hambriento's Profile
Best Omakase in Los Angeles for $100?
I second Sushi Kimagure Ike. I don't think there is another place that best fits your criteria. We used to visit Ike san regularly when he was in Hollywood. You will get no rolls at Ike's--nothing but great quality fish from one of the best and nicest sushi chef's in so cal. We were there just last week. Our omakase was 80pp and included just about everything he had available that night: shima-aji, kampachi, hamachi, binara-maguro, bluefin maguro, o-otoro (one of the best one's i've had in a long time), uni, sawara, unagi, crab, scallop, and ikura. I think that was all of the nigiri (not in the order that it was served). Ike san also had a couple of great cooked dishes, an egg custard with shrimp, scallops and buna shimeji mushrooms, and a perfectly cooked ma-dai (sea bream?). The ma-dai was cooked in a salamander which gave it a slightly smokey flavor and served over a wonderful an aromatic fish broth. Enjoy, and hope you report back.
PLEASE POST YOUR VOTES HERE: Ultimate Los Angeles Restaurants 2010
Over
Urusawa
Melisse
Animal
Osteria mozza
Providence
Under
Oinkster
Portos
Yucas
Wat dong moon lek noodle
El chato Taco truck on la brea & Olympic
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Oinkster
2005 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041
Yuca's
2056 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Sushi Restaurant in Hollywood
I third Ike. Best sushi in the area, hands down. You will not get the "hollywood scene" but you may run into Justin Long, Drew Barrymore or James Spader. I have seen them there in more than one occasion.
Best dish at Spago?
I am going there on some one else's dime so I cannot order the tasting menu. What is your favorite dish, and of course dessert?
PLEASE POST YOUR VOTES HERE: Ultimate Los Angeles Restaurants 2008
Over:
Urasawa
Sona
Providence
Spago
Palate
Under:
Monte Alban
Oinkster
Father's Office
La Cabanita
Yucas
Taco Truck with hand-made tortillas!
So I've been to this taco truck umpteen times in the last few months and I've neglected to share.
The truck is located on Vermont (heading North) a couple of blocks south of Santa Monica. Just north of Lockwood, to be exact.
So onto the food. First of all, they have hand-made tortillas, and good ones at that. I mean, I've eaten at plenty of taco trucks, but none with hand made tortillas. They have Quesadillas de Huitlacoche, flor the calabaza and hongos w/ epasote. They serve the quesadillas with lettuce, sour cream and queso fresco, so if you're not into either of these just let them know. Also, the quesadillas are pretty massive too.
They also have tacos, tortas, buritos...the usual. Besides their quesadillas I've only had their tacos, and mulitas. Their carne asada and cabeza are not that great, but their chorizo is yummy.
The truck is usually there everyday except Mondays, anytime after 6. I don't think it stays there very late either, but if you're in the area you should def give it a try.
Tama closed - need family sushi joint
I lived in the area for a couple of years. I always found Iwata to be a very friendly and good quality (not great) shushi joint.
It's on Ventura near Van Nuys, across parking lot from El Torito.
I never went to, but also heard decent reviews of House of Taka, on Van Nuys.
I think i was just RIPPED OFF at SAITO SUSHI
I was just there last week, and was just as disappointed. I will never be back. My SO was really craving sushi and our usual spot, Ike, was not open on that day (not sure why). I had heard a couple of good comments about Saito, so we headed there. As soon as we walked in I got a bad vibe. There was only one other customer there and the whole place looked, hmm, just very old and not very well taken care of. But whatever, some of my best meals have been had at some shady places, so we sit in front of Saito san. We had a large beer, and we decided to go with omakase.
We got a decent sashimi dish to start with, I believe it was red snapper. Then we had hamachi, albacore, shi maji, blue fin tuna and sweet shrimp (with a tiny bit of uni on top).
The shi maji was probably the best piece of fish, everything else was okay, not great. The total came out to 136 and change before tip!
It was not the worst sushi experience ever, but definitely felt we were over charged. You should try Ike next time you're in the area. It is not much cheaper, (and yes it is in a srip mall) but the quality is significantly better than Saito.
BTW, Ike is on 6051 Hollywood Blvd # 105.
Sherman Oaks restaurants (preferably around the Arclight)
Atis did ask for great food, not a laundry list of all restaurants near the Arclight. I hardly think Gelson's salad bar can be considered great, in-n-out, maybe.
The one true great place not too far from Arclight, in my humble opinion, is Max. I don't think any other restaurant in the area comes close.
Marmalade and Cafe Bizou are not bad at all, there are also a few great sushi/sashimi places around the area as well, Asenebo, Tama, or Nozawa. For really good sushi, not great, but excellent value I would go to Iwata.
Los Angeles Hound needs help
I would definitely appreciate and welcome the shopping suggestions. I will be in town for 6 days. Thnx.
Los Angeles Hound needs help
I'm a long time fan and poster in the LA board. I will be in NYC for a few days next week and would really appriciate your help. I wish I could narrow down my search but, since this is the first time to NYC I want it all, the whole experience, so I'll take sugestions from the best hotdog to the best tasting menu. Thankfully price should not be an issue. As far as geography, we'll be staying at the Rockefeller center, but more than willing to take a trip for a worthy dining experience.
The only reservation I have set up is at per se, so I need a lot of help. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks so much!!
PS: I'll be in town for valentines, so any special romantic pics are appreciated as well.
Google Map of Chowhound Ultimate Los Angeles Restaurants
Here you go.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&near=Los+Angeles,+CA+90064+(WLA)&ie=UTF8&num=100&om=1&msa=0&msid=106703661641559012935.00000113576607aea33d4&start=0&ll=33.996889,-118.365326&spn=0.852765,1.230469&z=10
Thank you psyber!
guelaguetza or Monte Alban?
I would have to agree with glutton. Guelagetza is very good but Monte Alban is much better. Their black mole is delicous, the best I've had in a long long time. Their mole rojo is not bad at all either. I also tried their mole verde, but I am not a huge fan. To be honest, however, I've never been a huge fan of molve verde at all. The rest of the menu is great as well. Their enfrijoladas are very well done. My sister does not like beans, and she loved the enfrijoladas, so there you go.
If you're real hungry or are willing to share, you should try their Molcajete, it comes with nopales, thre different kinds of meet, avocado and some really yummy melted oaxaca cheese on top, along with a side of rice ( I would get half rice & half black beans b/c their beans are awsome), and tortills *** oops, just realized you said no meat, they also have a seafood version, I've not personally tried but I have heard it is very yummy too
I could keep going, down the list... Oh I must warn you about the salmon with mole, the fish is usually overcooked so I would not recomend that one.
Overall though Monte Alban is the way to go. enjoy
Al Pastor...where is the best?
There is a taco truck that used to set up off of Santa Monica on Barry (which is just east of Barrington). Lately I think Don Doroteo has been setting up inside the Von's parking lot, I think he was being hasseled by the SMPD. He does not have the best al pastor, but for the west side it is pretty darn good. He also has some very good cabeza. I may just have to go there later tonite!
chilaquiles
Sabor A Mexico, has some pretty tasty chilaquiles, both green and red sauce. You can get them with chicken, steak, or eggs, they also come with decent rice and yummy black beans (you can get pinto as well).
Changes at Iwata =(
will do (although it may not happen until next wee), thanks for the info.
Changes at Iwata =(
yes Wazu was the older taller chef. I've never sat with Miki, and Alejandro is a very nice guy. What's been your experience with Shigei? I've seen him behind the bar only once and I was not seated in his section.
I will keep going back to Iwata just because it is so close, but will follow Diana's tip and see if he's at Sho.
Thanks!
Changes at Iwata =(
So I just moved to the valley a couple of months ago, was very sad to leave the Palms/Culver city area. I used to live within walking distance from sushi Zo!
Thanks to CH I found Iwata, which by no means compares to Zo, but does provide yummy, big bang for your buck meals. There has been a few posts on the quality of Iwata so I will not repeat here. One of the main draws for me was the great service Wazu (I hope I'm spelling it somewhat right), the main sushi chef provided. He was not only very competent but also a very pleasant and funny man. Iwata does not have any preset omakase, but Wazu, upon request, would masterfully prepare the best quality fish they had in stock.
Sadly the last two times I've visited Iwata, Wazu has been gone. Kogi, his second in command is still there, and provides good service, but not as great as Wazu. Tonight I learned that Wazu left for a new place, was not able to get the name, but it is supposed to be located in Toluca Lake. Does anybody know to which restaurant he moved to, or of any possible locations in that area I can ask around?
Good mexican in Burbank area?
La Cabanita
It is not in Burbank but rather in Glendale, which is not too far. Actual address is 3447 N. Verdugo Glendale, Ca 91208.
You can find a lot of good reviews if you do a search on the boards.
Cheap Lunch in Westside (North of Venice-West of Robertson)..
...or nearby
Hello hounds, I need your help, again.
I am currently studying for the Bar, so I have no time to enjoy food anymore =( The only small break I have is during lunch. I am taking the BarBri course in West LA, corner of Motor & National, so I'm looking for cheap ($5-8), but yummy places to try around this area.
I've been eating at Sabor A Mexico for almost 2 weeks straight, which I still love, but it is time to change up the menu a little. I usually drive north towards westwood after class everyday so if you have any tips on where to have a quick bite I would really appreciate it.
I have no preference as to type of food, I'll eat anything that tastes good.
Thank you in advance
Sabor a Mexico
SAM is obviously receiving glaring reviews, deservedly so, the food is amazing. I've only been there twice (I live in the SFV), but I've been thoroughly impressed. I think the reviews on the quality of the food are right on.
The reason I am posting however, is that on the two occasions I've been there, it has been empty. So I'm a little concerned about how they're doing business wise. I hope I'm over reacting and just happened to stop by at an unusual slow time. If not I would really encourage you all who are thinking about going, to give it a try.
need mexican restaurant on way to idyllwild from LAX
Tepeyac is a very popular place but the food is not that great. If you're willing to jump on the 60 and exit on Lorena, you can instead try Tacos Clarita. Food is delicious, they have quesadillas de huitlacoche or flor the calabasa, tacos de chicharron yummy! They also have daily specials that taste just like my Abuelita made them. It is a very small place, service is not great, actually not much of service when it is busy and it is usually very slow, but food is great and very authentic. Highly recomend it.
Oh, by the way the restaurant is located 510 s. Lorena st Los Angeles, CA 90063 (323) 262-3620. Fourth is just North of Lorena. Exit Lorena, head north, then make left (west) on Fourth (toward downtown LA), it will be on your right hand side.
Coconut Creme Pie?
The Engine Co 28 in downtown has an excellent cocunut cream pie. They don't have it every day so I would call ahead to make sure they do. It is worth the drive!
Dinner for UCLA grad and family
No preference on cuisine, my whole family is up for anyting, so the more choices the better!
Dinner for UCLA grad and family
I'd like to get your suggestions on where I should make a reservation for a party of 20. I'm looking for good food, but not too expensive, place to eat around 7 pm (I'm aware of the difficulty of finding a decent place to take such a large party on Fri. night, but it's the day of my graduation!). I would like to stay near UCLA if possible.
Oh, by the way, I'm considering Monte Alban, but I'm not even sure if this would be the right choice.
So, please help me out. No suggestion is a bad suggestion~ Thank you