JSny's Profile
Melrose Bar & Grill (formerly Doug Arango's)
A new face, a new name and new super delicious items to enjoy. Try the pretzel and sausage appetizer, you won't believe it. My friend and I got it to split and had to get another one. The pizzas are still scrumptious as ever. I don't know what it is about the pepperoni (which is my favorite) but it tastes better than any other pepperoni I've had. I give Melrose B&G two thumbs up!
"Great Greek" Old School Food
Being from NYC I had found it hard to find good greek food, I mean really good greek food. There's a chain or two around that has greek, but it's like Domino's when you're looking for good pizza. But in Sherman Oaks, on Ventura Blvd, "The Great Greek" restaurant is the real thing.
Their Stuffed Grape Leaves "Dolmathes" and Spinach Cheese Pie "Spanakopita" are my favorites only second to "The Blue Mediterranean" salad. It has chunks of chicken breast sliced avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onions capers and feta cheese, over greens all for only about $10 at lunch. I always order too much so I can bring it home and enjoy it for another meal.
Another taste sensation is their 'Tzatziki' with their warm pita bread for an appetizer is a mouthwatering experience waiting to happen.
Trendy/fun dinner in Hollywood?
24 degrees at the Roosevelt, Velvet Margherita, Katana, Social Asia de Cuba, AVOID RED PEARL
Is the "Ivy" a must???
To be Brutally honest.... THE IVY SUCKS!!! It is way overpriced, ill-prepared, unoriginal diner food. You pay $26 for a grilled chix caesar salad, so that you can watch the Hilton Whore cry to her "wacked-out, living vicariously thru her daughter" mother. Or $30 for a Lasagne that is bested by Olive Garden so that you can witness Lindsay Whorehan crash her SL65 Mercedes-Benz in front (twice in 3 mos I might add). If you that desperate for a scene, or to see a hollywood narcissist behaving badly, than go and get ripped off. But I guarantee it won't be worth it. Hope you enjoy wherever you go and please forgive my honesty.
Who has the best hummus?
Believe it or not, Doug Arango's on Melrose in WEHO has a Mediteranean Plate for Lunch that has grilled Chicken Breast, Tzaziki Sauce, Olives, Rstd Peppers, Tabouli and a really great Hummus. They serve it with a fresh baked to order piping hot pita that is out of this world. It is lunch only however, as I have never seen it on the dinner menu
Vito's -- it's perfect!
I love the sausage pizza at Vito's. My cousin turned me on to this place about 2 mos agho and it is the most authentic NY/NJ pizza I've had hear in Cali
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VITO'S Pizza on La Cienega
There's a new pizza place on La Cienega, just north of Spanish Kitchen in that little Two- Story Tall Strip Mall. It's called Vito's. Apparently this place was in Silverlake and just recently moved and was somewhat of a Silverlake Favorite. I only heard good things about it so I gave it a try last week. I have to say, it was the closest thing to Brooklyn or Long Island NY Pizza I ever had in LA. It was really great and absolutely lived up to it's reputation. The owner was a funny, warm italian guy woh ios more than happy to offer some entertaining conversation while you wait for your slices to heat up. This place makes Albano's and Mulberry Street seem aste CPK.
Red Pearl was a nightmare
A woman from my office had simliar experience at Red Pearl as well. She said she could not believe that it seemed as if no one was in charge of the place and how bad the service was.
Looking for a good dinner dining solo in Beverly Hills
If you don't have a reservation already at Cut, then don't plan on having your solo diner until 11pm. Try Doug Arango's on Mel;rose, They have a great bar that they serve dinner at. The food is delicious and well priced. Try the pizza, scallops with risotto, and they spicy tuna is a must have. They do a great NY steak with the "best fries in LA" according to City Search
Red Pearl was a nightmare
I had terrible experience there as well. The service was an abomination. They have no regard for their customers whatsoever. And it's just chinese food. There was nothing fabulous about any of it. Dim sum is not culinary excellence. I'll take the mediocrity of Kung Poa and get treated with some decency while I'm there. I am not narcisstic enough to have to be in a so called "cool" place just to say I was there. Red Pearl is a MUST AVOID for anyone with a brain and any self respect.
Great Friday night culinary experience at Doug Arango's
Went to Doug's again this week with some colleagues and had a great chopped salad with salami.
Great Friday night culinary experience at Doug Arango's
Yes, it is the same owner's, I believe it is owned by two sisters and a brother. I simply love it there.
Great Friday night culinary experience at Doug Arango's
I agree with you Ciao Bob, it's an undiscovered gem in West Hollywood. I've been obsessed with the shrimp pizza for the last two months and have it everytime I go. It was a wise choice for you to have that pizza OliverNYLA, your tasting menu looked delicious, I've had many of those items. The Scallops with Risotto are to die for.
Need reccomendations for Cool Restaurants that serve great food in L.A.
Is Blue Velvet downtown on Garland. If so, I went to a Christmas Party there and the passed hors d'oevres were very good.
Recent visit to Zankou... disappointment
That's true. I was shocked how good it was from Costco. My sister bought one. It was huge and delicious. I just don't know that when I crave chicken, I would go through the hell of the parking lot and the lines. But if there for other reasons, I'll definetly pick one up.
Zankou Chicken still downhill
I loved the spinach & feta cold pasta side dish, but they recently discontinued it @ Cal Chicken Cafe. I was so dissapointed. It was great cold or hot.
Recent visit to Zankou... disappointment
For $7.99 get a chicken at Gelson's or Bristol Farms for $8.99. They are way better and they have several different seasoning choices.
L'Orangerie
I'm devasted. I'm going to attend their auction. I just hope I dont break down in tears.
Mulled wine
This may sound crazy but if you like the scent of Mulled Wine, you have to buy the Mulled Wine Candle at Illuminations. Trust me on this one. Their website is www.illuminations.com
Koi or Matsuhisa??
Matsuhisa for food but the place is UGLY. Koi for scene and ambiance.
Sherman Oaks Frozen Yogurt - Like Pinkberry?
What is with this yogurt craze? Its taking over LA. I see lines for the one in WEHO that are 20 min long. I can't see waiting in a long line for yogurt that is over-priced. I think its another one of those LA trends.
Italian on the west side
Try Giorgio in Paciific Palisades or Doug Arangos' in Weho if you don't find what you want in Brentwood. I had an amazing Pasta with Proscuitto and Peas and a lite slighty sweet cream sauce at Dougs on Thurs. I also recommend their pizza.
Do real bagels, boiled bagels, exist in West Los Angeles?
I hate to say it but Ive never found a good bagel on the west coast. My fav in NY are Tal Bagels on 1st Ave @ 53rd St
Butternut Squash Ravioli Craving
Did you ever get to try the Buttenut Squash Ravioli at Doug Arangos? If not, where did you have them? How were they?
Ed's on Robertson near Rosewood for Breakfast
Have any of you ever tried this place? I just love it for breakfast on sat morning, or even during the week. It's this tiny 1950's style luncheonette (no not like a ridiculous looking chain themed restaurant... this place seems authentic and original). They have the greatest breakfast burritos and I have defected from my usual sat breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien.
This place is like home cooking which to me is what breakfast is about.
Best in LA
Some of my favorites are (there is no particular order):
Very Expensive: Sona, Spago, Providence, Koi, Ortolan, Grace
Not As Expensive: Doug Arangos, Madeo, Dan Tanas
Less Expensive: The Great Greek, Mr Cecils Ribs, Real Food Daily
Ed's on Robertson near Rosewood for Breakfast
Have any of you ever tried this place? I just love it for breakfast on sat morning, or even during the week. It's this tiny 1950's style luncheonette (no not like a ridiculous looking chain themed restaurant... this place seems authentic and original). They have the greatest breakfast burritos and I have defected from my usual sat breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien.
This place is like home cooking which to me is what breakfast is about.
Pizza at Doug Arango's in Weho
With all the talk about Mozza's pizza I had to start this post re: the Pizza at Doug Arango's. I went the other night and had a Shrimp pizza, with a touch of cilantro, roasted red pepper, fresh mozzarella and their fabulous sauce and it was FANTASTIC. It also had a drizzle of some sort of lemon oil and it was so fresh and zesty.
I have to say, I feel the pizza at Doug Arango's is underated or just not yet discovered. They are larger than the pizzas at Mozza and priced the same, and if I have only one, I am not still hungry like I was at Mozza. Their sausage is homemade and crumbled on a pizza with olives and peppers. That was my favorite until the shrimp one came along.
I really love their pizzas and know if you try it, you'll be a convert.
Mozza Pizzeria - a little long
You're correct. People are thinking way too much about this. It's only pizza, we're not saving the world here.
I felt it was expensive for how small they are. They start @ $9 but average around $13 and I believe as high as $16 for a single personal size pizza. And the sodas are expensive as well. It's not bad, it's just not great. And for people to be lining up, and putting up with the smoke, to me means that they are followers who believe in hype.
Last night we opted for pizza and pasta at Doug Arango's. We started with an incredible shrimp, rstd red pepper, cilantro pizza with fresh mozzarella, the incredible sauce and a touch of some sort of lemon oil. It was Fantastic. We then both had the pasta with rapini, homemade sausage alio olio and it's always just a favorite of mine. I would suggest you give their pizzas are try and compare to Mozza. They're priced the same but are about 30% larger with a thinner, cripy crust. Then I'd like to hear if you still think Mozza is the best. You may have a new favorite pizza after you do your comparison.
