Porthos- That is an awesome thread but, would you say that those recommendations still hold? I was looking for a thread JUST like that one but, a bit more up to date...

I've been meaning to try OOla's! Didn't know they had pork ribs and that they're great as well. Thank you! This is so perfect...

Hi there. I am looking for a nice restaurant that has the best bbq pork ribs.
I am thinking Hillstone probably fits the bill best as it has great ribs and a nice setting. Hillstone is obviously not billed as a BBQ restaurant so, I would love to hear what other options there might be in the city with a good bbq pork rib on the menu.
I have also heard of Baby Blues but, it is missing the element of a "nice" restaurant that I'm looking for.
Thanks so much in advance for your help!

Is there such thing within SF city limits? Thanks in advance for the help!

thanks for the link ruth. however, that link was started in 2006 and, the current discussions don't take budget (current and past discussion on that thread are extremely yank sing centered... and, we just can't afford that), within city limits, and cart requirement into consideration :(
i agree with you that the carts are definitely more fun :D

I've scoured the boards and, some of them are super old and it seems like the information is always changing. I have a group of about 14 very poor people who want to go eat a cheap (so, that eliminates Yank Sing, sorry), authentic (carts are a must!!) dim sum brunch somewhere in The City.
I was told to check out Hong Kong Lounge but, heard that they don't have carts. I was suggested Yank Sing but, that is (sadly) just not within the budget. Since we do have a rather large group of people going, a larger restaurant would probably suit us better than a small one. Then again, we won't be opposed to sitting at different tables!
Thanks so much for your help on this topic that I'm sure gets old for you guys...

I can't find a copy and am dying to know which instant ramen won the showdown... anyone?

When I asked my Persian friend which restaurant her and her family like most, she recommended Darya on Santa Monica Blvd. She specifically recommended that I try an off the menu item called "Juicy Chicken."
So I went last night and... WOW.
***Question is, how is this made? I'd like to know because I'm trying to lose some weight and, from how delicious it was, it can't possibly be that good for you!
Please help!
Thanks

Thanks for all your recs! We ended up at Rivera, which was just amazing. Sat in the Sangre room (or something like that). Great service. We brought one bottle of wine, and bought another.
Small plates ordered were: tortillas, duck, braised short rib tamal, cevice, lamb chop, cod, quail, and the special small plates fish of the day. i must say that they were ALL very very good... the whole table was ooing awwing after every taste. however, my favorites were: tortillas (we all loved it so much we ended up ordering another one!), duck, short rib tamal, and quail.
large plates ordered: chicken (so juicy and flavorful!), rib eye (cooked to perfection, with the most flavorful "crust" of seasoning), and sous vide (FANTASTIC as well). we all got to try a bite of everyone else's main dish and, again... nothing was less than stellar.
we really loved this place and, my guests were all saying how they can not wait to come back again :)
my group was not a "cocktail" type group but, i will be back to try some of their cocktails soon. i can't wait to go back myself!

I am having a hard time choosing between these three!
We are going to a show at the Staples Center and would like a restaurant this is walking distance.
I've looked at the menu for all three and, they all seem reasonably priced and well thought out but, what looks good on paper doesn't always pan out.
Please help with a suggestion and what I should order from the one you recommend of the three.
Thanks!

-----
Staples Center
1111 S Figueroa St Ste 3100, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Lazy Ox Canteen
241 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

under:
the yard (santa monica)
jitlada
phillipe's french dip
mariscos chente
la cachette bistro (lunch only, santa monica)
over:
the bazaar
westside tavern
katsuya
torihei
nanbankan

What are some local L.A. yummies that will deliver their goods, along with a card for a nice thank-you gift? Cupcakes? Chocolates?
Two things they must do: be from L.A. and deliver/ship :)

I'm from L.A. and if I had the time and resources, I'd probably fly to S.F. all the time JUST for the fried chicken at 1300 Fillmore. It is DREAMY...

Went Sunday and had the chowder and fish n chips. The potato in the chowder wasn't cooked enough... still hard and, the broth was not very flavorful, just sort of bland. It definitely needed more time in the pot to develop more flavor and cook through as well. The fish n chips were less than stellar... the fish was soggy. It was really sad :( the fries were ok... nothing spectacular. The people there are really nice and I enjoyed my view of Ocean Ave. while I dined there but, for the kind of money they charge, I think I will go elsewhere in the area for lunch next time.

One of my most favorite things in the world is a good Mongolian, Sichuan, and Taiwanese style hot pot dinners. Examples of these would are Little Fat Sheep and Lu Gi.
However, something caught my eye as I was driving around Korea town one day... a sign somewhere that said something like "Korean Hot Pot." I am now kicking myself for not having noted the location.
Can anyone out there tell me more about Korean style hot pot and where I can try this?
I'm sure it is very different from the ones I've had, just as it is very different from shabu shabu.
Thanks for your help in expanding my culinary horizons!

AND it's grilled!!! i'll have to make a trip to try it ASAP! THANKS!!

I don't want to sound stuck up... please excuse the ignorance because, that's just what it really is and I need your help!
Is there anything that Seattle offers that is so great that L.A. can't offer? I don't like coffee so, that takes out the most famous claim that Seattle offers.
L.A. has some amazing chocolate places so, I'm not interested in visiting any of those in Seattle either. L.A. has some amazing pizzerias that I'd say would be really hard to top so, not interested in pizza either.
I have *heard* about the amazing selection of micro brews Seattle offers so, perhaps a suggestion as to where I could go for that would be great!
But, what else does Seattle have that makes it such a "foodie" destination that L.A. doesn't have???
I will be staying at the Fairmont Olympic and won't have a car :( However, if there is something REALLY worth my time then I certainly won't mind taking public transportation or a taxi to get there. Another note, I will have an ENTIRE day (Saturday) to explore. I really want to fall in love with Seattle. Please help me put together an itinerary that will help me do so.
Much appreciated!

really? i've been there several times and have yet to see or hear anything about it! what day is the special SM FM menu on? Care to share more details?

Aside from Josie and Jiraffe, what other restaurants have chefs that shop and create a menu based on this specific market?

LOVED it... more to come later :)

I used to go here ALL the time... however, I have recently been laid off and have not been able to support this wonderful institution and its oh so charming and fantastic owners, Tomo and Megumi san. I love this board in that I can live vicariously through others' experiences, even when I am unable to afford it.
This is one of my most favorite restaurants in all of L.A... not only because of the food but because of the people too. On the rare occasion when I do go out for dinner these days, I try to go here. However, when I don't go here when I'm out, I almost feel like I'm cheating on a beloved boyfriend/girlfriend.
I did cheat on these guys last night with Torihei... it's all Exile's fault... again! Hahaha! Report to come soon on the other thread :)

How do you think this place compares to the likes of Nanbankan, Sakura House, and the OLD Yakitori Bincho?

What are the times of this festival?

I got my share of fire at Lu Gi... ask for the spiciest hot pot and you won't be disappointed with the burn!

YUM! I love spicy food...
Aside from the coco mango salad, was there any other dish that contained garlic or onions? I'd like to try some of the dishes you reviewed but intensely dislike garlic and onions.
Thanks!

it sounds like consistency in how well or undercooked their dumplings are is a major problem. when i went, they were undercooked and i read somewhere on this board that i wasn't the only one who experienced that. now, from what geekbruin states, they're being overcooked.
i would just suggest that anyone going here shouldn't order anything BUT the baozi, because everything else is just obviously not very good.

You went there and got no steamed buns?!!!!

if you really like beignets, you should def do boulette's larder in the ferry building for brunch. even if you dont like beignets, BL is a very unique SF experience... we go there EVERYTIME we're in SF from LA (about 4x a yr).

Wakasan on Westwood Blvd.
and
Nanbankan on Santa Monica Blva.

haven't tried the dango nabe but, not matter how sick i am... i can always have a nice bowl of zosui at izakaya bincho!