Paula Deen eating a cheeseburger

Being overweight is one of the key risk factors, yes, and, no, carbs in and of themselves don't "cause diabetes." I've edited my post because I mainly wanted to respond to the white rice question and I think I got sidetracked from that.

But the the fact is that diabetes is a complex disease. The discussion here and your doctor's over-simplified explanation make it difficult to discuss the complexities. Not every obese person becomes diabetic, and not every person with Type 2 diabetes is a fat, cheeseburger-guzzling smoker.

I'd never defend the kind of cooking/eating Paula Deen sells, but I also don't want to see discussion of her "trashiness" and unexamined, unchecked hedonism define the discussion of diabetes. There's a strong tendency to conflate obesity with stupidity with diabetes, as well as a strong tendency to regurgitate misinformation as fact where this disease is concerned. People with diabetes are able to eat cheeseburgers, so long as their overall blood sugar is under control and they make allowances for it in the rest of their diet. Among the many things I don't know about Paula Deen is whether she falls in this category. There's a ton of information on diabetes out there from wiser sources than me and I encourage everyone to do a little investigating.

neobite in Food Media & News

Paula Deen eating a cheeseburger

That's a common misconception and one that's easily countered by a glance at the internet. In fact, type 2 diabetes is a growing epidemic in Asian countries. Although it's more complicated than simply linking the increase in disease to one item, like the refined carbohydrate in white rice, a few of these articles note that diabetes is being diagnosed in Asian people with lower BMI's than here in the west. Meaning you don't necessarily have to be obese or white or a stupid redneck to get diabetes. PaintedPeggies is, in fact, exactly right.

http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/301/20/2129
http://www.who.int/diabetes/facts/en/diabcare0504.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18039989
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp068177
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/170/11/961

neobite in Food Media & News

Anasazi Beans!

Yep, that's what I think, too. A really mild, creamy sweetness that I love. I use them when I'm making New Mexican dishes (though pintos are used traditionally). I love them cooked with red chile sauce and pork, or simply with chopped green chile and a some garlic and cooked down until most of the liquid has evaporated. The liquor becomes a thick, rich, slightly sweet gravy that I think really benefits from some chile heat and acidity.

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best brunch mid-city to east-LA-ish

I've cycled through that same list.

Canele is the best but sometimes feels out of range for me. I've loved Cafe Verona but more and more have felt burned by their portion-to-price ratio and occasional indifferent execution (which doesn't mean I've stopped going entirely). My favorite remains Kings Road, though its limited menu sometimes disappoints those looking for fireworks. Lately, for fireworks, I go to Larchmont Bungalow. I'm not a fan of garfy stuff like red velvet pancakes, but their omelets, breakfast sandwiches and benedicts are really good.

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Canele
3219 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Kings Road Cafe
8361 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Cafe Verona
1138 S Diamond Bar Blvd, Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Larchmont Bungalow
107 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004

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Pumpkin Ravioli? Where's your favorite served up at?

Simple, that's all - just served in a brown butter-sage sauce with a dry goat cheese grated lightly over the top. It's not super sweet, but the one at Allora is, and also has a ridiculously over the top walnut cream sauce on it.

neobite in Los Angeles Area

Pumpkin Ravioli? Where's your favorite served up at?

Kabocha stuffed at Cube for the grown up, restrained version. Pumpkin ravioli at Allora Cucina for the addictive, sweet w/ walnut cream version. (I wouldn't recommend much else there, frankly.)

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Cube
615 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Allora Cucina Italiana
8432 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

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spicy food for allergy weather

I am so with you on your quest! Here are my usual favorites.

The pork neck soup (gamja tang) at Ham Ji Park on 6th and Catalina probably fits the bill better than anything for me at the moment. Although the soon tofu at Beverly Soon might beat it out. The seafood soondobu at Seongbukdong is good, too.

The northern style pork curry at Spicy BBQ on Santa Monica.

Someone will direct you to Sapp or Pa Ord, and rightly so. I am partial to the non-spicy wonton soup at Ruen Pair, as well as their spicy noodle soup. Haven't tried their spicy seafood hot pot.

Not brothy at all, but the spicy galbi jjim at Soban on Olympic is wonderful. I feel it must be healing in some meat-centric way.

The kimchee jigae is pretty good at Genwa and I hear the sam gae tang is good there, too.

What I'd really like to find is a good caldo in the same general neighborhood, but think I'm sol.

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Ruen Pair Restaurant
5257 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Beverly Soon Tofu Restaurant
2717 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Ham Ji Park
4135 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Spicy BBQ
5101 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Seong Buk Dong
3303 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Ham Ji Park
3407 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Genwa
5115 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Soban
4001 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019

neobite in Los Angeles Area

Standing rib roast - aka roast beef

http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2009/12/perfect-prime-rib-beef-recipe.html

Works like a charm.

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Chinatown walking tour: worthwhile, or just touristy?

Worthwhile, absolutely. I took one of the Wok Wiz tours with Shirley and really had fun. Much more fun than I would have had wandering around on my own. I learned a few things, ate some great food I might not have otherwise found, and met some very nice people. It didn't feel cheap or touristy, just a very pleasant way to get to know the area.

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Animal, Melisse, Providence = Better Spot for two-top?

This board is currently ridiculously high on Animal, but it's without a doubt the tightest and loudest of the three places. Like Carter said, all are very different and very good at what they do. I think Animal does very interesting "dude food" that's not 100% successful. Providence and Melisse are much higher end and provide the ambience (and elbow room, linens, etc.,) to match. You won't have a bad time at any of them, but if I were concerned mostly with feeling cushioned and being heard, I'd pick Providence or Melisse.

neobite in Los Angeles Area

"post-gym" high protein/low carb restaurant?

Mani's or Hugo's. Also, A Votre Sante in Brentwood.

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A Votre Sante
13016 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049

Hugo's Restaurant
8401 Santa Monica Blvd West, Hollywood, CA

Mani's Bakery & Cafe
519 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

neobite in Los Angeles Area

Hip/Happening Late Night Dining in LA

You are looking for The Tar Pit.

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The Tar Pit
609 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

neobite in Los Angeles Area

White sardines/anchovies

Both Surfas and Monsieur Marcel carry them. I like the boquerones at Tasca - anchovies, boiled egg, tomato and aioli on toast. With a little lemon juice or other acid, they really liven up.

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Tasca Restaurant
8108 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

neobite in Los Angeles Area

Vietnamese or Thai near Miracle Mile? Is Paddy Rice any good?

Thai Town is definitely a hike in mid-day traffic. I haven't tried (or seen) Paddy Rice, either. If you end up there, please report?

Absolutely Phobulous is fine and will certainly please a vegetarian. Much bigger menu than the one on Paddy Rice's site. AbPho is a straight shot up San Vicente/La Cienega from Miracle Mile.

If you need Thai right in Miracle Mile, Tawanna at Wilshire and Crescent heights is passable (just) and is at least a pleasant space. Far better is Joom Bangkok on Beverly. Bob is right that Spicy BBQ is better, but in my experience Santa Monica Blvd/Normandie can be just as miserable to get to as the rest of Thai Town mid-day.

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Spicy BBQ
5101 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Tawanna Thai
6236 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Joom
7825 Beverly Blvd Ste 2, Los Angeles, CA 90036

neobite in Los Angeles Area

Looking for small plates/tapas

Neither scene-y nor bar-like, but it is dimly lit. Service is nice and well-informed and it's a room for grownups. Our parents (same age as yours) love it, particularly when they get to sample several plates. A great place to try new wines.

neobite in Los Angeles Area

Looking for small plates/tapas

Tasca.

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Tasca Restaurant
8108 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

neobite in Los Angeles Area

Fresh Ravioli Sheets?

Cube Marketplace on La Brea carries fresh lasagna sheets that look viable.

You can take a look at them via their shop/restaurant web site (they do online orders, too).

neobite in Los Angeles Area

Looking for recent impressions of Ganda

You have to understand how hard it is for me to turn you away from Thai in Los Angeles - it's one of the several ethnic cuisines I think is done better here than anywhere else in the country. I've heard great things about Danessi, and Moles la Tia is wonderful. So, no, I wouldn't bump anything on your list for Ganda - I'd much sooner steer you to my personal favorites Ruen Pair or Jitlada - BUT if you're in the market for great Thai AND you're heading to D-Land, you could do worse than making a quick stop at the much-loved Renu Nakorn in nearby Norwalk. Their catfish is pretty divine.

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Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Ruen Pair Restaurant
5257 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Renu Nakorn Restaurant
13019 Rosecrans Ave, Norwalk, CA 90650

neobite in Los Angeles Area

Looking for recent impressions of Ganda

I'll bump again in hopes you get a better answer. Haven't personally been to Ganda in 1+ years, but wouldn't replace anything on your list with it. I can't speak to its being the most authentic Thai in the U.S. - sounds like one of those grand Saveur overstatements to me - but I doubt most on this board would put it in their top 5 Thai for LA. For me, its downfall is that steam table and the lack of freshness in those dishes. Still, might be something I'm missing.

neobite in Los Angeles Area

Natural History Museum

There are some great ideas in this recent post. I would second the recommendation for La Taquiza, but there are some other really interesting options mentioned.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/704703?tag=search_results;results_list

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La Taquiza
3009 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90007

neobite in Los Angeles Area

New Wine bars in Mid-wilshire/Weho area?

Hey Emme - that's a really interesting-looking menu. Have you been and can you recommend any particulars?

neobite in Los Angeles Area

Bahia Rice

I read the same paella article in last month's Saveur, and puzzled the same way you did over the anonymous chef's contention that bomba rice is no longer in favor because it "doesn't absorb flavor well." Oh, man - I've been eating flavorless rice all these years?

This is just another one of those "you should feel deeply insecure because you don't know about mystery ingredient X, which makes everything SO much better" articles. Because bomba is wonderful rice and is perfection for paella. And, really, the object is to use what's available to you and make the dish and develop your own style and preferences, right? If arborio works, use arborio.

I get tired of being manipulated into feeling crappy because I can't get or afford the latest hand-scoured cat poo coffee, or haven't even tasted __ until I've had it made the right way with __. Sorry. End of rant. If you do go to Spain, though, can you grab me a bag? ; )

neobite in Home Cooking

Coffeehouse/Private Club: Does This Exist?

I wouldn't bother patronizing any place I wasn't comfortable wearing both. Hey, I wonder if Hef is serving coffee at the Mansion?

neobite in Los Angeles Area

Coffeehouse/Private Club: Does This Exist?

You might want to venture into Koreatown. I'm thinking Loft Cafe, Cafe Mak, or Koffea might fit the bill, though all can be varying degrees of weird and/or overpriced. Can't vouch for the presence of Englishmen, fireplaces or ,uh, leaded glass.

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Koffea
610 S Berendo St, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Cafe Mak
612 Shatto Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90005

neobite in Los Angeles Area

Specific search for Friday night dinner for 8 - WeHo or Hllywd

I'd think Eva or even Marino, maybe. Stefano Ongaro is over there now and the pastas are excellent. Tasca and Cube might also fit the bill, though the latter has much less in the way of ambience.

neobite in Los Angeles Area

Spring has returned to Tavern

Thanks for this nice reminder that I still haven't been to out to Tavern. Sounds like a lovely meal (and one I'll be trying to emulate soon).

neobite in Los Angeles Area

Cayenne Cafe

A much-loved neighborhood favorite for all the reasons you mention, plus they have a great breakfast/brunch. And it is crowded - typically on weekend afternoons - because of that.

neobite in Los Angeles Area

Leg of lamb slices?

Awesome - thanks for your help, grey. Your thinking's similar to mine. I'll let you know how it goes.

neobite in Home Cooking

Leg of lamb slices?

Hiya,
Looking for your best suggested method and/or recipes here. I picked up a pretty package of sliced leg of lamb yesterday at the market. Since I have no grill, I'm wondering if broiling or tossing them in a hot skillet would be best. It's very pretty but obviously very lean and I wouldn't want to turn them into hockey pucks. Am concocting an eggplant/tomato/feta matter to accompany and thinking couscous, too. Any ideas or recipes along those lines that leap to mind? A million TIA's.

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