As much as my palate has developed in other areas, I still crave steak fries with cheez whiz. I know. I've searched somewhat far and wide and I do like Pete's. I had the blue cheese fries. Will order cheddar cheese fries next. And I know this is completely awful, but if you ever end up at El Guapo's on Melrose, they've got (previously frozen) steak fries that comes with cheez whiz on the side. Make sure they've got the cheez whiz. Once they didn't.

I didn't care for Skooby's and I am going to try Philly West next!

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Skooby's
6654 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

I am serious about my chocolate chip cookes and Portos has EXCELLENT chocolate chip cookies.

I live about 5 blocks north of the hospital. Don't be scared to walk around either during the day or at night. Yes, there are some homeless people on Vermont but nothing dangerous.

Coffee: Intelligentsia is very very delicious and a nice stroll straight east on Sunset. Probably a 15 minute walk but worth it. Also, It's A Grind is one block north of the hospital on Vermont. Starbucks is another block north of that.

Breakfast: Square One is delicious and worth the $$. It is delicious and they have a lovely patio area. Mustard Seed is also good, but a much longer walk. About 20 mins probably. And Square One is much better food-wise.

Lunch: My mom likes going to the Alcove when she is in town. Yes, it is pricey for a casual lunch/dinner place, but they have a lovely outside patio as well. FYI: For something quick, there is a Quiznos one block north of the hospital on Vermont. There is a Subway attached to the first floor of the hospital.

Dinner: Farfalla Tratoria has excellent calzones and they deliver. Unami burger has a much cheaper happy hour ($5 burger) from 4-7 pm. I find it pricey when it is not happy hour. And I will defend Yuca's. Try the carne asada burrito. Also, if you just need a cheeseburger, Yuca's is $3 something w/ fries. It hits the spot.

Places to avoid: Fred 62s, Pattaya Thai and House of Pies. House of Pies looks cute on the outside, but it is a food disaster.

Just got my spinach and ricotta calzone from Farfalla and it is quite good!

Wow I love calzones. Rocco's was surprisingly good, but the Los Feliz location closed a while ago.

Delmonico's calzone is excellent, cheap and GIGANTIC.

Two Boots has cornmeal on it, which just isn't right to me. Tomato Pie in Silverlake was good, but came with red sauce IN the calzone. Next time I'll ask for it only on the side.

I just ordered one from Farfalla Trattoria on Hillhurst-- here's hoping it's delicious.

Cole's is awesome. And The Varnish is inside Cole's. Once inside Cole's, you'll see people walking through the space and going into an unmarked door. That is The Varnish. I was just there two Fridays ago. Not the craziest scene, but a good drink. There was about a 10 minute wait at 10/11 pm. Cole's and The Varnish would be a great one-two punch. Also, The Association, which is supposed to be quite good, is right next door to Cole's. It also has an unmarked door, but is a replica of the one from 10 Downing Street. You can't really miss it. And I've heard Church and State is excellent.

I hope I don't get laughed off this thread, but Trader Joes sells really delicious flour tortillas. Be sure to buy the kind labeled "genuine homemade" or something to that effect. My friend who is used to her grandmother's freshly made tortillas says these are as close as they come and buys them weekly.

I've always liked natalee thai and talesai.

Second.

Bring your own and LOTS of wine! You can't bring anything into the bigger concerts that are there-- they are separate "lease" events.

Tiki Tis on Sunset in Los Feliz has AMAZING Bloody Marys. The bar has weird hours though, so be sure to check their website before you drive over to the Eastside.

I had the pear martini and I enjoyed it. The peach martini however was yes, way too sweet. I did like their food a lot though, and enjoyed the atmosphere.

I went last week (wanted to eat outside) and had the chicken salad. NOT the same sandwich I had about a year ago. The chicken salad was very oily/greasy. Just uck. Milkshake was still good. Won't be going back anytime soon though.

Musha! It is in Santa Monica and is so much fun. You can even try to reserve the private tatami room.

The Hollyhock House is a Frank Lloyd Wright house, right on top of the hill of Barnsdale Park. It is right in the middle of everything (just southwest of the Vermont and Hollywood instersection), but hidden mostly by the trees. If you like architecture, check it out! One of the first "ranch" houses in SoCal.

I ordered mine from Portos last year. You have to special order it I think. Also, they couldn't put the baby inside the cake because it is a choking hazzard. It was quite tasty though. Not exactly the same as when I would have it shipped from New Orleans, but less costly!

Hi! I always make the full Irish dinner on St. Patrick's day. However, I have been disappointed with the cut of corned beef that I've gotten at Costco the last two years. Where would you guys recommend? Is there a specific butcher or store? I live on the eastside, but work in Burbank. But I would drive most places in LA to get a great piece of meat.

Hmm. I'd be interested in this too. I was going to the cooks illustrated recipe... but I'd like something in LA to compare it to!

I go to the Atwater farmers market every week. Just this past Sunday I asked for a sample-- they gave me a corner of brisket. It was too dry for me, but again, it was a sample. But the people are VERY nice, and the prices are very reasonable-- I think they offer a $4 sandwich. So, I am going to try a full on order of something this Sunday.

You are right down the street from the Apple Pan! Delicious. Closed on Mondays.

If you are in Santa Monica, go to Musha.

Can anyone comment on the Bossa Nova outpost on Sunset (at Formosa) as a possible spot?

Gingergrass in Silverlake (outside your area, I know) = no corkage fee

Yep Vitos is on La Cienega, just north of Melrose.

Rocco's is alright. I haven't had their pizza yet, but I can't complain about their calzones. I kinda really liked my chicken and cheese one. Parking = terrible though.

Hi guys,

So my friend is turning 26 next week. He wants about 10 of us to go out to dinner. He says he is in interested in "trying new food," but not really. I am a super-foodie, and it is impossible to get these people to go anywhere other than the Alcove and Fred 62s.

We all live in Los Feliz so anything Eastside would be great. Low to mid price point. BYOB would be awesome, but not required at all.

Gingergrass in Silverlake is like the nicest restaurant most people in the group have been to. And everyone loves it. So that kind of feel. And pretty much any ethnicity would fly.

Some suggestions that the group has thrown out: Bossa Nova, Animal, Aroma, Edison. But please, add other suggestions.

For me, the perfect thing would be the tatami room at Musha, but it is in Santa Monica. Anything like that on the Eastside? Or maybe in Little Tokyo?

Or maybe a similar experience but a different ethnicity?

Thanks! I need your help!

FYI: If you ever want to make orange chicken yourself, COOKS ILLUSTRATED's version turns out a very delicious version. Kinda labor intensive, but you know what is in there.

I didn't like banana cream pie--- until I ate it at the Apple Pan. It is THE BEST.

Oh, and way better than Pie n Burger's version. Theirs isn't covered in cream. It is covered in weird mereingue. Wrong.

Is Animal the place for a 10 person bday party for somewhat easily impressed (read: sheltered) eaters? My friend is turning 26, someone recommended Animal. I am a big foodie, no one else is. I am afraid it might be too expensive/different. Gingergrass in Silverlake is about their speed. What do you guys think?

I just realized that my interviewer is from Hawaii! So while I've always wanted to go to Roy's and I think it would be the perfect choice... I am hesitant to take a real Hawaiian there. Unless you guys completely disagree?

Hi guys,

My potential new boss is in LA and I have my second interview tonight for a job I really, really want. I need a restaurant downtown (that is where he is staying) that is mid-price range and just really cool, casual and laid back. Don't worry about drinks-- just food.

I was thinking the Wood Spoon, because I'd read some stuff about that on here. And the Tiara Cafe? What other suggestions do you guys have for me?

He is staying at the Wilshire Grand specifically, which is 7th and Figueroa. It would be great if we could walk or take the subway, but not a requirement. Thanks!

Is this the Rocco's that is on Vermont, south of Santa Monica?