M-Grill * * / + + + + $ $

Who? Michellios, Andrew, Jiesi
Where? Western and Wilshire

Andrew's Take: Delicious Brazilian BBQ meats keep coming to your table until you surrender and flip your table indicator. Juicy Sausages, Garlic Chicken, Tangy Lemony Rib goodness, Tri-Tip, Sirlion Caps, and much more, are carved and served off long metal skewers. The cheesy bread balls are delicious. Salad bar also contains wonderful creations such as Fried Yucca, Fried Banana, and my two favourite vegetables, Heart of Palm and and Asparagus. My only complaint is that some of meats were a bit dried out and too crispy on the outside. Lunch $17, park in the free lot.

Themo's Take: I think that if I haven't been to Fogo de Chao recently I would have liked this place much more. But for paying $45 for dinner, this place is too expensive for me to recommend it. The meats are above average but pretty small in quantity and not top notch. The service is average and the ambiance kind of too dark for my taste. The salad bar also looks dull (always compared to Fogo). I'd definitely recommend going to Fogo and then eat a meal at home, rather than visit this place twice.

Todai + $ $

Where? The Beverley Center
Who? Kung Fu people

I wanted to like this place. But I'm sorry to report that I have to agree with the CASA folk on this one. The sushi is mediocre at best. Sashimi is non-existent except for the discards of making the mediocre sushi. Short ribs are mainly ribs and fat and are too salty and messy. Everything else is just barely OK. However, there are two things I do like about this place: 1) the hordes of shelled creatures - I could pick at them for hours, and 2) the crepe bar. However, the crab legs and pastry goodness were not sufficient to justify the $35 you'll end up paying. Perhaps if it was $15. Thumbs down.

Buffet @ Paris Las Vegas * * * * * * $$

Following the suggestions of both friends and the Lonely Planet guide, I visited the buffet at Paris. Words are too little to describe the feeling: I felt like a kid in Disneyland (or myself in Magic Mountain for that matter). I now understand fully why Marios said that he wanted to throw up so that he could eat more food. I also now understand fully why Christiana was cursing Marios "It's noot fair us girls that you guys can eat so much food". I just sat there and kept eating for more that 2 hours until we were the last ones at the hall, around 11pm. And all that for just $25.

Buffet hint: the best ones have very few pasta in their menu.

AY: Dude... this is not in L.A.!
EK: It's just for setting a scale.

Who? Themos, Panos
Where? Las Vegas