webb's Profile
Larkins?
Ate there a few weeks ago and it seemed the same as ever. Also had the Mac n Cheeza takeout, which was fine.
Maximiliano in Highland Park
It's a great neighborhood addition. Not on the level of a Mozza or Drago (and not as expensive) -- I wouldn't urge someone from Santa Monica, for instance, to drive all the way out just to try it. But if you're in the neighborhood, or if you live here, it's fantastic. We had a really good potato-spinach-ricotta pizza, a burrata appetizer, meatballs, and a pretty good cavatelli pasta with pancetta and squid. Dining there it was hard to believe I was in Highland Park.
-----
Drago Restaurant
2628 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403
Foodie Wedding Caterers in LA?
We had the folks from Chichen Itza cater our wedding party and it was great.
-----
Chichen Itza
3655 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Where to find dry Sichuan chicken with peppers?
Many Sichuan places (and even some Hunanese places) in SGV will have this: Chung King, Lucky Noodle King, New Chong Qing. It's probably translated differently at different restaurants. At Chung King it's called Fried Chicken Cubes w/ Hot Pepper. I don't know of any place in West LA that would have this, but maybe someone else here does.
-----
Chung King Restaurant
1000 S San Gabriel Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776
New Chong Qing
120 N San Gabriel Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91775
Lucky Noodle King
534 E Valley Blvd #10, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Best Coffee in LA
Right now my favorite coffee (and espresso, and cappuccino) is at Cognoscenti Coffee, a pop up stand running out of Blue Dot Acai & Yogurt in Eagle Rock.
Koko's Middle Eastern in Van Nuys -- Just OK
Koko's is under new management -- the chef who worked there for years has recently retired.
Looks like a Kogi truck, but it's not...
I saw a truck the other day called "Galbi."
Fantastic Armenian within 20 min drive of Pasadena?
Cafe Bravo in Glendale.
-----
Cafe Bravo
1135 W Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale, CA 91202
Best middle eastern in the valley?
Koko's Middle Eastern Restaurant in Van Nuys. Really really great food.
-----
Koko's Middle Eastern Restaurant
16935 Vanowen St Ste L, Van Nuys, CA 91406
A Good Butcher
I really like Alexander's Prime Meats inside the Howie's Ranch Market in San Gabriel. Very old fashioned butchers -- and very knowledgeable.
-----
Howie's Ranch Market
6580 N San Gabriel Blvd, San Gabriel, CA
Sushi Zo -- Only if you'll pay $150/person to be insulted by the rude and arrogant Keizo
Yeah, yuzu at the end of the meal -- very tasty.
Sushi Zo -- Only if you'll pay $150/person to be insulted by the rude and arrogant Keizo
I just returned from Sushi Zo, and I have to say, it seemed just as good as the last 5 times or so that I've been there -- except it was much more crowded than usual. Keizo was even making faces and cracking jokes, something I've never seen him do before.
Focaccia in LA?
The Eagle Rock Italian Bakery has great fresh-baked focaccia on weekends. Make sure and get it fresh from the oven at 11:30am.
-----
Eagle Rock Italian Bakery
1726 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
El Metate: Gone
My wife and I decided to grab a quick lunch at El Metate, one of our favorite Mexican spots in Highland park this weekend, only to find that the restaurant was gone and replaced by another restaurant, Metro Balderas. The new restaurant is about 10 times the size of El Metate; they took over the building next door and expanded. The food is actually pretty good: huaraches, gorditas, sopes...but it isn't simply an expansion and re-name. It's an entirely new restaurant. And it's not as good as El Metate.
Pizzeria Mozza-Reservations Required?
Walked in to the Pizzeria for lunch around 2pm this past Sunday, surprised to see every seat at the bar open as well as three or more open tables...
Delivery in Eagle Rock?
An Armenian place in Eagle Rock called Zangezour Grill delivers.
-----
Zangezour Grill
2750 Colorado Blvd # 4, Los Angeles, CA
Eastside Luv
Has anyone been to the wine and cheese bar called Eastside Luv? How does it compare to other wine bars? Are the cheese plates any good?
Bistro K-rap in South Pasadena
If you want to experience what everyone was talking about regarding Bistro K, you have to go to the special dinners put on at Vermont Restaurant by chef Laurent Quenioux. He's the former Bistro K chef and owner, and he's not the regular chef at Vermont, he just does special dinners there. I think he's doing one this month and one next. Call and make sure.
-----
Vermont Restaurant
1714 N. Vermont, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Italy Trip
FYI -- I called trying to make reservations -- Alle Testiere is closed in August.
Any Hope of Eating Well in Venice in August?
I would normally not go at this time of year, but the trip was provided for me...unfortunately I hear many Venice restaurants close in August. Does anybody know of any good restaurants that might be open? Wide price range.
tacos in Highland Park
Also, the El Pique taco truck about a block down from the La Estrella truck on York is good as well.
Korean tofu restaurant-what to do with the heated stone bowl?
Have the bowl filled with water and eat the wet crusted rice.
El Metate: A Post-Hype Review
I wouldn't consider El Metate a taco destination. If you went for the tacos, you were misinformed...there are better taco places around Highland Park. El Metate excels at enchiladas and rubenadas, which are truly awesome. I've had the tacos and taquitos there and I agree that they're just average.
New Eagle Rock Lemongrass
Strange. I got sprouts, mint and chili to mix into my pho when I went. Agree that the price is steep.
The Oinkster - Tasty but Absurd
I've always had fine service at the Oinkster. That said, the servers there are mostly teenagers or very young adults...I expect them to make mistakes. Although your experience sounds upsetting (especially considering your personal life which keeps you from going out often), it sounds like simple mistakes. I've been maybe 10 times and have never had anything resembling the poor service described in this thread.
