Hi Slim,

I'll have to try Sushi Go 55. I'm not sure how you can strongly disagree with my rec and then say the sushi is very good. I prefer a traditional environment and Sushi Gen is that type of place. Not sure how Go is but I will go try it out. As for Nicky D's, I have never heard if it but will check it out.

I didn't care for Nic & Stef's. Went there twice and thought the steak was void of flavor (i.e. - dry aged).

You're right, I have an unusual amount of hostility towards Sushi Gen. The night I tried it they told us it would be a 40-minute wait, but it turned into over an hour. And we had extremely unresponsive service. This is in contract to Sushi Go 55, where I go very often and they treat me like an old friend. It's not a fair comparison, and I think I felt guilty for cheating on Sushi Go 55 in the first place.

lfs,
hmmmm you're right. so what are you doing this year? After seeing your comment I'm thinking of cooking (even though I'm a total n00b) and just hang back. Thoughts/advice greatly appreciated

thanks...heres a few more

fish, chips, chowder and a black n' tan at ye olde kingshead
ludwig van and a bottle of fat boy at the hollywood bowl
mango lassi and tikka massala at surya
LBC dog beach then...
a carol c at roscoes (w/ side of beans and rice)
forgot kings v. ducks before then...
swing by phillipes
take a drive through the canyons then
buffalo steak at saddle peak lodge (awesome bar too)

more bests (imo)
baby backs-spring st. smokehouse
slippery shrimp-yang chow
carnitas- lares
tacos- loteria
expensive/inventive- sona
less expensive/inventive-osteria mozza
prime rib- taylors
steak-arroyo chop house
garlic chicken- zankou
beer- lucky baldwins
wine/wine food- aoc

theres just so much in l.a.

For the most part, you're batting two for two... I'm impressed. Throw in Yucca's or King Taco for carne asada tacos and Soot Bul Jeep for for Korean BBQ. If you like pork ribs, try Hamji Pak on 6th street....

next stop Soot Bul Jeep. im a big yuccas fan they must be closed sundays cause i play i cash (golf) game at griffith park on sundays and they are never open so i go to mexico city instead (would rather have a burrito). around the corner aroma has good homemade pasta and the unnamed place next to rambutan thai has good soup. up by the dogpark in silverlake (across from l.a. dreams...errrrrr spaceland) there is a new coffeeshop that has coffee w/ tobacco infused foam, strangely delicious.

Be warned: Soot Bul Jeep is an absolute hole in the wall but the Kalbi marinade is one of the best. Yeah, Yucca's is closed on Sundays (they have to go to church!). Tobacco infused foam? I think I have to pass on trying that one. Lol. Try the ribs at Hamji Pak. I promise you will like them a lot.

I also add Nate n' Al's for the Nova Scotia lox and bagel as well as the corned beef on a kaiser roll.

I have also heard of a sushi place in Canoga Park called Go Mart. Haven't been but I hear its pretty great. Ambience = zero as they also rent Japanese videos in the same space. This place will be my next adventure...

I live in kind of in the Palmsy/West LA area and visit these eateries on a regular basis.

All these are on Venice Blvd:
Versailles - Cuban and I've heard there is better but I keep coming back here.
Bamboo - Caribbean; The mix of spices is wonderful and they make excellent mojitos
Cafe Brasil - My regular Brazilian fix
Brassa - A new Churrascaria across the street from Natalie Tai. Way cheaper than going to Fogo de Chao and honestly almost just as good.
Con Sabor - Salvadorean restaurant and if you've never had pupusas before you should try them. Really tasty and excellent platanos here.

Err still haven't decided where to go for V-day. It'd be our first V-day together so I do want to take her out (in the meantime i will be practicing my cooking skills). Anyone with a a good suggestion? Currently I'm leaning towards the Palm in WeHo (because of what LFS said in the earlier thread about it, i dont know about the ambiance of the place though. Hmmm.) They have a pretty decent deal for V-day.

Thanks in advance

I wouldn't recommend the Palm for a V-day dinner. It's more of a casual clubby atmosphere. You'll probably want something a little more romantic.

Patina in downtown has a really nice ambience (located at the Walt Disney Hall) and the food is pretty good.

Spago's in Beverly Hills is really nice and the food is solid.

Down the street is Mastro's steakhouse but I'd request the downstairs as it can get lively in the upstairs room. You'll pay the same here as you would at The Palm.

I have a soft spot for Madeo. It's an italian restauarant with old school appeal. It's having a resurgence with the young Hollywood crowd. I've seen so many names at this place that i can't remember them all.

I'm sure Slim can chime in with some great recs.

I can't help but wonder if we are the same person sometimes...

synn,
Madeo sounds really nice from the reviews. what do you think of dolce?

hanster,

I agree with Synnister, the Palm in WeHo isn't romantic at all. If you want steak Nick and Stef's has a more upscale atmosphere. I know some people think the Ivy is way overrated, and it might be, but I've always had good meals there. IIRC you go to USC, which means the Eastside makes more sense for you, so I'd check out Blair's in Silverlake. And a restaurant that I don't think has been mentioned yet: Traxx at Union Station. Unique experience and very good food.

lfs,
i can't believe you think i go to usc. look at that guy that wrote about the riot post >:I <- check location. Would this change your recommendation? (I've been to Nick and Stef's it's pretty nice. Haven't been to Ivy). Blair's sounds REALLY good. Will have to keep this restaurant in my go-to list! Have you been to Madeo? It's a tossup between them and Dolce at the moment

Hanster - Sona, Jar, Comme Ca, Lucques, Melisse are standard "fine dining LA" recs, but I really enjoyed my meal(s) at these places (also ranked in order of preference). Haha I'm clearly a David Myers guy.

LF Slim - no Grace? Did you say it went downhill? I know you're a fan of Neal Fraser (fyi he also does BLD, which I like).

-Al

hanster,

Deepest apologies lol. I wouldn't come all the way East for Blairs I don't think...Al's right, I'm a Neal Fraser fan, Grace is one of LA's best restaurants. I don't know why I forgot it. Melisse is awesome, but if this is a "date" you'll look like you're trying too hard, it's a more formal room and crazy expensive.

Al and LFS,
Thanks . I made a reservation for Grace @ 9:45 PM. Would this be a problem normally? I mean, LAers eat super late anyways but would this effect food's quality or even the service?

I think Grace is a fine choice even though I am not a fan of the place. Great ambience and the food is well made (just not my cup of tea).

Going to Madeo tomorrow for my dad's bday. Can't wait...

synn,
is it bad to take pictures while eating at a fine restaurant? i try to look online for the decor but they're not that great. maybe a little mini-tr.

and what happened to the mini-tr thread we had on here?

It should be fine as long as you're not being too disruptive to the other diners. It's a low-light environment so you'll be using your flash. There's a small comfy bar in the front if you get there a little early.

Here are a couple of links about Grace:

http://losangeles.citysearch.com/pro..._ca/grace.html

http://www.chezpei.com/2007/06/grace-restaurant.html

Have fun...

im not a a big fan of grace either. have had more than one solid, passable workmanlike dinner there which would be fine but i expect more for the price...although their french press coffee is awesome.

went to comme Ça for lunch friday got the duck w/ spaetze and cabbage...wowowowow. better than the duck special at mozza which is saying alot. all the sona detail is present on some real casual french bistro food. from the bread to the cheese course and all the wine in between A++.

starting to really love hokusai. the sushi chefs are really cool and like to talk golf and poker. i just let them give me what they want and its always perfect.

saw someone mentioned blairs. i must say i have a feud w/ them. i was there they day they opened and loved the place. the pork chop w/ brussel sprouts was one of my fave dishes in l.a. along w/ great macncheese and a cool deviled eggs appetizer and chimay on tap BUT they went hollywood on me doubled all the prices started seating more people and didnt add wait staff. jacked up the wine prices w/o adding a sommelier or ANYONE on the wait staff who could tell you a single thing about any of the wines. you can get a $100 dinner for 2 at much better places than the "new" blairs.

i second on Grace. it's one of the best higher end restaurants in town.

I had a Cuban sandwich at Porto's in Glendale on Saturday and it was insanely tasty.