Best Place to Dine Solo?

Yeah Ipse -- Din Tai Fung for example, is great to eat solo in that sometimes you can slip past the crowd and sit at the communal table, but I find that I can only order half of the dishes I'm craving.

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

Dining alone (split from Los Angeles board)

I'm the exact same way. Except I don't travel much. And substitute London, Frankfurt, Paris and Amsterdam with the San Gabriel Valley, Little Tokyo, the Westside and the Valley. And I don't make reservations, dress well or tip extra. But otherwise yeah, exactly the same.

I also eat pretty much anywhere I want to eat without factoring in the fact I'll be eating alone. I had a nice dinner at the bar at AOC about a month ago. Was treated very well by the bartender and he even gave me tips on how to make the bacon-wrapped dates. I also like U-Zen because I've never had to wait and can always get a whole comfy booth. I seem to get treated better by Keizo-san when I dine at Sushi Zo alone and the bill always seems lower for the same amount of food or more -- pity maybe, who knows. In fact, the only time it doesn't make as much as much sense to eat alone is at small plate places like dim sum, Musha or tapas, where you can't sample as many different things, although that's never stopped me if I'm in the mood (hence AOC solo dinner). And I wouldn't eat out alone on Vday for obvious reasons. But the only place where I was routinely punished for being alone is when I ate at MVP (now Blue Ocean) for dim sum, they always relegated me to one of two crappy small tables located near the busboy stations. Otherwise I feel I get the same service or better.

chowmominLA in Not About Food

sushi suggestions, not breaking the bank

Sounds good with a reasonable price (as compared to Sushi Zo.) Will have to try it sometime. Was the monkfish liver warm or cold? I've had it warm only at Zo and I'd love to know where else serves it warm.

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

picnic at hollywood bowl

I'd say it depends on if you get lucky with whoever is searching your stuff. If you're going to attempt to smuggle anything in, be sure to put prohibited stuff well buried.

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

picnic at hollywood bowl

ha. my favorite sushi, ever. search the boards and you'll have days of reading material. Back to the topic, go early and consider the park n ride.

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

Anything new (or good) near Landmark Theatres in West LA?

I like Nizam for Indian right across the street. Never been to Jaipur so don't know personally how they compare but the CH consensus seems to be that Nizam is better.

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

Korean supermarkets for galbi?

Thanks so much! I wanted to report back that I went to Galleria Market and think this is my favorite of the three. It was bigger, cleaner and the prices were in line with the other two places (HK and California.) Plus, it's closer to 10 so more convenient for me. I was in a rush so I spent all of ten or 15 minutes literally running in and out, but saw they had really good looking sliced beef rib for $3.50/lb. They also had sliced beef rib for $4.00/lb that looked identical to the color and fattiness of the other meat -- I asked someone and learned that the only difference is the thickness of the cut (the thinner sliced beef is less expensive.) So I opted for the thinner sliced beef. I used the Chung Jung Won galbi marinade recommended by Jaytizzle. At least I think that's it. The label doesn't have the name in English but think the price tag on the shelf said that name. Anyway it's a red bottle with brown writing and has a picture of a pear on it. Even though I only had it marinade for about a 1/2 hour before cooking, and even though I cooked it the lazy way (broiled in the oven for about 3 minutes on each side) and even though I didn't do anything else to it besides add a little sesame seed and serve it on rice, I must say it was delicious, and as good as I've had it any any Korean restaurant (my favorite place for galbi is Parks or Tofu-Ya and this tasted just as good) for about 1/4 the price! Now I'm not Korean and not exactly a connoisseur when it comes to Korean food but I was thrilled with the way it turned out.. So happy to find a dish that is inexpensive, not too hard to shop for (as opposed to driving out to SGV for Chinese groceries), really a cinch to cook and so delicious! The only downside is that it's kinda fattening and the marinade has MSG, but until I can make my own marinade this will have to do.

Anyway, thanks for the tips!

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

picnic at hollywood bowl

I agree... as a regular subscriber I've picnicked a lot of different ways, and find that the prepackaged picnics, as well as ordering delivery to the box from Patina, are not worth the price. If I'm feeling energetic I'll prepare all or some of the food myself and/or pick up a couple things from my favorite places (e.g. the beef roll from 101 Express in SGV, dim sum from a number of places or certain sushi rolls like the Greg's Roll from CA Roll Factory). If I don't have time or energy to cook or go to multiple places I'll go to Whole Foods and pick up a bunch of noshy food and desserts. I think you'll find the food just as good if not better and for less, and the experience will be no less special.

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

ISO Vietnamese in West LA

If Westminster is too far but the Westside doesn't offer enough choices, a decent compromise would be Pho 87 on Alameda on the east side of Chinatown.

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

Chinese Food LA btwn Burbank & Cerritos

Chinatown is sort of on the way, you'd take the 5 to the 110 south to Chinatown. You've got Yang Chow, dim sum during lunch time at Empress Pavilion and several other good Chinese restaurants. Then you'd probably take the 101 south back to the 5, towards Cerritos.

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

Post Disneyland beer?

Perhaps Prof was referring to the monorail, which goes between Tomorrowland in the park and Downtown Disney. It's much less of a hassle than the parking lot trams.

There's also Tortilla Joe's in Downtown Disney, which I think has the best food in DD. But it's very relative; all the food is pretty mediocre at best. The corn dogs are the best thing to eat at Disneyland, btw.

If you think you'll be at the park for less than six hours, it makes sense to buy your tickets online, park at Downtown Disney (easy and fast), take the Monorail straight into the park, take the monorail back, have a drink at one of the restaurants and then get validated for a reduced parking rate. It's the least hassle and the parking is less than normal park parking provided you'll be there for six hours or less.

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

picnic at hollywood bowl

Are you getting box seats or benches? It's much easier to picnic in a box at a table. If no box then be sure to get there early to grab a good picnic spot or table in the surrounding picnic areas. It's not very fun picnicking in bench seats, but maybe I've just become spoiled with box seats.

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

High quality, but INEXPENSVIE raw shrimp... where in LA? Koreatown?

For convenience I'd first check out the Korean markets HK Market on Western and 1st and then Galleria on Western and 8th. If you don't mind the drive, I saw live spot prawns at the Arcadia Market in the strip mall adjacent to the Din Tai Fung locations in Arcadia. I think they were about $15/lb. You could have lunch at DTF, a sweet treat either at Yogurtland of JJ Bakery, and then go grocery shopping afterwards at Arcadia :0)

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

Malibu Kid-Friendly Meals

Coogie's is probably the most kid-friendly place in Malibu -- they'd have all or most of the items you listed. My mom loves their burgers. It's in the same huge strip mall where Granita was (which I think has been gone for a while but may be wrong.) Coogie's is pretty popular although their type of food doesn't appeal to me, but then again there aren't very many Chowish restaurants in Malibu, particularly those that are kid friendly, so Coogie's probably your best bet. My favoite place in Malibu is Bui right next door, a sushi bar, very good, pretty reasonably priced by Malibu standards. I've heard they have the same owners, so I wouldn't be surprised if they'd let you order sushi and bring it into Coogie's to have while kids eat their food!

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

picnic at hollywood bowl

Bear in mind that because it's a lease event rather than a regular season event, you're restricted from bringing in many things, including glass bottles and glasses. See the website for what's allowed and prohibited. Tupperware is your friend.

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

Need help around Ocean/Wilshire in SM!

I haven't been yet but after reading about, seeing pictures of and mentally tasting Anisette by exilekiss, I really want to try it... here's one of his two reviews:

http://exilekiss.blogspot.com/2008/06/wonderful-bit-of-paris-in-la-anisette.html

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

The Shadow of Hong Kong: The Highs and Lows of Cantonese Cuisine at Elite Restaurant (Ming Liu Shan Zhuang) (Dinner) [Review] w/ Pics!

Elite has long been a favorite restaurant of mine, particularly for dim sum, but I had a bad experience there for lunch today. I was in the area and was vacillating between the green onion pancake at Noodle House or the crispy shrimp rice rolls at Elite. I opted for Elite since it was closer, despite having EK's lukewarm review of the place on my mind (and so sad to hear you didn't like the duck!). When I was seated I quickly filled out the menu and waited for someone to take it in. I often feel invisible there, it's quite frustrasting, and I only endure that because the dim sum usually makes up for it. I usually get the egg custard tart but they ALWAYS bring that out first though it's more of a dessert. So I decided to hold off on ordering that. I ordered the crispy shrimp noodle, shiu mai and the XO noodle. I got the two noodle dishes pretty quickly and then instantly berated myself for ordering two noodle dishes -- wasn''t very balanced ordering. Anyway the saltiness of the XO noodles made me really thirsty, more than the mandatory tea could quench -- so I tried to order a Diet Coke but again, it almost seems like they were intentionally ignoring me. It took me quite a while to flag someone down by having wave my arms wildly to finally catch someone's attention. The two dishes I got were good as they always are, but then the banging started. There was someone loudly hammering on the roof! It was so distracting that everyone in the restaurant stopped their chatter and looked around, bewildered. The hammering went on sporadically for a good 30 minutes. Why they would choose to hammer away during their busiest time, I don't know. After 40 minutes of not getting my shiu mai, but enduring the hammering, I had decided I had enough. With more effort I waived down the waiter again and told him I'd like the check. I told him I never got my shiu mai but I didn't want it anymore. He said he would go check on it. I repeated I didn't want it anymore, I just wanted the check please. He said, he'd be right back. He was heading for the kitchen, as I repeated "but I don't want it anymore!" He comes back and puts the shiu mai on my table. I said for the fourth time, I did not want it anymore. He asked if I want it to go. No thank you. He went and got the manager. The manager asked me if I wanted it. For the love of God! No! For the fifth time! I told him I had lost my appetite from all the banging! They finally took it off the bill. So with two orders of dim sum, the diet Coke, the mandatory tea, tax and tip it was almost $16. I had wished I went to Noodle House or better yet gone out to Luscious Dumpling and been full and happy for under $10. This saddens me, as Elite had been one of my favorite places and i've posted often raving about it. I'm sure I'll be back, but not with the enthusiasm I used to harbor for the place. Hopefully whatever they were fixing will be fixed by then.

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

Ethnic fast food chains?

Yum Cha comes to mind, only because I criticized it as the fast food chain for dim sum in a recent post!

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

Lunch in East LA/monterey park?

ooh I would respectfully disagree about Yum Cha! It's the fast food chain of dim sum! I made the mistake of getting about $40 worth from the Chinatown location to share with co-workers on my first visit -- it was really not good and I was embarrased! The Noodle House on Garvey, two blocks west of New has dumplings made to order, see exilekiss' review w/pics! The green onion pancake is to die for!

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

Korean supermarkets for galbi?

Thanks you guys! You're the best.... knew I could count on CH for good advice!

I went to HK Market to compare it to California Market and found the meat prices to be about the same (the range is from about $2.99 - to about $15.99/lb). The color of the marinated meat looked off so I passed on that. The $2.99 bone-in, non-marinated short rib looked really good, but the smallest package was about 4-5 lbs., which was too much for me to sample with my toddler. Instead we went to their seafood counter and got a small black cod and some clams. The seafood counter was sizeable and more akin to a Chinese market than a regular market, although the prices were about 25% more than an SGV market would have been (but still less than a normal chain.) They cleaned and cut the cod for us, which was nice. I also got a few mild bimibap dishes to sample, which were only about $2.00 each: wasn't crazy about the squash pancake, the chap jae and bulgogi were just ok but I loved the potato salad!! The price per pound was more than the galbi -- go figure. I also got a bottle of the galbi marinage recommended by jaytizzle, looking forward to trying that sometime. Also got a bottle of pomegranite wine that looked interesting! So I ended up spending over $50 to sample all this stuff! Got way too much food and am OD-ing on Korean food! But still looking forward to checking out the Galleria market!!!

Parked, thanks for the distinction b/w galbi and bulgogi. I've found I tend to prefer the galbi and you're all right -- the bone in does tend to taste better. I had no idea that Mitsuwa is now a Korean market -- when did that happen? Is it still Mitsuwa or is it another name?

So I guess the way to go for galbi is with the non-marinated short rib at $2.99 /lb, using that Chungjungwon marinade, onion, green onion, sesame seeds and sesame oil. Sounds like a great plan.

Thanks again!

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

Good Sushi on Westside tonight?

Sorry I never reported back, I just noticed some of these later recs and posts! We ended up going to Kiriko and doing the $80 omakase. It was overall good, but we both missed the oh. my. GOD. factor we'd always get at Sushi Zo. It was more like, yum! rather than HOLY CRAP! My friend picked up the tab so I didn't see but I'm guessing it was about $200 total, so maybe a little bit less than Zo would have been but not by much. My son was crying for Pinkberry half way through dinner, and I would have rather him fill up on Pinkberry than expensive sushi my friend would pay for, so I ran next door to get him some. The dinner was a month and a half ago and nothing really stood out as particularly wonderful or disappointing, but I do remember feeling that the staff was completely forgetting about us (and perhaps having my son there made me a little more impatient.) I know that service is much slower than at Sushi Zo (which sometimes is too fast), but there were a few times when well after we'd finish a dish, we'd see our next courses sitting on the counter for ten minutes before the waitress noticed and brought them over (and they weren't particularly busy.) Several times we wanted to grab them ourselves but we patiently waited for the waitress to notice them instead. Anyway, for my friend's 40th in May I will definitely get a babysitter and take her to Zo. But thanks for all your recs!

And yes the Yabu I was referring to was the one on Pico.

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

Dinner in Manhattan Beach

Fritto Misto is fun, very reasonable and very good. Entrees are more like $10-$12 pp. Might be on the louder side though.

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

Korean supermarkets for galbi?

Hi, I hosted a party on Saturday for 40 people and planned on making galbi (Korean beef ribs in a sweet pear-based marinade) as the main dish. The night before I was in a panic because I hadn't found enough meat at the regular markets and didn't have time to drive to SGV, but at 10 pm I stumbled upon the California Market on Western and 5th in Ktown. There was almost TOO MUCH to choose from: of the premarinated meat they had both bone-in and boneless (either for $2.99 per pound), and of the non-marinated they had various cuts, some with bone, some without, for anywhere from about $2.00 / lb. up to $10.00/lb and upwards. I ended up getting a few kinds of meat and some premarinated and some with another marinade I had picked up... I had meant to compare it all so I'd know for next time, but in the end it all kindof got mixed together so I have no idea how the meats and marinade compared. Fortunately everyone ate it all and was raving about it so I guess it was all good. And it being pretty inexpensive and easy, quick to BBQ, I'm definately serving it again at another party.

But I just had some questions I thought I'd throw out to the experts, so I know for next time:

How does the California Market compare to other Korean markets for galbi and/or bulgogi? Any other markets i should check out?

What's the best cut meat to get for galbi and/or bulgogi? There were like 10 to choose from. Is the $2.99 meat just as good as the $7 or $8 per pound meat, or are the more expensive cuts worth the price difference?

Do you get pre-marinated meat? If so, do you get bone in or bone out? If not, is there a certain brand or recipe of marinade that's your favorite?

Any other tips for preparing galbi or bulgogi? I meant to add sesame seeds, chopped green onion and regular onion but ran out of time.

Oh, and does CA Market have, or if not does anyone know where, I could pick up some good premade chap jae (glass noodle dish)? That would be a great side dish to serve along with the meat.

Thanks!

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

Best eats near House of Blues?

Just wanted to report back on our lovely girl's night out dinner at Asia de Cuba. We all loved it.

The restaurant is in the Mondrian Hotel, just west of HoB. The ambiance is fantastic, birch wood / whites with nice mood lighting and a gorgeous (perfectly heated) patio and amazing view. Next time I'll be requesting a patio table with a view.

When i first saw the menu I had a bad case of sticker shock (one entree was $80, I think), but was relieved to learn that they serve very large portions meant to be shared: each entree serves two and each appetizer is like an entree for one, so he recommended two entrees, two appetizers and a side or two for the four of us. Since two of the women had apps and drinks at the happy hour next door, they were not very hungry, so we got two entrees and two apps for the four of us, and it turned out to be the perfect amount of food; maybe even a little too much.

I had the miso butterfish entree that comes with black bean / edamame salad plus tempura peppers. I love butterfish; it's similar to chilean seabass or black cod; very moist, tender and tasty instead of flakey or dry. It wasn't as good as the to-die-for seared butterfish sushi frmom Sushi Zo but it was delicious. The entree came with 2 filets.

I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to Chinese dumplings and find that potstickers in a non-Chinese restaurant is a crapshoot, but the lobster potstickers were great -- juicy and tasty. The order came with 6 to 8 of them, and they were pretty big.

We also got the panko crusted plantains appetizer. It was a very generous portion, with 6 or 7 large pieces of plantain. The plantain was the perfect texture -- not mushy, it had a little bit of a bite to it without tasting undercooked-- and it was perfectly fried in panko (japanese breadcrumbs). The black bean sour cream sauce was nice too.

We also got the seared scallop appetizer: four large scallops in the order. They were perfectly cooked and delicious.

With two entrees, two appetizers and a round of cocktails, the total bill with tax and tip was $250 (62.50 pp for the four of us. ) The amount of food was more like four entrees and 2 appetizers. We were all very satisfied and couldn't eat all the food.

The bar next door has a great happy hour from 5 - 7, where all the drinks and apps (same as at the restaurant, I believe) are half price. I didn't get there in time to have an app but my fruity cocktail was awesome and my friend was raving about the shrimp toast that was only $4.

I'm definitely going back... thanks for the rec!

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

Best eats near House of Blues?

Thanks all. Asia de Cuba it is then.

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

First date, sushi, west side

Chances are the date has already happened, but fwiw, I'd go with westsidegal and pick U-Zen. Very good sushi with a large selection of cooked dishes in case date is not a sushi purist. Very reasonably priced: total with tax and tip will probably be about $60. Never too crowded or noisy to talk. The ambiance lighting could be a bit better, but much better and tastier than the other affordable places.

Sushi King and Noma Sushi are similar picks for similar reasons.

The Hump and Kiriko are too expensive -- closer to $100 per person. Bar Hayama probably the same.

CA Roll Factory is great value for giant rolls but is not a real sushi place and certainly not a date place.

Hide is too crowded and bright.

Echigo has a pretty nice atmosphere and pretty reasonable, but they serve nothing but sushi so be sure she's a purist. The bill would be more like $100 total, verses the 3 recommended above.

I used to recommend Niko Niko but sadly it's slid fast in these hard times.

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

Best eats near House of Blues?

I have another foodie emergency! Going on a girl's night out to House of Blues in Hollywood for a show tonight at 8:00, need to find a place for dinner beforehand, preferably within walking distance, or at a nearby place where we could ditch all cars and take one to HOB. Prefer sushi but anything chowish works. Would pay anywhere from $30 to $60 pp total. We could just eat there but I'm guessing that's a wasted opportunity for a nice meal. A sushi bar within walking distance is perfect. Is Miyagi still there / any good? What about Sushi on Sunset? Are these walking distance?

Help! Thanks!!!!!!!

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

Japanese Market and Homemade Sushi

That's Misuwa (sp?), and yes it is great (although I've found that the one on Alameda and 3rd in Little Tokyo has a bigger fresh fish selection.) I also love the Nijiya Market on Sawtelle and Olympic, I think even more than Mitsuwa, so check that out. As for sushi prep, I won't comment since that's off topic *cough* use really sharp knife *cough*

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area

Good Sushi on Westside tonight?

Hey, I've been out of the foodie loop for a while now but need some last-minute advice on a good sushi bar tonight? My friend is taking me out for my birthday, and we're bringing my well-behaved toddler who loves rolls. My friend and I normally hit up Sushi Zo (she'd drive up from Laguna Beach for Zo, our favorite) but last time we took my son there it didn't go so well. And anyway I understand they only do omakase there now, so that's out. But I'd like to get sushi that is as good or almost as good but no more costly than Sushi Zo. Would also like to stay on the Westside. My limited and possibly outdated thoughts on the higher calibre sushi bars on the Westside:

Urasawa way out of budget;

Wasn't thrilled with either Mori or Hiko the one time I tried each place;

Kiriko is probably the best option;

The Hump is also a possibility;

We went to Sasabune as Plan B when Zo was closed / Keizo in Japan and were so depressed;

I had liked Yabu but last time I was there (like, 3 years ago), was really disappointed;

Echigo almost as good as Zo but probably too purist for my son.

Am I sorely mistaken about anything? Any other ideas? Is Zo still omakase only? What's been better lately as between Kiriko and Hump? What about Bar Hayama? And wasn't there a place in Beverly Hills area that's supposed to be great?

TIA!

chowmominLA in Los Angeles Area