Chowhound Los Angeles

Looking for a place that serves bone marrow

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 23:29:39 -0500

I absolutely love bone marrow but don't know where they serve it in LA. Any suggestions?

Cha Cha Cha Encino

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 21:50:55 -0500

We went to Cha Cha Cha in Encino on 2/19 and they were closed. Had a sign that said thank you for 14 years. Anyone know what happened?

Mai's Vietnamese and Antojo Report - Ventura (the city)

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 21:22:54 -0500

I have two places to recommend in Ventura (the city not the Boulevard, as others have assumed in the past). Both are new to me.

Antojo is on Ventura Avenue maybe 10 blocks up from Main on the right. Look for the cute papel picado brightly colored flags out front. It is an order at the counter Mexican place that specializes in snacky kinds of foods ("Antojo" means "snack) like tacos, huaraches, tortas, etc.

I got a plate of chilaquiles, which in this version were tortilla chips cooked with a spicy green tomatillo salsa and topped with stripes of sour cream and bits of cotija cheese. About $5.

I also had Cafe de Olla (coffee with spices and brown sugar), which is a rarity and was a pleasant surprise. They have a beer and wine license, I believe, and a little patio out front for sunny days.

The decor is simple but cozy, kind of like a lot of places in Mexico - big wood tables, Mexican art.

The other place was a lifesaver for me when I was in the depths of a cold. I went to Mai's Vietnamese for a big bowl of Pho and was delighted.

Mai's is on Main Street near Borchard. Kind of stuck in the middle of one of those faceless strips along there on the hospital side. The interior of the place is obviously an old boring office building or something, but they have done their best to spruce it up. The menu is two-thirds Vietnamese and one-third Hawaiian, so the place has a kind of cross-Pacific tropical theme.

They have all kinds of pho, bun and banh mi, including, bless them, vegetarian versions. My vegetarian pho ($6) was huuuuuge and delicious with lots of different kinds of vegetables, fake meat tofu substances, and topped with caramelized onion bits. You could tell that a lot of time and care went into it, and it was delicious.

Service was really nice too. They saw I was alone and had a book and made sure to show me to a table with good light (some corners are quite dim). Tea cups are rinsed with boiling water as they are brought to the table so they are nice and hot. Little touches that show they are paying attention.

They have a big bar that was absolutely completely empty when I was there. It looks like it would be a fun place to hang out. They serve beer and wine and had Mai Tais on the specials menu.

Two to check out. Enjoy.

Jiraffe -- Bistro Night

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 20:29:10 -0500

My friends and I did the bistro night at Jiraffe this past Monday. The fixed price is $33. For appetizer the choice was between a jumbo shrimp cocktail with avocado and endive or broccoli soup with a blue cheese covered crouton. My girlfriend and I had one of each and both were good. The shrimp came with 3 shrimp and the soup was no more than a handful. Neither of the dishes were amazing but both good.

For the main dish there was a choice between a lamb stew with carrots and potatoes and half a hen (aka chicken) with stuffing and roasted brussel sprouts. Again we had one of each, and both were good. I thought the lamb stew was better than the half chicken. The lamb stew was an above average dish and the chicken was about average. I mean, how good can a roast chicken be. The dinner portions were a good size but definately smaller than their usual portions.

For desert there was a chocolate bomb that was very good. I finished mine and jokingly asked the waiter for another one and he did bring me another one in a "to go" box. That was very nice.

All in all the service was great and the food was above average, but not amazing. The portions sizes were not large at all, but with an appetizer, main course, and desert there was ample food.

This is the second time I have been to Jiraffe, the other time we went on a Saturday night and ordered off the regular menu. The regular menu is definately better than the bistro one but both times I found the food to be good but not amazing. The bistro menu is better priced but still expensive. $33 with no drinks, so with tax and tip you are already at $42 a person. With wine or any drinks it can easily get to over $50 or $60 a person.

I find Jiraffe to be a solid restaurant but can never quite live up to all the hype and expense.

I need a good sushi place for lunch -Downtown, Silverlake, Koreatown, etc...

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 20:21:43 -0500

I need to take a client to lunch tomorrow. He wants sushi. Our meeting is in Koreatown (Wilshire & Normandie) so we could redline or drive to somewhere relatively nearby. Does Saito in Silverlake still have a good lunch deal? Anything in downtown (Little Tokyo) or Koreatown? I'm paying out of pocket so reasonably priced works best.

Thanks all.

Best birthday Ice Cream cakes other than baskin robbins?

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 20:20:56 -0500

i'm in the san gabriel area, but i'm willing to drive a bit for good ice cream cake for my gf's bday. my friend said he's heard of gelato bday cakes or something... anyhow does anyone have suggestions on where i can buy good ice cream bday cakes?

many thanks

The online restaurant menu thread of all time!

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 20:13:30 -0500

Be honest. There's nothing more Chowish than browsing a good restaurant's online menu. So often, the hounds will post a link to the restaurant they are talking about, and I LOVE that. It would be so cool and helpful to have a nice long thread full of such links to peruse. Let's see how many online menus for the L.A. area we can get into one thread. Post your faves now! In keeping with the rules, no chains please. I'll start it off with a personal fave place:

Lunch suggestions around Costa Mesa area?

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 20:09:26 -0500

I was eating at Corner Bakery at South Coast Plaza the other day when I started to wonder, there must be great local hole-in-the walls that are good to eat at for lunch in for this area? (other than vietnamese food...you can find plenty of good places in the general area.)

While there are a profusion of fast food and other chain restaurants around here, I am sure there are good local places around the Costa Mesa/Fountain Valley area too...anyone have any suggestions of new places I could try? (any kind of cuisine)

Thanks!

Sunday Brunch on the Westside

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 19:57:14 -0500

Looking for a nice place to take my mom for her birthday, with a group of 12. Would like to avoid the all-you-can-eat places.

Expensive is okay, my mom only turns 82 once!

Any ideas appreciated.

If I love MAKO, is it worth checking out ORRIS?

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 19:46:26 -0500

I'm a loyal Mako advocate, but suddenly feel the urge to expand my horizons on the Franco-Japanese circuit.

How does Orris compare? Any other places similar but equally good?

Fried Chicken and Pickled Watermelon rind

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 19:36:52 -0500

Anyone know of a place to get this where they do serve good fried chicken and watermelon slices (pretty fresh) to go with it.

maybe some of the watermelon will cut the greasiness down to size when the craving for fried chicken arises.

lunch in ocean park?

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 19:35:31 -0500

I'll be in ocean park, santa monica for lunch tomorrow, any recs?

thanks!

Tasty Mexican near Silver Lake tonight?

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 19:14:47 -0500

We're willing to drive within about a 10 mile radius, particularly if it's further east.

the Hilton at DelMar and Valley in MP

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 19:02:15 -0500

Looks like we will be headed to a dinner/buffet thing next month at the Hilton at Del Mar & Valley in Mont.Park. Its a business deal so there isn't a choice on location. The food to be served will be Chinese, of course.

I'm wondering if the food at that Hilton is any good or if we should plan on a run to Homestyle or Green Village or the like afterwards.....

Thanks!

Midori All you can eat sushi Report (Studio City)

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 18:57:10 -0500

are you starving? do you want just LOADS AND LOADS of sushi but dont wanna pay for it? Midori in Studio City is your bet... it is NOT BAD AT ALL for a $23.95 all you can order/eat sushi place.. TONS to choose from and the quality of the fish is not bad at all and the cuts are pretty generous for an all you can eat place... should check it out when you want QUANTITY while not sacrificing Quality...

Mom's BBQ House review - Van Nuys

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 18:46:14 -0500

After traveling deep into LA County for business and eating at Amber's Chicken and Donut for lunch, I decided that for dinner, I would dine at one of the numerous BBQ places in the San Fernando Valley that I've often read about here on Chowhound, but have yet to visit.

It was a hard decision to make, as numerous choices were available to me, like the oft-discussed Swinging Door, Dr. Hogly Wogly's, Bear Pit BBQ, Rosie's BBQ, Valley Ranch BBQ, Uncle Andre's, Grandpa Fred's, Rib Rack, Ribs USA, etc.

I decided to check out Mom's BBQ House in Van Nuys, simply because it was one place where all the reviews I read were positive. With most of the other places, reviews were mixed, as each place had its devoted followers along with critical detractors.

Mom's BBQ is on the corner of Vanowen and Hazeltine. Smack in the corner of an tiny outdoor strip mall, the parking lot was far too tiny for the numerous cars that tried to park there, so I practiced my parallel parking and parked across the street.

This is a tiny little restaurant that has about 7 or 8 tables for indoor dining. Most of the customers were ordering take-out, and they were constantly coming in as I ate.

While I read that the fried chicken was excellent here, since I had broasted chicken at Amber's for lunch, I decided to stick with the BBQ. At $9.95 for the BBQ dinner of beef ribs, it seemed like a bargain price for what I usually pay for BBQ in OC.

I got 4 big-ass beef ribs in the 10-12" range. The meat-to-bone ratio was about normal, about 20%, for 3 of the ribs. 1 rib had a much more generous cut of meat on it, probably a 30% on the meat-to-bone ratio. The beef wasn't quite fall-off-the-bone tender, but it was very tasty and flavorful. There were generous amounts of BBQ sauce puddled at the bottom of the plate. I dipped my ribs into the BBQ sauce, but the meat quality was tasty enough that I didn't necessarily have to dip them.

The overall quality of the beef ribs were pretty good. They didn't quite reach the high level that I've had at Joey's BBQ and Tulsa Rib Company recently, but it was about as good as the ribs I had at the Rib Nest in Gardena.

Sides included corn on the cob, which was very good, some macaroni salad, which was just OK, and 2 slices of white bread.

Overall, it was a great meal that was well worth the money, and I would heartily recommend this place to those in search of quality BBQ at an affordable price.

Thanks to those Chowhounds who mentioned this place earlier. Hopefully, my post will let newer Chowhounds know about this little gem of a BBQ shack. For those critics who say there is no good BBQ in LA or OC, you're missing out on the BBQ at Mom's.

Mom's BBQ House
14062 Vanowen St
Van Nuys, CA
(cross-street Hazeltine)
PH:(818)786-1373
Mon-Thu 11AM-9:30PM
Friday 11AM-10PM
Saturday 12PM-10PM
closed Sundays

quesadillas & huaraches, fresh blue corn tortillas

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 18:05:38 -0500

Just had a moment of ectasy. Little sidewalk taco cart on Echo Park at Sunset, just across from Bank of America. She pounds out the blue corn masa right there. Cheese, chicken, and napolitas fillings (I think that's what they're called) and some headblasting salsa. Oh, Mama!

Tama Sushi

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 17:37:34 -0500

I live in Sherman Oaks and have been craving a visit to Tama, however, my husband won't eat raw menu items. Are the cooked items for him there? I also heard it is all tables and not a sushi bar, but I had a hard time believing this. Can someone confirm?

recommendations:

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 17:36:56 -0500

Does anyone have a review of Massimos in Bev Hills, or Sopra Spuntini on Beverly??

Going to Massimos Saturday night

Wiz

jonathan club

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 16:50:42 -0500

anyone ever been to a wedding or other catered event at the jonathan beach club in santa monica? we are considering having our wedding there and would appreciate any feedback y'all have. thanks!

Sunday lunch (sushi). Should I re-schedule?

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 16:03:20 -0500

We have a small group, greatly anticipating, going out for some sushi. Originally it was planned that we go Saturday night, but one of us is working. So... now we're stuck with Sunday lunch. Are there any decent options out there (preferrably LA, not OC)?

Scooby's and Beard Papa's

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 15:59:07 -0500

First time for both. That's a pretty good combination along with the Hollywood Blvd. vibe.

I liked the dog and the fries with dipping sauce. I'm undecided on the roll. I'm also not ready to give up Pinks.

Beard Papa's was surprisingly good. I say surprising because I don't generally like custard. This custard however was not eggy but, was nice and light and the pastry was very fresh.

Which POPEYE's is the best in 213, 323 or 310

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 15:36:23 -0500

Which one frys it up constantly and it's fresh, nice size pieces? Hate the one on vine and melrose.

where to get pullman or pan de mie loaf

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 14:59:15 -0500

Sonora Grill (Big Shiny Yellow Taco Truck)-Sun Valley

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 14:41:27 -0500

Thanks to Joea for this rec! Last Saturday morning I spotted this truck on I-5 and noticed that Sunland Produce was painted on the side. I recalled the post by Joea from Valentine's Day so after a stop at Burbank Costco GF and I headed towards Sunland Produce, (my best friends favorite place for produce at a good price).

The big, brite-yellow and stainless steel, new appearing truck was indeed behind Sunland Produce. First, and last dissapointment was that they don't offer al pastor, milanesa or birrea. The choice of meats are asada, pollo, carnitas, chorizo and cabeza. Tried 3 tacos: asada, carnitas & chorizo. Most expensive truck tacos that I've had so far at $1.75/ea. I requested the tacos "con todo" but the gracious owner (I assume) who was hovering outside taking orders and chatting with patrons told me that they are served meat only on a hand-made tortilla. A good selection of condiments is available with 3 salsas, (red, green and pico de gallo), soupy guacamole, plus radishes, onions, cilantro, jalapenos,lemon, maybe it was limes, can't remember! I just tried the tacos with salsa roja, onions and cilantro with a squeeze of citrus. TOP NOTCH GRUB!!!

I will go back to evaluate the meats better. The guy (owner?) was proudly encouraging me to try his condiments so I kind of overdid it with the salsa etc! The chorizo taco, actually ordered after I finished the other 2 tacos, I used only a little salsa, was crumbly, not greasy and very flavorful.

I did grab a bright-yellow paper-menu if anyone has questions about what else is available, and a business card for my collection!

If you eat here be sure to explore Sunland Produce after! A big mostly Armenian with a little Mexican thrown in market. Biggest selection of Lavosh breads for my kids quick (Jacque Pepin recipe) pizzas! Good quality, reasonable produce.

Sonora Grill
Efrain Serrano
818 461 4164
Open 10:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Closed Sunday

Sunland Produce
8840 Glenoaks Blvd.
Sun Valley, CA, 91352
(818) 504-6629

Caterers for a Birthday Party?

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 14:39:12 -0500

Hi!
I'm trying to find a caterer for my father's 70th birthday party. We're planning to host it at his home in Glendale so anyone in the greater LA area would do. I live in NYC so I have no idea who I can call? Also, if there are any fantastic restaurants in the area that also cater, that may be an option.

As far as cuisine, I'm looking for high end fare - raw bar, french bistro or new american...asian fusion may also work.

Thanks!!

Fancy Experiential Restaurant Recs????

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 14:20:47 -0500

I am taking my wife out for a congratulatory/birthday dinner. We love interesting food and interesting dining experiences. But I wanted it to be fancy and a little romantic also.

Any ideas????

Chinese buffets near Newport Beach / OC--are there any?

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 14:20:12 -0500

My Dad is visiting and he loves Chinese buffets. I can't find any. Any help appreciated! Thanks.

ISO Chiang Mai Khao Soi Noodles!

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 14:19:37 -0500

Just got back from Thailand and fell in love with Khao Soi noodles (egg noodles in a coconut curry broth).

I was wondering if there was a Thai restaurant that had these noodles on the menu. All recs welcomed.

Thanks!

San Marino Seafood Market-any good?

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 13:43:45 -0500

I love seafood, but exercise caution. Any recommendations on what to order or expect for this place?