This week we’re taking a double dip trip to the Golden State. We also welcome Guest Gulletier, Adara Blake to the table.
In the interest of remaining “bite-size” and leaving room for our Guest Gulletiers to shine, we'll be alternating our stories in the weeks to come.
A Tale of Two Chickens
By Kitty
After five days of dining in LA on a work trip, I looked back and realized I had peaked on day one. Before my departure, I’d done a little digging into restaurants in the downtown area. While I’ve been attempting to work through anxiety with an affirmation that says, “I’m a cool girl, and cool things happen to me”, there’s still no shot in hell I’m setting foot in a restaurant without doing some research. I came across a place called Pine & Crane that Eater had dubbed a "Taiwanese superstar.” It was easily walkable and had a cute open-air vibe. I slid on my dad sneakers and hit the pavement.
In the spirit of adventure I ordered something I had never tried before—Three Cup Chicken with a side of rice and pan-fried pork buns. The name Three Cup refers to the recipe, which includes equal parts rice wine, soy sauce, and sesame oil. The chicken was succulent, and I was delighted by the aromatic Thai basil and red chilis laced throughout the dish. However, it was the pork buns that really set my soul on fire. They were pillowy, round dough balls stuffed with pork and cabbage and topped with sesame seeds and scallions. Seared and crispy on the bottom, the top retained the perfect amount of chew. These warm little buns were magic, and I wished I could carry them around like a purse and fill them with treasures.
After burning off lunch with a cool 17,000 steps through Santa Monica, my coworker and I searched for a fast-casual dinner rec. She phoned a local friend who disclosed her favorite “hidden gem.” I asked for the details so that I could request an Uber ride—Zankou Chicken. Secret’s out, babe! I heard about this Southern California staple on a murder podcast. I didn't recall details of the horrific tragedy, but did remember the podcast hosts signing off on Zankou’s famous garlic sauce. I got a chicken kabob pita and a side of tzatziki, and honestly, could have slathered myself in both!
The Verdict: Poultry tastes better on the company card.
Name Drops: Pine & Crane, Zankou Chicken
Chicken Soup for the (Hungover) Soul
By Adara Blake1
My partner and I relocated from the Bay Area to the Catskills two years ago. We love our lives here, but when people ask what I miss most about California, my answer is always Martuni’s (as in martinis and tunes, the most magical piano bar on earth) in San Francisco and Phở Gà Hương Quê Cafe, also known as Chicken Noodle House, in Oakland.
Chicken Noodle House’s pho haunts my dreams. The silky, umami, bone broth, and juicy pieces of chicken thigh are off the charts, and it’s a choose-your-own noodle adventure (always the wide rice noodle for me). The pièce de résistance, however, is the dipping sauce. With each bowl of pho you get a little dish of scallions and ginger blended up with chicken fat— it’s incredible. I always top off my meal with a fresh-squeezed sparkling lemonade.
My most recent visit was this past fall. It was our first return to the Bay, a year and a half after moving back East. The morning after an epic night at Martuni’s spent slugging French 75s and exorcising my theater kid demons, I found myself suffering from the most violent hangover of my life. We had to check out of our hotel and journey across the Bay Bridge to get to our next destination. I truly didn’t know if I would make it without puking. The only thing that carried me through that Lyft ride was meditating on our destination—my deliverance, that nectar of the gods, the number three with wide noodles and a lemon soda.
We finally arrived at the red awning, suitcases in tow, and the bowls of soup came out blessedly fast. I was so grateful, slowly rising from a near brush with the grave as I sipped the broth and dipped my chicken into that perfect green sauce. Sometimes I feel sad about living so far away, but I know we’ll be back soon. Hopefully minus the hangover.
The Verdict: Pho-get your troubles, come on get happy!
Name Drops: Phở Gà Hương Quê Cafe (Chicken Noodle House), Martuni’s
A special thank you to this week’s illustrator, Lauren Ward2 See their work here.
If you’d like to be a Guest Gulletier or illustrator, drop us a note at putitinthegullet@gmail.com
Adara Blake is a lactation consultant, speech-language pathologist, and yapper. You can find her at adaranicole.com
Lauren Ward is a designer/illustrator/tinylitttlejock based in Queens, NY. They spend most of their time playing roller derby, riding their bike, and being in love with their dog.