scottyp's Profile
Santa Barbara Spot Prawns In L.A.
Providence had them as a special a few weeks ago. They were backed in salt and then drizzled with lemon and olive oil. Incredible.
Pinkberry Long Beach
Drove by it on Sunday and I would say it is going to be a couple of weeks before it opens. Pinkberry always looks closed to me though so don't take it as the word. Parking on second street is a joke though so I doubt it will help alleviate any crowds at the downtown one.
Ultimate Los Angeles Restaurants 2006
I've been looking for him too. The last I heard is that he tried opening a place downtown, but it didn't work out. The owners of Cafe Laurent, the French place on Overland, near Culver, may know where he is as I think they did some business together (either that or its some ex-pat French thing I will never understand).
Drago for NYE -- Something has been bothering me
True, but the point is that they advertised a $78 dish containing white truffles, but charged the same $78 for black. Thus, it appears he may have been short-changed. That could be the fault of the restaurant and doesn't seem to jive with ethical business practice.
Any good eats by Bolsa Chica (in Huntington Beach)?
Bolsa Chica is right by Westminster, with a large number of Vietnamese restaurants. I'm sure people here can steer you to a particular one if that's what you are going for.
Eats Near Loyola Law?
Car wash at Olympic/Fig for mexican; King Taco (Pico maybe?); The Pantry, Hotel Figueroa..I know there's more. Just can't think right now.
Dining at Hatfield's, tell me it's not a mistake
Well, you opened up the floodgates with "one evening meal" and "seafood fanatic," so let me be the first to suggest Providence. It's all about seafood, but they have a steak on the menu.
Opus'ed at last, and SO happy.
I didn't feel the need to post my credentials, but will do so only in an attempt to dissuade the blind allegiance to Opus that exists on this board. For food and service I would say that Providence is the best in LA, and I have been there multiple times without a hitch. For consistency in service, try Gary Danko in San Francisco. Opus isn't even in the same universe as these. By its price point, it isn't attempting to compete with the best. Open the phone book if you want a list of places that are consistently better.
Opus'ed at last, and SO happy.
I am amazed of the good reviews for this restaurant. I will say it again, nothing special about it and abbhorent service, which I've already written about on these boards. I emailed the restaurant and received nothing in response. It's too bad, some friends asked me today if they should go check it out and I said absolutely not. When I told them about my experience, they laughed at the restaurant's incompetence and confirmed that they definitely would not be going. It's a shame.
HELP! Looking for a REAL HAZELNUT COFFEE in LA...
Gloria Jeans generally has good flavored coffee, and their hazelnut is excellent. I don't drink it, but I buy it regularly for family members. I think the closest one is in the Westminster Mall.
Opus on Wilshire
The 30-year comment was sarcasm. It was definitely the worst though. Not anywhere close to the top tier of LA restaurants, and hardly passable even when compared to the worst LA has to offer. I didn't comment about the food though, I guess because it wasn't memorable. The sashimi was boring, kind of dull. Since they didn't have the steak I shared a fish dish and the pasta dish. The pasta with the fried egg was okay, it reminded me of something like you what get at AOC. I'm shocked that people are raving about this place-it definitely isn't all that. Oh gosh, I just remembered that the bartender was horrible too. She couldn't take more than one drink order at once and disappeared when we tried to cash out. Before one of you suggest we order the tasting menu the next time, I ask you if you would order a tasting menu when it is described to your server as (almost verbatim): "the chef will come out and look at you and then will decide what he is going to serve you."
Opus on Wilshire
I chose Opus to celebrate my 30th birthday at and I have to say it was the worst service I can remember in 30 years. Our waiter had major attitude. Why do I feel that my generation is looked down upon at establishments when we pay good money for our meal-cocktails, three courses each, and a mid-range bottle of wine? Hey, nice touch with the amuse, except bringing it at the same time as our bread (which we had to ask for twice) and appetizers really didn't make me appreciate it all that much. The Times review raved about the steak entree. I wouldn't know. After perusing the menu for a good 10 minutes I finally decided that is what I wanted. The waiter decided to wait until I ordered to tell us that they were out of it, and then proceeded to coerce me to order my second choice on the spot so as to make more time for...actually, I don't know why we never saw him, the place was half empty. He sure seemed busy though because every time he walked by us we could barely flag him down. It was an awful experience altogether. I kind of ignored it until I read the times review and saw that the place was capable of more. Apparently not for me and my guests though-I'm sure a seasoned chef such as that has some info on what SIV looks like (hey, they do it for Bruni in New York!) I won't be going back.
3 NYC Chowhounds in Santa Barbara next Friday - Please tell us what not to miss...
McConnells Ice Cream on Mission is the best. I think the butterfat content is higher than Ben and Jerry's et al. Try the Turkish Coffee flavor (but not before bedtime.)
Romantic & Good food, Long Beach
Have you looked at Christy's? It might be nicer and more intimate than Piccolo, but they are both right near Naples. L'Opera and La Traviata are both farther away.
Looking for a Great Pit Stop? LA to Buellton
The better option leaving from the Cliff House is to just get on the 101 South, get off on the next offramp, make two lefts, then get on the 101 North. It's faster and safer.
Wedding reception on a budget (LA or OC)
My fiance and I are planning a wedding right now, and I have to tell you that for $67 a person you actually won't get much anywhere in Southern California unless you go far inland. Believe it or not. It's pretty crazy. You have to provide some information about what you are looking for and whether it includes the cake, decor, alcohol, location fee, etc. Try this website for a pretty comprehensive list of locations http://www.herecomestheguide.com/
Breakfast Near Union Square
Greetings from an LA Hound. My family and I are staying near Geary and Taylor this weekend. Last time I visited this same area with my fiancee, we had trouble finding a decent breakfast other than a (somewhat seedy) diner a few blocks away. As my family prefers a little more "refined" establishment, does anyone know any place in the area where we could get breakfast this weekend?
Help the Chowspouse get ten/fifteen lawyers out of their rut! Same question, more oomph!
What about La Terza? If the red meat holdouts can get over the fact that some of the menu is in Italian, they can still order steak and potatoes, and everyone is happy.
Special Occasion Restaurant for Visiting Family
My family, including my elderly grandmother, is making a special trip to San Francisco to celebrate a series of birthdays. We would like to go to one "blowout" meal, preferable French, French Fusion (French/Japanese etc.), Italian, or Seafood. Price range is not a problem, however, the restaurant should be quiet enough that we can carry out a conversation. Everybody is a very adventurous eater so please don't limit your suggestions. We will be staying in the Union Square area but can travel anywhere in the city. The East Bay is probably too far though. Thanks in advance.
food in Ojai / Ventura?
I took my father out to dinner at Augerge for Father's day. The food was great. I haven't been to Avenue, but the menu at Auberge was extremely similar to Chloe, with just 7 or 8 appetizers and the same number of entrees. Two of us had lamb, which was incredible, and my girlfriend had fish. Everything was great, including a very good molten chocolate cake. Dishes are simple, but cooked well. The wine list has a large number of interesting choices.
Lets see if this gets removed, I tried to post on the LA board asking about this place a month ago.
Healthy Take-Out in Long Beach?
My girlfriend and I just moved into our new place in Long Beach and haven't even found where our dishes ended up. We are sick of eating junk food, as we have been doing a lot of recently, mostly out of convenience. Can anyone recommend places in Long Beach where we can get some sort of reasonably healthy takeout. Thanks. We are in the Bluff Park area.
