chuckles's Profile
Shiraz Jam
Had this amazing jam made out of Shiraz which someone brought back from Australia. Is there any place that might sell such a thing here in L.A. or even in the US?
Dark & Romantic Hollywood
Yes, I went there once. That *was* dark. La Boheme is a bit too theme-y and grand.. was hoping a little more low key? The one time I went to Cafe des Artists it seemed like quite the Hollywood hipster scene but that was at least 5 years ago -- has it mellowed out?
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay thread - 1st quarter 2011 [old]
Yay for the Vietnamese Style Chicken Wrap. Yummy, soft spinach tortilla, the chicken is nicely seasoned, fresh tasting greens, and jicama! Especially love that it doesn't already have sauce in it like their other wraps, so it's actually healthy while being filling and delicious. The ginger lime dipping sauce that it comes with is quite flavorful, very gingery, if a bit sweet. When I want more sweet than savory I just dip the wrap in some plain Greek yogurt and it's the perfect lunch. Heck, I sometimes eat half a wrap for breakfast, but I'm weird like that.
Yay for the Parmesan Pastry Pups. We always have 3 boxes in the freezer. It's always a hit at gatherings but sometimes when we're feeling lazy AND naughty, we roast some broccoli (for the "healthy" portion of the meal) and then just eat a box for dinner.
Yay for the Reduced Guilt Mac and Cheese. Yes, the portion is smaller than the regular TJ Mac and Cheese, but I augment it by adding some vegetables or soy crumbles.
Meh for the Masala Lentil Dip. The sweetness of it is a bit strange but it could be personal preference.
Nay for the Raita. Too watery and again too sweet for me. Much prefer to use the Tzatziki with the Indian entrees.
Dark & Romantic Hollywood
Any recs for dimly lit, low key, romantic restaurants in Hollywood (or West Hollywood) -- especially ones with booths or tucked away niches for privacy. Definitely want to be able to hear my companion without having to yell, and seriously delicious Chow-ish food a major plus. Thanks!
Fortnum & Mason in Los Angeles?
I just found out that the US website of Fortnum & Mason has been discontinued. Where will I get my clotted cream biscuits!?
Anyone know of any retail establishments or restaurants that sell Fortnum & Mason teas and cookies in Los Angeles?
Pizza and Beer
Delancey in Hollywood on Sunset has great thin crust pizza and a solid range of beers on tap. (Also wine and a full bar.)
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Delancey Hollywood
5936 W Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028
Dinner Recs between Signal Hill & Silver Lake?
We ended up going to Otafuku Noodle House in Gardena for some soba & fishcake tempura. I've gotta get myself to the South Bay more often!
Dinner Recs between Signal Hill & Silver Lake?
My friend lives in Signal Hill and I live in Silver Lake. We're looking for a moderately-priced (entrees between $10-20) place somewhere in between us to meet up for an early dinner on Saturday.
We're both pescatarians so a great sushi restaurant would be ideal (and for good sushi we'd blow the budget!) but anywhere with abundant veg and fish options works too. My friend had to give up the meat under doctor's orders so I was thinking of introducing her to RFD or M Cafe for some awesome vegan/macrobiotic food, but I'm wondering if that'll have her to a lot more driving.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated!
Dukkguk?
Are there any Korean restaurants that serve dukkguk on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day?
What To Do With Breadcrumbs
I have about 4 cups of breadcrumbs. Anyone have recipes that take advantage of my bounty?
Lunch Options Near Melrose/Robertson?
After being spoiled rotten by lunches at Tender Greens, Meltdown, Surfas Cafe, and the new M Cafe in Culver City, I just moved to new offices at Melrose and Robertson.
I desperately need suggestions for chow-ish places to get takeout in this part of West Hollywood. The only restaurants I know are Newsroom and Le Pain Quotidian, the Ivy, and Bossa Nova. I'm hoping to find a great Mexican or sushi place, a decent Thai restaurant? But any kind of cuisine -- I just want to love my lunch! Thanks!
Wine & Apps in Pasadena?
I want to meet up with a friend for a couple of glasses of wine or a cocktail and some appetizers in Pasadena. Late (like 9pm?) on a weeknight. I've read negative things about 750ml here and have already been to Vertical a few times so would like to try something else. Someplace mellow, not too brightly lit, with comfortable seating and good simple food. Lounges, wine bars, bars of restaurants could all work -- help?
Sushi in Pasadena?
Are there any really great sushi places in Pasadena, preferably with a nice ambiance (not too mini-mall hole-in-the-wall-ish) because I want to take my mom and grandmother there? They're just driving through and will only have the few hours around dinnertime to see me -- otherwise I'd just take them downtown or to the Valley...
Guilty Pleasure
So help me...
Tuna sandwiches from those rotating vending machines
Kraft Mac & Cheese (the instant kind in a cup)
Canned French Green Beans (eaten right out of the can)
Mother's Circus Animal Cookies
Green Giant Frozen Niblets Corn & Butter Sauce
Cheetos
McDonalds Filet o' Fish
McDonalds Biscuit with Egg & Cheese
McDonalds Hash Brown
Keeblers (now TGIF brand) Tater Skins
Bagel Bites
and I love going to crappy buffets (the ones with both sushi AND onion rings) or casino buffets) & also secretly enjoy hospital cafeteria food... so embarrassing.
Rice Cooker Recipes?
I have a small rice cooker (makes about 4 cups of rice max) and have made saffron rice in it but wondered if anyone has other recipes for meals that can be made in the rice cooker -- preferably featuring but not limited to rice?
Admit it... There's Some Dishes at Chain Restaurants You Like
McDonalds - Hash browns, Biscuit with Egg & Cheese, Filet-O-Fish
Carl's, Jr. - Western Bacon Cheeseburger (though I haven't had one in over 15 years I still crave it sometimes...)
Red Lobster - Cheese Biscuits
Koo Koo Roo - Macaroni & Cheese
Rubios - Shrimp burrito
However, I've never found anything even remotely edible at Chili's...
Ever eat a bug?
I already have a hard time eating shrimp that I have to peel myself because they are definitely bugs of the sea! Even though I love shrimp.
My dad always used to tell us kids that he didn't eat potato chips or any such fancy packaged snacks growing up in Korea in the 50s. He'd find a long stick and hang out in a field and skewer a bunch of grasshoppers or crickets and then roast them over a fire until their legs fell off and they got nice and crunchy. Ack!
How Important to You is Pronunciation? (vis-a-vis Food)
It used to drive me up the wall in high school when my friend told me that her family had gone out to eat "shushi."
In general I try to pronounce menu items as accurately as possible but recently I went to a French bakery and wanted a croissant aux amandes but chickened out by telling the server I wanted an almond croissant.
Poll: What restaurants do you eat in most often?
Mae Ploy
The Kitchen
Nicky D's
Z Pizza
Europane
Cheebo
Fred 62
Astro Burger in WeHo
The Habit Grill
Gingergrass
Square One
Cafe Tropical
Bridal Shower Venue in Oakland/Berkeley?
Need help finding a place to throw a small bridal shower in Oakland or Berkeley. Would be next month, about a dozen guests + bride. All women in 20s/30s. Weekend afternoon, probably. Something fun and relaxed like... dessert and champagne? Cupcakes and tea? Would picnicking be a rain-out risk? Help!
Sauerkraut?
I'd love recipes or meal ideas too. I've had a jar in my fridge that I bought months ago --- wait, is it spoiled?? -- and want to use up. thanks!
Mozza - Closest thing to pepperoni pizza?
thanks! sounds like salumi. will report back.
Mozza - Closest thing to pepperoni pizza?
I'm going to Mozza for lunch next week with a non-chowhound who loves his pepperoni pizza. Which pizza on the menu is the closest -- yet undoubtedly far superior -- to that somewhat boring albeit tasty classic?
Admit it... There's Some Dishes at Chain Restaurants You Like
Koo Koo Roo: Mac and cheese, Tangy Tomato Salad
CPK: Split Pea and Barley Soup, Singapore Shrimp Rolls
Rubios: Shrimp Burrito
Red Lobster: Cheddar Garlic Biscuits (though I haven't had these in over a decade I still think of them fondly...)
McD: Filet o' Fish (maybe once a year I crave it and MUST HAVE IT)
Where can I buy large reusable grocery bags?
I second http://www.reusablebags.com -- especially this one:
http://www.reusablebags.com/store/acme-bags-recycled-earthtote%E2%84%A2-p-788.html
I have the dark colored ones. They are the size of a paper grocery bag, though perhaps slightly taller, hold A LOT and are incredibly durable. They even fold up like a paper bag. And they're made from recycled plastic bottles! Everywhere I go I get compliments on it. I highly recommend it.
L.A. Thai Vegan & Korner Grill - Anyone?
I usually head to Mae Ploy when I'm craving Thai food and don't want to drive to Hollywood, but I'm curious about L.A. Thai Vegan at 4356 Fountain Avenue @ Virgil. There's a sign that says "Grand Opening" out front (I think it used to be called Los Angeles Thai Cafe?) Anyone know if it's under new ownership or just if it's any good?
Also, I drive by Korner Grill (corner of Fountain and Myra) across from the middle school all the time. Worth checking out?
Thanks!
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Korner Grill
4206 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029
L.A. Thai Vegan
4356 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Best Cold Dip Recipe?
Looking for a great cold dip to take to a BBQ in early August -- one that always gets rave reviews and has people scraping the last bits from the bottom of the bowl. Traditional only if it's got a unique twist, please!
