February 22, 2005 From Brrrr to Baaaah Had enough stormy weather yet? With the rain comes opportunities to enjoy winter activities we Los Angelinos can't often partake of. A fire in the fireplace. Hot cocoa with little marshmallows. A day indoors playing video games without guilt. Here is another winter pleasure to add to your list. When the temperature drops and it rains cats, dogs, hippos and elephants, make your way to the Mecca of hot soupy goodness, Little Sheep in Monterey Park. The moment you enter Little Sheep, the rising steam and smell of Chinese herbs sooth your cold-weary senses. You've traveled so far east on the 10 that it feels appropriate to have landed in Mongolia. Here's how it works: A cordial staffer guides you to a table where the centerpiece is a sunken heating implement. You choose items from a menu of meats, dumplings, and vegetables, including a beautiful assortment of exotic mushrooms. Next, a steaming bowl of broth is placed on the heating implement. As plates of raw food come to your table, you throw pieces into the broth, let them cook for a moment, then down the soup you've made. Though your server will say your choice of broth is spicy or mild, in actuality they are spicy or mouth melting. Don't order the spicier one in front of your girlfriend unless you don't mind letting her see you cry. Both types of broth are extremely flavorful, made with 17 chinese medicinal herbs and cooked for 36 hours before hitting your table. And in this clammy weather, isn't that just what the doctor ordered? Little Sheep Restaurant is located at 120 S. Atlantic Blvd. Monterey Park, CA 91754 Tel:(626) 282-1089