MareZeeDotes's Profile
european pastries in hollywood area?
I've never been to the East Coast - what's different between a danish over there and a danish purchased here?
Out of towner looking for BEST Portland Bakery
I'm going to be in Portland this week and am wondering if you all have any artisan bakery recommendations.
I've heard something wonderful about a bakery located in the Pearl, or maybe it was simply Pearl Bakery...?
Looking for great baguettes, batards, pain au levain, ciabatta, etc - or anything else that's creative/artisan.
Much appreciate your help! Can't wait to visit your beautiful city (one of my favorites in the entire nation!!!)
BYOB at Hollywood Bowl?
The story they always give is that they don't want to have any issues with "rock" crowds throwing bottles and breaking glass.... No glass bottles are allowed - alcohol or not.
Favorite Leda's Cupcake flavor?
Chocolate Chocolate and Dulce De Leche are my faves.
My SO also favors the Espresso
Favorite Leda's Cupcake flavor?
Maybe you should try them again... I haven't had a bad experience yet :)
Hatfields - Finally made it
Wow! What was my problem that night?! Sorry everybody - don't know why my eyes and brain did not register the menu descriptions.
Hatfields - Finally made it
A girlfriend and I went. Loved the amuse (Deviled Quail Eggs, Parsnip soup). Our apps were both nice as well - she had the scallops and I had a Croque Madame. I found their menu descriptions to be misleading. Maybe I just wasn't paying much attention, but my croque madame came with ahi though I do not remember the menu mentioning that. The quail egg on top of a super crisp, buttery brioche saved the day though. Num, num, num.
Our entree proteins were nicely cooked, but we both hated our sides. My steelhead was accompanied with "potato puree" which turned out to be sweet potato wasabi puree. I don't like sweet potatoes or wasabi and would not have ordered it if I had understood that this is what they meant by "potato puree". My girlfriend's duck (perfectly cooked, nice flavor and quality) was paired with an "endive salad" which turned out to be stewed, shredded endive that we both felt tasted like nail polish remover. It was literally inedible. Maybe we were there on an off night but those flavors were truly awful.
I loved the cozy atmosphere though, and our waiter helped us with perfect wine pairings. For the cost of the evening I don't know if I'd go back. Bummer because we both wanted to fall in love with it just as many others have.
Search - No sorting by date?
Please please please bring back sort by date. I don't care what somebody wrote about a restaurant four whole years ago.
Changing Jobs, Culver City Lunch Spots?
Novocento (Italian place next door to Ballona) does decent fare for lunch. Love their polenta.
3837 Main St
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 842-3838
Scarlet Tea Room hits one outta the park!
I just love tea service - Scarlet sounds delicious! Also sounds like a great deal for only $25. Did the red pepper tea sandwiches and tea go very well together?
Thanks for the review
Mongolian BBQ in Sherman Oaks/Van Nuys area
My SO and I felt the food was sub par and didn't taste very fresh. The "soup" tastes straight from a tin can. Ambiance is lacking. We say Mogo's is a No-Go.
ITALIAN food and then a wine bar - any suggestions?
Vinum Populi is so awesome! You buy a card and then go around to all of the different wine stations and buy 1 oz pours. Pours go from $1.73 to $21+. You can also sit at available chairs and order food from the adjoining restaurant. Wine rocks, food is eh. Bottle rock is okay - better food, but the service is awful (maybe because they are so busy..?)
Mozza Pizzeria - Perceptor's Report
Had the arugala salad - it was divine. Nice big portion of bright green leaves with a simple vinagrette that was applied with a light hand. Perfect.
Mini-review: Crêpe X-Press, Sherman Oaks Fashion Square
Thanks for the quick write up - I've wanted to try that place but have always opted for the kabob place next door
Chocolate cake rum balls?
A number of years ago I worked in kitchen where we made rum balls out of chocolate cake scraps, raspberry preserves, rum and melted chocolate. Does anybody have a recipe for rum balls that uses cake and not cookies/wafers?
TIA!
Baking books
I love the Cooks Illustrated Baking book. Pretty thorough with very helpful explanations and recipe breakdowns. Even though the book does not feature too many color pictures, this is the first place I go to if I'm looking to bake a 'classic' baked good. Highly, highly recommend it.
Belgian fries at Max rocked my world
Wow, wow, WOW. We went for my SO's birthday and were overall happy with the experience, but I have to tell you - the fries took the cake (ha ha)! These little batons of fried potato joy were the best thing I've put in my mouth in months. Though I always prefer shoestring, I found these larger fries to be anything but lackluster. The interior was molten and the outside maintained a crisp crunch even after sitting on my plate for 15 minutes. While the seasoning was delicious, it was truly the accompanying condiments that sang. Home-made aioli (waiter said it had chipotle, but I didn't taste any pepper or heat) and home-made ketchup. Dynamite! Oh so good. I haven't been able to get them off my mind all day.
SO had the app special of Duck Confit Risotto which was delicious. The Chef did a nice job of cooking the risotto to what I would consider the perfect doneness. My SO prefers his more al dente, but the flavor in the dish was rich, hearty, and laden with duck. Big num. Our entrees were nice too. I had the salmon special which came with pumpkin puree and pine nuts. Fish was cooked with talent - it came out juicy, flaky, and not a bit dry. SO had the Pepper New York steak with a potato and gorgonzola gratin. The steak was a beautiful medium rare (just as ordered!) and praise the Lord! It was actually seasoned with S&P. Yes, thank you Jesus for chefs who don't forget to put a little love on their steaks. The potato gratin however was awful. With very little moisture or creaminess from the gorgonzola, it sat like dry dead weight on the plate. Only a small loss really - everything else was more than enjoyable.
But those fries. Oh man those fries!
Best Indian restaurants in Sherman Oaks area?
We have only been there once, but India Cafe was an enjoyable dining experience. Everything is a la carte, and I seem to remember that it seemed slightly overpriced. Even so, we'd go back.
Anything NEW in Studio City or Sherman Oaks Area???
Great thanks Debbie W. I haven't been for ramen out here in LA so I was thrilled to see one come up so close to where I live. Thanks for the rec on Kyushu Ramen - I'll give it a go.
Anything NEW in Studio City or Sherman Oaks Area???
What is the new ramen place opening up in the mini mall at the corner of Tyrone/Beverly Glen and Ventura? It shares a parking lot with El Torito... anybody?
NEED HELP/ WIFE'S BIRTHDAY THURSDAY / VALLEY
I'm a big fan of Firefly - great meats, salads, drinks, wine, dessert and a fun, romantic atmosphere. My sweetie and I have had a fantastic meal each time we've eaten there and it's now our favorite place in the valley!
11720 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA
(818) 762-1833
Red Pearl Kitchen on Melrose
Girlfriends and I had a great time noshing on all sorts of different things. I would definitely go back for the fantastic beer and finger-type foods. My favorite was the chicken dumplings. Vegetarian fried rice was only so-so at best. Pork Shu Mai, short ribs and chicken curry satay were all tasty.
Talk about bad service though - when our waitress returned with our drink order she told us that she was about to get really busy and wouldn't have time for us if we didn't place our order right then. Huh?! Even if that is the absolute truth, you never tell your customers that you don't have time for them! We all had a big laugh at that after she walked away.
Fun place and atmosphere though. I'd love to go and play pool in one of their back rooms.
Want to try, but too overpriced?
I would really love to try Urasawa but I haven't tried much Japanese cuisine so I'm worried that I won't "get" the flavors. Based on all of the rave reviews though I'm scared that if I move away from LA I'll regret not going...
TUNA CASSEROLE ...?
Good point - I eat Macaroni and Cheese almost everytime I see it on a menu!
Alright.
I'm on a mission.
Toro Tuna Casserole, I'm coming to get you!
TUNA CASSEROLE ...?
What do you mean, "there's GOT to be a place"?! Call me crazy or a total food nincompoop, but I can't imagine ever ordering tuna casserole at a restaurant. I have, however, been craving some for the past few weeks... Maybe we'll both luck out with your post.
