What do you want for Christmas?

[Sunshine Girl]

Hi 'Hounds.

Thought it would be fun to see what Chowish things you'd like to have for Christmas. For example, here are a few Chowish things I'd like for Christmas:

- An Echigo dinner special similar to their lunch special
- A REALLY GOOD, AUTHENTIC Chicago-style deep dish pizza joint out here
- Preceptor-like photos on every restaurant possible (go Preceptor, go!)
- More sushi chefs like Hide at Kifune who are more entertainment than attitude (and who will only start drinking after 8pm).

Some of you may wish for reincarnations of past restaurants, others (like me), may wish that Spago would have a "sale" on their tasting menu so that we too could afford to enjoy the tasty morsels.

So, what would YOU want for Christmas (or, in broader terms, this holiday season)???

HAPPY CHOWING HOLIDAYS!

[JudiAU]

A decent wine bar

And the ever popular, "the gift of meat."

Link: http://www.heritagefoodsusa.com

[Perceptor]

Things i want for Xmas:

1.A Urasawa dinner that I dont have to pay for
2.a secret direct line to French laundry's reservation desk
3.perfect lighting at restaurants i take pics in.. haha

Happy Holidays Everyone!

[Annette]

Perceptor,

I understand that digital cameras are now being made with a setting called "cuisine" especially for taking photos of restaurant meals!

Thanks for your posts.

[Eric Archer]

Dear Santa---

Please ask Langer's to open on Sundays, and stay open later on every other day.

Also, could you have someone open a ramen stall at the Fairfax Farmer's Market? That way I could eat there everyday for lunch. And during the dog days of summer, could you ask them to make somen and hiyashi-chuka?

Lastly, could I have $5000 in cash? I would use it to eat at Urusawa once a month.

Thanks,
Eric
Age 33

[Annette]

Sushi Gen to move into the apartment next door.

[Bob Wollman]

Great Thread!

I want a "San Gabriel Valley West" featuring a Great Mall of China with restaurants like Green City, Har Lam Kam, Mei Long Villiage, Sea Harbor, Shiang Garden, Szechuan joints, Dim Sum parlors galore, Noodle Nazi's, Dumpling Houses, real Vietnames, Hot Pot Houses etc.

[WildSwede]

I want one of those in my backyard - or front - I am not picky!! ;-)

[Hammy]

1. Infinite SonaPoints(tm), redeemable at both Sona and Boule.
2. 24-hour Korean restaurant in West L.A. with Yongsusan-quality food (at rock-bottom prices!).
3. 100-piece gift box of Jin Patisserie chocolates.
4. A free giveaway at my "local gourmet mushroom purveyor" (don't know of any ... suggestions?).

JH, Los Angeles

[Rich Gould-Saltman]

1. A Pasta Pomodoro (the No. Cal., not So. Cal. version) at the south end of downtown.
2. Thai, or a Noodle World/Planet/Time at the south end of downtown.
3. That they'd open the new Indian place by Saito's, and that it be unspeakably wonderful.
4. Vito's, Vito's, Vito's.
5. Blair's/Edendale/whatever's-going-into the-"Autobar"-space, without the "we are hipper and cooler than you, so we can act like Fred Eric" attitude.
6. Chinese place in Silverlake/LosFeliz.
7. New chowhound nickname. I'm thinkin' "Silverlake Bodhisattva", but it isn't very humble...
8. "Hello! C&K/Papa Christo: We Deliver!" "Zankou: We Deliver!"

RFGS

[Chowpatty]

I'd agree on all of yours, Rich, as well as the Jin chocolates below.
Also, that the old nursery by Trader Joes turn into the friendly, cheap, open all the time, beer garden/pub with pizza, tapas and burgers place I've needed ever since I've lived in Silver Lake -- think Father's Office merges with Nicky D's, lowers the prices and loses the attitude of FO, and has a huge outdoor patio and cozy couches and stuff on the inside.

[MarieinLA]

What's the difference between the NoCal Pasta Pomodoro and the SoCal Pomodoro? I stopped by the one opening in Sherman Oaks and the menu looks the same as the ones in SF - I was so excited about it opening. Please tell me it's the same...

[Rich Gould-Saltman]

I wish i could say it, truthfully.

I'll say, by way of caveat, that I've eaten in the San Francisco city locations (Chestnut, Columbus, Irving (or was it Judah? Over on the ocean side...)and eaten only once at the Burbank location.

That said, I thought the No. Cal. locations had a limited and specific view of what they were trying to do, and were doing that enthusiastically and quite well, and that the So. Cal. location I saw, only open a matter of weeks, seemed already to be suffering from chain bloat. They've leased too much space, their staff seems listless and uncommitted to making the place work; and frankly, they didn't seem to be very busy.

I HOPE I'm wrong. I really was rooting for them to come south, and to do it right...

rfgs

[JR]

1. Lunch at Langer's
2. Dinner at Saddle Peak Lodge (elk of course), Water Grill, and Josie.
3. A decent deli in OC

[westsidegal]

a left-handed misono ux10 gyutou

[monkuboy]

I would like a very fast/high metabolism rate so I could eat more!!

[torta basilica]

DITTO! Why didn't I think of that?!

P.S. I want Bob Burns in Fashion Island to rise up out of the ashes and re-open - same location, same restaurant, same entertainment, same staff... by this weekend.

[martyR]

Langers moving to Pasadena

A decent chicken-fried steak that you don't have to drive to the South Bay for.

To be able to speak/read Chinese in one of the many great restaurants in SGV, but not to have to go to all the trouble to learn (story of my life).

A great taco truck in my work parking lot.

[Robert Lu]

I've always thought it would be cool if community colleges offered a class in restaurant Chinese, as opposed to elementary Chinese. After all, what's more important, learning how to say "It is unusually warm today" or learning how to read that live crab special on the back board?

[Bob Wollman]

I'd sign up for that class in a heartbeat!

[Hungry1]

Check out "An Eater's Guide to Chinese Characters", by James McCawley--he was a linguistics/Asian languages professor (and big eater); this book is a food-specific course in Chinese reading and writing. The book describes the history and structure of Chinese written characters, but *only* those relevant to Chinese restaurant menus!

It's interesting stuff, but there's no way around it: you're *still* going to have to memorize a bunch of those characters (or bring the book with you when you go out to eat...)

[Bob Mack]

Where is the chicken fried steak that you drive to the south bay for? I love chicken fried steak..

[martyR]

Joe's in Redondo Beach. Corner of PCH and Carnelian. It's a little breakfast joint that does huge business. I always get the CFS and eggs. Heart attack on a plate. Only one I've found better was up north in Chester CA and I can't drive that far!

[ipse dixit]

Gastronimically speaking, for the holidays I want ...

Chowhound's continued existence on the WWW

and ...

Good health and happy eating to everyone that visits, posts and who frequent this board.

[igj]

-Inexpensive, decent chow in downtown Santa Monica to make lunch more exciting

-Although I have started to feel like I am making the most of the strengths of Westside dining, I would be thrilled with excellent dim sum, veggie chinese, bahn mi and Thai suddenly appearing somewhere between Santa Monica and Beverly Hills.

-a 70% reduction in traffic area-wide (and yes, that is a chow-related wish! Ever try to get from Santa Monica to Atlantic in San Gabriel at dinner time on a Friday????)

-a single pizza place that did solid renditions of Boston, New York and Chicago-style pies so that I can see what all the fuss from regional loyalists is about

[igj]

OOOPS. That was supposed to say Valley Blvd. in San Gabriel. Mixing together the locations of my beloved Baguette Express!

[PeteEats]

A bahn mi place next to Noodle Planet in Westwood Village has received good reviews here. Of course, I've forgotten the name of it. Bueller? Anyone?

[igj]

That place is called East-West Sandwiches. It is pretty good, but it is a Thai take on banh mi. They do a good tofu banh mi (veggie banh mi - that kills me).

[torta basilica]

Alle Testiere to open a branch in Newport Beach - same food, same chef (he can fly back & forth daily - I think Santa's the one guy that could arrange that)

[Natalie in Los Angeles]

1. The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, in Sherman Oaks
2. More money and time to try all the restaurants I read about on Chowhound
3. The Gumbo Pot, in Sherman Oaks
4. A really good restaurant on the coast in LA County. Good food and a fabulous view!
5. My memory erased of all "Carbs are bad" information

Fun thread!

[tokyoastrogirl]

Dear Santa,

For Xmas I would like the following:

1. A tapas bar near my house that is equally as creative and perfect as A.O.C. (without the noise).

2. A real, Japanese IZAKAYA with a menu that includes yakitori, small assortment of sashimi, pari-pari cheese (cheese in wonton skins, deep fried, ebi chili sauce, and all of the other wonderful and tasty dishes you get in Japan at any izakayas in nice, small portions to share.

3. The perfectly breaded and fried piece of tonkatus (pork cutlet) with steamed rice, pickles and miso soup.

4. An all expenses-paid 3 day trip to norther Cali including a dinner at the French Laundry and 2 hours in the kitchen to observe Mr. Keller

5. A one week trip to Paris w/ Tony Bourdain where we could hit all of his favorite cafes, bistros and hole-in-the-wall places, get drunk, and talk about food.

[jaydee]

i second this. i also wish furaibo downtown would return.

[gnarlex]

I'd like a site like this (see below) for all of us!

Lacking that, I'd like dozens of cafes serving delicious pho to spring up all across our great city. And French-style macaroons! Pho and macaroons!

Link: http://www.menupages.com/index.asp

[Carb Lover]

Carb Lover's LA Board Xmas List

1) Since I no longer live in LA: to be able to click my heels 3 times and immediately transport myself to LA every time I read about another taco truck, Korean BBQ place, or sushi bar...

2) To be able to scratch and sniff perceptor's photos, and ultimately, to reach into my computer screen and have a taste...

3) To find a benefactor, trust fund, or "en-chow-ment" to allow me to eat on a regular basis at Sona, Urasawa, Water Grill, and why not Spago...

4) To squeeze my favorite restaurants in LA into a 5-block area w/ free valet parking...

5) To have unlimited access to the "wines on tap" at AOC...

6) To have all hounds everywhere achieve their idea of ultimate deliciousness year round...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

[westsidegal]

a misono ux10 gyutou chef's knife

[Dommy!]

Great post!!!

* Another wisher of a Chicago Deep Dish establishment. SUPER DEEP buttery crust with LOTS of spicy sausage and LOTS AND LOTS of sauce on top...

* Dean and Deluca! If rumors are true I won't have to wish for this next year!

* More small plates places. I eat fairly very light and love to try EVERYTHING!! I want more places where I can order a whole menu and it comes out as bites!

* A large TRUE Yucatecan restaurant with full menu including Seafood and Venison dishes! I want a cocktail of octopus marinated in it's own ink for a starter, Stuffed Edam cheese for entree and Sorbet of Nance for dessert...

* For you guys to discover more less than $10 a plate hole in the walls. ESPECIALLY in the East L.A./Monterrey Park area as I'm starting my masters at Cal State L.A. next fall! :D

--Dommy!

[ScottE]

That Harbor Village would re-open a branch in LA again.
I ate recently at the one that is still exists in SF and reminded me of what I have been missing for the past few years.
Also I would like to see Quanjude open a branch in LA again. I also want to eat some duck bone soup and duck.

[rick miller]

was thinking to have a Xmas eve duck, and haven't been back there in 2 years...
is it true that Quanjude is closed?

[chris o]

To be able to magically step into the July '99 LA Weekly cover (of matchboxes from long-gone LA restaurants) that hangs on my cubicle wall, and be transported to The Luau, The Islander, Zamboanga, Wan-Q, the Powow, and Buddha-Pest (and Don the Beachcomber, even though it's not on there).

To erase the memory of carnitas from my mind, so that every time I tasted them they would be as exciting as the first time.

[TomSwift]

Dear Santa,

I've already got my two front teeth (essential for chowing)so please wrangle the following:

1. The magical reopening (and standing reservations) of Scandia, the Windsor, Kelbo's, Ah Fong's, Chez Cary, Le Restaurant, Senior Pico, Perino's, Nipa Hut, Chasen's, Tonga Lei, Bistro Garden (the old one, which means you'll have to move Spago back to Horn), Max Au Triangle, the Cove, Le Toque, and Wil Wrights.

2. Immediate fluency in the language of any restaurant I visit.

3. Granting the wishes of all who post before and after me.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL11

[annie]

A wonton and jook joint like Har Lam Kee in the Silverlake/Los Feliz area.

Cafe Stella to lose the attitude and serve really good French food.

Madame Matisse to expand into a larger space, but not become over commercialized.

The Kitchen to get a better ventilation system.

Happy Holidays everyone!

[ashlee]

First...I'd wake up on the 26th with a bright shiny new Din Tia Fung right here in Studio City. Delicious dumplings in walking distance everyday.

Second...Jack Fiorella's Smoke Stack BBQ straight from Kansas City everytime I have a craving for it. Which is pretty often.

Last but not least...to never have to clean house again! Well, a girl can wish right!?!?

Happy Holidays and happy eating!

[Mr Grub]

Angelique Cafe to finally receive their liquor license & open for dinner.

[Gary]

A good chineese resturant in Long Beach!