munchy's Profile
"There's No Place Like Home Restaurant" ????
too many smokers lingering about, the food is WAY mediocre and the service is not only slow but SNOTTY. i had a waitress act as if it were my fault that *she* got my order wrong.
stupid move, missy. you pissed off the wrong person: *I* was the one paying.
hence my personal boycott of the place.
i wish you many C ratings and dwindling clientele, hateful Home cafe.
go to the Alcove instead.
Portola Restaurant, inside the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Petergreen,
Delighted that you and your family had a good time! Nice to know that parents and kids can enjoy a little bit of sanity and a very good meal in the middle of what's often a hectic family vacation.
You're welcome,
Munchy
New to LA and in search of a nice restaurant for a casual, but romantic night out (Westside, pref.)
MamaJ,
Welcome to LA! From one mama to another, I'd say: try Restaurant 2117 in West LA (Sawtelle & Olympic). It's Japanese-Italian-French fusion and a quiet, cozy little bistro (or at least it was when I was there on a Tuesday night at 7 pm). You can hold hands and talk and not have to shout over annoying music.
Pros: Tapas-style ordering means you can sample lots of dishes in a low-risk way. Attitude-free. Casual but not sloppy-informal--there's a wine list and white tablecloths, efficient and attentive service. Free valet in the parking lot of the minimall where the restaurant is located (well, the cost is just tip to the valet). And you can keep your car parked after dinner and wander ON FOOT the Sawtelle neighborhood, which is safe and well-lit and busy even on a weeknight. Perish the thought, walking in LA! It can be done. Did I mention relatively inexpensive? Prix fixe dinner for $36 includes two tapas (or one tapas, one salad), an entree, and a dessert.
Cons: with such a big menu, there are definite hits and some misses. Go with the spirit of experimentation and you'll be fine.
No disrespect regarding some of the suggestions from previous posters, but you can have Cal/Med/French/Nouvelle anywhere, and some would argue even better in NY/outside LA. So why not try some of what LA does best...Japanese (or Korean, or Mexican, or Cuban...)?
ETA: Ooops, someone suggested Orris above, which is in roughly the same neighborhood. And here's a link to an article about Sawtelle: http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/10/01/travel/01surfacing.html
Good luck, and good eating,
Munchy
A lengthier review at http://cynematic.wordpress.com/2007/09/23/restaurant-2117-a-chic-low-key-japanese-french-bistro/
Restaurant 2117
2117 sawtelle blvd
los angeles, ca 90025
tel: 310.477.1617
fax: 310.477.6765
New Downtown L.A. Rooftop Sushi Place?
seanbesser,
I agree. Go to R-23 instead.
If there's one thing I hate, it's paying too much for the setting and not feeling as if enough of the chef's imagination, expertise, or ingredients went into my food.
Strong drinks and pretty view, though.
longer review here: http://cynematic.wordpress.com/2007/08/31/takami-for-sushi-robata-raw-or-cooked/
Quiet Please: Anywhere Left to Go? And I don't want to bump elbows or know about your trip to Paris
Epop,
I had good luck with the halibut and the pork recently, and if you're an omakase sushi type, you might like their sushi bar. You can of course also get sushi at your table. I was pleasantly surprised that the food DIDN'T taste hotel-kitcheny, at least not to me.
Their desserts need some re-envisioning, though...or perhaps we should've gone with the chocolate terrine instead of a mango tart tatin.
Portola Restaurant, inside the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Indeed, I can't remember the last time before this that I had abalone. To chow down on sustainably-sourced abalone felt like even more of a rarity.
Sounds like we agree--not destination dining, but a pleasant enough place if the usual cafeteria/salads/grilled foods at the Cafe aren't what you feel like having.
Next time I'll come armed with Chowhound recommendations of places to eat within walking distance of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but we counted ourselves lucky that we went into the Portola Restaurant on the spur of the moment with no expectations and were pleasantly surprised.
Quiet Please: Anywhere Left to Go? And I don't want to bump elbows or know about your trip to Paris
Epop,
Just curious, what did you eat that you didn't like? (It floated my boat, sorry it didn't do for you.)
Chacun a son gout!
new restaurants in old places:Los Feliz and Silver Lake
There's a dishy (so to speak) and brief article on a couple of chic little places about to open in LF/SL, in the August issue of Angeleno magazine (p. 106-108).
In addition to naming the usual neighborhood food & wine hotspots, (Blair's, Canele, Silver Lake Wine), the article mentions these places about to open:
Reservoir, mentioned above--any gossip about the planned late August opening?
1700 Silver Lake Blvd
Barbrix (wine bar, Claudia Blotta, winter 2007 anticipated launch)
Hyperion, block and a half west of TJ's
The article also talks about how Blair's started off with lower prices but apparently the owner found that "there were no qualms...so they could rise"!
I agree, DanaB, I've love a Joan's on Third-type place where Flor Morena's was. Or even a decent Chinese restaurant in LF/SL. This neighborhood could support a few more Caneles. Vermont just doesn't do it for me any more.
Quiet Please: Anywhere Left to Go? And I don't want to bump elbows or know about your trip to Paris
epop,
Try Catch, at the Casa del Mar hotel in Santa Monica. I wouldn't take really young kids there, as the interiors are white leather woven "beach" chairs, but older kids should be okay and it's a pretty space with great views of the ocean, excellent food (imho), and a pleasant ambiance with plenty of room between tables and a low-key buzz that won't kill conversation. (You might like the omakase sushi bar.)
Longer review of a recent visit at: http://cynematic.wordpress.com/2007/08/20/catch-an-unexpected-find/
Craft: Is it worth it?
I realize oversaucing can be a problem, and I can't say I find it ubiquitous, but...is it me, or is Craft undersauced?
We went recently one weekend, and the heritage rack of pork was just plain dry and the japanese sea bream undistinguished despite truffles.
A standing ovation for the pork belly, though!
Lengthier review and complete menu of what we ordered: http://cynematic.wordpress.com/2007/08/06/craft-los-angeles-strong-start-weak-finish/
Hungry Cat -- over-rated?
Put me in the over-rated column too. Hungrygirl106 & bite bite, I really want to like Hungry Cat for all the reasons you name, but wasn't so thrilled with our experience there that I'd rush back.
http://cynematic.wordpress.com/2007/07/25/hungry-cat-and-angeleno-feet/
The Pug Burger seems to get raves, but shouldn't the seafood if that's what the restaurant claims to do best?
Hungry Cat or Magnolia
Didn't taste the sandwich, but I had the Santa Barbara shrimp and thought it was a shining example of "pan-Asian" gone wrong. You get two shrimp for a hefty price and the "egg-foo-yung"ish-chili sauce is a muddled mess of flavors. Throw in the skimpy "tempura" batter on the shrimp and I have to wonder what's the point.
The King Crab Claw in mustard butter broth, on the other hand, was a winner at our table. Could've easily eaten several bowls of these!
Best Fish Taco in Ensenada in Los Feliz
Munchy, Mr. Munchy, and the Munchkin were there in full force tonight. Tasty shrimp and fish tacos, made fresh. Proprietor insists you eat them right then and there. Innovative salsas that pair nicely with the tacos.
Sounds like they officially open in 3 weeks. Til then, variable hours.
A more long-winded review at http://cynematic.wordpress.com/2007/07/21/best-taco-in-ensenada-in-my-hood/.
From San Francisco to LA--outside of SF Bay Area portion [Moved from SF Bay Area board]
Jennina,
Whatever you do, AVOID the horrible roadside tourist trap Ragged Point Resort for lunch. When I was there, they had a large tour group they were serving and weren't able to seat anyone til 12:45 pm. Confusing and bizarre, as I saw many open tables.
We ordered not long after but didn't receive our salad, child's grilled cheese sandwich, and club sandwich for over 50 minutes. Two tables separate from ours and seated 10 minutes after we did received their orders about 25 minutes before we did.
Inexcusable. They tried to make up for it by comping us free beverages, but the upshot is that Ragged Point is a pleasant place to stop for restrooms and a coffee and a look around the pretty grounds. This place has no incentive to treat its patrons well as they figure they'll never see your faces again. Plus, the food is mediocre at best.
If you're heading south on Highway 1, you're only 16 miles away from Cambria (see that thread in California). Bypass Ragged Point and have lunch at one of the many perfectly delightful places to eat in Cambria. It's MUCH more charming and also about a stone's throw from the beach.
Munchy "I'm your karma, Ragged Point" Roadtripper
Cambria
Amen to Main Street Grill (in West Cambria Village, next to the gas station as mentioned). Can't beat seeing your meat grilled from on the sidewalk. We had roast chicken and beef ribs. Drool, drool.
Portola Restaurant, inside the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Mr. Munchy, the Munchkin, and I recently vacationed in the Monterey Bay area and made the obligatory visit to the justifiably famous Monterey Bay Aquarium there. Most Bay Areans and diners with an environmentally-friendly bent are aware of the MBA's guide to eating sustainably farmed or caught fish. But I'll bet far fewer know that there's actually a decent--no, somewhat ambitious--place to have lunch *inside* the aquarium.
Having tired of the sorta healthy/sorta burgery offerings at the Portola Cafe, we decided to try for a seating at the Portola Restaurant, located on the same level (main floor) as the cafe. In fact, to get to the restaurant you walk through the cafe and around the back, to where maybe a dozen neat tables are set with fresh orchids and white linen tablecloths. You put in your request for a seating at the entrance to the cafe (often a 60-90 minute wait), amble away to touch some sea urchin in the touch pool (stifling politically incorrect thoughts of "ummmm, a little oyster sauce..." or "uni? anyone up for sushi later?") or whatever, then return for a guilt-free selection of seafood offerings.
We ordered the fried abalone in fresh corn and various aolis plus seasoned dill/parsley in a little abalone shell, the fried squash blossoms stuffed with fava bean mash, and a ham & asparagus terrine with a dollop of sour cream on the side. As a main, we ordered the halibut atop spinach and barley and a child's macaroni and cheese with a side of fruit in case the Munchkin couldn't bear to eat what we were eating. (Happy to say we need not have ordered the mac & cheese backup.)
All told, it set us back $61 not including tip. The Munchkin devoured the ham & asparagus terrine (but rejected the terrine jelly itself, which we slurped up). He had odd bites here and there of things on other plates. The halibut was tender and perfectly cooked, if a little bland. (I was grateful it wasn't oversalted, as much restaurant food is.) The squash blossoms stuffed with fava mash were *wonderful,* and the fried abalone (about palm-sized if you have small hands, $13) was delicious, though the aolis were a little too sweet for my taste.
I'd highly recommend if 1) you'd like a serene lunch with beautiful views of the bay *where you can take your child and not have people shoot you the evil eye*, 2) you can spare the expense, 3) you want to consume guilt-free/ecologically-correct seafood, 4) you want a meal that's more carefully prepared than the usual haphazard on-the-fly fare, and 5) you want to expose your child to more than "kid's food." A plus is not having to leave the building--another plus: you don't have to leave your hard-won parking space.
I wouldn't say it's a five star experience, but it is a pleasant surprise in the midst of some much more dubious restaurant choices in the neighborhood (gummy clam chowder, anyone?). And I'm glad the Munchkin had the opportunity to eat fresh, well-prepared seafood.
Munchy
Melisse, what happened to the top-notch service?
Hmmm...will try La Cachette.
The last time I was at Patina it was nice & quiet too, with servers who glided in and out on the wings of seraphim. As they should, at that price. (Kickin' cheese plate there as well, with evocative, accurate descriptions--nice presentation.)
Melisse, what happened to the top-notch service?
Well, there's no needle. it's the plunger-thingy they use to "inject" the cake full of warm chocolate.
Melisse, what happened to the top-notch service?
Anyone else feel the service at Melisse is slipping?
Less than a month ago at a "special occasion" dinner, Mr. Munchy and I had the carte blanche menus. We'd eaten here five times previously, one time at a rapturous white truffle dinner that set us back a lot of cabbage and even so was well worth every sniff of our pet truffle in its little humidor box. But this time the reservation was under my name as opposed to Mr. Munchy's. A very interesting experience, and not at all pleasant:
My french roll slipped out of the server's tongs and crash-landed on my bread plate.
Our wait person got off to a bad start by botching my drink order ("7up" for a "sour apple martini"?) and then couldn't let the joke go all evening long. I felt condescended to, then responsible for laughing off the wait person's error. Just. Let. It. Go.
When the wait person took our order, he proceeded to explain the carte blanche menu even though we already indicated we knew what we wanted.
The food was just fine--I had the foie gras, the salmon, and the trio of beef. But the service continued to be a blight throughout the dinner. Awkward removal and replacement of silverware. Intrusive service--every time Mr. Munchy and I wanted to clasp hands and enjoy our Special Occasion, it seemed we had to cease conversation, stop our handholding, and allow our wait person to get his chitchat in.
Finally, at dessert the coup de grace seemed to be an indiscreet anecdote about how a longtime server was reduced to jelly when he misfired the syringe of warm valrhona chocolate onto the white dress of a female dining companion instead of into the center of the male diner's chocolate cake. Now, why would anyone want to hear about a mishap like that?
In short, for sky-high dining prices, we had the equivalent of a wait person at Denny's. Ironic given that all wait staff were dressed to the nines. Might as well have had a guy amble up in flipflops and board shorts. And how did our dinner come to be about him? One or two missteps at the outset are forgiveable, but the wrong-footedness continued all evening long.
Mr. Munchy pointed out that they probably assumed we were first time patrons given the Open Table reservation under my name. But I fail to see how they think what we experienced was impressive or inviting, regardless of the number of times we've eaten there.
See you at Providence instead.
Munchy
ilocano empanadas in los angeles?
just came back from a trip to the philippines (ilocos norte) where i ate the most sublime empanada: bright orange, lightly deep-fried skin stuffed with a fried egg and longganisa spiced to perfection. you eat it piping hot out of a brown paper sleeve, artery-busting ingredients be damned.
where can i find this in l.a.? from what i understand it's a regional northern luzon specialty. my stomach's lonely for it.
chow,
munchy
