75574 Wed Nov 16 20:10:34 -0800 2005 13 2 Los Angeles Area 0 416068 All right, I'm insanely curious about Crudo. When I was in Italy, I heard all the hullabaloo about this new raw-eating-craze, but I didn't have a chance to partake. I've also heard rumors that LA might have a spot or two to try Crudo (which, by the way, is the Italians answer to sushi - think raw is raw? Not so fast!) NY has a few Crudo bars - can some one point me to an LA spot and give a review/breakdown, if it exists? Grazzie! poetkitty Wed Nov 16 20:10:34 -0800 2005 0 PoetKitty 1 416071 crudo exists a th the italian restaurnat called Il grano at sant monica blvd. and sawtelle or a little west of sawtelle on santa monica. there's a fantasia de crudo with yellowtail, salmon, albacore, and tuna all slicked with olive oil or lemon and salt. interesting. i don't think i like it as much as sashimi from a sushi bar though. though supposedly the chef gets it all from the same fish markets that japanese chefs visit. Wed Nov 16 20:17:23 -0800 2005 416068 0 kevin 2 416172 One word for the crudo at Il Grano: BOOOOORING! Thu Nov 17 13:12:04 -0800 2005 416071 0 jcwla 3 416252 I have to say it's not consistent. The first time we had it was great. Was not impressed a couple times after that. Thu Nov 17 18:45:10 -0800 2005 416172 0 angie 2 416334 Il Grano Crudo is great. Especially if you are getting the Tasting Menu. Chef Sal is at the fish market every morning at 4AM along with the Sushi Chefs. If you think that good Sushi needs Shoyu and Wasabi, you won't be impressed. If you appreciate fresh fish for it's quality and nuance of textures, you will be impressed. In years past, Crudo used to be totally unpredictable as far as which types of fish would be on the plate. Since the recent remodel, there is more predictability as to which fish are on the plate, fewer different types of fish, no oyster and usually no tartares. That said, it is still pretty great. Thu Nov 17 22:28:17 -0800 2005 416071 0 Just Larry 1 416072 I don't have a review, but there's Il Grano. Santa Monica blvd a few blocks west of the 405. Wed Nov 16 20:17:37 -0800 2005 416068 0 DB 2 416094 I have had crudo at Il Grano (only once, alas) and it was delicious. The fish was tuna. There were three pieces of it (one or two bites each). The plate was beautifully presented. Each piece of tuna had a tiny bite or two of a salad made with a different very tiny green, and each had a different dressing. Wonderful. Wed Nov 16 21:28:59 -0800 2005 416072 0 Dorothy 3 416503 Also had it only once at IG, and it was just as you describe it: a pleasure to look at and eat. Fri Nov 18 17:05:50 -0800 2005 416094 0 quiz wrangler 1 416086 In most incarnations it is raw fish slicked with olive oil and salt. Sometimes lemon. And to be precise, it is the Italian-American response to sushi. Sona, Providence, and Il Grano all do it. Wed Nov 16 20:58:58 -0800 2005 416068 0 JudiAU 2 416134 Had the most incredible crudo at Water Grill recently--kampachi sashimi dripped with pistachio oil and citrus sauce. It surpassed Sona & Il Grano. (Have not tried Providence.) Thu Nov 17 02:32:40 -0800 2005 416086 0 angie 3 416151 Pistachio Oil? You know, I can't remember where I had it but I think I have had crudo with pistachio oil as well. Really good. Thu Nov 17 11:24:51 -0800 2005 416134 0 JudiAU 4 416170 Yes, pistachio oil on the kampachi is really GOOD! And everything else in Water Grill is just sublime! Highly recommend for any seafood lover. Thu Nov 17 12:58:28 -0800 2005 416151 0 angie 1 416149 Giorgio Baldi calls it "Fish Carpaccio" -- generally a mix of tuna, salmon and a whitefish topped with greens/tomato olive oil. Thu Nov 17 11:13:33 -0800 2005 416068 0 ciao Bob 2 416168 I LOVE the beef carpaccio w/ white truffle sauce at Giorgio Baldi. Never tried fish. Will definitly try it next time. Thu Nov 17 12:55:36 -0800 2005 416149 0 angie