Fresh & Easy has it. But in smallish (couple pounds, maybe) packages.

Lasted longer than I'd expected. I wonder if they'd asked ANYBODY who lives in the area before leasing the location. I went there once; couldn't find a seat, and drove home with my dog. Hardly worth the trouble.

Also: nobody cares about New York City cachet (constant L.A. Tines notwithstanding).

I'd hoped the Cuban restaurant in the same location would have fared better.

Never thought of anything hard other than beer with BBQ. I'll be interested if anybody comes up with something that's traditional in some circles (as opposed to the random "how abut a grasshopper? " or "Have you thought of appletinis?")

Having been a "critic" (I prefer "reviewer") in another field, I'll tell you how; it applies in pretty much any field: get somebody to publish your work. Convince an editor that you know what you're talking about and can express yourself in an interesting manner. That's pretty much it.

Now, how you're going to convince the editor? That's something else. I'd write a couple of sample reviews, and turn 'em in, if you can get anybody's attention. And the best way to get some editors' attention (well, publishers, but that's picking nits) is to work cheap. Most of us started out working for little or nothing; or, as the editors put it, "exposure." After you get some clips to prove yourself, with luck you can move on up the ladder.

It's changed a bit in the age of the Internet; you can just start a blog. Of course, anybody can start a blog, but that's another matter. Figure out some way to stand out from the competition.
Maybe a niche: French restaurants, food trucks, chain restaurants, whatever. A good hint is to find an area that nobody else is covering, but where there's an audience.

Note: it's strictly bush league to come up to a restaurant, announce yourself as a reviewer, and expect to get comped. People do it all the time (you may have read them, probably without knowing it), but word gets around the restaurants.

Good luck.

I try to make it easy on the kitchen; don't have much regard for those who play "stump the cook.."

I thought Killer Shrimp was owned by Lee Michaels, for '70s rock star. Maybe he was just fronting it?

"The Olympic Pioneers used to regularly put up a fried chicken liver special on the windows whenever I drove by."

-- How'd they know you were coming?

If Studio City is within your range, Vitello's might fill the bill
http://www.vitellosrestaurant.com/

-----
Vitello's Restaurant
4349 Tujunga Ave, Studio City, CA 91604

There are a number of places right across 3rd Street from Cedars; I'd just look for one that looked appealing and not too crowded. Of course there's a cafeteria in the hospital (east office wing; third floor) that's...not very fancy, but right there.

I have no reason to doubt your accuracy -- on the other hand, rejecting sponge cake (if the cook likes sponge cake) because it isn't "authentic" kind like dissing Panda Express Orange Chicken because that isn't how it's cooked in China? Personally, I'd go with what I like if it differs from what it's "supposed" to be.

On the third hand. it's good to know what the original BCP was/is.

A friend says he saw the truck unloading at La Frite. Any reports from out there?
http://www.lafritecafe.com/

I didn't make my point clear. Would you place more value in the opinion of someone with a limited background, or someone who's (say) eaten a lot of pho, in many places, and describe why s/he prefers one over another. What one person finds "yummy," another person might find too salty...or not salty enough.

That we're on Chowhound in the first place shows that we're taking advice from total strangers; in some cases those who post something on the order of "the best waffles are at Sam's Place in Bakersfield", with little or no other qualification.

One of my favorite S. Irene pieces had her admitting (this is several years ago) that she didn't even know what chili cheese fries were; then she went on about the ones in the relatively high end place* she was reviewing.

* as if she reviewed anything else

Well, speaking as a former reviewer (not food; let's call it books), my opinion is just my opinion. Still, (and presumably others) come with more experience than most folks, and if I'm halfway good at what I do, can put my observations in a context that my readers (or listeners, or viewers) can be guided by.

If I say, for instance, the new Cleopatra biography is worth reading, I should be able to back it up by comparing it to other biographies in terms of historical accuracy, readability, and other factors (would more pictures make it a better book?)

In San Francisco once, looking for something to do at night. I read a review of a show that the reviewer detested -- offensive, bad taste, too broad, whatever. From what this person said, I decided that the show (which I'd never heard of) was right up my alley. I went and enjoyed it tremendously. Was I "right" and he "wrong"? Of course not; our tastes are different, and he was good enough at what he did to guide people both toward and away from it.

I could never review food -- allergies prevent me from eating sea food. But on the rare occasions I read food reviews. I try to read almost between the lines. Is the bad service the result of an "off" night or the owner's policy? Are portions "small plates"? I'll stay away. And so on.

Oh -- I should mention that the show was "El Grande de Coca-Cola," which went on to have a long life, with companies touring the world. But it certainly wasn't (and isn't) for everybody.

I find her hilarious, and could never pinpoint why "something my mother would write" is close, though, plus her desperate attempts to be seen on top of things (I chug a virtual Jell-O shot every time the word "hip" or "hipster" appears in one of her reviews) She likes to swoop in early; always kind of unfair. And she usually appears to me more interested in running up a big expense account than covering where real people actually eat. .(One meal for her could feed Jonathan Gold for a week).

That said, if she actually was able to preserve her anonymity, I must sincerely applaud her for that. It's easy enough to find what many food critics look like -- hell, Elmer Dills used to give reports on TV -- and some bush-leaguers even make arrangements in advance, to be comp'd on their meals.

Yeah, the McConnell's I see is at the Mayfair/Gelson's in Hollywood where I can't usually afford to shop. Can't remember what flavors I've seen in Ralphs..

Peppermint used to be a standard, year-round flavor for McConnells; I'd be surprised if it still isn't.

Of course back in my day, peppermint was pretty standard year-round everywhere. As was...anybody remember raspberry revel?

I concur with Lucy's. It's not terrible, a lot of atmosphere, and -- as sfgirl122 said, a real institution. Jerry Brown and Linda Ronstadt used to hang there when they were dating, and it's been around forever. And it's pretty much right across the street from Paramount, People on Chowhound tend to dismiss people's desire to eat in a certain area, and send 'em all over creation. Which may be OK for a local, but your logic makes perfect sense for someone passing through.

Koo Koo Roo is a yuppie Col. Sanders. But if you don't mind driving, Larchmont is only a few blocks west of Paramount, and there are all kinds of places to eat there; you can pretty much drive down the street (the commercial section is just a couple of blocks long) and find something that looks interesting. And is it a nice little area, a virtual small town just on the outskirts of Hollywood. Parking can be iffy.

I put the payment in the holder (or ask for the check) as soon as I'm sure I'm not going to order anything more that (unlike, say, coffee refills) will be paid for. That way, with any luck, I'll be all paid up by the time I'm finished eating, and don't have to wait around, hoping to catch the server's attention then waiting for the payment to be processed.

I agree with sopapillas, stuffed or nada.

I'd follow this link and start investigating from the hints there (calling Sysco, for instance). Remember: Google is your friend!

http://message.snopes.com/showthread....

Many years ago -- late '50s or early '60s -- my father bought a customer, as sort of a business, a Mission Pak (sugared, dried fruit). Before he'd had a chance to give it, my father discovered that the customer was diabetic. So we wound up with it, under the tree, with the card reading "from a dear, dear friend."

Mission Pak is long gone, as is my father. But to this day, every year there's a gift platter of dried fruit under the tree..."from a dear, dear friend."

Back in the old days, I used to sit at the counter -- didn't want to take a whole booth (or table) to myself. * Service was often more attentive; but I'd have to put with all the recovering alcoholics puffing on cigarettes and drinking endless cups of coffee.

The cigarettes aren't a factor anymore (at least not where I live), but some places are taking out their counters entirely and putting tables in their place. Ho-kay, then; but I at least tried to be considerate.

* also: far less chance of sitting near a couple of screaming kids

My sister gave me a few dinners from Home Bistro. They're shipped in dry ice; then you put 'em in your freezer. You don't. however, microwave them; you drop the plastic bag in boiling water for several minutes. http://www.homebistro.com/

You'd probably do better in Simi Valley or Thousand Oaks, both of which are a couple of minutes away from Moorpark and offer a lot more choice. That said, it's been so long since I've been in that area, I'll leave this question back in the capable hands of the 'Hounds.

The flyer made some reference to the supplier being "one of the most colorful" or something such, which I took as a reference to Double Rainbow. It may have been formulated to the Trader's specs, though. Personally, I love it.

The last time this question came up (not too long ago), someone recommended Suga Pies. Good/bad news is that they seem to be delivery only.

http://www.sugapies.com/SugaPies.com/...

A friend chips in at a sort of pot-luck dinner every year, and winds up getting more praise than many of the more "difficult" items.

green beans (frozen, defrosted is fine)
Garlic
Butter
Salt & pepper

saute until some of the beans blacken. There is no such thing as "too much" butter or garlic.

They were giving out tastes of pumpkin pie in my local store the other day; and, when asked, made a point of specifying that it was the fresh pie, rather than the frozen. The fresh pie was OK (if just), but ever so much better heated up and with a scoop of pumpkin ice cream!

I used to have an Osterizer (!) with a separate ice-crusher attachment. It worked great, and was somewhat adjustable. It disappeared several moves ago and I have no need to crush ice, but maybe something like that is still available?

Strong approval from this corner for the pumpkin ice cream (on pumpkin pie, natch); and the crinkle-cut potato chips. The salt-and-pepper variety should be illegal, just because they're so damned tasty.