Monday, April 30, 2007

Pita Pit + + $

Who? Andrew and Enid
Where? Hermosa Pier

Reminds me of college days when we'd get drunk and eat pitas. There's nothing fantastically special about the pitas - they're healthy, and the tzatziki is nice... but really it's just dense bricks of nutrition. Walk on the beach to work it off.

Tiger Lily + + + + $ $

Who? 61 CASA people
Where? Vermont and Prospect (1 block N of Hollywood)

Catered event worked smoothly. Attractive bartending. Classic dining environment, a quiet setting for a romantic meal. Compliments were given all around on the fish. Steak was done well and to the correct degree. Dish presentation was very good. Dessert "tray/dish" creamy delight. Thumbs up.

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Mu Dang Sang + + + + + $ $

Who? Kingson, Steve, Themos, Andrew, and later Andrew+Satsuki with a Marco/Evan sighting
Where? Western and Conneticut (one block south of Wilshire)

Hallelujah! No more 1.5 hr waits in line at Manna! (see Manna post - although there is still a wait on weekend nights). This establishment (purported to be run by the same owners as Manna?) is a replica of that super busy restaurant. But the place is completely indoors, cleaner, with better facilities (newer non-stick cooking apparatus, better vent hoods) with all the same trimmings. A huge bowl of salad, kimchi, beansprouts, that wheat-gluten-thingy, potato salad... all come immediately as appetizing morsels before the gorging begins. The most important part? Those little white wrappers. I don't know why I like them, but I do. My favourite meat is still the short rib. Some advice for people that have been starving themselves all day for this: start by grilling the thin sliced beef (ready in minutes), then cook the heftier meats like the chicken. Valet is OK - I have no idea where they put the car. Else park on the nearby residentials. Thumbs up!

Lala's Grill + + + $ $

Who? Kingson and Andrew
Where? Melrose and Altavista

Very hip atmosphere, dim romantic lighting on patio, high energy, cozy. I had to slug through the Milanesa Napolitana with its melted cheese topping. Good, but nothing to write home about. We stole the wine home.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Phoenix + + (+) $

Who? Andrew and Enid
Where? Valley and Garfield

Very typical Chinese restaurant food and feel. Soup noodles were decent with my favourite beef tripe - fairly standard yellower noodles. Service was quite slow on the draw and inattentive. The mochi balls from the adjoining establishment (bearing the same name) are worth the trip (hence the extra (+)).

House of Pies + + + + $

Where? Vermont and Franklin
Who? Andrew, Enid and Steph

The title says it all: tasty pies and open till late! I don't know about the diner fare but the fresh strawberry pie was fantastic. The restaurant experience is a little grody - but worth a visit if you suffer from sweet tooth after a long night of studying.

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Ocha + + $

Who? Andrew, Rajiv, Dora
Where? Vermont and 8th

The main attraction of this Thai restaurant is that it is cheap. The food is decent but many dishes are too oily or too salty or just too soggy or messy. The sweet and sour soup, which I use as a benchmark is only average. The noodle dish we tried did not balance quantities of noodles with veg/meats. Restaurant has cheap, unromantic vinyl appeal. Parking on Vermont street. But it's cheap!

Shaab + + + $

Who? Andrew and Joyce
Where? Raymond and Union, Pas

Joyce swears by this Japanese Sushi/Shabu house, but having been twice, I can't explain why it hasn't given me a great long-lasting impression. The restaurant was busy both times we went and we had to wait both times (Sat nights). Sashimi (Chirashi) bowl is a nice, decent tasting selection. Service was OK, Ambience is OK - I just can't explain it. Parking in the lot 2 blocks North. Extra star for Old Town already factored in.