eder's Profile
What to order at Scarpetta?
totally agree; simple, tomato, basil, al dente, served in a mound the size of an upside down chinese rice bowl. elegant, tho expensive. like $26
don't trust their meats tho and stay away from anything that has the word steak in it. they haven't perfected that part of it yet.
Need recommendation - SM, LA, Valley - just not downtown
JL asks a question, trying to help and he's a wonderful resource for things good in town.
And you don't even check up on your original post to reply? And you expect people to respond?
Rude.
Dungeness Crab!! Recommendations on where to buy??
with my own eyes. i too was astounded.
Dungeness Crab!! Recommendations on where to buy??
$14.99 a lb for the dungeness today at 99 ranch. Ouch. Top or bottom of the tank. It don't matter at that price.
Florence: Seeking Casual Dining
I like Trattoria Sostanza for their bistecca fiorentina. Casual and local, not stuffy at all. Bon appetito.
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Sostanza
Via della Porcellana, 25, 50123, Florence, Tuscany 50123, IT
Anniversary Dinner
Go with your first instinct. Spago is quintessential California. The venue is fantastic; ask to be seated in the patio. Their tasting menu has been reviewed many times here and has consistently received top accolades. It can be paired with wine as well. Melisse is on par but too far away, too French and probably too stuffy for even a Brit....Providence is local to WeHo, is top rated but is fish-centric. Scarpetta has an excellent pasta dish in their basil spaghetti but don't eat any of their meat dishes..
Cheers.
Restaurant suggestions near Dodgers Stadium
How about Masa on Sunset and Lemoyne for Italian and their deep dish Chicago style pizza?
So....has anyone tried a Fonut?
Absolutely worth the hype, as long as you don't have to worry about your waistline. I imagine Waylynne Lucas does not eat her own product because she's so skinny.
These puppies are dense and delicious and rich. A third of a fonut should suffice any hunger and then some. The lemon was tart; the strawberry right on; the chocolate was well, chocolatey. The PB and J however not so much.
For the price and goodness, it's well worth it. Two fonuts could satiate an entire office. Selling out of product the first week wasn't random...
In LA for wedding for labor day weekend
ombra ristorante might close their restaurant for a group of thirty. right at the bottom of the hill on cahuenga (ventura) blvd. great italian, new, young chef. walkable.
raphaels further toward studio city has a nice private area that would accomodate your group. young chef, good resume, mixed menu, beautiful decor. need transportation to get to but local bus will take the lot of you.
Table for 20 in Sherman Oaks area
Restaurants with private rooms: not necessarily in order but....
Raphaels in Studio City
Pinot Bistro Sherman Oaks
Maggiano's Woodland Hills
Panzanella Sherman Oaks
badaboom...
Hand Pulled Noodles in Los Angeles?
phillipe chow is about to open in the old dolce space on melrose. big stink between phillipe's and mr chow for bragging rights to who can charge the most for chinese food in west hollywood/beverly hills. but back to the point....phillipes serves hand pulled noodles even to the point of showing diners how's it's done with a presentation in the dining room. see "cooking school" on their website. but it ain't gonna be cheap. for the latter, sgv.
Company dinner for 16 on the westside?
Stefan's at LA Farm has a great wine room, seats 16, private, in your price range and aside from other postings I've found to be a great chef with a wide range of culinary acumen.
Cubano sandwich: ISO sliced pork loin
El Criollo is close enough. For 8 bucks including ff's who could resist? A cuban restaurant in the valley? Who knew?
Muchisima gracia as lo cubano say.....
Cubano sandwich: ISO sliced pork loin
Just got back from New York and had some iterations of the classic Cubano sandwich, sliced pork loin, sliced ham, sliced swiss, some sliced dill pickles and spread yellow mustard on a nicely crusted roll and then pressed like a panini except without the ridges. As a matter of fact there was a nice Cubano available even at the Balducci's at JFK.
I'll take recs for places to get this classic sandwich in town but isn't there somewhere to get packaged or deli like Boar's Head sliced roast pork so I don't have to go to the trouble of roasting a pork lenderloin just to get a couple of slices for a sandwich? There's gotta be a place in town and I've tried Gelson's, Bristol Farms and Whole Foods. Thanks for any heads up.
Spago or CUT?
there is only one spago and a dining experience it will be for both of you. as recommended get the tasting menu; it will not disappoint. you can find wagyu at any number of steak places these days and cut to me is just another steak joint and there are better ones in this city besides. as for dan tana, why? not in the same league.
again, there is only one spago....
Sunday Brunch for Foodies Visiting
Brunch at the nearby Four Seasons is a mega feast and nothing in New York can beat the ambience of the Bel Air hotel for a relaxed Sunday bkfast/lunch. Hotel venues, yes, but different.
Dim Sum in Burbank / Glendale area?
there's always A & W on reseda two blocks north of nordhoff. passable dim sum with cart service and a full cantonese menu.
o/w, like others have said, head east young man...
Vetri
How much does the wine pairing add to the meal? I was originally thinking of ordering a bottle of white and a bottle of red for the entirety of the tasting. Would I be wrong or is the sommelier that spectacular with his pairings?
And another thing...how do folks dress at a place like Vetri? Phlly isn't a tie and jacket town is it? Please excuse my out of towner ignorance for things Philadelphian.
Vetri
The tasting menu it is then but what's the difference between the tasting and the grand tasting menu? Number of courses probably, huh?
Will report back, thanks for the recs, hounds.....
Vetri
Coming from out of town for a meal at Vetri. What on the menu will best showcase chef's talents?
Good sub shops in West L.A.
The chain, Jersey Mike's, is coming soon to Westwood. They're currently in the Valley and they do a good job with both hoagies and cheesesteaks. Tastes like back east. It might be worth the trip to Burbank or Tarzana....
Best TM in Philadelphia
Coming to Philadelphia from LA in November for a wedding and want to experience what local hounds consider to be the best tasting menu in the city. Looking for something for a Thursday night. Does the resto have a wine pairing? Would you recommend it? Thanks for your help.
Looking forward also to a Phillycheewit of course....
Hotel BelAir or Riviera C.C. for reception
Hands down, the Hotel Bel Air. While the ballroom is a bit small and cut up, have you thought about putting up a tent? That would be elegant.
Sherman Oaks/ Encino Recs
Just tried Pampa's, an Argentinian restaurant on Van Nuys near Chandler. Nice mixed grill for two for 27 bucks, plenty of food. Not gourmet but a nice variety of dishes including empanadas, pizza, pasta, chicken, fish and meats. Warm service and a great pitcher of Sangria for 18 bucks. Look at their website for their menu. Nice Mom and Pop kinda place. Clean. Easy street parking
Private Rooms for 40
Bamboo in Sherman Oaks, Uncle Chen's in Encino and not asian but Pinot Bistro in Studio City has a very nice room where we did a bridal shower.
Cedars Sinai
Cedars is between Third and Beverly and between Robertson and roughly La Cienega. On Third is Jerry's Deli and Dominick's and a Todai. On Third, there's North End Pizza, Locanda Veneta, Orso, Breadbar, Barefoot, Creperie, Cafe Angelino and a sushi place. Around the corner on Robertson are Michel Richard, the Ivy, Newsroom and Chaya. On La Cienega there's PF Chang, Grand Lux and a Baja Fresh. These are all within walking distance.
There's a Starbucks on the Plaza level in Cedars itself for your latte right next to the coffee shop/restaurant. And the hospital cafeteria on the Street level is not bad for their grill, sandwich, salad bar and hot food stations (open practically 24 hrs).
Ask the people at the nursing station on your floor for local take out menus. That's where you'll find all the ethnic places that'll deliver right to your room.
where has the good pasta gone?
Try Cinqueterre on Santa Monica just east of Sepulveda. Italian chefs, Ligurian style. Their TM is $70 which included smoked fish, a pasta duo, branzino baked in salt and grilled languostine. For $95 add a carpaccio, a bistecca and a cheese course.
