PLEASE POST YOUR VOTES HERE: Ultimate Los Angeles Restaurants 2011

[Peripatetic]

Several hounds lamented the absence of the Ultimate Los Angeles Restaurants poll this year:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/747594

The poll has been conducted for nine successive years (see results at bottom). Sadly, maxzook, who conducted the poll for the last four years, hasn't been heard from since July. I'd like to try to keep the tradition alive and -- while it's a little late in the year -- am going to attempt to conduct the poll this year, using the same excellent methodology used by maxzook in previous polls. Note that I will tabulate the poll only if there are 25 or more "ballots"; it will not be a very meaningful if there are fewer than that. Also, while the polling period is through January 16th, 2012, you should include only restaurants that opened in 2011 or earlier.

Here are maxzook's instructions for previous polls (with minor updates):

------------------------ Begin included text ------------------------

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 January 16, 2012, 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
2010, part 1: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/755965
2010, part 2: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/755966

------------------------- End included text -------------------------

[wienermobile]

Over $25
Manhattan Beach Post
Park's BBQ
Sea Harbour
Providence
Fig

Under $25
Langer's
Brent's Deli
Mendocino Farms
Golden State
Stella Rosa Pizzeria Santa Monica

Thanks for doing this!

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

Providence
5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

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

Brent's Deli
19565 Parthenia St, Northridge, CA 91324

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

Fig
100 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

sea harbour
3939 Rosemead Blvd, Rosemead, CA 91770

Mendocino Farms
4724 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292

Manhattan Beach Post
1142 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Stella Rossa Pizza Bar
2000 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405

[wienermobile]

If it's not too late my I swap a vote for Milo and Olive instead of Stella Rossa Pizza Bar?

Revised Under $25
Langer's Deli
Brent's Deli
Mendocino Farms
Golden State
Milo and Olive

thanks.

-----
Milo and Olive
2723 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

[Peripatetic]

Not too late, changes noted.

[wienermobile]

Thanks again.

[AAQjr]

Under 25

1 Father's Office
2 Larry's
3 Chego
4 pizzeria Mozza
5 Bay Cities

Above 25

1. Melisse
2. Gjelina
3. Kiriko
4. Wolf in sheeps clothing
5. Animal

-----
Father's Office
1018 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403

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

Chego
3300 Overland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034

[mc michael]

Over (this year)
Sea Harbour
Son of a Gun
Newport Seafood
Mission 261
Green Street Tavern

Under
Jitlada
Seafood Village
Full House
Wood Spoon
U2 Cafe

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

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

Newport Seafood House
835 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Wood Spoon
107 W Ninth St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

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

Mission 261 Restaurant
261 S Mission Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Green Street Tavern
69 W. Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91105

U2 Cafe
1200 E Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91801

Son of a Gun
8370 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[Peripatetic]

Do you know whether all three Seafood Villages (Monterey Park, Temple City, Rowland Heights) are under the same ownership?

[Cosanostra]

Over $25

Melisse
Osteria Mozza
Providence
Angelini Osteria
Hungry Cat (Santa Monica)

Under $25

Phillipes
King Taco
Brent's Deli
Casa Escobar
Cafe Vida (Pac Palisades)

[Peripatetic]

There are two Casa Escobars: one in Santa Monica and one in Westlake Village. They appear to be under separate ownership: the website of the Westlake Village location (http://www.casaescobar.com/) makes no reference to the Santa Monica location, and the ABC license database lists different corporate entities (CASA ESCOBAR WILSHIRE INC vs CASA ESCOBAR WESTLAKE CORP).

Which one are you voting for?

[Cosanostra]

Casa Escobar Santa Monica

[Peripatetic]

Thanks.

[sushigirlie]

Over $25
Urasawa
Mori Sushi
Tasting Kitchen
Pizzeria Mozza
Drago Centro

Under $25
Gjelina Take Away
Mo Chica
Mariscos Chente
Huckleberry
Shamshiri Grill

[Peripatetic]

I'm guessing you mean Coni Cossio's Mariscos Chente (the one with Sergio, at 3544 W Imperial Hwy) (I know it's purportedly been renamed Coni'Seafood, but it's still in the health department database as Mariscos Chentes.)

Also, prima facie evidence indicates that the various Shamshiri Grills have separate ownership. I take it you're voting for the Westwood location, not the Glendale or Northridge locations, right?

[sushigirlie]

Yes to both questions.

[Peripatetic]

Great, thanks.

[Peripatetic]

As I mentioned in the OP, I will tabulate the poll only if there are 25 or more responses It will not be a very meaningful poll if there are fewer than that. So far there are only five responses.

[TracyS]

Over $25 --
Melisse
Spago
Gjelina
Hungry Cat (Santa Monica)
Manhattan Beach Post

Under $25 --
Langer's
Santouka
A-Frame
Mendocino Farms
Shamshiri Grill

[Peripatetic]

Thanks!

[Juji]

Over:
Son of A Gun
Fig
Tasting Kitchen
Osaka
MB Post

Under:
Bay Cities
Mendocino Farms
Monte Alban
Tacos Por Favor
Tudor House

[Peripatetic]

Thanks. Do you mean the Osaka at 6327 Hollywood Blvd?

[Juji]

Yes, that's the one.

[westsidegal]

over $25:
sushi zo
hosteria del piccolo
fig
gjelina
la cachette bistro

under $25
mariscos chente's/Coni'seafood
stella rosa
shamshiri grill

[Fidelixi]

<25
Picca
Tasting Kitchen
La Botte
Mozza Pizzeria
Animal

>25
Milo and Olive
Hide Sushi
Nanbankan
Zankou (Sepulveda)
Clementine

[Ciao Bob]

Nanbakan > [sic] 25? It costs me a whole lot more than that!

[Peripatetic]

Fidelixi has clarified that the '>' and '<' symbols were reversed.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/8257...

EDIT: just noticed your comment took that into account.

[Fidelixi]

I know it can go either way at Nanbankan, depending on how deeply you work through the menu, but I included it in the 'under $25' (<$25!) as I think it excels in that category and I find that for that I can get a great meal, with onigiri, chicken meatballs, chicken skin, lychee, burdock, and some fish. One trick is to bring your own wine. I definitely have gone >$25 too.

[Porthos]

Over 25
LQ@SK
Spice Table
Red Medicine
Mori Sushi
Pizzeria Mozza

Under 25
Yamadaya
Dean Sin World
Elite (dim sum)
Shamshiri Grill
Sapp Coffee Shop

[lil mikey]

-- Over $25 --
Marche Moderne
Providence
Ink
Drago Centro
Jiraffe

-- Under $25 --
Gio Cucina
Pa Ord
Little Dom’s
Elite
Marouch

[rickym13]

over $25

n/naka
ink
melisse
water grill
musso's & frank

under $25

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

[Peripatetic]

Thanks everyone who has voted. We're up to 12 "ballots" now. Please keep those votes coming!

[funkycold]

Over $25
Animal
The Bazaar
ink
Lazy Ox
Newport Tan Cang

Under $25
Cacao Mexicatessen
Village Pizza
Guisados
In-n-Out
Golden Deli

[funkycold]

I should clarify its Newport Tan Cang Seafood.

[Sandra W]

Under $25:

Radhjani
Mantee
Langers
Jitlada
Chicken-Itza

[Grog]

>$25
Mo-Chica
Marouche
Pollo La Brasa (8th & Western)
Jitlada
India's Grill (San Vicente)

<$25
Providence
The Bazaar (Saam)
Hatfields
LQ@SK
Palate, Food & Wine

[Peripatetic]

Thanks for voting. Can I assume you meant "<$25" for the first list and ">$25" for the second?

[Ciao Bob]

Posters (see Fedelixi above) seem to have trouble with the < (less than) and > (greater than) symbols. Maybe I am wrong, too :)

[Fidelixi]

I screwed up and stand guilty as charged. > is the 'greater than' symbol, the larger item goes on the open side. My oversight created mistakes. As Grog says, however, I think the lists are clear by which restaurants are on each list, so no need to be a martinet for any posters that follow in my error. I tried to correct the post but don't think I can - is that right?

[Peripatetic]

> I tried to correct the post but don't think I can - is that right?

That's correct -- you have only four hours to make edits. Don't worry about it, I will make the correction when tabulating. I'll note all such adjustments when I post the poll results.

[Fidelixi]

Will the notes go on my permanent record?

[Peripatetic]

Only if you have a prior felony.

[Fidelixi]

Convicted? No. Never Convicted.

[Grog]

I think the choices are obvious. I copied Fidelixi and didn't pay strict attention. Sorry.

[Peripatetic]

No problem, I'll make the correction when tabulating. I'll note all such adjustments when I post the poll results.

[altstarr]

Over $25
1 Mozza2Go Scuola di Pizza
2 The Bazaar by Jose Andres
3. Shanghai #1 Seafood Restaurant
4. Waterloo & City
5. Chosun Galbee

Under $25
1. Father's Office
2. Versailles
3. Newport Tan Cang Seafood
4. Monte Alban
5. Lemonade

The instructions to vote for either recommendations to a houndly Out of Town visitor or special occasion meal to another Chowhound changes my vote from one based just on food rating. For Out of Town Vistors, I leaned to restaurants that are special or unique to to LA .... and so must include a Chinese, Mexican restaurant, and Korean restaurant. The unique family style format and great food brings Mozza2Go Scuola di Pizza experience to the top of my list, although other Italian restaurants may deliver marginally better food. Giving credit for a special and unusual experience is what kept other restaurants ahead of Bay Cities, Bludso's BBQ, Park's BBQ, Lawry's and Maestro's and is what kept Shanghai #1 ahead of other excellent Chinese restaurants.

Thanks for picking up the torch this year for the Ultimate Restaurant Poll.

[Peripatetic]

Thanks everyone who has voted. We're up to 16 ballots now. Please keep those votes coming! The last day for voting is January 16,

[Peripatetic]

Bump. This poll closes Monday. Still nine ballots short. Please vote!

[lapizzamaven]

over $25
Mozza
Sotto
Sea Harbour
Gjelina
Osteria Angelini

under $25
Tacomiendo
Brent's Deli
Tacos Por Favor
Mendocino Farms
800 Degrees

[Peripatetic]

Thanks for voting. I take it you're referring to the Tacos Por Favor in Santa Monica? The different locations have different websites, so I assume different owners.

[lapizzamaven]

I had just been to the West LA Tacos Por Favor on Olympib near Barrington...a young lady working there said they were a branch. Also, Id like to adjust my votes, adding a vote for Milo and Olive in the over $25 category, replacing Gjelina..is that possible?

[Peripatetic]

Yes, you can definitely change your vote.

I hate to be pedantic, but I'm attempting to observe the guidelines set out by maxzook (the previous curator of the poll), which state:

"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)."

Anyway, if I said you could skip this formality, I could easily forget to apply the change.

[Peripatetic]

> young lady working there said they were a branch

You're right, the WLA and SM locations appear to have the same owner. There's a third location in Boyle Heights that might have the same owner, but the evidence is confusing.

[Tom P]

OVER 25

Cleo
Lucques
Tavern
Dal Rae
Canele

UNDER 25

Westside Tavern
Philippe's
Polka
Tender Greens
The Counter

[toonoble]

Over $25:
Animal
Lucques
Mother Dough
Angelini Osteria
Marouch

Under $25:
Ricky's Fish Tacos
Langer's
Father's Office
Chichen Itza
Golden Deli

[Ciao Bob]

Over 25

e baldi
Asenebo
Urasawa
Son of a Gun
Sotto

Under 25

Mariscos Chente/Coni's Seafood
Hunan Seafood
Lucky Noodle King
Skaff's
Night + Market

[maiweezy]

Over $25
Don Dae Gam
Sea Harbour (Dinner)
Picca
7015 Melrose Sushi & Sake (Formerly Shunji's)
Gorbals

Under $25
Pailin Thai
Krua Siri
Tsujita
Golden State
Ikemen

[maiweezy]

Is it too late to change? I'd like to change my under $25 to

Pailin Thai
Krua Siri
Tsujita
Shen Yang
Ikemen

[Peripatetic]

Not too late. Changes noted.

[cartbaby]

Over $25
Kiriko
Animal
Pizzeria Mozza
Newport Tan Cang
Park's

Under $25
Langer's
Ramen Jinya
Jitlada
Happy Harbour
Umami

[DonaldStevens]

Over $25
1) Melisse
2) Jose
3) JiRaffe
4) Polo Lounge
5) Pacific Dining Car

Under $25
1) Langers
2) Apple Pan
3) Red Onion - Palos Verdes Site Only
4) Juniors Deli
5) Phillips BBQ

[Peripatetic]

Thanks for voting. Two things:

1. Do you have any more information on Jose? There are a few restaurants with "Jose" in the name, and there's José André (of Bazaar) of course, but I can't find any restaurant named simply "Jose".

2. Are you referring to the Red Onion at 736 Silver Spur Rd in Rolling Hills Estates?

[DonaldStevens]

1. Sorry. I meant Josies at 2424 Pico. We still love it.

2. That is correct. No other Red Onion counts.

-Donald

[JBC]

Over $25:

1) Matsuhisa
2) Melisse
3) Saddle Peak Lodge
4) Chinois
5) Giorgio Baldi

Under $25:

1) Nagao (Sushi & Salad - Santa Monica).
2) Shamshiri Grill
3) Jaipur
4) 800 Degrees
5) La Serenta (Pico Blvd., WLA).

[ellaystingray]

>$25
Hungry Cat (Santa Monica Canyon)
FIG
Red Medicine
Aburiya Toranoko
Animal

<$25
Bay Cities
Langers
Coles
La Playita
In 'n' Out

[Peripatetic]

Thanks for voting. There are several La Playitas. Are you voting for the one in Santa Monica (Mariscos Guillen La Playita on Lincoln Blvd)?

[Peripatetic]

Hi ellaystingray, it would be helpful if you could clarify.

[Peripatetic]

Hi again ellaystingray, it would be helpful if you could clarify.

[mikeop34]

Thanks for keeping this great tradition going!

Over $25
1. Le Comptoir
2. Sotto
3. Newport Seafood
4. ink
5. Park's BBQ

Under $25
1. Dean Sin World
2. Mariscos Chente (3544 W Imperial Hwy, Inglewood, CA 90303)
3. Cacao Mexicatessen
4. Jtyh
5. Maximiliano

[Peripatetic]

Thanks to everyone who has voted so far. We needed at least 25 responses to make the poll meaningful, and we now have 26, so, to borrow a phrase from Groupon, "the deal is on!".

If you haven't voted yet, you still have the rest of today to submit your votes. The more votes, the better resource this becomes for both visitors and new arrivals. DON'T WAIT!

[Peripatetic]

Going once, going twice . . . deadline is midnight tonight.

[js76wisco]

Over $25
Sotto
Park's BBQ
Animal
Providence
Hostaria Del Piccolo

Under $25
Langer's
Bay Cities
Joe's Pizzeria (Sunset)
El Farolito
Stella Rosa Pizzeria

[BrewNChow]

Can only rate UNDER 25

Langers
Simpang Asia
Santouka
Pa Ord
Bay Cities

hard to only pick 5, broke my heart to leave Bawarchi out

[Peripatetic]

Thanks for voting.

Everyone, don't worry if you can't pick five in either category. Your vote still helps make a better survey.

[Sugarsnap]

Over

Tavern
Fig
Hostaria Del Piccolo
Hungry Cat
Parkway Grill

Under
Bay Cities
Tender Greens
Stella Rosa Pizzeria
Father's Office
Cora's Coffee Shop Santa Monica

[foodiemahoodie]

Over
Melisse
Providence
Urasawa
Mori Sushi
Maison Giraud

Under
Monte Alban
3 Square
Oinkster
Langer's
Mo-Chica

[honkman]

Over:

- Bistro LQ
- Providence
- Animal
- Saam
- Osteria Mozza

Under:
- Langers
- Mozza2Go
- Intelligentsia
- LaMill
- Scoops

[Peripatetic]

That's "Bistro LQ (R.I.P.)".

At LQ hasn't gone too far away!

[Peripatetic]

That was supposed to say: "At least LQ hasn't gone too far away!"

[Ciao Bob]

Daam, I really want to try Saam.

[adrianroberth]

over 25

Red Medicine
LQ @ SK
Ink
Picca
Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Under 25
Fundamental LA
Smoke City Market
Night + Market
Spice Table (lunch, idk if that counts)
Momed

[Peripatetic]

Thanks everyone for your votes. Since the poll had fewer votes than in previous years, I accepted votes that arrived after the original deadline (January 16). I'll tally the votes later this week and post the results.

[secabeen]

Have the results been posted? If not, when will they be?

[Peripatetic]

Apologies, I will try to get this finished sometime later this week.

[yesilovestotravel]

Hi peripatetic!
Thanks for having done this!
I'd love to see the results!! Are they in??
Can't wait!
Thanks a million!

Yesi

[Peripatetic]

This is almost ready.

[Peripatetic]

The results have now been posted:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/839271
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/839272