Feedback on my food itin?

[vliang]

Thanks to all who gave recommendations to my original post which I've linked here for an asian chow weekend:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

Was wondering now what you think of the chow itin we've put together? Once again, am staying with freind in Santa Monica. She doesn't really want to drive to SGV (how many minutes/hrs does it tak anyway? She mentioned 1.5 to 2 hrs) so we are somewhat constrained by that.

Fri Dinner - Musha
Sat Lunch - Mandarin Chateau
Sat Early Dinner - Chosun Galbi
Sat Late Night - Han Bat, Beverly Soon Tofu or Sokongdong. Are they all open late?
Sun Brunch - Empress Pavilion
Sun Snack - Pinky's
Sun Dinner - Daikokuya or Chibuya. Which one is better?
Mon Lunch - Full House
Mon Snack - (need suggestion
)Mon Dinner - Grace for a friend's bday so no choice there. But how do you like it?

You guys rock!!!!!!!!

[glutton]

The drive from Santa Monica to Monterey Park, where you find the best dim sum, does not take long on weekend mornings. I can usually do it in 25 minutes. it's all highway driving and it will frankly be faster than the drive to some of the other restaurants on your list, given that they are all on surface streets.

For a snack, you could probably find something really good on Sawtelle. There are markets and restaurants up and down the street that would probably make you very happy.

[FoodZealot]

Nice list! With "normal" off peak traffic, SM to SGV usually takes me about 30-40 minutes one way.

I don't know Chibuya, but Daikokuya is excellent.

For a snack, nearby on Olvera Street, Mr. Churro has fresh churros that you can get filled with cajeta.

Grace is a favorite of mine, but I'm biased...

[ipsedixit]

That's alot of eating. :-)

Monday snack? How about some ice cream from Scoops?

Grace is wonderful - you'll enjoy it (assuming you're not completely stuffed by then).

[Pei]

It's too bad your friend doesn't want to drive to SGV, especially since you were specifically looking to eat Asian. But I totally understand her pain, because it can take an hour depending on traffic. And there's almost always traffic. It took me almost 90 minutes one Friday night to get from West LA to a friend's house in Arcadia. Coming home around midnight, the same drive was 20 minutes.

Since you're staying around here, how about Amandine for cake? It's on Wilshire in Santa Monica. I'm sure your friend knows where it is. It's near Literati II Cafe.