My husband and I will be spending our first Christmas sans holiday travel or family in 9 years this week, and we're looking for really tasty, fun, crowded, vegetarian (him) friendly Chinese. We usually head out toward San Gabriel Valley for Chinese, but I'm looking for something on the western side of town. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also, if anyone has other suggestions for Christmas Day food that would meet the tasty, fun, crowded, veggie-friendly criteria, I'd love to hear them.

Does anyone know anything about T.G. Express on West 3rd? I got a menu under my door and it looks great (cheap, interesting, and cheap). Before I jump in and order the spicy pumpkin with eggplant and have it delivered (free) to my door, is there anything I should know?

Thanks!

The eggplant barhta at Makkal Halal

I wasn't going to post about MALO because I just complained about India Sweets & Spices and figured I should say something nice before I complain again. But I went on Friday with some friends -- they were eating dinner and I was drinking -- and our waitress hated us. It was actually kind of strange. She kept rolling her eyes and was really irritated when I asked how much the margaritas were, which I was glad I did because my friends didn't specify the tequila they wanted and their pretty good margaritas were 9 bucks. Their food looked pretty good and they both said it was tasty. I wanted to like it because it's really close to my house, but I don't think I'll go back.

the butterscotch pudding is one of the greatest things I've ever eaten. the white bean bruchetta is also really excellent; a simple dish done perfectly.

I just returned home from my fourth and final attempt to understand why people like India Sweets and Spices. I love south Indian food, and I've eaten excellent masala dosa from Berkeley to Fremont to Chatsworth to Artesia. I just don't understand what they are doing at India Sweets & Spices to ruin one of the world's greatest snacks. Tonight my husband and I were craving dosa but didn't want to drive all the way to Chatsworth from Silverlake, so we decided to give IS&S one more try. The last time we were there are dal was cold and our poori tasted like they had been in the fridge for a week and I swore I would never go back.

I ordered the Masala dosa and he got the Mysore dosa and they were both borderline inedible. The dosa itself was thin and greasy, the dal was incredibly salty, the red condiment was basically Heinz 57 with some curry powder. The coconut chutney was really chalky.

And, even though there were only three other people there, when our dosas came up, the women behind the counter let them sit there for way too long before they ladled out our dal, chutney,etc. so that by the time we actually got them they were totally soggy.

Believe, it's worth the drive to Chatsworth for Woodlands or to Artesia for Udupi. India Sweets and Spices is really terrible.