My Eating Itinerary for weekend LA trip

[DavidB]

I'm heading down to LA from SF in two weeks for the weekend and have a general eating itinerary while I'm there. I would like any advice on the places I'm heading to.

Friday night, around 10pm : Musha Torrance....Should I call and make reservations if its for 4 people? Will it be very crowded? What to Order

Saturday Lunch: LAnger's for PAstrami

Saturday Dinner: I have reservations at AOC. What to order?

Sunday lunch/brunch: Gardena Ramen or Shinsengumi Yakitori?

Thanks in advance.

[mpken]

You can go to the Marukai in Pacific Square and have Shinsengumi ramen and some yakitori in one trip. Shinsengumi offers both in the food court inside the market.

[exilekiss]

Good point mpken.

Although I think the OP is going to miss out on the quintessential Shinsengumi experience you can only get by walking into their Gardena or Fountain Valley Robata-yaki branches at night and hear the Waitresses and Chefs shouting out greetings, thank you's, kanpai's, etc. It's definitely an awesome experience they should see/hear once at least. :)

[exilekiss]

Hi DavidB,

Shin Sen Gumi Yakitori doesn't open for Lunch on Sunday (I just called to confirm). :( They are a great experience for you to try at least once, perhaps next time?

[SauceSupreme]

A must-order at AOC are the bacon-wrapped dates. I also enjoy the arroz negro, and I can't remember I had chicken-liver crostini there or at Lucques.

At SSG Yaki -- I wholeheartedly recommend the chicken thigh skewers. Order like three or four of them.

[whatsfordinner]

At Musha, the marinated mackerel that's seared at the table and the braised pork belly are must orders.

[mollyomormon]

I also love the cheese tofu and the kobocha croquettes.

[Bria Silbert]

AOC has so many lovely dishes - I adore their cauliflower especially (I know that sounds boring but it really is layered is so many levels of flavor). There's very little that I have not liked there. Plus I find the atmosphere conducive to talking (at least the time we were there) and the waitstaff to be professional, knowledgeable and very accommodating.

[lotta_cox]

that cauliflower is orgasmic.

[Ogawak]

Re: Gardena Ramen. I would recommend Santouka a mile or so down the street on Western.

Re: Langer's. Get the hand cut pastrami. Langer's is a one-trick pony, but the pastrami is excellent. Parking is diffidult, but the Metro line stops there.

[Frommtron]

Agree. The #19 gets raves but I don't want anything in the way of my Langer's Pastrami and their beautiful rye bread.

As a heads up, you can order the pastrami "lean" if that's preferable.

[New Trial]

There is a lot that accepts Langer's validations just a block to the East and across the street (7th).

[mpken]

Be ready for the "Honey, everything is hand cut" reply from the surly waitress when you ask for a hand cut sandwich.

[nosh]

Most of the disappointments about Langer's pastrami for me, and on this board, are that the thick succulent slices might be a bit dry. I always tell the waitress that I'm not afraid of fat and to serve my sandwich untrimmed and leave the fatty, crusty edges on.

[Foodandwine]

Reservations at Musha are always honored. I have found myself waiting for 5 minutes or so on busy nights when I had reservations, while others just sat in the bullpen.. They even brought us two draft beers on the house and said thanks for waiting. The specials page which is the first two in the menu thed to have good things... Have a nice dinner..