MARCH - I'm a bit miffed that I have been summoned for jury duty in Downey. The courthouse is technically within a 20 mile radius from home, but the fastest and most direct route I can take is nearly 4 miles longer.

We break early for lunch, which gives me an opportunity to check Yelp for local recommendations and arrive ahead of the curve. Reviews for Porto's are off the charts, so I decide to check it out.

Cafe side (the bakery side is a lot larger)

Chorizo Pie...a tasty little snack

Potato ball

Yum!

Large cafe con leche...hopefully this will help me get through a full day of sitting around in court

Cubano (their sandwiches come with plantain chips)...good, but I think I prefer Havana Mania's. Still, Porto's is solid. I might have to come back here before my jury service ends.

Valerie and I finally head to Tsujita LA Artisan Noodles to try some legit ramen

We have been hearing really good things about this place since it opened...it's just taken awhile for us to find an excuse to get all the way over to Sawtelle

I spot one of my former coworkers dining with his family at a booth nearby

I'm here to carb-o-load on Tonkotsu Ramen

One of these days I will try their tsukemen...if only they were closer to home

Al Watan's Dinner Special for lunch

DECEMBER - Nom Nom Truck...in my 'hood!

If they're going to come all the way here...

Peppermint Mocha Vietnamese Iced Coffee? What?!?!?!

Santouka's Spicy Miso Ramen

Bun Bo Hue for lunch on Christmas Eve!

Bun Bo Hue for lunch on Christmas Day!