Top 5 tastes of 2010

[Porthos]

Guess the moderators didn't like the last post where I included tastes outside of LA.

Let's try this again. The SF board often does a top 5 tastes of 2010 at the end of the year so we can remind ourselves that life is good. Rules: must be in 2010.

Mine are:

1. Hokkaido hairy crab kani miso (crab brains/mustard) at Mori
2. Sea urchin tapioca pudding at Bistro LQ
3. Cheese cart at Bistro LQ
4. Braised oxtails at Mozza2go's Mangiare in Famiglia
5. Pork Blolognese with Parmigiano souffle at Mozza2go's Mangiare in Famiglia

What are yours?

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Bistro LQ
8009 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[Tom P]

No particular order:

- Brandade with roasted tomatoes at CANELE: served with toasted rustic bread, this is incredible.

- Bouillabaisse at CHURCH & STATE: just had this for the first time, when a friend ordered it. Wow.

- Caesar Salad at the DAL RAE: even better than Musso's. This is the best in the city.

- Ricotta & Egg Raviolo with browned butter at OSTERIA MOZZA. Cutting into this ravioli and having the egg yolk run out into the browned butter sauce is one of life's great pleasures.

- French Fries at DELPHINE (in the W Hollywood): best in the city. Period.

[OC Mutt]

1 - Kogi anything - particularly kim chi quesadilla, spicy pork taco, short rib burrito
2 - Croque Madame - Bouchon
3 - Rocky road ice cream sandwich - Milk
4 - Blue Velvet Cake - Milk
5 - "Philly Cheese Steak" - The Bazaar

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Kogi
Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles, CA

[Jwsel]

1. Truffled egg (Melisse)
2 Foie gras w/ maple gravy and biscuit (Animal)
3. Seared toro sushi (Kiriko)
4. Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate -- four separate chocolate preparations (Melisse)
5. Grilled Octopus with potatoes, celery & lemon/ Ricotta & Egg Raviolo with browned butter (tie - Osteria Mozza)

Honorable mention: lengua ravioli (Lazy Ox); asparagus with poached egg and bacon (Animal); pigs ear with chile and limon (Animal); misoyaki butterfish (Roy's); sea eel with salt and yuzu (Kiriko); bluefin tuna sashimi with truffle oil (Kiriko);; sweet corn agnolloti (Spago); birria taco (El Taco Llama); tamale con mole negro (Guelaguetza); gnocchi bolognese (Spumoni); rock 'n' Roll - baked scallop and avocado handroll (Cho Cho San); oyster on the half-shell (Sushi Ichiban Kan); baked green mussels (Sushi Ichiban Kan); and Gabriel Coulet Le Petit .Cave cheese (Wallys) on chocolate-cherry bread (La Brea Bakery).

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Melisse Restaurant
1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

Kiriko
11301 W Olympic Blvd Ste 102, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Guelaguetza
3014 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Animal
435 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Spumoni Restaurant
14533 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Sushi Ichiban Kan
19723 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA

El Taco Llama
15708 Vanowen St, Van Nuys, CA 91406

El Taco Llama
11511 Sherman Way, North Hollywood, CA 91605

Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[goodhealthgourmet]

in no particular order:
Creamy Polenta with Truffled Fricassee of Mushrooms (Scarpetta)
Roasted Sea Scallops with Caramelized Sunchoke Puree and Porcini Mushrooms (Scarpetta)
Braised Beef Short Ribs (Craft)
Chocolate Cake w/Burnt Orange Caramel Gelato & Espresso Sauce (Scarpetta)
Huckleberry Yogurt Sorbet (Craft)

[kevin]

I see a couple of running threads. Both bistro LQ and lazy ox tavern. Both of which are at the very least inventive.

[Porthos]

Thats the other thing this thread is good for...to help plan 2011. I've made reservations at Scarpetta in 2 weeks for the polenta with fricassee of mushrooms.

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Scarpetta
225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[goodhealthgourmet]

agreed - i've now got my eye on several dishes in this thread.

[kevin]

same here. now.

i heard there's a pop of bouhon bakery there too,

is scarpetta in the same hotel as Bouchon Beverly Hills/

i definitely gotta try Scarpetta if only for the 24 dollar spaghetti and meatballs.

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Scarpetta
225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[baloney]

It's directly across from Bouchon, cross the garden. And the spaghetti doesn't come with meatballs! Not worth the price in my opinion, even if it did have meatballs.

[kevin]

what otyher dishes are good there again? and how are the desserts, is there a a nice bar or counter for single dining?

[goodhealthgourmet]

for solo dining, snag a seat at the counter back in the kitchen and watch the action.

appetizers: the polenta is a must, as are the scallops. i hear the braised short ribs are fabulous but i haven't had them yet.

i can't weigh in on the spaghetti or any of the other pastas because i can't eat it :(

entrees - branzino & black cod are both excellent. ash-spiced venison is tender & beautiful, but you need to like anise - lots of it in the spice rub.

desserts: again, my options are limited, but the chocolate cake (flourless) is positively sublime, and the accompanying burnt orange caramel gelato is wonderful.

[baloney]

Agree with ghg, the polenta is pretty good, scallops were okay but not super memorable. At Scarpetta NY, I had a tasty seafood pasta dish that I much preferred to the spaghetti and all other pasta dishes I've tried at the BH location, but I don't know if it's on the menu here.

Can't weigh in on dessert, have not partaken in them.

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Scarpetta
225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[goodhealthgourmet]

the BH location had scialatielli with uni & crab on the menu when they first opened, not sure if they still do.

[baloney]

No, it was different I think, there was some shellfish in there for sure along with a little uni. Don't think there was crab though, but it makes sense that there would be here!

[hong_kong_foodie]

Agreed. And Osteria Mozza is soooo much better and closer to the real thing you find in Italy than Scarpetta.

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Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Scarpetta
225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[fdb]

To kevin: With all respect, if you don't think Bistro LQ and Lazy Ox are inventive, may I ask what intrigues you?

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Bistro LQ
8009 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[kevin]

i said if i'm not mistaken that both are inventive, at the very least, which is favorable for them, i just was not wowed by lazy ox, but it seems like that it's getting a lot better than from when it first opened.

still the tasting menu, for me, that I think is incredible is the 10 or 12 courser from Spago in the evening (the day time one is just not that great, unless you are very very very adamant about them serving up a dinner time style tasting menu) amazingly great stuff, actually superb stuff.

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[honkman]

The most recent 10 course tasting menu at Spago was very disappointing - uninspired food and mediocre service. Spago tends to live by its reputation. There are many better places now in LA for great tasting menus as Providence, Hatfields, Bistro LQ

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Bistro LQ
8009 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[kevin]

We will have to disagree with that. Spago was very interesting and delicious for the tasting menu at dinner time, with the proviso that Hefter has to be in the kitchen, and you order the full tasting menu, what's not stated on the menu. Granted it's been a while that I have been there for a while...

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[honkman]

We went to Sapgo when Hefter was in and had the full tasting menu but felt that the quality has been considerable low than the several times we have been before.

[fdb]

Sorry I misread your comment. Time to give Lazy Ox another try. I've been there 3 times lately, and have not stopped being amazed by the new dishes that I tried each time.

I can't comment on Spago as I haven't dined there recently but Bistro LQ is quite good for the price it charges. Providence chef tasting menu still ranks no. 1 as far as I am concerned.

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Bistro LQ
8009 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[Searching4Dunny]

1. Sea urchin tapioca pudding at Bistro LQ
2. Flatiron steak with truffle parmesean fondue at Animal
3. "Black Label Burger" (w/ bone marrow butter) at Crowbar Kitchen (OC)
4. Truffle Egg at Melisse
5. Persimmon Cake w/ Ginger Ice Cream at Hidden Kitchen

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Bistro LQ
8009 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Hidden Kitchen
750 Saint Clair St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

[aching]

- Creamy farro with marrow butter (Lazy Ox)
- Butterscotch pot de creme (Gjelina)
- Ooey gooey fries (Chego)
- Bacon and peanut butter ice cream sandwich (Coolhaus)
- Crispy broccoli (The Gorbals)

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The Gorbals
501 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

[hyacinthgirl]

1. Flatiron steak with truffle parmesean fondue at Animal
2. Burrata, tomato, foccacia and lemon basil at Mozza2go's Mangiare in Famiglia
3. Waffle with strawberry preserve at Nick's Cafe
4. Lemon ricotta pancakes at Gjelina
5. Greek pizza at Cayenne cafe

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

[cdub]

oxtail pot pie (lazy ox)
burger (lazy ox)
pork belly bowl (chego)
foie gras w/ maple gravy and biscuit (animal)
bone marrow (mozza)

that oxtail pot pie was the one that still sticks out in my mind. if they still have it as a special, it's a must have.

[tastycakes]

in no particular order:

apricot sorbetto, bulgarini
foie gras parfait, district
bruleed ono, sushi central
braised beef cheeks with corn puree, XIV
banana and buckwheat dessert at providence

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XIV
8117 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046

[fdb]

1. Caramelized Cauliflower with Pine Nuts, Chili Flake & Mint (Lazy Ox)
2. Butterscotch Pudding (Lazy Ox)
3 Foie Gras w/ Asian Pear & Daikon (Lazy Ox)
4. Lengua Ravioli w/Pine Nuts & Lebni (Lazy Ox)
5. Lobster Roll w/ Mayo (Lobsta Truck)

[tastycakes]

damn it, i went to lazy ox for the1st time yesterday and the lengua ravioli was on the specials board - but if course NOT serving it for lunch =(

[sushigirlie]

Branzino with chanterelles at Tasting Kitchen
Tuna tartar with coconut cream, green papaya, and chilis at Water Grill
Duck shawarma sandwich at Momed
Crab, uni, and caviar at Go's Mart
Laffa with hummus and pine nuts at Hummus Bar & Grill

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Water Grill
544 South Grand, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Go's Mart
22330 Sherman Way # C12, Canoga Park, CA

Momed
233 S Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

[honkman]

Sepia + Oatmeal + blood sausage (Bistro LQ)
Foie gras au torchon + head cheese +sweet corn + vegetable salad (Bistro LQ)
Foie Gras two ways: Seared foie gras + pistachio glace + fig, foie gras au torchon + chartreuse gelee (Bistro LQ)
Duck gizzard + mushrooms + quail egg + red wine gelee (Bistro LQ)
Crouton + bone marrow + huckleberry + black truffles (Bistro LQ)

And an honorable mention for the most unusual (and one of the best) palate cleanser – escamoles with guacamole (Bistro LQ)

[Porthos]

Sepia + Oatmeal + blood sausage (Bistro LQ)
=====================================
The blood sausage at Bistro LQ is amazing. The texture was, for lack of a better word, silky. It is no hyberbole when I say it's the best I've ever had.

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Bistro LQ
8009 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[fdb]

Yes, those blood sausages are really AMAZING!!!

[fdb]

honkman: I see you are a big fan of Bistro LQ. I went there for the first time last night for a 10-course tasting menu and some items were really amazing:

Venison Tartar w/ quail egg & pomme frites -- best venison I've ever had and perfectly light and crispy fries (and I'm not even a game person)
Uni Tapioca Pudding -- I see this is many people's favorite
Veal Sweetbread w/ potato coulis -- perfect texture and flavor for sweetbread
Foie Gras Tostada -- a little Mexican twist, perfect with the sweet sauterne pairing
Black Bass w/ Blood Sausage & Duck Wings -- OMG, just love the blood sausage!!!

I think Bistro LQ deserves more love from Chowhounders!

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Bistro LQ
8009 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[kevin]

sounds good, what was the price of the 10courser? like about 80 bucks per or more? or what/

[fdb]

$90 (+$50 if you do wine paring)

I've posted another thread with a little more description.

[Porthos]

Bistro LQ deserves more love in general. That blood sausage is superb. I'm going back for the 10 course tasting next week with a group of 4. Used someone's birthday as an excuse.

Btw, tried the mushroom fricasse with polenta at Scarpetta last night. It was good but I'd probably put it tied or a notch below my 5th choice: Pork Blolognese with Parmigiano souffle at Mozza2go.

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Bistro LQ
8009 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Scarpetta
225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[fdb]

Bistro LQ is serving an 18-course $200 truffle tasting menu on Thursdays only. Just saying.

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Bistro LQ
8009 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[honkman]

Great to hear that you enjoyed Bistro LQ. Even though we live in San Diego we travel very regular to LA for extended foodie weekends and stop very often at Bistro LQ. Eric (Maitre D') mentioned recently that we have been one of their best customers this year. We might have had their 10-course tasting menu 7-8 times this year and Laurent always surprises us with new creations. Even though we had about 80-90 dishes combined over the year we didn't have any duplicates.

[ipsedixit]

1. Bucatini with Guanciale (Valentino)
2. Olive Oil bonbon (Saam)
3. Salted duck egg custard tart with fried taro root shavings (Sea Harbour)
4. Half Raw Egg with Salmon Roe (Torihei)
5. Butterscotch budino (Pizzeria Mozza)

[Porthos]

4. Half Raw Egg with Salmon Roe (Torihei)
===================================

Excellent call.