The one restaurant you resolve to try in 2007?

[writergirl]

What's the one place you keep reading about here, or keep driving past, or you've heard your friends talk about that you vow to try this year? For me, it's Nook. It's constantly getting recommended, and it looks like a place Mr. Writergirl will enjoy. (It would have been Taqueria Sanchez, but I tried that today, yum!) I'd love to hear others'!

[katydid13]

Water Grill
Providence
Lucques
Astroburger/Fatburger (only because I've tried In'n'Out and didn't think it was revelatory)

[Steve2 in LA]

From the ubiquitous to the sublime, such an interesting string. So, when I hit the lottery...

Hatfield's
Osteria Mozza
Cut
Craft
Jin Patisserie
Fogo de Chão Brazilian Churasceria (maybe this one first)

[SauceSupreme]

With the year half over, how's everyone doing so far? I can now strike Craft off my list, with only Vincenti to go.

[hrhboo]

I suck. Monte Alban was the only one on my list and I haven't made it there yet. Shameful!

[writergirl]

OP here.... I made it to Nook, and can't wait to go back! I really enjoyed my meal there, but whenever I call to get a table, they're already booked. :-( I must learn to plan better! I had also added Opus to my must try list, and boy am I glad I did! I love Opus, it's now one of my favorite LA restaurants. I love all of the progress reports, I'm getting lots of ideas of places to try (Babita!)

[LisaStitch]

If I could only choose one, it would be Mozza. I love pizza and I love Mario Batali. Been waiting so long for it to open, now I just have to find the time to get there.

And as a burger lover, I swear this is the year I get to Father's Office and The Counter, especially since I've moved to the west side, now I have no excuse!

[slacker]

A note on the turkey burger at the Counter: baaaaad. So dry, no flavor. Just awful. And completely overpriced. But I'll have to assume the regular (beef) burgers are good, based on the generally good comments about the place.

[hrhboo]

Their regular burgers aren't much better. Totally flavorless and the bun falls apart after the first few bites.

[westsidegal]

the people who like the counter the most, and i am definitely one of them, tend to be fans of the blue cheese topping.
the intense flavor of the cheese certainly goes a long way to ringing my bell.

[bite bite]

Babita
The Nook
Sona -- although a little nervous on this one as seems to have very mixed reactions...

[Imeating]

Ambrosia Restaurant
Turner New Zealand

[Swoshmn]

Mozza and The Penthouse at the Huntly

Going to both in a 4 day span the last week of March.

Extremely excited.

[ttriche]

Hard for me to narrow it down to just one. I've been to Providence, for example; don't care about pizza regardless of who makes it; and can't afford Urasawa unless a vendor springs for it. So...

On my tab:

Babita
Chichen Itza
Hungry Cat

Expense account outings:

Lucques
Bistro K
Memphis

[carter]

Bistro K is really not that expensive, as you byo the wine or beverage of choice at no additional cost to you. And the food, as long as you do not do the tasting menu, is quite reasonable.
Even if you do the tasting menu, it is still quite reasonable, yet more than you might want to spend.
Here is the menu of the moment:
http://www.lqmanagementservices.com/

Go asap!

[katkoupai]

Soot Bul Jeep (sp?) since everyone here raves about it. :)

[ttriche]

Extremely good choice if you've never been there! Also Sa Rit Gol is a magnificent experience.

At both restaurants, the experience improves as the size of your party increases. Do not bother going to either by yourself or (debatable) with just one other person unless you're starving.

[tissue]

Babita, Jar, Urusawa, Totoraku, Takao

[diningdivala]

Hatfield's
Campanile (because i've NEVER been)
Urasawa
Matsuhisa
Bistro K
Tender Greens
Would love to venture into SGV but feel I need a guide, or a way more adventurous SO to venture out there with me.

[Das Ubergeek]

The new, improved Renu Nakorn, when it opens.

The new, improved Thai Nakorn, when it opens.

Pagolac.

[Vickie McCorkendale]

Where and what are these? Never heard of them.
Culinary Vixen
http://cvixen.blogspot.com/

[notmartha]

Both Thai restaurants. One is burned down, not sure when it's supposed to be rebuilt. Another is being remodeled until August/Sept. Search the board - plenty of reviews there.

[Das Ubergeek]

And the third is a Vietnamese place in Westminster renowned for its bo bay mon (seven courses of beef). Renu Nakorn is in Norwalk; Thai Nakorn was in Garden Grove but will be relocating, not sure where to.

[willwork4food]

I'm a rookie chowhounder...don't laugh but I have yet to try Lawry's, I will be going soon! Oh and Morton's too, I know I'm deprived.

[slacker]

Providence.

And Urasawa if some cash falls on me from the sky.

[Quesera]

I'm so glad people went beyong "the very ONE to try," because when I saw the title of the posting, 3 or 4 immediately popped in my head, and I plan on trying several new places this year! A lot of the ideas come from the board, so thank you...I'm thinking:

Hatfields (since it started the list)
Providence (possibly for my birthday with my parents, seems like a special place)
Opus (because even though I read all sorts of things, I had never heard of it before a few 3
weeks ago on the board, so now I'm just curious!)
Sushi Zo - omakase of course (was supposed to go a few weeks ago, and still need to...)
Culver City new places, ie Tender Greens, K-Zo
Kiriko for dinner (so I can eat more!)
Square One ( I love brunch)
Bin 8945 (hmmh...because I come from a wine family?)
Sawtelle Kitchen (sounds so up my alley and everyone seems so excited that it reopened)
Itzkaya (finally Katsuya food near me!)
Craft (because I've been obsessed with the concept since it first opened in NY)
and finally
Urasawa (that birthday? it's the 30th...maybe I can get the parents to really splurge on my favorite food!)

[Quesera]

So I can cross one off my list...I hit Itzkaya by Katsu ya last night...and it was what you'd expect. didnt get to try much interesting, sat at the sushi bar and mostly stuck with sushi dishes, but I like the casual atmosphere and the location. I'll definitely be going back...want to try the veggies, etc.

[Maxmillion]

Wanna try Hatfields (booked)
then either Spago or Cut mid-April for my birthday

[SauceSupreme]

Hey, I was just wondering how everyone's doing on their New Years lists so far. March is right around the corner. So far I've hit 3 of my 4 (Hatfields, Pagolac and Wat Thai). I still have Mozza to go, and I guess I'll tack on Vincenti's in Brentwood, Craft when it opens, and Izakaya on 3rd.

[hrhboo]

I've been to Sushi Zo and love it. I'm so glad I tried it. Still need to get to Monte Alban.

[SauceSupreme]

I just went to Monte Alban today for the first time. I'm actually having quite a bit of fun trying to decide which restaurant I resolve to try THIS WEEK.

[hrhboo]

How was it? I always go to Guelaguetza for Oaxacan but I've been meaning to try Monte Alban for months.

[SauceSupreme]

Not completely decided, but if you held a creme-brulee torch to my head, I'd answer Guelaguetza.

My blog post on the matter: http://www.taste-buzz.com/holy-mole

[hrhboo]

Great review, and beautiful pics too. Kudos for managing to avoid the clayuda, I can never get past it! I'll definitely check out Monte Alban next time the urge strikes.

[notmartha]

Interesting. From the picture the chicken is a piece of breast meat? I wonder if the flavors didn't blend because the chicken is cooked separately and just covered with a mole sauce to finish off?

[SauceSupreme]

Could be. As a I said in my blog post (and a similar thread), the tamal was Afreakin'mazing.

[notmartha]

Sounds good. Thanks!

[Marianna215]

Lu din gee - been craving peking duck since New Years
Providence
Mozza

[chowmominLA]

For 2007:
Providence
Opus
Mako
Hatfield's
Hungry Cat
Mozza
Babita
J&J
Some of the recommended tamale places
Then maybe Grace, Lucques, Cut... they're all the same place in my head

For 2017 (saving a dollar a day until then):
Urasawa

[pkpk]

Oh writer girl, what a difficult question. Just one? Hatfields. One cause it sounds devine and two because I haven't been able to get a reservation the last three times I called!! On principle and growling stomach I will persevere.

Everyone should do the tasting menu at Provedence.

Never tried Saddle Ranch, is it fun and good?

[notmartha]

On my must-do dining out list for 2007 :

AOC (booked)
Asian Noodles
Boca del Rio
Babita
Providence
Lu Din Gee
Luscious Dumplings
Tacos Baja Ensenada
Gaja Okonomiyaki
Angelini
La Casita Mexicana
Craft (when it opens)

The problem is every time I read chowhound I add something to the list, and the list is growing faster than my ability to make time to visit all these places!

[notmartha]

Progress report:

Boca del Rio - went - pass (yuck!)
Lu Din Gee - went - will go again (but not for the peking duck)
Luscious Dumplings - went - great!

AOC in the next 2 weeks. Gaja in April, still waiting for Craft to open. Will add Renu Nakorn (but thought the voicemail said opening in late summer).

[notmartha]

Another progress report -

AOC - went - it was great. Will go back again.
Babita - went - pretty good. Need to go back and try the house special nogada
Have been unsuccessful in going to Gaja - they don't open for lunch on Sundays...

Still waiting for Craft to open. Will be going to Opus (added to my list) in lieu of Mother's day.

[socal boy]

I think Hatfields and Mozza sound interesting.

[westsidegal]

madeline in tarzana

[elisha]

I heard the new pizza place at highland and melrose is nancy silverton's new place. anyone know? if so, I need to try it. anyone already try it?

[tony michaels]

One among a plethora of posts on Mozza:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/35486...

[teach]

I'm going to Lucques next week, but I also really want to try Mozza.

[calabasas_trafalgar]

Babita
Water Grill

[writergirl]

I love all these answers! I've had so many "oh, definitely" moments reading them...Babita is definitely on the list now, as is Cut (and Providence and Hatfields and...)

[Mermazon]

How about some recommendations for the poorer gourmands in the SF Valley area?! LOL! I work for pittance but enjoy good food, but am on a > tight < (underline, squeeze type together, embolden) budget.

[hungry_hank]

go to OPUS. it's awesome. very affordable.
i want to try hatfield's, too.

[Tom P]

Jiraffe

[mjalz]

This month!
A.O.C.
I'm going to Orris this Wednesday

Those two are a good start of "Places I've never been" for 2007.

[cinzia]

what/where is Orris?

[glutton]

It's on Sawtelle... innovative Japanese dishes

[chowmominLA]

Ahhh... I just went to Orris last night... divine. I may like it as much as AOC.

[PseudoNerd]

Mozza (not for the pizza, but for this Tuesday-night duck thing that people keep raving about)

others I've been meaning to try for a while:
Lucques
Bistro K
Hatfield's
Zelo's Pizza

not really food-food, but whatever:
Fosselman's
tiki bars (even though I'm not a fan of sweet drinks...)
getting past the lavender lemon bar at Cafe Surfas

[Maxmillion]

Lucques is consistenly great -- esp for anything braised. Highly rec you go there outside of the Sunday supper for an optimum experience.

[la vida dulce]

Musso & Frank gets my first vote, haven't been there in years. Closer to home is La Serenata De Garibaldi. Passed by there many times but never stopped. And I'd love to check out a new BBQ joint in Fontana that was featured the "Let's Dine Out" show on KVCR-PBS channel 24 recently.

[kevin]

Cut again but this time actually getting some of the prized real kobe from kysuhu.

Babita sounds good too, but always usually pass it up for Chinese food in San Gabriel.

Urasawa, if i can figure out a way to afford it.

the new locale of Sasabune, I'd like to see if it has improved from the old Sawtelle location.

chinois on main.

[young_chower]

Soot Bulgurim
Yai
Guelaguetza
Taco trucks in East LA
Too many more to list...

[BabyLitigator]

Urusawa.
Totoraku (if I can get in).

[Plague]

Somebody HAS to know a way to get a rez in this place. I know quite a few of the posters here have eaten there, so how did you get in if you have to know the chef to get a reservation? I've been dying to go to this place for a YEAR now! Help!

[SauceSupreme]

I think rameniac's exact words were:

those who know about fight club don't talk about fight club! (>_<)

[MeowMixx]

Providence
Mako
Opus

[wilafur]

urawasa.

i am putting away $40 a month and will try the place out in fall/winter '07. hahaha!

[Dommy]

There are so many!! But on the very top, we don't too often go to fine dining places, but for ages I've been wanting to try Grace because of their varied pork offereings... that talk of a berkshire pork tasting menu a few weeks totally did me in...

--Dommy!

[Rizza]

Ursawa

[xica14]

Grace

[Apron Boy]

AOC, definitely. Next month.
Providence
Hatfield's
Table 8
Pizzeria Mozza
Cassa Bianca. My wife has never had their pizza.

[Diana]

the Griddle for pancakes.

Grace

AOC

Chinese islamic

Do I have to nly choose one..I can't.

[Moose]

These two have been on my radar for a while now:

Josie
La Buca

Moose

[mattyshack]

Go to La Buca soon, they are expanding into the space next to them and I fear will lose some of the charm that makes this such a great place.

[Mike Z]

Cassels
Caffe Angelini
Bistro K
Traktir

[okie]

Babita, Mastros and the Hungry Cat.

[david t.]

Stonehill Tavern, the Michael Mina restaurant in Dana Point and possibly Lucques.

[bulavinaka]

GSW,
Great pick - Musso & Franks - what a legend of a place, and underappreciated by so many. They opened my eyes back in the 80s to standards that are now virtues like great service, style, and of course - great food. I had my first, and probably one my best bowls of Bouillabaisse at Musso & Franks. How many restaurants outside of french cuisine could even spell that word back then? The waiter serving us at that time already clocked in forty years there - the "rookie" of the wait staff that night was there only for a mere fifteen. If there ever was a restaurant in LA that defined style - versus fashion - like Frank Sinatra versus Brittney - Musso & Franks' longevity alone is the watermark.

[gsw]

I went once, perhaps ten years ago. I resolve to go again this year!

[Clare K]

I vow to try one of these:

The French Laundry
Ursawa

And at least one of these:
Mozza (reservation already made!)
Hatfield's
Providence
Dining room at the Ritz in Pasadena

[dtud]

JAR

Hungry Cat

[Obessed]

Providence
Cut

[glutton]

AOC

[Maxmillion]

One of my fave places in LA

[SauceSupreme]

Hatfields and Pagolac are 1a and 1b.

[SauceSupreme]

I've hit Hatfield's for 1a. Now I just need to go to Pagolac for 1b.

I guess I'll add Mozza and the Wat Thai temple.

[blackbookali]

Babita for sure

[addict2food]

Sona... i always hear different opinions... need to try it and taste/experience it myself.
Mastros... always hear the steaks/ ambiance/ service is worth it, unlike CUT.
Capo in SM. everytime i drive by, it reminds me i haven't been there yet and should go next time.

[truefoodie]

Save your money...skip Sona. I thought the same thing but Providence and Spago were MUCH better. Trying Opus tonight - the board seems to love it and I rememebr the room from when it was the Atlas. Really want to try Ursawa but will have to wait for a special occassion to splurge like that!

[KDEatsOut]

Anyone who doesn't adore Sona hasn't tried the miso braised short ribs, one of those dishes you'll remember forever. The ambiance of the restaurant is lovely and the wine list superb. Service is the best you'll find in any L.A. locale.

[aching]

Table 8 for me.

[manku]

cut, but frankly i'm really wary of "attitude"...i don't really enjoy paying $200 a head to feel like a second class citizen.

hatfields and providence probably, but i'm not really in any rush.

osteria mozza if it opens

[kevin]

there's actually not mention in the way of bad attitudes at cut.

it's a great joint from service to the all-around exceptional food. to call it a steakhouse would be putting it lightly though.

[PaliBruin]

Providence
Hungry Cat
Cut

[Julefish]

Mine are exactly the same as yours!

[Muhlyssa]

Did it last night, ZenChi, see here:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/357571

I guess next would be Cut.

[Marco Polo]

BABITA.

I have been wanting to try it and never seem to get there. I think 2007 is the year.

[Snackish]

Me too

[martyR]

I was at Babita last night for the Chiles en Nogada. Wonderful as always.

[Dommy]

Yup! I need to take SO! :)

--Dommy!

[cinzia]

where is Babita pray tell?!

[rastan]

Babita Restaurant
1823 S San Gabriel Blvd
San Gabriel
[phone]

[Newkie]

Hatfield's! Everything I read about it sounds amazing and I salivate when I look over their menu.

[pyragirl]

GO TO HATFIELDS. Get the tasting menu with the wine pairings. They have a very impressive hard-to-find wine list. The food and service is outstanding. Unique, delicious, with little bursts of flavors exploding in your mouth.

And their rolls are crispy and delicious-- YUM.

[ashlee]

Me too! Met too! Every time someone mentions it I wonder why I haven't just tried it already. Hopefully sooner than later.

[lotta_cox]

yup, dying to try hatfields.

[Cali]

Definately Providence

[AquaW]

Second on Providence -- though the way I've been saving up I may actually be able to embark on a trip there by March! :)

~AquaW
http://la-oc-foodie.blogspot.com

[AquaW]

Mission completed! A sublime experience though surely not a place I'll go again anytime soon (due to budget and because there are so many other places I want to check out). Cut & Bistro K are next on my list.

Will be bloggin' about my Providence nine-course meal soon.

PS - wee for getting the 100th reply to this! :)

~H.C.
http://la-oc-foodie.blogspot.com

[notmartha]

Please do post your review. That's on my hit list after AOC, but not sure if it's worth the trouble & expense and towing an 8 year old along. Saw a few mixed reviews...

[gsw]

Hey! When I saw your post's title, I immediately thought "The Nook!"

Also, it's not a "try" so much as "go back to again after too many years" -- Musso & Franks.

[writergirl]

Great minds (or palettes!?) think alike!

[Dommy]

Me too! We've been trying to get to Nook for AGES... but lately have been on a health kick and I KNOW I'm going to have to order that Mac N Cheese...

--Dommy!