Looking for place for girls night out on Tue. with happy hour drinks and sushi so we don't have to stumble someplace else for eats. And if it has karaoke, all the better! Dinner and a show. I can find sushi in the Valley but no listings for happy hour other than Bistro Ka and it gets bad reviews for food, attitude, etc. Thanks, Hounds.

I don't want to buy tahini as I generally won't use a jar of it in a year; so how can I make my own hummus without using it? Can I substitute sesame oil and add it to garbanzo beans, garlic, etc.? Any tips appreciated!

Ok, after watching segment of Diary of a Foodie on PBS, I want to try dongpo rou (sweet marinated pork belly) - does anyone know of restaurants in LA area that serve this?

The recipe calls for 1.5 tbs of light corn syrup and 3/4 c granulated sugar. Mom clipped it from an AARP magazine (Nov/Dec 2007) and in the photo they look more like mini muffins than a true teacake. If you are interested, it can be found at http://www.aarpmagazine.org/food/cook.... I just hate to buy corn syrup since I never use it, so I may take MakingSense's advice and make my own. Thanks all!

I have a recipe that calls for light corn syrup, but I am wondering if I can substitute the British "golden syrup" which is a little heavier but not as heavy as dark corn syrup. If I did substitute it should I cut back on the granulated sugar called for in the recipe? It's for teacakes, fyi. Thanks!

My mother just returned from England where she enjoyed a fabulous meal in a small restaurant in Newcastle that served Indian food from the Kashmiri and Pubjabi cuisine tradition. Now she is seeking something similar in LA for her birthday next week. Any CHOW suggestions? She loves lamb in particular. Thanks!

Some friends and I are planning a dinner the week of Dec. 18, looking for someplace reasonable and bistro-ish that is serving traditional Xmas desserts. I was thinking of Cafe Bizou, maybe Bistro Provence, any other suggestions, Hounds?

I work in Canoga Park/Woodland Hills area. Have been assigned rolls for the big feast tomorrow. Any suggestions on decent rolls from an artisanal bakery? Need about a dozen. Thanks.

I have a ton of key limes and was thinking of making key lime curd but then I thought "what if I layered it with some kind of chocolate" almost like a nutella but without the nuts (which I don't think would go too well with lime). Any ideas on what that layer should be? Ganache? Just plain melted chocolate? Do I need to put anything in there to preserve it if I am putting it into jars with the curd to give as gifts? Any advice welcomed!

My friend is celebrating her 50th b'day and 20th anni, so she needs a terrific cake for about 70 people, nothing too sugary, something that can be a sheet size with decor on top. Any great recs in the SD area? I am driving down from LA today to help her decide and need some info pronto! Thanks Hounds!

Three ladies looking for nice place in Silver Lake/Los Feliz area for birthday dinner on Monday 10/30. We like sushi, healthy bistro, etc. and good drinks. Any suggestions? Prefer no more than $25 a person if possible. Thanks!

Thanks all for the creative suggestions. Has anyone tried to put a pizza stone on the stovetop and heat it that way? Not that I would try that, of course, but...

Without it turning into a rubbery mess? I know it's good cold for breakfast the next morning, but in the event I actually want it hot and gooey, what do you all recommend? If it's oven reheat, what temp? In foil? On a heatproof plate? Help. Grazie!

Do they have rolls as well? I still dream of the delicious breakfast rolls (I think they are called zemmel?) served at my small hotel with delicious cheese spreads and pates. That and an apple got me through many treks around Munich. Crispy outside, fluffy inside, incredible taste. Hmmm...let me know if they carry rolls as well and I'm there!