Not sure if this link will work, but it's to the map with all 101:

http://guides.latimes.com/jonathan-go...

Sunday chicken dinner at Farmshop in Brentwood.

Choppe Choppe is now gone. Closed a week ago. Apparently had issues with venting, and couldn't keep the aromas of their food out of neighboring spaces, at least that's what we heard was the reason. (My office is a few doors down.). In that neighborhood, the BH Triangle, my everyday restaurant is Walter's in the office building on northwest corner of Camden and Wilshire. Some of the daily soups are very good (albondigas (Thurs) and matzo ball/chicken noodle (Tues) - but NOT the clam chowder (Fri). And their salads are also very good. And the nicest people anywhere. More upscale, is Bedford and Burns, which is pretty good. Much better, though, for a nicer dining experience at lunch is DOMA, a few doors north of Mr. Chow.

We did not get to La Casita. A local real estate guy (California transplant) urged us to go, but it was near the end of our trip, and by then we hated the thought of leaving the oasis (at least leaving to any extent beyond riding one of the free bikes up the dirt road to Baja Beans). Cannot wait to go back (even though it violates my rule of not traveling to the same place more than once because it means I'd be missing out on a new place I would otherwise visit).

How about Bay Cities, in Santa Monica, which I learned about on this board? I tried them, after reading much praise here, and think they are pretty darned good, especially for a deli - not as good as my own, but I've rarely found that.

A somewhat differing viewpoint here about ROC. I'm apparently not nearly as discriminating, or likely knowledgeable/experienced, about XLB and other offerings at ROC (and I've not made the SGV trek to sample them where they should be tried) as most other posters on this thread; but, living, as I do, only about a mile west of Sawtelle, I am very happy that ROC is there. Four of us had dinner there last week and enjoyed every aspect of the meal. Yes, the pork XLB were much better, flavor-wise, than the crab/chicken. We also enjoyed the scallion pancakes, the fried dumpling w/ shrimp and pork, the fried rice w/ crab, the glass noodles with crab, and the kale. The staff was very pleasant. Just wish they had beer and wine already. Having lived the first 20 years of adulthood in San Francisco, followed by an 11-year exile to southern Illinois/St. Louis, I very much appreciate all the offerings of the nearby Sawtelle strip, including ROC.

How 'bout the Honor Bar/South Beverly Grill combo on S. Beverly, just south of Wilshire?

I think I hear Emily Litella (Gilda Radnor) saying, "never mind..."

Just returned from a week at Rancho Pescadero, a gorgeous and relaxing oasis on the ocean a few miles outside of Todos Santos and light years from the uproar of Cabo San Lucas (25ish mi. away). I'm surprised that the restaurant at Rancho P. hasn't gotten more love on this board. Maybe there has been a change in the culinary staff since the last postings that mentioned it, but I will absolutely vouch for the food there at breakfast, lunch and dinner. We did venture off the property for a few dinners in TS and Pescadero, i.e., to Michael's, to Carlito's and to Landi's at the TS Inn (and we went to the bar, La Copa, at the TS Inn because it had a TV showing the Final Four). The good food at Michael's, Carlito's and Landi's is well reported here, and we were very happy with our experiences at all 3. As reported, Carlito was vigorous in his recommendations, but all his suggestions were actually ON the menu, so we had no unpleasant surprises when the check came (though it really wouldn't have been a surprise if we were hit with unusually high prices since the reports on this board warned of what happens when Carlito recommends). But back to Rancho P. Every single meal was just about perfect - fish tacos (parrot fish), torta of avocado and melted rancho cheese, steamed yellow tail, pizza in the outdoor wood-fired oven in their garden restaurant (Fri and Sat night only), tortilla soup, breakfast burritos. I would go back for another week tomorrow if I could and would happily eat the majority of my meals there. Yes, it was not cutting edge nor authentic street food; but, it was food made with fresh ingredients from their gardens and from local fishermen and it was skillfully prepared and enhanced with a variety of Baja-style condiments and salsas. For those who have avoided the restaurant at Rancho P when in the area, I urge you to revisit it. And, the staff is fantastic.

Gotta give some praise to SmithHouse for being a great place to watch March Madness and other sports AND get food several notches above most bar and pub fare. And a nice selection of beers. New chef and and new menu make for a satisfying experience foodwise as well as beerwise. It's not cheap by any means, and the plates are, as advertised, small, so my GF and my 2 kids and I spent $112 before tip, but were happy with what we got, which included, calamari in sweet/spicy glaze, braised short ribs with fried polenta and grilled leeks, lobster mac & cheese, bacon brussel sprouts, mahi mahi tacos, crispy chicken breasts.

The Colburn School of Music is a block away from the courthouse, and it has an excellent cafe in a beautiful space. Wide variety of cuisines and specials. When I have a trial downtown, it's the go-to lunch every day. You can eat indoors or outdoors in the lovely patio.

I live a few blocks due west of you. For not cutting edge or awe-inspiring, but still enjoyable Italian food in an old school, very friendly, sedate and attractive environment, we regularly walk to Guido's. It really is old school, but enjoys a loyal following - probably more from the way you are treated and the old fashioned atmosphere than for the food. It's not creative, but it's pretty solid. We generally don't venture much past a bowl of stracciatella and maybe a salad or some mussels or a simple pasta. The bartender, Bill, is terrific and there are some pretty decent wines available.

I've always felt that tilapia is to seafood what turkey roll is to poultrey and provel is to cheese.

DOMA. Newly opened on Camden in the old Prego space. Just up from Mr. Chow.

+1

How about R+D? Not sure how big your party is, or if R+D would be too loud.

Going to watch the Masters (old guys) play tennis tonight at the Honda Center in Anaheim and may be looking for good food for dinner nearby beforehand. Any suggestions. No restrictions on ethnicity, although (sadly) my GF will not push the envelope in terms of holes in the wall with chow-worthy food. Thanks!

Almost every time I leave a board's main page, with all the threads listed, and open up a specific post, I can't return to the board's page by hitting the "back" key. Hitting the "back" key does nothing. I stay right where I am, and I find that this is a problem unique to Chowhound. I have no trouble navigating backwards on the several other sites that keep me from being productive during the workday, such as Facebook, MSN and whatever. Any suggestion?

Why do you think that joint is "dreadful?"

Wow, that was some parade of commentary that you linked me to about SMS. Most of it was pretty dated, so I wonder if the situation there has improved. I only picked up some crab and shrimp there last weekend, so could not judge the fish. It's just soooo convenient for me, about a 4 minute drive from my house; I hope it's not as bad as some of the negative comments from '09 reflect.

So, I assume that, if I'm buying my fish/seafood at Santa Monica Seafood - which is a beautiful space with a great display and variety, and which I only recently discovered - I'm probably paying way more than I need to?

The Counter in Marina del Rey, right off Lincoln and very close to LAX. Upscale customizable burgers, fun vibe and good beers/wines.

For the airplane viewing element, there's also Typhoon at the Santa Monica airport, and maybe that will be more convenient geographically. It's a pan-Asian place, that is kind of funky with decent food. I think of it when my 12 and 13 year old come to visit (but I also take them to Tsujita).

Want a not too fancy or upscale but solid quality Italian meal for visiting in laws. Between Sprazzo, Bruschetta and Campagnola. Which to choose? Also thought about Piccolo Paradiso in BH and il Moro.

Definitely hit So. Grand for a variety of Thai, Vietnamese and also mid-eastern (The Vine and Natasha, but especially The Vine). I think you'll find the Asian meals there (such as at Thai Basil, Pho Grand, Bahn Mi So 1) much better than Sen Thai. And check out Jay's Int'l Market there as well; you may want to do some shopping there if you set up house in StL. I also can't recommend Taste enough. It's in the CWE and is really unique in concept; not ethnic but very interesting, oft-changing and always delicious small-plate offerings, plus an incredible array of designer cocktails. And it's an all-round pleasant atmosphere. And there's plenty of other places for nice outdoor eating and drinking within a few block radius. It's the most Paris- or Brussels- like area that we have.

Highly recommend Salt. Delicious food. Chef just nominated for a James Beard award. Very pleasant and subdued atmosphere. Very reasonable prices. Very close to CWE, on Lindell.

Since you specified "downtown" in your original post, notwithstanding your willingness to hop in a cab, I will tell you to consider Prime 1000, right downtown on Washington. I've eaten there many times and, just last week, attended a wine dinner that, of the many wine dinners I have been to over the years, may have been the very best. It is far from just a steakhouse. The current chef is turning out some awesome and creative food. And the bar is wonderful, with a trendy see-and-be-seen vibe and terrific cocktails and a thoughtful wine list. And it has big screen TVs in the bar for watching hoop. I also very highly recommend Taste by Niche, which is next to Brasserie by Niche. I do NOT recommend Home Wine Kitchen - definitely not worth the cab fare. You may also enjoy a cocktail up at 360, in the Hilton overlooking Busch stadium. Great view. But you'll also experience a great view when you're at the Four Seasons and go up to Cielo on the 8th floor.

If you are in Illinois, I also highly recommend Cleveland-Heath in Edwardsville, which is in the spot vacated by Fond. You should go to Taste when you are ready to imbibe, though the food itself is worth going to, or you can eat next door in the sister restaurant Brasserie by Niche, which is an excellent date-night choice. Notwithstanding what another poster said, I stand by my criticism of Home Wine Kitchen. It's a great concept, but the cooking was just poor in several respects; poor execution to the point that it was beyond simply subjective judgment.

Salt is not at Lindell and Euclid. It's farther east, around Boyle, I think. Someone suggested hitting the Moolah for the recreation part of the date, and Salt is really convenient for that plan.

I was going to suggest Salt. The food is delicious and interesting. It has a nice bar, although I understand the restriction. I was going to suggest Taste (by Niche), but if you're not drinking, you don't get the amazing cocktails they offer. I do not really second, or third, the Home Wine Kitchen suggestion. Most of what I've eaten there was unsatisfactory. I had been planning to write a post about it; I really, really wanted to like it, because it's such a cute place and the people are so nice. But the execution of the food has been consistently off; then again, I haven't yet eaten everything on the menu.