scoot's Profile
Sweet Lady Jane's
Spare us the "only rude people are in LA" stuff. Every town has some place like this, if not worse. Sweet Lady Jane is, perhaps, representative of the very small, insignificant, pompous culture that exists in a few blocks of N. Robertson. But it has little to do with LA at large.
Go visit In N Out. Perfect friendly service, every time, more LA than Sweet Lady Jane will ever be, and here since the 40s.
PS - I can't figure out why my posts are big font lately. My apologies!
PLEASE POST YOUR VOTES HERE: Ultimate Los Angeles Restaurants 2008
Over $25:
Sushi Sushi
Lawry's
Sushi Nozawa
Warszawa
Shaherzad
Under $25:
Brent's Deli
Julio's Bucket
Langer's Deli
Beechwood BBQ
Tomato Pie
Anisette for my birthday - review
Glad you had a good experience there.
I dropped in while at the Farmer's Market. The place was uncrowded, maybe 25 percent full. Sat at the counter. And sat. And sat. And sat. I was there so long I began to worry about the meter. But I'm usually not too worried about service, so I sat and ready the paper. After a solid fifteen minutes (while three guys stood around and avoided eye contact,) a waiter walked by and said, "I'll be right with you." Another ten minutes passed.
Finally, the guy came back. He was super-unctious and dripping with false charm.
I took the LA Times advice and ordered a coffee, croissant, and OJ. It took five to ten minutes for this coffee to show up. "Would you like some water?" Sure, I said.
The water never arrived, but soon the croissant and OJ came. Both were decent, nothing special. There was some kind of tension going on between the waiter and the guy squeezing the OJ. It was squeezed on the spot, though.
I was offered a few refills of coffee, which was nice. The bill was $10 - 15 or so.
Overall, I was completely unimpressed by this place. Very slow and slightly odd service. I would not go back.
I did find a Honeycrisp apple, though, at the farmer's market, and the most perfect looking tomato I'd ever seen. Pretty surprising for mid-August.
Casa Bianca Eagle Rock - Best Pizza Ever
I went there quite a bit when I was at Oxy in the late 80s, and somewhat regularly since then, even though I don't live so close by anymore. I did say that I didn't know if it was me or the pizza that had changed. Sometimes one's tastes change.
One catch is that I think last time we went, we ordered pepperoni. In the past I almost always stuck with the "Deluxe" (sausage and pepper) or the eggplant.
I'm sure I'll end up there again at some point, just because it's a good cheap restaurant for a group or family outing when we're up that way.
Casa Bianca Eagle Rock - Best Pizza Ever
I used to worship Casa Bianca, but I went there about two years ago and was really disappointed in the crust and sauce. I don't know if I changed or the pizza changed, but I'm not in a hurry to return. Keep in mind I'm from Boston and so am a bit of a pizza snob.
I think a big part of the charm of Casa Bianca is the place itself: the low-key family atmosphere, the checkered tables, the photos on the wall. It's just so comfortable and inviting. Vito's, Tomato Pie, Abbot's, Joe Peeps, Zelo's....all of these are much more delicious pizzas, but most are to-go places or have tiny, makeshift seating areas.
Best Ice Cream in los angeles????
Surprised nobody has mentioned Al Gelato, though obviously it's gelato.
There is also Dewar's, which IMO is the best ice cream I've ever eaten, at least when eaten in hot fudge sundae form. (Amazing marshmallow topping.) Unfortunately, Dewar's is only found at the Disney Fountain Store next to the El Capitan theater, so the atmosphere is pretty dreadful. (The original Dewar's is up in Bakersfield, where the sundaes are three bucks!)
A great store ice cream, somewhat surprisingly, is the Mud Pie from Starbucks. Ben and Jerry's Oatmeal Cookie is also a really unique, delicious flavor.
Best Pizza in Silverlake
I visited Tomato Pie, the Silver Lake one, a couple weeks ago, and it was perhaps one of the best pizzas I've had in Los Angeles. I would say it matches or even surpasses Vito's, which I've always considered the best in town. The people running the place are incredibly friendly and upbeat. Best service I've experienced in a long time. The place was still feeling very "new" and is quite clean inside and out. It's certainly a hole-in-the-wall: 2 or 3 tables inside, and the outside tables are in a driveway. But if you're rating the pizza itself, this is top notch.
And yes, it is borderline impossible to find. Use a google map and get the specific cross-street. You'll never spot it otherwise.
SugarFish by Nozawa - Perceptor's Report
A couple months of DAILY lunch trips to a sushi joint? At $30 a pop (minimum) that comes out to almost $2000!
Sugarfish by Sushi Nozawa??
You mentioned Kiriko. I haven't been there since the ownership change. How does it compare now?
Marty-D's Hotdogs
Stopped by today and had just a cup of chili and a Coke. It was clean and nicely decorated. About half full at lunchtime. I love the glassware for the cokes and ice cream sundaes. The rest of the menu looked really intriguing, particularly a knish, an egg cream, a frozen chocolate....
The prices are indeed a little high for hot dogs. Even though this is Beverly Hills, there are plenty of low-cost places for office workers to eat around there: Subway, Chipotle, Islands, Urth...
If they had a $5 hot dog/fries/drink lunchtime special, the place would be packed. There is a ton of foot traffic around here between office people, tourists, and local schoolkids (actually quite obnoxious, so avoid Wednesday which is a half-day for those punks, and any day after school.) I don't know if that price would work economically, but it's something to consider....
GREAT BEER LISTS
Ditto Stuffed Sandwich.
Not just bottles, though those are extensive. He always has 7 or 8 taps on a theme. Sometimes all Belgian. Or aged Stones from the 90s. Or all Double IPAs. Recently he had all Lagunitas. The theme switches once a month. Be forewarned: very quirky place though!
Bagels in LA?
The same way you can't really get a decent burrito in Manhattan, you can't get a NY style slice of pizza or bagel here. It's just the way it is.
I've tried Brooklyn Bakery, and don't think they're all that. I think part of the appeal of the place is that it's in an out-of-the-way location, very bare-bones, and kind of a factory, so its fans feel they're in on a secret. Just a theory.
Having said that, like pizza, you can get some good bagels in LA if you're willing to lower your standards and/or eat a fluffy kind of bagel. I'd rank them:
- Western Bagels, particularly the Valley locations
- Bagel Factory, particularly the one on Robertson (also has great soup)
- Manhattan Bagel in Santa Monica, though I think they were sold to another owner
I also worked in an office that had really great bagels delivered once a week, and I believe they used Bagel Nosh in Santa Monica. But it does indeed look sketchy from the outside - never been there myself.
Goldstein's are on the extreme side of H and H style mega-dough city style bagels. Good for what they are.
Pre-Dodger/Red Sox Coliseum Food Suggestions?
Thanks for all the suggestions. I had a feeling there wouldn't really be anywhere that fit the bill, but wanted to make sure. By the way, I used to hit Chanos back in college, and every once in awhile I'll brave it again. Some of the "on the way" suggestions are nice, but the goal is to pass the time following an early arrival.
It's looking like the plan is for the folks to grab some sandwiches at Bay Cities (they live in Santa Monica) on their way to our place in BH. (In the morning, pre-line!) However, the Langer's idea is an excellent one, though I kind of like to enjoy Langer's sitting in those big booths, having a Coke in one of those curvy old glasses. Mako would be nice, but maybe too pricey. (Plus the folks don't eat sushi.) Those Dodger dogs and $10 beers are going to add up later in the evening, so good to save some dough.
Either way, we'll park at USC and have a picnic on campus - mid-afternoon sometime to avoid what will certainly be a crazy traffic situation. I wonder what food they'll have inside. Maybe Fenway Franks!...
Pre-Dodger/Red Sox Coliseum Food Suggestions?
100,000 people are descending upon the Coliseum Saturday for the big Dodgers/Red Sox game.
Arriving early seems to be a good plan. But where to eat after we park and we're hanging around waiting for the game?
We're thinking of parking at USC and walking over. Thus we're looking for a place that can be (safely) walked to. My parents (in their 60s) will be attending, so nothing too funky.
POQUITO MAS--WHY THE CROWD??
Poquito Mas is a good fall-back place when you're short on time and aren't feeling super imaginative or adventurous. Sure, the salsas aren't "hot," but who cares? They have a great taste, and there is a big variety. Some of their salsa "flavors" I have never seen anywhere else. The food is very fresh, is not greasy or laden with taco-tuck/"authentic joint" gristle, and they make the totrillas right there! And they serve beer.....which Baja Fresh (owned by Wendy's, right...?) and La Salsa do not.
My only complaint is all the kids. The place feels like Chuck E Cheese - at least the Westwood branch does. (Less of a problem in N Hollywood or on Sunset....)
Where to get the best tacos west side
I was first taken to Tito's in college by a guy who grew up here. I thought it was terrible.
Flash forward 10 years, I gave it another try. I guess tastes changed, because now I love the place.
But only the burritos. I don't care for the tacos - too bland. The burritos with that salsa are fantastic. And the price is still low.
As for the "gringo" accusation, the place is owned by non-gringos, and at least half (probably more) of the customers are also non-gringo. "Authenticity" is a very subjective thing.
Bars/Nightspots in Beverly Hills area...not 'too cool for school'...
I would agree it's slim pickin's in Beverly Hills for nightlife. The town rolls up the sidewalks. However, there is plenty in adjacent towns.
One nice place in Beverly Hills is the Writer's Bar. It's inside the Raffles L'Ermitage hotel. On Burton Way near Rexford, I think. It's a cozy hotel lobby/bar that resembles a living room, with a fire place and comfy chairs. Nice, but not snooty, as the Peninsula or Nick's can be. A really relaxing spot.
Best Burger in LA
I had the same experience. Asked for "medium rare" (and it said so on the receipt too) but what I got was literally crunchy black on the outside, with nary a trace of pink on the inside. Not really a "send it back" guy, (nor did I have another 20 minutes to wait) so I ate it. I did enjoy the bread and toppings. The herb sauce was good, but nothing mind-blowing. Half a pound is also a little big for me. Third-pound is about "tops" (ha) for my burger. At triple the price of the normal Tops burger, I'd stick with the normal one, personally.
ISO Great Chili
I'd have to say that Chili My Soul has gone downhill, sadly. The store is often on the dirty side, the help are young and a little clueless, the big guy that makes the chili isn't around as much, the little extras (veggies and dipping sauce) are often not offered, and the prices have gone way up. I used to make the trek up from the Westside regularly to eat there, but have finally crossed it off the list.
I like the chili at WolfeBurgers in Pasadena on Lake. Just normal old chili, but good. Chili John's has a cool vibe and look, but is pure grease.
Spitz of Eagle Rock (Doner Kebab) Review
Along with cones of frites, cheap gelato ice cream cones, and of course pizza, the doner kebab is one of the more ubiquitous street foods of Europe. Essentially a gyro with thinner slices of meat, they are cheap, delicious, and served up in a snap. Turkish rather than Greek, they have a slightly lighter feel, usually a big mound of toppings, and chili sauce in addition to the yogurty tzatziki.
This summer, after being introduced to the doner kebab on a European trip, I set out to find one in LA.
The search was an easy one, as right there in my Occidental College alum magazine was an article about two grads opening a doner kebab shop right on Colorado Blvd.
Next to the old Sizzler, the Spitz is brightly lit and easy to find. On a scorching Saturday night it was busy, with most of the outdoor tables filled.
I got in line and waited.....and waited..... Though there were five guys behind the counter hustling like crazy, they seemed to be struggling to get the orders out. They probably still need to work out their system a bit more - maybe get another register.
In any event, when I got to the front they were harried but friendly. I ordered the Classic Doner Kebab with sweet potato fries. Surprisingly, the standard pita bread of a German doner kebab is replaced by your choice of foccacia or lavash bread. I went for the lavash.
It took another 10 or 15 minutes for the kebab to arrive (this added to the 10 or 15 min in line.) It came in a cute basket - a decent amount of fries to one side, the kebab on the other. So.....here are my thoughts:
- Taste-wise, the kebab was right on. There was a unique mix of spices - full of character, but not overly hot or intense. A nice amount of yogurt sauce countered the heat.
- It's certainly a more compact and neat sandwich than a European kebab. Think two napkins rather than ten.
- The fries were tasty, almost on a par with the Father's Office sweet potato fries. However, the lack of any In N Out-esque dipping sauce, or even ketchup, made it hard to eat them all. Too dry. You need something in which to dip a fry, IMO.
- The price was a little on the high side, especially considering the relatively small portion-size. The kebab, fries, and a drink came to 10 bucks. Part of the appeal of street food is the low price, and that is lost here.
- The other appeal is the grab-and-go nature of a European kebab. Remember when Kramer grabs a gyro at a NYC subway stop and gets back on the same train? Well....this is the opposite. From entering the place to actually getting the food took 30 minutes.
- They had some great looking gelato to the side, however I'll try that next time.
Overall, Spitz gets a thumbs-up. It's the only place (I know of) to get a doner kebab, and though it's not like the ones in Germany, it's a creative take-off and really just as delicious as a "real" doner kebab. They need to tweak the operation, though, to get the line moving faster and the food out more quickly. Perhaps the young owners should hang out at an In n Out and glean some ideas! Not only on efficiency but on price! And of course.....dipping sauce for the fries.
Good News & Bad in Monrovia
I just visited Dogwood's, and was pretty impressed. It is probably the coolest looking grocery store I've seen, with vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, and midget grocery carts. They had a very neat variety of produce, with some unsual fruit. Potential visitors should take note that it is on the small side.
It was strangely quiet there for a Saturday, though. I had a slice of pizza that was wonderfully cheesey and gooey. Was it a wood-burning oven that heated it up? Not sure, but it was a nice warm oven for a cool breezy day. Either I was lucky, or this is the new "best pizza in LA," or at least a contender. Really great taste, though if you don't like it floppy, don't apply. There was a very comfortable booth to sit in. I took a stuffed pepper to go, and it was also quite good, though a little too meaty.
Service was good, but then again there was no crowd. The guy behind the deli counter was friendly, but a little slow in working the register. I can imagine if there were a line things would back up quickly, as he was the only guy there, apparently.
I would suggest checking this place out if you want a cheap lunch or want to sample some good-looking fruits and vegetables. The sandwiches look like a good deal.
Do real bagels, boiled bagels, exist in West Los Angeles?
For the record, the same argument about sweet, doughy, and giant bagels vs. "authentic" ones goes on in NYC too. Many of the top-rated places there serve just that: huge, soft bagles with no hole. However, they do have a bunch of "authentic" places that serve the old-style, crusty, smaller bagels.
Overall, the bagels are of course much better there too. But just pointing out that soft and squishy bagels are not necessarily an LA thing.
Gelson's Century City is Now Serving Frozen Sushi - I Hate This Place
This Gelson's has a few things that I personally like:
- 6 packs of Coke in bottles. Sometimes hard to find.
- White grapefruit. Also sometimes hard to find.
- And....my favorite kind of raspberry jam from England. I haven't seen it anywhere else.
It's also clean, never has a line, and the clerks are friendly. I don't go there very often, as Bristol Farms, Ralphs, and Vons are closer, but I'll pop in whenever I run out of jam.
Zankou... ???
Zankou rules. The hummus. The garlic paste. The tarna. The low prices. The fact that it's perfectly situated wherever you want to be: OC, Westside, Valley, Pasadena, Hollywood, Glendale. The late hours. The shawarma. The fast service. The yellow shirts.
All that said, I've never really ordered a 1/4 chicken or 1/2 chicken there more than once, and that is going back to the late 80s when it was just the Glendale branch. Didn't like it too much. I always get the sandwiches and plates. And I always love them.
Zankou is one of the best food experiences in LA.
Sunnin Lebanese - I won't be going back
While not doubting the veracity of your story, I need to stand up for a really fantastic place. I have never experienced any real problems at Sunnin. On the contrary, everyone there is friendly and the food is excellent. REALLY excellent. Yes, sometimes they are a bit overrun with customers, but it's a mom and pop place. Your story sounds like a misunderstanding of some sort.
As for the homeless fellow, I have to sympathize with the owners. It must be very awkward and difficult when a homeless person comes into your business. One has to walk a fine line.
They often smell, they may talk to themselves, and they certainly scare off customers. Rolling out the red carpet is probably not what restaurant owners want to do, and who can blame them? As for the extra 30 cents, who knows what was going on, but again it sounds like some kind of misunderstanding.
As for your paying for the homeless person, that is a nice gesture on your part. However, giving to homeless people - whether on the street or in a restaurant - only encourages them to continue panhandling. Give to a charity or shelter. These organizations exist to provide emergency shelter and help homeless people get help with their addictions, personal problems, or just learn how to get a job and get on one's feet.
Cheers
I need a new burrito in my life. Any suggestions?
In Santa Monica, on Ocean Park at around 30th. It's in the same complex as the Counter.
I'm a big fan of the chicken burrito.
I need a new burrito in my life. Any suggestions?
It's time to sample a new burrito. So you know....
My favorite is probably El Parian. I also enjoy Yuca's, Fast Taco (Santa Monica), King Taco, Juanita's (Eagle Rock), Lupe's, Taco Village, El Burrito Jr. (Redondo), Tito's, Poquito Mas, Gallegos, and El Molino de Oro (San Juan Capistrano).
I've also had Frida, Teresitas, Tacos Por Favor, La Cabanita, Pepe's, Paco's, Tia Juana, Lare's, El Cholo, Algeria, El Compadre, Chano's, Talpa, Mrs. Garcia, El Tarasco, the place on Sawtelle near Tito's, Monte Alban, Juqilia, El Nopal, Holy Guaccamole, El Tepayac, El Arco Iris, Coral Cantina, Gilbert's, Benito's, La Playita, 7 Seas, Eduardo's, Border Grill, La Serranta, and all those little spots on and around Centinela and Inglewood in the Culver City / Mar Vista area. All of these are fair to good, IMO.
Places I find too greasy or gristly are El Gran Burrito, Campos, that place on Western right off the 10, and basically all taco trucks.
I've of course had chains like La Salsa, Baja Bud, Baja Fresh, and Sharky's. They're OK in a pinch.
So, now that you know my burrito tastes, can you play matchmaker and find me a new burrito love?
