xhotelie's Profile
Langer's - Perceptor's Report
Went last Friday with a retired friend who had been going there since the early '70s -- his favorite server was still working, and she give him a good-natured ribbing for staying away for so long. Great rye bread, wonderful pastrami. Had my bread grilled, with a little sauerkraut. Didn't use much of the Russian dressing that came on the side. Nice, essential flavors. Heard other diners talking with their servers specifically about the thickness of the slices -- substantial, as opposed to shaved, flaky and greasy.
Free parking (with validation) about a block away. People-watching pretty good, too; saw Chief Bratton coming in just before we left last week.
--CT
Europane Musts?
OP here. Thank you to all -- you've made great suggestions.
This morning I got an apple tart that was still warm from the oven -- absolutely delicious. Each substantial wedge of apple was perfectly browned and bursting with tangy, sweet flavor. How can that pastry shell be so crisp and flaky, yet clearly hold so much butter? Good stuff.
Seems to have been a bit of redecoration going on inside, and the two ladies who have always helped me on Saturday mornings past weren't in today. Staff still very pleasant and helpful. I have five more classes -- think I'll try the monkey bread and coffee suggestion next. Best.
CT
Europane Musts?
I've been taking a Saturday morning class in Pasadena for the past several weeks and have stopped into Europane six separate times now for coffee and pastry. Not a hint of the attitude that I've read about on the LA board -- same two ladies behind the counter have been very polite and helpful. The only grief I've witnessed, and this was only once, when I stopped back for lunch, was some inter-patron strife over who was first in line. The results of some sensitivity training, or maybe there's a different, meaner spirited crew there weekdays?
I've got four more Saturdays to go and need to move on from my current standby of pain chocolat. The blueberry brioche a few weeks ago missed the mark. What else should I be trying? Roasted red pepper and goat cheese sandwich was good. Breakfast and lunch are both options for me.
Where to buy Medjool Dates?
Bautista Family Farms of Mecca sells organic medjools at the Tuesday Torrance Farmers market; delicious, plump dates for about $6 a pound. I don't recall if they're there on Saturdays or not. Really good and worth seeking out.
Shields Date Garden in Indio (http://www.shieldsdates.com/) has great medjools, citrus and other good stuff (like the requisite date shakes) if you're going to make a trip out to the Coachella Valley.
Is it just me, or is Galco's really gross?
Anybody have an address on Soda King's Torrance location? Nothing on their website above, nor in Google or Yahoo. Thought it might be worth a trip. Thanks!
Place to buy Pure Cane Sugar Pepsi? Dr Pepper?
Surfas usually has the Dublin Dr Peppers -- the small ~8-ounce bottles -- in the refrigerated section. They're pretty close the $2.00/each level, though. You can order them off of the bottler's web site http://www.olddocs.com too. The 12-ounce cans are cheaper once you factor in shipping.
Good Breakfast In Woodland Hills?
Thanks all for the great suggestions!
We had a great early breakfast at Weiler's -- pretty much had the place to ourselves when we arrived at 7:30 AM -- hearty, wholesome coffee shop fare. Great bone-in ham steak and eggs, hash browns, toast and coffe, ejust as I was hoping for. Our orders ran the gamut from pancakes, omelettes, waffles and the like. Another member of our party spoke highly of Bobby's, so I think that's the next stop, after my our respective cholesterol levels drop back down to an acceptable level.
Again, thanks to all the 'Hounds who helped with the many great suggestions. Best.
CT
Good Breakfast In Woodland Hills?
I'm looking for a good greasy spoon or pancake shack-type place to take some co-workers for breakfast tomorrow morning -- last minute thing. In the past we've tended to end up at JFD, or some anonymous hotel breakfast room in the Warner Center area. I don't live in the area, just work there, and lunch is usually skipped, or from the local Whole Foods, or Jamba Juice -- we're all pretty much holed up in our cubes until we go home. Is there anyplace more interesting than Denny's, or IHOP? We're not out to be impressed, just good old-fashioned hearty breakfast food; eggs, potatoes, meat, pancakes, waffles, strong coffee, fresh OJ and the like. Any suggestions would be a huge help, especially at this late hour. Best. CT
Can someone explain what the deal is with South Bay sushi?
Had a very good omakase at Sushi Ken in Torrance last weekend. Worth the trip to this part of the South Bay -- I think it was around $35 pp for the omakase, followed with a multitude of extras. Spirited staff, and a visit from the chef to check on our satisfaction. No hesitation recommending this one.
Sushi Ken
22831 Hawthorne Blvd # Bi
Torrance, CA 90505
(310) 378-9595
Sushi in South Bay, Please help!
Kazan, in the center at Carson Street and Western in Torrance has always been fresh, friendly and solid. They have a couple of private rooms which always seem to be full of what look to be visiting Japanese execs (Honda, Toyota and many other Japanese companies have Torrance-based operations). Also serve a nice foie gras dish, and yummy desserts, like their Black Sesame Creme Brulee and grapefruit sorbet -- both housemade.
Kazan Restaurant
1757 W Carson St Ste L
Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 320-5511
Ha's Apple Farm jars, buy @ FARMER'S MARKET
Mr Ha is at the Torrance Farmer's Market (Wilson Park) on Saturdays, and in Palos Verdes on Sundays. Elsewhere, too, I'd imagine.
His jellies/preserves are delicious, as are his fresh Fuji apples -- I take them to uninitiated friends so that they can understand what an apple should taste like. The dried Fuji slices are great snacks, too.
Your favorite sandwich. Ones you make at home.
A few thin slices of Proscuitto di Parma, a very generous smear of triple-creme (Supreme Brie or Pierre Robert) cheese, Agrimontana fig preserves, fresh ground pepper and a drizzle of rosemary-infused olive oil; all between warm ciabatta. Yummy balance of chewiness, salt, sweet and butterfat.
