compucook's Profile
T-Day Postmortem: the good, the bad, and the ugly
Your technique may have left something to be desired, but I'm sensing a theme with Diestel birds this year!
T-Day Postmortem: the good, the bad, and the ugly
Very informative, thanks for sharing. Our Diestel turkey was running red with blood. In 35 years of cooking I've never seen white meat that was fully cooked, but stained red. It was my first time preparing a Diestel. I imagine since it was a caged free hen, she did lots of running. Nevertheless it was unappetizing and not particularly good. Thankfully I had two Empire Kosher 1/2 breasts to fill in with. They're always juicy and succulent!
60th b-day lunch
Skimming the article, I'm not excited. We were married at the Bel Air and it holds a special charm. I'm not excited to go and just order a steak but the other items mentioned, weren't appealing. In fact, I thought the photo of the poached egg with the foam looked revolting!
DELICATA SQUASH- WHERE TO BUY IT?
Thanks all. Our Encino Farmer's Market was bare last week. :( if it doesn't rain, I'll be there!
DELICATA SQUASH- WHERE TO BUY IT?
I live in Sherman Oaks, but can go anywhere on the Westside too. Have you seen any to buy this week? I'd love to bake some and serve for Thanksgiving!
Thanks in advance!
Maximiliano in Highland Park
Tonight, friends spirited me from Sherman Oaks to Highland Park to try out this gem! Only later did I find out that it was owned by Max, previously of Sherman Oaks! I enjoyed "Max" in its heyday and was delighted with my meal tonight.
It's a comfortable, hip space, not too noisy and with a comfortable seat. There are normal tables and a communal table in the center of the room, as well as an eating bar for seating. Thankfully reservations were accepted and honored!
My appetizer was baked polenta pomodoro with gorgonzola. It was such a nice blend of flavor and texture, I wanted to lick the empty dish! Others had the risotto and the meatballs, all good! Main dish was their delicious pork chop. What a great value for an outstanding piece of meat. The sauce was a bit sweet, but yummy. I tasted the salmon piccata, it was also very good. We didn't sample the pizza, nor try a salad, but I would definitely try the Roasted Italian Squashes or the Baked Fennel on my return trip.
The lemon tart or their version of cream brulee were good, the cannoli also looked good at the next table. Service was quick, the kitchen's only hiccup was running out of decaf coffee. If that's the worst occurence with only one week in business, I'd say they're doing it right! I hope Max will someday consider opening a branch back here in Sherman Oaks!
Concert tonight at Staples with 86 yr old mom-- where to eat?
You're all too cute. Probably going to eat somewhere mundane in the valley. Thanks for the good suggestions, next time Hubs and I make an event downtown, I'll have these ideas in my pocket!
Concert tonight at Staples with 86 yr old mom-- where to eat?
Not close enough...I think to minimize the unknown factor we'll eat in the valley. Maybe near Universal or the edge of Studio City.
Suggestions?
Concert tonight at Staples with 86 yr old mom-- where to eat?
Any other suggestions (coming from the valley) are also appreciated. Mom's a meat eater but our friend only eats fish & chicken and I'm gluten free. I'm trying to accommodate everyone's preferences. Suggest away...!
Concert tonight at Staples with 86 yr old mom-- where to eat?
I'm taking Mom & a friend to see Tony Bennett tonight at Staples. The concert begins at 7pm.
Mom loves Prime Rib, so I though the Carvery would be great for a quick bite before the concert. I'm totally unfamilar with LA Live & Staples area. How much walking is involved? Can you park close to both or do I have to move the car?
Mom's very capable of walking, but she is 86!
Thanks in advance for your help!
Goodbye Zankou
Rudeness is rudeness the world around. Zankou seems to specialize in counter help who take rudeness to an artform. Tonight's counter service in WLA was particularly offensive. They couldn't have cared less. For so-so chicken and pretty good shwarma, I think we will visit only when there's no other choice!
It's Artichoke Season - Who's Got 'Em?
Our favorite would be Bandera in West LA. Their smoky grilled artichoke is heavenly!
Disney Fans: Goofy's Kitchen or Storyteller's Cafe for Dinner
There's nothing to fear as far as I am concerned. We did pay Disney prices for a birthday brunch at Goofy's kitchen a year ago for our grandson's birthday. I'm fairly picky, but we found the food to be good fare, loads of variety, a bright and sunny room and good service. It's Disneyland, not known for fine dining, but this was seriously good for a brunch. I specifically liked that they served lots of options for breakfast, even pizza! We were with a 3 year old and two 5 year olds, 4 adults and no one was unhappy. The 3 year old loved Goofy and we were staying in the hotel, so it was perfect!
Frankly, the entire birthday stay in the hotel was a blast!
Chain Restaurants in the San Fernando Valley
Why are they so inconsistent? I would think as a chain that the formulas are standard and many ingredients are pre-assembled in a central commissary with little room for error. But instead I'm finding more of a wasteland when I want/need a quick meal with wide options. I eat few carbs due to allergies, but I can usually find a salad or a burger that will satisfy me.
That said, in the past few weeks I've had awful burgers at Islands (gristle and mediocre taste), Ruby's (burger just about inedible-- it took a ton of catsup to make that dry, lettuce-wrapped patty go down) and tonight at Red Robin the server was a poorly trained imbecile and the kitchen was inconsistent on food temperatures.
It's not just limited to burgers because the "Kobb Salad" at Islands was appalling! The chicken was ice cold and sliced paper thin, filled with red cabbage and with almost no avocado or bacon added. It was truly awful! In my estimation Island's burgers have always been underwhelming, but they've had other choices like their tortilla soup that redeemed them. Just so you know my standard, I think CPK's Cobb salad is delicious.
We want/need/must have some other options when we dine with our pre-school grandchildren and need a fast meal. Is anyone else feeling like the chains are going down the tubes?
Simon's restaurant Sherman Oaks
Again last night this charming man made us feel like honored guests as he welcomed us into his humble establishment. DH loves his lamb tagine, and although my diet is tied to the avoidance of a huge number of allergy provoking substances, Simon accommodated us both. The food is delicious, consistent and fresh, the prices are excellent and everything appears to be homemade.
After "dining" (I use that word loosely) at a number of the regular mediocre chain restaurants with our kids and grands, I have to ask why isn't Simon's packed with guests?
Sick in the valley
Once again we had a delicious meal at Simon's in Sherman Oaks. As usual my husband and mother had his delicious lamb tagine and I opted for the salmon. The veggies were fantastic-- he purchased them that day from the farmer's market. The red bliss potatoes were so sweet and the yellow cauliflower tasted as if it had been slightly buttered, however Simon swore that he had just steamed them- it was a natural buttery-ness. Whatever it was-- they were awesome! Hubby finished his meal with a homemade sour cherry torte. All of his baked goods are homemade and special. they're not overly rich and often have ground almonds and fruit.
We love going in and being treated like honored guests. Apparently so does a certain celeb who was at an adjacent table!
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Simon's Cafe
7748 Highway 290 W, Austin, TX 78736
Anyone been to Craft lately?
I'm glad to see that I'm not alone in disliking this restaurant. My one experience was underwhelming and that was back in '08. This past week we were being treated to lunch in the same complex. I fully expected our host to suggest Craft, but instead we dined at Breezes in the Century Plaza. When I mentioned that I had thought that he would suggest Craft, he assured me that he didn't care for the food, family style dining (w/o the family) or the noise level. Definitely not somewhere that he wants to have a business lunch!
After reading comments here, I'm glad that he chose Breezes. Their varied menu and good food (if not epicurean) was excellent. I especially loved their vanilla SORBET.
It fascinates me that Tom Colicchio can critique the Top Chef contestants' food but not his own!
Dining out with food allergies - strategies?
Hey I'm right up there with you too! I'm not sure if they're intolerances or allergies. The allergist would say allergies but in speaking with a nurse at the National Jewish Medical Center in Denver about allergies, she said if I didn't have immediate severe symptoms it might be an intolerance. See the recent Wall Street Journal article on this subject.
Now where to go with my mother tonight. DH is fed and gone, I need to take mom to dinner..somewhere.Geez with my limitations and boring diet, this foodie is ultra frustrated!
Hooray - Farewell to Koo Koo Roo Beverly Hills
They'd really gone down hill, I just tried the WLA number and it's disconnected. My only regret is that they'd deliver food when we were having a board meeting. Now I'm left with fewer choices. Cafe Dijon on Sawtelle seems to have been sold or lowered their standards on the chicken, so I'm less inclined to order from them either. Sigh...
Hooray - Farewell to Koo Koo Roo Beverly Hills
My daughter informed me that the woodland hills location if boarded up! I wonder if the chain has closed.
Anna's in WLA to Close (not that most of you will care)
Good! Emilio's can use another good waiter!
85th Birthday luncheon for 12 in the SFV on a Saturday?
Rive Gauche, I haven't considered that one at all. I'll make some calls today. Sunday Brunch would have been a great idea...unfortunately I've already called most everyone to hold the date.
Where would you suggest for brunch if I'm able to change the date?
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Rive Gauche Cafe
14106 Ventura Blvd Ste 200, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
85th Birthday luncheon for 12 in the SFV on a Saturday?
In the Sherman Oaks- Encino area because Mom will have friends coming from the north valley & the Westside and at that age they prefer not to drive too far. I'd prefer a private room or at least a round table or two.
I'm coming up with Cafe Cordiale, Bizou & Marmalade. All would be pleasant, but not great. I just want it to be a nice meal. Mom and friends are not foodies and she isn't crazy about Italian food.
Am I missing somewhere special? I'm open to ideas!
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Cafe Cordiale
14015 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Food Allergies
Hi, I really sympathize, my diet too is very limited.. I agree Cafe Cordiale should be fine, but if price isn't an object, perhaps a steakhouse would be a good choice. Perhaps Arnie Morton's? I also had good luck recently at the Daily Grill in Studio City. Our waiter was on top on the order and very careful.
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Cafe Cordiale
14015 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
West Los Angeles -- Tonight!
Thank you all for the great suggestions, actually we ended up at Javan (which we prefer to Shamashiri). It worked well, they had tadiq and fesanjhan, as well as soup and I enjoyed a grilled chicken kabob, which suited my needs. Dinner was good, service was fine and it was quiet enough to talk.
I've never heard of Sauce on Hampton or Kreation Kafe, and I really want to try Tavern. I'll be checking them out in the near future! Thanks Hounds!!
West Los Angeles -- Tonight!
We love Westside Tavern, but on a Friday night it will be a zoo!
My other problem is that right now I'm extremely limited on my choices due to stomach issues. I need somewhere that I can choose a grilled fish or chicken dish. It's a foodie's nightmare!
West Los Angeles -- Tonight!
Bandera could work. A couple of years ago I had two meh dinners at Literati, so I'll pass on that one.
West Los Angeles -- Tonight!
Wilshire sounds great but is to pricey for this dinner. Also as this was a spur of the moment decision, we're a bit under dressed. Maybe we'll postpone until next week as she loves the Nook!
West Los Angeles -- Tonight!
Help, we want to take a friend out for a Bon Voyage dinner. Our go to place is Nook ,but they're already booked as is Rustic Canyon. We need 3 seats about 6:30. Suggestions are welcomed, but no Asian food please!
