marlane's Profile
Suggestions 4 birthday dinner with the girls!
Chaya is a great place to party and have great food. Ditto Chinois. Both on Main in SM. Cal-Asian.
C&O in MDR?
this food is garbage IMO. I fail to see the appeal of the famous garlic rolls; greasy beyond belief (literally rolled in grease of some sort) and strewn with garlic to excuse the dooughy bread. Bleach. Last chicken I had there tasted like a 100 year old hen. Gross. You will get HUGE portions of very medicore pasta --can not call this italian food. The atmosphere is fun but the food is awful. AWFUL. I used to live around the corner and have eaten there many times just b/c it is a good cheap eats party place but the food sucks. Be warned.
Fave Restaurant on Olvera Street?
I must be fussy. This is some of the worst tasting Mexican food I have ever had. Blech. Yea, it's cheap but you get what you pay for.
What are L.A. Hounds' fave places to dine solo?
Enterprise Fish Co in Santa Monica has a great bar for dining and often filled w/ many solo diners. Service can be a little spotty when busy. Very congenial atmosphere; mostly 30 something singles at the bar. Lobster bisque is very good. Make sure to try the potato romanov (sp?) as a side.
Olive Oil Tasting in LA
Surfas used to have an assortment of oils and breads to taste and staff to help. Probably not as informed as you'd like but its a start. Have not been since they relocated so I'd call ahead and ask. In Culver City in the helms building.
Granita in Malibu - any good substitutes?
Closed b/c not enough traffic. My friend worked there till the end. The best salmon I ever had in my life came out of that kitchen.
Second Chaya Venice. I have never had a bad meal here.
Mariachi band restaurant recs please
My father is visiting from Canada. He has a long love affair w/ Mexico; especially the mariachi bands. I'd welcome suggestions on where to take him for dinner w/ mariachi. Westside preferred but I'll drive anywhere in LA county. Ambiance is more important than food (he is not a picky eater and I can suck it up if necessary). Thanks much
REVIEW w/ pics: Clifton's Cafeteria
IIRC I read that during war time ??? or a period of rationing that Cliftons would feed people for whatever they could afford; be it a nickel or a dime. Just an anecedote to the history of the OP. I have never been but intend to. History is good even if the food is just OK.
Looking for "Something Different" Happy Hour on Westside
Chaya in Venice has great HH sushi. No drink specials though. Crowded hipster scene. Fun.
joe's NY pizza in santa monica = hyped & awful
Well, it's all been said but I'll chime in. Joe's is a great slice for those accustomed to a good greasy, thin, chewy slice. I have been to Joe's several times and have yet to be disappointed either w/ the service or the food (though I'd not order the white slice again--too much garlic salt, no real garlic). The bash on one of the safest areas in SM is laughable.
Cheap 60 People Luncheon Location Needed
Not a boat but front row Harbor views and a great outdoor pato that can seat 60. Check out Shanghei Reds in Marina del Re at Fishermans Wharf. They have a Sat?Sun champagne brunch that could accomodate you. IIRC 20-25 pp. Vast array of decent food (carving stations, pasta, omelets, seafood, lox, etc) but you really go for the view. Lot parking b/c at FV so your guests will not have to worry about the logistics of that.
Greek restaurant in Valley w/ floor show?
Long ago I went to a restaurant somewhere in Encino or close to it that was Greek menu IIRC? I had 2 orders of saganaki (it was so freakin good); why I am thinking it was Greek. They had this amazing floor show with belly dancers, a sinantra impersonator, etc. Had a dance floor IIRC with tables surrounding. Does anyone have any idea about what the name of this restaurant could be or where it is? Sorry for the fuzzy details, was years ago. TIA
Delmonico's on Pico: gone, right?
It is gone. One in Encino bears no resemblance. There is a rest across the street in hotel, can't remember the name but is good and sophisticated like D was if you want to stay in the area. Lots decent choices in CC too.
Best Valley takeout off the 101
Right off the 101-literally a stones throw-is Chueys. Exit is Kanan. On the West side behind islands. This is Tex-Mex. Great grilled chicken tri-tip, fish tacos etc. If you are in Ventura they have a few outlets. Wish they had something closer. Very kid friendly. Inexpensive good eats. Where else can you get a fajitas plate w/ rice beans, tortillas, great salsa bar, endless chips for 7 bucks? Kick ass margs too. The original in Simi is a dive biker bar but the Agoura Hills is bright retro brand new. There is one in Ventura somewhere that is pretty nice too IIRC.
good food, cute ambiance for date nite w hubby in Santa Monica
12 washington (addy =rest name) in MDR is so quaint and romantic. Cal-French. Just a skip from SM. Do not miss the roasted eggplant in champagne brie sauce as a start. Rich but delectable. Candlelit tables. Small intimate hole in the wall. Low lights. Stroll the beach or pier after.
Joe's of Bleecker Street - Unbelievable
Tried Joe's for the first time. This is a seriously good slice. I had a cheese that was perfect ratio toppings and a PERFECT crispy chewy crust. Ditto w/ my sausage slice.This is a mere 5 minute walk from my place so I am happy to have Joe's in the hood. Better than Abbots IMHO. Their crust always tastes like cardboard even though the toppings are good.
hinano in venice, near the international boarwalk???
Disclaimer: my neighbor owns H.
Wine and beer only. Terrible wine options but great beer selection.
Limited menu: as others have stated, you go for the great cheeseburger. Other than that they do a couple of sandwiches (tuna is really good), hotdogs and soup. That is it. They just have a grilll. No fryer so no french fries etc.
Classic dive bar; been used in many film shoots.
Mastros age question
My 10 year old niece and I had a wonderful time there. Bon apetit.
Native hound coming home for the holidays
Second Valentino
Craft
Melisse
Last meal I had at Josie sucked service wise.
Afternoon Tea with Clotted/Devonshire cream
Peninsula for certain. If you go, have the full service. Have heard good things about Tudor in SM but have never been there.
Strip Mall Haute
tajrish in marina del rey, tucked next to a subway is some seriously good persian food (500-600 block of washington blvd). The wine list sucks as do the pink table cloths but the food is excellent.
Upstairs in this strip mall is Killer Shrimp. It has a very loyal following but I am not one of them. Only three items on the menu, OK, but when I asked for some butter for my bread, I was told they do not have that. WTF?
Anything near Santa Monica Civic Aud?
Chaya on Main Street is always great. Not sure if they do lunch though....
The Galley is good old school steak/burger fare-also on Main.
Cora's (Ocean Ave) does a really good burger.
Bravo pizzeria on main street has a decent slice but awful service.
I personally heart Chez Jay (Ocean Ave) . Your classic dive bar w/ decent eats IMO.
Lobster To Go
I bought a live lobster at Albertsons about a month ago. They asked me if I wanted them to cook it for me. I said yes. But you are on your own w/ dismantling the sucker.
Looking for great food in Hermosa Beach area.
The Bottle Inn in HB is a skip from the Comedy Club. A very romantic dimly lit cozy Italian restaurant, steps from the sand adn the club. Perfect first date place. Food is good here too. Fits local gem quota. Not too pricey IIRC, most entrees were in the 10-20 mark.
Where can i find decent priced king crab legs in LA?
The Culver City MDR location has had it.
Where can i find decent priced king crab legs in LA?
Third Costco. Only on weekends though.
LA area Christmas Lunch/Dinner
Peninsula hotel in BHills. This is luxe at its finest and the food does not take a back seat.
TOP 4 dinner recs under $60/pp???
I am a fan of Geoffreys but the food can be hit/miss. The atmosphere is unbeatable IMO.
LA Times did a review of a new place called Terra that had me intrigued. I wonder if anyone has been?
I'd hit up Chinois1st choice in Santa Monica.
