The Last (LA) Meal

[Stasigrace]

So if you were moving away from Los Angeles (like I am in a few months), where would you be sure to eat before leaving? I've got my favorites that I'll surely hit, but I'm curious about the "must-try's" I may have missed (especially newer foodie joints). Thanks.

[TailbackU]

Providence

[Maxmillion]

At least Lucques, AOC and your fave place with a view.

Which are your favourites, Stasigrace?

[iknowfood64]

I would have a Hollenbeck From Manuel's El Tepeyac, with cheese on the inside and outside, a side order of sour cream, and a 7up. I would also go to In N Out and order two doubles with extra cheese, and extra spread, order of fries and a milk shake. That is where I would go if I was going to say goodbye to Los Angeles.

[hungrygirl106]

The burritos in the Bay Area are much better than our offerings in LA; they've got In-n-Out up north, too.

As a fellow preggo, I'd recommend Park's BBQ for Korean BBQ. (I also love Soot Bull Jeep, but it's a bit smoky for those of us in a delicate condition.) And Jitlada for Southern Thai. In terms of higher end, Hatfield's and Lucques.

www.infinitefress.blogspot.com

[agarose2000]

Just curious - not that I can afford it, but how much can one expect to drop at a place like Urasawa? I know it's astronomical, but I am still interested in how much these sorts of places cost nowadays!

[Servorg]

Base price, food without tax or tip is $275 pp

[westsidegal]

my friends tell me to budget $400/pp to include beverages, food, tax, tip, and parking.

[Servorg]

Makes sense. Just taking the base price for food, and then when you add in only tax and a 20% tip you are already at $352 to $357, (depending on whether or not you tip on pre or post tax).

[yummyinmytummy]

What if you took this one step further and built your perfect meal - drinks from The Grill, salad course from Providence etc etc....build your perfect meal. Make sure to include your perfect location.

[Stasigrace]

I like that idea! Sounds like a good last-weekend-in-town thing.
Oh, and since I'm pregnant, all this talk of sushi is wasted on me anyway. I'm sure they have sushi in San Francisco, so I'm not too worried. Besides, I don't think that, with a move to an expensive area in my future, I should blow the wad on one sushi dinner, even if it is really that good. BTW, I was never a huge fan of Asanebo, but I used to go there like 10 years ago, maybe it's better now. R23 was always my secret favorite, in the pre-preggo days...

[J.L.]

R23 has slid downhill since ownership was transferred a while back.

[Maxmillion]

Really? Bc I ate there a few months ago and was blown away by two of their sig dishes (Dungeness Crab salad and the Lobster Tempura) as well as the high quality sushi and divine desserts. Excellent cold sake, too. Only one duck entree with scallions was sub par.

I hadn't been for years and was really impressed with the understated elegance all round.

[bulavinaka]

You obviously make a valid point about your pregnancy and how sushi-speak is irrelevant at this point. However, the numerous urgings to make a pilgrimage to Urasawa should at least pique some interest if you are at all appreciative of an excellent dining experience whose equal is yet to arise. Keep this one in your back pocket and reconsider it the next time you're in LA - the only way you're going to find anything at this level of artistry is by hopping on a flight to Japan, making it onto the Shinkansen and landing yourself in Kyoto...

[SauceSupreme]

Since you're going to the Bay Area, you might find this report useful:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/499985

[Mr. Gohan]

The Cut. IMO it's one of the best steak houses. I just went to New York recently and ate at two of the top steak houses (Peter Lugers and Sparks) and to me The Cut is a cut above.

[Diana]

Is it related to Cut?

[nosh]

It is not "The Cut." The Wolfgang Puck steakhouse in Beverly Hills is Cut.

[Servorg]

Would it make a difference if Meg Ryan was eating there? And if so, Y?

[AquaW]

Agree with others Urasawa is a must-try if you can afford, and depending on where you are moving to-- I'd check out ethnic cuisines in LA that won't be available in your next hometown -- such as Koreatown, Little Ethiopia, Chinese cuisine in Chinatown & SG Valley, Thai Town, Little India and of course, all the Latin-American eateries across the city from taco trucks to upscale-modern interpretations like Ciudad.

Let us know where you're moving to and I'm sure the 'hounds can point you to something good and delicious in your last days in lalaland!

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

[Stasigrace]

p.s. I am likely moving to the Bay Area, so I won't be leaving great food behind. I think it's more important to focus on Latin cuisines, since I imagine I can get great Asian and European food up there too.

Is Urasawa better than Nozawa? Because I pretty much thought that was the pinnacle of sushi.

[Diana]

Oh GOD, there is SO MUCH BETTER THAN NOZAWA. And yes, Urasawa is LIGHT YEARS better than Nozawa.

Also better:
Go Mart
Asanebo
Iki

For latin, definitely give El Katracho honduran on Burbank in Van Nuys a try. AmAZING! The food is fabulous, the prices are outrageously low, and the servings will fill you up. Frech conch or blue crab soup Baliadas, Shrimp, meat, Plantains...ohhhhh YUUM! I love the mango margaritas there.

[SauceSupreme]

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/499730

Again, I came in to Urasawa with lofty expectations and was still blown away. I had dinner afterglow for a few days as I was recalling details from the meal.

[susancinsf]

While you can get great Chinese food in the bay area, I am not sure about Asian in general. If I were moving from LA to the bay area, I'd hightail it over to Musha, Jitlada and Babita...as for Urasawa, heck if you can afford it, why not, but OTOH, the cost will make adding in the Southwest flight to eat it whenever you want seem like nothing.....

[Diana]

URasawa, yes. Providence, also. Asanebo, Cut, West, Lou's, Wilshire, Saddle Peak Lodge, Dim Sum in San Gabriel, for sure. It doesn't have to cost $$$

What about Sabor a Mexico, Senor Fish (look, no "i"), Scoops Ice Cream, Donut Man, El Katracho, Woodlands, Oki Dog, Naja's Place, Carousel, Carnival, Magic Carpet, Yum Cha cafe, The Griddle, The Bucket, Billy's Grill, and other great LA eats?

[J.L.]

Agree with Servorg re: Urasawa. You can't leave LA without having had sushi from Hiro-san!

[SauceSupreme]

Depends on where you're going, but I'd try and get a cross-section of a lot of cuisines, since this city allows you to do so with great ease. Some things that might be hard to find in general... Northern Chinese, Southern Thai, okonomiyaki and ramen for Japanese, artisanal pizza, Korean soon tofu, Baja-style and Yucatecan and Oaxacan for Mexican, Ethiopian, and Lebanese. Also Classic LA like Philippe's, Langer's, Pie n Burger, and Apple Pan.

[Servorg]

Urasawa. Then you won't be able to afford to move. Perhaps Bastide. It will seem like you will never be done with dinner and therefore never leave LA either. More seriously, it may have something to do with where you are moving to and what you won't be able to find there.