Umami Burger Open Now in Westlake Village at The Lakes Strip

Last night we sat on the patio. Service was very attentive and helpful, and the night air was pleasant.

We ordered and split the Umami Burger and the Hatch Burger (with green chilis). WOW! The bun is soft and fresh. Both burgers were deliciously rich and cooked rare with the juices running. Oh, my...

I was caught off-guard because I didn't expect to find anything special about Umami Burger. I am not much of a meat eater and I was very hungry, but I still think this is an exceptional burger. I also don't like ketchup, but their home-made ketchup was the perfect dip.

I think it doesn't matter which burger one selects; this is about the meat and the bun. I can't wait to return!

liu in Los Angeles Area

Georgetown Cupcakes - Arriving in the Fall

Thanks, AndrewF, for your word on this. You have expressed the way I feel.

We have many cupcake options here in LA, and unless they are doing something amazing (I know, they all claim that they are "doing something amazing"), then for me it is just another very good cupcake.

The calories find me...I don't have to go looking! I'd rather indulge in something unique.

liu in Los Angeles Area

Georgetown Cupcakes - Arriving in the Fall

I'll look for your report when you return from D.C.

Which location there will you try, Georgetown or Bethesda?

liu in Los Angeles Area

Best Place for High Tea in LA

Selter Head, I am with you.
I would rather go to the Huntington Library Tea Room than anywhere, just so that I can walk the gardens -- and also have tea. It's a divine combination for me.

However, if you take away the garden walk, I think that the food and tea at Huntington are just okay. If one wishes to have fine pastries and sandwiches and tea, Chado had an amazing aroma when I walked in and the setting is very pretty, too.

liu in Los Angeles Area

Georgetown Cupcakes - Arriving in the Fall

Thanks for posting your experience with these Georgetown cupcakes, Azizeh.
Your rave review has me interested now!

liu in Los Angeles Area

Georgetown Cupcakes - Arriving in the Fall

Can you show a little more enthusiasm?

Have you tried them or do you know anyone who has?

liu in Los Angeles Area

Handsome Coffee Roasters -I really liked it.

Well said, LATrapp...and thanks for more information.

Beyond their very fine coffee, they have a couple of other things going for them -- for my tastes: the space is beautiful (it is where I want to linger) and I love being downtown within walking distance of Little Tokyo. Parking nearby HCR is easy and there is good walking from there around town.

liu in Los Angeles Area

Handsome Coffee Roasters -I really liked it.

"The focus is on their bean and how they roast them."
_ _ _

Dommy, you are exactly correct about this. When we were given our little "tour" of their equipment, the Chief Roaster was extremely proud of his operation. They are really, really serious about roasting.

Dommy, by the way, as you recommended, I just ordered some RG Piloncillo (evaporated sugar cane juice). Thanks for your direction to this product.

liu in Los Angeles Area

Dim sum at King Hua: A Pictorial Essay

"Are you thinking conspiracy, too?"
_ _ _ _

Oh, NO...not at all.
I am thinking that there must have been some chef exchanges/crossovers going on.

I would always prefer that each restaurant have its own identity. I don't want all dim sum to taste the same. But with our many choices these days, we are able to select from a lot of a good thing.

liu in Los Angeles Area

Dim sum at King Hua: A Pictorial Essay

Although I don't know the details, I think that at least one chef did move from Elite to Lunasia. That was some time ago.

There are many similarities between the dim sum experience at Elite and Lunasia...too many to be a coincidence.

liu in Los Angeles Area

Handsome Coffee Roasters -I really liked it.

Huge thanks, Dommy!

liu in Los Angeles Area

Georgetown Cupcakes - Arriving in the Fall

Recently, I have heard rave reviews from various sources of Georgetown Cupcakes. I just learned that they are coming to Los Angeles (143 South Robertson Boulevard) in the Fall.

Has anyone tried one or three of these? Are they anything that we don't already have here?

_ _ _ _ _

http://www.georgetowncupcake.com/hours_locations.html

liu in Los Angeles Area

Handsome Coffee Roasters -I really liked it.

Hi, Dommy!

Oooh, this Piloncillo intrigues me.
You are always interesting...

Actually, I am not a coffee drinker; I enjoy a cup every now and then, especially when it is very fine. I drink a lot of tea, but without sugar or any other add-ins. So, what else might I do with this Piloncillo?

I would love to try it with some coffee because it sounds "right." It sounds like I might be able to make that perfect cup even more perfect with a Rancho Gordo Piloncillo add-in!
Do you suggest purchasing it from this website? Is this where you purchased yours?

liu in Los Angeles Area

Sesame Inn Vs. Mandarin Bistro in Newbury Park

Yes, Andy is Nancy's son and she has handed the rulings to him. However, Nancy holds the passion. Get her started, but bring your pajamas for a long evening stay.

I am so glad that you ended up at Mandarin Bistro. Please let me know how they respond when you request some water chestnuts in your dishes! That response will tell me a lot more about them than anything else.

Enjoy...and I hope to see you at Mandarin Bistro soon!

liu in Los Angeles Area

Sesame Inn Vs. Mandarin Bistro in Newbury Park

I hear you, Les. Lakeview Garden is close for us, too, but sometimes we just need to get out of our zip code! You made me laugh...I remember that we did see you at a local Indian restaurant perhaps a year ago.

Yes, it's all a matter of personal preferences, but I still think the best we have found is Mandarin Bistro. They are extremely accommodating to your requests, so if you do not like something, they will make the dish without it.

If you didn't notice the decor, next time take a close look at the wallpaper, the green booths and the chairs. The owner brought the wallpaper back from China. The fabrics and leather on the seatings are superior to what you will find in many dining spaces. If the owner comes by -- and she usually is walking around -- she is very friendly and anxious to talk about her restaurant.

liu in Los Angeles Area

World's Best Mustard? Please stake your claim.

I love Maille brand Dijon mustard. The Dijon with white wine at Trader Joe's (13 oz. glass jar) is quite similar -- and even better!

liu in General Chowhounding Topics

Sesame Inn Vs. Mandarin Bistro in Newbury Park

I'll add one more Chinese restaurant in the Conejo to this list. We think that Lakeview Garden Chinese Restaurant (4703 Lakeview Canyon Road in Westlake Village in the County Line Center) is better than Sesame Inn.

We always request very low oil, and even with less oil, Lakeview Garden's food is quite tasty.

liu in Los Angeles Area

Sesame Inn Vs. Mandarin Bistro in Newbury Park

Agreed!
I also don't like too many things going on simultaneously in my food.
Single, two or three ingredient dishes are generally preferred.

liu in Los Angeles Area

Sesame Inn Vs. Mandarin Bistro in Newbury Park

Hello, LesThePress.

We were sitting nearby! We were a table of 4 just around the "L" as you described...we began at 5:45, but our food was a little slow in coming out since it was Mother's Day. I'm sure we were sitting there while you were dining.

It is nice to read that you like Mandarin Bistro. Our dinner last night was excellent! We ordered their Chinese broccoli, Szechuan wontons (steamed with very spicy garlic drippings), Kung Pao shrimp which was the best version of that dish that I have had anywhere, and mu shu pork. The server even brought us an extra complimentary plate of this.

Our same group of four went recently to Sesame Inn. They were extremely nice. I don't think they take reservations, but I called ahead and asked if they would save us a table; they did so with a smile. They also assisted us in ordering.

We found their war wonton soup to be watery, although the dumplings were good. Their other dishes -- sorry, I can't remember what we ordered -- were okay to good.

As a group, we much prefer Mandarin Bistro. We have been there eight or nine times and it has consistently delivered delicious dinners.

Next time you go to Mandarin Bistro, as soon as you sit down I recommend that you order their wraps. I don't remember what they are called on the menu, but if you ask for "the wraps that take a long time," I think you will receive these Chinese burritos. They are cut into four pieces and they are really, really good! I have not had anything similar in any other Chinese restaurant.

liu in Los Angeles Area

Best Place for High Tea in LA

I am glad to read your glowing report, Savour.

I was there just as a spectator, but the space felt "right" for my afternoon tea!

liu in Los Angeles Area

Best Place for High Tea in LA

I second those who have suggested the Chado Tea Room Downtown, inside the Japanese American National Museum.

We were at the museum this past weekend for their special origami exhibit. The Chado Tea Room was buzzing and bustling with celebrants, yet the feeling was relaxing and fine. The tea and accompanying food looked wonderful!

There were tables outside as well as those inside; all were filled at about 3:00pm. The setting is very pretty.

liu in Los Angeles Area

Dim sum at King Hua: A Pictorial Essay

I might add Lunasia to this list. Although it is not in my top three -- exactly as you have listed -- I would add it to your list if you have not been there.

I also like cart dim sum service, so that lengthens the list as well.

(Then, beyond dim sum there are many dumpling places that satisfy as well when the craving hits. I won't open this discussion, however, because the discussion of dumplings is quite available on this site.)

liu in Los Angeles Area

Dim sum at King Hua: A Pictorial Essay

"While I'm not going to say it's [King Hua] better than Sea Harbour or Elite..."
* * * * * *
I agree that it is difficult to compare very good to very good. I am so happy that we have more choices than we used to have for very good dim sum!

liu in Los Angeles Area

Dim sum at King Hua: A Pictorial Essay

Ciao Bob, I am basing my advice on our approximately six visits to King Hua. I think if you arrive on a Saturday morning before 11:00am, you will not have a long wait.

I wish to report that since the opening of a few more dim sum options in the past few months, the crowds at Elite seem to have dwindled. We have been seated immediately during our past most recent visits to Elite. Perhaps now that there are more options for decent/good/very good dim sum, the crowds have dispersed some.

liu in Los Angeles Area

Handsome Coffee Roasters -I really liked it.

We stopped by Handsome Coffee Roasters this past weekend. WOW -- what a beautiful space! Those shelves with the copper pipes, the copper ceiling and the copper bar...very, very nice.

The coffee was quite good; I had Columbian drip. The HCR team was really friendly. We were peeking into the roasting room and the "Head Roaster" invited us in for a tour of the machinery. They were not roasting at the time, but their operation appeared very impressive.

We brought in our own sugar and they did not seem to mind. The cream that they provided was milk, I believe; we did not ask for anything richer. I don't know if they have cream or not, but cream does, IMVHO, make a smoother afternoon cup!

I enjoy the coffee at a few other places in the city (Balconi is one of my favorites), but I would return to Handsome for the fine service and for the beautiful space.

liu in Los Angeles Area

Dim sum at King Hua: A Pictorial Essay

Thanks for the mouth-watering photos, J.L.

I, too, am a big fan of King Hua!

We went to Elite for dim sum this past weekend, and the entire time I was wishing I were back at King Hua. I think their sticky rice, their shrimp dishes and their BBQ Pork Honey Buns are calling me back...immediately! As you mentioned, J.L., their space is very nice.

Elite used to be my first love, but now I am looking forward to a Saturday morning relationship with King Hua.

liu in Los Angeles Area

Loose Leaf Tea in LA,SGV and OC

omotosando, they sell small packets, so you can sample many.

I tried about a dozen. Although I am currently into the greener, less processed teas (Korean, Japanese and Chinese), my favorites from Assam Tea Company were the Cream of Darjeeling/Single Malt Seasonal Batch and the Cream of Assam/Single Malt Seasonal Harvest. I found all of their teas to be of good quality and interesting, even if not for my palate.

I promise you will find Saunam to be very knowledgeable and friendly...if not by phone, contact him on email.

-- Safe travels to you!

liu in Los Angeles Area

fresh tofu?

Agreed! I really enjoyed the make-it-at-your-table version at Robata Jinya...memorable!

liu in Los Angeles Area

10 Best Dim Sum Restaurants In Los Angeles

I completely understand what you are saying, raytamsgv. I don't want my servers to be melancholic, but I don't want to feel their stress, either. Stress, tension and chaos in a restaurant can show up in many places. I get a feel when I walk in the door. I want to feel calm and peace, not the stress of the worker bees who are just passing through for a paycheck or those who are over-worked and overwhelmed.

But I enjoy the hustle of a dim sum restaurant. King Hua definitely feels alive to me.

liu in Los Angeles Area