heinous's Profile
Earthern- What else to order beyond scallion pancakes and house chicken?
I remember their potstickers being exemplary. Great caramelization on the bottoms, nice and juicy on the inside, but not overly greasy.
But I have also been disappointed in their other dishes. I ordered a simple veggie and tofu dish, and the sauce was overly dark and heavy - too much corn starch. And they used dried shiitakes, which is fine, but they weren't reconstituted well.
It's a shame that their other dishes aren't that great, but I'm still perfectly happy to drop in for the scallion pancakes, house chicken, and potstickers! :)
Seoul - Ceramic House: Authentic BBQ in a casual, hip setting
Well technically, you can grill anything! I love throwing garlic and onions on the grill too. And one of my favorite tricks is to finish the meal by throwing some rice, the last scraps of meat, and whatever leftover panchan (kimchee, spinach, sprouts, mushrooms, whatever) all onto the grill and mixing it up. It's delicious; you pick up all the meaty flavor from the grill and get a good char on the rice at the same time. And these solid ceramic grills are perfect for it - this doesn't work as well on the usual metal grills.
Seoul - Ceramic House: Authentic BBQ in a casual, hip setting
Yup! The owner suggested it. I loved having it both ways. Raw, it provides a refreshing tartness and crunch. Grilled, it softens up and takes on a savoriness that goes really well with the meat. And don't forget the grilled garlic. :)
Seoul - Ceramic House: Authentic BBQ in a casual, hip setting
Just got food photos from my friend! His camera is better than mine.
This pork was so good. I wish there were more pork Korean BBQ places in the US. Now I'm hungry...
Seoul - Ceramic House: Authentic BBQ in a casual, hip setting
I'm just back from a trip to Seoul, and I got some great tips from the boards here. So I wanted to return the favor and post about a place that I discovered through a friend of a friend. Once in a while you come across a place that's just right - food, atmosphere, people. I found myself there 3-4 times on a 7 day visit.
Ceramic House is the charmingly amusing English name (Ong-Gi Jip in Korean) of a delightful little place that specializes in quality pork belly grilled on traditional ceramic grills at the table. The quirky, contemporary decor is a refreshing foil to the serious Korean meat, which is among the best I've had in Seoul. They also have other dishes - I liked their little bento-type box, made to be reminiscent of schoolkids' meals - with rice, meat, egg, and veggies. You add sauce, close it and shake it up, like kids in Korea do. Very fun, and it was nostalgic for the Korean peeps. The place overall is very laid back. No awkwardness about foreigners, no judgy servers. Just good people.
The owner is a funky young guy who, it seems, grew up in a family somewhat famous for its traditional BBQ restaurant. He went on to study modern food styling and then opened Ceramic House, which pays homage to great traditional meats while creating a very fresh, young, almost artistic atmosphere. We chatted with him for a bit - his English is decent, and he's a cool guy, very passionate about what he does.
The light is a little low in there, so my food pictures didn't come out well. But here's a couple of the place from the website just to give you an idea.
Anyway, if you're looking for an off-the-beaten-path place to go with friends or even on a date, check it out. Tell Jae Won (the owner) that CC from LA says hi. He'll be the guy with the shaved head and big glasses.
As with lots of places in Seoul, it can be a little hard to find:
Yeoksam-Dong 810-16 in Gangnam
Line 9. Sinnonhyeon Station, Exit 4. Come out and make the second right (it's a small street). Go straight until you reach the next small street. You'll see the restaurant to your right.
Going to Animal
I love starting with the chicken liver toasts - just a couple small bites to get you going. If you're a fan of marrow, Animal's is a nice version - split lengthwise, topped with chimichurri. And if you're a foie fan, the foie gras biscuits and the foie gras loco moco are both unique and delightful ways to have it (before it's too late). The pork belly sandwiches are a favorite of mine too.
I agree with djquinnc that they also do a nice job with veggies. I always have a couple of their salads to balance things out - they change these up fairly often, but they always have a few nice options, and it's a nice counterpoint to the meat. Their produce is always impeccable. If they have the baby broccoli with soft egg, that's a favorite too.
Have so much fun at my favorite place!!
what are the best foie gras dishes to splurge on before the ban?
Yes, yes, do it! That dish is a delight in every way. It actually almost made my sister cry. She's a bit silly, but still... :)
Lukshon vs Akasha - Culver City
For food, Lukshon is hands down the better choice. I (and most others I know) find Akasha overall bland and unmemorable. But Akasha does have good atmosphere and drinks, the food isn't terrible, and it's more casual than Lukshon. Then again, you could always eat at Lukshon and stroll down to Father's Office for a low-key finish to the evening. :)
Have fun!
How's dinner at the Langham, Pasadena?
I had dinner at the Royce for my birthday, and it was one of the most pleasurable dining experiences I've had. We sat at the chef's table, which was certainly part of making it special. The sommelier greeted us at the door, ushered us into one of their wine rooms, and gave us each a glass of wine before leading us to the table. The chef came out and personally presented each course, in some cases finishing the carving and plating right in front of us. The sommelier also presented each pairing and was knowledgable while being delightful and not a bit snobby. The rest of the service was discreet, efficient, and highly professional. The chef also invited me into the kitchen for a peek at the line.
The food itself was excellent as well. Creative and thoughtful with little touches of whimsy, but all solidly anchored in classic technique. Yes, there certainly are other places doing more avant garde things, but for the overall specialness of the experience, I thought it was truly wonderful. I highly recommend it for a special occasion.
Visiting from NYC - what's the "best" of the things that aren't great here?
Second that, for sure. Especially now that it's back it all its yakitori glory!
Advice on where to go near LAX or within between flights?
Wow, 7 hours. for that amount of time, a nice option would be getting down to the beach. The Manhattan Beach area is about 10 minutes from the airport and is a great area to while away a few hours, epsecially if it's a nice day. Highlights for eating would be MB Post for delicious small plates and excellent cocktails and Petros for very fine Greek food. You can do a search around Manhattan Beach for other options too - there's Japanese fusion, brewhouses, lots of stuff.
Cabs are easy to get at the airport. Have them take you to Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach - which is a great place to grab a cocktail too, especially if their roof patio is open. Adjacent to the hotel is a nice little outdoor shopping area where Petros is. There's even a good day spa if you're so inclined. The beach, restaurants, shops, and everything else is easy walking distance. When you're ready to head back, you can grab a cab from Shade.
Have fun!
Haven't seen too much written on Roy Choi's new restaurant, Sunny Spot yet. A quick reflection...
I'm interested! I'm actually taking a big group there tomorrow due to your reviews. I had been looking for a place to go around there, and this fit the bill. Thank you both for the reviews, and I'll add my thoughts after tomorrow's visit too.
Breakfast buffet in Los Angeles?
The best breakfast buffet I've been to is the Sunday brunch at Scarpetta at the Montage Beverly Hills. Quality is top notch - everything is cooked in small batches and is constantly refreshed. They have typical breakfast stuff, but also cold seafood, fresh pasta, a carving station, and an amazing cheese table from Beverly Hills Cheese. It's $58/person, so more of a special occasion place, but it's the best representation of a Vegas-style buffet in the area.
I've also heard they do a brunch buffet at the Universal Hilton, but I haven't been.
One Night in LA: Manhattan Beach Post or Animal?
Agree. Animal would be my first choice, especially for a date night. The food is just sensual and luscious. After a meal there, I definitely feel very... romantic.
Animal without pork?
Agree with other posters that Son of a Gun might have more options for you, but I'm such a fan of Animal that I feel it would be a shame to miss it. Animal has so much to offer that I think you can easily put together a meal without pork, shellfish or rabbit. They update their online menu fairly often, and I've always found it to be pretty representative, give or take a couple of dishes. While they do decline substitations, from their most recently posted menu, you could have:
chicken liver toast 3
baby kale, pecorino, lemon chili vinaigrette, breadcrumbs 10
marrow bone, chimichurri, caramelized onions 10
lettuce, beets, avocado, pita, feta, creamy sumac 11
veal tongue, smoked foie gras, pastrami spices, crab apple 13
grilled baby broccoli, soft egg, pancetta vinaigrette, parmesan 13
veal brains, vadouvan, apple sauce, carrot 14
hamachi tostada, herbs, fish sauce vinaigrette, peanut 15
yellowtail collar, jerk spices, jicama, seaweed, palm sugar vinaigrette 16
potato agnolotti, caramelized onion, parmesan 16
poutine, oxtail gravy, cheddar 18
alaskan halibut, chantrelles, corn, hot peppers, green goddess 20
foie gras terrine, date butter, saba 20
flat iron, sunchoke hash, truffle parmesan fondue 28 (unless you can't do dairy with meat)
berries, vanilla custard, lavender crumble, opal basil 7
sticky toffee pudding, mascarpone, orange 7
tres leches, dulce de leche 7
If you're still hungry after that, you can hop over to Son of a Gun. Or across the street for a Golden State burger! Have fun!
Izakaya Bincho serving yakitori again?
I do wish for his sake that he could get a place that would get him more business so that he could really make full use of his talents. But I've kind of grown fond of this location. Parking is easy, and I've always been able to get a seat right away. And since the food is so consistently good, I don't mind a little smoke in the air - it's no worse than Korean BBQ. In any case, I'd follow him wherever he goes, but in the meantime, I personally think it's worth a trip to the boardwalk anytime. Especially when you can walk a few steps in one direction and down a few oysters to start off before dinner and then walk a few in the other afterwards and have 80 great beers on tap to finish the evening.
Izakaya Bincho serving yakitori again?
I don't know - I didn't get a chance to ask him about that. Like I said, the place did end up getting pretty smoky inside, so I don't know about the ventilation. Then again, I think he was shut down before because there was too much smoke outside and the other businesses complained. So maybe now he's just keeping it in. :)
In any case, get down there as soon as you can in case he has to stop again!
Izakaya Bincho serving yakitori again?
Hi! I was about to post about this and then saw yours. Yes, he is serving yakitori again, and it is wonderful! It's his true passion, and it really shows. Luckily, he's still serving some izakaya favorites like spicy chicken wings, braised pork belly, karaage, and most notably, his exemplary agedashi tofu. I had almost every skewer, and they are delightful. For those who were lucky enough to have his yakitori before he had to change to izakaya only, he is back in top form. He himself has a new energy about him - you can really tell how proud he is to proclaim that he is a true yakitori master and to be able serve it again. The standouts for me were the chicken thigh and gizzard and his tsukune meatballs which are even more delicious grilled over charcoal.
He was very busy, so I didn't get a chance to ask him how or why he was able to do yakitori again - and in fact, the restaurant did end up getting very smoky while I was there. But he is back at it, and is grilling with bincho-tan.
I can't wait to go back!
Pig Tails?
Hi! Have you checked the 99 Ranch in Gardena? I've seen them there before.
Two completely unrelated questions: Patina Wild Game menu and Waterloo & City.
I think that's a great assessment. But do note that Waterloo & City delivers a flavor profile that's very different from the others, particularly A Frame and Red Medicine, which have an Asian slant. Last I was in Culver City, I started at A Frame and ended next door at Waterloo & City, which for me was a perfect night of grazing. The full charcuterie platter at Waterloo is not to be missed. :)
Have fun!
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Red Medicine
8400 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
I miss Graeter's Ice Cream
My local Ralph's in El Segundo carries more flavors too - I think around 5-6 last I was there. The Butter Pecan is amazing... and I don't usually even like Butter Pecan. The Chocolate Chip is more like Chocolate Chunky Chunk. So much chocolate! :)
WHITE TRUFFLE TASTING MENUS - 2011/2012
I just booked too! Thanks for the info, everyone!
WHITE TRUFFLE TASTING MENUS - 2011/2012
That sounds like a really inexpensive white truffle menu, particularly for Providence! Is this listed somewhere on their site?
Need birthday dinner recommendation! East side preferable.
I had my birthday dinner at the chef's table at the Royce a few weeks ago, and it was one of the most perfect dining experiences I've had. The space is lovely, the service spot on, and the chef came out and presented each dish personally. But at the same time, the atmosphere was relaxing and enjoyable. The sommelier is delightful and doted on us all evening. I highly recommend it. you will definitely feel special. :)
Have fun! Happy birthday!
Vietnamese in the South Bay
I know, so sad. I went to lunch at Pho Hoa yesterday and noticed the Biryani House. Oh well... I like Huong Vi too. Caveat on Van Sandwiches. I went yesterday morning to pick up a few sandwiches. There was only one lady working, and she really rushed through the sandwiches in order to get to other people's orders. The bread wasn't toasted, and the toppings were a bit sparse - a marked difference from my first visit. So YMMV depending on who's working and how busy they are.
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Huong Vi
15180 Prairie Ave, Lawndale, CA 90260
Pho Hoa
818 N Spring St Ste 103, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Van Coffee Sandwiches
15900 Crenshaw Blvd, Gardena, CA 90249
Vietnamese in the South Bay
My favorite for pho is Pho Hoa, which has been mentioned here. But if you're looking for a place with more variety, I also like Pho Thai Long, which is right next to Pho Hoa on Prairie. They serve a decent pho, but also vermicelli bowls, summer rolls, and rice plates. I especially like that they serve Vietnamese rice crepes, which are delicious and very generously portioned. You get two big crepes to an order, and they're super crispy savory. The place is very clean, and the owner is sweet and aims to please. Good for bigger parties too - I went with 12 people, and they pushed a bunch of tables together for us.
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Pho Hoa
15034 Prairie Ave, Hawthorne, CA 90250
Pho Thai Long
14936 Prairie Ave, Hawthorne, CA 90250
Vietnamese in the South Bay
There's a new banh mi place on Crenshaw, just south of Manhattan Beach Blvd., across from El Camino. It's in the same plaza as Geoffrey's Comics and Gamestop. I stopped in for a banh mi the other day, and it was definitely the best I've had in the South Bay - much better than Pho Hong Long was. I got the classic banh mi ($3.50), and there was plenty of pate and mystery meat, along with lots of the pickled veggies (which I love), cilantro, red onion, and lots of jalapenos (at my request). The bread was toasty, the meat flavorful, and the veggies fresh. Luckily, this is on my way to work, so I will definitely be picking up lunch sandwiches. Which will quickly become breakfast sandwiches because I won't be able to resist eating them immediately.
Looks like the link isn't up yet, so here's the info:
Van Sandwiches
15900 Crenshaw Blvd
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 527-7151
Note: There's a sign that says Buy 2, get 1 free outside. This only applies to the coffee, not to the sandwiches. Boo.
居酒屋 Izakaya in Little Tokyo - Anyone tried any of these?
Honda-ya is my favorite of these. It's the most traditional izakaya in terms of menu and atmosphere. It's a great down-home place to relax, drink, and eat. The food is solid. Toranoko is in a different category - more fish-focused, more fusion, and a lot more funds needed. Haru Ulala is a fun little place with lively waitresses, lots of drunk people, and passable food; but you don't go there just to eat, unless it's to soak up booze at the end of the night.
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Haru Ulala
368 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
居酒屋 Izakaya in Little Tokyo - Anyone tried any of these?
I live in constant fear that Bincho will close, and their propensity to look closed doesn't help. I just went a couple of weeks ago; the sign was gone, and they weren't open, even though it was 5:30 and they should have been. I started to panic, but then Tomo-san opened the door and said he was just running late. I was happy to come back later and order a boatload of food. Don't close, Bincho!!
Freshia Market in Torrance now SMart
Thanks for the report! I noticed that it had reopened as SMart, but I didn't realize it was still a Korean market. I'm so happy to hear that since the marinated meat section is way better than Hannam's. I'm going to check it out on the way home! Are any of the food stalls back?
