You never see apple butter here.

You will MISS Wise Potato Chips, that's for sure! Also Chinese Won Ton Soup and Eggrolls too....eggrolls out west are spring rolls. Very hard to come by a decent eggroll.

Wedding Soup is another big missing item out here. And pizza is very different. You can get good pizza, but not like the kind in Pittsburgh and New York. You won't see much if any of any kind of Polish food and not a lot of earthy Italian food (lots of upscale Italian though). Soft pretzels will more likely have sugar on them instead of salt, the very common fried fish sandwich which every restaurant in Pittsburgh seems to have; you will NEVER see here.

Speaking of Pittsburgh bakeries; does anyone remember Stangnos? They used to make a nuthorn that was fantastic. I've never had anything like it since. Is there any place in Pittsburgh that tries to replicate it?

I'm spending several days in Cambridge in Chesapeake Bay; but will also be traveling around the entire island a lot. Can anyone give me advice on great crab shacks and other restaurants? Looking for great food of course, especially crabs, but also if any have any great views or vistas, on water or views of marshlands also much appreciated!! Thank you.

I went to see West Side Story last night and the restaurant was closed! I was there just a few weeks ago to see Catch Me If Y ou can and it was alive and well. Anyone know if it's temporary or permanent?

I went to an Italian right at the center of the mall, I think it La Piazza, and it was absolutely terrible, so this time, I thought I would check in with the hounds first. The Whisper looks intersesting as does the Morel French Steakhouse...but let me know where you think the best dining experience is. Thank you all!

omigosh, I will make a pilgrimage!! I've never had a cider donut, but a fresh hot donut is always a great experience, so I'll be sure to get there. And no, there are no cider donuts in L.A., that's for sure!

Thank you all for the advice!!! It was Madeo's that I was thinking about, but I couldn't get a last minute reservation in the "right" room and I was afraid the Siberia room would not have quite the effect. I did take my guest previously to Dan Tana's, a place I've always loved, especially late night (I used to go there with my friend Frank Gorshin). There was something fun about hanging out at the bar with people smoking when it had long been banned in restaurants (although I do know they finally put a stop to that). Dan Tana's though is just a bit too much of a crush at times (I mean litterally I get a little nervous sitting at those tiny tables with waiters passing trays of veal sambucca over my head), but no matter how crowed, you gotta love the place!!
I was interested in trying Craig's but a friend who went there was very disappointed in the quality of the food and said it wasn't Dan Tana's.
So while I fully intend to go check out Madeo's, Mateo's and Dominick's (all places I've never been) -- have been to La Dolce Vita, gotta try it again, it's been awhile and when I was a couple of times previouslyit was kind of deserted.
So....I ultimately veered off course and ended up at 208 Rodeo in the 2 Rodeo complex (the little cafe restaurant across from the patio at McCormick &Schmick. Not at all "brat packy" -- LOVE that term!!, but it was a beautiful warm night and made for great al fresco dining during the heat wave (I love eating outside away from LA traffic speeding by). The food was excellent and great service, so a good night was had by all.
In the meantime, the next night we went to Bier Beahl (my spelling is off), which was also excellent, and is certainly attracting some old Hollywood types for the excellent German food -- check out my post on that experience.

Hi Ciao Bob, we had an absolutely excellent meal! What a find this place is! We were a party of three and I had the bratwurst to start and the other two had the wurst that is really pale served in creme and onions (weiswurst?). The latter dish was a bit too bland for my palate but they enjoyed it. I loved the brats and it was the very best saurkraut I have ever had; in fact, I would say this is the first time I really had "real" saurkraut. Tasted like it was made with apple cider almost. Truly excellent, full of flavor kraut!
And then, not being very original, we all ordered the veal snitzel, and again, a revolution! I'm generally not a big fan of the flattend (often to dry and bland) weinersnitzel, and this was truly a surprise. Absolutely succullent, moist and delicoius. The service was excellent, albeit a little clumsy because of the tight quarters; but the waiter recommended a wonderful dark beer that went wonderfully with the meal; along with the german potato salad to go with the snitzel; again, not like any german potato salad I ever had before. Excellent. Every morsal is made and served with love for the homeland here. Dispite the high tech decor, I felt like I was in an Austrian's living room. I hate to recommend this place; there won't be any room for me next time I go! But, it is worthy of my highest recommendation. Loved it! (And for all those wo are not fans of German or Austrian food...that was me; I'm a convert now!)

I never heard of the place, but it's sold out tonight so it must have something going for it. What you hounds say?

Thank you all, already for such great recommendations. I'll only be there three days, right around Saturday, October 13 - 16. I want to catch fall, and I know this isn't near enough time (I"m en route to my hometown, Pittsburgh, where I'm having a big one man show), but I hope to come back for a longer trip in the spring.

I don't know where I'm staying yet, at first I thought I would use Essex as my home base, but maybe I want to drive around and stay in different places, so as to see as much of hte "Great Marsh" as I can. But maybe it's all driveable in day trips?

I loved the stuffed artichoke at Pane e Vino (I was so depressed when they closed!), an interesting version stuffed with panzanella. Does anyone know a restaurant with something similiar?

And thinking about that artichoke got me to thinking about the stuffed artichokes my Italian grandmother made, the old fashioned kind with breadcrumbes and double steamed artichokes....anyone know where a good one is to be found?

And then that makes me remember Italian wedding soup. Chicken broth base with escarole or spinach, with the tiny pasta balls called asina de pepi (my spelling is off there), but most importantly small meatballs that are light and not like rocks! But right now, I'd kill for any kind of wedding soup, even if it's not the version I remember.

ALl hound advice appreciaited!!!!

Looking for old style Hollywood type restaurants in the Beverly Hills area to take a visiting New Yorker. We've already been to the Polo Lounge. Anythink like a Musso & Frank but in Beverly Hills area?

I think there's an Italian restaurant on Beverly Blvd. near Cedar Sinae and the Beverly Center (Mateo's???); is that any good and can anyone help me out the name?

I'm looking for a place reminiscent of the old Jimmy's but not real loud like Mastro's gets.
And I need to be able to get in without a reservation tonight around 6:30pm.

Help!!

I'm planning a photo expedition to the essex area (Ipswich, etc.) to explore the huge marsh that's there starting with the fantastic grey house that almost sits in the marsh (it's known as Motif #2 -- but if anyone has more info on it; I'd appreciate it!!!) and it's across from a clam shack but I can't remember the name. I was in the area 25 years ago and loved it!

I think I stayed in Cape Ann, visited Bass Rocks and Rockport. If anyone has any recommendations on great places to eat while taking in the sights (and recommend any great restaurants or clam shacks tucked away in great settings), I would love to hear about them. I'm an artist and I love to paint marshes; I'm obsessed. And of course I love the lobster rolls, the steamers and friend clams which I just can't get here in Los Angeles!!

Any advise very much appreciated!!

Is JT Farnhams the clam shack that's next to that magnificent house on the marsh; the one that's known as Motif #2? Usually lots of artists and photographers hanging around? I was in the area 25 years ago and planning on a return trip next month. Can anyone tell me exactly where this is?

Need a restaurant in Century City/Beverly Hills that's good but not as expensive as the places usually recommended i.e. Cut, Mastros, Craft etc.

There are lots of other restaurants around like Cafe Roma that while not making anyone's top ten list; they're not bad either. This is for a visiting New Yorker who already has access to great restaurants..so I'm looking for places that might be more unique to LA. I'm thinking about Frida's (Dan Tanas is too crowded and uncomfortable) or restaurants more in that type price range. $50 per person is what I'm looking to spend.

Help! There have to be more good little restaurants around this town!!

About 5 years ago I went to a place called the Safari Room that had decent prime rib for a really reasonable price....you may want to check that out.

Visiting New Yorker, has appointment in Beverly Hills before and after lunch, meeting with colleagues from Santa Monica. Last year's visit, we went to Wilshire which was perfect. Looking for something along those lines...suggestions?

Check out the Penhouse restaurant at the Huntly Hotel. Gorgeous room, fabulous beach views and I'm guessing on Saturday not so busy so they might work with you. Also Lowes hotel has some nice spaces with great views. Both of these places have the style and class of The Lobster and should be much, much less.

I won't say it's necessarily the "best" pastrami, but I LOVE Greenblatt's in Hollywood and don' think anyone has mentioned it yet. Great pickles too! And go at night and you'll almost always catch comedians from the comedy club next door so good odds of a celeb sighting too.

And if you're craving a steak house experience on a budget, they will serve their $20 burger from their lunch menu at night. An exceptional burgher, and the best part, no having to choose between fries or onion rings, it comes with both! Add a well martini during happy hour ($7) and don't forget the basket of complimentary home made chips....you'll be sated and cholesterol clogged for just around $30.

I've had lunch and dinner on the top floor restaurant at the Huntly Hotel (the aptly named, Penthouse). Food is seasonal and both times excellent. Last night I had the moules frite and was blown away by the quality of the dish and the portion was surprisingly huge! I had expected a few mussels in broth in a flat soup bowl, but I received a large terrine with a perfectly balanced broth (just the right creaminess), and a side of crispy, nicely browned pomme fritte (again, a heaping side plate (although served in a small fry basket). Tuna tartare was also very ample for an appetizer portion, with a hint of lime and a few button-sized home made potato chips for a light crunch. Steak tartare was also nicely done with a quail egg and very generously portioned (again for an appetizer...it was the size of what many restaurants would serve as an entree at twice the price). It would have been better if it had two quail eggs instead of one, considering hte size. Prices were $18 for moules frite, and (I believe)$14 and $15 for the tuna and steak tartare's respectively. It's a beautiful all white restaurant with dark wood floors and one of the best view restaurants in L.A. I am definately going back!

I agree, Ivy for lunch and Palm for dinner. Please do not expect good food at the Ivy, it's heavy, cloying and inconsistant. And I can't vouch for the star gazing, I haven't seen a serious star there in years (the hey dey for this place was eons ago). The Palm is at least good, consistent Steak/Lobster House.

I second Frito Misto!!!! Wonderful pasta!!

I couldn't agree more that Pho 999 (across the street from Ranch Market) is MUCh better than the Pho place next to Ranch Market. (Love the Sam Woo duck place though; we're talking about the other side). Food quality at Pho 999 is excellent. I had a beef Pho at the Ranch market place and we had to feed it to the dog it was so fatty! And while I can appreciate the family dining style, Pho 999 is so much more ogranized and you can get a nice big booth instead of being squished in to tables at the other. Once I dined at Pho 999 I'll never go back to the other again (and I shop at Ranch Market all the time).

-----
Sam Woo Cafe
727 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Looking for really good Mom & Pop shop-type restaurants generally found tucked away in strip malls (although strip mall not absolutely required if you have a good place!).

I'll start off with a little Portuguese Bakery (or so I thought). It's called Natas Pastries at 13317 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks (right next door to Casa Vega) A couple of tables outside, but not being a bakery person, I never paid much attention. From the outside it looks like a casual cafe for breakfast and lunch, but then driving by there was a sign that said $10 dinner specials. Now I was curious so I checked it out.

As you approach, all you see is basically a tiny little shop with a bakery case (and the pastries all look terrific -- but as I said, I'm not a bakery person), but THEN low and behold, through an archway to the left, the cutest little dining room!! Done beautifully with Portuguese tile, I was SHOCKED at what a great little dining room this was. And fairly elegant for what appeared to be a little cafe.

I had the $10 special (also available at lunch) which was half a chicken, salad and baked fries. The fries were actually rosoemary red skin potatoes that were cubed; not fries at all and they were not very good....too much oil and not cooked in a hot enough oven to get crispy. But the chicken was good and the salad, typical side salad stuff. The toasted homemade bread in the basket was exceptional however; and a neighboring table was slurping down a Portuguese vegetable soup that certainly looked very good. Menu items are intersting and large entrees ranged between $12 - $16. So while I can't say it's a home run on exceptional food quality yet....the jury is still out, I'll definately go back and try other things on the menu. The ambiance was certainly wonderful. Beer and wine are available.

And on the other hand, went to a little pizza place that looked like it could be a gem, Santino's NY Pizza on Woodman (jusst in from the corner of Ventura) and it was AWFUL! Now we did NOT order pizza and after seeing reviews on other sites, maybe this is the only thing they can do (but a lot of complaints on the pizza front too). We had a ceasar salad that was basically a bowl of romaine lettuce with crutons that tasted like they came out of a box at Ralph's. Totally worthless. I ordered eggplant parmesian...there was no parmesian! A few slices of breaded eggplant (dry!!!) sitting on a pile of spagetti with red sauce. The red sauce was ok, but the eggplant is clearly held on the side so it can either go on a plate or on a bun. My husband's chicken parmesian was dry and partially burned as were the cookies in the case on the counter. Santino clearly has no sense of quality, I think he'll just shovel anyting out to unsuspecting custoemrs. So ignore all the celebrity photos on the wall and avoid this place!

Let's hear what the other hounds have to say!! Let's find some great places!!!

I live nearby on Beverly Glen and over the last 10 years have been there about 5 times. Each time I go, I vow never again. The food for me has always been totally mediocre and if you are there late the wait staff will practically shovel you out the door. So totally no reason whatsoever to go there. It's too bad because there are so few upscale Chinese restaurants. Chi Dynasty is where I go for a nice setting, but definately Sepulveda or Chinatown for the food quality.

-----
Chi Dynasty
12229 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA 91604

I'm a huge fan of Bay Cities in Santa Monica and Monte Carlo/Pinochio in Burbank, and I am happy to report a new fabulous find in Torrance (right in the heart of the old section) called Daniela's Italian Deli.
It's more cafe than deli, although there is a counter to order cut meats and cheese, and you can take out anything on their extenisvie menu. We had a meat and cheese deli tray, home made soups (lentil and chicken noodle), Italian sausage and peppers and a margarita pizza. Every bite was delectable!
The soups were authentically home made, delicious and fresh and made Italian style. Instead of a weak yellow broth, my chicken soup was a rich amber with evidience of tomatoes, definately an Italian version of the soup. The lentil soup was briming with vegetables and a rich beefy taste.
The sausage was one of the best I've ever had in LA, and the sauce thick, rich and hearty. The pizza, had one of the best thin crusts I've ever had in LA and I'm including all kinds of upscale expensive restaurants. And the prices here are just CRAZY!! Not only is it way less than any Italian restaurant, but we're talking a fraction of the cost of Bay Cities (about 1/4 to 1/3).
All you hounds got to get this place before it get's discovered and the lines are 10 deep (like Bay cities). It's a true gem and well worth the trip to find it.

Daniela's Italian Deli
1231 Cabrillo
Torrance, CA

(it's a little hard to find; we stumbled on it) -- across from a place called "The Firehouse" and in between two Japanese restaurants in an apartment courtyard. Right in old town (on Cabrillo, which is across from that huge Honda building). GREAT PLACE to go when you're in town for the antique show once a month!

Any recomendations for the Hollywood, West Hollywood (dare I even venture - Beverly Hills) area? West LA is good too....looking for recomendations for anything Asian, or just any place that's fairly reasonable. One of our people is on a budget, but not so cheap as to torture everyone else!!

Most importantly, pretty darn good food! Thanks hounds!!! (Did I mention this is for tonight!!!)

Hi ShaLeah, I'm the original poster of the message (formerly hail from Penn Hills). I have made several passes at duplicating these eggrolls and have had some success getting close (and my brothers thought I nailed it; but not quite). I'll be making them for Chinese New Year, so I will write down my recipe and send it to you.