I have gotten it at Mitsuwa on Centinela/Venice and Nijija market on Sawtell/Olympic.

Hey Dogbite, They are not open for dinner yet was told they plan to open soon. I've tried their smoke salt chocolate chip cookies and Mexican brownies so far and both were amazing. I think I am addicted to the smoked salt chocolate chip cookie.

Hi Early bird, I also think their pancakes & coffee are amazing. I also think some of their dishes are on little high side like "two eggs with toast & potato" but find most items are lower than restaurants in the area. Maybe because my GF and I are used to the "counter" service from Urth cafe but found their service quite good. On some occasions staff have refilled the coffee for us but I think they do it to help. I think they are definite improvement over Manis and wish them luck.

By reading this respond from Manis surely explains why they went out of business. Even if you are upset that you have to close the business you do not take it out on your regular customers who kept you in business for years.

"CLOSED?!!

I emailed to ask why they're now closed on weekends and this was their response:

From: customerservice@maniso...
To:
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2011 10:12:28 -0800
Subject: RE: closed on weekends?

Thanks for complaining.

Mani's is now closed permanently.

Feel better now????"

Had late breakfast on Sunday with GF and I really like what they did withe the space. I had Blueberry pancake with pork sausage on the side. This is by far the best pancake I have ever had. It was moist and flavorful with real blueberries and warm real maple syrup. Pork sausage was also really good with slight hint of spice and just right amount of fat. GF had Kut'ya which is I guess some type of Russian cereal with home made almond milk. She really like it since it was vegan and she said it was very tasty. I truly loved their drip coffee and their smoked salt chocolate chip cookie was awesome. I'll be back to try their lunch next time.

Actually I think it's Japanese izakaya with heavy Korean flair as the owner is Korean woman who grew up in Japan. Her menu is at least 40 % Korean dishes. Either way very good Japanese/Korean pub food.

Ortica's pizza is pretty good but their quality of dough ( due to their main pizzaioli/sous chef leaving while back) and consistency is real problem. After chef Steve and Zach left it's complete hit or miss with pizza and pasta. It's too bad as it was my favorite pizza place in Southern California. I do hear Steve and Zach is working on their own place some where near W. LA to be opening soon. I can't wait as it's closer to where I live.

Unfortunately they do not sell them anywhere anymore. I also think it was the best salt caramel in the states. Let me know if you find out they are selling them some where.

By far "Oleana" in Cambridge is the best restaurant in Boston. Chef/owner Ana Sortun of Topchef masters is one of the top chef in the country. It's not stuffy like Sona or Providence but it's beautiful space with amazing food and service.

There is great teppan place in West LA but it's secret restaurant where you need to go with someone who knows the owner. It's one of the best teppan place in LA. I went last year with one of my Japanese friend and it was spectacular (little pricey).

Any Yamato is worst than any Benihana. Only thing they buy that's not pre made from Mutual trading company (Japanese food vendor for people who don't know) is cheap quality meat and seafood. Every sauce, tempura, gyoza and anything else is either from a bottle, can or frozen.

Agree with all the dissenters. I do not get the hype over Grand central. You can better food at most places and market itself is also ridiculous. Wish we had real central market like Seattle.

Sona fits this criteria perfectly. Food at Sona is good now but it used to be great. Every time I have been at Sona the ratio of staff to guest is 2 to 1 and it's very uncomfortable to be dotted on too much because no one has anything to do. I have been in for dinner on Thursday nights when our party was the only table for the entire evening. Sad:(

I love the Brazilian hot sauce ( I think they make it) they have in Cafe Brazil. I cannot live without it.

Thanks everyone.

I am looking to buy Lepsa ( Norwegian potato bead) in LA area but I am not having any luck. If anyone know of place I sure would appreciate it. I am looking to do traditional Norwegian dinner on X-mas eve but without Lepsa it will not be the same.

I was just at Comme Ca and i thought the food was good as ever. I had the onion soup and It's still one of the best in town and the pork chop was fantastic. It was brined and cooked perfectly pink and amazing sides of apple and celery root and greens. My date had the endive salad which wasn't as good as when we first tasted it with mixture of lettuce and caramelized endives. She then had the bouillabaisse and it was fantastic. Only issue was the snobby manager and way too serious attitude of servers. When did Comme ca become such a gay centric restaurant? It always had the cool mixture but it was little too over to the other side when we were there. It's little too much when all the kissing and grabbing makes the other guests little uncomfortable.