tatertots's Profile
24 Hours Eats Near UCLA?
Lamonica's - not 24 hours but open late on the weekends.
Noodle Planet - same not 24 hours but open late.
Subway - 24 hours! Ok, not funny but meets your criteria.
Other than those mentioned already - slim pickin' for 24 hour joints.
I want a turkey burger!
Bluebird Cafe/Bakery in Culver City has a pretty decent Turkey Burger. Only thing is, they have random business hours, I think they are only open for lunch during the weekdays.
Umami Burger Santa Monica?
I was at Fred Segal's in January and there was definitely construction going on in the space that's slated for Umami Burger. Other that that, I don't have a specific opening date.
Wedding Rehearsal Suggestions - Westside/Culver City $30 pp
Thank you again everyone for your suggestions! We have decided on Rush Street in Culver City. The per person set menu price is $43. This includes apps, starter, entree selection from five choices, dessert selection and two family style sides per person. They were the most reasonably priced and the most responsive. They have a full party tray passed Hors' Douvers selection as well. We went with the back nook area - not exactly a private room but it will do. Now for those of you are are using this post as a reference.
Westside Tavern has a GORGEOUS private room and party area. I highly recommend this if you have the budget. Their basic set menu was $38. Unfortunately it was booked for the night we needed it.
Typhoon - the event manager essentially said our party would take away their regular business and encouraged us to have an 8:30 or 5:30pm dinner. HELLO - no thank you!
Upstairs 2 - the per person price was too high for our budget, but they were very responsive.
Gyenari - the WORST - we had to contact two manager/partners to get a quote. After one e-mail they ignored us. It's too bad because they have a nice private room.
Beach 26 - left messages, no one ever got back to us
Truxton's - left phone message and e-mail message, no one ever got back to us.
Hop Li - on Pico - great banquet menu at a reasonable price but no private room and parking is a bit cumbersome.
I was really surprised at the lack of response some of these venues had. I thought we're in a recession and restaurant businesses are hurting. Apparently not - or these places have terrible staff working there. Oh well - their loss. I'm hopeful that our event will be fine at Rush Street. Thanks again chowhounders!
Wedding Rehearsal Suggestions - Westside/Culver City $30 pp
Thank you everyone for your wonderful suggestions! I'll post where we end up having our event. I really appreciate your responses. Chowhounders rock!
Wedding Rehearsal Suggestions - Westside/Culver City $30 pp
S.O.S!
I am looking for a October wedding rehearsal dinner location for 35 ppl, $30 pp (not including tax + alcohol) near West LA, Culver City, Mar Vista, MDR. A private room would be nice, but not required. Any cuisine except Indian (no offense, I love Indian food). I have already marked the following establishments off my list for various reasons (Gyenari, Hop Li, Fu's Palace, Typhoon, Westside Tavern, Buca Di Beppo, Shanghai Red's). I've read the various posts regarding this topic and am looking for some more suggestions. Thank you in advance!
Grilled Cheese Month @ Clementine
Thanks burumun! Run don't walk to Clementine's during Grilled Cheese Month!
What is a good Panaderia on the Westside
Unfortunately, Ayala's on Venice is closed. I don't know if it's recession related or if they have moved. But there was no sign posted on the door and I drove by on Sunday, March 29, 2009.
Decent gyro joints in the Santa Monica area.
If good gyro meat is what you are looking for, then there is nothing in the Santa Monica area. The 3rd street promenade restaurant is overpriced. The Gyro Place on Olympic & Bundy is decent, but the meat is not of good quality and the owner is a grouch.
The only place I recommend on the westside is - CALIFORNIA PITA. I know it's not Santa Monica, but it's near enough.
The gyro meat is cut thick and when it's re-heated on the grill it maintains its tenderness. The other item I recommend off their menu is the chicken. They use hormone-free chicken and the lemon sauce is yummy!
Brentwood
12001 Wilshire Blvd.
Brentwood, CA 90025
Phone: 310-478-6200
Fax: 310-478-6400
http://www.californiapita.com/
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California Pita & Grill III
12001 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
The Curious Palate - Mar Vista
I glanced over the posts regarding the seasoning of the food. I think it is a matter of personal taste buds maybe that's why they call it the "curious palate." Anyways, I digress - I found the food selection to be wonderful. For lunch we had the: Salmon Sandwich, Beluga Lentil Bean (side), small Curious Salad and a small Mac & Cheese. The salad was beautifully simple and tasty. The pickled beets in the salad which are also sold separately were delicious! Service, Decor, Cleanliness, Selection, Taste and Price were all spot on and entices me to return many times. A wonderful addition to the westside!
Sofra Kabab Express - new addition to Palms area
Kebab or Kabab or Kebbob?
Sofra Kabab Express just opened on Venice & Westwood Blvd. It's in a mini strip mall, connected to a halal grocery store. According to staff, it's owned by the folks who own "Sofra" in the Westside Pavilion - food court. I ordered a kofta salad and two falafels. Kofta (kofte) had the right amount of spices and other condiments (salad, hummus, yogurt sauce) were very fresh. They also have seats set-up outside for narghile (hukka/hokka) but Venice can get kind of noisey so I don't know how that will work out.
A nice neighborhood addition for those of us in the area. There's limited parking in back. Keep in mind you'll have to make a U-turn on Venice if you're coming from the west side. Or you can just walk there!
10821 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
www.sofrakababexpress.com
(The link doesn't work, but it's listed on the menu this way)
Another great dinner at Quinoa
Where is this restaurant located? Details please. . . .
where can one get thick sliced gyro?
California Pita
12001 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
(310) 478-6200
It's in a shopping center with a Ross and a CVS. I think there's also one in the SF Valley. The gyro meat is sliced fairly thick (at least thicker than the chain restaurant Daphne's). I've found the gyro meat at California Pita to be very moist and not as salty as other places.
Ensenada - by cruise ship
Thank you again for your excellent suggestions. We (11 of us) ended up walking to El Fenix. It was a bit of a hike. We walked from where the tour bus shuttle drops off the masses, which is much further from just walking from the port. But it was worth it. We ordered 24 fish tacos and 1 shrimp taco. DELICIOUS! The ladies were very friendly too. Somehow they immediately knew we were Korean. I guess we don't all look alike!
Ensenada - by cruise ship
Thank you - streetgourmetla, torta_basilica & bigotes for your wonderful suggestions. I especially like the recommendation to bring along Pepto-Bismol. I look forward to trying some type of food fare while in Ensenda. I will report back when I return!
Best Indian Buffet in L.A Area
New India Grill in Westwood is by far the best on the west side. They went through a major remodeling. The service is always excellent and the buffet food items are delicious. My standard for a good indian buffet is when they serve warm samosas and pakoras. Lunch buffet runs $9 with soft drink/iced tea. Parking is a bit cumbersome, but that's the way it is up & down Westwood Blvd.
New India Grill
1321 Westwood Blvd # 1
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 996-0064
Ensenada - by cruise ship
My family and I (all 14 of us) are headed to Ensenada via cruise ship. I've done some research and it seems within walking distance from the ports it's pretty much gringo-touristy or fish market fare. I'd like to have a nice lunch within walking distance from the port. I have a sensitive stomach (let's just say even dim sum puts my digestive system into overdrive) but would like to try local cuisine but not too gringo-ized like Acapulco or El Torito. Chowhounder's suggestions are always respected and appreciated!
LaLa's Argentine Grill
LaLa's on Melrose is great. Food is consistent. I highly recommend the provolone cheese appetizer. It's similar to the flaming greek cheese plate (Saganaki).
Bakery for Lemon dessert - Westside
Jamaica's Cakes on the westside has WONDERFUL lemon bars and other yummy desserts. The owners are very nice as well. Check it out:
http://www.jamaicascakes.com/
11511 W. Pico Blvd.
ISO of Korean Caterers
Nakwon Catering - I can't exactly vouch for the food, but they have a website and I think they are pretty popular with the wedding crowd
http://www.nakwoncatering.com/
Don Felix (Sawtelle) No Longer?
Drove by "Don Felix" on Sawtelle & Washington, noticed that it's no longer called Don Felix and there was a sign that said they serve broasted chicken. Does anyone know what's going on? I liked their carne asada nachos.
Middle Eastern - "Hot Pink" Pickled Radishes
Chowhounders - what do you call the "hot pink" colored pickled radishes that middle eastern restaurants serve as condiments (Zankou and California Pita serve them)? They are usually cut in slices/sticks and I think they are made out of radishes and I have no idea what makes them that bright pink color. Do you know where I can get them on my own in the Westside?
Vote for the best Hole-In-The-Wall (Michelin-style)
Three Stars:
***Kobawoo
***Yai Thai
***Corner Place
Two Star:
**Bluebird
**Isshin
**Damon & Pythias (Westwood)
**Ramenya
One Star:
*Porky's
*Tacos Por Favor
*Three Flames Mongolian BBQ
*Lamonica's Pizza
Farm Boy - Palms Area
Responding to my own post - is that a Chowhound faux pas? I was curious so I checked it out on my own. Fresh fruits and veggies, good variety and selection. Self-serve Fro-Yo .40 cents an ounce (plain tart, strawberry, mango and blueberry flavored), pre-packaged sushi and pre-weighted dry goods (nuts, licorice, etc.) No beverages, meats or dairy sold. Hours Daily 9am-7pm. I don't know if it's the same Farm Boy as the one in Sherman Oaks but plastic bag says there's one in Long Beach and I believe they are Korean owned.
Farm Boy - Palms Area
Has anyone been to the new Farm Boy location on the corner of National and Overland (Used to be a Blockbuster in that spot)? Worth the trip? Outside banner says "Sushi & Yogurt" doesn't sound like a good combination if you ask me.
ISO Good Hawaiian Food
This is a good web resource: http://pukashell.net/platelunch/county/list.html
My personal favorite is "The Loft" in the South Bay. I usually judge the place based on the mac salad. If the mac salad is good, chances are everything else on the menu will be good too.
The Loft - South Bay
23305 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, CA 90505 (corner of Hawthorne & Lomita)
Phone: (310) 375-4051
Culver City - Red Brick Pizza is now Brasilian Cuisine
Had lunch and was dissapointed. Spent $16 on a very mediocre meal of undercooked rice, dry chicken stroganoff, salty garlic chicken and cold cheese bread. I could of had a better lunch at Brasa or at Cafe Brasil. Oh well - lesson learned. Not going back.
ISO Fun Korean BBQ Spot, possibly with Private Rooms?
Tahoe Kalbi on the corner of Wilshire Blvd. and Wilton has private rooms you can reserve for a group of 10 or more. It's about $14.95 per person, AYCE meat choices and you grill at your table. Valet parking is available, I don't know if that's what you mean by "easy parking." Have fun.
Culver City - Red Brick Pizza is now Brasilian Cuisine
Driving by the strip mall on Overland and Venice I noticed that the "Red Brick Pizza" sign on the side of the building has been changed to "Brasilian Cuisine." Does anyone know if this place is open? What type of restaurant it is or will be (proper menu or churrascaria)? I guess ASAP CPK was a better option than Red Brick Pizza and Venice Blvd. is becoming a haven for brasilian cuisine. Yummy!
New Westside Churrascuria: Brasa Brasil Grill
Oh yeah! Right out of the oven, pao de quejo - cheeeeeesy bread. Also these great fried yucca balls, which at first I thought were the cheese bread. Equally delicious!
