland

THE DATE: GRILLED CHEESE NIGHT
1. Invite your date over to your home tell them to bring their favorite childhood snacks .
2. Prepare ingredients, clean up your damn house, prepare roommates, light some candles.
3. When your date arrives you already have on your apron. Pop the cork, have them sit. Ask what they would like on the sandwich (show the accoutrements) and watch you put ingredients together and grill em. Chat about the favorite foods of your youth: Gushers, Snickers, Black Licorice (ew).
4. Finish the sandwiches, and sit down by the tv giggle about burning them insensitively, pop some gummi worms and watch your awful movie. Put your hand on their leg, put your arm around their shoulders. Anaconda will take care of the rest.

GRILLED CHEESE RESOURCES:
http://www.grilledcheeseacademy.com/
http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Main-Dish/Sandwiches-and-Wraps/Grilled-Cheese-Sandwiches/ViewAll.aspx

Date #20: Year of the Tiger...RAARWWWR: Chinese New Year Date

This is the year of the Tiger, a strong year according to my stylist and a delicious opportunity for a date of any sort. In Los Angeles there are plenty of places to celebrate and brilliant things to do in our own China Town.

1. Head into Los Angeles China Town
You can do this either by car or by Metro (there is a stop in China Town). I recommend staying off the train at night but street parking is nonsense. China Town is good during the day.

2. Dim Sum Action
The best place in China town for some epic Dim Sum is Empress Pavillon. It's a good starting point at the most northern part of town. Watch what you grab because it can get pricey. You can decide what you're going to order in advance with Appetizers According to your Zodiac Sign. But don't limit yourself to eating like a rabbit when your tiger wants pork. Besides, it never hurts to know what you're getting in advance to look like a Dim Sum Genius. (How to Order Dim Sum).

3. Fly out the Door for Dessert
As you leave Dim Sum, go down the adjacent southern alley to Phoenix Bakery (be careful!). Phoenix Bakery is the go to for Dessert in China Town. When you arrive order a couple of pieces of the Strawberry Cake (for there or to go). It's heaven (my parents ate it at their wedding) so kiss a little off her lips for a fine dessert indeed.

4. It's not the Lay See Dao Loy, It's the Stuff
It is easy to bedazzle your beau/belle with inexpensive/traditional things around China Town. Head south to the gift stores (They're all good) for Parasols, Jade Bracelets and Tiger Things. Lots of Red. I adore my parasols (I have two) which I keep in my car for a sunny day or to appear smugger than usual. Men like Katanas and NumChucks (which are generally available regardless of Origin around town). Have fun and don't touch any of the little turtles.


Empress Pavillon
988 North Hill Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(323) 230-4522

Phoenix Bakery
969 N Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 628-4642

Date #19: Cooking for your date

Date #19: Cooking for your date
I have recently become interested in the concept of cooking for your date. I'm aware that the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Also, this is one of the finest ways to make a woman's knees buckle. There are many ways to go about this and this sort of date can serve as either an early or a later in dates date. The three major factors you have to account for: (1) The Capacity to Cook. (2) The Set Up (3) The Menu.

THE CAPACITY TO COOK
This is tricky. I am stupid enough to be the daughter of the woman who owns Old Town Cooking School without really knowing how to cook. Going to the cooking school is a great date in and of itself. That's a good way to learn how to cook. Another method would be to go to Noble Pig. Noble Pig is a great website with simple recipes. I would suggest cheaply going about this (canned soups, whipped cream, cheese, wines) but you're better than that.


THE SET UP
YOUR HOUSE
You can either start cooking before they arrive or invite them to cook with you. Before they arrive set up the table. Add tealight candles for ambience, grab some flowers from the yard (no carnations).

ALTERNATIVES
Make a picnic in a park. Or take your date to the campus of Caltech. Other outdoor alternatives for romance.

LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS:
Go to a park with the food. Set up the table in the backyard, try mid-day when your parents are at work. Or just tell them you're trying to do something special for your date and it would be really great if they could go out for the evening. Or Old Reliable: Give 'em $20 to go see Avatar for 14 hours.

THE MENU
The menu at the least should have an entree and a dessert and wine. If you're trying to be equal have them make the dessert. See the above websites for recipes. Old Town Cooking School has the option of making you a menu, I recommend it.

Date #17: Wine Bars in Pasadena

THE DATE BY KATE PASADENA WINE TOUR
Okay, I know I'm recommending a lot of Pasadena Joints but it's a really lovely town to hang out in and date around. So take your pretty bum and co. around to these wine bars for a slightly tossed night on the town.

VERTICAL WINE BAR
(626) 795-3999
But Vertical Wine Bar is a gorgeous bar that has a slew of beautiful wine choices. It's a really sexy, oak and warm bistro. Grab a little appetizer, drink a nip and chat up your date .

CREME DE LA CREPE
36 W. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91105
I recommended this earlier, it's got a good wine bar and James is my hero. Have some fondue it's pretty cheap and gratifying.

RED WHITE AND BLUEZ
(626) 792-4441
Good alternate for CDLC, make your own cheese plates which I think is really cool. The owner was sort of rude to me and my mom when I was there. This is your call, I feel stupid not recommending it.

POP
626) 795-1295
Dessert and Champagne bar. Finish the evening with some bubbly and chocolate strawberries.

MENAGE
Do not go into Menage. But by the time you're done drinking too much, you should take some time off.

Date #16: Mexican Restaurant Dates

1. EL METATE
For a lunch date in Pasadena, El Metate is one of the least expensive, best quality Mexican restaurants I know. The tacos always cost under $3 and the food is really delicious.

12 N Mentor Ave
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 229-0706
http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-metate-pasadena


2. DONA ROSA
Taco tuesdays, great ambience, outside seating. The food isn't as good as El Metate and it's a little more expensive but it makes up for it with parking and physical appeal. This is a great late night spot in Pasadena.
577 South Arroyo Parkway
Pasadena, CA 91105-2519
(626) 449-2999

Date #15: Creme De La Crepe

Pasadena Restaurant that is my current favorite! This is a great new restaurant in Old Town that is satisfactorily delicious, romantic and inexpensive. You'll find it down Mills Alley on the right as you come from Colorado. To begin, have a couple glasses of white wine. Although this is a French restaurant, the house California is lovely. Settle down with their $14 fondue for two (which is excellent), sit in a corner and have a little Snalk (Snog + Talk) over the low tones of delightful guests, jazzy jazz jazz and eachother's bated breath.

ADDRESS
35 w. colorado boulevard pasadena ca 91105
626.844.0007

HOURS
Sun-M 8a-10p
Fri-Sat 8a-1am

DATE BY KATE #11: CarnAmore

Burger Bias
For a very long time I have been deliberating over what is the best burger in Los Angeles. I have had many, and there are many that rarely pass must...ard. But there are few that really hit the spot. These are my top three choices for a burger joint in Los Angeles.

Your Date
Say you and your date are in a meaty mood as noon rolls around and you are ready to rate the Kate Burger Choices. But you can't decide. Here is your guide.

WANT A BURGER ON A TRAIN: Carney's
This is really one of my favorite burger places ever. Carney's is ideal for (a) delicious burgers and (b) watching tourists or clubbers as they ramble on about whatever. Forget the chili, but go for the fries and a cheeseburger. Pretend to be famous on the porch of the restaurant as the posers walk by. Add a giant body guard for effect. Park for free in the back lot.

WANT A BURGER AND A MILKSHAKE: Wolfburger's
Wolfburgers. I have only been going to Wolfburgers my entire life so I am a little biased. The burgers are aight, but if you want a Milkshake in Pasadena before you hit up the Ice House I recommend it. Free Parking.

WANT A HUGE, MELTY AWESOME BURGER: Houstons
Houston's, I know it's a chain, has some of the skankiest, drippiest, deliciousest burgers in town. Grab the cheese burger it melts in your face. The place is really swanky most of the time, very mature. Right outside of pasadena. A little expensive, but go for broke if you want to go for stuffed. Free Parking.

DATE BY KATE #5: San Antonio Winery

"So...when do we get to step on these grapes..."

The San Antonio Winery

• Los Angeles Winery since 1917
  
• Right in down town LA
  

Activities

• Three free wine samples
• Wine tasting of 8 or 9 wines for like $9:
  
• Tours by the hour: Stumble about in love
  
• Wine Classes: Learn how to taste wine like a true snob....together ($20-$55)
  

Contact Information
737 Lamar St.
Los Angeles CA 90031
(323) 223-1401

Site Information

• Wine Tasting
• Wine Classes
• Restaurant Reservations