Foodie 1's Profile
Where have you been that surprised you recently?
I ordered their macaroni and cheese with wild mushroom and truffle oil (the most expensive mac and cheese I've ever had--but also the creamiest). My husband ate a Cuban pulled pork sandwich and we shared their fresh potato soup with dill. It was simple but terrific.
Elements Kitchen · 107 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Ste 110 Pasadena, CA 91105 · Phone 626-440-0100 · Fax 626-440-0130
Another would be Cafe Metropol in dowtown l.a. Great coffee, salads, and sandwiches.
potato tacos, or is it potato taquitos
I love them too! Lares in Santa Monica has some yummy ones. It's one of my favorite dishes there--they add a bit of seasoning to the potatoes too.
Lares
2909 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, California
Three Forks in Claremont?
I think they'll be closed for a while...I heard until April. There was a lot of damage done in the fire. I have friends that live in the same building (the lofts upstairs) I drove by there last weekend and it's still closed.
Good Restaurants in the Inland Empire
THANK you!!! Ya, I'm not into Tex-Mex, especially on my trips to Texas in search of decent Mexican food. I really can't stand American cheese in an enchilada, or deep fried burritos with chili--the kind you put on a hotdog. I'm down for some good pozole if you know of a place! The place you mentioned above in the steam trays sounds perfect.
Good Restaurants in the Inland Empire
Hmmm... I went there a few times when they first opened and the waitstaff was unsure about the sushi they were serving--I had lots of questions that they couldn't anwer. They also didn't have omakase in place when I sat at the bar,and the sushi was okay--the kitchen staff wasn't sure how to prepare certain Japanese items that are typical in a Japanese restaurant. The owner and his wife seem very knowledgeable though...
West Los Angeles
Funny, my husband and I moved from the south bay to west l.a. some years ago, but have since moved further east!
I'm big into Japanese food (Mori, En, Sasaya, Kiriko), but also enjoy Middle-eastern--I'm sure you've already tried Dahab on Sawtelle as well as Javan off Santa Monica near Sawtelle? I also enjoyed eating at Gaby's Med. down towards Palms--I think it was off of Washington...can't remember, but on the same street as Versailles (Cuban food). Not a big fan of Zankou, especially after reading the article on the family in the L.A. magazine.
There's an amazing Thai place that was walking distance for us on Colby Ave & Santa Monica, across from the Kosher market. It was a little building (on Colby Ave.) I frequented there almost every week--they also had some Chinese food there. We only went to a few Chinese places--V.I.P. Harbor for dim sum (not sure if its still there)--I think it was on Wilshire...
I love Metro Cafe on Washington as well as Rutt's Inn (Hawaiian)--west on Washington--you might miss it if you blink.
For Mexican we went to La Seranada, El Cholo (valet parking), Lares (valet or street parking) Kay N' Daves (parking for both locations can also be a problem, but can park on the street)--two locations--Brentwood/Santa Monica and west L.A. on pico blvd.: http://www.kayndaves.com/--for a healthier option.
Hope this helps.
Looking for romantic restaurant for tonight.
The Nook? http://www.nookbistro.com. Small... hidden...on Santa Monica Blvd. in W. L.A. or Literati2 on Wilshire, near the Brentwood area.
Coffee!
When I lived in West L.A. I used to frequent Cafe Balcony where they have siphon coffee and green tea lattes. It's very small, but the people are friendly.
12431 Rochester Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 820-6916
www.cafebalcony.com
I wasn't sure if you're a fan of that. I'm a coffee lover myself, but perhaps not to your extent. I also remember having french press coffee that was tasty at John o' groats--a breakfast join on Pico. http://www.ogroatsrestaurant.com/
Literati Cafe on Wilshire was also another favorite spot for a good cup of coffee: http://www.literaticafe.com/about.php?info=coffee
I used to frequent this spot as well with their fresh and light soups and salads, since it was close to my work. However parking can be a pain since the lot is only valet. Hope this helps. I'll have to check out the places in the OC since I work out there now!
Korean Taco Truck
I heard there's a Korean taco truck that serves Korean food and tacos, but Korean owned...can anyone spill the secret of where to find it?
Your Favorite Chinese Restaurant in LA.
Does Happy Harbour in Rowland Heights count? They have great dim sum, I enjoyed their crab rice porridge--enough to feed a large family. Mission 261 in San Gabriel is also tasty...another dim sum place. I'm not sure about their other food though.
San Diego for Anniversary
Actually it was closed for a few years before the renovation, then it reopened under the name of Elario's . I had a chance to visit the restuarant a few times before and after the change--much less than 10 years ago--more like 2-3 years. If you google it, the info still shows up. I knew I wasn't dreaming it!
Good Restaurants in the Inland Empire
No worries, I haven't checked this site in a while. I would agree with some of your suggestions--I am a regular at Domo sushi in Upland (weekly omakase), but just curious to know what else is out here. Three Forks I believe is now The Forks and is now closed due to the kitchen fire in the middle of the night a month or two ago. I heard it won't be open for several months. I'll be sure to try the others--Thanks!!
Good Restaurants in the Inland Empire
Does anyone know of any good places to eat in the Inland Empire?
I'm looking for:
Sushi: omakase style
Mexican: fast food, not chain stuff like Taco Bell (bleh!)
Italian: romantic and casual
Steak: specifically grass fed beef
San Diego near the Loews Coronado Bay
I agree with the others. Coronado Boat House is good. I had my rehearsal dinner there the night before I got married at the Hotel del Coronado! It looks like a miniature of the hotel from the outside...Also Chez Loma if anyone's interested in French food (they do serve steak, but not a variety from what I remember). It provides a completely different setting than a hotel. It's located in a restored/preserved house.
San Diego for Anniversary
There are several options along Prospect St. in La Jolla, all are a bit pricy Top O' the Cove, Azul, George's at the Cove, etc. One romantic place I enjoyed is Elario's on the top floor of the Summerhouse Inn also in La Jolla off N. Torrey Pines Road. Food is great, view is great, but location seems a bit out of place. Another fabulous restaurant I haven't been to in many years is Mr. A's. Its on the top floor of the Wells Fargo building near downtown San Diego. Its not near the water but is very romantic with impeccable service. Coronado also has quite a few restaurants along the beach front. (That's where I got married!) So there are a few restaurants in the hotel, facing the ocean...lovely view!
Restaurant at La Jolla Cove?
I've been to Azul a few times and absolutely love the service, ambiance, and view overlooking La Jolla cove....it was a romantic evening. However, the surrounding restaurants are also very good...is Top O' the Cove still around? They also had excellent service.
Mori Sushi - Review & Comparison
Yes, I agree with the others, great review. I've had great experiences at Mori Sushi. Excellent service, top quality food, and I absolutely love their hand made pottery! Any great dining experience is well worth the price. I eat sushi regularly and for the price of leasing a top of the line Lexus/Mercedes or sushi, I'd choose the weekly dining experience....crazy--right? I guess its fine since I already own a car, but I thought the analogy would put the cost into better perspective.
Three Forks in Claremont?
You're absolutely right. It is so important for a staff (however young) to remain professional. Some friends of mine went to Three Forks and were disturbed by the staff's loud interactions outside and in the parking garage below--maybe that's why it took do long for your wine. It appears to be more of a hang out for the staff than a solitary restaurant focusing on good food. Hopefully they apologized and appropriately billed you. Which manager do you talk to? Do they even care?
The Nook, for lunch
Oh, I love those smushy peanuts! They call it American edamame...Not bad. I'd rather eat it boiled than roasted, personally. The boiled peanuts is actually not a new idea, some bars in Asia serve boiled peanuts with a beer.
