101 Noodle Express - Beef Roll
Chang's Garden - Pork Spareribs Wrapped in Lotus Leaves
Dean Sin World - XLB
Huge Tree Pastry - Shao Bing w/ Beef & Pickled Cabbage
JTYH - Lamb Noodle Soup

And if it counts:

Newport Seafood - House Special Lobster

2 major developments this week:

1) No more miso ramen - 2 days after they finally unveiled it, they decided that the final product was still not up to par and decided to shelf it for good. I wasn't able to try it...but I was there with PeterCC when Shunji-san mentioned trying the miso ramen, and seemed rather indifferent about it (same w/ the main ramen chef at Tsujita, but he seemed disappointed in himself).

2) New menu item: shoyu tsukemen - same noodles as the tsukemen across the street; the soup is basically the shoyu tonkotsu broth, but with a vinegar/ponzu sauce diluting it. Also, some onikasu is already added to the broth. Overall, it's pretty good, but nowhere near the quality of the ramen. Also (as I feared), the tsukemen is too similar to the ramen to distinguish itself as a legitimate independent option.

Also, there might be a new menu item in summer. I asked the manager if it was along the lines of a hiyashi ramen, and she hinted that it's possible. So, maybe something else to look forward to. But R.I.P. miso ramen - 5/14/13-5/15/13.

Only considered restaurants I visit 3+ times/year:

Bludso's BBQ - once/3 months
Kiriko - once/2 months
Night+Market - once/3 months
Shunji Japanese Cuisine - once/2 months
Tsujita LA - twice/month

I don't think it'll make that much of a difference. Most people in LA think they're too beautiful to be seen in a restaurant like Go's Mart, or even know where Canoga Park is. Hamasaku it is.

They told me sometime this week when I went last week, but yeah, wasn't available yesterday :(

I'm probably only in Stage 2. You're in Stage 5 J.L. But yeah, it's been eating away at me, and it's not going to stop anytime soon :)

Kind of an embarrassing question to ask, but is it possible to just walk up to the restaurant? I work a few blocks away, but I got the impression the condo was gated or secluded. Would rather walk there after work then drive my old beat-up car up to the overpriced valet and have all the bougies/elitists there look at me with their judging eyes...

+1 Bob

It's a serious condition you know...

Is it Baker's Pride oven at Barra too Tony?

Thanks for the report though Bob. Looks/sounds like a more refined/restrained LudoBites.

Did you wait at your computer until 8am on Friday to get a ticket? I think I tried at 8:30 last Friday and they were out already (obviously).

I've read good things about Nozomi from a few blogs (although not the most recent) and LA Weekly (when they did they top 10 sushi list in Squid Ink last year). It's on my to-try list, albeit further down because it's located...further down.

Was wondering what they listed. I'm surprised that Hamasaku, Jinpachi, and Okumura made it.

Personal faves that were left out: Shunji (definitely qualifies), Yamakase, Kiyokawa

Others I'm surprised that didn't make it: Kimagure, Hiko, n/naka (if it qualifies)

I've been a couple of times (on TonyC's recommendation actually), and it's quite glorious. Awesome charcuterie/sausages (which is all naturally-cured/made) and mackerel tartine. Beer/wine pairing are great, and Darius, their extremely knowledgeable somm, got me hooked on this Gavroche ale that's really good. And yeah, there's only the St. Honore on the dessert menu, but it's amazing (and there are 5 varieties at a time). Plus, Uyen is hot :)

Yeah pretty much inspired by the dishes from that night :)

Agree on the creativity re: specials at TPC. Today they had 2 (both were very good):

- tostada w/ jellyfish, shrimp, young coconut, galangal sorbet, basil seeds
- taco w/ McGrath farms sunflower hearts, English peas, spicy shrimp head sabayon, queso de cabra de tecate, avocado

Went for lunch today. Less of a line than regular location, but still a 15-20 min wait around noon (although they gave out barley tea to people waiting). Note: they didn't check my "invite," although I saw people having it ready (maybe because they recognize me from all the visits to across the street).

Only shoyu available - miso probably won't be unveiled until after soft opening weekend. Broth very good, kind of fatty/heavy for a shoyu though. Chashu and soft-boiled egg good as expected. Noodles were very thick though, like almost udon-thick + consistency (a bit harder though - maybe closer to lo mein in appearance). Also, bigger bowl than the ramen across the street.

Looks like they're going to stick with shoyu + miso at this location for now...so no shio + tsukemen :/

Damn it, Ciao Bob! I was really curious for a report - was trying to make PeterCC go last night to tell me how it is...

Did you get to try it?

Paiche, the new Zarate restaurant in Marina Del Rey, has fried heads in 2 dishes: the amaebi ceviche that comes with the fried heads on the side, and the filo-wrapped fried amaebi dish.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SQIRLLA
Instagram: http://instagram.com/sqirl_confitures/

Sotto's probably too casual for them lol.

This is sad news :(

Does that mean the kaiseki room is open to regular diners too, or is it reserved for omakase?

Waterloo & City

I still really like it, after so many years. Maybe try the other location? Or the "fake" one?

A bit heavy-handed w/ the batter, but it's still solid actually (haven't had it in over a decade before last year).

Jim Dandy is cheap and deliciously hood.

Agree w/ Clarissa for the most part (although DSW is #1 for me), but did not enjoy my XLB at Emperor Noodles.

That would explain things. I'm actually ordering delivery from them tonight due to this thread :)