soccerandlost's Profile
Trip to NYC
Thanks everyone for the follow-up questions. Being a ChowHounder as well, I probably should have started off with a better post. Anyway, here are some additional details:
- We are from Los Angeles and have both been to NYC many times before, but somehow this is our first time heading there together.
- I would like to keep the cost under $100pp including drinks, tip and tax unless you think that's unreasonable for what we're looking for, in which case I'd be willing to stretch to $125pp one of the nights.
- We like just about every type of ethnic food, although we're not particularly adventurous -- neither of us likes game or organ meats, nor do we get all the fuss over "foam."
- We drink just about anything, although we prefer wine and cocktails to beer.
- We would prefer to go somewhere that will take a reservation. We are trying to fit a lot into 3 days and 2 nights while my parents watch our daughter, and don't want to waste it waiting. Although if we're waiting with a drink in hand and not too long, we can live with that.
- In terms of aesthetic, we would like a place that is hip and energetic. It doesn't have to look like a W Hotel, but we want the place to be relatively youthful, energetic, and fun -- and with some style.
- I'm primarily looking for dinner recs, but we will be in town for 3 days so if anyone has any cheap breakfast or lunch suggestions we're all for them. Although I can also easily live on NYC bagels for breakfast and pizza for lunch...
- We are planning to stay in SoHo, Tribeca, or the Lower East Side primarily because we like the fact that we can spend most of our afternoons on foot around there. I'm not necessarily wedded to eating in those districts, but I would also be quite willing to stay local. I just figured that if I opened recs up to all of Manhattan it would be impossible to narrow them down...
- Speaking of which, we are torn on the following hotels; any inside knowledge would be much appreciated: Thompson, 60 Thompson, The Smyth, Tribeca Grand, and Hotel Gansevoort.
Thanks again everyone!
Trip to NYC
My wife and I are headed to NYC for 3 days and 2 nights in July. I'm looking for two great dinner options in the SoHo, Tribeca, LES area. I don't want to spend a small fortune, but they should be very cool aesthetically, great food, and hopefully a good bar area as well. Recs are much appreciated.
The Park - Excellent Pre-Dodger Food
I'll give you that. If I had season tix, I'd be looking for alternatives as well. Incidentally, I applaud your perseverance. You are a great fan, and hence a great Los Angeleno.
The Park - Excellent Pre-Dodger Food
I guess it's a "to each their own" situation. The food is not gourmet, and the options at Dodger Stadium are far more limited than most, but I've always found that eating the ballpark fare is a critical part of the ballpark experience. Especially given that for years there wasn't much that was positive going on on the field.
Need Greek restaurant
Le Petit Greek and Sofi are great calls. I completely forgot about both because I don't get there as often, but they're both very good.
Need Greek restaurant
I like Papa Cristos near downtown the best. Try to get there at least a month. If it was closer to home or the office, it'd probably be more like once a week.
I also like Ulysses Voyage in the Farmer's Market section of the Grove, and Stop 'N Cafe on 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica (although the latter's pricing has gotten somewhat ridiculous).
I know many people -- mostly Pepperdine grads -- who love Taverna Tony's. I went there once and was totally unimpressed with everything except the entertainment.
Decent fresh baked bread on the westside?
Bay Cities nearly always seems to have just-out-of-the-oven-warm bread. And it's delicious. Highly recommended for good Italian bread. For French-style breads, I still think La Brea Bakery takes the cake.
The Park - Excellent Pre-Dodger Food
I appreciate the review, but I just don't understand why anyone would go out to eat before a Dodger game.
Best burger and beer in LA? (PJ Clark's in LA)
Good call. I love Mo's burgers, the topping and side bar, and of course their curly fries. For those who are trying to be more figure-conscious, they have some outstanding salads too.
Looking for a place on Beverly for dinner with friends thats delicious and not to costly.
Wish I could say, but I didn't discover this place until recently. We very much enjoyed it. Dessert at MILK was entirely unnecessary, but delicious as well.
Looking for an specific hot sauce. Help...
That's funny. I like it too. I noticed we have about 6 bottles in our pantry this morning...
Looking for an specific hot sauce. Help...
You can find it just about anywhere at this point. It's very commonly used as the base for buffalo wing sauces. In fact, I am nearly positive that either McDonald's, Carl's Jr., or Jack-in-the-Box use it as their "buffalo" sauce available for their chicken fingers.
Looking for a chill bar to show around to some NYers
Bar Lubitsch is an outstanding suggestion. I probably can't suggest anything better than that.
St. Nick's is a pretty good neighborhood hole-in-the-wall.
I used to love 3rd Stop but it's just not the same now that they've been forced to turn into a real restaurant to comply with their license.
El Carmen just isn't what it used to be.
The Bowery is great, but why fly all the way to LA to go to a bar that's on every block corner in NY.
I love Jones, but I'm not sure what the crowd's like anymore.
All of that said, you're not going to impress a NYer with a bar in LA. We've got the sun and the beach, but they've got the nightlife...
Looking for a place on Beverly for dinner with friends thats delicious and not to costly.
I agree with Jar, although it might be more expensive than you're looking for.
I adamantly disagree with BLD. Not that I don't like the place (I really enjoy it for breakfast, brunch, or lunch), but I have not had good experience there for dinner.
Other options:
- Cobras & Matadors
- Ita-cho
- Angelini Osteria (also may be more than you want to spend)
Fun group dinner spot pre-Dodger game
I know this is chowhound and all, but I say save the food for cracker jacks, dodger dogs, and Nestle Toll House ice cream sandwiches. If you've got pre-game time on your hands, hit up Tiki-Ti in Silverlake for drinks you can't find at Dodger Stadium or just about anywhere else on this continent.
Westwood - nice special occasion restaurant?
In Westwood proper I concur that Napa Valley Grill and Tanino are your best choices. For a more casual yet tasty option, you can also consider La Bruschetta.
Concert in Irvine . . . Where to eat
My advice is to pack a great picnic dinner, get there early, and tailgate. That's what we do every time we go to Verizon and we have a blast.
Special Meal
Among your choices I'd avoid Craft -- it was very much underwhelming both times I've been there. And I love Mastro's, but for a special occasion I'd probably opt for Providence. If you're willing to go somewhere else not listed, my wife and I had our 5-year anniversary dinner at All' Angelo and absolutely loved it. We did the 5-course tasting menu with wine pairing and it was perfect.
Nice dinner near LA House of Blues
If you can get in, I'd actually just go to the Foundation Room upstairs at the HOB. The food's not going to challenge any Michelin-star restaurants, but it's a great scene (the band often hangs out at the bar beforehand), really cool atmosphere, pretty darn good food, and you'll have no worries at all timing-wise.
Mastro's or BOA in SM?
They are 2 of my favorite places to have a great steak (my other favorite being JAR, although I'm planning to hit up Wolfgang's soon given the rave reviews on this site). I don't think you can go wrong with either, foodwise. So it's really all about atmosphere and I think those who have posted before me have pretty much delineated the pros and cons of each. I generally opt for BOA because it's less expensive, has a more fun and lively scene, and frankly I like the food a bit better. But for out-of-towners, the celebrity quotient at Mastro's is probably a better call.
Excellent Sangria?
Unfortunately nothing at Versaille is. Wish there was a very good Cuban restaurant on the west side. Does anyone have any recs???
Comme Ca or All' Angelo
Went to All' Angelo last night. It was absolutely delicious. We got the 5-course tasting menu with wine pairings. Courses were: (1) cauliflower puree w/ parmesan sauce, (2) Alaskan black cod w/ asparagus and tomatos, (3) ribbon pasta w/ lamb ragout, (4) angus rib-eye w/ zucchini flowers, (5) lemon and polenta pudding. No pictures, and I don't remember the wines as I was devoted to enjoying the experience. And we thoroughly enjoyed it. First class all the way. Thanks CHers for steering us in this direction; I'm sure Comme Ca would have been nice, but not as wonderful as this.
Trip report-BLD, AOC, Canele, RFD
I've been to BLD a few times now. My take on it is that it's not bad for breakfast, brunch, or lunch -- but it's an utter disappointment for dinner.
hip enough for 20 something but food good enough for 30 something
Foodie or not, I think most 20-something out-of-towners would want to get a taste of LA to go along with their food. To me, that generally means a good bar scene to boot. While I agree that Pizzeria Mozza is great, I'm not sure it's a great introduction to LA. As for AOC, I find the atmosphere rather drab, and I'm a 30-something.
What's good in Brentwood?
There are a ton of good options in Brentwood, and most have been covered in the thread already. My wife and I tried Pecorino for Valentine's Day and had one of the best Italian meals we've ever had other than in Italy or with my family. Kay 'N Daves is a great suggestion for good, reasonably-priced, and reasonably-healthy Mexican. Katsu-Ya is a fun scene with some great, "inventive" sushi recipes.
Mac & Cheese
Luna Park's M&C with broccoli and ham is the best I've ever had. The M&C at 3rd Stop is delicious as well. I've also really enjoyed the M&C (and everything else) at Lucky Devil.
new Orleans cuisine in los angeles
Never been to New Orleans before (although I certainly want to go), and I'm not a huge fan of the place, but there always seem to be people at Bourbon Street Shimp in West LA. Might be worth a try.
Excellent Sangria?
La Paella on Vicente. I also like the white sangria at Sur in WeHo.
hip enough for 20 something but food good enough for 30 something
BOA, Wilshire, Rustic Canyon, and Katsu-Ya come to mind. If you're willing to head toward Hollywood/WeHo (which a 20-something would probably like), there's also Koi, Chateau Marmont, STK, and Foxtail (although reviews on Foxtail have been pretty rough).
