Golem's Profile
Recommendations for Catering in Pacific Palisades area for wedding venue that doesn't have a kitchen?
Hovav Ben Tov is excellent. Give him a try: http://hovavcatering.com/ (310) 230-0587.
Strip Mall Hidden Gems in the San Fernando Valley and West Side?
I discovered Roladin Bakery and Cafe in Loehmann's Plaza Reseda. It is an Israeli gem, like the much larger and very busy Aroma Cafe in Encino, but a lot more accessible. Great sandwiches, soups, salads. The sabich sandwich is currently my favorite.
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Roladin Bakery Cafe
19365 Victory Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91335
Best farmers market for tourists?
In my opinion, if this is your first visit to LA, I would still recommend the Farmer's Market at the Grove. It is not a real Farmer's Market (as has been pointed out), but you are a tourist! LA has lots of great food options, and those of us living here have many wonderful choices. But a tourist needs to see places that natives would never visit a second time.
Enjoy yourself.
Either way, you can't go wrong...
Costco Hot dog
I agree!!! Now I order the cheese pizza by the slice. The HN dogs were the best and I'd pay a few cents more (or whatever!) to get it. The Kirkland Dog does not compare, in my book.
Dinner at Mas Malo
So, it's Sunday, early evening, and having left the Disney Hall for a Matinee show, we go to Mas Malo via the LA Subway. Walk two blocks from the 7th Street Station (this is important...you'll see why), and get seated just before the 5pm dinner hour starts.
We are greeted by Amanda who tells us we need to wait a few minutes until 5 pm, since this is still the brunch time. We order chips and salsa, margaritas, and check the place out. The place is crazy (in a good way): it is in the old Jewelry Mart Building, with a high, ornate ceiling, and comfortable tables. It is loud. The crowd is youngish, and oh yes, hipsterish.
Great margaritas, Wonderful chips (crispy and delicious chewy ones, too), with the "salsa flight." Good choices. Amanda was right. We did enjoy the salsas, all. Especially the warm mole salsa. The habanero salsa was sweet and tasty and took off the back of my head. I've got to get more of that one.
So, dinner hour and we four order more margaritas and dinner.
The food is good. Not gourmet, but tasty, well-prepared. My red snapper fish tacos were just like I like them.
We're having such a good time that we hardly notice the noise of the crowd (where did they all come from?) and the music. The place is alive. And it's not just the margaritas talking! This restaurant is about as interesting a space as I've seen. Not divey, but fun. We can't wait to explore.
Later we are shown the tequilla "safe," which is a tequila tasting room in an old safe, from the previous era. And then Jimmy the Manager shows us downstairs. A gem of a smaller restaurant space with nice bar and comfy tables.
What a fun place, nice dinner, not too pricey, and with great, friendly staff (did I say Amanda?). We'll be back.
And oh yes, after two margaritas, we walked back to the subway and took it back close to home. We were sobered up from the train ride and made it home safe and sound.
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Mas Malo
515 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Israeli
As an aside, the new Whole Foods in Tarzana has hummus from the Hummus Bar, for take-out and picnics. And yes, both Izhik and Hummus Bar are wonderful, imo.
Am I the only one who doesn't get Brent's?
Everyone has a valid point, and I am a huge fan of Brent's. Any deli in business for more than a few years has its ups and downs. That includes the famous NY delis, as well. We were in Manhatten and visited the original Carnegie Deli one afternoon. The sandwiches we had were huge, good, and maybe equal to Brent's, in quality. But so what?
A good deli is going to have good days and bad. And won't please everyone. And...[ta da!] if it's a "Jewish deli," will elicit a good amount of kvetching. We deli fans are not only allowed to kvetch, but maybe even required to do so. And deli fans know what I mean!!!
The Best Deli in LA
In my (not so humble) opinion, Brent's is the best of the bunch. It's been consistently above-average-to-excellent, and especially in comparison to other delis. We go to their Northridge deli (the mothership!), and over the years have never been disappointed.
I've seen Brent's trucks in other (non-Valley) neighborhoods, too. I can't forget being with a group of folks heading into Las Feliz, looking for a good lunch spot, and seeing a Brent's truck delivering food.
I'll even compare Brent's to the Carnegie Deli in New York. We had a great lunch, with the corned beef stacked to here...and still we all thought: this is good, almost as good as Brent's.
(ps: I don't work or own stock in the food industry...but enjoy eating out whenever possible)
Food near Van Nuys FlyAway or REI in Northridge for an expatriate????
I'm a big fan of their lox, eggs and onions, for breakfast. It just doesn't get much better.
israeli restaurant with that serves great meze
I second Itzik Hagadol. Man-oh-man there's a lot of food -- mezes I guess you call them -- before getting down to the meat skewers. Great bread, too. Go hungry!
By the way, Itzik is in Encino, fyi.
coffee beans- need great flavor
I just got back from San Francisco last night and want to let everyone know about Ritual Coffee: http://ritualroasters.com/ I'm not sure it rivals Blue Bottle, but I'd be willing to take a taste test of the two, for scientific reasons, for the common good....
Really really good coffee. We need more places in LA to serve Blue Bottle and Ritual Coffee!!!
Brisket--Brent's Deli or?
You're right, Brent's brisket is the best in LA. [in my most 'umble opinion] Deli brisket is different from bbq or other kinds of brisket, and it doesn't get any better than Brent's.
The nice thing is that you 've gotten a few good recommendations from others about delis, and if you really want, you can try them all. Bon appetit!
Where do you go to for INEXPENSIVE, good, tasty fish?
I'm pretty sure the Reel Inn in Santa Monica is no more. Unless it's reopened in the last couple of days...
Los Angeles coffee - I'm calling you out (many boos, and one hooray)
I live in the San Fernando Valley, and Blue Bottle is nowhere to be found out here in wastelands. However, I'm going to San Francisco next week, and have been lead to believe that they are expanding their brick and mortar stores in that area. Can't wait.
And yes, I'll buy a pound or two to take home.
VICKMAN BAKERY RUM CAKES
I'm interested, too. I used to work downtown, many a moon ago, and Vickman's was the best. Every birthday, every event, a Vickman's cake, and sometimes rum cake, was brought in. Nothing like it.
Hummus Bar and Grill
I'll add to that about Itzik Hagadol. It is a nice place to eat dinner. The servers are very friendly and helpful, and the food if good and maybe even better than that. Still, I've got to try to Hummus B & G. Someone said they are expanding? I hope so.
Hummus Bar and Grill
BYOB? Wow. I've gotta try it.
Last week we went to Itzik Hagadol in Encino. Very good, but kind of pricey. For the two of us, with one meat skewer each (one chicken, one beef) and the unlimited appetizers, and two beers, it came to about $65.00. Not bad, but Hummus seems a slightly better buy.
Costco Hot Dogs (moved from L.A. board)
So far, they still have HN at my Northridge Costco. If they stop, I'll either switch to a slice of pizza or I'll saunter over to the nearby Pinkberry. In my book, the Costco HN Polish dog and coke is the best value in town. I'll miss it, but won't switch to the Non-kosher "all beef dog," or whatever it's called.
Itzak Hagadol in Encino?
I've never been to Hummus Bar and Grill. I have seen it from the outside, and I think Itzick has a larger dining room. And I do think Itzik is a little pricier, but still not pricey --- moderate is what I would consider it.
Itzak Hagadol in Encino?
We (4) went to dinner there one evening, late, after the theatre. We had the best time: great food, great service...and really fun atmosphere. And no, I am not an owner or stock holder! The salads were unbelievable. In a good...no great way. And the meats were top notch.
JERRY'S "FAMOUS" DELI on Topanga
I agree about Brent's. Jerry's is okay if you are in the area and have no other choice, and "need" deli. It's open late, whereas Brent's isn't. But...Jerry's is very poor when compared to others, and especially Brent's.
Los Angeles coffee - I'm calling you out (many boos, and one hooray)
Good way to put it. Yes, it is (coffee sex).
Finding a whole brisket in the Valley
The best brisket I've ever eaten was one I cooked at home and bought from Ventura Kosher Meats in Tarzana. It was a tad expensive, but really worth it.
Best Restaurants on Ventura from Woodland Hills to Studio City
I just posted this on another query. Itzik Hagadol in Encino, across the street from the Town and Country Shopping Center was really fun and had excellent food. It is an Israeli salad and kabob place, with a very lively/fun atmosphere, and a lot of food. Good family-style place.
If you want quiet and calm, don't eat there. Otherwise, the four of us really had a good time..
Ventura Blvd
We went to Itzik Hagadol in Encino last Saturday night. It is an Israeli-style salad and kabob place, and we really had a good time. Plenty of good food and a very lively atmosphere. The address is 17201 Ventura Blvd, Encino; and the phone number is (818)784-4080.
We started with the salads and fresh flatbread. It was almost too much. Then we had the kabobs. The lamb was very good, but the entrecote (rib-eye) was spectacular.
Great family atmosphere.
Maybe the Best, and Best Cared For, Stout in Los Angeles. Also: exceptional beer menu
Not to pick at nits, but Blue Bottle coffee (my own personal favorite, btw) is roasted in Oregon. Yes, it's sold in San Francisco, but it's an Oregon coffee.
Best budget seafood in LA
This is supposed to be a secret, so..shhh.
Yes! It's excellent, and downtowners all know about it.
Second to Reel Inn.
