In need of LA help from Chowhounders! 2 nights!!!!

Thank you in advance!
I will be in LA for 2 nights, and in Anaheim for 1 (less important). I am stressed to make sure we go for a nice meal for our anniversary (Im a private chef in Montreal, so a night out for a good meal is rare and exciting for me!!)

My husband & I will be celebrating our wedding anniversary one night, and eating with another couple the next. I NEED some suggestions for mexican to eat with friends. I dont want to hit a taco truck, but dine in somewhere with fresh mexican food. Not a fancy place, just delicious and fresh with choice! Please.

My list for the other night, for the two of us. we are staying in Santa Monica- but will have a car. Japanese, or other ideas?

so far I have:
Izaka-ya
Musha
Animal
Mozza

Where else?

Many thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-----
Musha
424 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

daniellebluma in Los Angeles Area

Casual Tuscany

I am traveling to Tuscany in 2 weeks. We will be staying 25 minutes outside of Siena in Castelnuovo Berardenga, for 6 days. We have many "fine" dining reservations, but we need some dinner options nearby the hotel, or in siena that are real, local, and very casual/

Can anyone help? Would be greatly appreciated.

daniellebluma in Italy

Rome- Three Days and Nights

I stayed at the Waldorf Cavalieri and ate at Molto this past September. Whatever the guides say- forget it- Molto was amazing, and is not to be missed! We ate there on our last night, and when we go back this May, Ive already booked it!

daniellebluma in Italy

Tuscan restaurant help

I will be in tuscany in may (staying near chianti) 20 minutes from siena.
We would like some dinner options that are not 40 minutes away (in chianti, siena, or somewhere close)- some very low key, inexpensive, and local trattorias where we can find simple pasta and salad when we want to fill in from the fancier, heavier meals.

Any help would be so appreciated. I dont want to drive my mom around aimlessly on her 60th birthday week celebration!

Thank you!

daniellebluma in Italy

El Bulli 2010 Reservations

Amazing amazing! I wish I could have gotten that reply way back- enjoy and report back!!!!

daniellebluma in Spain/Portugal

El Bulli 2010 Reservations

That is hilarious! I got the exact same message from Luis (exact), when I tried to go this past September.
I even quoted it in my blog here. Check it out.
http://daniellegaronce.blogspot.com/2009/12/testimo-barcelona.html

Good luck to you, I hope something turns up.

daniellebluma in Spain/Portugal

INOPIA

There is no way to make any form of a reservation with inopia- perhaps if you are a very large group you could call- but its well well worth any sort of wait, especially if you are looking for something less expensive. Inopia rocked my world.

As for other reccos- I loved bar torres, and a few others that have great energy like inopia- for a full list and photos check out my Barcelona Blog here:

http://daniellegaronce.blogspot.com/2009/12/testimo-barcelona.html

daniellebluma in Spain/Portugal

Trip to Barcelona

I can't believe no one has mentioned inopia. It is Albert Adrias restaurant (Ferran of El bullis brother)- and it is casual, happening, absolutely delicious and hands down the best eating experience we had in spain. Albert was there the entire afternoon adjusting the music, greeting the customers- truly A+++++

Comerc was the opposite extreme. A complete let down, and my most anticipated meal of our trip- check out more about it (pics etc) and reviews of comerc & a bunch of other amazing Barcelona food spots here:

http://daniellegaronce.blogspot.com/2009/12/testimo-barcelona.html

daniellebluma in Spain/Portugal

Monkland Village

I have been eating in and around the Monkland area for years.

Taverne: Food definitely some of the best on that street (Westmount Tav is one of my favorites in the city, and I have to agree that the food at Monk Tav is far below the quality and service of Tav Square)

Chase: Very reasonable and pretty good for what it is. Chicken brochettes are marinated for a few days and are very tender and food is always fresh and good. We go there a lot fr a quick and cheap meal outside.

Agora on Somerled: good cheap greek, order the whole grilled chicken.... mmm...

Ye Olde Orchard: My husband loves the burgers- more of a greasy joint, but if youre in the mood for some fries.

Malibu: I dont eat there- they have some god stuff although it is heavily overpriced and the customer service is lousy.

Al Dente: I ate there tonight (actually) HORRIBLE. I cannot understand how busy it is there, the food was almost inedible.

daniellebluma in Quebec (including Montreal)

Monkland Village

Maybe it has been a while since you have eaten on that strip- but Tribeca has been closed for over 2 years!

daniellebluma in Quebec (including Montreal)