PLEASE POST YOUR VOTES HERE: Ultimate Los Angeles Restaurants 2010

[maxzook]

A week late but none the worse for wear, starting our ninth annual poll. Thanks to RicRios, mcmichael and servorg for pulling me out of my hole, where I was sobbing uncontrollably as I licked a Rachel sandwich on pumpernickel.

To quote the poll’s esteemed founder, Mr. Grub:

"The concept is simple: everyone is asked to list, in rank order, your five top restaurants in Los Angeles County that you would recommend to houndly out-of-town visitors or to Chowfriends for a special occasion. Since we worship at the altar of deliciousness, your ranking should be based 75% on food and 25% on everything else."

The poll asks Chowhounds to list their ten favorite restaurants in Los Angeles County – five in the category of over $25 per person, and five in the category of $25 or less. (The price estimate is inclusive of FOOD ONLY for an average dinner order.) If different voters choose the same restaurant in both price categories (which happens a lot for places like sushi bars or izakayas, where ), the total points will be tabulated together and the restaurant will be ranked in the category for which it received the most points.

I strongly encourage you to vote for exactly five restaurants per category. You may choose to only cast votes in the over-$25 category, or in the $25-and-under, but don’t vote for the same restaurant in both categories. Bottom line -- if you haven’t had at least ten restaurant meals worth voting for this year, what are you doing on Chowhound? ;)

If you vote for five restaurants in a category, your first choice will receive 5 points, your second choice will receive 4 points, third choice 3 and so on. If you respond with more than 5 choices per category, only your first 5 listed choices will be included – no “ties”.

If you vote for fewer than five, your choice will be tabulated with as many points as the number you voted for (so if you vote for only three restaurants, your first choice will carry three points, the second two points, etc.) This is to avoid the results being weighted in favor of those voters who make the fewest choices. Also, in case of a tie in the final tally, the number of five-point voters is used as a tiebreaker.

I will assume the first restaurant on your list is your first choice and so on; to avoid confusion I’d prefer you not number them.

If you vote for a restaurant that closed within the last twelve months, I’d appreciate if you flag it with an RIP tag. If two or more restaurants with the same name and basic menu get votes (e.g. Father’s Office on Montana or Helms), I will combine the results.

Please make it clear what you’re voting for. Spelling counts – it’s MASTRO’S, not “Maestro’s”! If you make a mistake or just change your mind, go ahead and post again; please re-cast your entire vote and not just the changes ... tell me it's a re-vote and I'll take care of it (I'm tracking names, dates and times on my tally, so I will only take your last vote).

Remember, this poll is for Los Angeles County restaurants only. OCAnn has run an Orange County poll for the last few years, but I haven’t seen if she’s doing it again – if she does I’ll post a link. Anyone want to tackle Ventura County? Let me know and I'll link to your post as well.

One last point: you’re welcome to ask questions or make positive comments, but IMHO it’s inappropriate to post criticism of other voters’ choices on this thread – it’s not only rude to the voter but it makes my tabulation job more difficult. If you must vent, wait until the results are posted to go off on the winning choices (like someone did to Langer’s last year), but be tolerant of individual voters’ choices. If you just can’t wait for that, start a new thread (but follow our hosts’ posting rules.) And please remember I am not a Chowhound employee, this is strictly a volunteer effort.

I’ll keep the polls open until December 19 and post the results shortly thereafter.

The more replies we receive the more useful are the poll’s findings, so please vote. Cast your votes as a reply to this post. Thank you for participating!

P.S. Here are the results of past polls:

2002: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/52353
2003: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/55951
2004: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/63873
2005: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/76226
2006: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/357211
2007: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/490712
2008: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/580125
2009, part 1: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/673604
2009, part 2: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/673605

[maxzook]

The results are in!

Top 25: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/755965
Complete poll: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/755966

[maxzook]

A week late, but the results should be up by the end of the day today, West Coast time.

[fbchase]

Over 25
Mangiare in Famiglia at Mozza
Eva
Hatfield’s
The Bazaar
Test Kitchen

Under 25
Pizzaria Mozza
Loteria Grill
Umami Burger
Ludo Truck
Jitlada

-----
Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Loteria Grill
6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Umami Burger
850 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[maxzook]

Having some computer problems ... expect the poll results tomorrow or Monday at the latest.

Max

[Emme]

hmmm after much hemming and hawing...

OVER 25
Urasawa
Providence
Bazaar
Gjelina
Test Kitchen (*tear*)

UNDER 25
Mariscos Chente
Jitlada Thai
Musha
Monte Alban
Greenleaf Chop Shop

thanks for all your hard work max!

-----
Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Urasawa Restaurant
218 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Monte Alban
11927 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Musha
424 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Mariscos Chente
4532 S Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, USA

[maxzook]

And finally, my votes:

OVER $25
Pizzeria Mozza
Musso and Frank
Campanile
Lawry's Prime Rib
Sea Harbour

UNDER $25
Big Mista's BBQ
Caioti Pizza Cafe
Langer's
The Kitchen Silver Lake
Fred 62

The 2010 Chowhound Top 10 Los Angeles Poll is now closed. Results to be posted sometime tomorrow, probably mid- to late afternoon.

[sushigirlie]

wtf

[Juji]

Over $25
Animal
Bazaar
Rivera
Lazy Ox
Mastro's

Under $25
Umami
Bay Cities
Antica Pizzeria
Mendocino Farms
Bite Bar & Bakery

-----
Mendocino Farms
300 S Grand Ave Ste Lp40, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Mastros Restaurant
2087 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

Bite Bar & Bakery
3221 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405

[J.L.]

My first time voting! Thanks for spearheading this!

Over $25:
Urasawa
Totoraku
Mastro's
Providence
LudoBites

Under $25
Father's Office (Helms)
Langer's
Ramen Mottainai
Din Tai Fung
La Espanola Meats

-----
Din Tai Fung Restaurant
1108 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007

Urasawa Restaurant
218 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

La Espanola Meats
25020 Doble Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90710

Father's Office
3229 Helms Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90034

Totoraku
10610 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

LudoBites
Roving wildly, Los Angeles, CA

[J.L.]

Why does the quicklink direct "Mastro's" to the Thousand Oaks restaurant called Mastros, when I intentionally included the apostrophe to indicate the Beverly Hills steakhouse?

[mc michael]

It's a conspiracy, but if not too much time has gone by you can go back in and edit.

[J.L.]

Oh I edited that sucker out immediately, don't you worry... :-)

[anothernotch]

over:

Providence
Chinois
Mori
Cut
Parks bbq

under

Jitlada
Hide
Father's Office
Langers
Bay Cities

-----
Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Father's Office Bar
1618 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA

[ipsedixit]

OVER

Kiyokawa
Saam
Valentino
Pizzeria Mozza
Sea Harbour

UNDER

Canton Gourmet and Bakery
Canary
Saffron Spot
EuroPane
Bludso's BBQ

[Schweinhaxen]

> $25

Drago Centro
Mori Sushi
Newport Seafood
Park's BBQ
Jose Andres The Bazaar

< $25

Umami Burger
Santouka
Din Tai Fung
Langer's
Yuca's

-----
Din Tai Fung Restaurant
1108 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007

Park's BBQ
955 S. Vermont Ave, Suite G, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Yuca's
2056 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Santouka
3760 S Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Newport Seafood Restaurant
4411 W 1st St, Santa Ana, CA 92703

Drago Centro
525 S. Flower St., Suite 120, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Umami Burger
850 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Mori Sushi
34320 Pacific Coast Hwy Ste B, Dana Point, CA 92629

[RacerX]

Over 25
Mastro's steakhouse
Lawry's
Westside Tavern
Waterloo and City
Lucques

Under 25

Sushi Gen
Din Tai Fung
Bay Cities Italian Deli
Langer's
Umami Burger

-----
Lucques
8474 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069

Umami Burger
850 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Westside Tavern
10850 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Mastros Restaurant
2087 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

Waterloo and City
12517 W Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90066

[mdpilam]

<$25

Umami Burger
Langers
Mexicali Taco Stand
A-Frame
Jitlada

>$25

Animal
Gjelina
Rustic Canyon

-----
Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Umami Burger
850 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, USA

A-Frame
12565 Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066, USA

[maiweezy]

over $25
Laxy Ox
Tasting Kitchen
Don Dae Gam
Tsuruhashi
Sea Harbour (dinner)

under $25
Mo-Chica
Ricky's Fish Tacos
Dan Sung Sa
El Parian
Golden State

-----
Tsuruhashi
18798 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708

The Golden State
426 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036

Mo-Chica
3655 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007

El Parian
155 E 7th St, Oxnard, CA 93030

Ricky's Fish Tacos
1400 N Virgil Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

[Servorg]

Over:

Animal
Cut
Josie
Water Grill
Sushi Zo

Under:

Father's Office
Carney's Train on the Sunset Strip
Bay Cities
Santouka Ramen
Chego

-----
Water Grill
544 South Grand, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Sushi Zo
9824 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Santouka Ramen
21515 S Western Ave, Torrance, CA 90501

Father's Office Bar
1618 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA

Chego
3300 Overland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034

[lil mikey]

Over $25
Providence
Animal
Kagaya
Gen Wa
Drago Centro

Under $25
Mo-Chica
Cube
Pa-Ord Noodle
Puro Sabor
Osteria Mamma

-----
Puro Sabor
6366 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91401

Drago Centro
525 S. Flower St., Suite 120, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Kagaya
418 E. 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Mo-Chica
3655 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Osteria Mamma
5730 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

[orangepeel85]

Over 25$
Providence
Animal
PIzzeria Mozza
Angelini Osteria
The London

Under 25
Langer's
Umami
BLD
Wood Spoon
Wurstkutche

-----
Angelini Osteria
7313 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036

BLD Restaurant
7450 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Wood Spoon
107 W 9th St, Los Angeles, CA 90015

[maxzook]

The 2010 Chowhound Los Angeles Top Ten Poll closes at 7 pm tomorrow night, Friday, December 17. Get your votes in before the poll closes!

[gdodgerfan]

Over $25

Osteria Mozza
Hatfields
Red O
Leila's
Pizzera Mozza

Under $25

Bobby's Coffee Shop
Apple Pan
Tommy's
Phillipe's

-----
Apple Pan
10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Bobby's Coffee Shop
22821 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364

Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Red O
8155 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

[thirstypig]

Over
Jose Andres The Bazaar
Gjelina
Animal
Jitlada
Sushi Gen

Under
Mendocino Farms
Umami Burger
Langer's
Mo-Chica
Daichan
Starry Kitchen

-----
Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Umami Burger
850 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, USA

Mo-Chica
3655 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Daichan
11288 Ventura Blvd Ste F, Studio City, CA 91604

Mendocino Farms
444 S Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Starry Kitchen
350 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071

[Tom P]

UNDER 25

Westside Tavern
Cleo
Polka
Four Cafe
Phillipe's

OVER 25

Osteria Mozza
Church and State
Tavern
Canele'
Taylor's Steaks

-----
Canele
3219 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Westside Tavern
10850 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[Nicole]

Over 25:
Ludobites
Hatfields
Providence
Grace (not RIP, but currently closed while moving locations)
Spago

Under 25:
Mo Chica
Torihei
Musha
Big Mista BBQ
Ramen California

-----
Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Musha
424 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Torihei
1757 W. Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90501

Ramen California
24231 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505

[Nicole]

The link for Musha is to the Santa Monica location, but I was actually thinking of the Torrance location when I put it on my list. I don't know if the SM Musha would make my top 5 list.

Also, like some others have noted, these are the top that I've been to in 2010...I love Bazaar and Animal but last went to them in late 2009 so they didn't make my list (otherwise, I would kick off Grace and Spago).

-----
Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Musha
424 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

[AAQjr]

Over:
Melisse
Eva
Animal
Ludo Bites
Waterloo and City

Under:
Father's Office
Bay Cities
Vinoteque
Mr. Baguette
Sanuki Sandou (yes I like udon better than ramen. there I said it!)

-----
Mr. Baguette
400 S Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754

Father's Office Bar
1618 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA

Waterloo and City
12517 W Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90066

[maxzook]

Important news:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/752797

[Searching4Dunny]

Under $25

Starry Kitchen
Langer's
Santouka Ramen
Ricky's Fish Tacos
Vito's Pizza

Over $25

Osteria Mozza
Melisse
Providence
Animal
Bistro LQ

-----
Vito's Pizza
846 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069

Santouka
3760 S Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Bistro LQ
8009 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Starry Kitchen
350 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Ricky's Fish Tacos
1400 N Virgil Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

[RicRios]

WTF?
Where in the contract says you can leave on the 20th?

[ellaystingray]

Under $25

Bay Cities
La Playita (Santa Monica version, not Hermosa)
Nom Nom Truck
Cole's
Starry Kitchen

Over $25
Providence
Osteria Mozza
FIG
Waterloo and City
Soowon Galbi

-----
Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Waterloo and City
12517 W Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90066

Starry Kitchen
350 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071

[SauceSupreme]

Under $25
Pa Ord Noodle
La Estrella Tacos
JTYH Noodle
Santouka Ramen
Golden State

Over $25
Lazy Ox Canteen
Tasting Kitchen
Osteria Mozza
Lou Wine Bar
Cut

-----
Santouka Ramen
21515 S Western Ave, Torrance, CA 90501

Ord Noodles
5401 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

The Golden State
426 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036

La Estrella Restaurant
940 S Lorena St, Los Angeles, CA 90023

Lazy Ox Canteen
241 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

JTYH Restaurant
9425 Valley Blvd, Rosemead, CA 91770

[grubjay]

OVER $25:
The Raymond
Noir Food & Wine
Dish Bistro
Mike & Anne's
Maison Akira

UNDER $25:
Bite Bar
Clementine
Giang Nan
Four Cafe
Heirloom Bakery

-----
Mike & Anne's
1040 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA 91030

Giang Nan
306 N Garfield Ave, Monterey Park, CA

Maison Akira Restaurant
713 E. Green St., Pasadena, CA 91101

Noir Food & Wine
40 North Mentor Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91106

[maxzook]

Since 2002, how many restaurants in the San Fernando Valley have made it to the Chowhound LA Top 10?

(Answer tomorrow.)

[maxzook]

Answer; No SFV restaurants have ever made it to the Top 10.

[ipsedixit]

And justifiably so.

[goldpackage]

over 25:
ado
providence
animal
test kitchen
piccolo

under 25:
bay cities
din tai fung
umami
sugarfish
mariscos chente

and how about an entire RIP category to track transitions made and maybe also to show a little love for talented chef/owners who made some costly mistakes (the hump), may or may not be coming back (grace), or even on a positive note just simply decided to re-invent/relocate but in so doing marked the end of a well known or even revered staple (sona)?

[burntwater]

or even on a positive note just simply decided to re-invent/relocate but in so doing marked the end of a well known or even revered staple (sona)?

Yes you are the first whisper of a Marisco Chente vote on this thread and it ranked number 4 last year.

[altstarr]

OVER $25
Test Kitchen
Valentino's
Pizzeria Mozza
Waterloo & City
Jose Andres The Bazaar

UNDER $25
Savoy Grill
Versailles
Javan
Pho 79
Lemonade

[sushigirlie]

So many under-appreciated Persian restaurants around. Nice to see someone include one.

[Ciao Bob]

OVER
Urasawa
Osteria Mozza
Animal
Sushi Zo
Madeo

UNDER
Hunan Seafood
Din Tai Fung
Ham Ji Park
Jitlada
JTHY Noodle

-----
Din Tai Fung Restaurant
1108 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007

Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Urasawa Restaurant
218 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Sushi Zo
9824 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Madeo Restaurant
8897 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Hunan Seafood Restaurant
8772 E Valley Blvd, Rosemead, CA 91770

Ham Ji Park
3407 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[carter]

We need to get together more often at the under $25 restaurants you mention.
Hunan Seafood, DTF and Jitlada are 3 of my favs. Newport Seafood is also on that list.

-----
Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Hunan Seafood Restaurant
8772 E Valley Blvd, Rosemead, CA 91770

[A5 KOBE]

Over $25
CUT
Animal
Mozza
XIV
Bazaar

Under $25
Santouka
Brent's
Pollo Ala Brasa
Langer's
Bludso's

[Ginger9]

Thanks for doing this poll again!

Over $25:
-------------
Providence
AOC
Bazaar
Melisse
Urasawa

Under $25:
---------------
Jitlada
Musha
Father's Office
Huckleberry
Soot Bull Jeep

-----
AOC
8022 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Urasawa Restaurant
218 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Soot Bull Jeep
3136 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Musha
424 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Father's Office Bar
1618 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA

[hlv2eat]

Over $25

Melisse
Providence
Drago Centro
Sushi Zo
Test Kitchen

Under $25
Mozza2go
Mo-Chica
Let's Be Frank
Father's Office
LAMill

-----
Tender Greens
9523 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Sushi Zo
9824 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Drago Centro
525 S. Flower St., Suite 120, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Father's Office Bar
1618 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA

Mo-Chica
3655 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007

[avivale]

Over $25
Saddle Peak Lodge
Rivera
Maison Akira
Ajisai
Red White and Bluezz

Under $25
Europane
Daisy Mint
Phillips BBQ
Panini Garden
Burrito Express

[TailbackU]

Over $25
Hatfields
Palate Food and Wine
Bistro LQ
Eva
Mastros

Under $25
Golden State
Gobi Mongolian bbq
Senor Fish
Ye Rustic Inn
Moo Dae Po

-----
Ye Rustic Inn
1831 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

The Golden State
426 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036

Wine Bistro
11915 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

Mastros Restaurant
2087 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

[peppermonkey]

Damn this is impossible!
Over
Ludobites
Testkitchen
Bistro LQ
Kiyokawa
Spago

Under
Kobawoo
Park's BBQ
Father's Office
101 Noodle Express
Chego

-----
Park's BBQ
955 S. Vermont Ave, Suite G, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

101 Noodle Express
1408 E Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91801

Father's Office Bar
1618 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA

Bistro LQ
8009 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Kobawoo Restaurant
698 S Vermont Ave Ste 109, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Chego
3300 Overland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034

[Porthos]

Park's BBQ is not under $25. Even for people not afflicted with The Hunger.

-----
Park's BBQ
955 S. Vermont Ave, Suite G, Los Angeles, CA 90006

[peppermonkey]

For 2, we normally get 1 order of kalbi which is like 30 and a soup which is like 12-15. When we go with a larger group, usually you can get by for even less. This is not including alcohol of course.

[ipsedixit]

Sometimes I wonder why need a demarcation between +/- $25 restaurants.

If it's an ultimate restaurant, what difference does it make that it's either expensive, or not.

Is Langer's (for example) any less "ultimate" than, say, Providence, simply because it's menu prices start with a 1 and not a 2 or 3?

[maxzook]

The reason I broke out the over vs. under-$25 categories had nothing to do with segregating restaurants -- quite the opposite.

The first time Mr. Grub ran the poll in 2002, Langer's was #9 (two slots below Tito's Tacos, believe it or not.) Langer's showed up once more and then dropped off the list; the first year I ran the poll (2007) the cheapest restaurants on the top 10 were the Mozzas ... and Langer's didn't get a single vote.

When you spend the kind of $$$ that you have to spend on a high-class restaurant, I think it's natural to program yourself to think very highly of the experience, if not overrate it. However much we admire Jonathan Gold, we don't all think like him -- when we spend that kind of money on a meal, unless the result was truly awful we want to think the investment was well-spent.

I intended the over/under split to give a fair chance to places that don't have the cachet (or the cash) of upper-class haunts. And imho it's worked -- Langer's shot up to #2 in 2008, and last year it edged past Providence for #1. Not to mention that Jitlada, Father's Office and Bay Cities each got its first Top 10 nod.

[ipsedixit]

max,

This isn't a criticism of you, or your hard work in putting together this poll (for which I am forever grateful), but when you spend $$$ at Providence, the quality of the food should reflect the price paid. Same for Langer's. Which is not to say that the No. 19 is not good, but for what you pay for it, it is (according to most 'Hounds) simply pure pastrami nirvana.

Now, if you take that same No. 19 sandwich and served it at Providence and charged Providence prices, it wouldn't be the same pastrami nirvana experience, which, in my opinion would then make Providence less of an "ultimate" restaurant.

Again, this is not a critique of your work or methodology, but maybe it's just the purist in me babbling along.

When I think of the "ultimate restaurant in Los Angeles" my response is usually geared to this question: "What's the ultimate restaurant in Los Angeles, price no object."

I can think of many people (myself included) who would be more than content to chow down on a nice juicy burger from, say, Wolfgang's Steakhouse without giving another thought to any 12 course tasting menu at Providence, or Melisse, or XIV or wherever.

Just my 0.02.

Again, thanks for all your hardwork.

[sushigirlie]

I don't really agree with the thrust of this post. There's a huge correlation between price and food quality. I'm sure Langer's pastrami tastes delicious to big meat eaters but the restaurant overall is mediocre. No Michelin starred restaurant would serve the kind of crap I've eaten at Langer's. I'm a big fan of many restaurants in the SGV, but let's face it -- the attention to detail is usually low, the quality of the ingredients is often poor, and the "25% everything else" is generally abysmal.

I actually think there's quite the opposite tendency on this site and in J. Gold's list. People undervalue expensive restaurants because they're too expensive to eat at regularly. I mean, who in his or her right mind would rather eat at Giang Nan than Urasawa?

[aching]

"Who in his or her right mind would rather eat at Giang Nan than Urasawa?"

A lot of people - if they are the ones who are going to be paying! =)

-----
Urasawa Restaurant
218 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Giang Nan
306 N Garfield Ave, Monterey Park, CA

[sushigirlie]

Heh. It's telling that I've been to Urasawa once and Giang Nan four times.

-----
Urasawa Restaurant
218 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Giang Nan
306 N Garfield Ave, Monterey Park, CA

[maxzook]

Another thing -- the way I tally the points, the over/under split has no effect on the restaurant's final ranking.

Let's say Park's BBQ ends up with twelve points from three voters and one first-place in the over-25 category, versus nine points from four voters in the under-25. It will be listed in the over-25 column because it got the most points from there, but it will be tallied with its full total of twenty-one points, seven voters and one first-place -- the same as if everyone had ranked it as an over-25.

[mc michael]

I think your split is a good way of counter-balancing the cognitive dissonance that can arise from paying a lot at high end spots.

[BubblyOne]

+1, hoping for an OC list, Ann?

[Porthos]

I guess if you SHARE the order of kalbe... ;-)

Maybe that's why people have said they won't go to dim sum with me.

[hambriento]

Over

Urusawa
Melisse
Animal
Osteria mozza
Providence

Under
Oinkster
Portos
Yucas
Wat dong moon lek noodle
El chato Taco truck on la brea & Olympic

-----
Oinkster
2005 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041

Yuca's
2056 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

[emosbaugh]

under:
ricky's fish tacos
jitlada
forage
langers
dan sung sa

over:
church and state
hungry cat
babita
chiba
angelini osteria

-----
Angelini Osteria
7313 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036

The Hungry Cat
1535 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Babita
1823 S San Gabriel Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Langer's Delicatessen
704 S Alvarado St, Los Angeles, CA 90057

Chiba Japanese Restaurant
11713 Saticoy St, North Hollywood, CA 91605

Dan Sung SA
3317 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Jitalda Restaurant
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Church & State
1850 Industrial Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Forage
3823 W Sunset Blvd,, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Ricky's Fish Tacos
1400 N Virgil Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

[Obessed]

Over $25
Bistro LQ
Rivera
Pizzeria Mozza
Hungry Cat
Tasting Kitchen

Under $25
Mercantile
Jitlada
Baby Blues BBQ
Spitz
Angeli Cafe

-----
The Hungry Cat
1535 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Baby Blues BBQ
444 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Bistro LQ
8009 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[mc michael]

where is Chino Wayne to offer some Inland Empire input and balance?

[samtron608]

over $25
Animal
Providence
Angelini Osteria
Pizzeria Mozza
Parks BBQ

Under $25
Langers
Golden State
HamjiPark

-----
Angelini Osteria
7313 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036

The Golden State
426 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036

Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[carter]

Is Parks BBQ really over $25?
God, then why is everyone complaining about the prices at the Boneyard Bistro in Sherman Oaks, which is also over $25? The Boneyard's ribs are really good, yet whether I include them or the place on my top 5, not sure.

-----
Boneyard Bistro
13539 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

[ipsedixit]

Yes, it is over $25.

And why is it a better bargain than Boneyard? Because you get panchan included, as well as more BBQ, and in my opinion, better BBQ than Boneyard.

[carter]

Who said it was better? All I said was that people bitch about the prices at the boneyard, yet these prices at Parks are obviously no handout either.
And whether you want panchan, or two sides of the four offered at the boneyard is of personal preference.
As to better bbq, well.......

[ipsedixit]

Who said it was better?
________________________

I said it was better.

[manku]

I'm going to limit my list to those I've visited in 2010 - which is probably shortchanging more deserving establishments, but here it is:

Over $25:

Kagaya
Osteria Mozza
Bouchon
Yu-n-Mi Sushi

Under $25:

Bay Cities
Yuca's
Din Tai Fun
Santouka Ramen
Elite

-----
Yuca's
2056 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Santouka Ramen
21515 S Western Ave, Torrance, CA 90501

Kagaya
418 E. 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[Porthos]

I'd easily add Elite to my $25 and under but honestly, I've never made it out of Elite for $25 and under for dim sum!

[mc michael]

same with Sea Harbour but maybe it's a portion control issue

[Porthos]

No portion control issue...I just don't have any!

[mc michael]

I hear ya. LOL.

[ipsedixit]

When people mention places like Elite and Sea Harbour, they need to specify whether it's for dim sum or dinner. No way you can do dinner for under $25 at either Elite or Sea Harbour.

Plus, to be hypertechnical, dim sum should not even count because per maxzook, the $25 demarcation is for dinner only (i.e. "The price estimate is inclusive of FOOD ONLY for an average dinner order.").

[mc michael]

Now we get to the definition of dinner vs. supper. Is life complicated or what? But honestly, I can't do Elite or Sea Harbour for less than $25 at any meal if I have a bit of hunger. And Jitlada is the same (plus it appears their prices have increased). Don't ask me to do spice without beer.

-----
Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

[ipsedixit]

Now we get to the definition of dinner vs. supper. Is life complicated or what?
____________________

In this case, no. Because dim sum is served only at non-dinner times.

Again, this is not meant to contravene maxzook's instructions not to opine on another's votes for ultimate restaurants, just a request for clarification, or to make sure all the hanging chads are hanging in the right direction.

[Porthos]

"Plus, to be hypertechnical, dim sum should not even count because per maxzook, the $25 demarcation is for dinner only "

If that's the case, Langer's should not be allowed in this poll since it's not open after 4pm.

I'm with McM. Jitlada's portions are so small that it takes a minimum of 2 orders to tame the hunger and that easily puts it over the $25 mark. Mazook did clarify that the tab is for food only.

-----
Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

[ipsedixit]

If that's the case, Langer's should not be allowed in this poll since it's not open after 4pm.

______________________________

That's a really good point.

[maxzook]

Not to mention Square One or Bay Cities Deli.

Anyway, unlike the above, I *have* had dim sum for dinner, albeit not at any of the above restaurants.

I'll make a note to amend the instructions next year. It's not my intention to exclude *any* establishment that sells prepared food.

[mc michael]

Any idea who the leaders are at this point?

[maxzook]

I don't keep a running tally, in part because it's a pain in the butt but also because numbers and rankings can change very quickly. And this way, I get to be as surprised as everyone else.

[mc michael]

OK, surprise me!

[jdwdeville]

Under $25
Jitlada
Dansungsa
La Isla Bonita ceviche truck- Rose Ave, Venice
Pizzeria Mozza

Over $25
Tasting Kitchen
Lazy Ox
Mori
Kiriko
Osteria Mozza

[maxzook]

Remember: for purposes of this poll, any establishment that serves prepared food or drink counts as a restaurant. Food trucks? Ice-cream / gelato places? 7-Elevens? They're all eligible.

[mc michael]

Now you got me thinking about Yuca's.

-----
Yuca's
2056 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

[maxzook]

They got two points last year.

[honkman]

OVER $25
Bistro LQ
Providence
Hatfield's
Osteria Mozza
Animal

UNDER $25
Langer's Deli
Scoops
LAMill
Koqi BBQ
Intelligentsia

[Mr Grub]

Over $25
Providence – perfection on a plate
Drago Centro – outstanding tasting menu
Lucques – comfort, sophistication, flavor
Jar – steakhouse for epicures
Babita – Roberto elevates Mex cuisine

Under $25
Langer’s – pastrami nirvana
Pollo ala Brasa – best chicken on earth (seriously)
Maria’s Seafood (GCM) – fish tacos & more
Tommy’s (Bev/Rampart) – slurpin’ great burger
Oki Dog – yeah, yeah, I know. just because.

-----
Oki Dog
860 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Lucques
8474 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069

Drago Centro
525 S. Flower St., Suite 120, Los Angeles, CA 90071

[lapizzamaven]

under $25...Brent's, Antica Pizzeria, Tacomiendo, Sea Harbour, Joe's Pizza

-----
Tacomiendo
11462 Gateway Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

[New Trial]

+:

Animal
Mori Sushi
Ortolan
Osteria Mozza
Providence

-:

Bay Cities
Bite
Elite
Langer's
Monte Alban

-----
Providence
5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Langer's Delicatessen
704 S Alvarado St, Los Angeles, CA 90057

Monte Alban
11927 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Ortolan
8338 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Elite Restaurant
700 S Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754

Mori Sushi
11500 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Animal
435 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
1517 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Bite Bar & Bakery
3221 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405

Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[toonoble]

Over:

Animal
Gjelina
Lucques
Pizzeria Mozza
Angelini Osteria

Under:

Langers
Ricky's Fish Tacas
Fathers Office
Hide Sushi
Golden Triangle

-----
Golden Triangle
7011 Greenleaf Ave, Whittier, CA 90602

[bopdd]

Top Five Under $25 a person

Electric Karma
Bay Cities Deli
Ricky's Fish Tacos
Chichen Itza
Pizzeria Mozza

Over $25

Providence
AOC
Hungry Cat
Osteria Mozza
Spago

[rickym13]

under 25

langer's
bollini
elite dim sum
santouka ramen
father's office burger

over 25

test kitchen
drago centro
osteria mozza
melisse
mori

[mrhooks]

Over $25:
Urasawa
Providence
Bistro LQ
Ortolan
Animal

Under $25:
Ramen Yamadaya
Izakaya Bincho
Asa Ramen
Langer's
Golden State Café

[jadekarrde]

Under 25$
26 Beach
Wally's Cheesebox
Santouka Ramen
Bay Cities Italian Deli
Black Cow Cafe

over 25
Jose Andres The Bazaar
Lou on Vine
Drago Centro
Bite Bar and Bakery
The Foundry

[sushigirlie]

The Cheeseboard...in Berkeley?

[jadekarrde]

dammit, I was thinking of the Wally's Cheesebox and my brain spat out Cheeseboard, editing.

[terwilliger]

OVER $25

Lucques
4 on 6
Church & State
Pizzeria Mozza
Animal

Under $25
Mendocino Farms
Golden State
Tacos Baja Ensenada
Dean Sin World
KyoChon

-----
Lucques
8474 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069

Dean Sin World
306 N Garfield Ave # 2, Monterey Park, CA

Tacos Baja Ensenada
385 W Whittier Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640

Church & State
1850 Industrial Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021

The Golden State
426 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036

Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Mendocino Farms
444 S Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90071

[cleanhead]

Over:
Luques
Cut
Lazy Ox
Pizzaria Mozza
Jar

Under
Osteria Mamma
Cemitas Poblanas-Don Adrian
Khun Dang Thai on Sherman Way
Viet Noodle Bar
Sweetsalt

-----
Viet Noodle Bar
3133 1 2 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Khun Dang Thai Restaurant
10134 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Chatsworth, CA 91311

Osteria Mamma
5730 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

[Porthos]

Over $25
Mori Sushi
Pizzeria Mozza
Bistro LQ
Urasawa
Providence

Under 25
Dean Sin World
Sapp
Bay Cities
Father's Office

-----
Urasawa Restaurant
218 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Dean Sin World
306 N Garfield Ave # 2, Monterey Park, CA

Bistro LQ
8009 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Mori Sushi
34320 Pacific Coast Hwy Ste B, Dana Point, CA 92629

[loblaw]

Over
Mori
Gos Mart
Providence
Melisse
Test Kitchen

Under
Langers
Kyochon
Olio
Rickys Fish Tacos
mexicali taco co

[PaliBruin]

Under $25

King Taco
Phillipes
Juniors
Casa Escobar (Santa Monica)
Nook

Over $25

Angelini Osteria
Melisse
Lucques
AOC
Josie

-----
Angelini Osteria
7313 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036

AOC
8022 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Lucques
8474 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069

[Peripatetic]

Thanks for doing this for another year! It's a great CH-LA tradition.

OVER $25

Pizzeria Mozza
Lou on Vine
Dal Rae

$25 OR LESS

Langer's Deli
Izakaya Bincho
Dean Sin World
Seongbukdong
Sea Harbour Seafood

[culinarycurmudgeon]

OVER
Hatfield's
Palate
Hungry Cat
Cleo's
Mozza Pizzeria

UNDER
Golden State
Rodded
Mercantile
Oaks Gourmet
Stout

-----
The Hungry Cat
1535 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Rodded
5623 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

The Golden State
426 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036

Oaks Gourmet
1915 N Bronson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068

[yogachik]

Under $25
Bay Cities
Musha
Fathers Office
A Frame
Huckleberry

Over $25
Bottega Louie
Catch at Casa del Mar
Gjelina
Rustic Canyon
Spago

[mc michael]

Basing the recs on places I've been in the past year...
over
Drago Centro
Sea Harbour
Hungry Cat
R23
Red White + Bluezz

Under
Jitlada
Seafood Village
Full House
Umami
Tonny's

-----
The Hungry Cat
1535 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Red White & Bluezz
70 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105

Tonny's Restaurant
843 E Orange Grove Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104

Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Full House Seafood Restaurant
1220 S Golden West Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007

Seafood Village
9669 Las Tunas Dr, Temple City, CA 91780

R23
923 E. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Drago Centro
525 S. Flower St., Suite 120, Los Angeles, CA 90071

[sushigirlie]

Over 25
Water Grill
Spago
Urasawa
Mori Sushi
Sushi Zo

Under 25
Momed
Lemonade
Zelo
Jitlada
Al Noor

-----
Water Grill
544 South Grand, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Urasawa Restaurant
218 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Sushi Zo
9824 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Al Noor
15112 Inglewood Ave, Lawndale, CA 90260

Mori Sushi
11500 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Momed
233 S Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

[sushigirlie]

I've changed my mind about things! Also, I read the instructions.

Over 25
Urasawa
Tasting Kitchen
Spago
Mori Sushi
Water Grill

Under 25
Zelo
Jitlada
Momed
Mo-Chica
Yoma

-----
Water Grill
544 South Grand, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Urasawa Restaurant
218 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Mori Sushi
11500 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Yoma Restaurant
713 E Garvey Ave, Monterey Park, CA

Mo-Chica
3655 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Momed
233 S Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

[maxzook]

Change noted.

[Grog]

<$25
Marouch
Viet Noodle Bar
Umami Burger
Jitlada
Pollo La Brasa

>$25
Providence
Bistro LQ
Osteria Mozza
Hatfield's
Gjelina

-----
Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Ruen Pair Restaurant
5257 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Marouch Restaurant
4905 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029, USA

Viet Noodle Bar
3133 1 2 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Umami Burger
850 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, USA

Bistro LQ
8009 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Umami Burger
4655 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[RicRios]

OVER $25
Providence
Mori
Valentino
Test Kitchen
Carlitos Gardel

UNDER $25
El Parian
Umami
Shalom Pizza
Dino's
La Adelita

[aching]

Under $25
Mendocino Farms
Bay Cities Deli
Umami Burger
Father's Office
Bottega Louie

Over $25
Gjelina
Pizzera Mozza
Lazy Ox
Rivera
Animal

-----
Umami Burger
850 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Father's Office Bar
1618 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA

Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, USA

Bottega Louie
700 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Mendocino Farms
300 S Grand Ave Ste Lp40, Los Angeles, CA 90071

[wienermobile]

Thanks so much for doing this again...

Under $25
Langer's
Brent's
Mendocino Farms
Bay Cities Deli
Daikokuya

Over $25
Park's BBQ
Gjelina
Sea Harbour
Spago
Pizzera Mozza