Good place to eat at the bar, Santa Monica?

Artichoke = $8, Bucatini = $12, Octopus = $9. Poppyfields Pale Ale = $9. I had more than enough food with those three dishes and the beer. Total before tax and tip = $38.

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Good place to eat at the bar, Santa Monica?

Thanks so much for the suggestions, all. I'm going to several events there* so will probably try more of these suggestions. Last night, I went to Tar & Roses at Ciao Bob's suggestion. It was a great idea. I got there early--5:45, and by the time I left at 7 every seat at the bar was taken. It's a great place to sit alone ... the bar is quite wide, and there's lots of the prep to watch.

I can't wait to go back. The food was quite good, including a charred octopus dish that was possibly the best octopus I've ever had. The pasta carbonara was good, and the wood-fired artichoke was as well (slightly soft for my taste, but the flavor from the wood-fire made up for it). Their beer selection is great.

All in all, it's going to be hard to get me to try any other restaurants on this list because I can't wait to go back to Tar & Roses.

*I went to the LA Chamber Orchestra's Westside Connections series, which features a food person in conjunction with the orchestra. Last night was Ruhlman, and I enjoyed it. March 22 is Jonathan Gold, and April 5 is Susan Feniger.

Fig Newton in Los Angeles Area

Good place to eat at the bar, Santa Monica?

Going to an event at the Broad Stage. Can you recommend a good place to eat solo in the vicinity, preferably at a comfortable bar? Does Rustic Canyon fit the bill?

Thanks.

Fig Newton in Los Angeles Area

Steakhouses In Los Angeles County near the beach

I haven't been in forever, but does anyone have an opinion of how Admiral Risty in Palos Verdes is these days? That's on cliffs, not on beach. You'd probably have to drive to get to one of the beaches in Malaga Cove area.

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Admiral Risty
31250 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

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Soba-Ya in Torrance

Just a quick note regarding the new Soba-Ya in Torrance. Following up on this S. Irene blurb in the LAT yesterday, I checked out Soba-Ya, which is at Carson and Western, in Eastgate Plaza. The restaurant is located at the far west of the strip, near Abalone Ave.

I went in order to taste the pop-up soba that was discussed in the article, but was presented with the pop-up menu (that had Zaru Soba ($12) and also a duck soba ($16) and also what looked to be the official restaurant menu. I was exhausted and starving, and ordered the zaru soba without asking any questions.

I am pretty sure I ended up getting the appetizer zaru soba ($7) from the main menu, so I am not really sure about the difference between that and the special pop-up soba.

The soba was nicely firm, and the accompanying sauce was delicious. And! Real wasabi, people. It was lovely.

They are in soft opening until March 1. No liquor license yet. They are serving the sobas, some tempura, and the waitress said something that is like yakitori but fried. This morning, I'm sorry I wasn't my usual intrepid self in order to figure out more about what was going on with the pop-up vs main menu.

I will be returning to try and get the special sobas before 2/21.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2012/02/last-chance-for-common-grains-soba-popup-this-time-in-torrance.html

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Soba Ya
1757 Carson Street, Torrance, CA

Fig Newton in Los Angeles Area

Placentia area dinner, Bruery-adjacent?

That sounds awesome. May not work for this week, but is going on my "to do" list. Thanks!

Fig Newton in Los Angeles Area

Placentia area dinner, Bruery-adjacent?

Catching up with an old friend on Friday. Thinking of dinner preceded by beers at The Bruery. Is there anywhere in that general area that would be great for dinner? Non chain, any cuisine is fine.

I know Mas Islamic has been mentioned. Would love a couple additional recs.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/761918#7073012

Thanks!

Fig Newton in Los Angeles Area

Baco Mercat-More than a sandwich spot

Is this post about Baco Mercat?

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Baco Mercat
408 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

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Good food between Redondo beach and downtown LA

Maybe Musha? Miles-wise, a little closer to Redondo. Food is great, though beer and wine only.

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Musha
1725 W Carson St, Torrance, CA 90501

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High end liquor store, South Bay?

Great, thanks. Looking for spirits tonight ... but maybe wine at some point.

Fig Newton in Los Angeles Area

High end liquor store, South Bay?

Can anyone recommend a good liquor store to buy unique / high-end liquors in the South Bay or Beach Cities?

Thanks!

Fig Newton in Los Angeles Area

Enrique's - Long Beach (Late Lunch Yesterday)

Their chips have never been all that great. And their tortillas are functional, but not awesome. I have *got* to try the pork shank, as I hear tons of great reviews of it.

Fig Newton in Los Angeles Area

Riviera at the Fireside, Westminster?

I've had a couple decent meals at Fuego at the Maya, which is the property kind of next door to the QM. It's a beautiful space, and the food is better than "restaurant plus view" foods tend to be. Generally, the appetizers are better than the mains.

Fig Newton in Los Angeles Area

Visiting in December - Thoughts on Current Line-up

Where are you visiting from? I'm not overly crazy about Nopalito, but if you're from somewhere that you can't get Mexican, then maybe it's a good choice.

Fig Newton in San Francisco Bay Area

Grill House Mediterranean (San Francisco)

Damn, according to Jonathan Kauffman's post today it looks like Chef Vahit is gone.
http://blogs.sfweekly.com/foodie/2011/11/the_reason_grill_house_mediter.php

Fig Newton in San Francisco Bay Area

Community Grains

Glad to hear that it's available at the Pasta Shop and that it's good. I haven't had it, but have been interested in their business model for a while. Here's a good post on Civil Eats about Community Grains. http://civileats.com/2010/11/01/will-the-real-whole-wheat-please-stand-up/

Fig Newton in San Francisco Bay Area

Romantic Restaurant - Help Please

Friends and I have a joke about "sexy date emergencies" and the one-two punch for those is Gitane and Bix, which is on an alley and dark and clubby, and walking distance to Gitane. Not quite as romantic/sexy but a great SF bar is Comstock Saloon. Across the street from Gitane is Rickhouse, which has excellent drinks, but the after-work crowd there drives me crazy.

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Bix
56 Gold St., San Francisco, CA 94133

Gitane Restaurant & Bar
6 Claude Lane, San Francisco, CA 94108

Rickhouse Bar
246 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA

Comstock Saloon
155 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

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Romantic Restaurant - Help Please

Gitane is certainly romantic. Truth be told, I've never eaten upstairs (only at the bar) but the vibe of the whole place is totally sexy. I'm probably a bad judge because I don't like the over-the-top expensive and dramatic places, but the best dates I've had in the city are mid-range, and much more casual than somewhere like Gary Danko: A corner table at Delfina, the bar at Range, the corner bar seats in the window at Zuni Cafe. I had a fantastic meal at Saison last year and could see that being a superb place for a romantic date.

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Zuni Cafe
1658 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Delfina Restaurant
3621 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Gary Danko
800 N Point St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Gitane Restaurant & Bar
6 Claude Lane, San Francisco, CA 94108

Saison
2124 Folsom St., San Francisco, CA 94110

Fig Newton in San Francisco Bay Area

Brunch help for a post-wedding group

Long-time SF Chowhound here, with a question about the Phoenix area. My sister is getting married at the Embassy Suites North (Phoenix Northgate) and we're looking for a place to have brunch or early lunch Sunday after the wedding that is somewhere between there and the airport.

The best place would:

1) Be ok with people arriving on a rolling basis over about an hour (maybe a buffet brunch would be best for that?)
2) Be able to handle multiple checks easily.
3) Have approachable food that is good. Competent food is ok over amazing if it can handle our group well.
4) Have easy access for some of the oldies in the group (eg, my 92-year old grandma), and be ok for kids.
5) Full bar preferred.

Thank you!

Fig Newton in Phoenix

Restaurant near Kezar stadium

I'm a huge fan of Magnolia Pub these days, especially for weekend brunch and lunch. I've sent several groups there lately (kids/adults/food-adventurous/food-conservative) and everyone seems to love it.

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Magnolia Pub & Brewery
1398 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Fig Newton in San Francisco Bay Area

Avatars Punjabi Burrito in Petaluma

I've thought about this burrito several times since trying it a few weeks ago with Melanie. If it were in my neighborhood, I would be there often. Everything about the burrito screamed fresh, and the paratha, while not perfect, was a quite good wrap for the delicious filling.

Fig Newton in San Francisco Bay Area

Spring Sev Puri – Today’s Return to Juhu Beach Club in San Francisco

And she's active on twitter. @chefpmistry

Fig Newton in San Francisco Bay Area

Anyone seen pumpkins yet in SF?

Winter squash at the Ferry Plaza today -- Catalan Farm and Thomas Farm. Didn't pay close enough attention to the varietal, but they were there.

Fig Newton in San Francisco Bay Area

what is in the salsa at papalote?

The salsa is now available in jars at Whole Foods and other places around town. Has anyone reverse engineered from the ingredient list?

Fig Newton in San Francisco Bay Area

fat spoon, downtown?

Thanks to both you and Dommy. I live in San Francisco, but am putting together my list of places I want to try in downtown LA. Sounds like it would be great to try. @thestreetbrat, I had to giggle at your categorization of Spoon House ... I grew up eating that in the South Bay (and still actively crave it) so it doesn't seem so far away to me. ;)

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Spoon House
1601 W Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247

Fig Newton in Los Angeles Area

fat spoon, downtown?

Has anyone had a chance to check out Fat Spoon for Japanese curry downtown -- the new Michael Cardenas place?

Jonathan Gold mentioned it in the Weekly last week: http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/2011/09/jonathan_gold_fat_spoon.php

Thanks!

Fig Newton in Los Angeles Area

Who's got Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA on tap?

This is a pretty cool tool if you're looking for a specific beer. Not all places are on it, but it's a helpful tool for some that are. (and no 120 listed on there right now)
http://www.beermenus.com/beers/dogfish-head-120-minute?city_id=san-francisco

Fig Newton in San Francisco Bay Area

Does any one know the restaurant I am thinking of?

The main question is whether it was bright with lots of windows, or very dark and where you'd go to have an affair.

If the latter, probably Bix. If the former, most likely Zuni, but possibly NOPA.

Further, if you could answer whether the bar was copper, we'd have your answer: Zuni.

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Zuni Cafe
1658 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Bix
56 Gold St., San Francisco, CA 94133

Fig Newton in San Francisco Bay Area

Where can I find quirky sodas in the Bay Area?

I've had several of the sodas and really like them. He now has bottles available for takeaway -- I have a new habit of taking one home from the Thursday FPFM and then drinking it over the next few days. Because it's naturally fermented, it stays fizzy and really nice for quite a few days.

The ginger is good -- very, very gingery, though he's been playing with the balance a little bit. I had a lemon ginger a few weeks ago that I loved. Last week, I brought home the grape which was outstanding. My hands-down favorite was a strawberry / smoked vanilla that he had around May or June. I hope he plays with unusual flavors like that again sometime -- the smoke was really unusual and enjoyable.

Fig Newton in San Francisco Bay Area