Thanks, Chandavkl. That's what I was afraid of, lol. I read about that place in Daly City. I can't believe there isn't a single place in LA that you can get it.

Agreed. Cathy's taro cake with those crispy layers is the best.

Anyone seen this Chinese candy sold recently anywhere in LA? They used to have a stand at 99 Ranch Market years ago, but I haven't seen it in more than a decade.

Btw, this is what it looks like. The outer layer is a stringy candy, and the inside is a peanut/coconut (I think) powder.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/2...

I would appreciate any suggestions for any Asian place place with a private room to hold around 20-25 people. Anywhere in the SGV or OC is fine. Thanks in advance!

Please suggest a good brunch place for a party of 15 in north OC (Brea, Anaheim, etc.). Thanks in advance!

As I had mentioned in the other thread, they do have non-package prices at Pacific Palms. Or at least, they had these menus when I got married. I had my wedding there about two years ago and had a menu that was about half the price of the package prices. They just don't advertise those menus.

I actually had a great experience with my wedding. The person I worked with was very helpful, and my guests were very happy with the food and the ambiance. It's not the BEST banquet food in the SGV, but I think for a hotel it is one of the better ones.

I actually really like Pingo, much more than Pinkberry. I've always gotten generous portions, and I'm a huge fan of their blueberry flavor.

Any good recs? Thanks in advance.

Actually, that's not true. I had my wedding there about two years ago and had a menu that was about half the price that you had mentioned. They just don't advertise those menus. Or at least, they had these menus when I got married.

I actually had a great experience with my wedding. The person I worked with was very helpful, and my guests were very happy with the food and the ambiance. It's not the BEST banquet food in the SGV, but I think for a hotel it is one of the better ones.

Great! Thanks for all your suggestions.

Thanks for your input. I'll see if they take reservations.

I've never been to Cafe Hiro before, and would love to try it out with some girlfriends. Would it be a good place for 6-8 girls for a weekend lunch?

I like Phoenix for takeout.

Phoenix Food Boutique
1108 S Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 446-7668

I like Honda-Ya in Little Tokyo. Their tatami room is pretty big, so you could fit a large party in there.

Wow, that's great! Thanks for info. I will definitely try this place out.

How are their prices? I've never been here and would love to try.

I tried Plums for the first time a few weeks ago, and didn't find anything special about the place. The service was fine, but it was the food for me. We ordered the campfire trout and the crab omelete. Both were very bland and boring. The omelete was slightly better than the trout, but still average. We probably won't be back.

Same here. JJ is my favorite bakery, and they always have some premade ones ready to go.

My favorite green tea is the Takaokaya brand of genmaicha. I usually get it from Marukai.

Am I the only ones that found Plums to be very mediocre? We ordered the campfire trout, and the crab and asparagus omelete. Both were bland, and nothing special.

Is there anywhere in the east SGV (Rowland, Diamond Bar, etc.) that makes decent bun bo hue?

Looking for a place to eat before heading over to the Pantages. Doesn't necessarily have to be that close to the theater, just on the way. Trying to stay either south or east of the area, withouth going too far west, or north. Any recs? Preferably Asian food (Korean, Japanese, etc.), and trying to stay around $20-30pp. Thanks!

I personally have found RJ's cakes to be average on the taste side. I think they are gorgeous, but for me, they have been more looks than taste. I prefer JJ for cakes that both look and taste good.

Maybe it's just my area then (SGV). I'll look around some more. Thanks, though!

I'm with you on this one, RaeRenee. :)

I think the SGV is a great area to get good food without going broke. Endless Chinese (HK, Taiwanese, etc.) choices, as well as some good Vietnamese and Thai places, too. Some of my favorites...

Phoenix Food Boutique
1108 S Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 446-7668

A & J Restaurant
1269 E Valley Blvd
Alhambra
(626) 284-3549

Saigon's Flavor
208 E Valley Blvd
San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 572-6036

Garden Cafe
228 W Valley Blvd
Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 289-1833

Savoy Pizza & Pasta
138 E Valley Blvd
Alhambra
(626) 308-9535

Dumpling House Restaurant
5612 Rosemead Blvd
Temple City, CA 91780
(626) 309-9918

Yung Ho Tou Chiang
1045 E Valley Blvd # 105
San Gabriel
(626) 280-9317

Banh Mi & Che Cali
8450 Valley Blvd
Rosemead
(626) 288-5600

Shin-Sen-Gumi
8450 E. Valley Blvd. #103
Rosemead, CA 91770
(626) 572-8646

Noodle World
46 W Valley Blvd
Alhambra
(626) 293-8800

Sam Woo
140 W Valley Blvd # 107
San Gabriel
(626) 572-8418

Pho Saigon
8036 Garvey Ave
Rosemead, CA 91770
(626) 782-0166

I ran out to Costco last night, but they didn't have any oxtails. I asked, and they said that they rarely get them. I'll check Ralph's.

JJ Bakery (multiple locations) offers many flavors and unique cakes. Their Festive Fruit Cake is beautiful. Check out their green tea , caramel, passion fruit, or mango mousses. Their mocha cheesecake is also very good. I think they also have a Calpico mousse, although I've never tried that one before.

For taro, the best I've had is from Cathy's Bakery in San Gabriel. Their taro cake with crispy layers is the best.

Cathy's Bakery
708 E Las Tunas Dr
San Gabriel
(626) 451-0101

A lot of people like Din Tai Fung for XLB. I think their XLB is good, but nothing spectacular. I did not like their other dishes, though. Their noodles were boring and bland to me. But if you want to try anyway, here's the place.

Din Tai Fung
1108 S Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 574-7068

I personally like buying the frozen Wei Chuan ones from 99 Ranch and making them at home myself.

If you're looking for Chinese food, there's a lot of choices in Arcadia.

Phoenix Food Boutique (good rice plates, and cheap; love their drinks)
1108 S Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 446-7668

Din Tai Fung Restaurant (for dumplings)
1108 S Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 574-7068

Sinbala (Taiwanese food)
651 W Duarte Rd # F
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 446-0886

I get mine from Marukai.