475112 Tue Jan 01 15:32:25 -0800 2008 50 2 Los Angeles Area 0 3251860 Happy New Year, everyone! I know some of you made resolutions to visit certain restaurants last year, with varying degrees of success. So what restaurants do you resolve to visit this year, that you've never been to before? Here's my list: 1. Urasawa (Beverly Hills) 2. Fathers Office 2 (Culver City, when it opens) 3. Mon Land Hot Pot City (Rowland Heights) 4. Philips BBQ (Leimert Park) 5. Pacific Dining Car (Downtown) Tue Jan 01 15:32:25 -0800 2008 50350 SauceSupreme 1 3251878 Bashan and I'll second Fathers Office 2 and Philips BBQ also: Stuffed Sandwich the Dumpling place in El Monte the new Din Tai Fung La Mill Coffee lunch/burger at Comme Ca (only went to the opening night and a special dinner here, never tried ordering from the regular menu) I hope you get to go to Urasawa -- I don't think I'll get to do it this year. Happy New Year! Tue Jan 01 15:39:24 -0800 2008 3251860 12460 Chowpatty 2 3252684 I guess I should tack Comme Ca onto my list but only for the burger. I'm not really fiending for straight-uprench f French (hence no Bashan from my list). Not that would mind going to either to eat French food, it's just not high on my priority list. Wed Jan 02 00:38:45 -0800 2008 3251878 50350 SauceSupreme 3 3253112 Good Morning Sauce... I would not consider BASHAN french...it's just darned good food. It's become one of my problem destination spots..."problem" meaning that even when I have perfectly good food in my fridge, I find a reason to go there for dinner anyway. My resolution is to go to BASHAN less than 4x times a month (vs the 6-8x a month I've gone since they opened in Sept...what's my probelem! I'm begining to think their food is laced with crack or something) Oh, ans Suace, they are great with solo diners...I always ask to take a little table in the back by the kitchen so I can watch all the food go by...it's such a tease. Wed Jan 02 08:17:25 -0800 2008 3252684 93485 tatertotsrock 2 3254464 Oh yeah, forgot Babita, Hatfield's and Fraiche. Wed Jan 02 14:12:00 -0800 2008 3251878 12460 Chowpatty 1 3251938 1. Ortolan 2. Sona 3. Il Grano Tue Jan 01 16:21:23 -0800 2008 3251860 151099 la tache burger 1 3252037 bashan melisse lucques hatfield's bastide craft fraiche foundry kiriko la mill urasawa?! Tue Jan 01 17:09:08 -0800 2008 3251860 13431 zack 1 3252998 The Counter Oinkster Senior Fish Comme Ca China Islamic Don Sassabune Hummus Bar Bashan Asa Ramen Musha Uzbekistan That Afghani place in Pasadena Din Tai Fun Pure Luck Scoops 3 Square The Griddle Baby Blues Luques The Water Grill Cube OPus Chosun Galbee Jingo Europane Ce Fiore 10th Street Cafe a slew of meditarranian palces and tons more I can't think of. Will I get to all of them. Doubtful. Wed Jan 02 07:37:22 -0800 2008 3251860 11201 Diana 1 3253206 1. Melisse (going there this Saturday!) 2. Bashan 3. Bastide Wed Jan 02 08:49:40 -0800 2008 3251860 134728 PrettyPlaty 2 3253332 Good Morning Pretty Platty, Please let me know how your evening at Melisse goes...I'm dying to go. Wed Jan 02 09:26:35 -0800 2008 3253206 93485 tatertotsrock 1 3253792 I crossed one of mine off last week when I finally tried the ramen at Santouka. Here are the others: 1. I'm embarassed to admit that I still haven't had dim sum in SGV so that's my most pressing one. 2. Babita 3. Musha in Torrance. I'm interested generally in trying out a lot more of the Japanese options in Gardena/Torrance. 4. Jitlada! 5. Bashan. I'm dying to try the pork belly there. Wed Jan 02 11:31:01 -0800 2008 3251860 12268 mollyomormon 1 3253866 Bastide Saddle Peak Lodge Pecorino All 'Angelo Babita Osteria Mozza Hatfield's Rustic Canyon........... Wed Jan 02 11:52:53 -0800 2008 3251860 15633 fdb 1 3254097 Spago Guelaguetza La Flor de Yucatan Larkin's Milk Macau Street J&J Angelini Osteria Grace or Providence Let's Be Frank Wed Jan 02 12:40:39 -0800 2008 3251860 46671 notmartha 2 3254910 FYI...Macau Street in Artesia/Cerritos has closed down, it's now Crabulicious. Wed Jan 02 16:16:44 -0800 2008 3254097 77080 justagthing 3 3255233 Thanks for the warning. I didn't even know they have a branch at Cerritos - was thinking of Monterey Park. Let me guess - Crabulicious is another vietnamese-cajun place? Wed Jan 02 17:49:40 -0800 2008 3254910 46671 notmartha 4 3255242 Actually, it's not. Looked at the menu yesterday and it looked interesting. Have heard some good things, so will have to check it out soon. Wed Jan 02 17:52:09 -0800 2008 3255233 77080 justagthing 1 3254269 Tama Sushi Bashan Jitlada Josie Babita Brent's Pollo a la Brasa Julienne I am looking forward to every meal. Wed Jan 02 13:22:38 -0800 2008 3251860 60993 bruinike 1 3254898 Just to show you how bad my fix is, I keep a running list... Contemporary Josie Joe’s Osteria Mozza Cube http://wwwcubemarketplace.com/images/cube_menues.pdf Pacific Dining Car Village Idiot Hatfield’s James Beach Camden House Chinois Houston’s/Bandera Punch Grille? Michael’s 26 Beach Ethnic Papa Christo Delphia (http://la.eater.com/archives/2007/09/18/eaterwire_delphis_new_look_auntie_ems_table_service_guss_barbecue_ba_awards.php) Rayhaan Persian in Culver City Bar Pinxto Café Brasil Bossa Nova Brasa Brasil Grill (www.brasabrasilgrill.com) Cafe Dahab (Kefta sandwiches! http://www.cafedahab.com/menu.nxg Versaille Tagine Special Occasion Craft La Boheme? (boring menu, William strongly recommends) Cafe Stella (very small, French) Matisse Providence (new seafood restaurant by owners of Melisse, lots of Seafood options) Brass Cap Sona Luques Ortolan Fraiche La Cachette http://www.lacachetterestaurant.com/dinner.html# Josie Michael’s French Bistro L'Hermitage (http://www.bistrohermitage.com/) Lilly’s Café Marguerite (http://losangeles.citysearchcom/profile/151309/venice_ca/cafe_marguerite.html) Chez Mimi http://www.chezmimirestaurant.com/dinnermenu.htm’ Italian Via Veneto Alejo’s Piccolo Capo La Bote Asian (non-sushi) PF Changs Bangkok West The Orchid Latitude Thai Yose East Wind Hu’s Chinese on National Japanese Sushi Tengu (http://www.tengu.com/flash.html) Koroza (Speilman’s place) U-Zen 9.3 Overall 11951 Santa Monica Blvd Shige 9.1 Overall 401 Santa Monica Blvd. Sushi House 9.0 Overall 12013 W Pico Blvd Taiko 8.8 Overall 11677 San Vicente Blvd Ste 302 Japenese Noodles Yabu 9.3 Overall 11820 W Pico Blvd Yokohama Ramen 9.0 11660 Gateway Blvd Moroccan Cayenne Café 9.4 7169 Beverly Blvd Tagine Sofi 8030 3/4 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA Mexican El Chavo El Compadre (Sunset & Gardner) Gardens of Taxco (Santa Monica and Harper) La Tasca Babita Mexican San Gabriel http://www.yelp.com/biz/TbAb9fFN4hUe3AAvV_jUDA Venice Cantina (9.1) (http://losangeles.citysearchcom/profile/40117899/venice_ca/venice_cantina.html?raid=1790037) El Cayote (9.0) (http://losangeles.citysearchcom/profile/64181/los_angeles_ca/el_coyote.html) Baja Cantina (http://losangeles.citysearchcom/profile/151465/marina_del_rey_ca/baja_cantina.html) Lare’s Oaxacan (Guetzel…, Casita, Monte Alban) http://www.chowhound.com/topics/385349 Casual Joe’s Pizza Coop Pizza Villa Pizza Bondi BBQ Pitfire Pizza Company Stone Fire Pizza The Victorian on Main St. Aunt Kizzie’s Cynthia’s (Best Fried Chicken + blackberry cobbler) Roscoe’s Langer’s Deli Stroh’s Gourmet L&L Killer Shrimp Cora’s Arnie Morton’s downtown (sirloin burger) Houston’s Rae’s Diner Wed Jan 02 16:13:53 -0800 2008 3251860 77439 ElJeffe 2 3255245 It's a pretty long list, so you're probably okay with skipping PF Chang and Killer Shrimp. I'd even toss Brasa Brasil out, too, but I'll save that verdict for when I finally try out the feijoada at Cafe Brasil. Wed Jan 02 17:52:30 -0800 2008 3254898 50350 SauceSupreme 3 3258286 The one time we had the feijoada at Cafe Brasil, we were sorely dissapointed. There was a couple of chunks of stringy pork, some slices of sausage and that was it. No organ meat to speak of and it just didn't have that heartiness you expect from the dish. It was also a bit on the watery side as feijoada's go. And for $16, the portions were small. Good thing I didn't care for it. We even went on a Sunday thinking that it would increase the chances of a good dish. Now this was at the Washington Place branch, can't vouch for the Venice branch one. We both thought the feijoada at Brasa Brasil was better. My wife loves dishes like this and cassoulets. We were even lowering our standards since its within waking distance for us and we were hoping it could be a regular stop to satisfy the cravings easily. But even with that, we wouldn't order it again there regardless of how desparately we're craving it. In fact considering the price, I'd rather go to Brasa Grill pay the couple bucks extra just to have some feijoda from the buffet. Thu Jan 03 14:43:31 -0800 2008 3255245 10746 Jase 2 3255301 To further narrow your list, I'm pretty positive that Venice Cantina closed a while back. Wed Jan 02 18:11:47 -0800 2008 3254898 12268 mollyomormon 2 3255715 you could skip houston/bandera, pacific dining car, and hu's for that matter nothing special there Wed Jan 02 20:40:52 -0800 2008 3254898 134744 paulfromla 3 3257442 Sorry to disagree, paulfromla, but a burger at Houston's is a must! Best classic burger I've ever eaten. Also, their ribs are unlike any other ribs I've had. The best way to eat at Houston's, imho, is go with someone and split a cheeseburger and the ribs. Thu Jan 03 11:41:14 -0800 2008 3255715 86402 brandygirl 3 3257673 I disagree. The French Dip at Bandera is extraordinary (best in LA) and a must-try Thu Jan 03 12:30:54 -0800 2008 3255715 14558 Ernie 4 3257722 i will yield on houston's - never had the cheeseburgers and i did put their ribs on a "must" list elsewhere - so that might seem a little inconsistent - but i'm not standing down from bandera's which is literally half a block from me and has never failed to disappoint with their food - drinks now that's another question... Thu Jan 03 12:40:09 -0800 2008 3257673 134744 paulfromla 5 3257752 Where have you had a better French dip? Thu Jan 03 12:44:34 -0800 2008 3257722 14558 Ernie 6 3261205 aargh - now i have to go back to bandera yet again and try the french dip - oh well, there's worse things in life...usually i don't go for sandwiches when going out to dinner esp. at $20 a pop but i'm willing to try it Fri Jan 04 11:45:12 -0800 2008 3257752 134744 paulfromla 3 3258349 Disagree on Bandera. The free corkage is a phenomenal perk and the food, albeit classic american fare, is consistently good. Thu Jan 03 15:00:57 -0800 2008 3255715 74451 vinosnob 1 3255360 Urasawa Ortolon Angelini Osteria Mori Sushi (to compare to Zo) Wed Jan 02 18:34:42 -0800 2008 3251860 11896 NAspy 1 3255363 Babita Stuffed Sandwich/Father's Office 2 Vietnam Restaurant Santouka/Asa/Gardena Echigo/Kiriko/Sasabune and Big Wangs for those tater tots! Wed Jan 02 18:35:40 -0800 2008 3251860 22375 snooze button 2 3255686 Tater tots!!!!!???? What and where is Big Wangs, and do they really have tater tots? I can't resist tater tots and I sure miss the Sonic tater tots from the days I was in MO. Wed Jan 02 20:31:41 -0800 2008 3255363 93485 tatertotsrock 3 3255780 This thread (check out the post started by Sauce Supreme) was the source of my current craving: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/448458 I've had Sonic's tater tots somewhere in the OC...... but something tells me that Big Wangs serves up a whole other category of tater goodness. Wed Jan 02 21:04:36 -0800 2008 3255686 22375 snooze button 1 3255858 Osteria Mozza Table 8 The Cut The Lodge Wed Jan 02 21:54:07 -0800 2008 3251860 25332 coopxl 1 3255898 VP Tofu Pa Pa Walk Park's BBQ The Waffle Cafe Z Social (for Michel Richard's return) Wed Jan 02 22:22:21 -0800 2008 3251860 11583 ipsedixit 1 3257694 Yesterday, I knocked the first off my list: Sushi Nishi-ya. Wow. I don't want to say anthing else because I want to make sure I can continue to get a seat at the bar...if it means anything, I will be there again for dinner on Friday...mmm, I can't wait. I would also like to go to : Hatfields Fraiche Kiriko Osteria La Buca (I used to go quite a bit but haven't been since they re-opened/expanded) Hungry Cat (I used to pretty much live at the bar for lunch but haven't been since they re-opened/expande) Tried to go yesterday but they were closed for lunch...perfect, since I finally got to try Sushi Nishi-ya. I'm sure the list will grow over the year. Thu Jan 03 12:35:37 -0800 2008 3251860 93485 tatertotsrock 2 3257927 They told me on New Years that Hungry Cat is re-opening for lunch on the 15th. Thu Jan 03 13:18:51 -0800 2008 3257694 50350 SauceSupreme 3 3258023 Did any menu changes come along with the redesign & expansion? The escolar special I had needs to become a regular item! Thu Jan 03 13:36:33 -0800 2008 3257927 77439 ElJeffe 4 3258288 Well the food menu always rotates anyway, so it's tough to tell. The main effect is an expanded raw offering, naturally. I don't recall I'd ever seen a caviar sampler there before, but I could be mistaken. One of my old favorites (crab legs in mustard butter) is off the main dinner menu, but that's probably because of too much overlap with the raw menu. Thu Jan 03 14:44:00 -0800 2008 3258023 50350 SauceSupreme 3 3258173 Thanks SauceSupreme, I really miss my lunchtime drinks and snacks! Thu Jan 03 14:15:14 -0800 2008 3257927 93485 tatertotsrock 1 3258564 This is painful as I didn't keep last years 1 resolution (Ursawa). But this year I have already started my "Bastide fund". Bastide Craft Angelini Osteria Jiraffe - on Monday Father's office Santouku Inn of the Seventh Ray AOC Mozza - either ...and Ursawa Thu Jan 03 16:12:25 -0800 2008 3251860 19917 Rizza 1 3258604 Gordon Ramsay at The London Mori (also to compare with Sushi Zo) Father's Office 2 Woody's bbq new Din Tai Fung location revised menu at Opus Honda Ya (to round out the JTown izakayas) Thu Jan 03 16:26:01 -0800 2008 3251860 13957 slacker 1 3264052 1. Paseo Cantina in the Paseo Colorado, Pasadena. http://www.paseocantina.com/index.html 2. Any good restaurants in LA with views of the city (don't know which ones yet). 3. Houston's Sat Jan 05 10:28:46 -0800 2008 3251860 57689 katkoupai 2 3268664 I finally tried Houston's in Pasadena. The portions were very generous. I tried the caesar salad and roasted artichoke appetizer. A friend tried the pork ribs with coleslaw and french fries. The food was very good. Next time, I will try the prime rib, but I will need to be sure to be very hungry. The ribs took up half of a big plate. I liked that the caesar salad dressing tasted very fresh. Sun Jan 06 23:33:03 -0800 2008 3264052 57689 katkoupai 1 3264295 Fraiche Father's Office and 2 Comme Ca Little Door Babita Michaels Table 8 Madeo Any of these that I shouldn't rush to?? Sat Jan 05 12:01:04 -0800 2008 3251860 31844 jenngen 2 3264432 If you've not been to the original Father's Office, I would actually start there as a baseline before visiting its Culver City outpost. I expect FO2 to be a madhouse when it opens, whereas the Santa Monica location is as solid as ever. To answer your question, don't rush to FO2 if you've not been to FO1. Sat Jan 05 12:54:03 -0800 2008 3264295 50350 SauceSupreme 3 3268682 father's office fraiche hatfields sona comme ca jar patina more good steakhouses...... Sun Jan 06 23:45:42 -0800 2008 3264432 109370 AGENT FOODIE 3 3269081 But the SM Father's Office is already a madhouse! Mon Jan 07 07:16:39 -0800 2008 3264432 11201 Diana 4 3270285 True, by which I meant to say that FO2 would be even MORE of a madhouse. I'd say it's the most anticipated opening since Mozza and Craft. Mon Jan 07 12:24:50 -0800 2008 3269081 50350 SauceSupreme 1 3269150 Angeli Cafe, Saddle Peak Lodge, Pizzeria Mozza, Water Grill, and, even though it's not in LA, French Laundry. I think I'll have to get another job! Mon Jan 07 07:46:02 -0800 2008 3251860 113437 katydid13 1 3556043 How's everyone doing on their New Years Resolutions? So far, I've only crossed off Urasawa off the list (but I guess if you had to cross off just one, that would be it). Thu Apr 03 01:12:41 -0700 2008 3251860 50350 SauceSupreme 2 3568242 Hi, Sauce. I tried the Paseo Cantina and Houston's, but I haven't tried a dinner place in LA with a city view. I still don't know where to go for that. I did have drinks at the bar at the Bonaventure Hotel-- decent drink and great view. :) I also finally passed by the Hungry Cat in Hollywood, but I did not go in. Sun Apr 06 20:02:19 -0700 2008 3556043 57689 katkoupai