Robert Thornton's Profile
Cafe Pinot questions re BYOB and theatre shuttle
They're very cool about corkage, 2 glasses each isn't a problem.
Moving to Claremont
Yes, 42nd Street is definitely the best bagels in the area (not that that's saying much!).
Moving to Claremont
I think Walter's is fine. Nice atmosphere. Food OK but not exciting. Good breakfast. But it's expensive for what it is, the sort of place to take job candidates or for visiting parents to take their college student kids. But I find it staid and again expensive for what it is. I've eaten there a bunch, but never because I was picking.
Downtown LA
I'd also add:
Hama Sushi
Toshi Sushi
Pizzanista
Drago Centro
Church & State
Did anyone happen to go out for dim sum to celebrate Mother's Day?
We went to Sea Harbour on Mother's Day last year around 9am and the wait was over 2 hours. We just went shopping in Pasadena for a few hours and came back after 11am and were seated immediately, worked out great.
Love those Blue Crab Hand Rolls! Whose are the best?
The one at Sushi Ichi in Pasadena is almost all crab, with just a little rice, if there was mayo, it wasn't noticable. If you want a drier styled, crab heavy roll, that's one to try.
Love those Blue Crab Hand Rolls! Whose are the best?
I'm with you on the one at Nishi-Ya, really wonderful.
Moving to Claremont
Pixie donuts are really good. Note that it's a stand, not a sitdown place. And they close when they run out of donuts, so it's a morning place.
Loud and louder restos: Maybe I'm getting old, but...
In the same way that malls have played annoying high frequency sounds that only teenagers can hear in order to keep them out, I wouldn't be surprised if some restaurants that want to attract a younger, hipper crowd don't include sound dampening fixtures to keep older patons from coming. I've never heard someone in their 20s complain about noise, usually the 35+ crew (of which I am one), given the stiffening of our cilia and out decreasing, age-related auditory signal-to-noise ratio.
Moving to Claremont
1. I'm not a big organic guy, but the people I know who are buy through co-op deals. There's also Sprouts.
2. Dommy is right, while not in Claremont, if you don't mind driving a bit Klatch definitely has the best espresso in the area. But in the village, I probably like Pain Quotidien the best.
4. In Claremont, again with Dommy, Super King. But if you head out a bit you can do better. Like Marukai in West Covina. And there are nearby markets in Pomona where you can get fresh tortillas.
5. The Cheese Cave is IMO the best cheese shop in LA county. Marnie and Lyddie are great. You mention beer in other questions. The best beer store nearby is Liquorama in Upland, lots of Belgian ales, domestic microbrews, etc.
6. Back Abbey and Eureka (again like Dommy says).
7. I really like the fish tacos at Senor Baja, althought it's slightly west of Claremont on Foothill.
Church & State in Downtown LA or Pizzeria Mozza in Newport Beach?
Mozza Newport Beach isn't too loud, much quiter than Church & State, easy to have a conversation there.
Dosa and Sambar - anywhere in the Pasadena/Glendale (SGV) area?
You can get dosa and sambar at All India Cafe in Pasadena. I haven't had the sambar there but did like the dosa. You can find the menu online.
Kid Friendly Non-Chains: Santa Monica/Westside?
My kids and I like Blue Plate Oysterette. They have a kids menu and a view of the ocean if you sit out front, and I like the seafood.
Langer's vs. Katz's and One Other LA vs NY Observation
I've done Di Fara multiple times and Keste and Motorino twice. Never Co or Patsy's. I've been to Grimaldi's, I've been to Joe & Pat's on Staten Island, I've been to tons of little by the slice places in Manhattan (Bleecker St. Pizza on 7th is my favorite of that type).
First of all, I think Di Fara is way overrated. Good, but not among NYC's best, I really don't get why people bow at it's altar.
In comparing NYC vs. LA, if you do best vs. best, maybe NYC wins by a bit, but it's really close. Like with Jewish Deli's, there's the sterotype and romance associated with NYC. With the Delis, LA clearly wins these days and with pizza, we're at least close.
But that's best vs. best. NYC is a pizza culture, so there are lots of very good slice type places all over the city. Yes, you can point to some very good ones in LA, but they're very spread out (e.g., one of my favs is Slice of New York in Seal Beach). So if you're a pizza lover who eats it every day, you'll be happier in NYC. If you're a broader eater who wants something superlative once or twice a month, LA is great.
Where to eat dinner in Altadena area?
Not sure about dinner, but I'd do dessert at Bulgarini afterwards.
Ink, LQ@SK, or Providence?
Another vote for LQ@SK. I love Providence, but it's much more formal and expensive. LQ@SK is more fun, totally agree about the cheese cart, best one in LA and the food is great.
Cool/romantic dinner and hotel combo in LA?
I also vote Fairmont Miramar and Fig. You can get ocean views, nice hotel, spa so you guys can do a steam room together, Fig has great food, nice walks around the hotel. That's my choice for a romantic getaway with my wife.
WP 24
Agreed with much of the above. The food is good but expensive for what it is. But incredible views, good cocktails, fun place to have dinner. Good service and everything well done. I like the place.
800 Degrees Pizza Anticipation Thread.
Yes, with Neopolitan style pizza, because the crust is thin and traditionally you don't need to fully cook the cheese, just melt it, it's typically cooked at a high temperature and it cooks very quickly.
Lobster Roll???
I like some stuff at blue Plate Oysterette, but really haven't been a fan of the lobster roll there. Minimally, I think saying "terrrible" food is a bit strong. I like the raw bar stuff there, far from terrible. But yeah, wouldn't order the lobster roll there again.
911! Surprise guests coming in on the train: where to eat close-ish to Union Station?
Lazy Ox is what came to my mind as well.
Italian in Old Town Pasadena
Tre Venezie is very close (2 or 3 blocks), very unique, and very good. Not to everyone's taste, it's sort of North Eastern Italian, Alpine influences, I love the place. Great wine list, but not cheap. Good crudo, I get a Giacosa barbera, and a pasta.
Curious which is better from those who have been: Nishi-Ya or Go's Mart?
I love Nishi-Ya, one of my favorites. Go's Mart is great too, more varied. If you're really a fan of minimalist, purist sushi, Nishi-Ya is up there. If you want some interesting, unexpected stuff, Go's Mart will do it. Worth the drive, good to try. I'm further east than you and liked going for the experience. But Nishi-Ya I go back to because I like the purest stuff and it's much closer.
If you haven't already seen it, good review of Go's Mart with good pictures at kevinEats:
http://www.kevineats.com/2007/05/gos-mart-canoga-park-ca.htm
Best dim sum in San Gabriel Valley LATELY?
I also went to Mission 261 a couple of weeks ago. I had previously gone once since they reopened and didn't think it was as good as before, but it was better last time. Happy about that because they're so huge that it's easy to get a table. Sea Harbour is still my favorite, but hate waiting with the kids.
Good Beer Bottle Shop in LA
The Wine House on the westside had some really good stuff.
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Wine House
2311 Cotner Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Dripp Coffee Trickling In Chino Hills
Thanks for the tip, good to know. I still think the best coffee in the area is Coffee Klatch in San Dimas.
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Coffee Klatch
806 W Arrow Hwy, San Dimas, CA 91773
Belgian Fries!
If you're ever out here in Claremont, the Back Abbey has good Belgian fries.
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The Back Abbey
128 Oberlin Ave, Claremont, CA 91711
