Last night, we bid a fond farewell to Los Angeles by having dinner at El Comprade on Sunset Blvd. AAC CPA always complains that all he really wants when going out for Mexican food is to be able to order a beef taco and cheese enchilada. These days, there aren’t that many places where you can find these combinations on the menu.

El Comprade is like a throwback to the days when I was attending USC many years ago. It’s a neighborhood place and there’s nothing remotely fancy about it. You’ll come here for flaming Margaritas (I kid you not), huge bowls of Aztec butter (a/k/a guacamole), spicy salsa, those combinations I was just mentioning and, yes, even a Mariachi band. All at prices which feel very 1980s.

After watching the staggering loss of the Golden State Warriors to that inferior team in game 7 of the NBA finals, (which was on full view at the bar), we drowned our sorrows with those flaming Margaritas, guac with chips and salsa and just felt the vibe. Soon enough, the Mariachi band appeared to serenade the diners and our spirits began to lift. El Comprade is filthy with feel-good atmosphere. 

Then it was time to order: we did the beef taco/cheese enchilada one better by ordering El Padrino, which includes all of the above, plus a small sliced steak, a side of guacamole, with riced and refried beans on the side. A nice, light meal – all for $17.95!

It was completely satisfying and, after a couple of those Margaritas, we were very happy to Uber back to our hotel to do our final packing and wish LA a fond farewell.

I wasn’t kidding – El Comprade’s flaming Margarita

Guacamole, salsa and chips

El Padrino – something light for your entree

CULINARY TIP: El Comprade – Los Angeles

We were up bright and early this morning and, after a quick bite of breakfast, motored off to the LAX for the quick flight up to SFO. Our driver, whose name we did not catch, was in a chatty mood and, having been in the biz for many years, regaled us with stories of the celebrities who sat in his backseat over the years, including (in no particular order), Thomas Keller, Bea Arthur, Anna Nicole Smith, Rue McClanahan, Ed Harris and Amy Madigan and others. Don’t ask: our lips are sealed!

My sister, Leslie , and her husband, Ron, picked us up at arrivals and we were off to the Napa Valley for 3 days. On the way to Yountville, we stopped for lunch at Bistro Don Giovanni in Napa proper. It was the perfect choice. Every morsel was a sensation. We shared a special of fried shaved zucchini which did not need any marinara sauce to make an impression. We had veal tonnato, Caesar salad and a delicious Margarita pizza. Did I mention that the focaccia tasted as if it had just come out of the oven? It was a great way to start our visit to the Valley.

Bistro Don Giovanni kitchen

Bistro Don Giovanni bar at lunch

Bistro Don Giovanni patio

Bar Don Giovanni grounds

CULINARY TIP: Bistro Don Giovanni – Napa

Then it was off to Yountville, specifically to the Hotel Yountville, where we’ll be staying for the next three days.

To be continued . . . . . . . .