A good friend told me that she and her husband tried to eat there early one everning ... walked up and saw it was completely empty. When they asked to be seated they were told there was no room! Totally insulted they of course walked away and ate elsewhere. After dinner they walked by again and it was still empty...

And in a Budda at that!!!! ; )

I have to admit that I have never been a huge fan of "The Stand." Even though their menu has a lot of variety I am mostly a creature of habit and always get the dogs. Honestly, I prefer Costco hot dogs ( I already know this may invalidate the rest of my post!)....

However, this past weekend my house guest really wanted to go to the stand... so we went. but not without a lot of gentle persuading to maybe get a hamburger at "the habit" instead. With hamburger still on the brain I decided to order a Stand burger. It was one of those "aha" and "OMG!" moments.

I have never had/seen a burger quite like this in Los Angeles. Maybe I don't get out enough but I think I kinda know my burgers... I read an article about a year ago in "cooks" magazine about making old fashioned hamburgers. The recipe is time consuming and though I was very intrigued I never got around to making it. One point they mentioned was to grind the beef yourself and then gently take a bunch of the ground meat and form it in a mound without packing it. This way the meat stays light and fluffy. Doing this technique the meat will not be a perfect circle but the taste and texture amazing.

Well, it seems that the stand did this with their burger. It was light and flavorful on a soft unique "homemade" bun. It was also char-grilled which is for me so much more flavorful... I ordered it with cheddar as typically i like the cheese to hide some of the meat taste... They forgot the cheese and at first I was disappointed because i was too hungry to send it back. But, no need for cheese on this burger!

I wish the stand would promote itself more as a hamburger place rather than hot dogs... I'm grieving all the burgers I coulda had instead of those damn dogs!!!

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The Stand
17000 Ventura Blvd Ste 204, Encino, CA 91316

good choice... nice for $35....

Its not authentic bbq but on short notice how about Stone Fire Grill... i know they can do it for as cheap as $10 a person.... I really like their garlic chicken and tri tip....

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Stonefire Grill
6405 Fallbrook Ave West, Hills, CA

Thanks Bob,

I love Bistro Provence and it does fit the bill... but was also wanting to try some place that i haven't been. Any other suggestions?

I'm looking for suggestions for tomorrow night. I am hoping to find an upscale restaurant that has either a reasonably priced menu or special prix fixe dinners... Any type of fare is welcome and anywhere in the San Fernando Valley -- although i would prefer along Ventura Bl. from Woodland Hills to Studio City and also Burbank ....but open to all suggestions.

OK I normally don't go out on New Years but this year I am branching out! Also, I don't want to spend whats left of my retirement account ; >

Here are my requirements:

$50.00ish for food only (a glass of champagne thrown in even better!)

I live near Encino but am willing to drive if its worth the drive....

I love LPC! Going tonight for duck.... I hope they never remodel ... that's my story and I'm sticking too it! ; >

You've got my vote and judging from these replies I also think you found your cabinet members!

Together we can change the world....one bottle of perfume at a time....

What do you think about steep fines for celebrities who name fragrances after themselves?....

Ok I finally made it to Pizzeria Mozza, after reading many of your mouth watering reviews and I have to say it was AMAZING... Best Pizza Ever IMHO! We started with the squash blossoms, incredibly yummy (my technical description!) moved on to the tomato, avacado bacon thingy which was good but as an afterthought we should have ordered the chopped salad instead. Then moved onto pizzas: Fennel Sausage and Bianchi. After a brief strategy session in my head I decided to try the Bianchi first. I savored the flavor of the cheese along with the crispy pieces of sage and OMG the crust... Loved it. I then set out to conquer the Sausage pizza.

And then it happened, new diners sat down next to us DRENCHED IN PERFUME AAAAAAHHHHhhhhhhhhhh. As I raised my beautiful piece of sausage fennel pizza to my lips to take my first bit, instead of absorbing the aroma of the red onions and spices my nose was overwhelmed with perfume.... grrrr.... and there you have it Mozza's New Perfume Pizza.

To the ladies who lunched at Mozza last week drenched in perfume: Why?

Le Petit Chateau in North Hollywood. Ok this may be an odd pick for some but I love this place but I also have a fondness for classic or "blue haired" places! Its quiet and the servers are gracious ... food is good and I think the atmosphere is charming... And if it were my grandmother this would be one of my top choices.

I also agree with Bizou...

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Le Petit Chateau Restaurant
4615 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91602

I love Violet on Pico...probably a 10 minute drive from the hotel. Its a great "little plates" restaurant and I think Tues-Thurs they still do a 7 before 7 thing! If you go the Mac n Cheese is a must!!!

I would also agree with the recs for Jiraffe!

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Violet
3221 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Ok this may sound like a weird pick but I love the burger at the Overland Ave Cafe. Its 1/2 pound charbroiled with choice of cheese if desired and they ask you how you want it done. Its the only thing I order! As for "quality meat" I dont know..but it seems good. (do I get the extra points?)

Stone Fire Grill in West Hills is easy because you order at the counter and its loud enough to manage meltdowns without worry!

Also, a friend of mine takes her 2 year old to Marrakesh in studio city. They have private rooms and I'm sure at that time you would have no problem getting one.

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Stonefire Grill
6405 Fallbrook Ave, West Hills, CA 91307

Marrakesh Restaurant
13003 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

My favorite dish at Spumoni is Farfalle Amatriciana (sp?). But even more special; Vasik the owner is always there to welcome you with a hug and most often a small "thank you" dessert at the end of the meal... But I agree, what makes them unique is their gnocchi but honestly, I've never tried it...