maiweezy's Profile
Foie Gras?
It's at the Farmer's Market Poultry stand which is just a few steps away from Puritan. Grade A is $46.95/lb and Grade B (leaner) is $36.95/lb. Hudson Valley brand.
LA Cheap Eats Food Tour--Any More Suggestions?
Great list and google map!
2 Taco stops I love:
Tacos Tamix (2 Locations - Pico and Westmoreland, S Hoover St & W 20th St) for delicious al pastor
Verdugo Taco Stand - Ave 33
LA Cheap Eats Food Tour--Any More Suggestions?
:(
So true, it's hard to get out under $10.
LA Cheap Eats Food Tour--Any More Suggestions?
Seobu Gamjatang is reported as CLOSED by yelp.
The man can cook! Shunji Japanese Cuisine [REVIEW + PHOTOS]
My meal was $75 pp omakase. $50 for the "omakase" portion, $25 for the sushi portion.
Shhhhhh......Shhhhhunji.....back in business
My meal breakdown for 2 ppl last night: $100 omakase $50 sushi $46 sake $8 pellegrino
Shunji Japanese Cuisine (Pico & Bundy, West L.A.), Our First Omakase (A Review)
You describe the tairagai perfectly! That was a brand-new experience for me last night and so good. It really made me marvel at his knife work - so many little cross hatches on the top which lead to the wonderful texture that you describe.
My version of the cold soup was a puree of mountain yam, a sweet gourd, burdock root, and guava.
He did 3 different preparations of the orange clam for us last night - the nigiri part, the scallop served on its own, but my favorite was the outside abductor ring that he served in a cut roll. It was so crunchy and tasty and really showed off the quality of his nori.
And no, I wouldn't describe you as too "exuberantly sycophantic." :) After returning to Shunji's last night I feel just as strongly as you do about the wonderful food he's producing here. He is a master of dashi, and the salt level on each dish is achingly perfect, especially for his cold vegetable preparations.
Surprise of the night for me - the middle of the meal featured a cheese course! A little ball of yellow potato with one type of cheese, purple potato ball with blue cheese, and a dollop of pureed ankimo in the middle. I don't know if he recently went to France or Peru to inspire such a choice, but it was very creative.
He ended our meal with a cut roll of freshly chopped wasabi. I had never had wasabi in that form before - the first bite made my head feel like it was on fire for about 4 seconds but after that dissipated I was left with a crunchy, sweet, refreshing end to the meal.
Our meal was $228 for 2 omakase, 2 300ml bottles of sake, 1 beer, and a bottle of sparkling water.
Shunji Japanese Cuisine (Pico & Bundy, West L.A.), Our First Omakase (A Review)
He pre-marinates the halibut with kelp, therefore "no soy sauce needed." :)
Shhhhhh......Shhhhhunji.....back in business
thranduil and Ciao Bob, how much did the meals run you? I assume you both did Omakase. Loved the original Shunji's and glad to hear he's back!
ISO Half Suckling Pig (OC or San Gabriel) for this Saturday
Woah. I got there in the nick of time. It was fantastic!
gōng xǐ fā cái - New Capital - Suckling Pig Pic
WOW! Looks amazing. Will have to try. How much for the order?
What's your fav ramen shop and why?
I was done with my ramen and my brother was still working on his tsukemen. By the end of the meal there were little globules of fat floating at the top of my bowl but I was finished. I guess that is pretty gross, sorry! It's definitely served hot enough.
Banh Mi in Reseda?
I agree that Bun Me is not totally authentic because of the bread, although the owner is trying to convince customers on yelp otherwise. The bread is so much squishier, more like a sub roll than a baguette - none of the malty flavor or crunch. I prefer to order sandwiches on the special (longer, thinner) baguette from Sandwich Express. Was always curious about the place in the same shopping center as Vinh Loi Tofu and La Baguette, but never had a chance to try. Seems like many more Viet shops are popping up around this area, which is exciting, though I'm no longer working around there.
Their charcuterie at Bun Me is solid though, and the pate is surprisingly livery, which I like. They also make a really excellent bo kho.
ISO Half Suckling Pig (OC or San Gabriel) for this Saturday
Just ordered my half from Elite, and resisted the temptation to order a whole. Thanks for the rec, really looking forward to piggy!
Others might like to know that you need to order it in person at the restaurant and pay when you order. Keep receipt for pickup.
PLEASE POST YOUR VOTES HERE: Ultimate Los Angeles Restaurants 2011
Is it too late to change? I'd like to change my under $25 to
Pailin Thai
Krua Siri
Tsujita
Shen Yang
Ikemen
Thoughts on DineLA2011
Craft is participating for Saturdays as well. I just booked mine for Saturday Jan 28th, and they'll be doing it on Feb 4th, too.
ISO Half Suckling Pig (OC or San Gabriel) for this Saturday
Having a smaller family get together than usual this coming weekend for Chinese/Vietnamese New Year, so looking to get a half suckling pig, already cut up. We can pick up in Orange County or the SGV. Price is no matter, we just want something really delicious with crispy skin and juicy meat, Chinese style.
Considering Lien Hoa or Capital Seafood in OC but we don't know which one is best anymore. Thanks in advance for the recs!
Vietnamese in Orange County (specific dishes)
So happy you liked it. The owner has another restaurant, Phuong's, on Taft and Westminster, in a shopping plaza (it's a little hard to see), which has more regular hours and no special events (so no bad Viet singing to enjoy / not enjoy while you eat!). For some reason, even though it's the same recipe and same owner, it doesn't seem to turn out as well, but it's still very good, and nice because they have regular hours.
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Phuong's Restaurant
10722 Westminster Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92843
PLEASE POST YOUR VOTES HERE: Ultimate Los Angeles Restaurants 2011
Over $25
Don Dae Gam
Sea Harbour (Dinner)
Picca
7015 Melrose Sushi & Sake (Formerly Shunji's)
Gorbals
Under $25
Pailin Thai
Krua Siri
Tsujita
Golden State
Ikemen
What's your fav ramen shop and why?
2nd Tsujita as my #1. Just bonkers delicious. The fat will congeal at the top before you're done with your meal, it's that gloriously rich.
Meet n' Potatoes Food Truck (Primanti Brothers-Style Sandwiches)?
I've had Meet n' Potatoes and Steel City. Meet n Potatoes by a mile! The pastrami is way better, the portions are much larger, the fries are better, and overall it's a tastier sandwich. Unfortunately I've never had the OG Primanti to compare.
Good Beer Bottle Shop in LA
Agree with the others on Total Wine and More, but when I'm not around there I'm at K&L Wines. I like it a little better than Cap n Cork, they have a more seasonal selection. Just picked up Russian River's Damnation #23 from K&L, which is the same as Damnation but double fermented and the flavors are amped up and delicious!
Vietnamese in Orange County (specific dishes)
1) Quan Hy. They're the only place that makes them thin enough for me. Ngu Binh is a little on the thicker side but I really love their banh uot.
2) Com Tam Thuan Kieu
3) Restaurant Royal Seafood but call to see if they're open, I keep forgetting which day they are closed. I too was very disappointed in Favori.
5) They don't have specialty goi cuon but Dat Thanh has really excellent goi cuon nem nuong. I don't like their chao tom but the nem nuong is really good, better than Brodard.
Jeff's Gourmet Sausage Factory by Thi
It's also a different cut of meat from the regular pastrami. They utilize a cut closer to the belly so it's much fattier, whereas the regular pastrami is the traditional brisket cut.
Jeff's Gourmet Sausage Factory by Thi
Great! I should add too that they are closed on Saturdays. Made that mistake once and I was left with a burning, unfulfilled desire for pastrami all day.
Jeff's Gourmet Sausage Factory by Thi
NEW FLASH! (From their Facebook Page): Old Fashioned Pastrami Sandwich is in!! - a ½ pound of hand-carved garlicky pastrami on crusty rye bread with deli mustard. Served with cole slaw and a pickle. LIMITED SUPPLY!
THANK THE PASTRAMI GODS ABOVE IT'S BACK!
El Bolivar in Chatsworth , is it still open?
I drove by the other day and it looks like it's shuttered :(
There's a sign out front saying there's a new Columbian restaurant coming in its place, I can't recall the name, but it was a male name starting with an S.
This is sad news, though it's not surprising. It was never very busy. Just glad I got to experience the cook's wonderful arepas while they were still around.
Ton Chan Ramen (SGV)
I asked the server where the fishiness in the tsukemen comes from, and he said they dry a fish called "ivoshi" (he said it's a small Japanese fish "kind of" similar to anchovy - did a google search but nothing came up on it though) then they grind it up with salt and add it to the tsukemen broth.
Regarding the saltiness, now having sampled a few other tsukemen bowls, Tonchan's is certainly on the saltier side, even for tsukemen. I like it though, the saltiness enhances the garlic and fishy elements.
I was very impressed by the number of competitors and times for the ramen speed eating challenge! Fastest time for the regular bowl was 1:57.
Ton Chan Ramen (SGV)
I took advantage of the non-carpocalypse to pop my tsukemen cherry, and I was very pleased with what Ton Chan has to offer. The broth is reduced to a thin gravy-like consistency, and served warm. Looks and tastes like they're using a healthy amount of the black garlic oil, but the garlic isn't overpowering - it lends itself well to the complex, salty flavor of the broth. Doesn't taste overwhelmingly or one dimensionally porky, which is nice.
I was a fool to ask for half thin, half thick noodles, but I wanted to try both. Definitely ordered an extra plate of the thick curly noodles for $1.50 which actually turned out to be a good call because there was more than enough dipping sauce to go with all the noodles. There's a healthy portion of chashu in the dipping suace, about 10-12 smaller pieces.
I liked the spam masubi - the rice was perfectly cooked. Could have used a thicker slice of spam, though. They have excellent hot sauce which is nice slathered on top of the musubi.
Place was pretty dead while Golden Deli had a long wait. Hope it does well. the people seem really nice - I got great service even while the Women's World Cup was playing!
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Golden Deli
815 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776
help with lunch in Chatworth please
My top recommendation would be Bolivar, bless Thi Nguyen for finding this lovely place: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/778790. Insanely good arepas and the two of you could share a giant meat platter! Nothing like bonding over various fried pork parts.
Other recs besides the ones already mentioned in the thread, though, I'm not 100% sure if these are open on Saturdays, I'm only in Chatsworth M-F:
Omino Sushi
Sushi USA (Omino has better sushi but I like the bento boxes at Sushi USA)
My Thai - not good ambiance but the food's good, they have some regional specialties like khao soi, hard to find at other Thai places in the valley
Buenos Aires Grill - good sandwiches, steaks
Jose Antonio Peruvian & Chinese Cuisine - LOVE the stewed tripe dish
San Carlo Italian Deli - a local fav, might not be good for sit-down lunch as it's a small space
Miller's Sensational Salads & Sandwiches - food is only OK but i love the owners and ambiance
Reseda:
Que Huong (or Pho 999 or Pho So 1, all on the same block- Que Houng is newer and tastier in my opinion)
Vinh Loi Tofu - vegetarian / vegan Viet food
Tampa Garden Chinese Delight - a chowhound fave, order jiazoi http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/741602
Shamshiri
Winnetka:
Fab Hot Dogs
White Rabbit - I am obsessed with their sisig burrito.
Johnny Pacific - Empanadas
Woodland Hills:
German Cold Cuts International - I buy cold cuts and sausage here regularly, the sandwiches are great, though the space is super tiny.
Grandma Kim's Family Diner - OK korean food
Henri's - AWESOME chicken fried steak
Go's Mart - EXPENSIVE but really good sushi, but don't go if you don't like truffle oil because he uses it a lot
Asal Bakery and Kabob - AMAZING Sangak. A bread that inspires some poetic prose from fellow hounds: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/781761. This bread is the TRUTH. And they do special items on the weekends... but I just can't get myself to drive BACK to where I have to commute to M-F just for some lamb brain. Or can I? Maybe one day.
Northridge:
Small Island - my very favorite chicken katsu with curry in all the land, good ramen
Lum-Ka-Naad Thai Restaurant - I've never been but they have an authentic Issan AND southern menu, been meaning to check it out
King's Burgers - Old school burgers and sandwiches, and, sushi!
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Go's Mart
22330 Sherman Way, Los Angeles, CA 91303
Shamshiri Restaurant
19249 Roscoe Blvd, Northridge, CA 91324
San Carlo Italian Deli
10178 Mason Ave, Chatsworth, CA 91311
Buenos Aires Grill
8856 Corbin Ave, Northridge, CA 91324
Vinh Loi Tofu
18625 Sherman Way Ste 101, Reseda, CA 91335
German Cold Cuts International
6019 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
King's Burgers
9345 Reseda Blvd, Northridge, CA 91324
My Thai
21714 Devonshire St, Chatsworth, CA 91311
Omino Sushi
20959 Devonshire St, Chatsworth, CA 91311
Sushi USA
9800 Topanga Canyon Blvd Ste C, Chatsworth, CA 91311
Tampa Garden
8241 Tampa Ave, Reseda, CA 91335
Asal Bakery
20008 Ventura Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91364
White Rabbit Cafe
8316 Winnetka Ave, Los Angeles, CA 91306
