dotrat's Profile
Milo & Olive or Stella Rossa?
I haven't been to either and want to go to one today. Which do you prefer?
Dallas Warwick
I will be in Dallas for business next week & staying at the Warwick. I will be very busy but would love to enjoy some tasty food. Are there any special places nearby? I like all types of food...all suggestions are welcome. Thanks!
Tomato sauce HELP!!
I always use canned whole San Marzano tomatoes & either hand crush them, chop them or run them through the food processor first. Many people separate out the seeds with one of those italian crushers, but I generally don't bother. As others have said, I cook my sauce for 45 minutes or so (that's cooking time for a simple base sauce).
Excellent Fried Clams?
Hello Hounds!
Any suggestions for really good fried clams in the city these days? I am in town from the west coast where we don't have fried clams so I need a fix & don't want to settle! I really enjoyed B&G Oysters a couple years ago & will go there again but I thought it was best to check in with the pro's first. Suggestions do not have to be fancy sit down places like B&G but just good, clean big bellied clams fried to perfection! Thanks in advance!
Lunch near Crenshaw & Jefferson following services...
We are looking for a restaurant that can serve 30-40 people following a memorial service near Crenshaw @ Jefferson. We are open to any ideas, thanks!
Cut or Melisse?
The best meals I've had in my life have been at Melisse. Have the chef's menu & enjoy!
Melisse or Saam at Bazaar for European Guest
Melisse, without question. I have had the best meals of my life there & have never ever felt rushed. Josiah's food is sublime.
Quiet restaurant on Westside
I think Josie suits all of your needs best. I've eaten at all of the suggested places & just don't think they compare in terms of the food & quiet atmosphere. I'd ask for a table in the back by the fireplace on a gloomy day like today.
You would have a hard time finding _________in Los Angeles...
fried big belly Ipswich clams
ISO fresh aji limo peppers and peruvian limones
weird. i had never heard of peruvian limes before but saw them at the santa monica sunday farmers market today & just now read this post. don't recall the name of the vender but they had lots of citrus fruit & avocados.
Recs for Xcellent Chocolate Birthday Cake on Westside
I appreciate the detailed recs hounds. I ordered the cake from Jamaica's which was perfect since it was the style of chocolate cake the birthday boy prefers! I hope to try Susie's version soon since I really love buttercream. I enjoyed a big slice at Huckleberry recently which was great but I would have liked the cake to be a bit more dense. Anyway, thanks again!
Recs for Xcellent Chocolate Birthday Cake on Westside
Yes, it's 3pm on monday & i'm looking for a birthday cake for tomorrow night! I'm looking for a small cake (6inches) to serve just my family (2 adults 2 kids) for my husbands birthday. I want a really good dense chocolate cake & haven't ordered one in a long time so I'm sort of stumped. I typically go to Angel Maid Bakery in Culver City but I"ve never had their chocolate cake. Thoughts?
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Angel Maid Bakery
4538 S Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Harry's Berries @ Santa Monica Farmer's Market, Can I get them elsewhere?
Although there's a farmer's market in Santa Monica 4 days a week, my busy schedules often keeps me from getting to one. I love Harry's Berries & think they are the BEST strawberries. Is there anywhere else I can purchase his fruit? Where else can I get strawberries that brilliant in Santa Monica?
Favorite Meals Under $5
I've been enjoying the 'stimulus package" lunch at Rockenwagner near the 3rd St. Promenade in Santa Monica. It includes a choice of a cup of soup (which have all been wonderful esp tomato bisque) and a mini sandwich (choices include lox/salami/turkey etc on his bread). It's $5.50 and definitely a light lunch but very very tasty and convenient after shopping at the farmers market.
Your single favorite dish in LA
Yes, Josiah's Truffle Egg is by far the best thing I've ever eaten and I've had the pleasure of enjoying it on more than one occasion. It's nothing like a scramble though. Instead it's more like a poached egg yolk surrounded by whipped (and maybe poached?) egg whites topped with shaved truffles & truffle sauce. When you take a bite the yolk from the center oozes & mixes with the sauce. It's accompanied by brioche toasts as well. Pure heaven. It's unlike anything I've ever seen before & is not always available obviously.
Straus Dairy egg nog in Los Angeles?
I've had both & prefer Broguiere's as well. I found it at Ralphs (Olympic & Cloverfield) and the Strauss from Whole Foods Venice.
First Peak: New England Style Seafood Shack Finally Available in LA: BP Oysterette in Santa Monica
I tried this place last night and as much as I hope that it was spot on I'm sorry to say I found it to be mediocre at best. I suppose they weren't going for a real traditional lobster or clam shack here but i definitely prefer traditional when it comes to this kind of food. My friend and I started with the steamer clams. They arrived in a bowl & had been steamed with garlic & parsley. Traditionally steamer clams are served with some steaming liquid & drawn butter on the side. This way once you removed the sandy inner membrane of the steamer clam you rinse off the sand, dip it in butter & enjoy. Blue Plates version left my hands garlicy & my clams sandy. I didn't enjoy it at all. Not only was it poorly executed but the garlic also overwhelmed the flavor of the steamers and it seemed more Italian than New England fare. We also had the butter lettuce salad with gorgonzola which was lovely & the highlight of our meal. Unfortunately our next two items arrived to the table before we had a chance to really dig into our first but we rolled with it. Our last two items included the lobster roll & grilled oysters. I liked the grilled oysters but didn't love them. There just wasn't a wow factor. The lobster roll didn't appeal to me at all. As others have said it is loaded in lemon zest & lord knows what which really overwhelms from the flavor of the lobster. The roll, although the right style bun, didn't have the flavor of toasted buttery goodness I associate with a lobster roll. I didn't necessarily find the lobster roll small but I did feel that the meat was chopped up too finely. I admit that since I was born & raised in Boston I am probably less willing to experiment with these kinds of recipes as other might be. And if you are a New Englander looking for a trip to someplace nostalgic you will be sorely disappointed.
Brunch with Coctails for Birthday Celebrations in Santa Monica?
annisette has a nice brunch & full bar. cache plans to be open for brunch but i'm not sure when that will begin. I love gjelina but have not had brunch only dinner & lunch which were both wonderful.
What? No Wheat?!
i ate at pizza fusion (santa monica) yesterday. the pizza (original crust & cheese) was AWESOME, honestly. the caesar salad was boring though. i'll definitely return & they told me they will be offering delivery soon as well.
Animal was sublime...run don't walk.
I finally had a chance to eat at Animal last night & I am already planning a return visit. Each and every dish we ordered was excellent, the service was casual yet professional, and the space calm & soothing. There were four people in our party which enabled us to order & share quite a selection. However we did over-order (that's not to say we didn't clean our plates tho!). The Beer & Wine list was reasonably priced & eclectic with the option to order any wine as a glass, carafe or bottle. As I said, each and every dish was wonderful & as you can see I have starred a few that shouldn't be missed. I look forward to eating at Animal again very soon.
chicken liver toast 3
*bbq pork belly sandwiches, slaw 10
*pork belly, kimchi, peanuts, chili soy,scallion 12
asparagus, poached egg, grana & pancetta 12
amberjack, nectarine, jalapeno, citrus, mint 15
*foie gras, biscuit maple sausage gravy 22
followed by;
flat iron, potato, mousserons, truffle parmesan fondue 26
ling cod, king crab, gold rice succotash, tabasco, cipollini 29
*foie gras loco moco, quail egg, spam, hamburger
*balsamic pork ribs, market lettuce 37
and desserts;
*tres leches, dulce de leche 7
bacon chocolate crunch bar, s&p anglaise 8
*peach blueberry crisp8
panna cotta with cherry jam 8
http://www.animalrestaurant.com/
Santa Barbara Breakfast
thanks all! we went to d'angelos & loved it! fantastic coffee & breakfast. I enjoyed the "rose eggs" which were poached & served over kalamata olive toast (best i've had) with artichoke spread. my son had the brioche french toast & a fried egg which was also very very good and my husband had the huevos rancheros really like them. we also had a hot cross bun & took home a baguette of french bread. thanks for the rec it was a tasty meal.
chow on your cell?
so for you techies......i have been unable to search chowhound on my cell phone (blackberry) while on a recent trip. have any of you successfully done this? what am i missing????? i can pull up chowhound, but simply cannot search specific areas.
Santa Barbara Breakfast
Hello! So, are there any real stand out places for a weekday breakfast in Santa Barbara for a family with young children? I am hoping for something fresh with local ingredients & fantastic coffee. Tasty baked items would be nice as well.
thanks!
what to order at Monte Alban?
I am thinking of FINALLY checking this place out tonight. Can I get some guidance please? I am not all that familiar with Oaxacan food.
thanks.
casual no reservation vday on the westside?
oh thanks. i already called & have a 9pm reso. i think everywhere will be busy tonight. it's a night i typically do not eat out but things have just worked out this way.
casual no reservation vday on the westside?
after a bit more research, i've decided to go to 26 Beach St.
westsidegal, i saw that you gave it some good reviews.
thanks!
casual no reservation vday on the westside?
hmmmmm, border grill sounded perfect but even they are having a pre fix menu. my only concern about that is that my 17 year old niece may not have enough options unfortunately.
casual no reservation vday on the westside?
i was thinking of mexican....might be nice for my guest. but all i could think of was la cabana which might be a madhouse. i love thai, what would you suggest? thanks to all for your thoughtful suggestions!
