shelleykelly's Profile
Umami Burger comes to...Thousand Oaks!?!?
ITA with Les. Adjoining restaurants (Claim Jumper and P.F. Changs) are booming in this location. As a longtime, (albeit unwilling) resident of T.O. the area has been short of really good restaurants forever. But in the last few years, it has welcomed (as I have) secondary locations of Brent's Deli, Stan's Donuts and Cholada.
As for Nate N Al's, I went there only once. Food was tasteless and overpriced and the waitress wouldn't leave me alone to read my book. HELLO?!?!? I'm alone, eating and reading a book. If you want a book review, go online.
Disappointed in Wood Spoon
So sorry to hear that. I'm assuming you've been there before, since you were introducing a friend to it? They never open on time. Hubby and I have been there 4 or 5 times and each time--and it is def. worth the wait--their "doors open" times have been consistently late and never consistent.
We put up with it because we love the owner and her food. Hope your friend gets to try it soon. Good to hear, too about the Lazy Ox cafe.
Dino's Pizza Burbank
ITA with jackattack about pizza-eatin' time. Eat it there, for sure. The double-dough crust is terrific for dipping in ranch as a super-thick, chewy breadstick-on-its-own after you've finished the "triangle" part of the pizza slice.
That said, the duo/trio of slow/grump/pain in the ass grunge wannabes are no more. Have been there a few times in the last year and the replacements are two lovely ladies who take your orders with a smile.
My husband's favorite is the lasagna pizza. Real globs of ricotta on top. We've never had the pastrami pizza, but the traditional pepp. is good; the ceasar salad is always fresh and cold, and the hawaiian pizza is also good. The little garlic twists are tdf.
If you get around to trying it, hope you enjoy!
Turducken -- Good or just a novelty.
ITA with ipsedixit on every iota.
I ordered a turducken "breast roll" as a smaller option than the whole bird(s) because there were only three of us. It was the size of a pigeon. And half of it was stuffing. It was supposed to feed 6, but due to the stuffing/meat ratio, we each got a serving and scraps for the dog.
It was not a delightful experience. There was no taste distinction between the turkey/chicken and duck, and it boasted a 1,400mg/per serving dose of sodium. $51 I'll never get back.
That, and the instructions were totally wrong. Someone didn't do their homework. Instrux said to defrost overnight in the fridge; it took two days, incl. 1/2 day at room temp. It said to cook for 2 hours; took 3 to reach proper temp, and our oven is correctly calibrated. UGH. never again.
Dumb question about Beverly Hills Hotel afternoon tea...
Hi all,
My mom wants to do the high tea sitting at the B.H. hotel for her 84th birthday in March.
Never having been there and being on a sugar-free, wheat-free eating plan, can I just order a Pellegrino or coffee while she has her tea/sandwiches/scones, etc.?
I just want her to have a great time, and don't want to put a damper on it if they require I order the same thing. I know I'm probably worrying about nothing.
Thanks in advance.
Shelley
Jonesing for Weiner Factory (RIP) turkey dogs
To all that responded...
Thanks so much for your time! I love Fab Dogs, but alas, the Grande Fromage of turkey dogs remains WF, in my humble op..
It'd be great if they reopened. Thanks also for the custom dog places. May have to do some detective work.
Cheers and long live WF!
Jonesing for Weiner Factory (RIP) turkey dogs
Hi all,
Does anyone know how I can contact the owner? His turkey dogs were the best, and I've heard he had a private label recipe. Friends are willing to pay him...not for the recipe, but for the dogs themselves.
Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks!
Crumbs Bake Shop
My husband was working late last week and came home with a surprise: four cupcakes from Crumbs Bake Shop. It was the first foray for both of us. And probably the last, given the price.
At approx. $3.50 each, IMHO, Feh.
1. Apple crumb: a light brown cake with bits of apple, white frosting and caramel drizzle on top. So light it fell apart and was hard to eat. Good flavor...a bit of spice, barely discernable, in the cake.
2. Mint: dark chocolate cupcake with a LOT of green mint frosting and dark cho. mini chips scattered on top. I couldn't get over the green frosting. It kinda turned my stomach, but the flavor was good. Cake a little more moist than the apple crumb but still really light.
3. Hostess cupcake: same dark choc. cupcake as the mint, with about a tablespoon of what tasted like marshmallow fluff inside. The choc. glaze had an odd, somewhat metallic flavor.
4. Yellow cake with milk choc. frosting: Our favorite. Light buttery cake and rich m.c. frosting. Reminded us of childhood.
All in all, a decent experience, but truthfully, the cake parts tasted like Betty Crocker boxed cake. And by that I mean the basic boxed versions, not the "Now Moister!" versions.
Panning Pann's
Wow, I'm sorry the experience was bad! Mom and I were there just yesterday and had the wings n waffle special. The wings came out, as they always do, for us, at least, piping hot, moist and tender on the inside and crispy fried on the outside.
Since this is our MO, I can't speak to any of the other chicken.
Mother's Little Helper - Cake Monkey Bakery
Oh my God. I have to go there today, as I am starting Atkins tomorrow. My last dessert Hurrah! until summer!
Thank you so much...it all sounds amazing.
Shelley
Sweet Lady Jane's
As I sit here at work with a bad cold and lower back spasms, wondering why I even made the treck in the downpour, my answer has come from SaltCod. Thank you for making my day...ITA with yours and others' assessments that SLJ is...well...it's all been said.
My mother's 80th b-day cake, the triple berry, was presented to her at home, barely 3 days after a radical mastectomy. Mom was jonesing for something spectacular, and she was not disappointed. This was 3 years ago, and I've gotta say, other than that cake, the rest of the experience was mediocre. I got the same 'tude from the counter staff and the red velvet cupcake I had was...weird. It tasted too "food colory". Chemical-like.
Anyway, thanks again for the "ICHSS" moniker. I'll have to share that with Mom.
BBQ - Where to find the best in LA?
a_and_w,
ITA about the meat resisting...I meant only that there wasn't any extra "lollipop handle" worth of bone to hang onto with my left hand :-) which made the resistance a little messier.
They do indeed serve the beef ribs sauced. In fact, the sauce is baked on. And not in a bad way...I think the meat was basted with it all through the cooking process.
That said, yes, BBQ meat by itself--and as long as it hasn't been basted/marinated with anything that contains sugar--is fine on Atkins. Anything roasted/grilled/fried "naked"/boiled, etc. is fine.
Cheers!
BBQ - Where to find the best in LA?
OK, as previously promised, I returned to NY BBQ yesterday and ordered the beef ribs. With a soda, the total was under $12. Collards and beans as the sides...love them too much to change right now.
I'm a traumatized beef rib eater, having survived my mom's (Chinese and an excellent cook in all other ways but this...sorry mom!) boiled beef ribs smothered with orange marmalade and brown sugar glaze. A few run ins with really bad beef ribs over the years haven't helped either.
So for the $12, I got two very meaty, smokey ribs marbled with fat that wasn't gross at all and while I had to fight a bit to rip the meat from the bone (no extra bone to hold onto) the flavor was indeed yummy and the meat, once wrested from the bone, was easily chewed and not laden with gristle.
I have to add that Bridget is as sweet as pie and a damned good businesswoman, too. I seated myself at the sole table that is of regular height and the guy that was helping her didn't realize I was there. So as I made a few phone calls and relaxed, my food was sitting on the counter for probably ten minutes.
When Bridget realized I was in the corner, she freaked and the guy said "I didn't even see you there...I thought you left!" (Come ON! Without my food? Are you crazy?)
Well, Miss B was so horrified and apologetic that she gave me a free dessert of my choice. And while it was no big deal to me, she insisted. The banana pudding was divine.
I don't know of any proprietors that would do that these days.
Anyway, I'm starting Atkins so...no BBQ for me for awhile. I'll have to live vicariously through my fellow 'hounds!
BBQ - Where to find the best in LA?
While I haven't been to all the 'Q places in town, the few I've visited have their high and low points as other posters have noted.
Each of the 2x I've been to the swinging door in NoHo, the food has been cold, even though I've been the only customer. I've tried to be nice to the lady behind the counter and tried to give them the benefit of the doubt, but you shouldn't have to ask more than once to get your food zapped in the micro. or something. The babybacks were OK but fatty, and the beef ribs were tough and gristly. I'll never go back.
JnJ in Adams district...the sauce was sweeter than what I'm used to, but the ribs were incredible. The sweet baked beans were...again, sweeter than I'm used to, but it was all good. The meat was falling off the bone and it was def. worth the wait.
Hogly's well, I love their brisket when their brisket's good, but sometimes its rubbery and gross. Maybe 25% of the time it's this way. When it's good, it's succulent and tender and the marinade is nice to sop up with the yummy homemade bread.
Baby Blues is good, too. I had the baby backs and even the burnt end pieces were good!
The Bear Pit...maybe it was an off day and I'll try them again, but the beef ribs were really tough.
A few weeks ago I tried N.Y. BBQ on LaBrea.
OMG. Bridget, the owner, was super--she was attentive and friendly and man-oh-man, this fat chowhound gal was happy as a fat clam with the brisket, collards and beans. With white bread. The brisket was hot, fresh, and so tender. In someone else's kitchen, and with a few more minutes of unattended cooking, it would have been mushy but here, no. The flavor was complex, there was just the right amount of sauce on top, and cutting into it with a plastic fork was effortless. The collards were just like my grandma used to make: smoky and piquant all at once, and the beans were not overly sweet. It was perfect. I'm going back tomorrow.
White/wild yams...help!
TerriDawn,
I actually ended up at the African Produce Market! It was closer and I snagged 10lbs. I'm now going to attempt to make fufu.
Thank you SO MUCH!
White/wild yams...help!
Young-Chower,
I'm headed there today!! A million thanks...I'll let you know how it turned out.
Regards,
Shelley
White/wild yams...help!
Hi all,
Does anyone know where I can find fresh white yams? These are the ones typically found in parts of Africa. They are sometimes as huge as your arm or leg and have a dark brown exterior and white interior.
I'm not looking for our (domestic) red yams or sweet potatoes.
Any help is appreciated!
Thanks!
SMK
Lucifer's unholy pizza
Dude, that sounds...
That sounds like Domino's Pizza would be an improvement!
Gross.
Thanks for the heads-up!
With all the recent talk about tough cleaning pans, how do you clean your stovetop ?
Believe it or not, Easy Off low-fume oven cleaner!
We also have gas burners. Hubby always leaves a mess of dried/baked on spaghetti sauce or soup.
I take foil and cover the burner elements then spray everything with EO. Let it sit for ten minutes. Sponge off.
Amazing. I only discovered this two years ago. Hope you find as much success with it as I have. My stovetop (white enamel) is good as new in no time.
Good luck.
Ruby Room In The B.H.
I was recently on a job near Wilshire and La Cienega with little transportation and while walking in search of dinner, I stumbled on the Ruby Room. (previously the "Pistachio Grill")
Newly opened, it still retains a charming ambiance for indoor, or outdoor dining in a cozy space next to the theater. The Ruby Room specializes in fresh, organic fare with a somewhat mixed mediterranean flare. Something for every taste, carnivore, or vegan.
On this visit I ordered the olive sandwich, which is a very light and delicious mix of potato, egg, chicken peas, pickles & a light mayo on a lavash bread. Very filling and the delicate flavors were perfectly intertwined. I also had a Coffee Frapacchino? which was thouroughly enjoyable as my tongue was puzzling to figure out it's ingredients. With a light, coffee flavor the texture is that of banana and seemed to me more like a banana/coffee smoothie.
What a nice surprise! A delicous meal in a out of the way romantic environment with probably the healthiest meal I'd eaten in some time.
They have a very nice dinner menu with filet mignon, lamb chops, sea bass, and an assorted list of tasty-sounding chicken entrees, as well as a lasagna platter and stuffed
cabbage & bell pepper which I hope to try soon, not to mention the other sandwiches they offer.
Their prices are in the teens for entrees and there is a nicely varied list of appetizers.
I visited again the next evening with a friend and I'll write about that in my next post.
The Ruby Room
8560 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
310.854.1020
Fab Hot Dogs--mini report
Sooo...hubby and I returned (well, actually, it was MY return, his first time) to Fab's on our 9th anniversary for lunch.
I'm absolutely STUCK on their "ripper, well done" and ordered two with the spicy horseradish mustard. LOVE LOVE LOVE!
Hubby ordered a medium well ripper with chili, and really enjoyed it, which is saying a lot since he's a "chicken" guy to the core. We also ordered the Frito pie and what can I say? Just like home except Joe's chili is much better than mine.
The guys next to us ordered the "Hatch" dogs, I think, to start, it was their first time and they just wanted to try something simple. Two minutes later, they ordered another round along with fries.
Everyone was happy!
I'm totally hooked. The other guys were, too, and they were old-school truck drivers, having eaten at the best places across the country.
Joe, Susie, our hat's off to you, and many wishes for continued success and growth! You should buy the pizza joint next door and expand. We'll all be there.
Cheers,
Shelley and Mike
Fab Hot Dogs--mini report
Thanks for the great review! Having never been to Rutt's either, I have nothing to compare the dogs to, but I was very pleased.
Joe and Susie are so friendly and unassuming; I ordered two Bald Eagles medium well, and I really enjoyed them. We were yakking so much, though, that they'd cooled to room temp before I got to eat them. Nonetheless, decent flavor, nice crunch and "green-ness" to the relish mixture and soft buns. Didn't try any of the sides, just two ice-cold Cokes and two "B.E.'s". Hubby can't wait to try it. So on our 9th anniversary on Thursday, we're going to have lunch there!
BTW, Joe gave me a little sample of his chili. It's all-meat, no beans. Very nice. Not too spicy and almost no grease. Can't wait to try their other menu items, but for now I'm hooked on the west-coast rippers.
The Infield
For any of you who saw "Borat", this place (and The Dip before it) is owned by the short fat guy who co-starred with SBC.
He mentioned it on Larry King.
Salvation for Malibu's Cholada
Hi all,
Hubby and I have been fans of Cholada for a long time, and imagine our horror to find that they had lost their lease due to some stupid Malibu zoning issues.
Anyway, my mom sprung the joyous news on us this weekend...the restaurant is resurrected in...of all places...Newbury Park, south of the 101 freeway as you're headed north, exit Ventu Park Road.
Everything is as it was in malibu (don't know how much longer they'll be there) and the restaurant is lovely. Tablecloths, mood lighting, decent prices. M-F lunch specials for $6.95.
Yesterday, we had the Golden Bags appetizer (minced chicken+shrimp in a deep-fried thin crispy/shatter-able bag tied with a green onion) with sweet/hot sauce, the hand-pounded fish cakes with a sweet/hot cucumber sauce, and the hot chicken wings (what looked like at least 12 wing parts, including the very meaty "baby chiken legs" parts). For dessert, mango and sticky rice. Total bill before tip $34.
Cholada Thai Cuisine
1282 Newbury Rd
Newbury Park, CA 91320-3606
805-498-7801
gorikee
Not out of business as of yesterday! I heard Chef T yelling in the kitchen and greeting regulars who'd pop their heads in the doorway.
I've passed this place a thousand times and only yesterday visited for the first time. Had the Wimpy burger which was divine; perfectly medium-rare; the garlic fries were crisp and hot, not greasy, and although I was disappointed at their not having the mango yogurt (I think) cheesecake, I ordered the hot fudge sundae instead.
Two scoops of dense vanilla drizzled from top to bottom with hot fudge plus about 1/4 c.extra fudged in a little dish on the side. No whipped cream. A cigarette cookie stuck into the sundae. VERY nice.
Where to buy fresh soybeans/okara in L.A.?
Jigsaw,
Thanks! Unfortunately, none of the ones around me have them.
Lori,
I will definitely go there. A million thanks. I can't wait to taste what the baked goods taste like, as I've only ever had Okara in vegetable dishes.
Thanks to everyone!
Where to buy fresh soybeans/okara in L.A.?
Hi all,
Happy New Year!
Does anyone know where I can find fresh white soybeans to make Okara, or where I can buy Okara?
I've found dried Okara at the Mitsuwa market, but don't know the "exchange" ratio between fresh and dried for the muffin/cookie recipes I've found.
Any help is really appreciated!
Thanks,
SK
my fellow Japanese Hounds: HELP!!!
Wow, trolley, THANKS!! Altho' I'm not the original poster, this is invaluable.
So they sell to regular folks? Not just chefs/restauranteurs?
Has anyone tried UmmbaGrill in Century City?
Hi all,
Thank you all SO MUCH for the tips! I will stay with Picanha and will try Brasa Brasil as well.
We'll just have to go at lunch. :-) A bit cheaper, anyhow, and always great food.
Hope you all have a great holiday season and thanks again!!
Has anyone tried UmmbaGrill in Century City?
Hi all, and Happy Turkey Day!
Hubby and I are fans of Picanha churrascia (sp. totally wrong, I'm sure) in Burbank and were used to paying their $22/ea dinner tab.
Imagine our surprise recently to note that the dinner price (and on a weeknight, at that) has skyrocketed to $27.50 per person. Which is pretty high for hubby, esp., since he's not really a red meat person and digs the chicken stroganoff, black beans and whatever chicken is impaled on the sword.
That said, we discovered the UmmbaGrill at the Westside in Century City but haven't had time to try it.
Anyone have a review?
Thanks!
