hhewitt's Profile
Looking for Raclette (Cheese)
I've tried Trader Joe's Raclette (as mentioned below), but it wasn't very good.
The best cheese was from Surfas and was recommended to me there (possibly by David). It's called Scharfe Maxx, and it's delicious... and it's also probable that its price will floor you too. I don't remember the exact price, but it wasn't cheap.
Any casual, cheap Parisian-style couscous places in LA area?
I second Simon's. The price point is definitely not "cheap," but sharing as archer mentions would help alleviate that. Now if only more restaurants would have a "pichet du vin" like Parisian restaurants...
LA-made Dessert Gift... that travels well?
Their candy looks pretty good... and they'd probably travel well too! This thread is an example of why I love CH.
LA-made Dessert Gift... that travels well?
Looks possible... I can always do Diddy Riese if I'm lazy (and I won't get into waht people think of those cookies... I read that thread).
LA-made Dessert Gift... that travels well?
Frozen cakes sounds a little heavy-duty for me... also, I don't think I'll have access to a freezer once I arrive for the first days until I see her. But thanks!
LA-made Dessert Gift... that travels well?
She lives in Honolulu, and we both went to college in Claremont 10 years ago (so, she spent 4 years living there). I'm not sure about how often she cooks.
LA-made Dessert Gift... that travels well?
Here's a complex one:
I'm going to visit an old friend soon, and I'd love to bring her a gift. She loves dessert/sweets, and I'd love to bring her some sort of LA-specific, locally-made gift... but, it'll have to travel well.
I'm going to be on a plane for almost 6 hours, and then I won't see her until a few days after my arrival. I'm thinking all baked goods are off the table due to the days of sitting around (although I think I will have a fridge available). Ideally, this dessert would be purchasable near the Sepulveda Pass (either end).
Does anyone know of any sort of dessert that's locally-made that'll travel well for hours on a plane, and then sit around for days without going bad?
Indian in SFV
I like Taj of India... at Hazeltine and Burbank. I'm not going to say it's amazing, but it's good. I don't want to oversell it, but my wife really likes it, so I thought I should at least mention it.
It's well-located for your needs, at least.
Looking for rum babas
I just happen to have one from Porto's Burbank yesterday for the first time. I'm no rum baba expert, but it was sweet (although not too sweet), syrupy, and not very rum-y. It was ok.
Baby-friendly breakfast spot in Culver City or Beverly Hills
Agree about La Dijonaise. I see strollers there all the time, and their breakfast/lunch items are quite tasty, and very good value. The patio is lovely when it's warm. I don't like them for dinner as much, but for brunch, they're a great idea. They're not very high-end, but they're "classy", solid and good value.
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La Dijonaise Cafe
8703 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Super Nachos"/Spanish Sauce"/The Valley
I'm on the hunt for nachos with a specific sauce, and I'm not quite sure what it is. I used to go to Pancho's on Venice near downtown Culver City (there's another location in Santa Monica). They have "Pancho's Nachos" which has a red sauce on it, in addition to cheese, meat, etc. I think they call the sauce "Spanish Sauce," and it reminds me of enchilada sauce, only thinner, and with stewed tomatoes and peppers in it. It's also very mild.
I live in the Valley now, and I've been trying the "Super Nachos" at places near Sherman Oaks. These seem close to what I'm looking for. Some are tasty, but none have sauce on them (just meat & cheese, etc.). I'm wondering if anyone knows of anywhere near Sherman Oaks that might have nachos, with meat, cheese, and "Spanish Sauce," even though I can't describe the sauce too well.
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Pancho's Tacos
2920 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
What do you bring to the Hollywood Bowl?
Agree about cheese (and wine) at the Bowl. I've learned though – if eating in a bench, it's easiest to cut/parcel the cheese out ahead of time. I tried serving cheese, nuts, and dried fruit among four people sitting on a bench seat... there was not ample room for us to maneuver food and wine. Now in a box, it works fine. But I found that serving food in a bench is not easy.
Smoke City bbq: NOT
I don't know authentic Texas Hill Country BBQ, and I've never been to Bludso's. That being said, I like Smoke City's brisket (dry and moist). I even like their beans (and my wife likes their mac & cheese). I've never tried any of their ribs.
So, while I can't compare it to many places, I like it, and it's just over a mile from where I live, while Bludso's is over 30 miles. I may not think it's "good genuine bbq," but I think it's "good bbq" (well, the brisket is anyway).
Monterey Park Sam Woo Gone?
Last I checked, the Sam Woo at Sepulveda & Victory in Van Nuys is still open, and that's LA (both City and County).
Strip Mall Hidden Gems in the San Fernando Valley and West Side?
Nat's Early Bite is great... particularly their love muffins (with coconut & chocolate) if they have them... they're not always listed, so it's worth asking.
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Nat's Early Bite
14115 Burbank Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91401
Strip Mall Hidden Gems in the San Fernando Valley and West Side?
I moved near Don Adrian recently, and tried it once. I found their bread to be dry and stale compared to Angelica's truck on Venice near Culver City. Was I there on an off day?
The meat/cheese/salsa chipotle were great, but the bread just wasn't as moist and soft as I'm used to.
Strip Mall Hidden Gems in the San Fernando Valley and West Side?
1 Westside, 1 Valley
In Palms, Simpang Asia is the best strip-mall Indonesian I've had. It's been slowly expanding, and taking over its strip mall (which is pretty small anyway). Mie Tek Tek noodles, Sayur Bungkus mixed veg in banana leaf, and Croquette for appetizer... yum!
In the Valley, El Carrusel makes great pupusas, and good horchata too. Make sure to get curtido, too (not the best curtido I've had, but good stuff). Prices for pupusas are very reasonable too. There's 1 at Victory and Kester, and another at 6800 Reseda Blvd.
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Simpang Asia
10433 National Blvd 2, Los Angeles, CA 90034
Mexican (especially huevos rancheros) or Dim Sum off 101 between Burbank and Thousand Oaks?
Just moved nearby, and agree about San Marcos Grill. Very friendly people, good prices, and tasty bean dip while you wait.
They serve chilaquiles and other things on their breakfast menu. I've had the chilaquiles, and other than a big flat piece of beef on it that was overcooked, the rest was quite tasty. Their salsa roja is great too.
I've only been to the Farmer's Market and Hollywood Loterias, not Studio City. I find them kinda pricy, but tasty.
best al pastor tacos on the west side?
Aha! While sad that they closed their storefront, I'm so glad to hear they're still serving! Thanks for the update! Looks like they're parking it right in front of their old restaurant too.
best al pastor tacos on the west side?
I haven't been to Tacos Leo in a few months, but when I did go, it was from the spit just outside the truck... and it was indeed very delicious.
Tacos Don Jorge farther west on Venice was quite good too, but they're sadly closed.
Poke in the San Fernando Valley?
I made it to Daichan the other day. I started with a hot tofu/seaweed/ginger appetizer, which was yummy, and also some purple potato tempura. The tempura was good, but nothing amazing. The decor is indeed elaborate, and the wait staff were very helpful. I think I had my water glass refilled 8-10 times in the course of 1 lunch.
But I was there for the poke... My dining companion and I split 1 ahi poke, and 1 scallop poke. We had them over brown rice, although I'd probably go with white rice next time, since it'd stick better. I was weird having poke over warm rice, but the spicing was good, and the seaweed tasty too. The scallop poke (or "poki" as they spell it) had some extra spicy seaweed with it, but otherwise,t he flavors of both were very similar. I'd probably skip the lettuce that some with it, as eating poke, rice, and lettuce all at once was a litltle weird for me.
I'll definitely be going back to Daichan when I want some very casual Japanese/Hawaiian food. Thanks Chowhound!
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Daichan
11288 Ventura Blvd Ste F, Studio City, CA 91604
Daichan
11288 Ventura Blvd Ste F, Studio City, CA 91604
ISO Banoffee pie
Tried Simple Things' Banoffee today... they only have it Sunday-Tuesday. It was very good, although it didn't seem to have enough bananas in it, for my taste. The graham cracker-y crust was also very, very crumbly, and didn't hold together well at all.
I'll definitely get it in the future, although to get a full-sized pie requires 24 hours' notice (but then you can pick it up any day of the week). Thanks bsquared2 (and DrBruin)!
Poke in the San Fernando Valley?
This place looks great! I'll definitely get around to trying it... Thanks!
Poke in the San Fernando Valley?
I went to the Tarzana Whole Foods, and they had Mango Ahi Poke, but the tuna wasn't very appealing... so I skipped it. But they did have that 1 variety, so you were right!
Poke in the San Fernando Valley?
I have a hankering for some poke (I'm thinking ahi, but also would love to try some more kinds), and just moved to the San Fernando Valley (Sherman Oaks). Is there anywhere nearby?
The closest I can think of would be Bristol Farms in Westwood... anyone have any thoughts on there either?
Favorite Meals Under $5
Yep, I saw that too. A shame, really. But, I've moved away from near it, so it won't be missed as much by me.
harissa paste
Is that Payless International Market? I've been meaning to go there after reading about if elsewhere on CH. I've driven by many times, and it's the only "Halal carniceria" I've seen around.
http://paylessinternationalmarket.com/
harissa paste
I am in complete agreement with you: Surfas carried only Le Cabanon, then only carried DEA, and now it carries both (or possibly just Le Cabanon).
Le Cabanon has a brighter color, and I agree about the richer flavor. Surfas sells it for something under $3, I think.
And La Dijonaise down the street from Surfas has merguez sausage and fries, and they'll provide Le Cabanon harissa if you ask. It's a delicious meal.
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La Dijonaise Cafe
8703 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
