J.L.'s Profile
Dim sum at King Hua: A Pictorial Essay
In case you need visual confirmation, my photo #2 shows the unorthodox luobuogao (turnip cake), and my photo #15 is the yue jiao (deep fried taro dumpling).
Expansive (and Expensive?) Views: Wolfgang Puck forays into Downtown L.A. with WP24 [LONG REVIEW]
I get dragged out to plenty of business lunches and dinners where I don't want to upset my business associates, so I grin and bear the (sometimes awful) food.
Business sensibilities come first for certain meals over Chowhound preferences.
Expansive (and Expensive?) Views: Wolfgang Puck forays into Downtown L.A. with WP24 [LONG REVIEW]
Go visit Chef Luigi at Colori Kitchen (just east of 8th & Olive) beforehand for some great Italian food. Remember the parking alone at WP24 will cost you, even if you don't dine there.
Has anyone tried Crust yet in Studio City?
Just tried Crust earlier tonight on Ventura Blvd.
If you enjoy eating generally mediocre pizza in a bright red and black lounge environment, then you've hit paydirt.
But I'll admit: The wild mushroom pizza was decent. And their complimentary valet service is outstanding.
chinese in los angeles robertson-olympic area
Cheng Du is on the bottom of my "good" list. Maybe it should just be off the list altogether...
Best gourmet ice cream and patisserie?
I must of gotten a totally different batch of ice cream, then. This means I have to make another trip to see what's going on - could it be a consistency issue?
Urasawa etiquette?
Maybe I didn;t get my point across. My own words from earlier in this thread:
"As generous and pleasant as Hiro-san is to his clients, don't disrespect his craft by eschewing the rice. You're in HIS house when you dine there. The idea a person can do whatever s/he pleases just because s/he is paying $500pp is a very Western concept."
Helper Monkey and I have a difference of opinion on what constitutes disrespect, in this scenario.
new sushi italian joint?
I have no idea what they're serving for lunch. Thanks for reporting back! Yeah, don't expect straight-up sushi, even though it's in the name.
Best gourmet ice cream and patisserie?
OK, reporting back... The verdict: The ice cream at Neveux was simply outstanding. Their product is much, much creamier than the ice cream at Scoops, and not cloyingly sweet, with a good dose of flavor. It's not as "light" as Berthillon (for those of you lucky enough to have tried it), but certainly in the ballpark, taste-wise.
The place was empty when I stopped by (let's see what we can do about that, 'Hounds), but it's an inviting space, and the staff are very cool about customers trying all the flavors before buying (generous samples!). Their crème fraîche ice cream is the staple flavor, as all other flavors change regularly. They also serve coffee, espresso, etc. (though I was there for just ice cream)...
My favorite flavors today were the roasted marshmallow (see picture), honey lavender (see picture), rosemary butterscotch, and strawberry balsamic.
I also brought a pint of the crème fraîche home with me, and mixed some fresh blueberries into it after I got home - Just incredible. On my way home, I happened to pass by the chaotic queue on Little Santa Monica as the clueless yelpers were all lining up for their Sprinkles Ice Cream, and said a little "Thank you" to Chowhound for letting me know better.
I'm now a fan of the ice cream at Neveux. It's definitely worth a trip to Melrose for this great stuff.
www.neveuxartisancreamery.com
"Why Pork Chop Over Rice Isn’t Classically Taiwanese"
Not every chef craves the limelight.
"Why Pork Chop Over Rice Isn’t Classically Taiwanese"
Can't the greens and blues ever agree on anything?!
new sushi italian joint?
Omakase items are up to the Chef's whim, but I suspect you can ask for it...
"Why Pork Chop Over Rice Isn’t Classically Taiwanese"
SGV exploration: Now THERE's a quest that won't break the bank!
new sushi italian joint?
Apologies. I forgot to reply. It was $115 per person, food only, as I recall.
"Why Pork Chop Over Rice Isn’t Classically Taiwanese"
I wish I had gotten to try out various noodle houses during my days as a grad student...
I suspect JG still lurks...
Urasawa etiquette?
I misunderstood your original comment. I thought you were saying that anything goes (including the backwards baseball cap, talking on the cellphone, etc.), as long as the customer was paying big bucks.
(Second) Kiriko's $40 Lunch Sushi Omakase, w/Photos
Kiriko is fun like that. Whatever is good & fresh - they'll serve it! Enjoy your dinner for two!
(Second) Kiriko's $40 Lunch Sushi Omakase, w/Photos
You misspelled connoisseur (which I'm not, by the way). Lunch, no matter how opulent, is still only "getting to third base" in my book.
Friendly advice (unsolicited, I'm aware)... At the frequency you eat out (and I know 'cuz you document it on the threads), stop bleeding money by not doing omakase or moriawase lunches for 2-3 weeks, and save that money for a bangin' dinner for you AND your wife. Dinner. You seem very passionate about sushi; your spouse will eventually need to understand the inherent price points for you new-found passion anyways. Who knows, maybe she'll share your love for sushi after the experience! :-)
Urasawa etiquette?
Without respect for the food, the house you're enjoying it in, or its owner? Wow.
I'm a person that gives a ____.
(Second) Kiriko's $40 Lunch Sushi Omakase, w/Photos
The amount of jack you've paid so far for your cumulative Nihonryori forays at Kiriko & Shunji alone (and these are just the ones you let us know about) would suggest that you're ready for a dinner jaunt.
(Second) Kiriko's $40 Lunch Sushi Omakase, w/Photos
Still flirting with lunch, I see. For heaven's sake, man, you need to consummate this and have the full monty omakase for dinner at Kiriko!
It's like watching "Moonlighting" reruns here... (OK, I just dated myself with that reference)
"Why Pork Chop Over Rice Isn’t Classically Taiwanese"
When you're a food journalist, and you have ample time to devote to writing about food during your 9-5, prolific output is no surprise.
"Sushi at Sunset" the best sushi by the Sushi King.....Chef Keith Roberts.
Gonpachi Beverly Hills has been closed for quite some time now. Their sushi was horrid.
new sushi italian joint?
It's called Yojisan Sushi. Do the omakase at the bar. The uni risotto is incredible.
Your apology for your internet lassitude on this one is accepted.
chinese in los angeles robertson-olympic area
Hop Li was purposefully absent from my list...
Pizza Mozza, Patina, Gjelina and Spago reserved. Where else should I eat?
AKA Loobiya Polo
