Places I Want To Try...
CLOSED (in the process of moving to the former Chocolat space on Melrose, now 8 Oz. Burger Bar, see post below): Table 8 / 7661 Melrose Ave (Cross Street: Spaulding Avenue) / Los Angeles, CA 90046 / 323.782.8258 / http://www.table8la.com/
http://lamag.com/eat/article.aspx?id=8178
Abode / 1541 Ocean Ave. @ Colorado Ave / Santa Monica, CA 90401 / 310.394.3463
Brunch: three-course prix fixe menu with bites like short rib hash, brioche French toast, and lemon blueberry pancakes. Sat. & Sun., 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Lunch & Dinner: Though there are many adventurous choices on the menu, two must-haves are the Wagyu Beef Tartare with mustard frost, quail eggs, horseradish foam and truffle oil; and the Baby Beets Salad with French goat cheese mousse, wild cress, beet gelée and candied pecans. And if you really feel like pampering your taste buds and the environment be sure to order the $300 Tahitian Black Pearl Martini served with ultra-premium coconut pearl vodka, a splash of blue Curacao and garnished with a AAA 12 mm Tahitian black pearl (appraised at $800). All proceeds from the costly cocktail go to Heal the Bay.
Vanilla Bake Shop / 512 Wilshire Boulevard @ Fifth Street / Santa Monica, CA. / 310.458.6644 / www.vanillabakeshop.com
Hadaka Sushi / 8226 Sunset Boulevard / West Hollywood, CA 90046 / 323.822.2601 / http://www.hadakasushi.com/
Pizza Buona / 2100 Sunset Blvd / Echo Park, CA / 213.413.0800
Green Door / 1439 Ivar Avenue (between West Sunset Boulevard and De Longpre Avenue) / Hollywood, CA / 323.463.0008
Johnny Zandar’s (Teddy’s expat) new bar and lounge in Hollywood.
With a French ’40s motif, it’s spacious and inviting with intimate lighting, plush chairs and sofas, and dark velvet curtains. It doesn’t get going until after 9 p.m., so naturally it’s more about the drinks than the food (though it’s never too late for mac and cheese with truffle oil or a crepe with banana, Nutella, and vanilla ice cream). Prepare for an extensive wine and cognac list that flaunts a $2,500 bottle of Remy Martin Louis XIII.
Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea / 3922 West Sunset Boulevard (between Hyperion and Sanborn Avenues) / Silver Lake, CA / 323.663.6173 / http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/
Intelligentsia, the environmentally and socially conscious roasters from Chicago, opens this weekend in Silver Lake.
After a year in the works (hey, it takes time to implement a manipulated water filtration system and configure those 68 seats between the two inside bars and outdoor tables, okay?), you can finally try their direct-trade, reserve, dark roast, or blended beans in Clover made-to-order cups, espresso beverages, or to-go bulk.
Like wine, beans are graded, named for regions, and priced according to year, locale, and availability, with everything from $2 drips to $130 pound bags. Order Ethiopia Yirgacheffe or Costa Rica Flecha Roja “bright and clean” — the coffee concierge will heart you forever. Brush up on your javocabulary at Sunday morning home brewing seminars, where you’ll pick up terms like “cupping,” “baggy,” and “micro-lot.”
Tinto / 7511 Santa Monica Boulevard (@ Gardner Street) / West Hollywood, CA / 323.512.3095
Try a perfect pitcher of sangria at Tinto — the new (and only, say owners Reg McDonald and Juan Sola Jr.) authentic Spanish restaurant in West Hollywood.
Enter the antiquified spot full of brick archways, surprisingly cozy bar chairs, and cush banquettes and say hola to Mr. Sola Sr., who’s also responsible for the 100-deep wine list.
Eat tapas made the old-fashioned way: vieiras al ajillo (jumbo scallops in garlic, white wine, and chili flakes), guiso de calamar (squid with onions and potatoes in saffron broth), patatas bravas (fried potatoes with paprika emulsion and aioli), and albondigas sorpresa (uh, meatball surprise). For something a little bigger, go with the signature dish, Magret a la Manera de Tinto — duck breast with poached pears.
Food Court L.A. / 8334 W. Third St. (between S. Flores St. & S. Kings Rd.) / 323.782.9689 /
Hours: Sun.-Thurs., noon-11 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., noon-1 a.m. / http://www.foodcourtla.com/
Plastic tray fare from around the world gone gourmet: fried chicken Cobb salad, Latchino (Latin + Chinese) steak, panko-breaded fish and chips; Brutus salad (think Caesar with pancetta, tomatoes, and a jalapeno and yuzu kick). Plus cocktails to boot.
Sno:la / 244 North Beverly Drive (between Dayton Way and Wilshire Boulevard) / Beverly Hills, CA / 310-274-2435 / snolayogurt.com
a board full of seasonal shifters like tart, sour cherry, mango, wolfberry, chocolate, and espresso chip, all made from fresh local ingredients, plus a toppings bar with more than 40 options, from fresh mint and toasted coconut to coffee cocoa nibs and sesame flax crunch.
If the six types of probiotics in the nonfat, organic, white sugar-free treat don’t sway you, their green side — solar-powered yogurt machines, parfait glasses made from corn, biodegradable spoons, countertops made from recycled computer chips — will definitely make you want to grab a spoon.
Hidden / 3110 Main St. (at Marine St.) / Santa Monica, CA / 310.399.4800
Fabrizio Bianconi (Via Veneto) lets an army of chefs do their thing under one roof: Minori Fujita on sushi, Michael Bao Huyhn on Vietnamese, Daniele Lai on tapas; Ruben Vasquez rounds out the gang. When: Daily. Lunch, noon-3 p.m.; dinner, 5 p.m.-midnight. (Thurs 8/14/08 w/Dilushka)
Lift / 6533 Hollywood Blvd / Hollywoo, CA / 323.469.1848
Opening tomorrow for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Lift's a Parisian-facaded bistro from a Spider Club vet. The menu rests upon unusual ingredients like Jamaican coconut water, Moroccan chilies, and homemade nut butters. The result's a rotating slew of dishes riffing on comfort food, e.g., the Tuna Panini's made with reggiano and aioli, while the be-lobster'd Mac and Cheese is just the way mom used to make it, provided you were birthed by the Gorton's Fisherman.
Once up to full speed, Lift'll only be closed from 4-6am.
Click below to check out the menu
Look for 86 downstairs from Lift in the next few months
S Bar / 6304 Hollywood Boulevard @ Vine Street, Hollywood / 323.957.2279
S Bar, the latest Philippe Starck-designed spot from Sam Nazarian’s SBE and Brent Bolthouse.
Tea party with wacky potions like horseradish and pomegranate margaritas, Bee Knees (gin, house-made clover honey syrup, and fresh lemon juice), and Blackberry Love Soda (vodka, fresh lime juice, blackberries, and brut).
More intimate than its siblings Hyde and Area, S Bar works a Mad Hatter aesthetic with mismatched lounges, club chairs, and coffee tables (the ones with drawers are good for stashing purses and such). Clusters of upside-down lamps from every era hang precariously above Gothic candelabras; back-lit screens depict the walls of Versailles. And a ceiling-set flat-screen in the loo screens classics like Alice in Wonderland.
Carousel Restaurant /5112 Hollywood Blvd, Hye Plaza Ste 107 / Los Angeles, CA 90027 /323.660.8060
Tucked inside Hye Plaza in the heart of Little Armenia is this modest gem serving Middle Eastern/Lebanese comfort food. While the decor is a mere afterthought--pale pink walls, faded seat covers--the food is anything but. Families, foodies and locals flock here knowing that inside the compact kitchen is an Armenian grandmother dutifully crafting old country dishes like yogurt-covered beef kebabs, dolmas and muhammara, an unusal spicy-sweet pate of crushed walnuts, red peppers and pomegranate.
The Extras
While folks at this casual Hollywood outpost can show up dishabille, for a more formal (and pricier) experience, visit the spacious sister location in Glendale featuring belly dancers, live music and plenty of people watching every Friday and Saturday night.
Know Before You Go
This locale sells no liquor, so bring your own bottle of wine (no hard liquor or beer, please)--there's not even a corkage fee.
Parking
The free onsite lot usually has available spots right in front of the restaurant.
Cross Street:
Normandie Avenue
Hours:
CLOSED Monday, Sun-Thu 11:30am-9pm , Fri-Sat 11:30am-10pm
-- MAY NEVER OPEN -- Mode Restaurant / 916 S. Olive St. (between W. Ninth St. & W. Olympic Blvd.) / LA, CA. Downtown / 213.627.4888
A new fashiony French bistro downtown stays open around the clock. With Brioche French toast and steak frites on the catwalk. Daily, 24 hours.
Joe's Pizza / 111 Broadway / Santa Monica / 310.395.9222 / http://www.joespizza.com/
In 1975, Joe's started out in NYC, where it's as revered as In-N-Out (though ordering "Animal Style" will get you attacked by pigeons). Here as there, their specialty's thin crust by the pie or slice, cooked in a 500°, Bakers Pride oven.
Standard toppings include pepperoni, onions, garlic, and meatballs, plus more elevated offerings like the classic Caprese (fresh mozz, basil, tomatoes) and the triple-layered "Grandma" -- parmesan-on-marinara-on-mozzarella, an ode to senile women who forget they've already cheesed as soon as they sauce.
Asked whether he's abetting his authenticity with imported tap water, Joe himself demurs with "You just gotta taste the pizza"
Terroni / 7605 Beverly Boulevard @ North Curson Avenue, Mid-City West / 323.954.0300
The traditional Southern Italian spot — a standard in Toronto — opens its L.A. outpost today. Founder Cosimo Mammoliti teamed with wine expert Max Stefanelli and nightlife queenpin Shereen Arazm (Shag, Parc) to create the joint, which features walls of exposed brick lined with more than 200 handpicked bottles, butcher block tables, and vintage chandeliers.
Pull up an Eames chair and mange house specialties like Natalina Pizze with tomato, mozzarella, roasted red peppers, Calabrese salami, garlic, and olives; or Spaghetti al Limone with spinach, capers, parmigiano reggiano, lemon, and extra virgin olive oil.
Melograno / 6541 Hollywood Blvd (between Highland and Cahuenga) / Hollywood / 323-465-6650 / http://www.melogranohollywood.com/
Melograno, the under-the-radar Italian restaurant that has opened quietly in a Hollywood courtyard. Upon entering the refined but casual space, you won't find pulsing lights or blistering techno or any of the other usual benchmarks of dining within steps of the Walk of Fame. The room (and by room we mean corridor) is unadorned but for three simple light fixtures that illuminate bare white walls, exposed beams above and dark wood floors below. (The bar at the back works for an aperitif, but you'll likely want to avoid the courtyard patio for now—at least until the summer months, when you start to crave that first alfresco meal.)
The simplicity of the space puts the focus on the quality of the food. The emphasis is on seasonal ingredients, and the menu is still evolving, but you might discover a Tarta' di Verdure e Fonduta al Tartufo (warm vegetable tart served over Fontina cheese), Gnocchi d'Ortica al Burro e Salvia (potato and nettle dumplings with butter and sage) and Perchia Striata al Forno con Funghi (black sea bass with seasonal wild mushrooms and sweet vermouth wine). The chef is from Piedmont, though you'll more likely recognize him from Il Moro or Piccolo.
(Tues 5/21/08 w/Andrea)
Lamill Coffee / 1636 Silver Lake Boulevard, between Effie Street and Berkeley Avenue / Silver Lake / 323-663-4441 / http://www.lamillcoffee.com/
Lamill. The boutique coffee roaster’s Silver Lake outpost is now open.
Toile walls, embossed-croc chairs, and tables for two are lit by gold chandeliers. But the main attraction? The drinks: espresso shots (19 grams, 165°, 8.75 bar, 1.75 ounce), French press, and Clover cups for the purists; rosemary water with coffee spheres and Coffee and a Cigarette (cafe con panna with tobacco-infused whipped cream) for the avant garde.
Lunchtime brings Providence chef Michael Cimarusti’s savories like pumpkin soup with coffee maple Urfa chile creme fraiche; frisee aux lardon with coffee vinaigrette; and Asian pork belly with arugula, tomato, and preserved black beans, a.k.a. ABLT.
BondSt Restaurant & Lounge, Thompson Beverly Hills Hotel / 9360 Wilshire Blvd (at Crescent) / 310-601-2255 / http://www.thompsonhotels.com/
BondSt, the bifurcated restaurant and lounge now open inside the new Thompson Beverly Hills hotel.
The same hotel group that bankrolled the Roosevelt. You enter the restaurant just past the lobby. Once seated in the main corridor or on the walled-in patio, you'll try the expected sushi rolls or more adventurous choices like Spicy Crispy Shrimp with Yuzu Calamanci Vinaigrette and Chipotle Aioli.
But if you head from the lobby straight for the stairs, you'll find a cozy, secret-feeling lounge tucked away on the second floor that lends itself to saucier behavior. You'll recognize the modern-rustic décor as the work of the omnipresent mega-designer Dodd Mitchell, though the low ceilings and vaguely illicit background—the hotel used to be a Best Western—conspire to lend a speakeasy feel. If you prefer to get some work done over your Gin Basil, step through the French doors to a private conference room that's lined with smutty art books to combat any unnecessary stuffiness.
Mr. Pizza Factory / 3881 Wilshire Blvd., Koreatown / (213) 738-0077 / http://www.mrpizza.co.kr/# / Open daily 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. / Beer, wine and soju. Takeout. Semivalidated parking in rear. AE, MC, V. Dinner for two, food only, $17-$30.
http://www.laweekly.com/2008-01-31/eat-drink/i-yam-what-i-yam/
(3.30.09 w/Ulloa)
The Waffle / 6255 W. Sunset Blvd. / Hollywood, CA 90028 / 323.465.6901 / http://www.thewaffle.us/iWeb/Site/Index.html
menu: http://www.thewaffle.us/iWeb/Site/Menu_files/menuwaffle-2.pdf
(Wed 4/30/08 w/Recording Academy)
Luckyfish / 338 North Canon Drive, between Brighton and Dayton Ways / Beverly Hills, CA /310-274-9800 / luckyfishsushi.com
CLOSED: now Cobras & Matadors -- Goat / 460 S. La Brea Ave. @ Sixth St., La Brea Corridor / LA, CA. / Open Daily, 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. / 323.936.7622
Steven Arroyo opens a rustic new American cafe with salads; sandwiches; and heartier fare like goat confit with warm, French bread
Creperie by Jack n’ Jill’s / 8738 W. Third St., @ Robertson Blvd. / Beverly Hills, CA / Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri., 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m.-9 p.m. / 310.858.4900
Go for a savory Baton Rouge (blackened chicken and pinot noir BBQ reduction) or sweet Lucky Number Seven (caramelized pears, almonds, hazelnut liqueur, and chocolaty sauce).
(4.8.09 e/Elizabeth Condon)
Murano / 9010 Melrose Avenue, between Doheny and Almont Drives / West Hollywood, CA / 310.246.9118 / http://www.murano9010.com/
Murano’s new spring menu starting April 1, and $12 Tuesdays starting on April 8.
Melted Cherry Tomato Sauce is always on the menu at Murano.
Vinoteque / 4437 Sepulveda Boulevard, at Braddock Drive / Culver City, CA / 310.482.3490 / http://www.vinotequela.com/
Working rich colors and smart, cozy design, the old Syngery Cafe transformed into a warm, welcoming space that’s part bar, part resto-lounge, and part intimate venue for live blues and jazz.
Most of the rustic Italian/French/Spanish small plates are under ten bucks. Same goes for the by-the-glass wines. But you don’t have to stick to the standard list: Pop open any of the 250 bottles, and they’ll price it per pour (a little something co-owner Adam Fleischman brought over from his old digs, BottleRock), then add the label to the specials monitor.
(Thurs 5/15/08 w/Lien Ta)
Delancey / 5936 Sunset Boulevard @ Tamarind Street / Hollywood, CA / 323.924.2093
The newest East Coast throwback from Bowery bar and bistro owner George Abou-Daoud.
Past the custom glazed red-brick facade and vintage cast-iron windows, the antique radiators, pressed tin ceilings, exposed brick archways, and handsome oak wood bar look straight out of the West Village.
As does the menu: fried calamari; vegetable fritto misto; speck with quail egg, Taleggio, and crostini; chicken piccata; and pastas (some homemade) like spaghetti carbonara, gnocchi with pesto, and rigatoni Bolognese. For dessert, go for lemon semifreddo or classic street-fair zeppole. there are nearly twenty wines by the glass, twenty beers on tap, and liquors pulled off the impressive back wall collection (it may have the most in the city).
(Wed 5/7/08 w/Jason Chess)
4.26.08
Now TWO Locations:
Lemonade / 505 S. Flower St @ Fifth / Downtown, Los Angeles / 213.488.0299
Lemonade / 9001 Beverly Boulevard @ North Doheny Drive / West Hollywood, CA / 310.247.2500
Embrace the past at Lemonade, a literally underground souped-up stand, now open for breakfast and lunch Downtown.
The modern twist on a nostalgic concept is part lemonade stand, part grade-school cafeteria—come lunchtime, you'll grab a tray and slide it down the counter to examine your options. Unlike those early years, though, you'll actually want to build a meal from what you see under the glass—you might find a Grilled Cheese with Ham and Quince on Pumpernickel, which could work with a Snap Pea and Edamame Salad and a Chocolate-Dipped Marshmallow Square.
Then select from several varieties of the requisite house-made lemonade (favorites include Rosemary Lemon and Blueberry Ginger). The next incarnation on Beverly Boulevard (just east of Doheny) is only a couple weeks away.
(Sat 9/27/08)
5.5.08
Lot 1 Café /1533 Sunset Blvd (at Laveta) / Echo Park, CA / 213.481.8400
an out-of-the-way discovery focused on original food—like the highly addictive Bacos. Lot 1 Café, a no-fuss find manned by a vastly underrated chef, opens tonight in...Echo Park
It's the kind of neighborhood corner place you wouldn't look twice at—a few café tables inside, some sidewalk seating and a small side patio. (You know what they say, never judge a restaurant by its patio.) But when you take a look at the menu, you'll see dizzying combinations of ingredients put together in hard-to-classify dishes like Confit Beet Gazpacho and New Zealand John Dory with Lima Beans and Pickled Strawberries.
And then there are the chef's Bacos—think of them like giant tacos on warm homemade flatbread—in varieties like the Carne Picada (with lamb sausage, potato croquettes and caraway pepper sauce) and of course the original, The Baco (crispy pork belly, short rib carnitas and smoked paprika aioli).
5.9.08
Wilson bar & cafe / 8631 Washington Blvd. / Culver City, CA / 310.287.2093 http://www.wilsonfoodandwine.com/
Brian Wilson's son Mike, you're so good to me
5.14.08
Saturday Morning Brunch @
Rustic Canyon Wine Bar and Seasonal Kitchen / 1119 Wilshire Blvd., between 11th & 12th Sts. / Santa Monica, CA / 310.393.7050 / http://www.rusticcanyonwinebar.com/
Count on mimosas, strong coffee, and pastry chef Zoe Nathan’s baked goods buffet, but the menu changes slightly every week.
When: Sat., 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Pico Never Lets Us Down:
http://losangeles.metromix.com/restaurants/roundup/navigating-pico-corridor/154572/content
5.23.08
Noé Restaurant @ the Omni Hotel / 251 S. Olive St (between 2nd and 3rd) / Downtown, Los Angeles / 213-356-4100 / http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/LosAngelesCaliforniaPlaza/Dining.aspx
Ice Cream Burgers (with ice cream as the meat and macaroons as the bun) part of the new bar menu at Noé Restaurant inside the Omni Hotel. Since it's on the bar menu, no need to bother with actual dinner first—just head upstairs, grab a stool at the counter and order your "burgers" with an Irish coffee. (Chef's choice.) When the plate arrives, you'll find a surprise assortment of house-made mocha, strawberry and vanilla patties (depending on the day) between poppy, sesame and almond macaroon buns. Chef Glenn Ishii has also created an assortment of cereal-flavored ice cream like Cap'n Crunch, Apple Jacks, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Honey Nut Cheerios.
6.10.08
Animal / 435 North Fairfax Avenue (btw Oakwood & Rosewood Avenues) / Fairfax Corridor, LA / 323.782.9225
Animal, the new spot from chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo (a.k.a. Carmelized Productions, b.k.a. the Food Dudes), opening tomorrow.
There’s no sign on the door. Naked bulbs, a wall-length wooden bench, and lots of elbow room at the copper bar make the stripped-down space ideal for indulging.
Seasonal, sustainable ingredients — and lots of pork — dictate the weekly changing menu: johnnycakes topped with foie gras and blueberry-plum syrup; fried soft-shell crab atop watercress and avocado dressed in pancetta vinaigrette; balsamic-glazed country pork ribs with warm bacon potato salad and a rich chocolate crunch bar sprinkled with — yes, siree — bacon bits for dessert.
Choose from 25 wines by the glass and affordable carafes and bottles handpicked by sommelier Erik Kelly.
(Wed 7/16/08 w/Armando)
6.21.08
Crudo Bar & Ristorante / 8570 W. Sunset Blvd (W. of Alta Loma)/ West Hollywood, CA / 310.289.1131
After much buzz and prepwork, the Sunset Strip venue is now soft-open for weekday lunches.
This raw-Italian haven hasa spacious bar and lounge area, covered patio and dining room. The big draw of the place is the central crudo bar, which is like a sushi bar, but with more Italian accents. There you can feast on cold specials like Carpacco di Salmon and Pinzimonio (raw vegetables…mmm).
If you can't stomach the thought of a meal that's not hot, try the filet, the Carbonara di Mare (homemade spaghetti with whitefish and zucchini) or the Bistecca di pescespada (it's like a swordfish steak).
The best place for privacy is one of the dining room's rear booths.
7.11.08
Xooro / 125 Broadway (between Second Street and Ocean Avenue) / Santa Monica, CA / 310-260-2919 / http://www.xooro.com/
Xooro (pronounced “sure-oh”) is the United States' first restaurant specializing in gourmet Spanish churros. Xooro also features 6 different gourmet hot chocolates.
(Thursday 7/24/08 w/Christina & Lourdes)
my review on Yelp.com:
"I had been looking forward to trying the churros at Xooro since reading about it online and visiting their website a few weeks ago. I mean, "the United States' first restaurant specializing in gourmet Spanish churros" and they also have 6 different gourmet hot chocolates? Come on, let's go already. I had hyped the place to two friends at work and we all went after lunch today. First of all, there are 3 kinds of $4 hot chocolate on the menu at Xooro, not the 6 different gourmet versions described on the website (www.xooro.com). The one I tried was so sweet I couldn't finish it. Onto their specialty; "gourmet churros" - if a cold, stale, five dollar, 4 inch fritter with room temperature artificial flavoring spells gourmet in Spain, the only spanish I need to know is "no bueno". We tried three of the selections on the menu and none of them were impressive, fresh or remotely warm. I have no idea how a place that only serves questionable hot chocolate and overpriced, subpar churros is going to stay open very long. I only wish I'd read the reviews on Yelp before I went so I could have nine bucks and 30 minutes of my life back."
7.16.08
8 Oz. Burger Bar / 7661 Melrose Avenue between North Stanley and North Spaulding Avenues / West Hollywood, CA / 323.852.0008 / http://www.8ozburgerbar.com/
East Coast butcher shop-meets-West Coast brasserie feel. Serving Kobe corn dogs or celery with blue cheese aioli. The main event: the 8 oz. burger, a tri-tip/sirloin/chuck/secret-ingredient patty that’s rested in a 38-degree, Himalayan salt tile-lined locker till it’s ready to hit the wood-burning grill.
Balsamic onions, purple mustard, heirloom tomato ketchup, sweet potato chips, and stout-battered onion rings are some of the house-made sides and condiments. And let's not forget the Beer Float (like a root beer float, but using one of the specialty brews instead of soda)
(Tuesday 7/21/08 w/Armando) >click here to read his review on Yelp<
From Dilushka:
Ya-Tai
http://www.yatai-bar.com/ – great hole in the wall place
Jones on Third or Jones (on Santa Monica )
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/78263
http://losangeles.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaId=34&restaurantId=26832
Fraiche
http://www.fraicherestaurantla.com/ – (Thurs 10/6/08 w/Dilushka)
Sri Lankan Delight
http://yellowpages.sulekha.com/los-angeles/grocery-stores/tarzana/sri-lankan-delight.htm
9.6.08
Take a Bao / Westfield Shopping Center / 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, between Avenue of the Stars and Century Park Way / Century City, CA / 310-551-1100 / http://www.takeabao.com/
At a slick modern counter in the middle of the room, the fast, casual Asian spot serves fresh salads, rice and noodle bowls, sake, beer, and wine. But really, it’s all about the bao, available in a host of thoughtful options like signature barbecue pork with ginger, hoisin, red onions, pea shoots, and marinated cucumbers; pomegranate steak; and red chili and citrus-glazed chicken — all of which come wrapped in a steamed white or wheat bun.
(Friday 9/19/08 w/Mike & Christina) - Good. I'll definitely go back.
9.16.08
Millions of Milkshakes / 8910 Santa Monica Boulevard / West Hollywood, California 90069 / T: (213) 38-SHAKE(74253) / http://www.millionsofmilkshakes.com/
(Tuesday 9/16/08 w/Lucy and Armand Llenado)
my review on Yelp.com:
Anyone who knows me, knows I like milkshakes, a lot. So, when I heard about a place called "Millions of Milkshakes" you can bet I was excited. Millions of Milkshakes, or as I like to call it, The Overpriced Soft-Serve Shop, does not serve what can honestly be called a milkshake. Three types of frozen vanilla (soft serve, yogurt or soy) substitute for actual ice cream in these "shakes" and at $5 for a one topping regular ($6 for a large) and another $1 for each additional topping, a small 4 combo frosty is going to run you close to 10 bucks. Ten bucks for soft serve and some candy. What a bargain.
If the name itself weren't deceiving, I wouldn't have as much of a problem with the place. If, for example, it was called, "Millions of toppings for your vanilla soft serve" my expectations would have been properly managed, though I imagine that name wouldn't have suckers like me driving to West Hollywood to try it.
Do yourself a favor, go to McDonalds, get a McFlurry and save the other 8 dollars for some real ice cream. Or better yet, go to MILK on Beverly (http://www.themilkshop.../) and get an actual milkshake.
9.18.08
Kiss My Bundt Bakery / 8104 West 3rd Street / Los Angeles, CA 90048 (3rd and Crescent Heights Blvd.) / (323) 655-0559 / http://www.kissmybundt.net/
Hours: Monday - Saturday: 8AM - 7PM / Sunday: 10AM - 5PM
A specialty, made-from-scratch cake company specializing in bundt cakes with 30+ cake flavors and 20+ frostings. Bundt cakes come in three sizes: Mini Bundt Cupcakes, Baby Bundt Cupcakes, and Big' Ol Bundt Cakes. The bundt cake menu rotates daily. Each day features 8 of the most popular cakes, like Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting, Carrot, Luscious Lemon Drop Cake with home-made lemon syrup, or Callebaut chocolate cake hand-dipped in Belgian chocolate. In addition to the "Daily 8", another 5-7 cake options are available that reflect the various flavors in season or in their baker's imaginations.
9.23.08
Church & State / 1850 Industrial St (at Mateo) / Downtown, Los Angeles / 213.450.1434
Downtown Brasserie from the Cobras & Matadors Guy (Steven Arroyo). It's on the ground floor of the Biscuit Company Lofts in a ghost-town part of Downtown. Choose from charcuterie, mussels and cheeses, and you can construct a long meal with small plates and some Bordeaux . There are also some bigger dishes like Boeuf Bourguignon (beef stew) or Truite au Lard (trout in bacon).
(Thurs 4/30 w/Mattyshack, Angela and Celia)
9.24.08
Library Bar / 630 W. 6th St (at Hope) / Downtown Los Angeles / 213.488.1931 / http://www.librarybarla.com/
If you're in the mood for small bites, try the Pork Belly Skewers, the Deviled Marrowbones—or the Steak Fries tossed with pork fat and sea salt. If you're looking for meatier fare, you might want to try out The Library Burger, a notable accomplishment in the city's burger oeuvre, with grilled onions, arugula and housemade pickles.
10.02.08
Gjelina / 1429 Abbott Kinney Rd / Venice, CA 90291 / 310-450-1429
LA Times - Gjelina in Venice: a high-energy Mediterranean restaurant
(Tuesday 12/9/08 w/Michelle)
10.3.08
City Sip LA / 2150 West Sunset Boulevard, between North Alvarado Street and Rosemont Avenue / Echo Park, CA / 213.483.9463 / citysipla.com
Wine classes are offered inside City Sip LA's streamlined Echo Park digs, start at the very beginning with The Essentials, a what/why/when/where of the swirl/sniff/sip/spit basics session with handy food pairing tips. Or partake in regional explorations like Latin Lover, covering the vines of Spain, Portugal, and South America, or Que Syrah, Syrah, focusing on big Australian, French, and Californian reds.
lWhen class is not in session, have a seat at the bar for cheese, charcuterie, and a glass of wine.
10.14.08
XIV / 8117 Sunset Blvd (at Crescent Heights) / West Hollywood, CA / 323-656-1414
After twenty years away, prodigal son Michael Mina is back in LA, along with pals Philippe Starck and Sam Nazarian, to bring you the long-awaited Sunset Boulevard small-plates palace that is XIV, opening tomorrow.
You may have heard a thing or two about XIV, but you'll want to check out this unusual, genteel restaurant first-hand. You'll immediately be comforted by the dark and cozy mix of European furnishings, fireplaces, bookshelves, paintings and chocolate-brown velvet—it's as if you're dining in an eccentric Count's country getaway (Count Chocula, excluded).
Bring a date—preferably one that isn't afraid of experimenting a bit (which should already be a given)—grab a table by one of the mirrored walls and dig into the adventurous menu. Rather than use pesky designations like "appetizer" or "entree," Mina divided his food into seven categories— Shellfish, Garden Vegetables, Meat & Game, etc.—with the idea that you'll mix and match options to create an individual tasting menu (try the Sake and Maple-Cured Kanpachi or Saffron-Braised Veal Cheek).
12.11.08
Cincinnati Style Chili @ Chili John’s / 2018 W. Burbank Blvd. / Burbank, CA / (818) 846-3611.
Chili John’s is a ’40s-era spinoff of a century-old chili parlor in Green Bay, and the chili is pretty outstanding. What Chili John’s serves isn’t Cincinnati chili but a spicy, all-but-extinct Wisconsin style (and I, for one, am thankful for that), but they do serve it more or less as a 4-way, with available spaghetti, beans, onions and shredded cheese. There are hot dogs. And you can even get it as a 3-way or a 5-way if that is your inclination. I tend to go for the extraspicy with beans. 2018 W. Burbank Blvd., Burbank, (818) 846-3611.
12.19.08
Carmela Ice Cream
Made in small batches using all-natural and local ingredients, the frozen delights change seasonally — or at the whim of Jessica Mortarotti, the head churner who cranked things up after attending the prestigious Penn State Ice Cream Short Course
Scoop up brown sugar vanilla bean, dark chocolate cacao nib, and salted caramel classics, along with signature herb, spice, nut, and flower flavors like cardamom, nutmeg, strawberry basil, and cranberry orange thyme.
Sample them all at the farmers market and cruise home with four-ounce containers and full pints or order a six-pint flavor assortment online and indulge for days.
Available Thursdays, 4-8 p.m., at South Pasadena Farmers’ Market, Meridian Avenue and Mission Street, South Pasadena; Sundays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., at Hollywood Farmers’ Market, Ivar and Selma Avenues, Hollywood; online at http://www.carmelaicecream.com/
2.17.09
Umami Burger / 850 S La Brea, Mid-Wilshire / LA, CA. / 323.931.3000 / preview the menu
(Monday 2/23/09 w/Lien Ta)
2.19.09
Hole in the Wall Burger Joint / 11058 Santa Monica Blvd / Los Angeles, CA 90025 / (310) 312-7013 / http://www.holeinthewallburgerjoint.com/
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/47427703/los_angeles_ca/hole_in_the_wall_burger_joint.html (Monday 2/23/09 w/Lien Ta)
2.23.09
Cecconi’s / 8764 Melrose Avenue @ Robertson Boulevard / West Hollywood / 310-432-2000 / http://www.cecconiswesthollywood.com/
Straight from London, Cecconi’s opens today bringing Venetian-influenced food and drink to the old Morton’s iconic address.
Enjoy lunch tableside with finished salads and tartars on the terrace and dinners of charcoal-grilled sea bass or wood oven-roasted veal osso buco in the main room. Just show up anytime for breakfast in the cafe or handmade pasta and pizza at the bar. Any seat in the house lands you top-notch service and expertly executed food that isn’t uptight or stuffy. Prices are reasonable, but they’ve spared no expense: a $1 mill Damien Hirst, Mauviel cicchetti pans, and cheese and charcuterie imported from Italy.
3.16.09
The Oinkster / 2005 Colorado Boulevard / Eagle Rock CA 90041 (map) / 323-255-6465 / theoinkster.com / Slow fast food
The Oinkster, a fast-casual concept from acclaimed fine-dining chef Andre Guerrero, invites diners to kick back and enjoy high-quality American classics in a relaxed, modern and fun environment.
Occupying the former site of Jim’s Burgers on Eagle Rock’s newly hip Colorado Boulevard, The Oinkster aims to be Los Angeles’ antidote to both, expensive gourmet meals and their cheap fast food counterparts. On the restaurant’s $10-and-under menu that skips high prices in favor of better flavors, quality will be paramount.
Premium sandwiches made with house-cured pastrami or sloooow-roasted pork compete for diners’ attention with juicy burgers made from freshly-ground Nebraska Angus beef, first-rate rotisserie-roasted chicken and crispy Belgian fries. Fake fast-food cheese are given a pass in favor of scrumptious Gruyere and yummy sharp cheddar; home-made sauces, dressings and spice rubs share the plate with house-made condiments and crunchy veggies.
In typical Oinkster-fashion, all remaining culinary needs are addressed in taste and style, too: Each meal can be rounded out with a premium beer, quality wine or one of the restaurant’s unusual specialty sodas. Hand scooped shakes made with Fosselman's ice cream and an assortment of handmade cupcakes and desserts tempt the taste buds.
Innovative and affordable, stylish and fun, The Oinkster treads where no LA eatery has gone before and combines culinary classics with no-attitude style: The smartly updated landmark building offers seating for 50 guests indoors and can accommodate another 50 diners on an outdoor patio in the up-and-coming Eagle Rock neighborhood. The experience is casual with all counter-service.Developed by local restaurant veteran and celebrated chef André Guerrero,The Oinkster is the fine-dining chef’s first foray into the rapidly growing market of fast-casual dining. The Oinkster is open daily for lunch and dinner. It's also the perfect place to grab a late night bite to eat or relax and enjoy a few cold ones while watching the game on two big screen TVs. Summer Hours:Open Monday through Thursday 11am to 11pmFriday and Saturday 11am to 12 amSunday 11am to 10 pm
BoHo / 6372 W Sunset Blvd / Hollywood, CA / 323.465.8500
From members of the Kitchen 24/Geisha House crews, BoHo's located conveniently in the same center as the Arclight, and reflects a purely hodgepodge mentality: huge, open windows feeding air to 12-foot ficuses, which're jammed up against bookshelves sitting near a fireplace topped with stuffed deer heads, while mismatched light fixtures/furniture/silverware come from vintage stores, then hopefully get washed. The similarly unpredictable, everything-under-$21 menu's stacked with gourmet ingredients, and includes small plates like oyster po-boy sliders and a charcuterie plate w/ whiskey chicken liver mousse, and "big ass plates" like a burger w/ Cambazola cheese & caramelized onion, Scottish salmon w/ sunchoke puree, and a fry-ringed, tamarind/guava-glazed "Pile O' Ribs" so alluringly sweet, Harrison Ford will leave his wife for it. Rounding out the patchwork's a slew of gas-oven pizzas, with toppings like homemade pepperoni, fennel sausage, and pulled pork from Eagle Rock's beloved Oinkster.
BoHo's also got 24 taps of craft beers (Allagash White, Delirium Nocturnum), plus a fully stocked bar
3.17.09
D-Town Burger / 216 W 6th St / Los Angeles, CA 90014 /(213) 228-0022
Opened in early March, 2009, this small 1950s-inspired greasy spoon dishes out burgers, hot dogs, fries and shakes while "Duke of Earl" and "La Bamba" play on the digital jukebox. The curvy white counter, cherry red vinyl seats and portraits of James Dean make it feel like Johnny Rocket's-lite, but the menu is much more limited. Your entree options are: a traditional hamburger, a veggie burger, a hot dog or a grilled cheese sandwich. There's only one side, fries, which are mix of regular and sweet potato fries. And you can wash it down with a soda or a milkshake. Counter service is quick and the lunchtime wait has so far been minimal.
Primo Bistro / 8585 Santa Monica Blvd / West Hollywood, CA / 310.289.8890 / menu
Rocking rough-cut stone walls and a massive, 2000 sq ft streetside patio, Primo's a new, all-day bistro with a menu made up almost exclusively of the finest light fare from counter-service spot Caffe Primo and heavier stuff from Tony's Steakhouse, two joints related by owner, yet previously divided by menu, and 328 long feet of Sunset Blvd. Caffe's contributions're breakfast-and-lunch-centric, with omelets like four-cheese bacon & tomato w/ organic eggs; toasted paninis, like grilled chicken pesto, and tuna & artichokes; and salads like the white tuna, cannellini beans, and red onion "Tuna & Bean", which sounds like a kooky buddy comedy that must involve Steve Zahn...guess which one's Steve Zahn. Most starters and true entrees are pulled from Tony's catalogue: steamed mussels in saffron sauce, chicken Milanese w/ ciabatta bread, and pasta carbonara w/ prosciutto and bacon, with steaks on their way soon, as cows are notoriously slow walkers.
Only a couple dishes're just-dropped cuts (eggs Benedict, smoked-salmon-aided "Benedict at Sea") and Primo's also got a full liquor licens
(Thursday 3/26/09 w/Gloria)
4.1.09
Shin / 1600 Wilcox Ave. / Hollywood, CA / 323-464-4100 / http://www.shinbbq.com/
Simon Shin took everything he learned from his family's Koreatown restaurants and opened his own place near the Cahuenga Corridor. That's right, bulgogi and kalbi...in Hollywood. With its sexy red walls and D.J. nights, Shin doesn't have the most traditional vibe, but the food is as good as any you'd find along Western or Olympic. And with a new all-you-can-eat deal for $25 (available nightly), it's more affordable than ever.
Considering the quality of ingredients used, this AYCE is a steal: Pretty pink brisket sliced super thin, Sriracha-rubbed chicken breast and thick slabs of meaty pork belly come ready to cook on the tabletop grill; from the kitchen, we like the tender, cross-cut beef short ribs with sweet and spicy glaze. Snack on traditional banchan like translucent pickled radish, salty marinated fish cake and house-made kimchee, but for the uninitiated there's also a romaine salad tossed in a kicky wasabi vinaigrette. It's all very clean tasting and fresh, not heavy or greasy.
The best part: Thanks to the grill's special exhaust systems, you won't smell when you leave, no matter how long you sit.
4.7.09
Platine Bakery / 10850 Washington Blvd., /Culver City, CA / 310.559.9933 / http://platinecookies.com/
Jamie Cantor's cookies are some of the most delectable we've found in L.A., but that's not all the French Laundry alum creates at her new Culver City bakery, Platine. From decadent cakes, seasonal tarts and rich pots de crème--all in mini form--the pastry chef has a way with sweets.Everything at Platine tastes homespun, the way Mom would bake if she worked under the watchful eye of Thomas Keller. We can't get over the "short stack," (pictured) three tiny pancakes soaked in maple-orange syrup and topped with tidbits of sugar-glazed bacon and "bacon candy," a sticky, hardened glaze. It's breakfast in one bite, but a fun twist for an anytime dessert ($2; available next week). Cantor's gooey caramel-covered brownies sell out fast, but the perfectly sweet cream-cheese brownies are an excellent stand-in. On the cookie front, don't miss the Platinos, a softer version of the classic Oreo ($2).The space is mostly a commercial kitchen with a small retail area where the treats are displayed in a glass counter, like jewels. It's grab-and-go for now, but she'll soon have a few tables out front where you can sit and snack.
4.8.09
Bottega Louie / 700 S Grand Ave. / Downtown LA / 866.488.9162 / http://www.bottegalouie.com/
This gargantuan upscale Italian market/cafe/eatery boasts white marble floors, a show kitchen, and shelves stocked with specialty ingredients like Australia-imported pear fruit paste and locally handmade Valerie Confections chocolate. The banquette-lined restaurant does fresh fare like thin-crusted fennel sausage pizza and oven-roasted black cod, and the market boasts a deli case with 200+ prepared dishes, like a Brie/apple/watercress panini, osso bucco, garlic-studded pork, and Bibb salad -- with the way you eat, as if there were any other kind.
(Tues 5.12.09 w/Celia)
6.10.09
West 4th/Jane / 1432A 4th St, Santa Monica, CA / 310.395.6765
West 4th/Jane's a new casual two-story gastropub from chums who've been talking about opening a place together since high school; their vision's finally come alive, complete with a downstairs with a marble bar, faux-aged concrete walls, and a Ms. Pacman/Galaga tabletop, a quieter upstairs candlelit lounge with chocolate leather couches and antique coffee tables, and a menu stuffed full of next-level bar eats and 100+ beers. Brews break down geographically, including US (Abita Amber, Allagash White), Europe (Fuller's ESB, Hofbrau Munchen), apparently not-in-Europe Belgium (Duvel, Chimay Blue), Canada (Maudite, Blanc De Chambly), Mexico/Islands (Bohemia, Negro Modelo), Asia (Singha Lager, Hitachino White Ale), and "Cans", because no one wants to take the blame for Schlitz. Eats include snacks (tater tots w/ homemade ketchup), 8oz burgers w fries & thin-sliced onion straws, sandwiches like "The All-or-One Hangover Sandwich" (peppered turkey, salami, coppacola & fried egg), and breakfasty goods like bacon-crusted French toast and a burrito w/ black beans, egg, bacon, and potatoes, also available "X-mas Style" -- meaning drowning in green/red salsas and creme fraiche, not tears cause it didn't get a pony again.
They'll also be hosting rotating exhibits from local artists, with openings on the first Tuesday of every month, complete with the free booze, bringing them considerably closer to their dream of one day closing a business they dreamt of opening.
6.12.09
Mexico Restaurante y Barra / 8512 Santa Monica Blvd. / West Hollywood, CA / 310-289-0088 / www.gogomexico.com
Two things inspired Larry Nicola (Nic's Martini Lounge) to open his newest restaurant: A large, pink neon "Mexico" sign he found at a local antique shop 15 years ago and a wood-burning oven left over from the West Hollywood space's former tenant, Bienvenudo. Both are what make the month-old Mexico Restaurante y Barra a stand-out.
As an Italian restaurant, the space was hidden and intimate. Now it's completely changed, with gleaming white chairs; bright red, pink and turquoise walls; twinkling lights strung across the patio; and that blazing "Mexico" sign. You can't miss it.
Thankfully, Nicola kept the wood-burning oven. The chefs make good use of it, whether it's to add a smoky flavor to black beans, to roast meats or to caramelize tomatoes for salsa. The chile rellenos ($14)--Anaheim peppers oozing Oaxacan cheese and spinach--get a nice char, and taquitos come stuffed with succulent wood-fired duck ($9). Away from the oven, there's a perfectly cooked skirt steak carne asada ($16) or a cool verdolaga (purslane) salad with chunks of tomato and silky avocado ($10).
It wouldn't be a Nicola restaurant without creative cocktails, and margaritas with muddled raspberry and cilantro, tamarind and pineapple, or chile, lime and cucumber go down way too easily
http://lamag.com/eat/article.aspx?id=8178
Abode / 1541 Ocean Ave. @ Colorado Ave / Santa Monica, CA 90401 / 310.394.3463
Brunch: three-course prix fixe menu with bites like short rib hash, brioche French toast, and lemon blueberry pancakes. Sat. & Sun., 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Lunch & Dinner: Though there are many adventurous choices on the menu, two must-haves are the Wagyu Beef Tartare with mustard frost, quail eggs, horseradish foam and truffle oil; and the Baby Beets Salad with French goat cheese mousse, wild cress, beet gelée and candied pecans. And if you really feel like pampering your taste buds and the environment be sure to order the $300 Tahitian Black Pearl Martini served with ultra-premium coconut pearl vodka, a splash of blue Curacao and garnished with a AAA 12 mm Tahitian black pearl (appraised at $800). All proceeds from the costly cocktail go to Heal the Bay.
Vanilla Bake Shop / 512 Wilshire Boulevard @ Fifth Street / Santa Monica, CA. / 310.458.6644 / www.vanillabakeshop.com
Hadaka Sushi / 8226 Sunset Boulevard / West Hollywood, CA 90046 / 323.822.2601 / http://www.hadakasushi.com/
Pizza Buona / 2100 Sunset Blvd / Echo Park, CA / 213.413.0800
Green Door / 1439 Ivar Avenue (between West Sunset Boulevard and De Longpre Avenue) / Hollywood, CA / 323.463.0008
Johnny Zandar’s (Teddy’s expat) new bar and lounge in Hollywood.
With a French ’40s motif, it’s spacious and inviting with intimate lighting, plush chairs and sofas, and dark velvet curtains. It doesn’t get going until after 9 p.m., so naturally it’s more about the drinks than the food (though it’s never too late for mac and cheese with truffle oil or a crepe with banana, Nutella, and vanilla ice cream). Prepare for an extensive wine and cognac list that flaunts a $2,500 bottle of Remy Martin Louis XIII.
Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea / 3922 West Sunset Boulevard (between Hyperion and Sanborn Avenues) / Silver Lake, CA / 323.663.6173 / http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/
Intelligentsia, the environmentally and socially conscious roasters from Chicago, opens this weekend in Silver Lake.
After a year in the works (hey, it takes time to implement a manipulated water filtration system and configure those 68 seats between the two inside bars and outdoor tables, okay?), you can finally try their direct-trade, reserve, dark roast, or blended beans in Clover made-to-order cups, espresso beverages, or to-go bulk.
Like wine, beans are graded, named for regions, and priced according to year, locale, and availability, with everything from $2 drips to $130 pound bags. Order Ethiopia Yirgacheffe or Costa Rica Flecha Roja “bright and clean” — the coffee concierge will heart you forever. Brush up on your javocabulary at Sunday morning home brewing seminars, where you’ll pick up terms like “cupping,” “baggy,” and “micro-lot.”
Tinto / 7511 Santa Monica Boulevard (@ Gardner Street) / West Hollywood, CA / 323.512.3095
Try a perfect pitcher of sangria at Tinto — the new (and only, say owners Reg McDonald and Juan Sola Jr.) authentic Spanish restaurant in West Hollywood.
Enter the antiquified spot full of brick archways, surprisingly cozy bar chairs, and cush banquettes and say hola to Mr. Sola Sr., who’s also responsible for the 100-deep wine list.
Eat tapas made the old-fashioned way: vieiras al ajillo (jumbo scallops in garlic, white wine, and chili flakes), guiso de calamar (squid with onions and potatoes in saffron broth), patatas bravas (fried potatoes with paprika emulsion and aioli), and albondigas sorpresa (uh, meatball surprise). For something a little bigger, go with the signature dish, Magret a la Manera de Tinto — duck breast with poached pears.
Food Court L.A. / 8334 W. Third St. (between S. Flores St. & S. Kings Rd.) / 323.782.9689 /
Hours: Sun.-Thurs., noon-11 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., noon-1 a.m. / http://www.foodcourtla.com/
Plastic tray fare from around the world gone gourmet: fried chicken Cobb salad, Latchino (Latin + Chinese) steak, panko-breaded fish and chips; Brutus salad (think Caesar with pancetta, tomatoes, and a jalapeno and yuzu kick). Plus cocktails to boot.
Sno:la / 244 North Beverly Drive (between Dayton Way and Wilshire Boulevard) / Beverly Hills, CA / 310-274-2435 / snolayogurt.com
a board full of seasonal shifters like tart, sour cherry, mango, wolfberry, chocolate, and espresso chip, all made from fresh local ingredients, plus a toppings bar with more than 40 options, from fresh mint and toasted coconut to coffee cocoa nibs and sesame flax crunch.
If the six types of probiotics in the nonfat, organic, white sugar-free treat don’t sway you, their green side — solar-powered yogurt machines, parfait glasses made from corn, biodegradable spoons, countertops made from recycled computer chips — will definitely make you want to grab a spoon.
Hidden / 3110 Main St. (at Marine St.) / Santa Monica, CA / 310.399.4800
Fabrizio Bianconi (Via Veneto) lets an army of chefs do their thing under one roof: Minori Fujita on sushi, Michael Bao Huyhn on Vietnamese, Daniele Lai on tapas; Ruben Vasquez rounds out the gang. When: Daily. Lunch, noon-3 p.m.; dinner, 5 p.m.-midnight. (Thurs 8/14/08 w/Dilushka)
Lift / 6533 Hollywood Blvd / Hollywoo, CA / 323.469.1848
Opening tomorrow for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Lift's a Parisian-facaded bistro from a Spider Club vet. The menu rests upon unusual ingredients like Jamaican coconut water, Moroccan chilies, and homemade nut butters. The result's a rotating slew of dishes riffing on comfort food, e.g., the Tuna Panini's made with reggiano and aioli, while the be-lobster'd Mac and Cheese is just the way mom used to make it, provided you were birthed by the Gorton's Fisherman.
Once up to full speed, Lift'll only be closed from 4-6am.
Click below to check out the menu
Look for 86 downstairs from Lift in the next few months
S Bar / 6304 Hollywood Boulevard @ Vine Street, Hollywood / 323.957.2279
S Bar, the latest Philippe Starck-designed spot from Sam Nazarian’s SBE and Brent Bolthouse.
Tea party with wacky potions like horseradish and pomegranate margaritas, Bee Knees (gin, house-made clover honey syrup, and fresh lemon juice), and Blackberry Love Soda (vodka, fresh lime juice, blackberries, and brut).
More intimate than its siblings Hyde and Area, S Bar works a Mad Hatter aesthetic with mismatched lounges, club chairs, and coffee tables (the ones with drawers are good for stashing purses and such). Clusters of upside-down lamps from every era hang precariously above Gothic candelabras; back-lit screens depict the walls of Versailles. And a ceiling-set flat-screen in the loo screens classics like Alice in Wonderland.
Carousel Restaurant /5112 Hollywood Blvd, Hye Plaza Ste 107 / Los Angeles, CA 90027 /323.660.8060
Tucked inside Hye Plaza in the heart of Little Armenia is this modest gem serving Middle Eastern/Lebanese comfort food. While the decor is a mere afterthought--pale pink walls, faded seat covers--the food is anything but. Families, foodies and locals flock here knowing that inside the compact kitchen is an Armenian grandmother dutifully crafting old country dishes like yogurt-covered beef kebabs, dolmas and muhammara, an unusal spicy-sweet pate of crushed walnuts, red peppers and pomegranate.
The Extras
While folks at this casual Hollywood outpost can show up dishabille, for a more formal (and pricier) experience, visit the spacious sister location in Glendale featuring belly dancers, live music and plenty of people watching every Friday and Saturday night.
Know Before You Go
This locale sells no liquor, so bring your own bottle of wine (no hard liquor or beer, please)--there's not even a corkage fee.
Parking
The free onsite lot usually has available spots right in front of the restaurant.
Cross Street:
Normandie Avenue
Hours:
CLOSED Monday, Sun-Thu 11:30am-9pm , Fri-Sat 11:30am-10pm
-- MAY NEVER OPEN -- Mode Restaurant / 916 S. Olive St. (between W. Ninth St. & W. Olympic Blvd.) / LA, CA. Downtown / 213.627.4888
A new fashiony French bistro downtown stays open around the clock. With Brioche French toast and steak frites on the catwalk. Daily, 24 hours.
Joe's Pizza / 111 Broadway / Santa Monica / 310.395.9222 / http://www.joespizza.com/
In 1975, Joe's started out in NYC, where it's as revered as In-N-Out (though ordering "Animal Style" will get you attacked by pigeons). Here as there, their specialty's thin crust by the pie or slice, cooked in a 500°, Bakers Pride oven.
Standard toppings include pepperoni, onions, garlic, and meatballs, plus more elevated offerings like the classic Caprese (fresh mozz, basil, tomatoes) and the triple-layered "Grandma" -- parmesan-on-marinara-on-mozzarella, an ode to senile women who forget they've already cheesed as soon as they sauce.
Asked whether he's abetting his authenticity with imported tap water, Joe himself demurs with "You just gotta taste the pizza"
Terroni / 7605 Beverly Boulevard @ North Curson Avenue, Mid-City West / 323.954.0300
The traditional Southern Italian spot — a standard in Toronto — opens its L.A. outpost today. Founder Cosimo Mammoliti teamed with wine expert Max Stefanelli and nightlife queenpin Shereen Arazm (Shag, Parc) to create the joint, which features walls of exposed brick lined with more than 200 handpicked bottles, butcher block tables, and vintage chandeliers.
Pull up an Eames chair and mange house specialties like Natalina Pizze with tomato, mozzarella, roasted red peppers, Calabrese salami, garlic, and olives; or Spaghetti al Limone with spinach, capers, parmigiano reggiano, lemon, and extra virgin olive oil.
Melograno / 6541 Hollywood Blvd (between Highland and Cahuenga) / Hollywood / 323-465-6650 / http://www.melogranohollywood.com/
Melograno, the under-the-radar Italian restaurant that has opened quietly in a Hollywood courtyard. Upon entering the refined but casual space, you won't find pulsing lights or blistering techno or any of the other usual benchmarks of dining within steps of the Walk of Fame. The room (and by room we mean corridor) is unadorned but for three simple light fixtures that illuminate bare white walls, exposed beams above and dark wood floors below. (The bar at the back works for an aperitif, but you'll likely want to avoid the courtyard patio for now—at least until the summer months, when you start to crave that first alfresco meal.)
The simplicity of the space puts the focus on the quality of the food. The emphasis is on seasonal ingredients, and the menu is still evolving, but you might discover a Tarta' di Verdure e Fonduta al Tartufo (warm vegetable tart served over Fontina cheese), Gnocchi d'Ortica al Burro e Salvia (potato and nettle dumplings with butter and sage) and Perchia Striata al Forno con Funghi (black sea bass with seasonal wild mushrooms and sweet vermouth wine). The chef is from Piedmont, though you'll more likely recognize him from Il Moro or Piccolo.
(Tues 5/21/08 w/Andrea)
Lamill Coffee / 1636 Silver Lake Boulevard, between Effie Street and Berkeley Avenue / Silver Lake / 323-663-4441 / http://www.lamillcoffee.com/
Lamill. The boutique coffee roaster’s Silver Lake outpost is now open.
Toile walls, embossed-croc chairs, and tables for two are lit by gold chandeliers. But the main attraction? The drinks: espresso shots (19 grams, 165°, 8.75 bar, 1.75 ounce), French press, and Clover cups for the purists; rosemary water with coffee spheres and Coffee and a Cigarette (cafe con panna with tobacco-infused whipped cream) for the avant garde.
Lunchtime brings Providence chef Michael Cimarusti’s savories like pumpkin soup with coffee maple Urfa chile creme fraiche; frisee aux lardon with coffee vinaigrette; and Asian pork belly with arugula, tomato, and preserved black beans, a.k.a. ABLT.
BondSt Restaurant & Lounge, Thompson Beverly Hills Hotel / 9360 Wilshire Blvd (at Crescent) / 310-601-2255 / http://www.thompsonhotels.com/
BondSt, the bifurcated restaurant and lounge now open inside the new Thompson Beverly Hills hotel.
The same hotel group that bankrolled the Roosevelt. You enter the restaurant just past the lobby. Once seated in the main corridor or on the walled-in patio, you'll try the expected sushi rolls or more adventurous choices like Spicy Crispy Shrimp with Yuzu Calamanci Vinaigrette and Chipotle Aioli.
But if you head from the lobby straight for the stairs, you'll find a cozy, secret-feeling lounge tucked away on the second floor that lends itself to saucier behavior. You'll recognize the modern-rustic décor as the work of the omnipresent mega-designer Dodd Mitchell, though the low ceilings and vaguely illicit background—the hotel used to be a Best Western—conspire to lend a speakeasy feel. If you prefer to get some work done over your Gin Basil, step through the French doors to a private conference room that's lined with smutty art books to combat any unnecessary stuffiness.
Mr. Pizza Factory / 3881 Wilshire Blvd., Koreatown / (213) 738-0077 / http://www.mrpizza.co.kr/# / Open daily 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. / Beer, wine and soju. Takeout. Semivalidated parking in rear. AE, MC, V. Dinner for two, food only, $17-$30.
http://www.laweekly.com/2008-01-31/eat-drink/i-yam-what-i-yam/
(3.30.09 w/Ulloa)
The Waffle / 6255 W. Sunset Blvd. / Hollywood, CA 90028 / 323.465.6901 / http://www.thewaffle.us/iWeb/Site/Index.html
menu: http://www.thewaffle.us/iWeb/Site/Menu_files/menuwaffle-2.pdf
(Wed 4/30/08 w/Recording Academy)
Luckyfish / 338 North Canon Drive, between Brighton and Dayton Ways / Beverly Hills, CA /310-274-9800 / luckyfishsushi.com
CLOSED: now Cobras & Matadors -- Goat / 460 S. La Brea Ave. @ Sixth St., La Brea Corridor / LA, CA. / Open Daily, 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. / 323.936.7622
Steven Arroyo opens a rustic new American cafe with salads; sandwiches; and heartier fare like goat confit with warm, French bread
Creperie by Jack n’ Jill’s / 8738 W. Third St., @ Robertson Blvd. / Beverly Hills, CA / Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri., 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m.-9 p.m. / 310.858.4900
Go for a savory Baton Rouge (blackened chicken and pinot noir BBQ reduction) or sweet Lucky Number Seven (caramelized pears, almonds, hazelnut liqueur, and chocolaty sauce).
(4.8.09 e/Elizabeth Condon)
Murano / 9010 Melrose Avenue, between Doheny and Almont Drives / West Hollywood, CA / 310.246.9118 / http://www.murano9010.com/
Murano’s new spring menu starting April 1, and $12 Tuesdays starting on April 8.
Melted Cherry Tomato Sauce is always on the menu at Murano.
Vinoteque / 4437 Sepulveda Boulevard, at Braddock Drive / Culver City, CA / 310.482.3490 / http://www.vinotequela.com/
Working rich colors and smart, cozy design, the old Syngery Cafe transformed into a warm, welcoming space that’s part bar, part resto-lounge, and part intimate venue for live blues and jazz.
Most of the rustic Italian/French/Spanish small plates are under ten bucks. Same goes for the by-the-glass wines. But you don’t have to stick to the standard list: Pop open any of the 250 bottles, and they’ll price it per pour (a little something co-owner Adam Fleischman brought over from his old digs, BottleRock), then add the label to the specials monitor.
(Thurs 5/15/08 w/Lien Ta)
Delancey / 5936 Sunset Boulevard @ Tamarind Street / Hollywood, CA / 323.924.2093
The newest East Coast throwback from Bowery bar and bistro owner George Abou-Daoud.
Past the custom glazed red-brick facade and vintage cast-iron windows, the antique radiators, pressed tin ceilings, exposed brick archways, and handsome oak wood bar look straight out of the West Village.
As does the menu: fried calamari; vegetable fritto misto; speck with quail egg, Taleggio, and crostini; chicken piccata; and pastas (some homemade) like spaghetti carbonara, gnocchi with pesto, and rigatoni Bolognese. For dessert, go for lemon semifreddo or classic street-fair zeppole. there are nearly twenty wines by the glass, twenty beers on tap, and liquors pulled off the impressive back wall collection (it may have the most in the city).
(Wed 5/7/08 w/Jason Chess)
4.26.08
Now TWO Locations:
Lemonade / 505 S. Flower St @ Fifth / Downtown, Los Angeles / 213.488.0299
Lemonade / 9001 Beverly Boulevard @ North Doheny Drive / West Hollywood, CA / 310.247.2500
Embrace the past at Lemonade, a literally underground souped-up stand, now open for breakfast and lunch Downtown.
The modern twist on a nostalgic concept is part lemonade stand, part grade-school cafeteria—come lunchtime, you'll grab a tray and slide it down the counter to examine your options. Unlike those early years, though, you'll actually want to build a meal from what you see under the glass—you might find a Grilled Cheese with Ham and Quince on Pumpernickel, which could work with a Snap Pea and Edamame Salad and a Chocolate-Dipped Marshmallow Square.
Then select from several varieties of the requisite house-made lemonade (favorites include Rosemary Lemon and Blueberry Ginger). The next incarnation on Beverly Boulevard (just east of Doheny) is only a couple weeks away.
(Sat 9/27/08)
5.5.08
Lot 1 Café /1533 Sunset Blvd (at Laveta) / Echo Park, CA / 213.481.8400
an out-of-the-way discovery focused on original food—like the highly addictive Bacos. Lot 1 Café, a no-fuss find manned by a vastly underrated chef, opens tonight in...Echo Park
It's the kind of neighborhood corner place you wouldn't look twice at—a few café tables inside, some sidewalk seating and a small side patio. (You know what they say, never judge a restaurant by its patio.) But when you take a look at the menu, you'll see dizzying combinations of ingredients put together in hard-to-classify dishes like Confit Beet Gazpacho and New Zealand John Dory with Lima Beans and Pickled Strawberries.
And then there are the chef's Bacos—think of them like giant tacos on warm homemade flatbread—in varieties like the Carne Picada (with lamb sausage, potato croquettes and caraway pepper sauce) and of course the original, The Baco (crispy pork belly, short rib carnitas and smoked paprika aioli).
5.9.08
Wilson bar & cafe / 8631 Washington Blvd. / Culver City, CA / 310.287.2093 http://www.wilsonfoodandwine.com/
Brian Wilson's son Mike, you're so good to me
5.14.08
Saturday Morning Brunch @
Rustic Canyon Wine Bar and Seasonal Kitchen / 1119 Wilshire Blvd., between 11th & 12th Sts. / Santa Monica, CA / 310.393.7050 / http://www.rusticcanyonwinebar.com/
Count on mimosas, strong coffee, and pastry chef Zoe Nathan’s baked goods buffet, but the menu changes slightly every week.
When: Sat., 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Pico Never Lets Us Down:
http://losangeles.metromix.com/restaurants/roundup/navigating-pico-corridor/154572/content
5.23.08
Noé Restaurant @ the Omni Hotel / 251 S. Olive St (between 2nd and 3rd) / Downtown, Los Angeles / 213-356-4100 / http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/LosAngelesCaliforniaPlaza/Dining.aspx
Ice Cream Burgers (with ice cream as the meat and macaroons as the bun) part of the new bar menu at Noé Restaurant inside the Omni Hotel. Since it's on the bar menu, no need to bother with actual dinner first—just head upstairs, grab a stool at the counter and order your "burgers" with an Irish coffee. (Chef's choice.) When the plate arrives, you'll find a surprise assortment of house-made mocha, strawberry and vanilla patties (depending on the day) between poppy, sesame and almond macaroon buns. Chef Glenn Ishii has also created an assortment of cereal-flavored ice cream like Cap'n Crunch, Apple Jacks, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Honey Nut Cheerios.
6.10.08
Animal / 435 North Fairfax Avenue (btw Oakwood & Rosewood Avenues) / Fairfax Corridor, LA / 323.782.9225
Animal, the new spot from chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo (a.k.a. Carmelized Productions, b.k.a. the Food Dudes), opening tomorrow.
There’s no sign on the door. Naked bulbs, a wall-length wooden bench, and lots of elbow room at the copper bar make the stripped-down space ideal for indulging.
Seasonal, sustainable ingredients — and lots of pork — dictate the weekly changing menu: johnnycakes topped with foie gras and blueberry-plum syrup; fried soft-shell crab atop watercress and avocado dressed in pancetta vinaigrette; balsamic-glazed country pork ribs with warm bacon potato salad and a rich chocolate crunch bar sprinkled with — yes, siree — bacon bits for dessert.
Choose from 25 wines by the glass and affordable carafes and bottles handpicked by sommelier Erik Kelly.
(Wed 7/16/08 w/Armando)
6.21.08
Crudo Bar & Ristorante / 8570 W. Sunset Blvd (W. of Alta Loma)/ West Hollywood, CA / 310.289.1131
After much buzz and prepwork, the Sunset Strip venue is now soft-open for weekday lunches.
This raw-Italian haven hasa spacious bar and lounge area, covered patio and dining room. The big draw of the place is the central crudo bar, which is like a sushi bar, but with more Italian accents. There you can feast on cold specials like Carpacco di Salmon and Pinzimonio (raw vegetables…mmm).
If you can't stomach the thought of a meal that's not hot, try the filet, the Carbonara di Mare (homemade spaghetti with whitefish and zucchini) or the Bistecca di pescespada (it's like a swordfish steak).
The best place for privacy is one of the dining room's rear booths.
7.11.08
Xooro / 125 Broadway (between Second Street and Ocean Avenue) / Santa Monica, CA / 310-260-2919 / http://www.xooro.com/
Xooro (pronounced “sure-oh”) is the United States' first restaurant specializing in gourmet Spanish churros. Xooro also features 6 different gourmet hot chocolates.
(Thursday 7/24/08 w/Christina & Lourdes)
my review on Yelp.com:
"I had been looking forward to trying the churros at Xooro since reading about it online and visiting their website a few weeks ago. I mean, "the United States' first restaurant specializing in gourmet Spanish churros" and they also have 6 different gourmet hot chocolates? Come on, let's go already. I had hyped the place to two friends at work and we all went after lunch today. First of all, there are 3 kinds of $4 hot chocolate on the menu at Xooro, not the 6 different gourmet versions described on the website (www.xooro.com). The one I tried was so sweet I couldn't finish it. Onto their specialty; "gourmet churros" - if a cold, stale, five dollar, 4 inch fritter with room temperature artificial flavoring spells gourmet in Spain, the only spanish I need to know is "no bueno". We tried three of the selections on the menu and none of them were impressive, fresh or remotely warm. I have no idea how a place that only serves questionable hot chocolate and overpriced, subpar churros is going to stay open very long. I only wish I'd read the reviews on Yelp before I went so I could have nine bucks and 30 minutes of my life back."
7.16.08
8 Oz. Burger Bar / 7661 Melrose Avenue between North Stanley and North Spaulding Avenues / West Hollywood, CA / 323.852.0008 / http://www.8ozburgerbar.com/
East Coast butcher shop-meets-West Coast brasserie feel. Serving Kobe corn dogs or celery with blue cheese aioli. The main event: the 8 oz. burger, a tri-tip/sirloin/chuck/secret-ingredient patty that’s rested in a 38-degree, Himalayan salt tile-lined locker till it’s ready to hit the wood-burning grill.
Balsamic onions, purple mustard, heirloom tomato ketchup, sweet potato chips, and stout-battered onion rings are some of the house-made sides and condiments. And let's not forget the Beer Float (like a root beer float, but using one of the specialty brews instead of soda)
(Tuesday 7/21/08 w/Armando) >click here to read his review on Yelp<
From Dilushka:
Ya-Tai
http://www.yatai-bar.com/ – great hole in the wall place
Jones on Third or Jones (on Santa Monica )
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/78263
http://losangeles.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaId=34&restaurantId=26832
Fraiche
http://www.fraicherestaurantla.com/ – (Thurs 10/6/08 w/Dilushka)
Sri Lankan Delight
http://yellowpages.sulekha.com/los-angeles/grocery-stores/tarzana/sri-lankan-delight.htm
9.6.08
Take a Bao / Westfield Shopping Center / 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, between Avenue of the Stars and Century Park Way / Century City, CA / 310-551-1100 / http://www.takeabao.com/
At a slick modern counter in the middle of the room, the fast, casual Asian spot serves fresh salads, rice and noodle bowls, sake, beer, and wine. But really, it’s all about the bao, available in a host of thoughtful options like signature barbecue pork with ginger, hoisin, red onions, pea shoots, and marinated cucumbers; pomegranate steak; and red chili and citrus-glazed chicken — all of which come wrapped in a steamed white or wheat bun.
(Friday 9/19/08 w/Mike & Christina) - Good. I'll definitely go back.
9.16.08
Millions of Milkshakes / 8910 Santa Monica Boulevard / West Hollywood, California 90069 / T: (213) 38-SHAKE(74253) / http://www.millionsofmilkshakes.com/
(Tuesday 9/16/08 w/Lucy and Armand Llenado)
my review on Yelp.com:
Anyone who knows me, knows I like milkshakes, a lot. So, when I heard about a place called "Millions of Milkshakes" you can bet I was excited. Millions of Milkshakes, or as I like to call it, The Overpriced Soft-Serve Shop, does not serve what can honestly be called a milkshake. Three types of frozen vanilla (soft serve, yogurt or soy) substitute for actual ice cream in these "shakes" and at $5 for a one topping regular ($6 for a large) and another $1 for each additional topping, a small 4 combo frosty is going to run you close to 10 bucks. Ten bucks for soft serve and some candy. What a bargain.
If the name itself weren't deceiving, I wouldn't have as much of a problem with the place. If, for example, it was called, "Millions of toppings for your vanilla soft serve" my expectations would have been properly managed, though I imagine that name wouldn't have suckers like me driving to West Hollywood to try it.
Do yourself a favor, go to McDonalds, get a McFlurry and save the other 8 dollars for some real ice cream. Or better yet, go to MILK on Beverly (http://www.themilkshop.../) and get an actual milkshake.
9.18.08
Kiss My Bundt Bakery / 8104 West 3rd Street / Los Angeles, CA 90048 (3rd and Crescent Heights Blvd.) / (323) 655-0559 / http://www.kissmybundt.net/
Hours: Monday - Saturday: 8AM - 7PM / Sunday: 10AM - 5PM
A specialty, made-from-scratch cake company specializing in bundt cakes with 30+ cake flavors and 20+ frostings. Bundt cakes come in three sizes: Mini Bundt Cupcakes, Baby Bundt Cupcakes, and Big' Ol Bundt Cakes. The bundt cake menu rotates daily. Each day features 8 of the most popular cakes, like Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting, Carrot, Luscious Lemon Drop Cake with home-made lemon syrup, or Callebaut chocolate cake hand-dipped in Belgian chocolate. In addition to the "Daily 8", another 5-7 cake options are available that reflect the various flavors in season or in their baker's imaginations.
9.23.08
Church & State / 1850 Industrial St (at Mateo) / Downtown, Los Angeles / 213.450.1434
Downtown Brasserie from the Cobras & Matadors Guy (Steven Arroyo). It's on the ground floor of the Biscuit Company Lofts in a ghost-town part of Downtown. Choose from charcuterie, mussels and cheeses, and you can construct a long meal with small plates and some Bordeaux . There are also some bigger dishes like Boeuf Bourguignon (beef stew) or Truite au Lard (trout in bacon).
(Thurs 4/30 w/Mattyshack, Angela and Celia)
9.24.08
Library Bar / 630 W. 6th St (at Hope) / Downtown Los Angeles / 213.488.1931 / http://www.librarybarla.com/
If you're in the mood for small bites, try the Pork Belly Skewers, the Deviled Marrowbones—or the Steak Fries tossed with pork fat and sea salt. If you're looking for meatier fare, you might want to try out The Library Burger, a notable accomplishment in the city's burger oeuvre, with grilled onions, arugula and housemade pickles.
10.02.08
Gjelina / 1429 Abbott Kinney Rd / Venice, CA 90291 / 310-450-1429
LA Times - Gjelina in Venice: a high-energy Mediterranean restaurant
(Tuesday 12/9/08 w/Michelle)
10.3.08
City Sip LA / 2150 West Sunset Boulevard, between North Alvarado Street and Rosemont Avenue / Echo Park, CA / 213.483.9463 / citysipla.com
Wine classes are offered inside City Sip LA's streamlined Echo Park digs, start at the very beginning with The Essentials, a what/why/when/where of the swirl/sniff/sip/spit basics session with handy food pairing tips. Or partake in regional explorations like Latin Lover, covering the vines of Spain, Portugal, and South America, or Que Syrah, Syrah, focusing on big Australian, French, and Californian reds.
lWhen class is not in session, have a seat at the bar for cheese, charcuterie, and a glass of wine.
10.14.08
XIV / 8117 Sunset Blvd (at Crescent Heights) / West Hollywood, CA / 323-656-1414
After twenty years away, prodigal son Michael Mina is back in LA, along with pals Philippe Starck and Sam Nazarian, to bring you the long-awaited Sunset Boulevard small-plates palace that is XIV, opening tomorrow.
You may have heard a thing or two about XIV, but you'll want to check out this unusual, genteel restaurant first-hand. You'll immediately be comforted by the dark and cozy mix of European furnishings, fireplaces, bookshelves, paintings and chocolate-brown velvet—it's as if you're dining in an eccentric Count's country getaway (Count Chocula, excluded).
Bring a date—preferably one that isn't afraid of experimenting a bit (which should already be a given)—grab a table by one of the mirrored walls and dig into the adventurous menu. Rather than use pesky designations like "appetizer" or "entree," Mina divided his food into seven categories— Shellfish, Garden Vegetables, Meat & Game, etc.—with the idea that you'll mix and match options to create an individual tasting menu (try the Sake and Maple-Cured Kanpachi or Saffron-Braised Veal Cheek).
12.11.08
Cincinnati Style Chili @ Chili John’s / 2018 W. Burbank Blvd. / Burbank, CA / (818) 846-3611.
Chili John’s is a ’40s-era spinoff of a century-old chili parlor in Green Bay, and the chili is pretty outstanding. What Chili John’s serves isn’t Cincinnati chili but a spicy, all-but-extinct Wisconsin style (and I, for one, am thankful for that), but they do serve it more or less as a 4-way, with available spaghetti, beans, onions and shredded cheese. There are hot dogs. And you can even get it as a 3-way or a 5-way if that is your inclination. I tend to go for the extraspicy with beans. 2018 W. Burbank Blvd., Burbank, (818) 846-3611.
12.19.08
Carmela Ice Cream
Made in small batches using all-natural and local ingredients, the frozen delights change seasonally — or at the whim of Jessica Mortarotti, the head churner who cranked things up after attending the prestigious Penn State Ice Cream Short Course
Scoop up brown sugar vanilla bean, dark chocolate cacao nib, and salted caramel classics, along with signature herb, spice, nut, and flower flavors like cardamom, nutmeg, strawberry basil, and cranberry orange thyme.
Sample them all at the farmers market and cruise home with four-ounce containers and full pints or order a six-pint flavor assortment online and indulge for days.
Available Thursdays, 4-8 p.m., at South Pasadena Farmers’ Market, Meridian Avenue and Mission Street, South Pasadena; Sundays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., at Hollywood Farmers’ Market, Ivar and Selma Avenues, Hollywood; online at http://www.carmelaicecream.com/
2.17.09
Umami Burger / 850 S La Brea, Mid-Wilshire / LA, CA. / 323.931.3000 / preview the menu
(Monday 2/23/09 w/Lien Ta)
2.19.09
Hole in the Wall Burger Joint / 11058 Santa Monica Blvd / Los Angeles, CA 90025 / (310) 312-7013 / http://www.holeinthewallburgerjoint.com/
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/47427703/los_angeles_ca/hole_in_the_wall_burger_joint.html (Monday 2/23/09 w/Lien Ta)
2.23.09
Cecconi’s / 8764 Melrose Avenue @ Robertson Boulevard / West Hollywood / 310-432-2000 / http://www.cecconiswesthollywood.com/
Straight from London, Cecconi’s opens today bringing Venetian-influenced food and drink to the old Morton’s iconic address.
Enjoy lunch tableside with finished salads and tartars on the terrace and dinners of charcoal-grilled sea bass or wood oven-roasted veal osso buco in the main room. Just show up anytime for breakfast in the cafe or handmade pasta and pizza at the bar. Any seat in the house lands you top-notch service and expertly executed food that isn’t uptight or stuffy. Prices are reasonable, but they’ve spared no expense: a $1 mill Damien Hirst, Mauviel cicchetti pans, and cheese and charcuterie imported from Italy.
3.16.09
The Oinkster / 2005 Colorado Boulevard / Eagle Rock CA 90041 (map) / 323-255-6465 / theoinkster.com / Slow fast food
The Oinkster, a fast-casual concept from acclaimed fine-dining chef Andre Guerrero, invites diners to kick back and enjoy high-quality American classics in a relaxed, modern and fun environment.
Occupying the former site of Jim’s Burgers on Eagle Rock’s newly hip Colorado Boulevard, The Oinkster aims to be Los Angeles’ antidote to both, expensive gourmet meals and their cheap fast food counterparts. On the restaurant’s $10-and-under menu that skips high prices in favor of better flavors, quality will be paramount.
Premium sandwiches made with house-cured pastrami or sloooow-roasted pork compete for diners’ attention with juicy burgers made from freshly-ground Nebraska Angus beef, first-rate rotisserie-roasted chicken and crispy Belgian fries. Fake fast-food cheese are given a pass in favor of scrumptious Gruyere and yummy sharp cheddar; home-made sauces, dressings and spice rubs share the plate with house-made condiments and crunchy veggies.
In typical Oinkster-fashion, all remaining culinary needs are addressed in taste and style, too: Each meal can be rounded out with a premium beer, quality wine or one of the restaurant’s unusual specialty sodas. Hand scooped shakes made with Fosselman's ice cream and an assortment of handmade cupcakes and desserts tempt the taste buds.
Innovative and affordable, stylish and fun, The Oinkster treads where no LA eatery has gone before and combines culinary classics with no-attitude style: The smartly updated landmark building offers seating for 50 guests indoors and can accommodate another 50 diners on an outdoor patio in the up-and-coming Eagle Rock neighborhood. The experience is casual with all counter-service.Developed by local restaurant veteran and celebrated chef André Guerrero,The Oinkster is the fine-dining chef’s first foray into the rapidly growing market of fast-casual dining. The Oinkster is open daily for lunch and dinner. It's also the perfect place to grab a late night bite to eat or relax and enjoy a few cold ones while watching the game on two big screen TVs. Summer Hours:Open Monday through Thursday 11am to 11pmFriday and Saturday 11am to 12 amSunday 11am to 10 pm
BoHo / 6372 W Sunset Blvd / Hollywood, CA / 323.465.8500
From members of the Kitchen 24/Geisha House crews, BoHo's located conveniently in the same center as the Arclight, and reflects a purely hodgepodge mentality: huge, open windows feeding air to 12-foot ficuses, which're jammed up against bookshelves sitting near a fireplace topped with stuffed deer heads, while mismatched light fixtures/furniture/silverware come from vintage stores, then hopefully get washed. The similarly unpredictable, everything-under-$21 menu's stacked with gourmet ingredients, and includes small plates like oyster po-boy sliders and a charcuterie plate w/ whiskey chicken liver mousse, and "big ass plates" like a burger w/ Cambazola cheese & caramelized onion, Scottish salmon w/ sunchoke puree, and a fry-ringed, tamarind/guava-glazed "Pile O' Ribs" so alluringly sweet, Harrison Ford will leave his wife for it. Rounding out the patchwork's a slew of gas-oven pizzas, with toppings like homemade pepperoni, fennel sausage, and pulled pork from Eagle Rock's beloved Oinkster.
BoHo's also got 24 taps of craft beers (Allagash White, Delirium Nocturnum), plus a fully stocked bar
3.17.09
D-Town Burger / 216 W 6th St / Los Angeles, CA 90014 /(213) 228-0022
Opened in early March, 2009, this small 1950s-inspired greasy spoon dishes out burgers, hot dogs, fries and shakes while "Duke of Earl" and "La Bamba" play on the digital jukebox. The curvy white counter, cherry red vinyl seats and portraits of James Dean make it feel like Johnny Rocket's-lite, but the menu is much more limited. Your entree options are: a traditional hamburger, a veggie burger, a hot dog or a grilled cheese sandwich. There's only one side, fries, which are mix of regular and sweet potato fries. And you can wash it down with a soda or a milkshake. Counter service is quick and the lunchtime wait has so far been minimal.
Primo Bistro / 8585 Santa Monica Blvd / West Hollywood, CA / 310.289.8890 / menu
Rocking rough-cut stone walls and a massive, 2000 sq ft streetside patio, Primo's a new, all-day bistro with a menu made up almost exclusively of the finest light fare from counter-service spot Caffe Primo and heavier stuff from Tony's Steakhouse, two joints related by owner, yet previously divided by menu, and 328 long feet of Sunset Blvd. Caffe's contributions're breakfast-and-lunch-centric, with omelets like four-cheese bacon & tomato w/ organic eggs; toasted paninis, like grilled chicken pesto, and tuna & artichokes; and salads like the white tuna, cannellini beans, and red onion "Tuna & Bean", which sounds like a kooky buddy comedy that must involve Steve Zahn...guess which one's Steve Zahn. Most starters and true entrees are pulled from Tony's catalogue: steamed mussels in saffron sauce, chicken Milanese w/ ciabatta bread, and pasta carbonara w/ prosciutto and bacon, with steaks on their way soon, as cows are notoriously slow walkers.
Only a couple dishes're just-dropped cuts (eggs Benedict, smoked-salmon-aided "Benedict at Sea") and Primo's also got a full liquor licens
(Thursday 3/26/09 w/Gloria)
4.1.09
Shin / 1600 Wilcox Ave. / Hollywood, CA / 323-464-4100 / http://www.shinbbq.com/
Simon Shin took everything he learned from his family's Koreatown restaurants and opened his own place near the Cahuenga Corridor. That's right, bulgogi and kalbi...in Hollywood. With its sexy red walls and D.J. nights, Shin doesn't have the most traditional vibe, but the food is as good as any you'd find along Western or Olympic. And with a new all-you-can-eat deal for $25 (available nightly), it's more affordable than ever.
Considering the quality of ingredients used, this AYCE is a steal: Pretty pink brisket sliced super thin, Sriracha-rubbed chicken breast and thick slabs of meaty pork belly come ready to cook on the tabletop grill; from the kitchen, we like the tender, cross-cut beef short ribs with sweet and spicy glaze. Snack on traditional banchan like translucent pickled radish, salty marinated fish cake and house-made kimchee, but for the uninitiated there's also a romaine salad tossed in a kicky wasabi vinaigrette. It's all very clean tasting and fresh, not heavy or greasy.
The best part: Thanks to the grill's special exhaust systems, you won't smell when you leave, no matter how long you sit.
4.7.09
Platine Bakery / 10850 Washington Blvd., /Culver City, CA / 310.559.9933 / http://platinecookies.com/
Jamie Cantor's cookies are some of the most delectable we've found in L.A., but that's not all the French Laundry alum creates at her new Culver City bakery, Platine. From decadent cakes, seasonal tarts and rich pots de crème--all in mini form--the pastry chef has a way with sweets.Everything at Platine tastes homespun, the way Mom would bake if she worked under the watchful eye of Thomas Keller. We can't get over the "short stack," (pictured) three tiny pancakes soaked in maple-orange syrup and topped with tidbits of sugar-glazed bacon and "bacon candy," a sticky, hardened glaze. It's breakfast in one bite, but a fun twist for an anytime dessert ($2; available next week). Cantor's gooey caramel-covered brownies sell out fast, but the perfectly sweet cream-cheese brownies are an excellent stand-in. On the cookie front, don't miss the Platinos, a softer version of the classic Oreo ($2).The space is mostly a commercial kitchen with a small retail area where the treats are displayed in a glass counter, like jewels. It's grab-and-go for now, but she'll soon have a few tables out front where you can sit and snack.
4.8.09
Bottega Louie / 700 S Grand Ave. / Downtown LA / 866.488.9162 / http://www.bottegalouie.com/
This gargantuan upscale Italian market/cafe/eatery boasts white marble floors, a show kitchen, and shelves stocked with specialty ingredients like Australia-imported pear fruit paste and locally handmade Valerie Confections chocolate. The banquette-lined restaurant does fresh fare like thin-crusted fennel sausage pizza and oven-roasted black cod, and the market boasts a deli case with 200+ prepared dishes, like a Brie/apple/watercress panini, osso bucco, garlic-studded pork, and Bibb salad -- with the way you eat, as if there were any other kind.
(Tues 5.12.09 w/Celia)
6.10.09
West 4th/Jane / 1432A 4th St, Santa Monica, CA / 310.395.6765
West 4th/Jane's a new casual two-story gastropub from chums who've been talking about opening a place together since high school; their vision's finally come alive, complete with a downstairs with a marble bar, faux-aged concrete walls, and a Ms. Pacman/Galaga tabletop, a quieter upstairs candlelit lounge with chocolate leather couches and antique coffee tables, and a menu stuffed full of next-level bar eats and 100+ beers. Brews break down geographically, including US (Abita Amber, Allagash White), Europe (Fuller's ESB, Hofbrau Munchen), apparently not-in-Europe Belgium (Duvel, Chimay Blue), Canada (Maudite, Blanc De Chambly), Mexico/Islands (Bohemia, Negro Modelo), Asia (Singha Lager, Hitachino White Ale), and "Cans", because no one wants to take the blame for Schlitz. Eats include snacks (tater tots w/ homemade ketchup), 8oz burgers w fries & thin-sliced onion straws, sandwiches like "The All-or-One Hangover Sandwich" (peppered turkey, salami, coppacola & fried egg), and breakfasty goods like bacon-crusted French toast and a burrito w/ black beans, egg, bacon, and potatoes, also available "X-mas Style" -- meaning drowning in green/red salsas and creme fraiche, not tears cause it didn't get a pony again.
They'll also be hosting rotating exhibits from local artists, with openings on the first Tuesday of every month, complete with the free booze, bringing them considerably closer to their dream of one day closing a business they dreamt of opening.
6.12.09
Mexico Restaurante y Barra / 8512 Santa Monica Blvd. / West Hollywood, CA / 310-289-0088 / www.gogomexico.com
Two things inspired Larry Nicola (Nic's Martini Lounge) to open his newest restaurant: A large, pink neon "Mexico" sign he found at a local antique shop 15 years ago and a wood-burning oven left over from the West Hollywood space's former tenant, Bienvenudo. Both are what make the month-old Mexico Restaurante y Barra a stand-out.
As an Italian restaurant, the space was hidden and intimate. Now it's completely changed, with gleaming white chairs; bright red, pink and turquoise walls; twinkling lights strung across the patio; and that blazing "Mexico" sign. You can't miss it.
Thankfully, Nicola kept the wood-burning oven. The chefs make good use of it, whether it's to add a smoky flavor to black beans, to roast meats or to caramelize tomatoes for salsa. The chile rellenos ($14)--Anaheim peppers oozing Oaxacan cheese and spinach--get a nice char, and taquitos come stuffed with succulent wood-fired duck ($9). Away from the oven, there's a perfectly cooked skirt steak carne asada ($16) or a cool verdolaga (purslane) salad with chunks of tomato and silky avocado ($10).
It wouldn't be a Nicola restaurant without creative cocktails, and margaritas with muddled raspberry and cilantro, tamarind and pineapple, or chile, lime and cucumber go down way too easily
posted by jason z at 4:33 PM
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