A visit to the website — a video

When I arrived home today, I made my way over to The Pie Hole’s website — behold, a gorgeous, wordless, but touchingly scored video…about making pies.

There’s a little demo-ing of the process too. Which always gets me.

Now I’m tearing up and I’m hungry. Take a look.

First contact

Wandering around the Arts District neighborhood today I happened upon this little place (map) – The Pie Hole. Taped up behind the counter Descending from large rolls hanging on the wall, hand-written on brown butcher paper, the menu lists both savory and sweet pies.

The decor is decidedly rustic and basic on the inside — metal chairs, unfinished wooden tables, mostly unadorned walls — and it does, indeed feel a bit like a hole but in the best sense. It’s small cozy and intimate. One to try for sure.

If you’ve been to The Pie Hole (has anyone in the neighborhood shortened it to “The Hole” yet?) and have a favorite there or simply have something about it you simply must say, let me know on Twitter.

Pronunciation

Via @dkclay, the pronunciation goes something like this:

“vuhst-koo-huh”

The last syllable is pronounced like the beginning of the word Chanukah (the Jewish holiday) so, I suppose I could display it phonetically like…

“vuhst-koo-cha”

…if you’re pickin’ up what I’m puttin’ down.

The gist

Wurstküche (map) is a spot I’ve had my eye on for some time. Not literally — this is the first time I’ve seen it close up — but figuratively with my Internet eye … and my stomach.

Sausages. That’s what this place does. And they have quite a selection.

Going on the list.

If you know something about this place — maybe a recommendation or maybe even a warning — please tweet it or senddanielmail@gmail.com.

Dinner at home with the Grandparents, who we are staying with until we save enough money to get a place of our own. My fiancé and I moved to Los Angeles about a month ago for her job.

Meals here are from scratch, unpretentious and delicious. Tonight, penne tossed with fresh mozzarella, basil and sautéd cherry tomatoes.

I think we’re getting spoiled.

My long night of envy can end…

The Coolhaus ice cream sandwhich truck. Choose your ice cream, choose your cookie. I.M. Pei-nut-butter ice cream with a potato chip & Skor bar cookie.

At Carmela in Pasadena, CA. Some of the most finely wrought ice cream and sorbet flavors I’ve found anywhere.

Aaaaand we’re back… to Carmela, of course.

Salted caramel: incredible. Mellow yet rich. Juuust on the border between salty and sweet. Better than my up-‘till-now favorite from San Francisco’s Bi-Rite Creamery (yes, my SF Bay peeps, I’m afraid it’s true).

Intelligentsia Coffee: another beautifully crafted classic and another example of what appears to be a Carmela signature.

I’m sure there’s a ton of sugar in these flavors — it’s ice cream, after all — but none of the flavors are cloying. Balance. That’s the word. The flavors are gelato intense, the texture is ice cream soft.

And there are more flavors to try…

The truck ...

... the sandwhich

Damn you, L.A. You’re getting so many cool mobile food options. Cool Haus: “architecturally inspired” ice cream sandwhiches. Whatever you say. Looks delicious.