That was in response to a query by Bob Martinez.

My original point in posting was just to say Lan Sheng is mediocre and not deserving of a star.

As an aside, I wonder how many people who have tried Chinese food in both SGV and NYC still hold the opinion that NYC is not inferior to SGV.

Everyone that I know that's tried both locales come to conclusion that NYC just doesn't compare to SGV, or even San Francisco.

whereas ipsedixit said he doesn't bother with it. I fully understand not bothering with Chinese food in Manhattan if you live in Southern California (heck, I rarely bother with Mexican food here because when I visit SF, any ordinary taqueria will be as good as the best Mexican food I've had in Manhattan), but then it kind of disqualifies ipsedixit's opinion,
________________________-

Here's the thing.

I was *not* comparing any Sichuan restaurant in NYC to any restaurant anywhere in the world, in Sichuan, in SGV, or in Pluto.

I tried Lan Sheng -- once -- and felt it was mediocre. Mediocre on an absolute basis -- not in comparison to other restaurants of similar ilk in Manhattan, or on Pluto. Based on my one mediocre experience I thought giving it a Michelin star was utterly stupid.

Now, how does one take that statement and say that I've diminished the NYC Chinese food scene? Maybe you can bash me for basing my experience on only one dinner -- which would be valid -- but then this is supposed to be a Michelin rated restaurant, no?

Let me reiterate: I found Lan Sheng to be mediocre. And I also feel giving it a star was stupid. That's all. Bash me for that, not for saying NYC is like the ugly step-child of SGV when it comes Chinese food.

Good grief.

The attraction?

This is the attraction. If you are a single income family of four, and the single income makes something like 40k before taxes, and you want to treat your family out to a great meal that everyone can love -- kids have the taco bar and ice cream sundaes, mom can have a salad and some nice fish, dad can have his "juicy" steak -- then Sizzlers is the choice every single fucking day.

Is it haute cuisine? No, 'course not.

But then there are those out there in world who, because of whatever reason, are in a social-economic class where going to an outing with the entire family where the final tab will be something like 1/2 of their monthly allowance for rent, simply isn't in the cards.

That's the attraction.

Is there something wrong with that? Let's hope not.

King or Sockeye?

Where has the year gone? It's almost June!

And with that, it's time to choose a Dish of the Month for Los Angeles for June 2013.

The May 2013 Dish of the Month (meatballs) was a wonderful experience in all things circular and spherical. So lets see what's in store -- geometric or otherwise -- for us LA 'Hounds in June.

The idea is this: choose a 'Dish of the Month' for the LA area and then collectively try as many versions of this dish as possible during the month of June, reporting back with details and photos. It's great to talk about places you've been in the past, but the idea is to explore new places and make new discoveries.

The dish that gets chosen might be something very specific (banh mi) but might also be more of a dish category (sandwiches). It's up to everyone here, but it probably makes sense to choose something that locals are excited about trying and finding the best and most interesting versions!

Some ideas off the top of my head to perhaps get the juices flowing:

HUEVOS RANCHEROS
CROISSANTS
PANCAKES
RAGU
MEATLOAF
CRONUTS(?)

Anyway, this is the nomination thread for June 2013…you can nominate as many dishes as you want, but once we do the voting thread (which will start on May 27), it will be one vote per user.

To nominate a dish, please (please!) post it in ALL CAPS in the responses below. This thread will be open until 11:59 PM PDT on May 26th.

- ipsedixit

Previous Dish of the Month Discussions for LA:

Meatballs: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/900427
Burritos: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/896577
Eggs: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/892386
Dumplings: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/888751
Pork Chop: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/884484
BBQ Brisket: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/875871
Roast Chicken: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/880578

See, that's why you start with something basic. Easier to get foundational ratios right before embarking on more ambitious endeavors.

Those acrophobiacs among us feel free to place your orders "to-go" ...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001...

I suggest you invite me over immediately as the official "Quality Control Monitor".

Chocolate Cake For Breakfast?
____________________________

Yes, please.

This is a nice summary. http://www.theatlantic.com/health/arc...

Like the article, at the end of the day, it's less about what estuary the fish comes from, and more about how it's handled.

Yes, yes, I know it's more about hype at this point than anything else, but still like the stuff.

Season started some 5 days ago, if I have my math done correctly.

But Metro LA including the SGV over Metro NY beyond a reasonable doubt. (ipse's and I are lawyers).
_________________

That's when you ask (even beg) for a plea bargain and then promise to turn government informant.

Tony Romas.

Make a pistachio layer cake with chocolate ganache between each layer.

If they're staying overnight, or a couple of days, sure I make accommodations for their preferences.

But a quick visit, or even a dinner? Nope.

You prefer Stevia and all I've got is sugar? Take it black, or don't take any coffee.

You want Wild Turkey and all I've got is some good Talisker 15? Broaden your horizons and see what single malts are all about, or relive Prohibition.

We keep this up, and we'll soon be on the Manhattan board's most wanted list, if we're not already there as inaugural members.

Yipes, maybe only in America would a gut bomb like Totto Ramen pass as a light dinner...
_____________________

What's gut bombing about an order of Miso Ramen and a side of tuna sashimi?

Fish maw soup with winter melon
Shark's fin soup (with or without bird's nest)
Lobster or King Crab (if available)
Prawns
Goose feet
Goose web with abalone
Geoduck sashimi
Braised sea cucumber with oong choy
Salty fish fried rice

Are they actually open for breakfast? Have you been for breakfast?

Thanks burton.

What's odd is that I wasn't even trying to diss NYC. In fact, I get a culinary hard-on every time I visit the city.

All I tried to say, perhaps not effectively, is this:

1. Michelin must've been on crack when it awarded Lan Sheng a star -- at least based on my one experience there.

2. I don't bother with Chinese food in NYC (at least Manhattan) because where I come from, SoCal, the Chinese food scene teems with so much vibrancy and diversity that if I tried a moonlight excursion or too with another city I'd feel like I was masturbating on my own time when I'm married to Jessica Alba while at the same time cheating on her with Mila Kunis.

Hakkasan, at least the one in SF, is not comparable to Mr. Chow.

And I say that with all intentions of being complementary to Hakkasan.

I think CHI-LIN is also more delicious from an eye-candy standpoint.

You can probably cross-off any restaurant of note in the Meatpacking District.

I'll have to give the bone marrow another try.

Last time I had it, it was ... cold.

Love the reference to Chow+Bazaar+No.

And it's about time that Mr. Chow had some real competition. That place has had the run of the city now for what seems like decades.

The room at CHI-LIN reminds me of the Macau Casino in Skyfall. Same motif anyway.

Thanks.

Dunno why I replied below SaltyRaisins' post on Saffron Thai ... brain lock.

Try something basic and simple first. Like a basic fruit (e.g. lemon or strawberry) so that you get your bearings down in terms of sugar, fruit, etc.

Then start adding additional ingredients, like balsmaic with your strawberry. Don't go overboard on your first attempt with something complicated like balsamic basil with strawberry. It'll be a bit too much to balance.

Baby steps, my good friend. We must first learn to walk with diapers, before we run with spandex.

As an aside, I plan on making a mint honey sorbet for my Memorial Day soiree. Cheers!

If you can go on a Saturday, you might consider The Source's dim sum brunch.

Similar type of food that Masa 14 offers, and although not limitless if I recall correctly you can select something like 8 dishes for 45/person.

Given how bastardized the term has become, I don't even know what "Gastropub" really even means anymore vis-a-vis LA restaurants.

That said, I do think the Parish makes a pretty good (albeit overpriced) burger.

Parkway Grill is the safe choice between it and The Raymond, which has gone through several iterations of changes in the kitchen and with the theme of the restaurant overall. That by itself does not mean it isn't good, it's just that I cannot tell you how The Raymond is right now -- not having visited in about 3-4 months.

Other places I would look at -- esp. given your age group -- is Vertical Wine Bistro and/or Racion.