Hi,
I'll be in SB this weekend with a couple of European friends. It's their only night in Santa Barbara and one of just a few in California. I'm looking to take them to something special with an emphasis on the experience. Someplace that, perhaps, shows off Santa Barbara the place. So, the A- restaurant with a n A+ view would trump, say, the A+ food experience in a more generic setting.

thoughts?

Hi,
My new englander wife wants nothing more than a good lobster for our anniversary.
What are our best bets in L.A. County?

Hi,

I need to meet a friend who leaves near the Nuart somewhere half way between her place and my place in Los Feliz for a drink. I'm looking for a great bar somewhere more or less right off the 101. I just don't know the valley. Some place where, on a thursday night, one can find a cheap but well made cocktail, a comfortable place to sit, and a good jukebox.

any thoughts?

Hi,

I'm going to make my second visit there later this week. Last time was delicious but I felt a little bit out of my element. Just ordering on impulse. Anyone have any good recommendations? And, how does one pronounce "hwe dup bap" anyway?

thanks for the recs. Any good thai out that way?

I live in los feliz. I'm shooting to meet a friend who lives out Magic Mountain way, half way.

Any good suggestions between here and there? I want to steer away from Sushi and the Ventura Blvd. corridor. Trying to spread out a bit.

Hi,

I live in los feliz and new to this "easy access to the valley" thing. I'm meeting a friend for dinner tonight. He's out near Magic Mountain. We're looking to meet up some where half way. I'm looking for some good chowhoundy, off the beaten path (or at least, ventura blvd.) reccomendations.

thanks!

Hi,
We just moved from the third street area to the franklin/bronson canyon area and tonight are missing mishima terribly. Any good replacements to recommend?

settled on jitlada. Any reccomendations?

Point well taken! Let me throw one more wrinkle into the request: no flourescent lights.

Thanks for the recs. Any specific dishes at red corner asia?

Hi,

We're just about to move to the Bronson Canyon area and we're showing our house to a friend from out of town tonight. He wants Thai. What's our best bet in Thai Town?

Hi,

Looking for a recommendation for a no-hassle dinner tonight near sunset and vine. Not the Hungry Cat or Magnolia or Bowery.

Would go to Mario's but my wife's been there too recently.

Thanks!

Hi,

I'm just about to move over near the Mayfair Market and the Scientology Celebrity Center. I've really only been to Birds and La Poubelle in the immediate vicinity. Which restaurants in the immediate area should I turn to for my new local haunts?

Hi,
I'm looking for the best, most authentic mexican meal in SD or south. Even TJ.

What are your favorites?

Hi,
I'm spending this weekend in San Diego with a friend who's never dipped down into Mexico before. Does anyone have a great recommendation for a meal in TJ (or somewhere else in Mexico within a quick drive from SD).

Thanks!

Anyone eaten at that restaurant "Moon" at the corner of highland and santa monica (I think). It's in a mini-mall with a small "donut time" stand alone store. It's got a banner outside saying something along the lines of "Grand Opening--Moon traditional japanese food." Could be just another sub-par hollywood sushi place, but it has the look of a hidden strip mall treasure...

Anyone know of a bar that serves Leffe (my favorite beer in the world)?

I love getting take out from Mishima. Does tokyo table do takeout?

there's a korean place across from Beverly Soon Tofu at Olympic and Vermont that specializes in Bi Bim Bap. They do a variant on your standard bi bim bap (as I understand it) where it's poured over crispy rice. it's great.

Had another great meal at Musha in Santa Monica. That place never ceases to impress.

Had the Pure Tofu for the first time: big bowl of freshly made (I assume) tofu with simple sides of salt, scallion, some sort of mustard, and soy sauce.

Really divine. I'm over near the grove/wilshire area; does anyone no of any similar dishes that I won't have to drive quite so far for?

I travelled a lot last year in Szechuan province and had tons and tons and tons of delicious tofu. Where can I find delicious, creamy fresh tofu in L.A.? I haven't found any spicy chinese tofu that is remotely authentic.

Besides the (very good) Korean soon tofus in town, the only experience that approximates my China experience is the fresh tofu at the Japanese place in Santa MOnica, Musha.

Any thoughts?

So, I'm one of those post "The Omnivore's Dillema" people who got all excited about eating local food and ethical meat and all that, but I haven't been able to find a good resource to help find "local food" restaurants here locally in L.A. Anyone have any favorites?