jlaws's Profile
Best Coffee in LA
I'm in the commercial coffee equipment manufacturing business in the LA area. It's great to see such passion concerning coffee preferences. For those interested, there is a Barista Contest in LA this weekend - see LA Times. We provide equipment for most of the roasters in the US so I won't mention my favorites. However, there a bunch of fine roasters in this area, and some of them have been previously mentioned. Personally, much depends on the mood I'm in. There's no better dark-style roaster than Peet's or Illy. However, I'm not always in the mood for a "Cabernet" type roast. When I'm in the mood for a "Pinot", LA Mill, Intelligentsia, and Urth among others are outstanding. Coffee makes for great discussions.
Why all the hype about Palate Food & Wine?
Contrary to the preceding comment, I first ate at Palate last Thursday. It was such a great experience I returned this Saturday. The Porkfolio was the finest quality of cured pork I've experienced since Italy. The quality was exquisite and the portion was sufficient but not excessive. The other dishes all seemed appropriately seasoned and were innovative. Additionally, the menu had changed between Thursday and Saturday. The wine list is one of the better ones in LA area. There are many other clever features including choices in coffee, teas, spirits, portions, appetizers, and probably other things I don't remember. This is truly a welcome addition to the new innovative group of restaurants in LA metro.
Brunello Trattoria in Culver City: Naples Born Owner, Family Run, A Must-Visit Place
You have me intrigued. We'll try it.
Try La Terza. The food etc. is excellent - wine list too expensive (nearly anything worth drinking was north of $100). However, the food is reasonable and outstanding.
Super awesome Italian American food?
La Bruschetta on Westwood Blvd. in Westwood is absolutley outstanding and very reasonably priced. Angelo the owner also picks the wines, and they are equally affordable and excellent.
Good seafood in Pasadena?
Two outstanding - Parkway Grill and Derek's and in South Pasadena go to Shiro's.
Boulevard 16
Dinner tonight was outstanding. Decor impressive, food light and interesting, prices low for comparable experience, wine list very good and fair pricing. Service was very good. We will eat there often.
Best steak tartare in LA?
The Grill - traditional style, that doesn't need a new-age redo. Served cold and perfect.
Opus overrated
We ate from the regular menu. As mentioned in my previous post, it was outstanding.
Opus overrated
My wife and I dine out often, mostly in the high-end restaurants of the Los Angeles area. It is interesting to see so many opinions on this restaurant.
I am a 50-something exec, and my wife is younger and also in management. We're not interested in gossip, "hotties", ownership scuttlebut etc. We do love fine dining. We don't golf, or sail or any of the usual hobbies people enjoy. Our hobby is fine dining and wine collecting (and drinking).
Opus is an excellent restaurant. It is not rated, (or ballot box stuffed on Zagat), as high as many other restaurants, in whose class it belongs. The food is near the top in innovation, but it also has the basics of steaks and salmon. The staff is very engaging, reasonably knowledgeable, and efficient. The wine list is excellent. The restaurant has many other little extras, and staff stopping by to engage, that it is always a pleasant experience. We think it is one of the better experiences in LA dining.
