sky21's Profile
ISO Good Raw Oysters on the Westside (that won't break the bank)
Their Prime Time looks like a great deal...thanks!
ISO Good Raw Oysters on the Westside (that won't break the bank)
Thanks! I do go down to Captain Kidd's from time to time for fresh steamed crab...now I'll have to add Quality Seafood to the itinerary.
ISO Good Raw Oysters on the Westside (that won't break the bank)
We're looking for a place a la Acme Oyster House in the French Quarter in New Orleans to satisfy a craving for lots and lots of fresh oysters on the half shell (talkin' at least a couple of dozens) at an affordable price (would jump at $1/oyster but would settle for something under $2...is that unrealistic?). Been to Ocean Ave. and the Sat. Santa Monica farmer's market on Arizona...but am hoping to find something cheaper so that we could eat to our hearts' content.
coffee beans- need great flavor
You can try the beans at Coupa Cafe in Beverly Hills (they're from Venezuela). I only tried the Coupa Blend (regular, not organic)...not as good as the coffee I had in Venezuela but still nice to have around for a change.
Coupa Cafe
419 N Canon Dr (at Brighton Way)
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
https://coupacafe.com
New England style clambake
Tried out Henry's Hat. Verdict: not worth a repeat visit.
Upon entering, you go and order at the bar, they give you a number and you sit down at a table. They bring over your beverage, a roll of paper towels, flatware and condiments (I was amused when they brought me ketchup for my clambake).
My order arrived on a mini paella-style pan, with about 4 pieces each of mussels, clams and shrimp. One of the clams was sealed shut...luckily I knew that it needed to be tossed. In the mix were also sliced andouille sausage, corn on the cob, potatoes and 2 slices of toasted bread/croutons.
It was almost like a soup, and the thick broth/sauce was overly salted. It also had a lot of grit. The sausage pieces were very hard and chewy. There were some small pieces of cilantro...wasn't sure if was meant to be a garnish or if it accidentally happened to fall into the dish.
ISO Chicken Wings -- all kinds ...
don't know if the search is still on but...Hot Wings on melrose...traditional buffalo style with diff heat levels.
7011 melrose ave (bet la brea and highland)
323-930-1233
http://www.hotwingscafe.net
New England style clambake
Are there any places (apart from private clubs, of course) that serve it, pref on the west side?
Where can I find sweet corn ice cream?
they sure do. island pacific, seafood city and others. most popular brands are magnolia and sorbetes. the corn and cheese one is pretty darn good, too.
Sunday Birthday/Fathers Day Lunch
Although you can find better food elswhere (and it's a buffet), the gospel brunch at the House of Blues would certainly be unique. They have a 10a and a 1p seating. I think it's $40-something plus the option to get unlimited bloody mary/mimosa for an additional $15.
Best Los Angeles Cheap Prix Fixe?
Brunello Trattoria has a happy hour 3-course prix fixe menu. I don't remember the details but it was offered only during certain times and it was at a great price (I think $12 or $15.
Brunello Trattoria
6001 Washington Blvd
Culver City 90232
Phone: (310) 280-3856
http://www.brunellotrattoria.com/
Sushi-imbecile desperately seeking help
the quality of the sushi at haru sushi and roll cafe (on the north side of san vicente just east of la cienega) is excellent. they don't have a huge variety because they're small and they go to the fish market downtown every morning and only get what's best that day. on the cooked side, i love their miso cod. the green tea ice cream with a drizzle of brown sugar syrup and a dusting of soy powder is quite something else.
it's a humble place that serves organic products and blends their own lower sodium soy sauce and makes their own great, gingery miso. they have beer and wine. the waitress/co-owner harumi is charming. if you tell her what you said in your post (you're doing it for your bf and aren't a big sushi eater), i think she'll treat you even better because she'll understand and appreciate your intentions/"sacrifice." her fiance/co-owner is one of the sushi chefs and it was his dream to have a sushi place of his own and she busts her behind in order to make it work out.
the prices are incredibly reasonable, especially for the amazing quality you get. if you're so inclined, this would be the perfect place to venture into the sushi world (great quality, affordable and helpful staff who are very accommodating).
it's nothing fancy so if you want that kind of a place for his b-day, i'd go somewhere else. but, if it's really just about the sushi and each other's company, i'd give haru a try.
hope you two have a wonderful dinner.
Haru Sushi & Roll Cafe
480 S San Vicente Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 782-0547
3 nights in Napa - looking for restaurant suggestions
In case it's not too late, here's my opinion of Auberge. I dined there on Sunday night (6/14/09) and wouldn't waste my money there again. The bar seemed like a better option if you wanted to take in the views.
Setting
Beautiful. We sat on the patio deck and the space heaters did their work just fine.
Ambiance
Depends. We were seated next to a party of four and the 2 women were obnoxiously loud and shared their x-rated, foul-mouthed opinions with everyone (I've uttered my share of them; but in a more appropriate place and time). One woman nearly fell when trying to go to the bathroom. Clearly, they had had way more juice than they could handle and their male companions looked thoroughly embarassed. My tolerance for this kind of nuisance is pretty high and I wasn't there for a romantic evening so it turned out to be the show part of "dinner and a show." I was surprised that management didn't have a word with them and that no one complained since all the diners at the surrounding tables gave each other looks once they left. After the party's departure, it got better for a while and then we were treated to other sounds. Although not as intrusive, loud clanking noises came up from downstairs and kept going for a while, like someone was having a frustrating time finding something in the kitchen and took it out on all the pots and pans and rolling trays.
Food
I think the best way to describe it is that each dish felt like a 6-degrees-of-kevin-bacon game. There were too many things going on in pretty much every course and all the parts didn't go well together. It was like one element went well with another and that one went well with something else but that something else didn't taste good with the first element. There were hits and misses on each plate.
service
Our team of servers (those who served the plates, those who cleared them, those who made sure your water glass was filled, and those who made sure you had enough bread) was great. I can't say the same for our waitress. She was very polite and friendly and was very forthcoming when I had asked for suggestions. Unfortunately, I didn't like them and shame on me for not speaking up (I'm still working on that...feel bad about sending things back). And, shame on her for not doing anything about them. First, it was the cocktail glass that just sat there the whole night, with just a few sips consumed. It almost seemed like she knew that I didn't like it but didn't want to ask/do anything about it. Then it was the main course. After it just got placed at our table, she came by to ask how it was but saw that we hadn't even had our first bites yet. When she stopped by the next time, my friend was already done and I had left everything but the side of corn. This time I got a surprised look from her and a, "too full?" Yeah, that's what it was. In another course, the shrimp wasn't properly shelled and I had to keep trying to fish out the bits. Just not what I would expect from a place that's trying to be fancy (and charge accordingly).
Haru - new sushi place
Was there yesterday and the ono, uni and sake (salmon) were the best I ever had (have been consuming sushi for many years and in different countries (in Asia...sans Japan, unfortunately...North America and South America).
They now have a liquor license (don't know if it's just for beer & wine or if they have other hard liquor as well).
Looking for chocolate cake w/choc whipped cream filling -westside
ditto on viktor benes (i like the one in gelson's at the century city mall). i think the chocolate parisian tastes best if allowed to sit at room temp for about 1/2 to 1 hour.
Most Authentic Indian/Pakistani Place in LA?
Al Noor and Al Watan are both good. For something on the westside, there's Chutney's on Pico. They have a mix of Indo-Pak stuff (I like their nehari). I like the masala dosas at India Sweets and Spices on Venice.
Cherry Picking and other you pick Fruit..
Northside Cherries in Leona Valley has lots of trees (and you don't need to climb any ladders). They offer bings, tartarians and rainiers. http://www.northsidecherries.com/
Where can I find gourmet SPECIALTY STORES in Los Angeles and surrounding areas?
The Wine House in West LA on Cotner has an extensive wine inventory and some tasty items in the gourmet food section.
Korean food for visiting Koreans who have been starved of good Korean food the last 4 months
Chung Ki Wa on Olympic near Wilton has a fairly good selection of meats for BBQ. Some of their panchan offerings are very good. The japchae's pretty good, too.
Where can I find affordable bottarga
condiment! thank you! WHAT A LITTLE GEM! i got a pack, along with some other things i couldn't resist, and had it last night. it was $20 for 2 lobes (3-4 oz or so). i love the little frozen glasses of the limoncello dessert.
i had forgotten about sorrento italian market in culver city and although they were out at the time, the price they gave me was a fair bit lower...have to see the weight, though.
again, THANK YOU! guidi marcello has become an instant favorite.
Where can I find affordable bottarga
Good to know. I previously had mullet roe bottarga. I've been wondering if I should attempt to make my own.
Where can I find affordable bottarga
I had gotten it at Surfa's in Culver City before but recently noticed that they raised their prices and now it's nearly $100 (I forget for what quantity...looked like it could've been about 6 oz).
tiny anchoves with green chili
The long-closed Shiang/Charming Garden (Garvey x Atlantic) used to serve a cold appetizer of this dish. Does anyone know another place that offers it?
Chile Verde
La Carreta is really good and the carne con chile colorado is just as tasty (they use habaneros in their pico de gallo so you can always adjust the heat to your liking). If you're more in the mood for breakfast food, they serve up a mean Huevos Divorciados (2 eggs over easy, one topped with chile verde and the other with chile colorado).
NOTE: they're open for breakfast but not dinner and they're closed on Tuesdays.
4538 1/2 Cesar Chavez Ave (just north of 710/60 interchange)
Los Angeles, CA 90022
(323) 261-1365
