Dyspepsia's Profile
NY&C/NY-Chgo Pizzeria OPEN?
Oh oh, the Chicago pizza was sparse with the sausage? That's a bad sign and not the Chicago deep dish way. I may give them a try but I wouldn't mind a few other Chicagoans reporting back first as guinea pigs. I brought back a couple Malnati's from my recent trip and I still have one in the freezer, woohoo!
Truly good food at a 24 hour restaurant (or at least open until 3:00am)
I've searched your boards and whereas I've found discussion about places open all night, I'm not seeing any strong recommendations for places with truly good food.
I'm flying in to Midway on a Wednesday with a best case scenario landing time of 12:30am.
My friend will be picking me up so we'll have a car. Is there a gem out there you can recommend? A steakhouse, a fantastic breakfast joint, a greek place, a deli or whatever as long as it has great food and possibly "atmosphere" as well. Doesn't every big city have a few late night essentials?
AMEX, is it me or them?
Yes, KTinNYC. I've had the same experience with Amex any time there has been a problem. They're great.
AMEX, is it me or them?
Yes I have missed a payment due date and more than once. It hasn't been a frequent thing -maybe once a year. Each time I've called them and they've erased the late fee and the mark on my credit. They're consistently one of the most efficient and reasonable companies I deal with.
AMEX, is it me or them?
Veggo, I totally agree with you. AmEx is far superior in dealing swiftly and painlessly with disputed charges. I choose not to even carry a debit card due to all the troubles friends have had with theirs.
Great real deli in LA?
You've got to try the kreplach soup at Junior's. It is the best in town. As for Roll And Rye -it's just lame.
Urgent answer needed about taco tables near Alvarado
Does anyone know about the taco tables at Alvarado and Kent -I think they're around Echo Park. Do you think they would be setting up tonight? It's a Tuesday, it's cold, there might be a little rain. Are they there every night no matter what? Also, does anyone know what time they set up the tables? Finally, on a night like tonight if they are there, when is the busiest time usually, being a week night and a cold one at that?
Kings Canyon and Minkler
Hi Glbtrtr -if you haven't found Hydrox yet, I found them (on sale) at Vons/Pavilions in southern CA which means near you, they're at a Safeway (same company.)
Dining alone ... is it really any different? [moved from L.A. board]
I really like to eat alone and in general I've had good experiences in Los Angeles doing so. I will say that I often prefer to eat dinner at the bar -alone or with friends. I will also say that regardless of the city, I've received less attentive service when at a table alone and it may correlate with the server realization that a tip from a one person check probably will be lower so attention is best spent elsewhere. A quick question for "Lotta_cox's" statement above: "an incredible restaurant" in Palm Springs? Really? Where?
Goodbye To Macau Street
Well Tony, as for the dishes not being memorable, that's a matter of opinion isn't it? For me, I found the dishes very memorable and am disappointed and surprised that they've closed. Along with the custard, I'll greatly miss the house special crab, the pork neck with fermented bean sauce and the sweet and salty pork cookies.
Review: Aroma Café in West L.A.
Wait -has anyone tried their Pljeskavica? I just had one again over the weekend. For me, this is the most amazing hamburger alternative out there. The meat patty is delicious and huge, the bun, more of a focaccia is very fresh and has the perfect texture for the meat. It comes with chopped onions. Once I recall it was served with a dish of something creamy and maybe garlicky -could it have been the kajmak? It was the perfect condiment. If you want a better description, read what Jonathan Gold has to say:
http://www.laweekly.com/locations/aroma-cafe-115235/
Anchovies and your secret uses for them
Here's the thing about anchovies -they're a natural flavor enhancer. Think msg without the chemicals. Anchovy paste is really versatile and you can enhance the flavor of many things without it being evident that the addition is in fact anchovy. The only thing I haven't found a use for yet with anchovy is dessert but I'm open to suggestions.
Inexpensive but good heirloom tomatoes on the westside or midcity?
Right -but any thoughts on tomatoes available after 2:00pm or on days when I can't get to a farmer's market?
Inexpensive but good heirloom tomatoes on the westside or midcity?
Not Trader Joe's -what a joke, no flavor -just bitterness. And aside, don't bother with their "organic" apricots -no flavor and the consistency of paste although they're deceptively pretty to look at.
Carnitas in Santa Monica?
This place is an understated coffee shop serving very good food. Here's an explanation and more info:
http://www.corascoffee.com/FrontEnd/AboutUs/tabid/173/Default.aspx
Pann's - Thoughts, recommendations, things to avoid?
What a weird coincidence. I was just going to start a Pann's post. I hadn't been for a while but I went last night with a friend who is new to town and had never been. I ordered exactly what I felt like eating and drinking -the six wings and waffle with strawberries and whipped cream accompanied by a glass of Mondavi merlot. The dish arrived and I poured the strawberries, whipped cream, syrup and melted butter all over the waffle. This post could now jump to that one started today about "your last meal" fantasy. It was amazingly delicious and even with the wine factored in as a blood thinner, not too healthy but what the hell. My friend loved her fried chicken and of course the great atmosphere. There is no place like Pann's. To finish off the evening we stopped at Randy's Donuts -I know -excess, but both places are LA treasures and since they're in the same neighborhood, I couldn't resist.
Reminder: Epicure Imports Open THIS Weekend
Surfas has lost its charm and reasonable pricing but with its unusual inventory it still serves a necessary purpose.
As for the pricing of Epicure, Guidi and Surfas -to me they all seem high but still more reasonable than where their items end up at retail places like Whole Foods. With fuel costs, exchange rates etc., I guess it could be worse and may be later on (so stock up now!)
Taste of the Nation-Culver City
Grace also had a timing problem. I don't think their roasted pork sandwiches came out until later but they were fantastic.
Reminder: Epicure Imports Open THIS Weekend
I really appreciate the chowhound heads-up about the event. Thank you! My friend and I both spent too much $ but left with great larder for the indefinite future. It was a little frustrating to make selections without the benefit of pricing. Also I'm not sure how good the savings were overall. We decided to turn Saturday in to specialty food market day so after Epicure we went to Guidi Marcello in Santa Monica. My friend was really bummed out when she saw the exact bottle of balsamic vinegar for $14 less. Ouch. Anyways, after both destinations we had spent so much $$$, we had to skip destination three -Surfas. It sure is fun though having so much great food in the house and really difficult figuring out what to eat next.
Where to Buy quality Butter in The OC?
I am a butter maniac. I love butter. I have recently discovered Costco's organic butter. It is delicious. I highly recommend it for the flavor and it is also excellent to bake with.
High end Hamburgers???
I noticed you just posted about Cut. Funny thing is I was just at the Beverly Wilshire checking out the menu at The Blvd. restaurant. I haven't tried it but they have a hamburger that sounds very high-end. Here is the description: the Blvd Burger, made with prime sirloin, foie gras mousse and sautéed wild mushrooms.
What are your thoughts on Johnnies Pastrami
I really like Johnnie's and it has great "atmosphere." I usually order pastrami on rye with fries and although the sandwich is no Langer's, it's quite good. Johnnie's also has a respectable diner-style menu. The staff is very friendly and eating either indoors at a booth or the counter or outdoors around the firepit are all great. This place is really authentic and there are few places like it remaining. -And unlike other enduring places like it, the food aspect is not tired or overlooked. Just remember to bring cash, last time I checked, it was still the only accepted form of payment.
Cringe-worthy words in restaurant reviews
I'd hate to be a food writer these days. This post is headed towards taking away every possible descriptive. I'd like to comment on "toothsome" though. It always makes me laugh because I think it was Ignatius J Reilly's favorite word to describe anything he was eating in Confederacy of Dunces.
Cringe-worthy words in restaurant reviews
All descriptives ending in "licious" -chocolicious, spaghettilicious, spamlicious, etc.
Pastrami in LA [split from California]
It seems people are divided in to either the Johnnie's or the Langer's camp. I love both. Each one has great atmosphere too. Also, if you don't want to park and go in to Langer's, you can order by phone and they'll bring it to your car. About Johnnie's, although they're into that goofy southern CA thing about pastrami on a bread roll, just ask for rye, as I do and you'll be set. The pastrami is Vienna. And remember to bring cash -this classic 50's restaurant doesn't accept any other form of payment.
Salade niçoise?
I know you won't believe this but give it try -The Broadway Deli in Santa Monica. Granted, I haven't been there for a while but if it is like it was, the salade nicoise is very good. The ingredients are traditional and of high quality (including the fresh tuna.)
