Cubancoffee's Profile
New to Eagle Rock - Recs for Family Owned Restaurants
Afraid I have the same opinion of Sicha Siam. We moved nearby not long ago and the one time we tried it the food was totally flavorless, except for all the salt (MSG?). Thai Spirit was half a block from our previous digs and after two or three attempts we couldn't mount any enthusiasm. Really good Thai in the area would be most welcome.
New to Eagle Rock - Recs for Family Owned Restaurants
I love Polka also, but often feel like the service is rushed and -- oddly -- somewhat inattentive at the same time (i.e., can't get a beverage refilled but the check is presented five minutes after the dessert). We're not dawdlers by any means, so it can be off-putting.
Christmas Day Meal...
The LA Times' food blog has a list of restaurants that will be open (sorry I don't know how to do a hyperlink): http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2011/12/christmas-and-new-years-roundup-2011.html
New to Eagle Rock - Recs for Family Owned Restaurants
In Glendale, hard by Eagle Rock, we like Scarantino's. Nothing fancy, but dependable and comfortable Italian. And we will not go to any another taco truck than the La Estrella permanently parked on York at about Ave. 54. Also, El Huarache Azteca and Arco Iris on York for Mexican. Las Casuelas on Figueroa for Salvadoran.
Back in Eagle Rock, Senor Fish has some good dishes but is expensive, IMO. Pollo a Las Brasas is better-than-average Peruvian.
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El Huarache Azteca
5225 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Scarantino's
2055 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA
Menu recommendations for the Raymond?
By decree, the anniversary dinner is going to be there. I know this place has an uneven reputation on this board. Are there any "best-bet" options on the menu that anyone can suggest?
ISO Asian in Highland Park, Glassell Park, Eagle Rock
Have lived in the area for almost two years and have found the Asian options lacking. Lemongrass is good, yes. Blue Hen is good, but the atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired IMHO. Any suggestions for a pleasant Chinese/Thai/whatever meal with friends would be appreciated.
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Blue Hen
1743 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041
Santa Barbara weekend trip
If I might piggyback on this thread. We are planning a similar trip soon but will able to splurge only a couple of times. For in between, can anyone recommend chow-worthy spots in the area (we're also planning side trips to Solvang and Ojai) for tourists on a budget? Mom-and-pops and/or holes in the wall and seafood joints preferred. Thanks.
Late breakfast in Santa Monica, early dinner in Malibu, where?
What we did: Our guests picked out Cora's for brunch, mainly because it was across the street from their hotel, and it was fine ... except for the interminable wait for a table for four while at least a dozen couples were seated at tables for two. Service was a bit inattentive but responsive. Dinner at Sunset after the Getty Villa was perfect. Just nice enough for adults' comfort and just casual enough for our late-afternoon relaxation. We sat in the second floor dining room as a beach wedding was performed below. Our server was excellent. Thanks for all your suggestions.
Late breakfast in Santa Monica, early dinner in Malibu, where?
Recs welcome for dining options to bookend our visit to the Getty Villa with out-of-town guests staying in Santa Monica. Nice but not necessarily fancy for breakfast, with good service. Something casual with a view and a good seafood menu and good service for dinner. One of our visitors has been to the Reel Inn and suggests going back there. Thanks for your advice.
Jury Duty, Downtown LA, lunch recs?
Grand Central market: Tomas y Tumbras. Awesome tortas (I go for the milanesa) and tacos. It will be mobbed but the line moves fast. I find the food at the farmers market at city hall way overpriced.
Figueroa Produce Vegetable of the Week Tuesday Food Truck Event
Note to Fig Produce fans, they told me a couple of weeks ago they will soon be opening a second location on Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock in the strip mall just west of the Tommy's burger. Produce only, no meat.
I am looking to buy real Italian Mortodella.?
You might call the Italian Bakery in Eagle Rock if it's close to you. They have a small deli case, and make mortadella sandwiches. Not sure if it's imported.
ISO dry-pack scallops
I stopped by the F&E closest to my house today and grilled the manager, who assured me their scallops are dry-pack. They are a bit smaller than what you might find in a restaurant, but aren't swimming in that accursed chemical. What a relief. We're going to have some this weekend. Thanks for the rec!
ISO dry-pack scallops
Thanks, I knew the STP story already from the celebrity chefs who advise me on scallop shopping. That's why I was looking for the dry-pack. Costco is such a madhouse, but it sounds like it's the only dependable option.
ISO dry-pack scallops
I'll call Fish King and F&E, though I fear "fresh never frozen" doesn't necessarily mean they haven't been soaked in that nasty chemical TSP we've been warned about.
ISO dry-pack scallops
We'd like to cook a scallop dinner at home. All the sources we consult for recipes strongly recommend dry-pack scallops. Can anyone suggest a local source?
La Mascota Bakery Tamales
We have been enjoying the tamales from Mom's Tamales on Pasadena Ave. in Lincoln Heights. They have about a half-dozen varieties, but we usually go with green chicken, chicken mole and pork. Has anyone else had them and have an opinion of how they compare with other board favorites?
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Mom's Tamales
3328 Pasadena Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90031
Buff Wings - Eagle Rock
Last time I looked as I was driving by there was a CLOSED sign in the window in the middle of the day.
Rutabagas!
I grew up enjoying these mild cousins of the turnip as a summer side dish. Back then we got them from our country cousins who lived on a farm. I've never seen them in a grocery story or farmer's market here. Has anybody else?
Dinner on Friday between Glendale and Los Feliz
I haven't been there in a year or so, but I would suggest Cliff's Edge. I like the atmosphere and I think they stack up pretty well in all your categories (but wouldn't be a winner of any). They have valet parking or you can usually find a spot on a side street if you don't mind walking a half-block or so. It's not exactly between Glendale and Los Feliz (maybe Tam O' Shanter?).
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Cliff's Edge
3626 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026
In Town For U2 in Pasadena...Breakfast Suggestions?
Reviving this thread to ask for updates/specifics on South Pas breakfast. Mike and Anne's sounds good. Do you recall which menu items you enjoyed most? Is there likely to be a wait for a table on Saturday mid-morning? Any other South Pas specific recs out there? Holes in the wall and nothin-fancy-just-honest-tasty-grub greasy spoons included.
Eagle Rock lunch places?
We have tried to like Larkins, but as a son of the South I find most of their dishes a bit off. I understand reinventing classic dishes, but boneless, skinless fried chicken just isn't fried chicken IMHO. And the sewer gas smell the last time we were there made dining on the patio impossible.
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Larkin's
1496 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041
San Diego from NYC for 5 days/4 nights
EVERYTHING they gave us to sample was excellent (except one dish with nopales, which I don't care for). We went for the special each day: two main dishes plus rice and beans and steamed corn tortillas. In the course of two breakfasts we tried the chilaquiles, chicken in roasted tomatillo sauce, chicken mole, pork in red sauce, chiles rellenos and chicken in a cilantro sauce. All just like my mamita would have made, if I were Latino.
San Diego from NYC for 5 days/4 nights
Thanks for all who suggested Super Cocina. We had breakfast there twice during our July 4 weekend visit and consider it one of the highlights of the trip. The owner, while shoving sample after mouthwatering sample at us, said he had intentionally hired cooks from all different regions of Mexico over the years to add extra authenticity to his dishes. I believe him! Everything tasted like it came from a roadside shack in the Mexican countryside. A real gem and fabulous value. Thanks again.
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Super Cocina
3627 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92104
Eagle Rock lunch places?
Can't believe no one has mentioned the La Estralla taco truck that's pretty much permanently parked at the (formerly) Valero gas station at Colorado & Highland View. One of the best taco trucks in town. I would not recommend Taco Spot unless you're looking for gringo Mexican food.
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Taco Spot
2006 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041
dRed 0 - The "Mr. Chow-is-to-Chinese" Mexican Equivalent
Whether we like it or not, 10 p.m. IS late by L.A. standards and no amount of complaining here will turn us into other metro areas, let alone Europe. Everyone has to be in make-up by 5 a.m., dontcha know.
MOST OUTSTANDING BURRITOS IN LOS ANGELES AREA
I wonder if people realize how provincial they sound when they proclaim that This Style of (insert name of food) from (insert another city) is the Only Authentic Style of (insert name of food) on the planet. Vive la difference, I say, and if you're pining for something you can't get here: 1) You have a good excuse to go back and visit that "authentic" place; 2) Consider opening your own restaurant; 3) Learn to love your local variations. Badmouthing a regional style of food is somewhat close-minded, IMHO. Rant over.
Yamashiros? yes or no
Everyone should go to Yamashiro once. You've been.
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Yamashiro
1999 North Sycamore Ave., Hollywood, CA 90068
Grand Central Market - best lunch?
Tomas y Tumbras has good tacos, burritos and tortas. Don't get the combo plate unless you're very hungry or have a lot of time for lunch.
Great knife skills class in LA, preferably Eastside?
Just FYI, the "PCC" in NPR station KPCC stands for Pasadena City College.
