pharmnerd's Profile
Loud and louder restos: Maybe I'm getting old, but...
Shin Sen Gumi Hakata Ramen in Little Tokyo. Even for lunch, the noise level (mainly from the workers) was annoying.
Izakaya Bincho serving yakitori again?
Great news. Have only tried it sans yakitori, so time to go back now.
Downtown LA restaurant reviews
Honest reviews appreciated. I'm always looking for options in/around DTLA.
Most Divisive Restaurants?
Good list. Phillipe's & Tito's at top of my 'most divisive' list. Especially with Tito's threads, Chowhound Team always needs to intervene.
Vietnamese Pancakes (Banh Xeo) & Fried Bread for Pho
In OC, but Brodard has what my friend stated was a good version of Banh Xeo.
Another Thermometer Question--Snap Judgment?
I have a Thermapen and am satisfied with it. I like the reading speed, but would have preferred to save a few bucks for a smaller model that didn't read down to the 0.1 degree.
Cracked Granite. They say normal. I say BS. What do you think??
Doesn't look right to me and may worsen over time as the slab settles. At min, they should repair it. A good installer can probably conceal it with some type of colored joint compound (mastic?). I've seen good and bad joint concealing jobs, so beware. I'd ask for some type of discount if they go this route. Good luck.
Food Network's "Best Thing I Ever Ate". What have you tried in L.A.?
Season 6 is complete...I think. Any of these worthy of the distinction?
Episode: "Messy"
The Boiling Crab
742 W Valley Blvd.
Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 576-9368
http://www.theboilingcrab.com/
On Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Simon Majumdar skips the crab and goes for the finger-licking good, as spicy as you want them, shrimp at The Boiling Crab in Alhambra, CA.
Episode: "As Good As Moms"
La Poubelle
5907 Franklin Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 465-0807
http://www.lapoubellebistro.com/
On Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Curtis Stone reveals his favorite French dish that he raves is as good as his moms, the Coq Au Vin, at La Poubelle in Hollywood, CA.
Lukshon
3239 Helms Ave.
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 202-6808
http://www.lukshon.com/
On Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Candace Nelson raves about the Spicy Chicken Pops, drumettes dusted with spicy sichuan salt and garlic, that are as good as her moms, at Lukshon in Culver City, CA.
Spago Beverly Hills
176 N. Canon Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 385-0880
http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/fine-dining/3635
Wolfgang Puck praises the Kaiserschmarrn, a warm pancake-like dessert crafted by the executive chef from Wolfgang's own restaurant, Spago, in Beverly Hills, CA, and claims it's as good as his moms.
Episode: "Frightfully Good"
Animal Restaurant
435 N. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323-782-9225
http://www.animalrestaurant.com
Duff Goldman prefers the fresh, local ingredients and the classic American cuisine at Animal in Los Angeles, CA, on Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate. Pig tails.
Episode: "Bird is the Word"
A-Frame
12565 Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 398-7700
http://aframela.com/new/
Susan Feniger's bird dish of choice, the Cracklin' Beer Can Chicken, is a delicious, old school favorite at A-Frame in Los Angeles, CA, on Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate.
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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
La Poubelle
5907 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Lukshon
3239 Helms Ave, Culver City, CA 90034
A-Frame
12565 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
La Habra eats?
Agree w/ the Taco Nazo rec. Cheap, good eats in casual atmosphere. Unless get the crema on the side, try not to get to go as it'll get soggy/messy.
If lucky, Kogibbq truck rolls thru the area once in a while (more often in nearby Fullerton). If lines aren't long, worth a try for Korean-Mex fusion. kogibbq.com
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Taco Nazo
1267 N Grand Ave, Walnut, CA 91789
居酒屋 Izakaya in Little Tokyo - Anyone tried any of these?
Thanks for heads-up on Toranoko. Will consider your recs.
My Kauai Food Report
Glad to be of some help. BTW, Kilauea fish market was on Best Thing I Ever Ate on Food Network recently. Am hoping things don't change there for the worse. Did you come across any new food finds on Kauai?
Le Creuset 5.5 qt. round AND and a 4.5 qt. oval - too much?
Go with the one larger round one IMO. Size diff doesn't seem big enough to justify. We use 7qt round one for many jobs, large and smaller.
Stater Bros. Meat: What the Hell Happened???
I have decent luck with pork at Stater Bros, mainly different rib cuts.
Dat Thanh – Revelatory Nem Nuong (Vietnamese Grilled Pork Patty Spring Rolls) and Great Com Tam (Broken Rice) in Little Saigon
Ok, thanks. Will try this place asap.
Dat Thanh – Revelatory Nem Nuong (Vietnamese Grilled Pork Patty Spring Rolls) and Great Com Tam (Broken Rice) in Little Saigon
Owners from San Jose, CA? There's a similarly named restaurant there, that's still one of my faves even compared to places in So Cal. I don't think they're known for the rolls though.
Top Five L.A. Sandwiches?
Can't think of 5 now, but nods to Langer's #19 and Mendocino Farms Kurobuta Pork Belly Banh Mi on grilled panini.
居酒屋 Izakaya in Little Tokyo - Anyone tried any of these?
Only been to Haru Ulala. As already mentioned, it's ok. Honestly, tastebuds were a little "cloudy" that day, but recall the food being ok not great. As a comparison, food at Izakaya Bincho in Redodo Beach was markedly better overall.
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Haru Ulala
368 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Izakaya Bincho
112 N International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Italian Beef in SoCal
4&1/2 stars w/ 120 review, so looks promising. Looks like it comes with grilled peppers/onions by default & have to request giardinera.
Italian Beef in SoCal
Apparently there's a place on Venice beach. Anyone heard/tried?
Food Network's "Best Thing I Ever Ate". What have you tried in L.A.?
Thank you. The online info has become more sketchy & I deleted the Tivo'd shows. Frank Bruni's recs always look awesome.
Izayoi Changing Ownership to Shin Sen Gumi?
Shin Sen Gumi sign is up. Wasn't open as of last 3 days ago.
Food Network's "Best Thing I Ever Ate". What have you tried in L.A.?
More Season 5: Farrell's? Serious? Everything else looked good on TV at least.
Episode: “Old School”
La Scala – Jean Leon Original Chopped Salad
Guest: Gail Simmons
434 N Canon Dr
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 275-0579
www.lascalabeverlyhills.com
Episode: “Ice Creamy”
Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour & Restaurant – Gibson Girl
Guest: ?
799 The Shops at Mission Viejo
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(949) 364-5411
www.farrellsusa.com
Bulgarini Gelato - Torta Gelato with Chocolate and Pistacchio
Guest: ?
749 E. Altadena Dr.
Altadena, CA 91001
(626) 791-6174
www.bulgarinigelato.com
Episode: “French Favorites”
Lucques – Braised Shortribs
Guest: ?
8474 Melrose Ave.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 655-6277
http://www.lucques.com
Episode: “Finger Foods”
Meals By Genet – Dorowat (Ethiopian Chicken Stew)
Guest: Melissa D’Arabian
1053 S. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 938-9304
www.mealsbygenet.com
The Gorbals – Bacon Wrapped Matzoh Balls
Guest: Rahm Fama
501 S. Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 488-3408
thegorbals.squarespace.com
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Meals By Genet
1053 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019
Bulgarini Gelato
749 E Altadena Dr, Altadena, CA 91001
Lucques
8474 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069
La Scala
1100 S San Pedro St Ste A0, Los Angeles, CA 90015
The Gorbals
501 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour Restaurant
799 The Shops Blvd, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Hollywood Pies - FINALLY some decent Chicago Pizza in LA
I've had real Chicago pizza only a couple times, like spinach at Giordano's (if that's the place with the graffiti'd walls) & home-cooked some frozen ones I brought as carry-on pre-9/11 (Xray screener didn't even flinch). Tony's hits the spot nicely for me now. If this place is better, I'm all over it, so thanks for the tip.
Most Kid Un-Friendly Restaurants In LA.
Korean tofu restaurants. Super-hot stone bowls of boiling soup and rice. Not good w/ kids.
Monterey Park Sam Woo Gone?
Cerritos one still lives, with to-go only BBQ/take-out on one side.
Excellent pastrami and/or corned beef sandwich in OC?
Katella's version of Langer's #19 was better than I expected, maybe 5+ out of 10, with Langer's about a 9+. So, not great but decent in a pinch.
Food Network's "Best Thing I Ever Ate". What have you tried in L.A.?
Added to my "gotta try" list. Thanks for heads-up. How might it compare to Portillo's in Buena Park?
