Thorn's Profile
Wine Bistro in Studio City closed
After 17 years, the resto closed "suddenly", and the story is...
Not knowing, my wife and I went for dinner, wandered into an empty restaurant and the "new owner" came out saying that J.B. Torchon had sold the resto and it would reopen as a pub in a few weeks time, and made no comment when I said that was 'sudden'.
So we left and ran into J.B. in the parking lot who told us that yes he'd sold the place, having received an offer he 'couldn't refuse' and that it was supposed to stay open till June, but...
Does the word "renege" apply here? The new owner apparently reneged on the agreement, closed the joint, changed the locks and is scrambling to reopen as the Wine Bistro staff refused to work for him.
So yet another kinda 'institution' bites the dust, and the Valley, not exactly thick on the ground with good dining choices, has one less and nothing to replace it.
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Wine Bistro
11915 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604
Thanks for the Bangluck thai Market tip
Sorry am not posting this in the original thread but am having 'reply' problems, so thanks for this market. Found everything we needed and plenty of things we didn't need!
FYI this is the market on Sherman Way just west of Coldwater in Noho.
Thai market in North Hollywood?
Or anywhere in the vicinity would be appreciated. I need to buy kaffir lime leaves for a rec and not stocked at 'regular' markets. Thanks for any info pointing me in the right direction.
To buy-Moscovy duck breasts-in the Valley
Gelson's and Whole Foods doesn't carry them & can't or won't get them, so hoping for CH wisdom! Anywhere in the Valley (SFV) that has them for sale?
FWIW i know the poultry store in Farmer's Market has them, but trying to avoid going over the hill to get them. Thanks for any info.
Downtown restos-slightly different questions
Haven't eaten downtown in ages so appreciate your input.
Six of us will meet for a meal in 2 weeks, but in addition to dining at a place with terrif food, and price not a problem BTW, also looking for the following.
Two of the people in the party are hard of hearing, so really need a restaurant quiet enough to be heard without shouting.
These people plus a couple of others are also elderly and 'concerned' about their safety, so valet parking a major plus
Type of cuisine, Continental, french, Italian or California preferred.
A sit-down full bar for pre-dinner drinks, LOL just about mandatory!
Do these parameters leave out Church & State? I'm intrigued by the place but see they're in an industrial area and think only have street parking.
Your advice and input are gratefully received and thanks.
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Church & State
1850 Industrial Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021
ISO Latin or South American markets selling "papas criollas"
"papas criollas" are tiny yellow potatoes from Columbia that are 'similar' to those that Trader Joe's sell as "Teeny tiny yellow potatoes".
I'd like to find a local source for authentic ones, preferably in the SFV, or alternatievely a mail order source.
Thanks for any info.
Any piano bars left in the SF Valley?
Mainly interested in the area between Burbank & Encino but will travel if worth it.
Many thanks for any help with this question.
Great "authentic" Indian food in L.A.
Re the recent thread on the "best" Indian food in L.A., of all those making recommendations, would love to know how many have eaten Indian food in either India or London and other parts of the UK, where many Indians think the best Food can be found.
Having done both as I lived there for years, I thought most of the restos recommended were "Americanized" for the local palate and not in the same league as great Indian food.
So saying, LOL, I'll give you two of my recs in my part of the woods, not including OC as don't know the area.
I hasten to add that the following are not really close to great Indian food, but perhaps the best available in a limited number of choices.
Salomi on Lankershim in NH, where the food is certainly not bland and can be as hot as you want, and the Curry Palace on Sunset, next to the Coach and Horses.
After all that, your best bet is to book a ticket for London or Mumbai!
Beverly Glen Circle where Vibrato is
Any other good restaurants in this mall? Thanks for any recs, and if there is a good resto with a bar, that would be a bonus.
La Ve Lee-missed that it closed-any news on replacement?
Just found out it's closed and heard somebody has bought it and opening new place, but don't know what or when. Anybody have info? THX
Any Xmas shows like Maldonado's used to have?
Any restaurants doing these any more? If so and worth going, would travel but preference would be L.A. or the SFV. thanks.
"upscale" Mexican resto in the East Valley (SFV)
Thanks for your input. I think I should have just called this "Traditional" instead of "upscale".
Sol y Luna
sounds like the kind of place I am looking for.
Thanks again.
"upscale" Mexican resto in the East Valley (SFV)
Okay, relatively 'upscale'! I'm looking for a traditional Mexican resto with a bar to sit at and a full bar license that's at least as upscale as Casa Vega or Ernie's and in the Stud City, Sherman Oaks, Noho area.
Yes I know Casa Vega & Ernie's aren't really 'upscale', but they do have bars and a booze license and is a sitdown resto.
Senor Fred doesn't qualify as it isn't 'traditional'.
What is La Fogata like, never been so don't know if it has a bar.
Would also go as far east as Burbank or as far west as Encino for the kind of place I'm inquiring about. Many thanks for your input.
Gary Bric's Ramp Resto in Burbank-any opinions?
A friend suggested we meet there for dinner on the weekend, I've never been there before, and some of his past suggestions have been real turkeys! So what do you Hounds think, LOL will I survive?
Duck confit & duck fat
Am trying to buy both for a cassoulet and have tried Gelson's, Whole Foods, and Bristol Farms where the guy there didn't even know what I was talking about...oh well.
Anybody know where they might be for sale, the confit should come in packs and the duck fat in a tub. Thanks for your info.
Ideas please for dishes with cassoulet
Well LOL, we made one decision, to have cassoulet as the entree for our dinner party, and now would really appreciate input on what to serve before and after.
As it's such a heavy entree, we'd like to serve a salad, but what kind that will be a little more different than a dinner salad?
Also should we include a side dish or would that be too much?
Then what to do with pre-dinner snacks that would be compatible and lastly the dessert.
So many questions! Could use your help and many thanks for it.
Barragan's & Guantanamera in Burbank-worth a visit?
I know they're both "old school" and am in the mood for that, so are these restos worth going to? If not, would appreciate your recommendations.
Help please-cooking 2 rib roasts-same oven
We have 2 standing rib roasts, weighing 7.9 and 7.2 pounds, and need to cook them in the same oven, which is a home Viking electric oven. we'd like to cook them at 300 F and pull them at 120 F, tent them and let them get to around 135 F for medium rare.
As there will be 2 pieces of meat in the same oven, this is where our confusion lies, as haven't been able to find a chart to tell us how long it will take, how many minutes per pound, we might expect to cook both pieces of meat at the same time.
Your help with this will be greatly appreciated.
Should add that this is a new Viking oven and is calibrated and that we have instant read digital thermometers, but can't figure the approx minutes per pound with both roasts.
THX
Help please-cooking 2 rib roasts-same oven
We have 2 standing rib roasts, weighing 7.9 and 7.2 pounds, and need to cook them in the same oven, which is a home Viking electric oven. we'd like to cook them at 300 F and pull them at 120 F, tent them and let them get to around 135 F for medium rare.
As there will be 2 pieces of meat in the same oven, this is where our confusion lies, as haven't been able to find a chart to tell us how long it will take, how many minutes per pound, we might expect to cook both pieces of meat at the same time.
Your help with this will be greatly appreciated.
Should add that this is a new Viking oven and is calibrated and that we have instant read digital thermometers, but can't figure the approx minutes per pound with both roasts.
THX
TitleHave you noticed re resto openings
MessageRestos opening everywhere, West Hollywood, Downtown, Santa Monica, Culver City etc. etc....except for the Valley where I now reside...
True there are tons of restos from Noho to Woodland Hills and beyond, but...nothing new in weeks, or is it months. Why is the Valley a dining wasteland?
Disgruntled in Stud City!
Osteria Mozza comments
A party of 6 of us there Thursday and this is not gonna be a rant!
We all agreed that the grub and service were excellent and that the $20 corkage fair for a hot upmarket resto.
For the record, I had as a starter, the burrata with braised artichoke, pine nuts, currants and mint pesto, with beef tagliata as the entree and wild berry sorbet for dessert. Sides were rosemary roast spuds and roasted peppers.
All six of us also agreed that the dining experience was up there with the least comfortable, as the noise after 2 or 3 hours made any kind of conversation impossible and then they started played loud music to add to the din. Then there the chairs...wood, hard, short seats and the kind one would expect to find in a joint that's promoting quick turnover instead of a 3 hour plus dining experience.
So we were unanimous in wanting to try many other items on the menu and that we probably wouldn't return to do it. And BTW, yes we did tell the FOH manager what we thought, and if he's taking a poll, this will add to the stats.
Meals best eaten from a bar stool.
Some of my barstool dining faves are Stanley's in Sherman Oaks, the Oyster Bar in Studio City, Frankie's on Melrose and Wood Ranch, near the Grove. All convivial and all pretty good grub to varying degrees, but in some cases the 'experience' overshadows the food and so makes it a fun evening.
Fresh roasted chilis
Anybody do these ready for buying, preferably in the SFV, but would travel if necessary, or get them shipped if too far. Thx.
GOOD PRIME RIB IN LA
I just had dinner at Lawry's a couple of weeks ago and it was the same good quality prime rib as it's been the last number of years I've dine there. The service, as always was up to standard, but acknowledge it's one of those places that have been around forever that have a 'routine' that appleas to most people as it's always packed. It's hard to think you hit them on a bad day as can't remember ever being there when they had one as the whole procedure is like a formal dance. Sorry you didn't like it, but you may want to give it one more try.
::STOP PRESS:: Wine Bistro has a new chef!
Well if he's the chef/owner of Four Oaks, then I wouldn't start celebrating just yet. He let Four Oaks slide down the proverbial toilet the last couple of years and it's sure no mystery why it had to close. The early years of Four Oaks were terrific but not the last few and I'd like to think he's joining this new venture with the "right" attitude as I like JB a lot and have going to the Wine Bistro for as long as they've been open.
Bad experience at Ahi Sushi in Studio City
Teru Sushi has been there forever and IMO, is still as good, and has everything you want including good service.
Rendered Leaf Lard
Anybody tried Huntington Meats in Farmer's Market? They seem to have practically everything or can get it.
What's in Studio City?
Lots more to add, Wine Bistro, Risotto, Tommy Ray's, Caribou, Oyster House, Casa Vega, Pinot Bistro, Bistro Gardens, Bollywood, Mazzerino's (Sp.?) Spark, Firefly and a bunch more I've forgotten.
Secrets of Chinatown
Yep, the revealed "secret" to get into and be part of the 'unavailable' to non-chinese is to take a Chinese friend with you who must speak Cantonese, Mandarin or both, and if you don't have one, then try adoption, kidnapping or the Central Casting Agency!
It's the only way they'll even acknowledge your existence and the only way you'd ever be able to sample 'forbidden cuisine'',.
