Spago: Non-tasting menu Recs needed!

[Yum2MyTum]

Hi there, LA CHs. I'm visiting from Toronto and am going to Spago tonight. We're not going to get the tasting menu - so any alternative suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[Yum2MyTum]

Wow! Thanks for all the helpful suggestions, everyone. We had a lovely evening out and even had a chance to meet Wolfgang Puck himself, who was greeting diners as we were seated.

As for the food, here is the lowdown:

For apps, we went with the beet layer cakes (delish. I happen to love beets and goat cheese together so it was lovely.), and Austrian white asparagus in brown butter (sinful and delicious, but honestly, what wouldn't be delicious in THAT much butter? It was like butter soup!).

For mains, I got monkfish (there was no turbot on the menu) and it was prepared very well - the texture of the fish was very different from other monkfish I had tried: almost like chicken. But it was great and the clams and fava beans were lovely complements.
My partner got Kobe beef cheeks (contrary to the anti-Asian sentiments expressed here). They were lusciouslky tender, and very tasty. We were wondering, though, if they were actually Kobe, or simply Wagyu beef.

The breads were a treat as well - I loved the lavash and the olive bread.

No desserts as we were stuffed - glad the portions were so generous!

Thanks again everyone.

[JudiAU]

I prefer the Austrian dishes and always avoid the Asian items. Jewish pizza is a classic appetizer. The rabbit is wonderful if they have it. The desserts are very good. (Note that portion size is quite large, even for an American restaurant, and you should keep that in mind when you order. )

[Jwsel]

Rabbit is normally reserved for weekends and tasting menu only. Lee once told me that he gets the rabbits from a small purveyor and can usually only get very limited quantities. It's too bad, because he is a genius with rabbit.

[allisonteal]

Ask for the tuna cones - they were yummy! We also enjoyed the beet layer cake, but you can get that anywhere these days. the veal meatballs were heavenly though!!

[ipsedixit]

Avoid anything Asian themed.

[1_healthnut]

actually, i was just there a couple of weeks ago, and two of us had the asian-style steamed snapper entree...we both thought it was divine. perfectly cooked, subtly seasoned. yum.

and the the sashimi appetizer [another 'asian-themed' dish] was delish as well...particularly the hamachi...incredibly buttery.

i second the rec on the beet & goat cheese layer cake appetizer...it's one of my favorite menu items there.

our only disappointments [aside from how horrendously noisy the dining room was that night]...

1) we had to send back a corked glass of merlot [no biggie, it happens]
2) we skipped dessert because there wasn't a single item on the menu that appealed to any of us!

in any case, i'm sure your meal will be wonderful. enjoy!

[scrappydog]

I am a big fan of the agnilotti appetizer.

[Cecilbee]

I loved that beet layer cake appetizer.

[Yum2MyTum]

Thanks Cecilbee! Any fish specialties that I should take note of?

[Cecilbee]

The turbot is pretty heavenly.