79767 Fri Mar 17 13:06:12 -0800 2006 8 2 Los Angeles Area 0 440824 For lunch today? Thanks! I posted this request last night but only 1 response. Also, new question - save room for dessert or not? Fri Mar 17 13:06:12 -0800 2006 0 Sasha 1 440838 Pasta = Bombolotti all' amatriciana. Dessert = Only once, not too memorable. Susina Bakery is not too far away, have heard good things about their dessert offerings. Susina Bakery & Cafe (323) 934-7900 (323) 934-7963 7122 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90036 Fri Mar 17 13:34:35 -0800 2006 440824 0 rabo encendido 1 440842 It's awfully heavy for lunch, but the spaghetti carbonara is to die... Link: http://clippertalk.blogspot.com Fri Mar 17 13:37:02 -0800 2006 440824 0 jcwla 1 440848 Hm...I'd go for the branzino, but that might be heavy for lunch, too, and it's not pasta. I did like their desserts - chocolate costada (sp?) with coffee ice cream, and oh--get the glass of marscapone =) Drop by Susina if you can and bring home a box of the cutest, most delicious small cookies, or any of their baked goods. chica Fri Mar 17 13:53:44 -0800 2006 440824 0 cj 1 440850 For dessert, the affogato is simple, fantastic and perfect post-lunch. Vanilla gelato with a shot of very strong espresso. Fri Mar 17 13:55:33 -0800 2006 440824 0 Bob 1 440909 My favorite dessert is the cassata. They don't always have it, but it's definitely worth saving room for. Fri Mar 17 16:01:11 -0800 2006 440824 0 LT from LF 1 440933 Thanks for all your suggestions. We had a lovely, if expensive lunch. I wanted to take the suggestion of the pasta with giuncale, but it wasn't on the menu, and the carbonara was too heavy, so we went with a daily special - papardelli with lamb bolognaise. The meat was finely diced rather than ground, meltingly good, and the sauce was subtle with the flavor of carrot, onion, and a bit of tomato. The pasta was perfectly al dente and very comforting on a cool rainy day. We rounded out the pasta with two appetizers - a wild combination of green cauliflower tossed in an anchovy vinagrette with sliced tomatoes, anchovy fillets, and toasted pinenuts (very good) and grilled sausage with cannelini beans and pickled red onions in an herbed oil. We sopped up the flavored oils as inconspicuously as we could with the delicious bread in the mixed basked we received. We also tried a complimentary plate of their red beet with burrata appetizer, which was wonderful. The meal ended with affogado (vanilla gelato with espresso) and the mascarpone for dessert (very rich, but delicious amaretti crumbles soaked in brandy). I wanted cheese, but couldn't find it on the menu, and assumed it was a dinner thing without asking. Damage for 2 apps, pasta, and 2 non boozy drinks, tax and tip was $70. It is nice though to be able to really enjoy a well crafted and inventive meal as a break from the food court forgettable lunches that stand in as nourishment the remainder of the time. Can't wait to return! Fri Mar 17 17:50:18 -0800 2006 440824 0 Sasha 2 440947 Don't know if it's a peculiarly LA thing - I suspect it's more a European thing - but I've noticed that asking after a cheese plate often results in one being brought, even if it's not on the menu. We've done that twice at Bistro de la Gare, and gotten a very good and prettily prepared one both times. Fri Mar 17 18:53:53 -0800 2006 440933 0 Will Owen 3 440969 I was almost going to and then my husband said he wanted to go straight to dessert. I will twist his arm next time. Fri Mar 17 20:20:09 -0800 2006 440947 0 Sasha