Frank_Santa_Monica's Profile
Bread on Sale (Westside)?
Is there a decent bakery that sells their bread at the end of the day on sale on the Westside? I need to make A LOT of sandwiches for an event in Santa Monica, and I'm paying for everything! Thanks for the help.
Lauduree Macarons?
Is there any place in LA that sells Macarons from Lauduree? I figured asking here was worth a shot.
I've tried so many places on the Westside, for anything that comes close to Lauduree. And, so far, my favorite is Jin's on Abbot Kinney. I tried Rose and Caramel/Salt. Wow, both are outstanding. It was as if I was chewing on a rose-flavored cloud!
Paulette's Macarons - I tried those, and thought they were too chewy and sweet (sweet in not a good way). The outside texture of the "cookie" part was too hard.
I also tried La Provence in BH. Very disappointing. And, they were rather large.
The only thing I can say about these are that they ARE macarons. More like CALIFORNIA Macarons, though.
Biscuit Rose de Reims uses
I've never even heard of these old-time cookies, until I attended a dinner party where the host served them with after dinner drinks. None of us knew even what to do with them, and since dessert was coming, I didn't even bother to try mine.
They are about as nice looking as cookies can get, and I was thinking maybe they can be used as a main ingredient for dessert.
I read online, traditionally you are supposed to dip these pink cookies in your champagne.
Has anyone tried using them for anything? Thanks for the help!
Koi vs Katsuya (Hollywood)
No contest. Go to Koi. For some reason, Katsuya Hollywood doesn't quite pull it off for me, although their dishes are almost the same (perhaps a slight variation). But, if you're talking Katsuya in Studio City, then I'd have to go with the latter.
Omakase Question [Split from Not About Food board]
I'm so not an expert at the whole omakase thing, which is why I thought I'd save my embarassment and let someone else with more knowledge offer an answer.
I know at Matsuhisa, Nobu, The Hump the omakase is served at the table mostly. But, I guess you could request the bar. Why the heck not.
And, at Nozawa, Sasabune, which are mostly sushi, omakase is at the bar only.
That's just based on my experience.
Karma Question - What would YOU do?
One thing I should mention is that our server seriously struggled with her English, which is why I gave her every opportunity to hear me out. Believe me, rushing through an explanation hoping she wouldn't catch my drift crossed my mind a few times.
It's funny because to this day I'm over the pain of the actual cost of the meal (you win some you lose some). I'm still annoyed with myself that I tipped 25%!!! Ugh.
I'm glad I did the right thing. I probably would have blown the money I would have saved on some fancy bottle of Cham-pipple.
I also knew what I was in for when I made the reservation, and was ready to fork out the money. I think the Omakase started at $125 a person!
I'll have to admit I was rather intimidated at this restaurant and I didn't want my client to judge me in case he did have a problem with my paying the 1st tab.
Funny thing is, when we left the restaurant, he said HE would have paid the first tab, leave a really nice tip, and call it a day.
Karma Question - What would YOU do?
A client and I celebrated his birthday dinner at one of Los Angeles' priciest sushi spots. I had already exceeded the amount of money I could spend on him with my expense account by sending him a gift, and this dinner was going to be on me. ME.
We both ordered the omakase (tasting menus), and I cringed at the waaaaay expensive sake he chose. Food was fine (not outstanding), and the service was just horrid. Not to mention, our two top was literally right next to another two top. Bottom line is, I wasn't happy at all with anything (especially since I was paying. Did I mention that already?).
And here's where it gets interesting: The bill comes out and I notice it was only $40, when it should have been somewhere in the neighborhood of $350. I attempted to flag down the waitress, but was ignored.
Five minutes or so later, after I ran out of mindless conversation with my client, I stood up and showed the check to our server, who could have sworn on her life my bill was correct. After my insisting she double check, she added it up again and, embarassed, presented me with my hefty and accurate bill. And, that was it. No "thank you". She did say something like she could have been fired if I didn't bring it to her attention.
It would have been nice to keep the money, have a nice meal on the house, never show face in this place again, and hit the race tracks. But, I didn't. And, to add insult to injury, on the bottom of the receipt was a suggested tip of 25%, which I felt obligated to give.
What would YOU have done?
Best Omakase (L.A.)
Thank you very much. I live in Santa Monica, so these places are perfect. Trying to decide between Zo, Mori or The Hump. By the way, The Hump's omakase starts at $150!
Best Omakase (L.A.)
I have a huge dinner next week, and my friend would like to experience omakase at one of our best sushi spots.
And, seriously, I'm not willing add any more zeroes to my Amex bill this month, so Urasawa is definitely out. OUT!
I would love to hear (read) suggestions and prices as well, please. Thank you!
How is The Hump's Omakase? And, how much is Mori's and Zo's?
Thanks again!!!!
Daughter's 18th BD - Chinese with great ambience
What about Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills? Great fun.
Koi Los Angeles -- Suggestions Needed...
Ah. Good ol' Koi. Here's what to expect.
Valet Parking $8
Lychee Cosmo $12 (might be more)
Rock Shrimp Tempura $18
Crab Hand Roll $10 (good for only 1)
Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice $12
Dynamite on California Roll
Kobe Style Filet $52
Bagels in LA?
Has anyone been to Cafe E'lait, on Beverly and La Brea, across from Susina? What do you think of their bagels?
Bagels in LA?
I've not been, because outside looks a bit dumpy. But, will give it a shot for sure. They've been there forever.
Bagels in LA?
Where are the best bagels? I like the ones from Barney's Greengrass, but I'm wondering if there's a place that is a bit more reasonably priced than $3.50 a bagel!
I did a search on here to no avail.
Thanks for the help.
ISO: Japanese style potato salad
Mishima HAD it. But, it was a pumkin potato salad. Really good. Haven't been there in a while, though.
What happened to Village Bakery in Costa Mesa?
I've been trying to call Village Bakery in Costa Mesa, and their phone is disconnected. Does anyone know if they've set up shop elsewhere?
Red Velvet Cake
I don't love Susiecakes at all, I'm sorry. I live not too far, and I'd much rather have any cake from Whole Foods than anything from SusieCakes. I will give SusieCakes props for having the best selection in the area, but that's about it.
Informal Los Angeles Area "Must Order" List
FOIE GRAS (JiRaffe)
SPICY TUNA ON CRISPY RICE (Koi)
COFFEE CAKE FRENCH TOAST (The Griddle)
BURGER (Peninsula BH)
CHOCOLATE GANACHE (Cut)
LOBSTER RAVIOLI (Giorgio Baldi)
ONION RINGS (The Grill)
FISH QUESADILLA (La Serenata)
RIBS (Houston's)
BUTTER CAKE (Mastro's)
70th b-day on Thursday...Please help!
What about Matteo's?
You know what I've tried recently that I've liked (although I tend to NOT like hotel restuarants?), The Tower Bar. It's not really a scene, and I enjoy the food. And, it seemed like every other table was celebrating something.
What about Dan Tana's? Can you EVER go wrong there? Or... Cut or Mastro's.
THE special occasion restaurant du jour has to be Melisse; but I don't know if you can actually "sit back" at Melisse.
If you were to put a gun to my head? I'll take Cut for $200, Alex.
Which high-end restaurants tolerate kids best?
Believe it or not, I actually had dinner at Koi with friends and their two young kids at Koi! I'm not kidding! We sat in a booth. It was fine. No problems at all.
I've also seen young kids at Matsuhisa.
Considering these restaurants can handle some pretty demanding adult patrons, I'm sure a couple well-behaved youngins will be no problem for them.
Sweet Lady Jane @ WFM
I saw that Brentwood Whole Foods now carries cakes by Sweet Lady Jane. Has anyone else seen them at other WFM locations?
BIRTHDAY DINNER IN/NEAR COSTA MESA?
Go to Mastros Ocean Club in Newport Coast. It's a great time.
Anniversary Dinner help needed ASAP (please)
Mastros is a steak house in BH, but there is a nice seafood selection. And, there's a guy on the piano singing his heart out. It's quite nice actually. Don't mean to throw you a curve ball, but Ocean Club (the seafood restaurant from Mastro's) in Newport Beach is nice too.
Barhopping Near Arclight - A Long Report
You should have gone to Hyde and tried the Kobe burger, and chocolate chip cookies!!!
First Taste of Hidden (on Main)
"I found that it would have been best if they did Venice's version of Osteria Mozza."
Actually, they're paying the extra $2.50 a foot to be in the Santa Monica side as well as the higher hourly wage for their wait staff.
What was your tab like?
Burger at The Peninsula BH
If you're ever jonesning for a great burger, try The Peninsula Hotel in BH. It takes a lot for me to actually leave Santa Monica, but when I am forced to have some business meeting in mid town, I like The Peninsula. (I've pretty much OD'd on Shutters for goodness sakes.)
The angus beef burger is $16. The restaurant bakes their own bread; the fries are perfectly done; the bread is toasted perfectly. The bread is what does it for me.
You can order the burger at The Bar or in The Living Room. You might as well load up on those FREE taro chips while you're at it.
And, the fun part is you can get a glimpse of the many, many "working girls" sipping their drinks oh-so-slowly at the bar.
