350778 Wed Dec 13 01:17:26 -0800 2006 100 2 Los Angeles Area 0 2094538 1) B.G. Emilio's - Lake Forest Pizzeria 2) Dragon Phoenix - Westminster Dim Sum 3) ABC - China Town Dim Sum Wed Dec 13 01:17:26 -0800 2006 10883 JAB 1 2094549 1. The Courtyard in West Hollywood 2. Petro's in Manhattan Beach 3. Eat Well in West Hollywood Wed Dec 13 01:22:38 -0800 2006 2094538 53430 cpanagakis 1 2094559 En Sushi - West L.A. Wed Dec 13 01:25:24 -0800 2006 2094538 10179 BabyLitigator 1 2094563 Lunch yesterday at Kendall's Brasserie. Wed Dec 13 01:26:19 -0800 2006 2094538 12268 mollyomormon 1 2094571 Business dinner at Kate Mantilini. I wasn't expecting much, but they managed to submarine even my low expectations. Their touted "beer batter" fries, served stone cold, were no different from the seasoned fries at any fast food restaurant. My colleague's lamb shank was served so cold, the grease was visibly congealed. Unbelievable. Wed Dec 13 01:28:23 -0800 2006 2094538 20545 yclops 2 2094588 Second Kate Mantilini, mine was at the Woodland Hills location. Ordered fish & chips, like $22 or something for a couple small pieces of extremely greasy fish and a cup of cold soggy fries dripping in grease. Best thing was the coleslaw, but there was only about 2 bites. Martini was completely watered down. Will never return. Wed Dec 13 01:32:50 -0800 2006 2094571 10427 markn 3 2097541 exactly what I had...at WH location as well. Waiter took my plate before I had the second bite of my cole slaw, the only edible thing. If it weren't for Warner Center corporate expense accounts and account managers with no taste, Kate Mantilini would be in serious trouble... Wed Dec 13 22:17:45 -0800 2006 2094588 20545 yclops 4 2097626 I miss Houston's at that location, don't know why they closed it. They seemed to be doing a good business, every time I went there is was pretty crowded. Wed Dec 13 22:37:40 -0800 2006 2097541 10427 markn 5 2097760 Getting over $1.0M and not having to deal with split orders all the time will do that. Wed Dec 13 23:23:29 -0800 2006 2097626 10359 carter 1 2094578 Smitty's Grill in Pasadena: Chicken Pot Pie. Oversized to feed the jolly green giant; all ingredients appeared to have come out of cans, especially the chicken; tasted like industrial cleaner; oversalted to try to cover up the taste. Wed Dec 13 01:30:38 -0800 2006 2094538 13957 slacker 2 2104838 Everything at Smitty's is horrible! Sat Dec 16 06:24:06 -0800 2006 2094578 60101 Spiff 1 2094585 Bad pseudo-French food, incorrectly made "signature cocktail" with bad champagne, lame (although friendly) service: French 75 Century City, come on down and accept your award! Wed Dec 13 01:31:47 -0800 2006 2094538 11738 writergirl 2 2096699 Same thing happened to us at French 75 in Century CIty. My signature cocktail was undrinkable. Even our server tasted it and agreed. The food was hardly average and was very expensive. Wed Dec 13 18:59:31 -0800 2006 2094585 11992 roxhills 2 2101229 Agree here but add Fashion Island in Newport. They take French cookie-cutter in a very bad way. Fri Dec 15 00:44:40 -0800 2006 2094585 55029 malcolm hill 1 2094636 Mine was at Chop Suey Cafe -- unchewable, flavorless chow mein, clueless waitstaff, inhospitable, glaring fluorescent interior. But according to my blog commenters, I'm wrong about all of that -- apparently real chow mein is supposed to taste like a greasy brillo pad and apparently it's not allowed to be critical because their dad had his wedding reception there in 1952. In all fairness, it was their first week open. Wed Dec 13 01:45:27 -0800 2006 2094538 12460 Chowpatty 1 2094648 My last meal at Yamato encino. It used to be passable cheap sushi. Now it's crappy cheap sushi. Omakase at Tama. Yes, I called ahead and let them know I was coming for Oamakase. When I got there, they had my "reservation" sign right in front of Toshi. The phone rang. All of a sudden, they moved my seat all the way down to the other end,a "better party" having called in (they didn't tell me this, but I heard the Tama end of the phone conversation. I was ignored at the bar, my dishes were tossed at me with no expalnation. I left unhappy, unsatisfied, and overcharged. The "better party" arrived and didn't even sit at the bar! Tea last Sunday at Rose Manor in the Valley. The tea itself was nice, the service exceptional. The scones were overcooked bisquick with sugar. Wed Dec 13 01:48:02 -0800 2006 2094538 11201 Diana 1 2094847 My worst meal of 2006 was a seared ahi linguine at Trestavere. Wed Dec 13 02:52:15 -0800 2006 2094538 50350 SauceSupreme 2 2094902 that has real potential to hit high on the disgust-o-meter! I'm almost afraid to ask...was there a sauce involved? Wed Dec 13 03:10:25 -0800 2006 2094847 11738 writergirl 3 2095443 No sauce. Just a poorly-seared ahi sitting on a bed of dry linguine. Poorly-seared as in it came out completely gray. SHUDDER. Wed Dec 13 09:30:26 -0800 2006 2094902 50350 SauceSupreme 1 2094856 China Moon Laguna Niguel , Not Good at all... Wed Dec 13 02:57:01 -0800 2006 2094538 55646 BRIANTHEFOODUDE 1 2094879 On the lower end of the price scale: 1. Pho 99 - Irvine Flavorless broth and skimpy amounts of meat and garnish. The banh mi was mostly shredded carrot. http://epicurious-wanderer.blogspot.com/2006/10/pho-99-irvine-ca-eating.html 2. Oasis Grill & Sky Lounge - Santa Ana (John Wayne Airport) I was served charcoal briquettes they were trying to pass off as sliders. Utterly horrible, even for the relatively low price point. I expected more from a restaurant owned by the same corporation that owns Chat Noir, French 75, and the Savannah Steak and Chop House. http://epicurious-wanderer.blogspot.com/2006/12/oasis-grill-sky-lounge-santa-ana-ca.html - Chubbypanda http://www.chubbypanda.com Wed Dec 13 03:04:34 -0800 2006 2094538 25806 Chubbypanda 1 2094909 1. Simon L.A 2. AIRe Global Cuisine 3. Cafe Beau Soleil Wed Dec 13 03:12:22 -0800 2006 2094538 10815 cdmedici 1 2094912 Bronze: French 75, Century City Silver: Havana Mania Gold (worst of the worst): Doughboys Wed Dec 13 03:12:57 -0800 2006 2094538 11743 banquisha 2 2095073 What's wrong with French 75? Haven't been, but was curious, although I think the concept of good food and shopping mall is a non sequitor. Wed Dec 13 04:22:50 -0800 2006 2094912 27951 omotosando 3 2095087 It's a set, not a restaurant. Wed Dec 13 04:29:26 -0800 2006 2095073 10332 mc michael 2 2095094 yeah honestly i've been to Doughboys twice now and have been underwhelemed by the food and the service. damn greasy, and the french onion soup looks like a heart attack, i would never dare order it and i've heard it's the "best" thing on the menu... Wed Dec 13 04:32:20 -0800 2006 2094912 11504 amandine 2 2098005 I completely forgot about the regrettable food at Doughboys! Don't let's forget the clueless waitstaff and completely unreasonable wait. Thu Dec 14 00:52:31 -0800 2006 2094912 53430 cpanagakis 3 2098546 *shrug* I like Doughboys a lot. Oh well. Thu Dec 14 04:35:42 -0800 2006 2098005 50350 SauceSupreme 4 2099720 Count me as a Doughboys fan too. The take home baked goods were just OK, but I've liked every savory breakfast and lunch item I've had there. as for the wait, I suppose it's only unreasonable if one doesn't care for the food. But I do care for it. Now Toast across the street, that seems like an unreasonable wait ;-). Thu Dec 14 17:49:15 -0800 2006 2098546 13171 silence9 4 2101399 I like doughboys also..especially the french onion soup! Fri Dec 15 01:50:02 -0800 2006 2098546 12521 Tari 5 2103221 I admit the food at Doughboys can be hit or miss depending on what you order and the service is probably the most incompetent in all of LA, but I am addicted to their french onion soup, monster sandwich and red velvet cake. Seriously, I have cravings just thinking about them. Fri Dec 15 19:09:05 -0800 2006 2101399 17863 Newkie 6 2103861 The "after school special" the tomato soup with the grilled cheese... the steak soup is good, too... and the red velvet cake isn't even their best cake (that distinction, IMO, goes to the Hummingbird). Fri Dec 15 22:15:31 -0800 2006 2103221 50350 SauceSupreme 7 2103936 I'm not usually a fan of Hummingbird cake in general, but maybe I'll have to try it! I also like their fudge brownie cake, though it's so rich I can only have it once in awhile. Fri Dec 15 22:35:40 -0800 2006 2103861 17863 Newkie 1 2094923 To me, it's not any one meal. It's all the stupid fast or pretty fast lunches I've had when I could have spent 15-20 minutes making my own lunch that would have been better. Wed Dec 13 03:15:54 -0800 2006 2094538 10332 mc michael 1 2095068 Marla's in Alhambra Wed Dec 13 04:18:53 -0800 2006 2094538 11810 socal boy 1 2095092 1. Zip Fusion Sushi - Sawtelle. 2. Kay 'n Dave's Cantina - Pico (in Rancho Park). UGH! 3. En Sushi - Santa Monica Bl. near Barrington (used to be good) 4. Jerry's Deli - always bad, but people continue to suggest it. 5. El Chollo - same category as Jerry's. Wed Dec 13 04:31:39 -0800 2006 2094538 11446 dtud 2 2095283 I was wondering about Kay n Dave's. Bad, huh? Wed Dec 13 06:12:53 -0800 2006 2095092 16042 Snoopy 3 2096497 the worst. They tout "no Lard" but shit, the food is so lackluster and bland, that a little lard would go a long way in their case. Plus, lard is delicious. yeah lard. Wed Dec 13 18:12:16 -0800 2006 2095283 10631 jeffro 3 2096999 i really wanted to like this place b/c it was close to my house. but it is SO bad. i mean, i'll eat most things - but the food was SOOOOO unflavorful and boring that i just left most of it. it's like - i really am not interested in wasting calories on something that tastes like nothing. the chips are also just so "non mexican." also - there were A LOT of kids there when i was there (probably b/c it is in a kid-heavy neighborhood). they were running around screaming, opening hte back door. the staff did not seem to mind or notice. it was insane. Wed Dec 13 20:10:10 -0800 2006 2095283 11446 dtud 1 2095201 Noe. Wed Dec 13 05:20:33 -0800 2006 2094538 16042 Snoopy 1 2095261 Tam Oshanter-must be surving soley on their reputation from days past. Will never return. Wed Dec 13 06:00:06 -0800 2006 2094538 10854 SIMIHOUND 2 2099749 I second Tam O'Shanter. Fish and chips that tasted like they spent a couple of hours under a heat lamp. Seriously, in an upscale Scottish-themed restaurant like that, how the hell do you screw up fish and chips? Thu Dec 14 17:57:27 -0800 2006 2095261 23677 duke_of_mildew 3 2101184 I think the sandwich and ale bar is the only thing the Tam is good for. Pretty decent prime rib sandwich, little bar with coleslaw, potato salad, pickles and stuff, and sitting in the bar is so much better than the dining rooms. I still like the place for nostalgic reasons, but really just eat there for the sandwiches. The last time we had actual dinner there, it felt a little sad. Fri Dec 15 00:32:53 -0800 2006 2099749 25705 sll 4 2104645 Teenage boys love the brutal military decor (spears, huge swords, etc). Wine pours are doubles for cheap if you're a drunk, like me. Prime rib is adequate, lamb is competent. Avoid anything remotely requiring culinary skill (like the duck) and it is one of the more reasonable places to go for a nice dinner for the price. Sat Dec 16 04:04:49 -0800 2006 2101184 10347 Griller141 1 2095363 A couple weeks ago, still recovering, someone took over the Italian restaurant at Fred Segal Santa Monica from the Cafe Delfini guys. Well, it's changed hands yet again - and every bite was like eating a spoonful of salt. Wed Dec 13 07:36:55 -0800 2006 2094538 42095 yogachik 1 2095371 I'm fairly new to the area. I've been here since March and haven't eaten out as much as I want. Combination of saving money and all my friends being picky eaters. Worst meal of the year out of my limited experience, though, was at Mexicali in Studio City. Wed Dec 13 07:44:53 -0800 2006 2094538 52342 alliebear 2 2096758 I second Mexicali, I was forced to go on a girls night and my enchiladas were dry, tasteless and their sauce was gross. Wed Dec 13 19:14:05 -0800 2006 2095371 14124 CarlieInLA 1 2095379 A few -- Dolce Enoteca in WeHo, LAX's Encounters (even the drinks are sub-par, and Chat Noir in Costa Mesa (more about bad service than bad food) ~AquaW http://la-oc-foodie.blogspot.com Wed Dec 13 07:59:21 -0800 2006 2094538 11949 AquaW 1 2095768 Mastro's a couple weeks back - grisly (sp?) steak, rude service... Wed Dec 13 14:43:01 -0800 2006 2094538 12132 manku 2 2096889 We had really bad service at Mastro's this year -- two of our party of four were celebrating a birthday, but they brought out a dessert with only one name on it (mine). By way of reparation, the other birthday person got a bowl of whipped cream with his name around it... But that was not what I meant by bad service (merely an oversight). During the latter part of our meal, my husband was repeatedly asked to move his chair in by the bus boys -- his fairly trim stomach was pressing right up against our table. You see, they decided to seat a table full of simply *enormous* people directly behind us and never ONCE asked them to move in a bit and clear the way for the busy busboys bringing multitidinous dishes to *them*. When we mentioned our discomfort to the manager, he smirked the whole time, gave us his card and promised us "the best seat in the house next time we visit," which would be NEVER AGAIN. Ruth's Chris, Jar or Nick and Stef's for steaks from now on. Wed Dec 13 19:39:50 -0800 2006 2095768 28279 Maxmillion 3 2104840 Mastro's absolutely has the worst seating ever! You sit about 2 inches away from the table next to you! Sat Dec 16 06:25:38 -0800 2006 2096889 60101 Spiff 1 2096051 Lunch yesterday at Picana in Burbank. Terrible Brazilian BBQ - just awful. When the guy came around with the beef (not sure which part), he actually cut me off a piece of fat and grisle. No meat on there at all. The garlic beef was coated in raw garlic specs, and the Polish sausage was overly oily and salty. Even the cheese bread was raw and doughy in the center. Wed Dec 13 16:15:10 -0800 2006 2094538 17675 Clare K 2 2099760 Last time I was there, I enjoyed most of it, but I found that the filet mignon tasted like new tires. Like the smell of a tire shop. Seriously. Thu Dec 14 17:58:41 -0800 2006 2096051 23677 duke_of_mildew 1 2096141 The Golden Dragon in China Town for my sons fourth grade field trip. Beyond bad. We happened into Kendalls for a late afternoon lunch, after the show crowd had left. We were left with watery soup, and left overs. On a positive note the wine was good. Wed Dec 13 16:45:08 -0800 2006 2094538 41491 gordita 1 2096144 Lamplighter Inn on De Soto. GF drives by on her way to and from work and they have a banner touting their chicken-fried steak and whatever... I knew that it was gonna be awful and unfortunately it was worse! It tasted like what I imagine was pre-cooked perhaps Sysco food, a disgrace! The best thing there was the dyed jet black 50's-60's beehive hair on the 70 something waitress! Oh yea and people watching the geriatric church crowd arriving. Wed Dec 13 16:45:48 -0800 2006 2094538 10864 sel 2 2096197 Yose, Santa Monica. Indescribably bad and ridiculously overpriced. Lares, Santa Monica. Wed Dec 13 16:57:45 -0800 2006 2096144 21585 Rummy 3 2096289 I've been curious about Yose. I guess I can scratch it off my list until they've smoothed out the kinks. Wed Dec 13 17:23:06 -0800 2006 2096197 21341 hrhboo 1 2096236 Carmine's in South Pas for happy hour. The chicken wings were so salty it felt like shoveling salt in your mouth. You can feel the salt grains grinding between your molars. Wed Dec 13 17:09:17 -0800 2006 2094538 14467 cfylong 2 2104841 I have never had a good meal at Carmine's. Everything I have ever gotten there is really bad. Sat Dec 16 06:26:36 -0800 2006 2096236 60101 Spiff 1 2096307 Lunch at 4th Street Bar & Grill Sports Bar in SF (across from the Metreon). I think we (party of 6) all agreed that it was disgusting! Everything had an old dirty oil smell to it! Wed Dec 13 17:28:21 -0800 2006 2094538 34428 scarmoza 2 2097825 The problem with this place is it's owned by the Marriott Hotel it's attached to, but the hotel tries to pretend it's not, so unsuspecting folks go in and end up eating crappy hotel food. Wed Dec 13 23:44:38 -0800 2006 2096307 11738 writergirl 1 2096515 Asia in Los Feliz. Wed Dec 13 18:16:01 -0800 2006 2094538 11583 ipsedixit 2 2096773 really? What did you have? We had a perfectly good tuna roll, good pork chop and steak kabobs, nice coconut risotto and lots of veggies -- but I would be suspicious of their more Asian dishes. Prices are way out of line, though. Wed Dec 13 19:16:49 -0800 2006 2096515 12460 Chowpatty 3 2096841 Here's my previous report. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/81843 Granted, some of the problems were probably teething issues systemic to all new restaurants, but still ... Also, read your review of the joint in the Los Feliz Ledger, so some of those teething problems may have been smoothed out, but still, as you say, quite $$$$. Wed Dec 13 19:29:09 -0800 2006 2096773 11583 ipsedixit 4 2096911 Yeah, I thought the lobster bisque was ok, it grew on me. Not as spicy as an actual Thai soup, but comforting. And according to Menupages, it's now $10 instead of $22, so that's certainly an improvement. Not someplace I would return to on my own dime, though, most likely. Wed Dec 13 19:46:16 -0800 2006 2096841 12460 Chowpatty 1 2096640 1) Sticks & Steins (by the Airport) Worst Burger of my life 2) Kay & Daves - Worst Mexican Food 3) Smitty's - Have had a couple good meals there, but one night inparticular, the NY steak was not only demolished, but damn near tainted. Nast. Wed Dec 13 18:46:21 -0800 2006 2094538 10631 jeffro 2 2100909 OMG!! I don't think there is anything edible at Stick and Stien... The only reason to go is to look at the Hockey eyecandy from the nearby Kings Training centre... ;) --Dommy! Thu Dec 14 23:06:57 -0800 2006 2096640 10659 Dommy 1 2096884 1. La Cabana in Venice. I think all those skinny, good-looking girls that go there like it because they'll never be tempted by the atrociously bad food. 2. Dolce. It wasn't my choice -- that's where the birthday girl wanted to go. A Demi/Ashton sighting was the only thing that bumped it from teh #1 spot. 3. Father's Office. Oh wait, I didn't actually eat anything there. I just stood in line on the sidewalk for an eternity. 4. Beacon. Some things just shouldn't be fused into new cuisines. 5. I had to eat a sandwich at LAX. I cannot tell you where I bought it, but it represented all that is bad about airport food. High prices, stale bread, tasteless ingredients. Wed Dec 13 19:38:49 -0800 2006 2094538 13350 glutton 2 2097094 Father's Office... you got to get there on a weekday, and get there relatively early (6-ish) if you don't want to wait at all. Beer selection is great, food is good, scene is excellent. Worth your giving it another shot. Wed Dec 13 20:31:46 -0800 2006 2096884 11504 amandine 3 2098550 Agreed. FO's burger and sweet potato fries were worth the wait, but then again it was a weeknight and were able to secure seats within five minutes. Thu Dec 14 04:37:11 -0800 2006 2097094 50350 SauceSupreme 1 2097053 1) Kabuki Sushi in Hollywood 2) uWink in Woodland Hills 3) Yamato in Encino Wed Dec 13 20:23:32 -0800 2006 2094538 13842 egbge 2 2100913 Oh no! What was so horrible about uWink? I'd hope to visit one day! :/ --Dommy! Thu Dec 14 23:07:41 -0800 2006 2097053 10659 Dommy 1 2097072 1) Fish and chips at Park Ave 2) Prime rib at Lasher's (It was so salty that I had to send it back.) Wed Dec 13 20:28:13 -0800 2006 2094538 13503 yummyla 1 2097194 Ah so many to chose from. I'll just go with the only one I could not even take 2 bites of. Tallyrand in Burbank. Breakfast. Greasy rubbery omelet completey inedible. Coffee undrinkable due to disgusting lipstick stain not only on one cup, but also the replacement cup AND the plastic water tumbler. Dried food on silverware. Just appalling. Wed Dec 13 20:58:25 -0800 2006 2094538 26688 SinDee 2 2098584 GROSS! ::shudder:: Thu Dec 14 04:54:59 -0800 2006 2097194 28279 Maxmillion 2 2100618 I had the same experience several times at the Olive Pit (Branch) in Manhattan Beach. I filled out the form on the Health Department web site. Within a few days they responded that they willl reinspect. About 2 weeks later they e-mailed to confirm that my complaint was verified. On our next visit about a month later (not my choice) The flatware and glassware were spotless. Thu Dec 14 21:45:51 -0800 2006 2097194 10301 Wes 1 2097385 akwa - santa monica west - brentwood zeke's smokehouse - hollywood kate mantilini - midwilshire broadway deli - santa monica Wed Dec 13 21:40:59 -0800 2006 2094538 18751 Kenny T 1 2097386 Endured many lackluster dishes and indifferent servers this year, but one stands out from the pack as the hands-down loser of losers: Nicky D's Pizza in Silverlake (October 2006), where we waited more than an hour and a half for one pizza while watching five other pizzas go to tables who had entered the restaurant after we did and ordered after we did. The waitress saw us sitting foodless for a long time, but didn't think to check on our order. I had to ask twice to speak the manager, who then could offer neither a coherent reason why our order got bumped out of sequence (sorry, but "we've been getting a lot of delivery orders" doesn't explain why those other people's pizzas came out a half an hour ago when we had ordered first), nor any satisfactory assurance that it wouldn't happen again, nor any sort of reasonable redress (no, we don't want another lousy salad). After the pizza finally came to the table, they completely ignored us (had to get up to refill my own water glass), and some half-mumbled promise of a "discount" wasn't reflected on the final bill. If they had comp'd the meal (or even just comp'd the pizza), I'd probably have forgotten about by now -- I might even have gone back and tried again -- but they charged us full price, almost $40 for a one-topping pizza, a salad, two sodas, and a thoroughly destroyed evening out, so it will be what I talk about every time someone mentions that place. I'll never go back, and when I'm visiting friends in Silverlake and they suggest having pizza delivered, I will tell this story and press them to order from someplace, anyplace else. Oh, and the pizza? Nothing special, not awful, about as good as Costco on a good day, but certainly not worth a 90-minute wait sitting at an cold, unlit corner table feeling like our patronage was beneath contempt. Wed Dec 13 21:41:07 -0800 2006 2094538 14456 ladelfa 1 2097643 My worst meal of the year was was my birthday dinner at Blair's. I know I'll get flack because Blair's is a huge favorite of this board, but we definitely had a pathetically off night. It started with a salad that was so overdressed it made me queasy, then progressed to a well-done duck breast--ugh. Fortunately, the waitress quickly agreed with me that the duck was a good 10 minutes past rare and put in a second order. The next one was nice and pink, but was oddly tasteless--a bad bird, I guess. Dessert was a cookie bar with mint ice cream. I don't know how you can mess up a chocolate-chip cookie bar, but Blair's managed it. It was a horrible combination of chewy and gummy. The mint ice cream would have been much better on its own. I wasn't offered any comp. for waiting for the correctly-cooked duck, and I was so disheartened that I didn't want to pull out the "it's my birthday" plea. Anyway, the worst meal when considering the high cost, the gross food, and the birthday disappointment factor. I won't be back. Wed Dec 13 22:41:29 -0800 2006 2094538 20767 bluemonster 2 2097779 Funny you mention the duck breast, yet I had the same duck breast last Friday night, and while it arrived rarish as ordered, it had so much gristle and fat(also rare!), that I actually ate only about half of the duck. Accompanying veggies were very good, yet that was the first of probably 20 entrees I have had there that has disappointed. Guess the moral at Blair's would be to try another entree, as in short ribs, lamb, truffled mac n cheese for those fanciers, etc. Wed Dec 13 23:30:15 -0800 2006 2097643 10359 carter 1 2097926 Reply to Carter (I think this is posted in the wrong place!): It's weird that we both had bad pieces of duck, since their menu makes a big fuss about the quality sources of their proteins. My partner had the short ribs, and that was definitely the way to go. If I ever had to go back Blair's, that's what I would order! Thu Dec 14 00:22:03 -0800 2006 2094538 20767 bluemonster 1 2098279 Alcove - Los Feliz: an omelette, enormous, overcooked, horribly dry, served with the mushiest boiled breakfast potatoes ever. The potatoes were pinkish, as if covered in spice, but there wasn't even a hint of flavor. Plus I thought the table was going to fall apart (more shabby than shabby-chic...) Thu Dec 14 02:15:05 -0800 2006 2094538 15098 chuckles 1 2098532 El Cayote. SOOOO overrated. And then there was this one time I sat back and let my non-foodie friends choose a dinner spot in Santa Monica, and they chose this terrible Pan-Asian restaurant called Monsoon on Third Street Promenade. The only thing edible there was the edamame. Not to be a snob, but that's the last time I ever let my buddies choose a restaurant again. Friends don't let friends eat bad food! Thu Dec 14 04:28:22 -0800 2006 2094538 15223 FoodieMcFood 2 2098542 I never thought El Coyote had a good or high rating. I always felt everyone understood it was cheap, who cares food, with an adequate marg and a good time, regardless of food. Who knew? Some of us like it as there are several things deemed passable, and they, combined with the margs and cheap tab, can make for a fun evening. Thu Dec 14 04:33:50 -0800 2006 2098532 10359 carter 2 2101278 El Coyote is not "rated"...never has been. Its just a great place to enjoy decent mex food, great margs and at a very good price. Fri Dec 15 00:58:44 -0800 2006 2098532 55029 malcolm hill 3 2103703 El Cayote was recommended to me many a time when I first moved to LA, mostly by some college buddies, and long before I even forayed into the LA food world. I know now it doesn't fit the realm of "rated" to the 'hounders, but trust me, there are a few people that think it's up there with the LA greats! And the topic is "Worst Meals of 2006." I can honestly say that it was personally one of my worst meals. Tomato Tomahto. Fri Dec 15 21:32:01 -0800 2006 2101278 15223 FoodieMcFood 4 2104213 i love el cayote - but for the memories. a lot of people that grew up in LA have eaten there since they were kids (like me) - and it just has that wonderful nostalgia that you can't get anywhere else. it's like the hometown place that's awful but you love b/c of good times. same with el compadre. Sat Dec 16 00:19:52 -0800 2006 2103703 11446 dtud 1 2098573 1. greenfield brazilian bbq in long beach, past visits had been ok but the last time i went will be the last time i go. 2. sushi at benihana--what was i thinking? 3. thanksgiving dinner at my house--what a frickin disaster. Thu Dec 14 04:48:48 -0800 2006 2094538 49447 csrbeach 1 2098587 you don't EAT at El Coyote, silly! Just drink the scratch margaritas and eat the salsa with chips!! Thu Dec 14 04:56:30 -0800 2006 2094538 28279 Maxmillion 1 2098588 Sonnys in San Clemente Dirty and Attitude coming out of there Attitude... Thu Dec 14 04:57:03 -0800 2006 2094538 55646 BRIANTHEFOODUDE 1 2098694 The Omelette Parlor on Main St in Santa Monica. I will never understand why there is always a line out the door on weekends. On both times my SO and I went our omelettes were browned and rubbery on the outside and raw and gooey on the inside. Seriously, how hard is it to make an omelette? If that is the restaurant's namesake dish, they should at least be able to turn out a decent one out of four attempts. Thu Dec 14 06:09:31 -0800 2006 2094538 21341 hrhboo 2 2101397 I have to say that The Omelette Parlor has some damn good bacon...and I always like the english muffin with the apple butter...but I have not been impressed with their omelettes. Fri Dec 15 01:47:47 -0800 2006 2098694 12521 Tari 1 2100758 Hamburger Hamlet, Pasadena- New menu touted but ordered my standby - the Marilyn Burger - bun fell apart when I cut the burger. Hate that. Decided to give the new menu a try so picked the fried calamari/tiger prawn appetizer. Ha - tiger prawns, my foot. The shrimp used was the size of a bay shrimp. So much for the HH. Thu Dec 14 22:23:44 -0800 2006 2094538 13127 timsmom 1 2103874 John's Eat-N-Park in Burbank. I don't care how many people your dishes are supposed to feed, a pound of greasy, nasty, fatty meat and a dozen eggs cooked brown and crispy is NOT an omelette. The "best omelettes in Burbank", my hind foot. A real, real close second goes to Izzy's Deli in Santa Monica. I found a hair -- a black hair, and mine is blonde -- in my soup. I called the waiter over, he took out the hair, and left. So did I. *EW!* Fri Dec 15 22:18:51 -0800 2006 2094538 10811 Das Ubergeek 2 2106480 Second the Eat-N-Park. The name alone is a head scratcher. I don't understand why my husband felt compelled to drag me there. Feh. Sun Dec 17 03:06:47 -0800 2006 2103874 60248 Lemonsquare 1 2103898 Sandbags on San Vicente in Brentwood. We ordered in lunch. My sandwich had hair in it. LOTS of hair, not just on the top but in between the layers of meat and cheese. It took me a year or so to even look at a sandwich without gagging. Fri Dec 15 22:25:53 -0800 2006 2094538 56785 LMS1108 2 2104003 ^ Sounds like they dropped either the cheese or the meat on the floor and then just put it back in the sandwich. Gahh!! SO GROSS!! (And utterly contemptuous, not to forget unneccessary.) Fri Dec 15 23:01:18 -0800 2006 2103898 28279 Maxmillion 1 2104227 norms (the greasy-spoon ala denny's) when sober. quite amazing how much more edible the food at norms is when you are drunk. Sat Dec 16 00:24:02 -0800 2006 2094538 10704 wilafur 1 2104300 Easy. Caffe Capri in Atwater Village. Ordered the bolognese sauce. I'm pretty sure it was dog food. Alpo to be exact. My dog wouldn't even eat the leftovers. Sat Dec 16 01:04:33 -0800 2006 2094538 19980 kellydeez 1 2104653 This is an extremely diffuse post (which is a good thing, consedering the subject), but does anyone feel it is worth tallying? Might be interesting as most of the entries will probably be examples of hype vs reality. Chino? Too hard for me. Sat Dec 16 04:09:32 -0800 2006 2094538 10347 Griller141 1 2104769 1. Chabuya Tokyo Noodle Bar--the most disgusting experience I've had all year--I do not eat bacon, yet an alleged shrimp dish comes not only WITH bacon but, naturally, fully bacon FLAVORED and GREASY. 2. Guido's in West L.A.--I like old school, but this place needs to drop out. What an outrageous amount of oil. Months and months later some dripping-with-oil pasta dish remains burned in my memory. With all of the wonderful Italian places, this place is beyond superfluous, atmosphere notwithstanding. 3. I re-visited Marix Tex Mex with a gay friend, mainly for the margaritas and questionable people watching, wondering if the food could be every bit as wretched as I remembered. It was worse. Not that I'd spend one cent at a Taco Bell, but if I'm allowed to exaggerate then I'll say Marix is a cut-rate Taco Bell with booze. Sat Dec 16 05:26:02 -0800 2006 2094538 59753 Epicure