Finally tried Gaby's and I'm sad to say (as I now live close by) that it was pretty underwhelming.

I love Sunnin as it is one of my favorite restaurants ever. Specifically, the Hummous, Fattoush, Fried Cauliflower, Foul, Lebne, & Rekakat.

Yet, although Sunnin's is good, I think Skaf's Grill is the best I've had for tabouleh in Los Angeles.

I remember eating there a few months ago (never again) and the grape leaves were rock hard frozen. When I asked for a refund they said 'no' and served me more bland, lukewarm food.

Has anyone tried Nicks? Been hearing good things about their breakfast.

Nick's Cafe
1300 N Spring St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(323) 222-1450

Oh, I think I am. Thanks for the correction.

Marouch.

Excellent Mezze, much more relaxed.. no noisy dance hall.

RVD. Wow.
Amazing pictures (far better than the ones I'm processing from our 9/26 meal)
Seems like we had almost exactly the same meal as yours.

I too felt it was a good deal. Our 30 course, 4 1/2 hour meal came out to roughly $9 per dish (excluding drinks). I would have gladly paid more.

We just missed you.. we had Urasawa Wednesday night (9/26) and also took many pictures of our 4 1/2 hr meal. Processing them now..

Great news. I love how you flew down and back for Skaf's! A true lover of food.

I love most everything about Skaf's except for that lack of lemon and garlic in their hummous. The consistency, color, texture is all immaculate... but its lacking the beautiful tartness as found in Sunnin's hummous (which is by far the best hummous I have had anywhere). If they changed that one thing it may be one of the best Lebanese spots in LA. Maybe the Glendale shop is different. I'm going to try it very soon.

Wake up early and go to the International Marine Products market in downtown at 5am, when they open. Where many of the sushi chefs get their goods.

International Marine Products
500 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA
(213) 688-2577

I would recommend Poquito Mas for fresh, pretty good Mexican food. Tasty Horchata as well.

As far as Taste Chicago... we ordered a deep dish pizza from there and it was really bland.

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Poquito Mas
2635 W Olive Ave, Burbank, CA 91505

Great review. Their Pistachio really is a work of art. I'm wondering of your take on Tutti Gelati in Pasadena. Not sure if it gets much love from the board, but I have to make a stop if I'm in the area for their Cinnamon and Peanut Butter flavors.

I'm looking for an elegant atmosphere, with excellent food. Whether the food is authentic or not isn't really my concern for this particular night. Though, generally, I've found that traditional places excite me more than fusion-type places.

Have had Zo as well. For some reason I'm more a Nozawa guy.. but after reading the countless suggestions for the omakase at Zo (we ordered from the list) I'm willing to give it another shot.

Thanks. Any specific entrees you prefer?

We've had Kagaya and it was great, though we'd like something other than shabu-shabu.

Looking for an excellent gourmet Japanese joint aside from Nobu / Matsuhisa but not too expensive (like Urasawa) because a friend is treating us. I haven't been to any of the following places but maybe Orris, Wakasan, Maison Akira?

Thanks for any help.

I would recommend Tarantino's over Manny's. Their Shrimp & Garlic pizza is great.

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Tarantino's Pizzeria
784 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101

I was buying pastries at Vrej next door and decided to try Soumarelo out. I only ordered hummous and it was bland (in my humble opinion the cornerstone to any good middle eastern meal). But I'd still give the rest of the menu another shot.

I think it changed quite recently, maybe a week or two.

I agree with condiment. This place is a mess.

So today I tried the new "Armenian Palace" restaurant on the corner of Allen and Villa. Very homestyle food. I ordered the following:

- Hummous: pretty terrible. too salty, chunky, lacked lemon & garlic (which is more of the Lebanese style of preparation, but still...)

- Tabouleh: below average, though not completely bad.

- Grape Leaves: plain. not much flavor

- Cheese Bouregs: Excellent! flaky, croissant-like crust with gooey cheese in the center. hot. freshly prepared. would go back for this.

- Tahn: boring.. not tart enough. no dried mint leaves.

Want to go back to try the falafel and a few other dishes.

I agree with Cameron's. Try their Blackened Swordfish.

Lebanese Kitchen is pretty good.

Good Times Pita Kitchen has excellent stuffed grape leaves and decent mezze food (except hummous).

Armenian Palace just opened on Villa and Allen, though I have yet to try it.

Sahara has decent falafel, but from what I remember nothing else really enticed me. If you want amazing falafel, try Falafel Arax in E Hollywood.

I finally tried Larkin's Sunday Brunch for their pancakes and although I didn't really like the pancakes, their Cinnamon French Toast was pretty spectacular.. crispy, cinnamon crust with a very soft, tender filling. Not to mention their surprisingly amazing homemade veggie sausage.

The 49'er Flap Jacks at Original Pancake House in Anaheim are the best (thin) pancakes I've ever had. A crispy edge complemented perfectly by a soft, gooey center. They're great even without syrup and butter... that may be the true test of a pancake.

The only buttermilk pancakes I've truly enjoyed were at the Clinton Street Baking Co. in New York and that was due in part to the amazing warm maple butter syrup they serve with their fluffy cakes.

Papa Don's
303 Pasadena Ave
South Pasadena, CA, 91030
(626) 799-8397

I like Domenico's for their Eggplant Parmesan, Garlic Bread and Clam Chowder soup (which I think is a special?) though I don't actually like eating in the restaurant.. just get it to go.

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Domenico's Italian Restaurant
2411 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104

Just returned from Houston's and the veggie burger was pretty flavorless. The shoestring fries were dry and plain. And to boot, the tab after tip costed me $30 for two bitter coffees and a split (onto two plates... $5 fee) veggie burger.

The bakery by Bulgarini:

Pastries by Nancy
761 E Altadena Dr
Altadena, CA 91001
(626) 794-9839