Outside at Bouchon in Beverly Hills...Valerie and my first time at one of Thomas Keller's restaurants (we almost went to the Bouchon in Vegas last weekend and we missed him at the American Wine & Food Festival) (Photo by Valerie)

Since Valerie and I were in Vegas last week, this was Lori and Pete's first opportunity to celebrate Valerie's birthday

The birthday girl

Pete and I both start with Bouchon's take on French Onion Soup

Valerie starts with a Salade Maraîchère Au Chèvre Chaud (mixed greens with red wine vinaigrette, & warm goat cheese)

Valerie and Pete both order Mussels with Frites

I try the Plat de Cotes de Boeuf Hache (braised short rib hash with piquillo peppers, caramelized onion & a hen egg served sunny side up). Looks small, but it is very filling (and tasty)

After watching four parts of The Pacific, Pete, Valerie, Lori, and I decide to head over to Mottainai Ramen in Gardena. Valerie tries the Sapporro Miso Lover, extra thick. The slightly burned miso gives this soup a unique flavor (and the flames leaping from the wok in the kitchen adds atmosphere)

I try the Yokohama Freaker, straight up...though Pete insists I drop in some of his White Bomb for extra porky goodness. I'm not sure the bomb is necessary as this bowl of ramen has a good rich porky flavor on its own