Wanted to go to Ngoma, the African restaurant on Wilshire near La Brea. Their phone is disconnected, but their website is still up. Does anyone know if they're still in business?

Thanks!

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Ngoma
5358 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Does anyone know of a lunch truck or taco truck that will come to a private home in Encino for an hour or so to feed about 30 people?

Haven't been out there in a couple years, but last time it was excellent. Especially the house-smoked pork chop.

We had Dr. Hogly Wogly cater a party about 18 months ago. They charged $50 for paper goods and provided two servers, whom we tipped but otherwise did not have to pay.

Don't forget the brisket.

8136 Sepulveda Blvd
Van Nuys, CA 91402
(818) 782-2480

We drank tap at Osteria Mozza three weeks ago and were not charged for it. Can't speak for the other restaurants.

I second Verrazano's. They're on the east side of La Brea, a block south of Melrose. The Fresca (fresh mozzarella and basil) is our new favorite pie.

612 N La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 933-1744
verrazanospizza.com

On a whim, the wife and I bought a box of Hostess cupcakes over the weekend (regular ones, not the 100 calorie snack size). We both agreed that they seemed about a third smaller than we remembered from our grade school days.

Does anyone know if Hostess reduced the size of their cakes over the years, or are we just now used to larger cupcakes and muffins from local bakeries?

Thanks.

Anyone been to Cynthia's on 3rd lately? Has it changed (for better or worse) with Cynthia no longer there? Anything worth trying besides the fried chicken and cobbler?

Thanks!

Went to Madeo last year for a birthday dinner and was very disappointed. Menu and decor haven't been updated since the 80's. Most of the food was salty. And the prices are about 50% higher than they should be, all things considered.

Haven't been to Il Grano.

Another vote for Bagel Broker.

Planning a birthday dinner for 12 on a Saturday night. Any suggestions vis a vis food, atmosphere, price, etc.?

Thanks!

Went to R23 about two weeks ago and had a nice dinner. Sat at the sushi bar and enjoyed everything we tried. Only complaint was that the price points for sake were a bit high.

Back in the day, Neiman-Marcus sold the best jelly beans. Two pounds-worth in a clear plastic tube. No black licorice, either.

Does anyone know where I can find some good, regular old jelly beans. Not the 57 flavors of Jelly Bellies. Not the giant beans sold in pouches at drug stores.

Thanks!

Joe Peeps loads up the fresh mushrooms and is not soggy. They do a canned version, too, but the fresh taste better.

Yes, you can get pizzas there at dinner. We like sitting in the back at the pizza bar and watching them made while we eat. As for a specific pizza from a specific menu, you might want to double check with the restaurant. Enjoy!

Gelsons in Century City, too. On ice with the butcher.

Mel N Rose's has Tim Tams.

The King's Head has Vili's meat pies (frozen).

I've seen Boylan's Black Cherry, Diet Black Cherry, Ginger Ale and Diet Creme Soda at LA-area Trader Joes. Too bad they don't have the sugar cane cola.

Around 5 PM on Saturday.

As you can see from my past posts, I was so looking forward to the return of the Boule kouign aman after its long hiatus. I tried BLD's version. I tried to replicate it myself at home. Nothing compared. Made it to the Atelier yesterday for one. What a horrible disappointment.

We didn't recognize them at first - because the staff had them displayed upside down. When ours was flipped over and presented to us, we understood why - it was burnt all around the edges. Even worse, there was no sweet, soft, buttery center. Just dry layers of puff pastry all the way through. A sad, shadow of its forebearers.

On the upside, the cashier refunded our money. On the downside, a once proud pastry has been reduced to ash. A sad day indeed.

I don't know if they count as shrimp diabla, but the shrimp burritos at La Serenata Gourmet are excellent. Love that sauce. Pico, just west of Westwood Blvd.

Anyone know if it is open yet? I read about previews, but haven't heard anything since. The kouign amann beckons.

About a year ago, I posted asking where I could find Mayordomo brand Oaxacan chocolate in L.A. Several people suggested various Whole Foods around town, but none seemed to have it.

Have you seen it around here lately. I'm jonesing for some now.

Thanks!

A friend of mine is a big fan of beef ribs (who isn't?). Unlike me, he keeps kosher, so his options are more limited. He's had them at La Gondola, but they're like $50 a plate, which I think is crazy.

Does anyone have suggestions of other restaurants, markets, etc. that have good kosher beef ribs (take out or eat in) in the L.A. area?

Thanks!

Jeff

Oops. I meant Doheny, not Bundy. Sorry about that.

The wife and I visited Froma yesterday. It's a cheese/charcuterie/specialty food shop that opened recently on Melrose, a few blocks west of Fairfax (next to Paul Frank).

They have a nice selection of gourmet foods, but where they really shine is their cheeses and meats. The staff was super nice and kept offering suggestions - and samples - until we made them stop.

They do some salads and a dozen or so panini. We tried one with mozzarella and heirloom tomatoes, another with jamon, mancengo and piquillo peppers. $9-$12 are both quite good.

Their stuff is not cheap, but neither is Joan's on Third or other similar establishments. I hope more people find them. It is nice to have a place in the neighborhood passionate about food and run by friendly people.

Froma
7960 Melrose Ave.

The European Sausage Kitchen makes excellent weisswurst and other sausages. Their veal is outstanding as well.

9109 W. Olympic Blvd (at Bundy)
(310) 276-1331

Max makes a nice burger, but it may be lunch only.

Good stuff. I get them at Mel & Rose (8344 Melrose Ave.).

Gelato from Boule would work well after a lunch, though I don't think they're open at night. If you're going for dinner, I second Milk on Beverly.