Best Oysters and/or Raw Bar?

Looking for recommendations for the best oysters, raw bar, seafood tower/platters in L.A for a fabulous birthday dinner.

Any thoughts? Specifics? Thanks in advance

Cheesepuffs2006 in Los Angeles Area

Red Velvet Cake

As it is, basically, a bakery, I honestly don't know if they sell it by the slice. However, if you call, they are so nice and accommodating (which is pretty much a rarity, I must say), I'm sure they'd let you know. When I went to pick up the cake, they had a lot of pastries in their counter, but I can't attest to their quality. Only the quality of the Red Velvet! Fabulous!

Cheesepuffs2006 in Los Angeles Area

Red Velvet Cake

Just for future reference for those of you searching for an amazing cake ---, after searching all over the city for a great Red Velvet cake to serve during Christmas and being highly disappointed by the service, help, prices, insanity of the standard recommendations (i.e. Bluebird, Susina, etc.) - I turned to something different, Torrance Bakery and man, I've got to say.....the cake was stellar! Dense, moist, sweet, three layers w/ cream cheese frosting. It was amazing. I know it's probably out of the way for those who don't live in the South Bay, but its worth the drive and was half the price of the other bakeries.

Cheesepuffs2006 in Los Angeles Area

Downtown Manhattan Beach

There's Hennessey's Tavern (very passable traditional American and Irish fare) on Manhattan Beach Blvd., right in the middle of the main shopping street, just up from the pier but I'd also consider Le Pain Quotidien at the new Metlox Center about 1 block east of that.

Cheesepuffs2006 in Los Angeles Area

Good clam chowder somewhere between Venice & Redondo beach? hopefully with an ocean view

Fat Face Fenners Fishack on the Hermosa Pier has a great clam chowder. It's upstairs and you face the ocean.

Cheesepuffs2006 in Los Angeles Area

MONTE CRISTOS

Martha's 22nd Street Grill on 22nd & The Strand in Hermosa Beach (open breakfast & lunch only) makes a great one....and you get a fab view of the beach to boot!

Cheesepuffs2006 in Los Angeles Area

BEST eggs benedict near the beach?

With regard to Good Stuff in Hermosa, I have to differ! Just had Eggs Benedict there this morning and I swear the hollandaise was from a Knorr packet! It tasted like chicken sauce, salty and thin, the eggs were under poached and I have to say the entire dish was almost inedible.
The key to a good benedict is always the Hollandaise and in this case it failed. Miserably.

Try Martha's 22nd Street Grill for decent benedict and there is always Hennessy's on The Pier and The Strand, as well.

Cheesepuffs2006 in Los Angeles Area

Carbonara?!

Indeed, by "creamy" we meant the texture, not by the addition of cream, which is, of course, not traditional. My understanding was that Pancetta was traditionally used but if I'm wrong, no problem. Smoky or porky, it just has to have some pig in it! We're looking for the more traditional, rather than Americanized Carbonara.

Being ex New Yorkers, we both remember the tableside made renditions found in a few restaurants in the city and have yet to find that here. Thanks for the suggestions so far!

Cheesepuffs2006 in Los Angeles Area

Carbonara?!

It's cold and wintery and we're searching for the best traditional Spaghetti Carbonara around town! Creamy, smoky (pancetta or bacon) and if it's made tableside, then even better - but not required! We're in the South Bay, willing to drive to pretty much anywhere (but hopefully not all the way to S.F. or San Gabriel Valleys) in order to satisfy this particular craving. Any thoughts?

Cheesepuffs2006 in Los Angeles Area