59354 Sun Mar 28 19:55:05 -0800 2004 6 2 Los Angeles Area 0 312337 Some non-chowish friends went to a dress rehearsal dinner at this new Weho eatery on Sunset across from Mel's Diner. Upscale. Fusion of Asian, Cuban, Cajun, Thai, etc. Expensive. Reportedly good unique food and service. Has a $150,000 Ferrari stove! Anybody been? Sun Mar 28 19:55:05 -0800 2004 0 mc michael 1 312351 "a $150,000 Ferrari stove!" The chef makes a great meal, not the stove. Sun Mar 28 21:35:08 -0800 2004 312337 0 2chez mike 2 312353 I could not agree more. You can see why I'm curious though, can't you? Link: http://www.normans.com/menus/ Sun Mar 28 22:03:16 -0800 2004 312351 0 mc michael 3 312357 Yes, I can't wait to try the "Tropical Tuber Torta," not to mention the "Gilled [sic] Chinese Eggplant." And I can't help noticing that the address shown on the website ("8570 W HOLLYWOOD [not Sunset] Blvd"), would be an impossibility (or at least a colossal zoning violation)--don't they know what street they are on? If you check out the Florida board you'll find all sorts of opinions about the Norman's in Miami and Orlando, from great to horrible. [Check out the $70 chicken fried steak for two at the Orlando place.] It doesn't sound like the Houndliest of places, and to me the menu sounds like the one at L'Idiot in "LA Story," but who knows, maybe it will be The Next Big Thing? I'll look forward for the reports from the brave, early-adapter Chowhounds. Sun Mar 28 23:40:46 -0800 2004 312353 0 PayOrPlay 4 312375 This sounds like a job for Russkar! Mon Mar 29 09:44:10 -0800 2004 312357 0 mc michael 4 312631 I read that Charlie Trotter worked for Norman Van Aken in Charlie's early days. I have been to Norman's in Florida and liked it. Look forward to checking out his Sunset Blvd. version. Tue Mar 30 22:03:10 -0800 2004 312357 0 Marco Polo 3 312364 Yeah. I wish I had fourty bucks to throw around on a single veal chop or lamb loin. If I had the dough, though, I'd order both. Mon Mar 29 02:04:03 -0800 2004 312353 0 2chez mike