Best place to gorge on raw oysters in LA?

Blue Plate Oysterette is another place to check out in Santa Monica.

i agree with going to either the Saturday or Sunday SM Farmers' Market and getting them from Carlsbad Aquafarms/Aquaculture. They are freshly shucked right in front out you.

toffifay in Los Angeles Area

Spekuloos in LA?

You can find Lotus Biscoff (Spekuloos) that you get on Delta Flights at CVS pharmacies. I found them at the Lincoln Blvd store in Venice.

toffifay in Los Angeles Area

looking for "grey shrimp" or crevettes gris

This is a really late reply, but you can get a grey shrimp dish at the Brussels Bistro in Laguna Beach. If you found a place to purchase these shrimp, then please let me know!

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Brussels Bistro
222 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

toffifay in Los Angeles Area

From LAX to Santa Monica - Where's the best place to eat?

FYI, casual and affordable are going to cost a little bit more depending on where you're coming from. I moved here and had a bit of sticker shock when it came to restaurants in the Santa Monica/Venice area. You can add a good 20% on your bill for the westside premium.

And most restaurants are pretty casual....most places you can walk in with a sweatshirt, jeans, and sneakers and they would serve you.

My recos:
$ (
La isla Bonita - Mexican Taco Truck in Venice - great ceviche, tacos, tortas and burritos
http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-isla-bonita-venice

In and Out Burger - on Washington Ave in Venice - classic California chain. Look up the "secret menu"

Abbot's Pizza Kitchen on Abbot Kinney in Venice - salad pizza - fresh salad on a pizza crust. So californian and cheap. good walking neighborhood - same street as Gjelina
http://www.abbotspizzaco.com/

$$ (10 - 20 per person)
Gjelina Take Away. Food is great, but you miss on the ambiance of the restaurant and potential celebrity sighting if you're into that kind of thing. http://www.gjelina.com/Menus/gta.pdf

Alibi Room if you want to try the famous Kogi korean tacos in a modern bar setting. In Culver City a little bit out of the way from LAX/Santa Monica path, but worth it.
http://www.alibiroomla.com/home.php

Father's Office - great burgers & belgian beers. Good gastropub - has salads and good apps. No reservations & a little cramped. Santa Monica on Montana Ave.
http://www.fathersoffice.com/

$$$ (you could get lunch for $20-30)
Gjelina - I like this place as well. But you definitely need reservations. In Venice on Abbot Kinney. Very popular restaurant - small plates, thin crust pizzas.

Milo & Olive - new restaurant on Wilshire - small restaurant with excellent thin crust pizzas better than Gjelina IMHO and good seasonal salads, pasta dishes.
http://www.miloandolive.com/

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Father's Office
1018 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Alibi Room
12236 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Milo and Olive
2723 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

toffifay in Los Angeles Area

Anyone foraging or interested in foraging in the LA area? + Wild Fennel in So Cal

Are there any folks here who forage or are interested in foraging and cooking together?

SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS - Wild Fennel
I recently went hiking in the SM mountains and noticed lots of wild sage and wondered what else was edible in the mountains. I noticed one plant that looked like dill and smelled minty when it's leaves are crushed. I did some research and found out that it's wild fennel. Very popular in Southern Italy, but not typically sold in grocery stores.

Here's a recipe for a wild fennel & sausage pasta that sounds & looks delicious:
http://www.calabriafromscratch.com/?p=2755

Wild fennel pollen is collected as a seasoning and super expensive...
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2010/07/want-to-try-fennel-pollen-pick-your-own/60560/
http://www.zingermans.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=P-FEN

FORAGING CLASSES
I've found a few links to foraging classes online:
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/29/food/la-fo-foragerbox-20100729

-Theresa

toffifay in Los Angeles Area

Low Brow, but Delicious - Where to find Good Humor Toasted Almond Ice Cream Bar?

Anyone know where to find a Good Humor Toasted Almond Ice Cream bar in LA?

I tried the Good Humor website and there is no store listed within 20 miles of Santa Monica/Venice that carry the multi 6pk of Toasted Almond. They used to be offered at Pavilions.

Or a good facsimile at a local ice cream store?

I might just resort to the special order at Albertson's.

This is reminding me of my search for Fried McDonald's Apple Pie years ago.

toffifay in Los Angeles Area

Venice/MDR Cheap &/Or Unique Eats

On Abbot Kinney:

Gjelina - Simple American/European fare - Go at 5:30PM limited menu or at 6PM for full menu to see if you can get seated without a reservation.

Three Square Cafe - Simple German inspired casual eatery.

Lemonade - can be hit or miss - but a cafeteria diner place good for cheap casual quick eats. Their banana layer cake is amazing.

AXE (not open now, but rumored to never open) - simple organic California food - delish.

Near or on Rose Ave:

Venice Beach Wines - cute wine bar with light eats.

La Isla Bonita Taco Truck - usually in front of Storage Place on Rose. Cheap fast easy taco truck - try ceviche. Their tacos come with Pinto Beans.

Sauce on Hampton - local everyday hangout - good straightforward food.

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Venice Beach Wines
529 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291

Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, USA

Sauce On Hampton
259 Hampton Dr, Venice, CA 90291

toffifay in Los Angeles Area

Spicy tuna on crispy rice? Why?

Hi-

I'm new to LA and have been to three Japanese restaurants (Koi, Katsuya, and some small place in Weho) that have served spicy tuna and crispy rice. I tried it at each place and thought that it was awful.

What is the fascination in the LA area with this appetizer? Can someone help me understand?

Do you like it? Do you hate it? I would love to see if I'm in the norm or not.....

Toffifay

toffifay in Los Angeles Area

Visiting Seattle for 4 Days - Simple Not Fancy Recos?

Thanks to everyone for their recommendations....much appreciated. Will post back on Tuesday where I went and what we ate! : )

toffifay in Pacific Northwest

Visiting Seattle for 4 Days - Simple Not Fancy Recos?

Looking for some good, but simple restaurants in Seattle. Visiting Seattle this weekend for 4 days.

A friend mentioned Lola's for breakfast featuring their yummy doughnuts.

Any other places? We prefer simple good food.
It doesn't need to be fancy french or haute cuisine.

Will eat anything and would love a great seafood recommendation.

Thanks a bunch!

Let me know if I can return the favor - I live in the Boston area.

toffifay in Pacific Northwest

confronting the cookie

I'm a big fan of almond macaroons - when done well, match most of your criteria - fresh, soft and gooey - they are usually on the small side.

I like getting a few from Mike's or Modern Pastry - if you catch them when they're fresh. Absolutely delicious!

My favorite packaged cookie is from Dancing Deer - Almond Cherry Chews. You can buy them at Whole Foods - but I've been noticing they usually don't have them in stock these days. Delicious. Soft, chewy and substantial!

toffifay in Greater Boston Area

Good places to buy fresh seafood in Boston?

The only drawback of the C Mart under the parking garage is that the guys behind the counter don't speak english. If it's not busy, then they do have a translation sheet showing the english name and the chinese name next to each other. Otherwise, you have to rely on your own knowledge and pointing. Fish is good and fresh and cheap!

toffifay in Greater Boston Area

Good places to buy fresh seafood in Boston?

If you're looking for sashimi grade salmon- then check out Kotobukiya in Porter Exchange. They have very fresh cuts of sushi grade fish for sale. 1815 Massachusetts Ave # 1, Cambridge, MA 02140. In the back corner of Porter Exchange across from Blue Fin.

Or go to Sea to You on the Boston wharf - you can buy direct from them. Just call ahead to make sure that they have what you need. You can also get fresh uni, shiso leaf, fresh wasabi root, etc...http://seatoyouboston.com/ NB: they are only open for retail on Fridays and Saturdays.

toffifay in Greater Boston Area

Traveling with Lobsters

I agree- if you want to avoid the hassle but don't mind spending more - Legal's at the airport is a good place to buy live lobster to fly. I only had a short trip to DC - so I got one from Anthony's Pier 4 at American Airlines Terminal B - and it was a perfect surprise for my parents who love fresh seafood.

toffifay in Greater Boston Area

Good places to buy fresh seafood in Boston?

I've been to Sea to You on the wharf to buy sashimi fish, and I discovered that fish is fresh and cheap at the Chinese grocery store under the Chinatown garage....

Are there other places that you might recommend to find fresh seafood at reasonable prices? I'm tired to paying an arm and a leg at Whole Foods to make simple things.

Help! I'd appreciate any advice.

Toffifay

toffifay in Greater Boston Area

Best Breakfast or Brunch spots

Here's a short list of my affordable breakfast favorites (I live in Cambridge)

Casual Breakfast:
1. Talk of the Town Diner in Watertown - excellent fluffy waffles with fresh fruit and whipped cream and a good selection of eggs benedict variants. they also serve classic breakfast dishes.

2. Hi Rise Bakery in Cambridge - (bakery/sandwich place) delicious breakfast sandwiches (green eggs & ham - my favorite), rich creamy oatmeal studded with plump dried cherries & pecan halves, and a great almond coffee cake filled with almond paste and drizzled with sweet glaze.

3. Flour in South End - (bakery) great savory sandwiches, freshly made soups, and a nice selection of sweet cakes, muffins, and breads.

toffifay in Greater Boston Area