javabean116's Profile
Best Red Velvet in Atlanta???
Thanks rcburli and Milt! I'm going to really try to get to Piece of Cake as it seems to have the best reviews... but it's a bit out of the way, so not sure if I have time to get to it. Gabriel's is definitely too far for me since I don't have a car this trip.
On a side note, I went to Highland Bakery for their Fried Chicken Benedict (heaven!) and got a red velvet cupcake to go... having it a day later and it's still moist and fluffy. Loads of cream cheese frosting as well!
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Highland Bakery
655 Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Best Red Velvet in Atlanta???
Hi fellow chowhounds!
I'll be going to Atlanta for a conference soon and would love to find a place with great red velvet cake! I love red velvet... but being from LA, maybe my idea of red velvet is skewed. I would love to try a really traditional yummy red velvet. So if you know of a good place in Atlanta for red velvet cake/cupcake, let me know. I will be staying in the Downtown area of Atlanta.
Thanks in advance!
Playa del Carmen-5 nights
I went to PDC a few months ago and discovered Los Aguachiles (recommended by a local). It is hands down the best fish tacos I have ever had!!! We loved it so much, we went back 3 times in 5 days. By the 2nd visit, the waiters knew us already :) Their ceviche is also very good, but to me nothing beats the fish tacos (not fried, but steamed)... ask for the secret smoked tuna version with cheese. Salivating as I write this... can't wait to go back.
Only drawback- it closes at 630pm. Los Aguachiles is around calle 34 & avenida 25.
Recs for Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Cancun
Thanks for all the recs fellow chowhounders! Too bad i didn't get a chance to check the replies until after my Playa del Carmen part of the trip. But I asked some locals in Playa and we found this GREAT ceviche and fish tacos place called Los Aguachiles (calle 34 & ave 25). I'll give a full report when i get back to the States.
In Cancun right now, any last minute recs?
thanks!
Recs for Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Cancun
I will be in Playa for 3 days, then Cozumel for another 3, and ending the trip in Cancun for another 3 days. We'll have a car in Playa, but not in Cozumel or Cancun. However, if it's not too far, I don't mind taking a cab...
We'll be staying at the Lunata in Playa, Occidental Grand in Cozumel, and Krystal in Cancun.
thanks!
Recs for Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Cancun
Hi all,
I'll be traveling to Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum (day trip), and Cancun for a week and a half soon... I'm looking for authentic places to eat at. They an be taco stands, little hidden gems, or fancy places... we really don't care- we just want some good food :) Preferably not too touristy... thanks in advance!
My High School Culinary Society: where should we go near the SGV?
My bad... thinking of beef dip and wrote pastrami- that's what happens when I'm half asleep and responding to posts.
My High School Culinary Society: where should we go near the SGV?
Hey Harry... I actually haven't been to Porto's for a while now since I work really far from there. maybe the quality has gone downhill. any other cuban bakeries you recommend? What about Merengue Bakery? I heard good things about that too.
My High School Culinary Society: where should we go near the SGV?
I wish i had a food club when i was in high school... I think it's great what you're doing with the kids. They get to experience different cultures through food :)
If you want something non-Asian that's cheap, what about Porto's in Glendale? you can grab a cuban sandwich and have dessert in the same place for a great price.
For European food, it might be tough with the budget... but what about a crepe place for dessert? Sadly I think the best crepe place around SGV (Crepe VIne) closed earlier this year... I think there's only chain crepe stores left now. But any dessert crepe is yummy!
I know Philippe's isn't the healthiest, but it's definitely a LA landmark with lots of history and they've got good pastrami! After Philippe's, you can walk around Chinatown.
Shinsengumi opened their ramen restaurant about a year ago in Rosemead and it's probably the best ramen we've got around in SGV. it's cheap, fun, with a great atmosphere. the kids will get a kick from the chefs and waiters yelling "arigatou" the entire night.
have fun!
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Philippe the Original
1001 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Porto's Bakery
315 N Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203
Need some OC hidden gem recs tonight
what about shinsengumi in fountain valley - fun yakitori place!
Steak - Jar, Dal Rae, or The Derby?
Jar it is! thanks for all the feedback :)
I know they are legendary for the pot roast... any recs for the steaks (or other entrees, apps, dessert)?
Steak - Jar, Dal Rae, or The Derby?
I lost a bet and am taking my bf for a steak dinner... we've been to the usual (Mastro's, Ruth Chris, Parkway Grill...) steak houses, but I wanted to try something new. I've heard good things about all of these places, any particular preferences?
We will most likely bring our own wine, so the wine list doesn't matter. Just good food :)
thanks in advance!
Pascal's Brasserie - Newport Beach?
Great review! Gotta go try this new place out... especially since I love Pascal's Tradition!
California Shabu Shabu - Costa Mesa - Review
My friend suggested to try out this shabu shabu place that just opened near the LAB in Costa Mesa. So a few of us carpooled there for lunch one Friday... we got there around noon and the place was about half full.
Decor was modern minimalist, with two large oval bars in the center of the room. From what I remember, there were no individual tables- you had to sit in the communal bar area. I don't mind communal areas for a small group, but since we were a group of 6, I basically only talked to my friends to the right and left of me... not much socializing at all. Like most shabu shabu houses, each person had their own little hot pot to cook with.
The order came with the usual: kelp dashi (broth), rice, ponzu sauce, goma (sesame sauce), udon (3 strands), napa cabbage, carrots, dried kelp, green onions, and bok choy. However, for the price I was paying for lunch ($11.50), they skimped on many of the sides that other shabu houses serve (eg, mushrooms, vermicelli, fish cake). The ponzu sauce had a nice sourness to it, but wasn't salty enough; the sesame sauce was too sweet and I couldn't even taste the nutty flavors of sesame.
I ordered the regular beef plate- 8 slices of thinly sliced beef. The cut seemed to be thinner than most places I've been to and the beef wasn't too fresh either- there were small brown streaks in a few of the slices... The meat itself was mediocre... not very tender.
California Shabu Shabu seems to be another one of those trendy restaurants trying to catch on to the latest shabu shabu bandwagon craze. At prices like that, with an economy like this, they better boost their quality (and quantity) for them to compete against the dozens of shabu houses in the OC. For a true Shabu Shabu experience, I will MUCH rather fork out $$$ for a traditional 8-course dining extravanganza at KaGaYa in Little Tokyo.
All the pictures and review are posted on: http://munchin-along.blogspot.com/
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California Shabu Shabu
801 Baker St, Costa Mesa, CA
San Diego Recs needed for this weekend
I had no idea the better half was closing... another independent gone. hope the restaurant that takes its place is better (and lasts longer)
thanks for the update.
San Diego Recs needed for this weekend
Review for Better Half:
The Better Half was recommended by many reviewers to be a quaint bistro that delivers comforting French fare. I decided to give this place a try and wanted to take advantage of their "Blue Plate" prix fixe menu: $20 for a 3-course meal! Sadly, when we got there, the hostess said that the orders had to be in to the kitchen by 6pm sharp (even though on their website, it said 5-7 pm) so they didn't even let us see the menu... that was pretty irritating! Explanation- the time for the special was changed this week to 5-6 pm. To me, a good restaurant not only needs to have good eats, but good service. If it's listed on the website, it really should be honored... nevertheless, I gave them the benefit of the doubt that the meal will salvage my initial impressions of the place.
Since this restaurant is known for the wide selection of their half bottles of wine, we decided to order rather than bring our own wine. Highly recommended by the waiter, we ordered the 2003 Chateau Fonbadet, a bordeaux. Bold, strong, nice oaky flavors, but lacked in a long aftertaste... for bold, full-bodied wines, I still prefer my Syrahs (or Shiraz...).
The amuse bouche was whipped chevre cheese topped with chipotle orange marmalade in a miniature pastry cup. The fluffiness of the cheese didn't make it too rich and heavy, and the chipotle marmalade have it a nice kick!
Gnocchi with Shrimp and Calamari:
This was the seafood special of the day and it was a disappointment. The gnocchi was too dense and felt like globs of dough. Although the shrimp and calamari were not overcooked, they hardly gave you enough to eat... best part of the dish was the seafood sauce- it reminded me of a lobster bisque...
-$22-
Mushroom Tomato Risotto in a Red Wine Sauce:
Al dente risotto cooked in a red wine sauce enveloped small diced pieces of mushrooms and carrots. Unlike most risottos which are white wine-based, the earthier flavor of the red wine blends well with the mushrooms. However, I still prefer my risottos with white wine... but that's just my personal preference.
-$17-
Needless to say, The Better Half was not one of the better meals I've had in SD. From the service to the entrees, it was sub par. Perhaps we ordered the wrong dishes (both dishes were from the daily specials), or we came on an off night, or the bad service in the beginning put a dent in the whole experience... or our expectations were too high, but I left that dinner dissatisfied and found myself eyeing on the lasagnas a block away at Arrivederci.
Pictures are posted on:
http://munchin-along.blogspot.com/
San Diego Recs needed for this weekend
Time to report back... I blogged my dining experiences in my blog:
http://munchin-along.blogspot.com/
Here is the brief recap:
Cafe Chloe - great intimate little gem with great food
Better Half- ok food, but disappointing service
Extraordinary Dessert - Extraordinary presentation
Hot Dogs @ 428 - hit the spot after a late night in Gaslamp
Bandar- good solid Persian food
Not all the reviews are up yet... but most of it is... will report back when all the posts are up on the blog.
thanks for all the recommendations fellow chowhounds!
San Diego Recs needed for this weekend
thanks everyone for all the suggestions! I will be going to Cafe Chloe and the Better Half. Hopefully we can squeeze in dessert from Extraordinary desserts in Hillcrest after the dinner at the Better Half.
Will report back...
Have a great weekend!
San Diego Recs needed for this weekend
Yelp said that Mariscos German is closed. too bad... and it sounded really good too!
San Diego Recs needed for this weekend
How is Bleu Boheme? the place looks cute and the early bird Prix fixe looks like a great deal?
San Diego Recs needed for this weekend
Hi there!
I will be in SD this weekend and needed some restaurant recommendations. There's plenty of fine dining in LA where I am from, so I am trying to look for places that are hole in the wall or a bit less pretentious.
I will be having a meal in Little Italy - thinking of going to Indigo Grill or Buon Apetito- any preferences?
also considering Cafe Chloe which i have been before and it was good. really loved the intimate casual setting.
Thanks in advance!
Bazaar is Wack
Great review of bazaar. I've been tempted to go, but i really don't want to spend an arm and a leg for "mediocre" food. This sounds like a pre-dinner place to me.
Suggestions on where to have lunch near the Rose Bowl in Pasadena?
Mike and Anne's has a good brunch, but service is a bit slow. Bistro de la Gare is also a cute little French place around the corner.
Have fun!
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Mike & Anne's
1040 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Bistro de la Gare
921 Meridian Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030
First Date Suggestions
My suggestion will be Vivoli Trattoria. Cute little italian place with fabulous food that reasonably priced. the wait staff and manager all speak italian and are very friendly. It can get a bit crowded there but it's a very lively mood.
Neighborhood: Hollywood
7994 Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 656-5050
www.vivolicafe.com
Another suggestion: Kyu-Kaku in on La Cienega for japanese BBQ. its a great way to have fun, eat well, and it won't break the bank either.
have fun!
The Ridiculously Affordable and Excellent Japanese Chef's Tasting Menu - Kappo Hana [Review] w/ Pics!
thanks for a great report! I can't wait to go try some non-sushi Japanese food!
Maximilian's Austrian-Hungarian cuisine North Hollywood
Thanks Jerome for posting. there aren't too many hungarian/austrian places around~ will have to swing by and grab some dinner. However, I just checked their website and the posting for the menu is so small, you can't read anything. I guess i will just have to find out when i go...
Tropika in Tustin - New Malaysian Restaurant for O.C. - Review with PHOTOS
thanks for such a great review! I haven't had good malaysian food in LA/OC for a long time... gotta go try it soon!
Restaurants serving Dungeness crab?
Most of the chinese restaurants in the San Gabriel area prepare dungeness crab that way. A few good places to consider:
Sea Harbor Restaurant in Rosemead, CA
The King Palace Restaurant in Rosemead, CA
Seafood Village Restaurant in Monterey Park, CA
happy eating!
