LA folks - Couple of questions

[masnole]

I will be out there travelling on business next week.

Used to go out there frequently, and have been to many of the "name" restaurants of the late 90's early '00's but lately not so much.... my questions are outlined below, THANKS in advance for your help.

1. Used to love the original Matsuhisa on La Cienaga. Is it still a great place to go for Sushi? If not where else??
2. What are the "must-do" places for great food (I like all cuisines), and of those which would be good for someone travelling alone (male)?
3. Love Italian - where can one find the best food and regional Italian wine collection??
4. Will be in Bev Hills Saturday, then have biz in Burbank rest of week....any "must-try's" in the valley??

Sorry for all the questions. Would appreciate any and all assistance

[masnole]

Thanks to all of you!

Great suggestions, but work got in the way.

Was only able to make it to the following places:

Osteria Mozza - 8pm on a Saturday night....how can that be bad?? Great suggestion fabulous food. Had the Mozz sampler, Fig appetizer, and Gnocchi with Duck Ragut.

Matsuhisa - I'm a creature of habit.....oops....

The Ivy - Took coworker who;d never been to LA for some star-F(er Gazing....). Great table on patio........had the fried chicken (as usual).

Also, we were taken out to group dinner at a place in Burbank....(3rd and Olive) - ok, nothing to write home about.....

APPRECIATE ALL THE SUGGESTIONS...was just too darn busy. Our shoots went late both nights....so we were limited in time.

[BallPtPenTheif]

You should check out the Japanese area on Sawtelle Blvd. There's a string of little awesome restraunts and of course Furaibo all within walking distance of each other.

Dream Sawtelle dinner would be getting sloshed on wings and beer at Furaibo followed by fried meatload curry and wine at the Sawtelle Kitchen.

I need to get a plane ticket.

[J.L.]

Sawtelle Kitchen has slid downhill as of late.

[BallPtPenTheif]

Sad to hear. What happened?

[trvlcrzy]

What about AOC for small plates and an excellent wine list?

[Bria Silbert]

Second the AOC recommendation - you can also try Violet in Santa Monica or Orris in West L.A. for interesting tapas selections.

www.violetrestaurant.com
www.orrisrestaurant.com

[masnole]

You LA Chowhounds... ROCK!

I'm a native NY'er and lived there until 2005....done so many great places there....

I currently live in New Orleans...and am enjoying the bounty here....

LA....have shot about a dozen commercials out there...and have had the fortune to enjoy the food fruits of LA on someone else's dime each time.... :-)

THANKS!

[Diana]

Give us a full report when you're done!

[J.L.]

Someone else's dime? Then young man, get thee to Urasawa. Pronto.

[andytseng]

Glad to hear you're enjoying New Orleans. I left NO 4 years ago and the cravings for good southern food never leave me.

[J.L.]

1. Matsuhisa was never a purist's sushi haven (they have always been more Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine), but it is still great. Don't let the other hounds steer you towards more austere sushi temples (unless you're, in fact, looking for "ol' skool" sushi).

2. The Father's Office burger is worthy of routine pilgrimages.

3. Valentino has an excellent wine collection. Foodwise, I like the pastas at Osteria Mozza.

[masnole]

Love the "Tiradito" at Matsuhisa.....re-created it at home...

Was served by Nobu himself back in the day, before any of the "NOBU's" opened.........a VP at one of my ad agencies was a personal friend of his....we had the upstairs room and had an amazing Omakase meal served by him.

It has a nostalgic charm for me.

[schrutefarms]

Personally, I don't like sushi, but I will go to Matsuhisa, so yes, I think it's great. (It's that halibut in citrus oil and hearts of palm salad that does it for me, also the passion fruit sake), as far as must-go places, burgers at 25 degrees (great for someone by themselves), tapas at Cobras and Matadors (I know people will disagree, but what can I say, it's always been one of my favorites), and chicken soup at the Rainbow (GREAT for people watching). As for Italian, I just ate at a little place that I found especially good-Girasole on Larchmont. BYOB, and the wine store is next door. (Same with Cobras and Matadors) Don't go to Beverly Hills much, but in Burbank, stop by Phillys Best for an AWESOME cheesesteak (Olive and Verdugo). If you're in Burbank in the AM, my favorite breakfast spot is EAT on Magnolia (it's actually NOHO). If you go, get the Ned's Shreds. (Shredded zucchini, fried up like hash browns.) Magnolia near Vineland. Hope that helped. Sorry for all the sidenotes in parenthisis :)

[Emme]

1. Urasawa - depending on your budget of course; you can also hit Tama in the valley
2. Agree w/ the rec for Providence; don't know where you've been but you probably have already been to Lucques, Jar, Melissa, Josie, Spago (sure you've been but it's still good); you might try Mozza, Hungry Cat, Hatfields...
3. In Brentwood, love Vincenti, Palmeri and Pecorino. Sure you've already done Valentino and Angelini Osteria...
4. Boneyard Bistro would be great for you in the valley; for quick Mediterranean try Carnival in Sherman Oaks; for casual healthy, Hugo's; hit up all the sushi in Studio City; stop into Leda's for cupcakes; stop into Nata's for pastries (esp the natas); Krua Thai in North Hollywood or Sanam Luang Cafe; for Peruvian, Puro Sabor in Van Nuys; nice dinner on the patio at Firefly in Studio City; Spumante on Magnolia... some valley options

[masnole]

Thank you both. One more question - Tapas in Santa Monica or BH with real good, extensive wine by glass list?

Thanks!

[slacker]

How about Upstairs 2, in West L.A. Upstairs 2 is the restaurant of and above The Wine House, an excellent, very large wine store.
Small plates, great food. A healthy size list of a really good variety of interesting wines by the glass; last I went, I recall they offered 3 different glass pour sizes. And if you buy a bottle from the Wine House downstairs and show your receipt, corkage is $10.
http://www.upstairs2.com/

[Fru]

I know that you asked for recs in the Valley but since you will be doing business in Burbank, there is a new tapas restaurant in Montrose called 3 Drunken Goats http://www.3drunkengoats.com/

[Fru]

Oops. I should have read more thoroughly that you have already come and gone....

[Servorg]

Perhaps Bar Pintxo in Santa Monica? http://www.barpintxo.com/?x=menu

[nick_r]

Upstairs 2 is nice if you want a quiet place. If you want something more young and happening try Bodega (814 Broadway).

[tatertotsrock]

Hello masnole,
Save the "extensive wine by glass list" for when you get to the "valley"...there is an excellent place in Glendale called PALATE
( www.palatefoodwine.com ) and their wine list is amazing along with the food.
Also in Glendale is BASHAN ( http://www.bashanrestaurant.com/ ) which also has excellent food and wonderful service.
Have a great visit!

[Diana]

Also in the SFV/Burbank/Glendale

Chili My Soul
Boneyard Bistro (amazing beer list, oh yeah!)
Alcazar
El katracho
Asanebo
Artisan Cheese Gallery
Brat's Bros
The Stand
Caioti Cafe
Aroma
Max
Rutt's Hot Dogs
Porto's Bakery/Sandwiches
Picana
Palate
Gorikee
Woodland's Pure
Menchie's Fro Yo
Sushi Don Sasabune
4 n 20 Pies
Simon's Cafe
Art's Deli
Brent's Deli (I prefer Art's, I know, Brent's is the chow fave, I was disappointed!)
Follow Your Heart Heath food
Daichan Japanese Soul Food (gotta try it!)
Cedar House
Zankou Chicken
Bashan

more, but I think that's enough to get an idea.

[slacker]

1. Mori Sushi or Sushi Zo, Zo is more for the purist.
2. Providence, for one. Not sure what your idea of "must do" is, so I'm interpreting it to mean big name. And Providence = great food.
3. All' Angelo. Great food and very extensive Italian wine list, by regions.
4. Don't know the Valley.