Anyone have experience ordering salmon by mail? I always wait till wild salmon is fresh at market, but it'd be nice to have some--especially Copper River--in the freezer. Would appreciate any info. Halibut too.

We ordered a pumpkin tart with marshmallow topping from Cake Monkey for Thanksgiving and it had absolutely no taste other than sweet. I think they'd forgotten to spice the pumpkin...at least I hope that's what happened. And the graham cracker crust completely fell apart upon cutting.

I've noticed lots of Mexican restaurants in this area, and would like to find a comfortable place with good food and margaritas. Any recommendations? I've noticed Tres Hermanos seems popular but doesn't look like they have a liquor license.

So I brought a big jar back from Madrid and have barely used it. It's cold in Los Angeles and I'd love to cook up a big pot of chicken stew--would this taste good w smoked paprika? Does anyone have a good recipe? Thanks.

I'm looking for something that will grind and brew and is relatively simple to use. Prefer a 2 or 4 cup capacity, as it's just for one person. I've looked in a few stores and can only find the premeasured coffee, which I don't care for. Thanks for any help.
Mandy

I'm looking for a quiet place, preferably with booths, for conversation. Any suggestions? Thanks. Mandy

I bought a HUGE bunch of celery with a bushel of leaves at the farmer's market yesterday. I've been eating masses of celery/fennel salad, but what can I do with the leaves? Coincidentally, Mark Bittman had a recipe for celery salt in yesterday's NYT, but what do you do with celery salt? Thanks.

Anyone know anything about this place? I'm looking for some good thin crust pizza for dinner.

Pain Quotidien on Ventura near Whitsett. Good coffee too.

I'm looking for "NW cuisine," as I lived in Seattle many years ago and have great memories of my first tastes of really wonderful mushrooms, salmon, oysters! So after perusing the board, I've narrowed it down to two. Please help me choose; we only have one night in Seattle and I'd like a memorable dinner.

We're coming from LA, staying downtown and have time for one lunch and one dinner. I would love to find great Northwest food--oysters, mushrooms, and whatever fish is in season. Any recommendations?

My 7 yr old and I will be meeting my husband for an early dinner. Any suggestions for a moderately priced place that would welcome a child? She's an adventurous eater who loves most things, esp. pasta (though my husband doesn't eat carbs). No sushi. Japanese or Mexican, please. Thank you.

Try Cafe Bizou. It gets crowded but food is pretty good and prices are reasonable.

I wasn't looking to be chided, just inquiring about the restaurant. But thanks.

Has anyone been there lately and how was it? My mother is insisting on going there for mother's day. I would hate to waste all my dim sum calories on a substandard place when there are so many good ones a bit further away! Thanks.

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Empress Pavilion Restaurant
988 N Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Years ago I read an article about a nice little lunch stand in Griffith Park. Does it still exist , how's the food and where is it? I cannot find any reference to it on their website.

We are heading to Laguna this weekend and would love some suggestions on where to eat, both kid-friendly and not. Would love to find casual Mexican and/or seafood as well as a nicer grown-up place, any type of food is fine. Thanks.

My husband has described his birthday meal, and now I have to find the place. Any suggestions? Prefer WeHo area but will go where necessary. Thanks.

We are having a luncheon for my discriminating mother and 10 of her friends. Need a quiet, lovely place. SF Valley or adjacent preferred. I am drawing a complete blank, other than Hotel Bel Air, which is closed for renovation. Thanks.

I've searched this board and cannot find mentions of good sushi places in the above cities. We are from Los Angeles and can get great sushi but I thought all the fresh fish in Alaska would make for exceptional sushi. Recommendations welcome! Thanks.

I would like to send something which reflects our city to a foodie friend in Singapore. Any ideas?

Help! My barbeque yesterday was great except for my lousy margaritas! I've tried numerous recipes and they are never very good. Yesterday's was fresh lime juice, cointreau, and Cuervo Gold. Too strong and missing something...I don't know what. I poured it into a pitcher and added salt to the rim, a lime to the glass--but still not very good. Please point me in the drection of a foolproof margarita!

I followed your instructions and my beans were delicious! I'd never cooked dried beans before and cannot wait to do so again...the texture was wonderful. I added spinach and mixed with pasta. Thanks! Mandy

I joined a CSA this year and they've been sending me some lovely little potatoes and yams. My problem is if they stay in the cupboard for longer than 3 days they start to turn soft and sprout. My supermarket potatoes seem to have a longer life. Am I doing something wrong? Is there a gadget I can buy to keep them in that will extend their life or are they sending old potatoes? Help!

I make a sauce of evoo or butter, chopped garlic, fresh lemon juice, s&p, pour over steamed broccoli. Delicious.

So on a whim last summer I planted sorrel in my garden. Now I have a HUGE amount and no idea what to do with it. Salad? Frittata? Help!

My husband is arriving at this hotel tonight after a frenetic snowy day in DC. I'm in LA and don't know Manhattan--I would love to order him something yummy to be delivered to his room--any ideas? He loves ethnic food. Thanks.

Looking for a restaurant with enough choices to appeal to a 5 yr old for dinner after the Music Center tonight. She loves Japanese food--any suggestions in Little Tokyo or surrounding area?

I've got to bring something chocolatey to a potluck for 40 people. I would like to find something memorable but not too labor intensive. I'm finding lots of brownie recipes but was hoping for something more interesting for a fairly inexperienced baker like me. Help!

Chowser: this recipe sounds perfect for a school-day breakfast. How long do you bake it in the cupcake tins? Do you think it would freeze well after baking? Thanks.