Vikzen's Profile
Vegan-friendly recs in MPLS/Bloomington
I'm in town for a few days from LA and would greatly appreciate updated recommendations on vegan-friendly restaurants. Many thanks!
Silverlake vegan??
I love Elf, which is not fancy, but cozy and intimate. I've taken my vegan friend there three times and he loves it. So do I, though I go mostly for the vegetarian items. My favorites so far are the stuffed portobello mushroom entrée, and the chickpea flour crepe with spinach and cheese. Again, my very picky vegan friend loves it! And the people who work there are very nice; all in all, a great atmosphere.
Seeking recs for vegan fare in central Los Angeles...
We did end up eating at Elf and I thought it was quite good. The portobello mushroom stuffed with risotto with goat cheese and served with mustard greens/arugula was really divine. Their appetizer of spicy almonds and rose-water infused dates with olives was delicious, and the crisp bread with red pepper dip was quite tasty. Was disappointed in the fatoush, which should have been made with cabbage, but wasn't. The tagine was pretty spicy and enjoyed by my friend.
Seeking recs for vegan fare in central Los Angeles...
Thank you for the Cru recommendation. I had entirely forgotten about it - cheers, sushigirlie!
I also wonder if anyone knows a good place to get vegan baked goods. Whole Foods, I suppose...
Seeking recs for vegan fare in central Los Angeles...
Very much worth noting, thank you!
Seeking recs for vegan fare in central Los Angeles...
Thank you, PaulF and will47! Shojin is near to where I live, but I am turned off by the location. Perhaps we shall try it for lunch, when the mall is a bit busier. Bulan sounds excellent, thank you and, yes, Gingergrass is a personal favorite; I haven't tried any of their vegan options to my recollection. BLD has been on my list. Cheers!
May I ask why you suggest skipping Elf? I've been told the atmosphere is romantic and the menu looks pretty good.
-----
BLD Restaurant
7450 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Shojin
333 S Alameda St Ste 310, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Seeking recs for vegan fare in central Los Angeles...
A vegan visitor is coming to town and I would appreciate chowhounders' recommendations for vegan-friendly restaurants in the vicinity of downtown LA, LA proper, Hollywood, Silver Lake, etc. We already have a reservation at the Elf Café in Echo Park. Specifically, does anyone know of any Thai or Asian restaurants that serve vegan fare? Cheers.
Taste Bistro vs Village Fish House (Monterey)
My husband and I spent Sunday night (the 5th) in Monterey and were delighted to receive an offhand tip from the front desk staff at our hotel. I don't know if you are referring to Monterey's Fish House on Del Monte in your posting title, but we ate there and found it absolutely divine! Low key, locals-only type place away from Cannery Row and the tourist area. Very inexpensive. I had an excellent almond-honey-crusted halibut which was supremely fresh, served with a creamy rigatoni pasta and Asian-style vegies. I was so glad that my carrots and snow peas were NOT al dente, as I actually like my vegies somewhat tender. For my taste, the vegies were perfect. My husband had a lovely scallop scampi made with bits of bell pepper, served with linguini. This is not a 'gourmet' restaurant but honest food with superior fresh fish and quite inexpensive. The average fish dish was probably around $17. Highly recommended!
3 nights in Napa - looking for restaurant suggestions
Ad Hoc was superb. We walked in and sat on the little tiny patio where it was difficult to control the temperature, but our server Trevor was knowledgeable and the food exquisite. Every other Monday evening is BBQ night (alternating with fried chicken). We started with a wonderful salad of fresh sweet corn, green beans, wax beans, cherry tomatoes, pickled red onions, and radishes with a light buttermilk chive dressing. The next course was barbecued salmon, ribs that had been marinated for 36 hours, and crab. The main courses came with lovely woodsy mushrooms and shredded cabbage plus peas (with another vegie). Desert was a warm peanut butter cookie with ice cream and sauces. It reminded me of food I'd prepare at home; fresh vegies galore, simple, succulent. Ad Hoc is also a Thomas Keller restaurant, of French Laundry fame - correct me if I am wrong. Highly recommended.
3 nights in Napa - looking for restaurant suggestions
My husband and I dined at Go Fish last night and would unfortunately have to disagree with the recommendation. At least, the sushi was unremarkable, barely average by Los Angeles standards, where we live and regularly dine in Little Tokyo and other places central to L.A. My husband had some salmon sushi that was not particularly fresh, and our spicy tuna was almost flavorless. Perhaps we ought to have tried something else on the menu; our neighbors' black sea bass looked excellent but I was craving the fish and chips and indulged myself. Boy was I wrong, even though I ate it all - it was greasy and I got a stomachache. Margaritas were also sour. On the positive side, the restaurant has a lovely outdoor patio and the server was very friendly. I would not return, and will stick to sushi in LA only!
Allston Yacht Club in Echo Park?
What makes me nervous is the "B" that's remained in the window for weeks on end now. How often do the Health Department reassign this rating? I haven't returned because of it.
The small plates approach is trendy and allows one to try a variety of things, but those $9 add up quickly, we noticed. We too had the orange fennel salad as well as some very tender tasty boneless ribs, Korean style, and their pommes frites with chimichurri sauce were yummy. Nice wine selection. Wish I could remember more of what we tried - some of the recs above are enticing.
Will give it another try soon. Agreed that the atmosphere is cozy and friendly, also that we really need independent dining spots like this to survive in Echo Park.
Taix Before a Dodgers Game
My husband and I are regulars at Taix as we live just up the road in Echo Park. The food over the years has improved with changing chefs and it the value is excellent for the quality. Before a game or if in a hurry, and in our case, always, sit in the lounge where dinner service is provided. If the lounge is crowded, service may be slow as only 2 servers tend to work the area most nights. Try the seafood fettucine and whatever the fresh fish is. Soups are divine. I like the Caesar; simple and honest - request anchovies. It's only $4 to add soup and salad to any dinner entrée. Cocktails are superb - no wimpy stuff. Some good wines available. Frites are superb, get them with mayo.
This is not a restaurant where one is normally rushed so, yes, speak up if in a hurry. Or go to El Compadre and try the #4.
Cheers!
Neighborhood Japanese in Silverlake or Los Feliz
I'd have to say that Little Tokyo is where to go. Try Hama Sushi for a low-key sushi bar. It's really just a quick jaunt down an empty Sunset Boulevard east then zip over to 1st Street. Not much point in going elsewhere but Little Tokyo.
Any ideas for inexpensive eats near Calistoga?
Off your route, but your post impels me to mention the Jimtown Cafe.
LACMA-Good eats nearby??
Having eaten at Pentimento many times, I have had a variety of dining experiences there. The last was on Monday evening. A citrus-marinated artichoke app came in a jar and was low on taste. Other times, including Monday, I've been served yellowing arugula. Arugula/rocket should be GREEN! Aside from these criticisms and the relative over-pricing, unless you plan to have only the very lightest of snacks, I would suggest BLD, Campanile, or even Luna Park, the latter if you are happy among a 'younger' crowd - Luna Park is also inexpensive compared to the other choices. Pentimento has limited indoor seating but the patio is indeed very nice if the hot sun isn't boring down on you (unless you like that sort of feeling).
Please Help Narrow My Dining Choices In Chicago
Allow me to post a couple of photos (in spite of the shadows - I felt self-conscious using a flash so snapped them quickly). The trout, and the corn crepes are shown.
Please Help Narrow My Dining Choices In Chicago
Thanks for pointing out the two spots. I believe I was on St Clair and they were open continuously from lunch to dinner, so it must have been the café. Nevertheless, the food was very good and the atmosphere enjoyable - everything I said above. Being from LA and primarily a seafood eater from dive-like coastal shacks to the finest downtown, I stand by my generous assessment of the Lake Superior whitefish.
Please Help Narrow My Dining Choices In Chicago
Can't help you narrow this down but can add two! Just spent five nights in Chicago; though not particularly focused on culinary exploration (visiting a friend and her family for her 50th birthday weekend) so hit just a few spots.
Not on your list under "Mexican and Latin American" Is Cuatro, a pan Latin-American restaurant near Wabash Ave & 20th Sts. Altogether very tasty and pleasant, I'd suggest some need for improvement in the execution of dishes we sampled. Corn crepes filled with whipped potato seemed bland, my stuffed trout was delicious but the shrimp in the stuffing tasted fishy ... a bit disappointing as as it was otherwise gorgeously cooked. Creamy corn soup also could have used a garnish of chopped cilantro for just a bit more flair. Appetizer empanadas were okay but could have used more stuffing and sauce. Our waiter Josh was very pleasant; rum drinks good. Festive atmosphere.
-----
Cuatro
2030 S Wabash, Chicago, IL 60616
Please Help Narrow My Dining Choices In Chicago
Last Thurs., 6/4, we had an excellent early evening dinner, @ 4 p.m., at Coco Pazzo. It was very pleasant from the Modigliani-style overkill on the walls to the antipasti display, to the tasty food to the friendly and efficient waitstaff. I especially loved the fish special I chose, a mouth-wateringly fresh pike from Lake Superior, crisply seared on the skin side. The salmon from the regular menu was good. Moderately priced by LA standards.
-----
Coco Pazzo Cafe
636 N St Clair, Chicago, IL 60611
Old-School LA Recs?
Love Musso & Franks, The Tam O'Shanter, and Taix, all of which are very close to Silver Lake. Taix has a nightly special for $17.95 - Monday's is filet mignon with bearnaise, a great deal! Soups are excellent, as is the chocolate mousse. The Tam has great fish 'n' chips and burgers, on the less costly side of the menu, and a carvery in the bar (it's owned by Lawry's).
My parents used to take me to an old school German restaurant in the Van Nuys area back in the 70s and I believe it withstood the 80s as well. Does that ring a bell with anyone?
Two Boots Pizza?
So true re ordering a slice and the extra dousing of cornmeal on the crust. And I can't stress the importance of delivery in Echo Park!
Two Boots Pizza?
Two Boots is a welcome alternative; most importantly in Echo Park, they deliver. Love the white pizza variation and can't wait to try the po'boys. Might represent a certain level of competition for nearby Masa (which has convoluted delivery).
Must Eat Places for Week Long Vacation in LA
I recommend Chosun Galbee for decent Korean in an airy atmosphere. Barbecue places can get stuffy but Chosun Galbee has a lovely patio.
http://www.chosungalbee.com/
Humboldt-Ferndale and Trinidad need recs
I am so glad to know that the Larrupin Cafe lives on. My husband and I had one of the most memorable meals there about five summers ago. We'll be returning in July. Just checked their website and apparently they just reopened in April. Can anyone comment on updated restaurant?
Seeking Univ Park (U of Ill.) and vicinity recs!
Here's an LA CH with little direct knowledge of Chicago seeking advice on where to eat within reasonable distance of the new University Park area. I am visiting a friend living at W. 15th Street in a newly constructed neighborhood. She has a car so short drives for breakfast/lunch/ brunch are fine. Yet I'm hoping local Chicagoans can help to find those little tucked away spots that only locals frequent.
Good breakfast/lunch places? Ambience is important, lush and serene urban oases a plus. I'm coming to celebrate my friend's 50th and want to make it special!
Must try ethnic cuisine is also of interest, e.g., Italian, Polish, German, Czech - traditional or contemporary.
Many thanks in advance - can't wait to dine in Chicago!
Pasadena Fare near Convention Center...
Hey thanks again everyone for all of the suggestions. I put together a nice little guide with recommendations and was pleased with the variety of choices.
Among the places I tried for the first time, Bar Celona was excellent! Caiparinhas were tall, frosty, and light. The arugula salad was refreshing, crisp - no old yellow arugula in there as I have seen, to my horror, elsewhere. The croquetas were great, and my husband loved the spicy lamb sausage. The white beans, referred to on the menu as "crushed" were in fact not even well-cooked enough, and the so-called shrimp ceviche seemed more like steamed shrimp - no citrus in the shrimp - sitting on a tasteless bed of lentils; bland, avoid that dish. Yummy calamari with a very watery lemony aioli. The tortilla espanola was mostly egg and I was shocked by how little potato it had ... in spite of my few criticisms, we loved the atmosphere and several dishes, and will return.
Tani Sushi another story altogether - AWFUL! Fake crab and some stuff I felt I couldn't even eat, save to squelch my hunger. The eel atop a designer roll was too fatty and undercooked. I will never return to Tani. The majority of the clientele were very, very young - frankly, in spite of its being a chain, I would much rather dine at Kabuki where the fish seems fresher, the dishes are more tastefully presented, and they use real crab!
Cheers!
Visiting Venice - Suitable Restauarnt to Propose????
We had the best meal over six hours at the MET Restaurant; the chef's surprise tasting menu. I would go there, hands down - tables are spaced sufficiently apart, service is impeccable, food exquisite. Oops, you'd have to spend significantly more than 100 euros per person though. Al Gondolieri or Al Covo also sound like good suggestions. I couldn't help but partly agree with Joe H.; that proposing anywhere in Venice while breathing in its beauty might also appeal; of course, only you know what suits you both best! Attached is a shot of one of the mesmerizing glass globe modern chandeliers inside the Met Restaurant.
Pasadena Fare near Convention Center...
Yes, saw that Dena House had shuttered. Wish I could suggest downtown sushi to these folks but apparently not many will have cars. That croissant tip is a gem! Thanks.
Pasadena Fare near Convention Center...
Tani it is - why, I'm curious, avoid Roku? Overpriced? The School of Culinary Arts is a great idea! Do they also give lessons or demos (like the one in New Orleans)?
Pasadena Fare near Convention Center...
Thanks so much, everyone - these are very good suggestions, and I will definitely try some of these soon myself! I agree that Pasadena is a lovely place to do just about anything!
Another specific question: Where's the best sushi in town? How does Hanabi Sushi compare to the Kabuki chain, and has anyone eaten at Dena's?
Many thanks again in advance!
