Nicole's Profile
Temecula wineries: good wine, nice setting, and family-friendly? Is this possible?
Thanks very much for the feedback. Will let you know where we end up going and how it was (early next month). In the meantime, if you have more thoughts, I'd love to hear them!
Temecula wineries: good wine, nice setting, and family-friendly? Is this possible?
I appreciate the response. I've never been to Temecula so I don't know what the vibe is. But I've been to Napa and Sonoma several times and I've seen lots of small children happily roaming the green grounds, so I don't think kids and wineries are an inherently bad combination. I imagine that there might be some child-friendly corners of Temecula as well, and I plan to contact any winery we might visit to ask them if it is appropriate to bring the tots.
Temecula wineries: good wine, nice setting, and family-friendly? Is this possible?
We are planning a trip to Temecula to visit wineries, 4 adults and 2 well-behaved one-year-olds. We want to drink good wine, but a scenic or pretty setting is also important (looking for more than a room with good wine), and a place that would welcome our one-year-olds. Do such places exist in Temecula? Your recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Food to send to a family with a new baby?
I would like to send an original present if possible, not the same thing she sent me. Another thought I had was Edible Arrangements...it's not a meal, but at least it's healthy. Maybe I'll go with that if no meal-like suggestions emerge,
Food to send to a family with a new baby?
My friend across the country is having a baby. When I gave birth she sent me Omaha Steaks meals, which I greatly appreciated because a high protein meal was hard to come by with a brand new baby. Now she is giving birth and I want to return the favor. I would like to do something different from Omaha Steaks, but nothing comes to mind. All I could think of was Harry & David, but they just have fruit and nuts. I would like to send whole meals, preferably something fairly nutritious. I don't have time to cook myself. Any ideas for national companies that I can order food from? Cannot involve much preparation, and can't be obscenely expensive. In short, something along the lines of Omaha Steaks that is not Omaha Steaks,
alligator shnitzel at Son of a gun
I heard Jonathon Gold talking about it on KCRW, and his take was that it basically tasted like any breaded protein, and that this is one of those things you order because you want the bragging rights for eating gator, not because of its distinctive flavor.
Getting Flagged at a Bar
"The question is whether a bt can flag you based solely on how much you drink and not how you act."
In my experience, people who've had 3 martinis in 90 minutes aren't necessarily the most accurate reporters of how they acted in that situation. Now, I'm sure you would remember if you were picking fights and the like, but I don't think you'd have any idea if you were all over the place when walking to the bathroom, or slurring your speech when asking for that 4th martini. You likely appeared drunker than you felt you were.
Brunch!
I've heard great things about the brunch at the Trump National Golf Course in Palos Verdes, but have not been myself.
Etiquette for a casual birthday get-together - paying, etc. ??
If I were invited out to a birthday gathering at 7 or 8 I would definitely expect it to involve dinner. By setting that time for the celebration, you have invited people for dinner, not drinks, whatever your intention may have been. Proper etiquette would be that the inviter (you) pays for the meal. That said, in my group of friends I definitely wouldn't expect you to pay.
BEST Kid-Friendly, Picky Eaters, Large Party/Group (~10 People) Dining Options in LA
Border Grill is a good suggestion for a large party with kids. It's upscale for Mexican, but not upscale overall--very casual. But since it's a celebrity chef owned restaurant maybe that would appeal to your group.
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Border Grill
1445 4th St., Santa Monica, CA 90401
BEST Kid-Friendly, Picky Eaters, Large Party/Group (~10 People) Dining Options in LA
Agree that Pizzeria Mozza would work. I don't think I'd do Matsuhisa, even though a child would be tolerated--not much for a vegetarian or the child to eat there, and I think picky eaters may have a hard time as well. Agree that Spago would be okay if you ate early. Would not bring a small child to Providence, even early. Another option is the private room at Hatfield's--I don't know if I'd bring a 3-year-old to the main dining room, but if you had a private space it would probably be fine.
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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Matsuhisa
129 N La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Getting Flagged at a Bar
I'm not going by my own estimates, like you are, I'm going with unbiased BAC calculators I found online (search yourself). I'm also not putting in the number of shots, which we could debate, I am putting in the drink (martinis). Even if we go with a higher weight estimate of 200 pounds, you still get a BAC of .14, which is pretty drunk. It's a little concerning to me that people are so apt to underestimate how much they are drinking.
Getting Flagged at a Bar
Did you see my earlier post? A more accurate estimate is .178, for an average-sized man.
Getting Flagged at a Bar
Out of curiosity, what should the bartender have said instead?
A blanket 3 drink max would be ridiculous, and I agree that such a bar would not be successful. But it totally depends on the drink, the time period, and the person. 3 beers in 3 hours for a 200-pound man is nothing. 3 martinis in 1 hour for a 110 pound woman is a problem (handy BAC calculator says BAC of .314...you're probably unconscious at that level). Bars have to take steps to protect customers' safety and their own liability, even if that means that people are sometimes offended.
Getting Flagged at a Bar
To play devil's advocate, maybe the bartender was trying to look out for your best interest (and the bar's liability, of course). People are equating 3 martinis with 3 "drinks," but it should be pointed out that EACH martini is typically equivalent to 3 drinks (i.e., has 3 shots of alcohol). Out of curiosity, I entered 3 martinis in 90 minutes into a BAC calculator online and came up with .178...this is very, very drunk--over twice the legal limit for DUI in my state (in contrast, 3 beers would be a mere .051). You may not have thought your behavior was an issue, but you have no idea how slurred your speech may have been when you asked for that 4th drink, or what your walking looked like during those trips to the bathroom. So I wouldn't be so quick to judge the bartender, she may not have been out of line.
Need a private room near UCLA Westwood for group discussion
"Private room" and "pretty cheap" generally don't go hand in hand. I'm guessing a lot of the suggestions will be over your budget. If I were in your position, I would ask Thai House (on Gayley) if they can do a table for 10. They will probably be pretty empty on a Wed night so the effect will be like a private room, at a greatly reduced budget. And their food is good.
Help for visiting San Francisco chowhound
Good point. (I didn't know, I've only been to various locations in southern ca and hawaii.)
Mishi's Strudel in San Pedro
We went to Mishi's for breakfast yesterday and had a nice time. Apple walnut strudel was very good. Fresh fruit crepe (with strawberries and bananas) was good, but I think we would have been better off with a jam-filled crepe because this one was covered with whipped cream which made it a little soggy and concealed the crepe flavor. I think the jam-filled is also more traditional, although we ordered this one because it was highly recommended from the woman who worked there. We also got some sweets to go. Their version of alfajores (peruvian cookies) is very different from the peruvian style (as to be expected from a hungarian bakery), but were delicious! So buttery. Almond torte was very good. Chocolate torte and palmier were good but not special. The atmosphere is very quaint. The presence of games on some tables seems to encourage you to relax and stay awhile, but the absence of a bathroom encourages you to leave right away. (Lack of a bathroom is a big downside for pregnant ladies like me and will keep my from bringing friends/family with some medical issues.)
All in all, this is a place I will definitely return to. But I wouldn't say that it is a "destination bakery"...meaning I will frequent it because I live in southbay, and would visit if I happened to be in the area, but I wouldn't travel from the westside just to go here.
Help for visiting San Francisco chowhound
For the night you are meeting family downtown, consider Roy's (Hawaiian food). It is a chain, but it's a good one and does not feel like a chain. Their 3-course season prix fixe is always a good deal at $36.
http://www.roysrestaurant.com/cuisine/prix_fixe_menu.asp
http://www.roysrestaurant.com/cuisine/menus/menu_CA_los_angeles.asp
Hot chocolate souffle is very good for dessert.
Agree that Animal would be a good replacement for Red O or Gordon Ramsey. I love Hatfield's, which someone else suggested, but I feel like it's probably pretty similar to restaurants you might find in SF.
The best restaurant on Maui is: Nick's Fish Market
I haven't been to either Nick's or Mama's, but I thought that Merriman's was hands down the best restaurant when we visited Maui. I found it leagues better than H. General Store. In fact, H. General Store was probably the most disappointing place we ate. Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed it, but we definitely preferred the food at several other places.
Looking for Elegant weekend brunch or lunch location around Beverly Hills to Santa Monica
I agree that Micheal's is more classic, but Whist might still work. I can see how people might view Whist as hip, as the hotel is kind of hip and I've heard rumor of celebrity sightings there, but for weekday lunch it is definitely not hip. It's just a lovely outdoor space, frequented by unhip people such as myself who work in the area. Since you said that the event isn't for a few weeks, why not head over to Whist or other frontrunners and check out the vibe during weekend brunch/lunch for yourself? It would be a nice excuse to get out for a couple of brunches. :)
Looking for Elegant weekend brunch or lunch location around Beverly Hills to Santa Monica
I would suggest Michael's or Whist at the Viceroy in Santa Monica, or Joe's in Venice. All three have lovely patios, although Joe's patio is covered while Michael's and Whist are more open. All have very good food. I've only been to Michael's and Whist for lunch on weekdays, so check if they serve brunch/lunch on weekends.
ISO best bbq in l.a.?
My fave bbq is definitely bigmista's pulled pork. I prefer it to bludso's pulled pork (which in all fairness I've only had once...whereas I generally eat bigmista's weekly). To me, bigmista's perfect pulled pork sandwich is aptly named...a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, rich pork with light, crunchy, refreshing coleslaw.
Agree that bludso's brisket was moister and fattier than bigmista's, but I'm not sure which I prefer. The pork is what I really want anyway.
Tender, Juicy and Crisp? Roast Chicken Battle - Melisse, Costco, Pollo Ala Brasa, Rustic Canyon, Zankou, A Frame, Gjelina, Marouch, Lola's, and more! [Review] w/ Pics!
I haven't had the chicken at Rustic Canyon, or any of the upscale roast chickens on your list. Our roast chicken eating has mostly been inexpensive Peruvian and Middle Eastern preparations. Our current favorite is Chicken Dijon, but that's partly due to convenience (best in our local area), rather than an exhaustive search of the type you conducted.
Joe's on Abbott Kinney? Still good or is there something else w/ of 405 - same price range?
Agree with some of the others, westside + excellent food + quiet atmosphere = Josie.
You might also try Jiraffe, IF you request to sit upstairs where it is quieter. Actually, I've never been there on a weekday, perhaps the main floor is quiet as well.
I really like Joe's for brunch, which is a great deal, but for dinner I feel like there are better places at a similar price point (like Josie, Jiraffe, etc.).
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Jiraffe Restaurant
502 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401
Tender, Juicy and Crisp? Roast Chicken Battle - Melisse, Costco, Pollo Ala Brasa, Rustic Canyon, Zankou, A Frame, Gjelina, Marouch, Lola's, and more! [Review] w/ Pics!
Thank you for another epic post! Can't wait to try Pollo Ala Brasa, among others.
Leonidas Old Town - no more leonidas chocolate!
I can't believe they're gone before I even knew they were here! :(
Susina cakes vs. Lido bakery for a birthday cake?
I've never had the berry cake from Susina, but I've had the berry cake from Lido and it is delicious! In general, Lido is an excellent bakery. Their cakes are moist and beautiful. The berry cake is made with whipped cream rather than buttercream and is nice and light.
