brandygirl's Profile
Dinner in Paso Robles, any opinions on Deborah's Room at Justin Winery?
I'll be spending one night at the winery's B&B and thought dinner there would be convenient. But I'm having second thoughts, as I haven't read anything about it on the boards. Has anyone been there or heard anything about it?
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tate's Bake Shop cookies are sold at Gelson's. I get the Chocolate Chip Walnut cookies. They are thin, crisp, and taste homemade. They're the best I've ever tasted. I took a package to work and they were devoured in minutes!
san fernando valley
I second francisd's recommendation for ANGELO'S. Delicious, fresh ingredients, and personable service. It's at Devonshire and Mason, near Carrow's and Casa de Carlos. It's more expensive than Alessio's, but worth the extra price.
In that same shopping corner, CAFE ORIENT is a nice casual restaurant.
Chowtastic Recs for Tarzana/Reseda
If you want some really good Mexican, try MELODY'S on Reseda, just a hair south of Vanowen. They also have a sister restaurant, LAS FUENTES, very close by, on Vanowen about a block or two east of Reseda. Vegetarians can always get their Salpicon salad without meat, quesadillas, or cheese enchiladas.
Cheval Blanc, Roy's, or Parkway Grill?
I've been to all three, and my vote would be ROY'S, especially if your mom isn't a red meat eater. I've never been to the Downtown or the Pasadena location, but I know someone who has been to both and says the Pasadena location is better than the Downtown location. I highly recommend Roy's Hawaiian Martini, Misoyaki Butterfish, and Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. I've also enjoyed their Salmon and their Short Ribs. Honestly, I've always had a wonderful meal at Roy's in Woodland Hills.
Cheval Blanc is also good, but the food nor the menu are as good as Roy's in my opinion. In fact, my last meal at Cheval Blanc was a bit of a let down. Also keep in mind, Roy's will have a wider selection of fish dishes.
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Cheval Blanc
41 S De Lacey Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
Special Occasion Restaurant for my Dad's 60th
I recently had a wonderful dinner at CHINOIS ON MAIN STREET in Venice. It's one of Wolfgang Puck's restaurant. Every dish we had was superb and the service was excellent. We had the catfish (they present it whole and then took it back to the kitchen to cut up for us) and melt-in-your-mouth short ribs (this might have been a special that night).
Wineries with great white wines in Santa Ynez Valley
I just returned from our trip and tasted wonderful wines. On our arrival date, we just went to the HITCHING POST for their wine tasting. All three of us agreed that St Rita's Earth was our favorite, so of course we had to buy a bottle for our steak dinner.
The next day, we hit four wineries. First stop was ZACA MESA. This was one of our favorite stops this trip. They had a nice dry rose and and a few whites I stocked up on. Next was KENNETH VOLK. We loved stopping here for their "heirloom" wines, which were delicous. Although I was specifically in the market for whites, I wound up buying more reds from them. The two I liked the most were Touriga and Aglianico, two varietals I've never heard of before. I can't wait to open them! After Kenneth Volk, we visited RIVERBENCH. Again, I found a nice dry rose and liked their Chardonnays. Finally, we went to RANCHO SISQUOC for our picnic lunch (fabulous sandwiches from Panino's) and our last tasting of the day. Although enjoyable, we all agreed that we prefered the other wineries. I did walk away with a nice Malbec.
On our last day, we only had time for one tasting before heading home, so we went to ALMA ROSA. Their wines were all terrific. I bought a couple of Pinot Gris and a couple of Pinot Blanc to take home.
What made this trip really fantastic was not just the quality of wine, but importantly the people behind the counter. Everyone was so nice, personable, and knowlegable about the wine. We just enjoyed talking with everyone. so much.
Thank you, Chowhounds, for your recommendations!
Wineries with great white wines in Santa Ynez Valley
I just looked this one up, and it looks great. I think I remember reading an interesting article about the winemaker. Thank you.
Wineries with great white wines in Santa Ynez Valley
Qupe is a winery I wanted to try on my last trip but didn't have time for. This looks like a good one to add to out list, as I want to try Marsanne, and I love Albarino.
And thank you for the Au Bon Climat recommendations. We're probably spending a little time in Santa Barbara on our way up on Sunday, so this would be an excellent tasting to start our weekend!
Wineries with great white wines in Santa Ynez Valley
I love Viognier, but I've never tasted (that I know of) Marsanne and Rousanne. I will definitely keep an eye out for these. Thanks.
Wineries with great white wines in Santa Ynez Valley
The wine shop you're probably talking about in the Wine Ghetto is Taste of Sta. Rita Hills. I took your suggestion and called them, as it looked like a great tasting room. Unfortunately, they told me none of the tasting rooms in the Wine Ghetto are open on Tuesdays.
On my last trip, I visited Melville, Babcock, and Alma Rosa--all wonderful. Based on the number of suggestions and my past experience, I think I'll have to revisit Alma Rosa.
Thanks for your suggestions, and I will report back!
Wineries with great white wines in Santa Ynez Valley
Good to know I'm on the right track with Kenneth Volk and Rancho Sisquoc. I will try to visit Riverbench--although I am in the market for white wines, I always love tasting the reds! I went to Beckman on my last visit, and you are right--I bought a couple of bottles that were delicious.
Wineries with great white wines in Santa Ynez Valley
I don't think we will be able to drive that far north on this trip, but I plan on a Paso Robles wine tasting trip in the near future. This is good information to have--thanks.
Wineries with great white wines in Santa Ynez Valley
Cold Heaven looks great. I may call for an appointment. But if I don't make it this trip, I will definitely try another time. Thank you!
Hollywood Pies - FINALLY some decent Chicago Pizza in LA
This sounds great. The problem is, I live in Northridge, probably an hour away with no traffic. Since we can't eat there, do you think the pizza will travel such a distance?
Wineries with great white wines in Santa Ynez Valley
I am taking a two-day wine tasting trip to Santa Ynez at the end of the month. I've already done research on the Chowhound boards and have found some excellent suggestions for both wineries and restaurants.
We will spend one day (a Monday) driving through Foxen Canyon, and I have Zaca Mesa, Rancho Sisquoc, and Kenneth Volk on our "must visit" list, with Tres Hermanas, Riverbench, Foxen, and Cambria as strong second choices.
--How are my choices so far???
Our second day is completely up in the air, but it looks like Lompoc Wine Ghetto is out of the question, as most of the tasting rooms seem to be closed on Tuesdays.
I am in desparate need of good white wines. I'm not really good at describing what I like, but I can say I don't care for sweet wines. I like both crisp and buttery wines, and would prefer wines in the $10-$20 range. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
(I am also posting this on the Wine board)
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Lompoc Wine Ghetto
Industrial Way N 9th St, Lompoc, CA 93436
Where can I find vichyssoise or other cold soups, like cold cucumber, avocado, or asparagus?
Kendall's downtown had vichyssoise with their special Bastille Day menu, and it was wonderful. I'm craving more along those lines. I already have a great place for gazpacho (Le Pain Quotident), so I don't need recommendations for that. But any other cold soup suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
Needed: Quintessential LA
On your visit, I highly recommend you try at least one place specializing in south-of-the-border food, be it a sit-down Mexican restaurant, a taco stand, pupusas, etc. As others have mentioned, which specific restaurants/stands you go to will depend on where you are staying, how much money you want to spend, etc.
Pre Concert - JOEL R, or LE Cirque (open to suggestions)
You could do a short dinner at Robuchon, but I wouldn't recommend it. When I dined there a few months ago, there was a couple who ordered only 2 courses, as they were going to a show. However, they were unable to get the full Robuchon experience. Unless you are able to eat there regularly, I think you should save that restaurant for a night when you have nothing else on your plate and can devote your full time and attention to the dining experience. For me, I went in knowing this would be a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience, and I took full advantage of it.
Prices for the Prix Fixe menu start at $120 for 2 courses and go up to $240 for 6 courses. Their 16-course menu is $395. I ordered from the 4-course prix fixe menu and added a cheese course. With drinks, supplements, tax, and tip, the bill for two people was a little over $1,000. If I remember correctly, our dinner took about 3 hours.
What/where can I eat that is unique to the LA area?
Thank you so much. I will check it out in the next couple of weeks and report back!
1st Trip - Best Foodie Restaurants
If price is no object, you cannot do better than Joel Robuchon. Every dish we had was outstanding, and the experience was unforgettable, starting with the gold limo picking us up. Then there's the bread cart, the cheese card, the candy cart...unbelievable. Just keep in mind, it's really easy to spend $350 or more (much more) per person. When I went in March, my dining companion and I each ordered the 4-course prix fix menu and we each added a cheese course. With wine and supplements, our dinner was over $500 per person. Yet if I could, I would do it again in a heartbeat.
I have not been to L'Atelier Robuchon, but I will probably try it on my next trip.
Quite a few years ago I ate at Aureole, but was not overly impressed. Others can comment, and I haven't been, but I hear e is great.
What/where can I eat that is unique to the LA area?
Phurstluv, are there any particular places in the Pico-Union area you would recommend for pupusas? When I drove through the area, the number of Salvadorean places seemed overwhelming.
Bouchon - Memorial Day
lizziee, thank you so much for the heads up on this dinner. Three of us went this evening and all agreed it was by far the best fried chicken we've had. The meat was so juicy, tender, and flavorful (even the white meat) and the skin was out of this world crisp. We also all liked the mac and cheese very much. This was the first time I had collard greens, and I didn't care for them. Also, I thought the biscuits would have been much better without the gravy. But everything else was fabulous. Two of us started with their soup of the day, a potato and leek soup, which was also spectacular. For dessert, I had a lemon custard with blueberry topping, while the other two split a berry cobbler. Both desserts were excellent. Overall, a really great dinner.
Cut or Melisse?
I've never been to Cut, but from what I hear, it's just a really good, expensive steakhouse. Melisse is definitely a great special occasion restaurant. I've been there a couple of times, and I highly recommend it. The food and service on both visits were outstanding. I thought it was absolutely worth the high price tag.
Reasonable Easter Brunch!
I'm with you about jacked-up prices for holidays. The most reasonable I've found, although more than you're stated price range, is Pinot Bistro in Studio City. I believe it is $35 for three courses. Beverages were not included in the price.
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Pinot Bistro
12969 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604
Dinner near Woodland Hills
Brandywine is as good as it gets in the valley, but I think the entrees are more than $25. If I remember correctly, they're in the $30-$45 range.
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Brandywine Restaurant
22757 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
LA DAY TRIPS?
I second bulavinaka's rec. La Super Rica is a fabulous taco stand, and it's a beautiful drive to Santa Barbara. If you want to drive further, go on to Buelton, which is about 40 minutes past Santa Barbara, and get a steak at The Hitching Post. Another option, for tri-tip sandwiches, is in Santa Ynez. There's a place called Cold Springs Tavern in the hills behind Santa Barbara, It's an old stagecoach stop. Sunday afternoons they serve the tri-tip sandwiches outside, and they often have bands playing music.
What are your favorite dives and cheap eats WORTH THE DRIVE?
The man serving me gave me a salsa that had sesame seeds. He said it was featured in L.A. Weekly, I believe. It was far from a traditional salsa. It was more like a sesame seed paste, very thick, with a bitter taste. Is that the one you're writing about? It was very interesting.
What are your favorite dives and cheap eats WORTH THE DRIVE?
Why, thank you, and it's my pleasure!
