bigredd's Profile
Bagatelle on La Cienega??
I needed more than luck. I needed earplugs. Food and service were actually not bad but the loud techo music was over the top. 9 of us were put at a table that would have been very comfortable for 6. Overall, a nice salad and steak at fairly expensive price points in a excessively loud and uncomfortable setting.
Bagatelle on La Cienega??
Any opinions? It's been open for a few months but a search came up empty.
Wolfgang's Steakhouse--Beverly Hills, Any ex-NY'er Opinions?
I was a huge fan of Wolfgangs when they opened. It was the closest one could get to Peter Lugers without getting on an airplane. However, IMO over the last 6 months or so I have not enjoyed the steak as much. Always order the porterhouse and it has just seemed to not hit the spot. Maybe I over did it and need to take a break or maybe the meat is sliding downhill a bit.
The bacon is still great and desserts have never been good.
Interested to hear some other opinions.
Mistral
Save room for the souffle. Really good. I think Mistral is one of the very best restaurants in the valley.
Kid's food for bar/bat mitzvah san fernando valley
Platinum Palate. 818-687-9884 The owner, Karen just catered a party for me which included sliders and mac n cheese. Very easy to work with and reasonable.
Portabella in Carmel???
Going with a large group this weekend. Any opinions or specific suggestions?
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Portabella
Ocean Ave, Carmel, CA 93923
Birthday dinner indecision - Michael's or Bouchon?
Cant speak specifically to Dine LA but Michael's patio is such a great place to eat especially when the weather is good.
You can eat well at both but just prefer the setting at Michael's.
Sushi in Madison???
Visiting our daughter in early November and she is really missing the great sushi of Los Angeles. Don't expect Los Angeles quality but what is the best Madison has to offer?
Steak in Madison?
You are now two for two. We loved Lombardino's. Excellent pasta and service. Would have liked to thank you in person but we arrived after 8.
I will report back on L'Etoile and Sardine for brunch tomorrow. Still trying to get used to how nice everyone is in Madison!
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L'Etoile Restaurant
25 N Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703
Lombardino's Restaurant
2500 University Ave, Madison, WI 53705
Steak in Madison?
Heading back to Madison this weekend to drop off our daughter. Have reservations at Lombardino's Friday and L'Etoile on Saturday. Any specific recs and thanks for all your help!
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L'Etoile Restaurant
25 N Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703
Lombardino's Restaurant
2500 University Ave, Madison, WI 53705
Sand Dabs - who serves 'em
Vito's in Santa Monica on Ocean Park Blvd does a good job with sand dabs
Stella Rossa............WOW
I was there on a Monday about 7. No wait but tables were about 90% full. When we left around 830 there was a wait.
I think they take reservations for larger parties but I could be wrong.
Stella Rossa............WOW
Tried it for the first time last night and while I ever hate to declare any restaurant the "best" I believe Stella Rossa has to be in the discussion for best pizza.
Great crust, high quality cheese and toppings and you have one great pizza.
Excellent friendly service, reasonable prices, good beer and wine and I think I am in love!
The Market at Santa Monica Place
Had a quick dinner there last night. A serviceable caesar salad, my son has the shrimp fra diavalo and I had fusili in a tomatoey pork sauce that was delicious.
Good service, reasonable prices and fresh, delicious pasta. What's not to like?
Love the free albeit slow valet parking.
Steak in Madison?
Thank you! Tornado Room is exactly where we ended up. The bone in tenderloin was great and so were the hash browns. It was exactly what I was looking for. With my daughter starting UW in the fall I am trying to figure out the Madison chowhound food scene.
Steak in Madison?
Looking for a good independent steakhouse a step or two above smokeys. Checked out capital and tornado room but looking for a locals opinion.
TIA
I really like Il Fornaio
I want to like it but the Santa Monica branch has serious service issues. I mean really bad. Good food at fair prices but could not overcome the service.
Soft Shell Crab: Has anyone had any good ones yet?
Rustic Canyon. Pan fried in a light tempura batter. Delicious!
Really good Italian in the Valley?
Panzanella. Large menu, comfortable and reasonably good service.
Shipping Peter Luger steaks to Los Angeles
Thought it would be nice to have some Peter Luger Porterhouse to celebrate a friend's birthday. Go to the website, order 5 package B's which include 2 36-38 oz steaks for $166 each. Expensive but my friend is worth it, until I find out it will be some $270 to ship the 10 steaks to LA !
Am I crazy or is that ridiculous?
We have Wolfgang's out here but it is just not the same.
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Peter Luger Steak House
178 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Pacific Dining Car - SM; breakfast
PDC is a great breakfast but is expensive. When coffee is $5 and OJ is $8 it starts to add up quick. Everything is prepared well and the blueberry pancakes are great. I guess someone has to pay for the linen napkins and comfy chairs and booths.
Panzanella :anyone been?
We eat at Panzanella maybe 4 times a year. Its good, not great but has a large varied menu, good service, good wine list in a nice atmosphere. We go because we can get in at the last minute and is a good meeting point between west LA and the west valley.
Pastas are especially good. Never leave hungry or feeling ripped off.
I like it.
Chicken Parm
A pretty typical Brentwood-Westside crowd. If you stay away from the bottled water and the specials it is almost reasonable. Never noticed the lease signs but there are other spaces in the building.
Dinner Suggetions Palm SpringsDessert Modern and up to date
I thought Rattlesnack closed? Cuistot imo never recovered from moving to their new, much larger location. To me they serve expensive banquet food. I really liked it when it was just a store front on El Paseo.
Love Jillian's and Shame on the Moon!
Cut. Am I being unfair?
While I love the steaks at Cut, what I really like best are the appetizers, sides and the great wine list. Dana, the beverage director is really passionate about her work and always provides something great I had not tried before.
I did mention the charge to the waiter who as I said provided an efficient but cool service experience. He credited me $12 for the split of one steak and I was too annoyed to bring up the $12 charge on the second steak.
If a couple comes in and orders one steak and 2 iced teas then maybe I can understand the split charge. Not this time.
Cut. Am I being unfair?
4 of us went to Cut Saturday and as always it was great. However there was one issue that has been bothering me.
The 4 of us had 3 appetizers, shared 2 Nebraska dry aged New York sirloins, 3 sides, 3 desserts and 2 $100 plus bottles of wine. Everything tasted great and service was a little on the "cool" side but efficient.
Check comes and I notice there is a $12 per steak charge for splitting. Now I realize after a $600 dinner complaining about an extra $24 bucks seems cheap but considering all they did was cut the steak in half and put it on a plate seems ridiculous.
You know going in Cut is very expensive but I believe the $ 6 per plate charge is offensive.
Am I wrong?
desserts---what is your favorite dessert around los angeles?!
Kaiserschmirren (sp?) at Spago especially when the strawberries are at their best.
