dlayiga's Profile
Giorgio Baldi
I went to Giorgio's last night, and I can say that I was not looking forward to it, given the reviews I have been reading online. Up until about 3 years ago, I used to go with my family at least monthly, sometimes two or three times in a month, and the memories I have are positive ones. For some reason, however, for about the last year, reviews have been horrible and I was leery about going back. Fortunately, my experience was highly enjoyable. We had a reservation, and were sat almost immediately upon arrival. Giorgio's daughter wasn't running it, which was a weird change from the old days, but maybe it was her night off. Our server was prompt, but did not rush us. He let us go through two bottles of water before he took our order, but it took us that long to figure out what we wanted anyway, so it was perfect. I had the Scampi and Roasted Pepper Risotto and the Frittura di Mare, both of which were delicious. I was disappointed because the "scampi" in the Risotto were rock shrimp, and not real scampi, but it was still a delicious risotto, perfectly cooked. The Frittura was good as well. Ironically, in addition to the calimari, there was a Norway Lobster, fried to perfection. (Norway Lobster is what Scampi should be) All in all, a very pleasant experience.
New Cajun/Creole in NoHo
I'm confused. Is Creo's a Creole place, or a barbecue place? Being from Louisiana, I tend to avoid any restaurant out here with Cajun or Creole in the name, because, when it comes down to it, I have never really been impressed. It seems that restaurants here pick up the whole thing as a gimmick, but don't support it with worthwhile food. Also, I'd love for once to go to a restaurant that actually knows the difference between cajun and creole food, as everyone out here seems to think they're the same thing.
BUTCHERS
I've also been curious about this for a while now, but for a different reason. I don't care about beef, because I don't eat much of it, but where in the this town can one go to get good game meats? I mean rabbit, hare, duck, guinea fowl, squab, partridge, pheasant, grouse, &c... I have found rabbit once in a bristol farms, but the only other thing i can find is duck, and it's almost always frozen, never fresh. I would also love to find a butcher who can give me a whole chicken, with feet and head, and chicken blood.
How dressy is Fraiche on a week night?
I dunno about right at home. Maybe for lunch, but I don't know about dinner. Call me crazy, but I find it somewhat tacky to wear flip-flops anywhere but the beach or pool, especially not in a high end restaurant. I guess that's just LA, though.
Mako Tasting Menu(Omakase)
I love this! I've known Mako and Lisa for going on 17 years now, since they were both at Chinois on Main, and watching the restaurant grow and gain such popularity makes me so happy. They really are two of the nicest people around, not to mention providing some of my favorite food in LA. My family was just there Tuesday night for a tasting of the menu at Mako's new resaturant, Robata-ya, which is opening up on Sawtelle in a week or so. Very different from the normal Mako fare, but just as amazing.
Mr. Cecil's BBQ on Ventura. Is it worth it?
YES! Zeke's is probably my favorite BBQ joint in LA right now. Their pulled pork sandwiches are singularly amazing. And their texas toast kicks ass, as well. Not to mention Mexican Coca-Cola!
Mr. Cecil's BBQ on Ventura. Is it worth it?
I had a horrible experience at Boneyard, but I will agree that Cecil's is not even worth the drive.
Wonderful Food Amidst The Stars - Spago Beverly Hills [Review] w/ Pics!
As much as I hear people say how mediocre the food at Spago is, it is one of the few places in Los Angeles where I have consistently had an amazing meal. Of course, this may be because for the last nine years, I have ordered maybe four different things on the menu, and none of them all that adventurous. It's not that I am an unadventurous eater, it's just that when you find something you really love, and you know it will always be perfect, it takes a very, very tempting offer to make me change my mind. Part of my love of this restaurant, I suppose, also stems from being a relatively regular customer. When my mother still lived in LA, we went at least once a month, and that lasted about 8 years, so we got to know the servers and the host staff quite well, and, thankfully, never had to sit inside, but it's just nice to walk into a restaurant where, no matter how chi-chi it may be, the staff still know your name.
