CChow's Profile
$250 for an office breakfast??
I have $250 to put together a nice breakfast for the office (about 40 people). Looking for more than just the normal bagels, fruit and donuts we generally have around. I'd like to make this look nice and be something special (eggs, egg sandwiches ... something like that). Any ideas here? Area is westside/Bev Hills/Century City.
Drew's Pastry Place in Spring (review) GREAT
I actually don't even like the cakes at RJ Goodies, but I didn't know of any other options in the area. I was so put off by their lack of willingness to help, though. I understand that it was late notice, but we were willing to pay extra and were open to either cupcakes or a cake. It was 2:30pm the day before and they couldn't have anything ready for us in 24 hours ... no cake, no cupcakes. The option we had was to come and buy their plain vanilla or chocolate cupcakes in the morning, which, I have to say, looked strikingly similar to the cupcakes at HEB. If I go to a bakery and pay bakery prices for a cake or cupcakes, I don't want something that looks mass produced.
Drew's Pastry Place in Spring (review) GREAT
They definitely have seating. Unfortunately, it didn't look like they had cupcakes ready to go - I think you have to order those ahead of time. Instead, it looks like they're concentrating on baking cakes and selling slices of them. Like I said, I think the cupcake craze will be hitting in the near future, so I anticipate they'll have cupcakes ready to go soon.
Drew's Pastry Place in Spring (review) GREAT
I flew in from Los Angeles for a surprise party and had the task of finding dessert for the party (the next day). I stopped by RJ Goodies and asked for a cake or cupcakes that would be ready the next day. While the employees were nice, they would/could not accomodate my order since the baker had left for the day. I had the option of plain chocolate or vanilla cupcakes which were in the display case, but I was coming from the land of Sprinkles, Crumbs and Leda's, so that was not really an option for me.
I wound up not far away at Drew's Pastry Place where Drew and his employees could not have been more helpful or accomodating. To say the customer service was great is an understatement. After a debate between carrot cake, triple chocolate or italian creme ... cakes or cupcakes, we wound up deciding on a carrot cake and triple chocolate cake. Both were very reasonably priced (about $30 or so) and got rave reviews from the party guests. As the cupcake trend comes to Houston, I anticipate that will be a bigger sell for Drew & crew, especially since they will make all kinds of cupcakes and even put a shot of pudding in the middle. All together, Drew's is a VERY nice addition to the bakery scene in north Houston. Highly recommended.
Drew's Pastry Place
(281) 374-2987
10300 Louetta Rd
Houston, TX 77070
Looking for Hollywood Trendy Fun
Asia de Cuba would be perfect - you could stay right there and go to Skybar afterward. Just make sure you call Skybar and put your name on the list. They don't usually care for a group of girls, but better to be safe.
Saturday Biz Lunch in Beverly HIlls
Brunch at Barney Greengrass on the patio. Perfect spot for that kind of thing.
Sunday biz dinner (westside)
Does Beverly Hills count as westside for you? If so, try Xi'an. It's Chinese, you'll stay under budget and you can get a round table which is very condusive to conversation.
Calabasas Susie Cakes
Is this the same owner as Susie Cakes in Brentwood? If so, the red velvet cakes/cupcakes are amazing.
Fat Tuesday restaurant in Beverly Hills?
Is there a restaurant in Beverly Hills that would be festive for Fat Tuesday? If not, is there a restaurant in the area that has king cakes?
Need a birthday spot for about 12 twentysomethings - pizza/dessert?
How about going to Lucky Strikes? It's got a fun atmosphere and a full bar. The food isn't fabulous, but they have food you can share in a cool atmosphere.
I would also consider going to the Huntley Hotel for drinks or dessert. Awesome atmosphere with head on ocean views.
birthday dinner in LA tonight...any suggestions?
I would head across the street to Asia de Cuba. The sticker price on the menu is high, but the portions are large and dishes are meant to be shared. You can certainly dress up there, and afterwards slip over to Skybar.
Memorable & Fun in Florence
Sostanza would be fun and memorable. It's a small restaurant with communal tables, but that seems to make the experience more fun. I had a chicken in butter dish that was incredible and remember the rest of the meal to be excellent as well.
help, theme dinner party plan, urgent!!!
You could do a "Hollywood Glamour" theme party. Rent out a room at a very "Hollywood" restaurant and have it set up with photographers, a red carpet, pictures of celebrities, celebrity magazines, a "swag" room, etc. Find a trendy restaurant with a good size private room, such as Campanile, Luques (rent out patio?), Orso (rent out patio?), Spago, Mastros or at a hotel such as the Mondrian or Chateau Marmont where you can rent a suite and have it catered.
Birthday dinner for my wife in Florence
My favorites in Florence are Garga and Osteria del Benci. Garga is more intimate than Benci. Specific recommendations at Garga are the gorgonzola pasta (WOW!), spaghetti a la Donna Karan (pasta with orange cognac sauce), veal avocado, and the cheesecake. At Benci, the florentine steak and pasta with cherry tomatoes are excellent.
Have a great trip and please report back!
Help! Need to finalize my B-Day dinner plans
The places you mention all seem a bit more reserved than what I would think of for a 30th birthday party. The place that comes to mind is Asia de Cuba ... it's close to the Chateau Marmont, has great food and drinks, being loud is okay, and Skybar is connected. I've had a number of celebration dinners there and love it.
Special Dinner with Boyfriend
I don't really agree with some of the posters. Via Veneto is loud and the tables are VERY close together. It would be hard to have a romantic dinner when you're so close to another table and the noise level is so high. Sona is a bit stuffy - not really "hip." As for Geoffreys, the food is not amazing, but the ambiance is romantic and hip. I've never been to Campanile, so I can't contribute anything there.
For romantic and hip with great food, my choices would be Asia de Cuba or the Hump.
Dinner for UCLA grad and family
You could try Xi'an in Beverly Hills. It's a Chinese restaurant, fairly trendy and has a full bar. For a party of 20 they can section off part of the restaurant. You would have to select the menu beforehand, which you might or might not like. I had a private party there and everyone had a great time.
Can some recommend a "special occasion restaurant in Santa Monica that is not to trendy & has good food.
I'd have to disagree on Whist - it's VERY trendy (though I do love the food).
Romantic spot for bday dinner
Saddle Peak Lodge fits all your criteria, except for the lobster. They specialize in game. If you're open to their menu, it's a fantastic restaurant for a nice, romantic birthday dinner with great food. www.saddlepeaklodge.com
Add to 21st Birthday Chow UCLA, Dessert?
The gelato place is okay, but it's nothing special. If you opt for a frozen dessert, there is a Pinkberry within walking distance.
Add to 21st Birthday Chow UCLA, Dessert?
It might be worth a short walk to Spago for coffee and dessert. They've got great desserts there and it would be a fun place to celebrate part 2 of the birthday.
Red Velvet Cupcakes or Cake?
If you're on the westside, stick with Susie Cakes. They've got an excellent red velvet cupcake with a shot of frosting in the middle.
Fun restaurant for high school graduation
Taverna Tony in Malibu could be really fun. On weekends they have belly dancers and live music and it's a really festive atmosphere.
ISO Place for a B-Day Dinner on the Water
The Penthouse at the Huntley Hotel. It's new, very hip and has amazing views.
Looking for an UNUSUAL restaurant
Crystal might work for you. It's a Russian restaurant at Fairfax and SM and has only one seating per night - so you go for the whole night. In between courses (there are lots of them - you pick your menu ahead of time) and vodka, everyone goes to the dance floor in the center of the room (imagine a wedding reception room). There's usually a Russian band that plays Russian and American songs. It's a very different experience and could be really fun if your crowd is open to it.
Santa Monica fun spots
I think you would love the patio at the Viceroy. It has great food, great drinks and a very cool atmosphere. It's definitely a "scene" - so you would need to be in the mood for that.
For a great city view, I would head to Asia de Cuba in West Hollywood. It's very trendy and quite a scene, but it has an amazing view along with good food and drinks. Yamashiro in Hollywood also deserves a nod for the view, but I don't think the food is up to par with Asia de Cuba.
Another idea is to have lunch or weekend brunch at the Getty, which has unparalleled views of the city.
PHX hound visiting Santa Monica
Since it's Easter, many places will have set menus for their brunch. One of the few places I found last year which did not have a set menu (I'm not usually a fan of those - higher prices and less food choices) was the Getty Center. While it's not the best food in the world, I thought it was a lovely Easter brunch. That could killl two birds with one stone - Getty Center and brunch. Plus I got to cut in a very long line for the Getty tram because I had restaurant reservations.
For sushi, my vote goes to Kiriko in West LA. It's also one of the few great sushi places that has a decent atmosphere.
Best real steak in the late hours?
I think the kitchen stays open pretty late at Dan Tana's, too. Great steaks there.
Santa Monica Great BAKERY
I really like, even love, most of Susie Cakes cupcakes, but I really don't like their strawberry cupcake. I'd try that one before you got too many of them. I LOVE the red velvet cupcake!
