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Drinks/appetizers? Post-10pm near LMU--tonight!
Just looked at the menu and noticed at the bottom that they also own A-Frame, which is also close. Servorg--do you like A-Frame too?
Drinks/appetizers? Post-10pm near LMU--tonight!
Thanks for all who replied to my query a few months back re: lunch and dinner near LMU.
I have a time sensitive request and thus am starting a new thread:
I am attending Easter Vigil tonight at LMU's chapel, and afterwards a few friends want to go out for a beer/drink/snack. (Last year we wound up at CPK because it is close and it is open--prefer a non-chain though!) We get out of church around 10 ish and need someplace reasonably close to campus or slightly north of it, AND that isn't going to have a horrific wait.
My friend who sings in the choir will be parched and he really enjoys interesting beers but if the beer menu is boring he will still be ok. Personally I just want an iced tea or a glass of Riesling and an appetizer. My date is a meat/potatoes guy, doesn't care about alcohol, and is gunshy with ethnic/Asian food (so Kanpai probably won't work, unless he's not eating, sigh).
MUST HAVE: Conducive to conversation. Beer -and- some sort of food with the kitchen open late enough that we can sit down at 10:30pm and still order. Westchester/Playa del Rey area or slightly North of campus in MDR or Venice could work, but El Segundo/Manhattan Beach is too far South. My two companions have never met before so I'd like for it to be a comfortable, not-over-the-top noisy environment in which they can get acquainted.
Ideas that come to mind:
--The Tripel (been there once, it was decent but not as good as I'd hoped--but my beer-drinking friend above liked it). No idea how hard it will be to get a seat at that time of night on a Sat?
-- Waterloo and City: None of us have been there before, but it's been recommended and I'm a sucker for chicken liver/foie gras mousse. Only worry is how long of a wait to anticipate at that time of night?
-- Gjelina: I like it but not sure it will be the right place for tonight--concerned about the potential for a long wait.
Any other ideas for a place that is close, has a good environment and at least decent appetizers and not a long wait on a Sat night? (I know, asking for a lot!)
Strauss Milk Sightings?
Maudie--sounds like you may not be familiar with some EXCELLENT, scientifically sound resources that explain many of the fallacies and lies about raw milk and the reasons that it has largely been given an undeserved bad rep.
I would kindly request that you not make the assumption that I am unfamiliar with Pasteur, or assume that I have not "done my research". I come from a family of scientists and I was, at first, EXTREMELY hesitant to drink unpasteurized milk and was very suspicious of it.
I then did a LOT of reading, and LOT of research, etc, and found that what I -thought- I knew about raw milk turned out to be largely unfounded and untrue.
That doesn't mean that everyone is going to feel comfortable consuming raw dairy products, but I do respectfully request that you not assume I'm uneducated about this subject as I've given it considerable study and did not make a willy-nilly decision.
What do you think is the best quality organic milk in Los Angeles?
Judi--you ask a good question. I buy 100% grass fed unpasteurized milk straight from the cow myself, usually in glass bottles. I trust my source and I strongly believe that it is important for milk to be three things: 1) verifiably grass fed and only eating foods that cows are supposed to eat 2) unhomogenized 3) unpasteurized.
That said, if I HAD to have pasteurized milk, I would go for one that was still "Truly" grass fed and not being fed any junk whatsoever. Certainly no soy (not even organic, non-GMO soy) or corn as this isn't good for cows to eat. Milk can be organic even if the cows are fed organic doughnuts--so the organic label is not something that always means all that much.
Have you been able to determine if any of these vendors have truly grass fed milk (that is then pasteurized).
Strauss Milk Sightings?
Oh, but I -do- blame WF. Believe me, I am very well versed in the FDA's delusions about raw milk. However, that doesn't mean I'm willing to give Whole Foods a pass--far from it.
I think Whole Foods is ridiculous on this issue and I absolutely blame them for being utter cowards in not continuing to carry one of the most healthy "whole foods" there is (raw milk). They could have been very influential on this issue and fought the good fight instead of just running at the first sign of trouble.
Deeply lost respect for WF on this issue. A long time ago, WF used to stand for something--I used to shop at their original store in Austin. Now they seem just like another company paying lip service to healthy foods and not really meaning it.
I am quite happy to preferentially give my food dollars primarily to farmers (directly or thru farmer's markets) and to do my "grocery" shopping preferentiall at places like Co-Opportunity and Erewhon. I will always shop at those kinds of places FIRST, instead of WF whenever permissible, as I find such places actually care about the food quality and aren't afraid to stand behind what they believe in.
Authentic French bistro/brasserie (not fine dining) Westside to South Bay preferred
Good to know--will keep in mind for future reference. Thanks!
Authentic French bistro/brasserie (not fine dining) Westside to South Bay preferred
TonyC--thank you, I hadn't heard of this place before, will check it out!
Strauss Milk Sightings?
Co-Opportunity in Santa Monica also carries it. WF is a PIA when it comes to milk, I was really ticked off when they stopped carrying raw milk (Organic Pastures and Claravale brands) in 2010. They lost a LOT of business from me over that issue, since I don't need to go there as much now that I cannot get my milk there.
Authentic French bistro/brasserie (not fine dining) Westside to South Bay preferred
I was all set to go to Le Saint Amour in Culver City (had good experience last time I was there) but according to Yelp it appears to have closed.
My date and I are looking for a place where we can practice our French language skills while eating a good French meal, so we're looking for real French food with French-speaking servers.
MUSTS -->French-speaking, bistro/brasserie level, not fine dining (please don't suggest Melisse :) Food needs to be good--mediocre faux French won't do!
FLEXIBLE -->If we have to drive (if there is nothing in Westside-to-Southbay) that would be ok.
How is Le Petit Cafe in Santa Monica? Any other suggestions?
rec's near LMU , Playa del Rey
Tried Kanpai based on your recommendation--really liked it and plan to go again soon. Thank you!
rec's near LMU , Playa del Rey
I have to be at LMU twice a week (Wed and Thurs) and am looking for various Chow-worthy establishments in the area that for lunch, dinner, or in between.
Westsidegal -- what say you? Other Hounds, please chime in too!
Rec's for Group in THOUSAND OAKS Sun Jan 15
Just wanted to thank everyone for the suggestions. I went to TO on a "location scouting" mission a few days before the theater performance and took a look at a few of the places mentioned above. My friend and I ate at Sabor Cocina on the day of the "scouting mission" and liked it. There were some entrees that weren't obnoxiously expensive and my friend (who is not into "hoity toity") thought it would be ok. So we wound up going with it. It was extremely close to the Civic Arts Plaza (walking distance--no need to repark the car and little likelihood of people getting lost), it wasn't a chain, they had a lovely private room in the back that was perfect for our group, it was quiet and there were no obnoxious TVs blaring Sunday sports, service was attentive, and they allowed us to do separate checks. The food was good too, and overall, people seemed very pleased with it.
Hiko or Echigo???
Indeed, I have been there -- just there last week, in fact. I really enjoyed their "salmon toro", among other things. Plus I like tempura...
Hiko or Echigo???
Yeah, I felt kinda bad posting that post for exactly that reason. Believe me, I -want- to like Echigo. I do feel that I need to state that I am not saying that the fish was in actuality bad or old, more that it didn't "do" it for me. Maybe it is because I was there on a Monday, I don't really know.
I will try to be more specific. I ordered omakase and they start with an albacore sashimi appetizer with miso on top -- I could do without this dish. The fish was really cold--sort of too cold to eat comfortably. The miso paste on top was fine, but the overall dish was just meh. The fish wasn't cut nicely/evenly, wasn't arranged in any kind of pretty way--it was just uneven pieces of too-cold albacore on a plate with miso on top.
The toro was fine, but awkward to eat due to the way it was cut. I also had (not in order) salmon, shima aji, bonito, halibut, butterfish, kanpachi, ikura and uni and a few other items I'm forgetting. I like their style of ikura (the kind that is marinated in what I believe is a combo of mirin and dashi? not really sure what it is) -- I prefer this to "straight" ikura, as I find the latter is too salty for me, I like the more mellow flavor of the "mirinated" ikura. And ... uni ... gosh, I love uni when it is good. I've had it at Echigo before and it has been fine, but this time it was not as good as before. Granted, I think I'm spoiled as I have had really buttery, wonderful uni at sugarFish and Go's Mart, so I tend to compare all other uni experiences by what I've experienced at these two establishments. As for the salmon, it was fine, I just happen not to be a big fan of the kelp that they put on top -- I prefer my plain with some sesame seeds (sugarFish does it this way -- it is my favorite place for salmon).
Just want to note that I am aware of the dislike that sugarFish gets from some Hounds -- I realize that Westsidegal is not a fan, and I respect her opinion though I have had nothing but positive experiences there myself.
Back to Echigo, maybe it's just that my palette prefers a different way? I haven't been to Zo in over a year but I did like that quite a bit. I don't want to discourage people from Echigo, it might just be a personal preference.
Shrug?
Hiko or Echigo???
My second to last time at Echigo, I remember making a mental note to to not return as the last several times I'd been it just was always "just ok" and just wasn't doing it for me. Last night (I know, a Monday, what was I thinking?! -- I was distracted by hunger and proximity) I gave it one last chance. Never again -- I am fine with the warm rice thing but I thought their rice was too gooey and too warm, and the fish tasted fishy (in a bad way).
Rec's for Group in THOUSAND OAKS Sun Jan 15
Asimen~I am pretty sure you are referring to Blue Stove, the Nordies small plates restaurant. I've been to the one here in Santa Monica and I have really liked it. So it's good to know that there is one up in TO :-)
I just called and since we're going on a Sunday in the late afternoon (traditionally a slower time for them) it sounds like it won't be a problem, actually, so long as I reserve in advance.
My only hesitation is that I don't want my friends to think "Geez, why is she schlepping us to a MALL restaurant?" and I admit I'm not thriled about having to parade theater-goers past the mens department just to get food. BUT, if I can get over that (believe me, I'm working on it) I think it could be a very good option.
Since you've been to The Oaks before and it sounds like you know the TO area--would you say that The Oaks & Nordstrom would be an easy/quick drive from the TO Civic Arts Plaza on a Sunday at around 5pm? (I don't want my party to have to drive far, for risk of "losing" them and having them bail out after the theater!)
Thank you--really good suggestion. :)
Rec's --> Brentwood area -- mid-week dinner -- not too loud.
Do you remember what you had? I'm glad to hear it was still good. Agree with you, love the space!
Rec's --> Brentwood area -- mid-week dinner -- not too loud.
Is it still as good even though the chef left?
Rec's --> Brentwood area -- mid-week dinner -- not too loud.
Any ideas on how Villetta is these days -- I thought I saw it posted somewhere that that the chef was asked to leave/let go...not sure when this happened though.
Never been to Vincente or Drago--will check 'em out. And would happily go back to Tavern.
Rec's for Group in THOUSAND OAKS Sun Jan 15
The Grill apparently doesn't have their HH on Sunday, and unfortunately I don't think the regular bar menu is quite the right thing. I think some of the group members would choke on the entree prices--my apologies for not mentioning budget concerns in my OP.
Napa Tavern's price points for starters/tapas, etc, seem better, (though not so much on the entrees) however I note that Les doesn't recommend it, so I'm quite hesitant to go.
Is there anything in the range of Napa Tavern's app/starters/tapas that has better food?
Another thing I probably should have added in my OP: We are going to be coming from a Sunday matinee performance at the Civic Arts Plaza, and will be getting out around 5pm, so lite bits/Happy Hour would be great, with the option to have dinner for those who want to do so before driving back to LA.
Rec's --> Brentwood area -- mid-week dinner -- not too loud.
Places I can think of to eat are Divino, Bar Toscana, Tavern, but I don't know if they will be loud as I've generally only been to these places Thurs-Sat. The Brentwood would also be an okay place (food wise) but it was noisy as heck the two times I've been there.
Rec's for Group in THOUSAND OAKS Sun Jan 15
A "small" chain would be fine, thank you for the suggestion.
Rec's for Group in THOUSAND OAKS Sun Jan 15
NEED: Non-chain restaurant/wine bar/lounge suitable for GROUP -- we will be coming directly from a theater performance and want to be able to socialize/discuss over drinks, appetizers, etc.
WHERE: Near the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza (2100 E Thousand Oaks Blvd)
WHEN: Sun Jan 15 at around 5-5:30pm
GROUP SIZE: Estimating at least 10, could be more -- thus I would like to find a place with a bar area that can handle a changing number of people and ALSO preferably do separate checks
It would be nice to find a place that has decent appetizers, perhaps a Happy Hour menu, as well as the option to order entrees. Guests will already have had to pay for parking at the theater so free parking would be really nice.
Does anyone know anything about Toi Tapas Bar and Lounge? Sabor Cocina (which I believe is really close by to the theater at The Lakes, but I'm worried it might be a little too pricey).
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sabor cocina mexicana
2200 E Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
best cheese offering? carts or cheese tasting?
Good to know! I will have to talk with him about it, hopefully I can pry a basic recipe out of him. Sad that it won't be able to be served after this year, if the rumors I hear about a CA law banning foie are true (I've not done my my due diligence on this one, obviously). I wonder how they will modify the recipe if this is the case?
I make chicken liver pate at home which I must say is pretty yummy, but I mainly use chicken livers (from pastured chickens from a farm that I trust/have visited) and grass-fed butter, no foie, so mine isn't nearly as rich as FIGs, and has more of a mineral taste, which fortunately I have learned to acquire as chicken livers have lots of nutrients I need.
great dessert in Brentwood, MDR or SaMo (near a SugarFish location)
Great idea! I've been there for drinks/appetizers before but haven't ever had dessert there -- just looked at the menu and the dessert cocktails sound wonderful, as do the desserts! Thank you Maudie, for this suggestion!
best cheese offering? carts or cheese tasting?
I echo the recommendation of FIG. Also, if you go between 5-6 pm Tues-Thurs, the entire menu is half price!
As an aside, their foie gras/chicken liver pate/mousse is also delicious!
Best Women Chefs
Has anyone had the desserts at Border Grill? How are they? I've always thought they looked good.
