Oh man, this place is awesome. I can't recommend this local sandwich shop more. They use Boar's Head Deli meats, have both hot and cold subs, and a large variety of chips. I'm never going to Subway again!
The new fellow I'm seeing recommended this place to me for lunch, and it's fantastic. I wish I had known about this place sooner, because it's pretty much right in my backyard.
I can't wait to get to San Francisco next week and hit up some of the Italian delis there, but I'm stoked that there's one I can frequent for lunch on a weekly basis.
I had the 6" USC Trojans today (come on! What else would I order?), and it was fantastic. Add some Kettle Chips and a drink to your order and soak up that sandwich bliss.
323 Main St
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 647-2860
Showing posts with label restaurant reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label restaurant reviews. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Restaurant Review: Bonjour French Pastry
This is a "Japanese French" -style bakery, so they have lots of delicious pastries in traditional and traditionally Asian flavors (like green tea and red bean).
The servers there were really nice, and the decor is very "Asian cute" in a French style. If you have some better term for Asian-French fusion please let me know.
The cakes are pretty yummy and normally sized (as opposed to the steroid-sized anything you might find at an American bakery), and the ingredients tasted fresh.
They don't accept credit cards here, so make sure to bring cash.
Bonjour French Pastry
18222 S. Western Ave.
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 323-1468
The servers there were really nice, and the decor is very "Asian cute" in a French style. If you have some better term for Asian-French fusion please let me know.
The cakes are pretty yummy and normally sized (as opposed to the steroid-sized anything you might find at an American bakery), and the ingredients tasted fresh.
They don't accept credit cards here, so make sure to bring cash.
Bonjour French Pastry
18222 S. Western Ave.
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 323-1468
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Restaurant Review - Peter's Place
Yet another case of moving to more convenient pastures, only to find a really great place to eat not far from where I lived. . . . .
Peter's Place is located in a tiny strip mall of Asianish stores. . .it's in the strip mall just North of Sue's Kitchen, which has fantastic Taiwanese beef noodles. But I digress.
To date, Peter's Place is the only restaurant I've found in South Bay that serves Chinese breakfast. I think the next nearest place to get Chinese breakfast is at least an hour out of South Bay, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong. My favorite breakfast of all time is a bowl of warm soy milk accompanied by shaobing and you tiao. They have both the salty and the sweet soy milk, and while I like them both, I prefer the sweet soy milk. I can't tell if they make it from scratch or if it's just soy milk out of a jug and heated up. There's a place in Rowland Heights that makes their own soy milk and it's absolutely divine. And fan tuan; I only had the savory kind but I think they have the sweet kind too. The shaobing was particularly delicious.
They also have a bunch of other dishes like dumplings and noodles and fried rice, but I don't intend on coming here for anything but Chinese breakfast on lazy Sunday mornings. I'll probably be a greedy pig too and get extras for breakfast during the week.
The family who runs the restaurant is really friendly, and the menu is in both Chinese and English (which means it's got to be good!). The waitress was particularly forgiving with my butchering of the language. At least I'll have the opportunity to practice my Mandarin more.
Peter's Place
23816 Crenshaw Blvd
Torrance, CA 90505
310-539-6058
Peter's Place is located in a tiny strip mall of Asianish stores. . .it's in the strip mall just North of Sue's Kitchen, which has fantastic Taiwanese beef noodles. But I digress.
To date, Peter's Place is the only restaurant I've found in South Bay that serves Chinese breakfast. I think the next nearest place to get Chinese breakfast is at least an hour out of South Bay, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong. My favorite breakfast of all time is a bowl of warm soy milk accompanied by shaobing and you tiao. They have both the salty and the sweet soy milk, and while I like them both, I prefer the sweet soy milk. I can't tell if they make it from scratch or if it's just soy milk out of a jug and heated up. There's a place in Rowland Heights that makes their own soy milk and it's absolutely divine. And fan tuan; I only had the savory kind but I think they have the sweet kind too. The shaobing was particularly delicious.
They also have a bunch of other dishes like dumplings and noodles and fried rice, but I don't intend on coming here for anything but Chinese breakfast on lazy Sunday mornings. I'll probably be a greedy pig too and get extras for breakfast during the week.
The family who runs the restaurant is really friendly, and the menu is in both Chinese and English (which means it's got to be good!). The waitress was particularly forgiving with my butchering of the language. At least I'll have the opportunity to practice my Mandarin more.
Peter's Place
23816 Crenshaw Blvd
Torrance, CA 90505
310-539-6058
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Restaurant Review - 85C
A friend recently introduced me to sea salt coffee at 85 C in Irvine. I've kicked my coffee habit, but whenever I'm in Orange County I want to go there to pick one up. (They've also recently started selling them in a large size . . .I guess even Taiwanese stores are not immune to the Supersize Me problem)
85 C also sells Asian breads/pastries and cakes which are of very high quality. It's worth it to pick up several different breads to take home and eat the next day. But high quality breads are pretty easy to find; to my knowledge 85 C is the only place in the U.S. selling sea salt coffee.
Sea Salt Coffee is an iced, slightly sweetened coffee enhanced by a topping of foamed sea salt. The salty foam is supposed to enhance the sweetness of the coffee. Try it! It's fascinating.
If you're in the area, I recommend checking 85 C out for their specialty sea salt coffee. They are open until at least 10 PM all nights of the week.
85 C
2700 Alton Parkway #123
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 553-8585
85 C also sells Asian breads/pastries and cakes which are of very high quality. It's worth it to pick up several different breads to take home and eat the next day. But high quality breads are pretty easy to find; to my knowledge 85 C is the only place in the U.S. selling sea salt coffee.
Sea Salt Coffee is an iced, slightly sweetened coffee enhanced by a topping of foamed sea salt. The salty foam is supposed to enhance the sweetness of the coffee. Try it! It's fascinating.
If you're in the area, I recommend checking 85 C out for their specialty sea salt coffee. They are open until at least 10 PM all nights of the week.
85 C
2700 Alton Parkway #123
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 553-8585
Monday, May 18, 2009
Lost City Radio in WeHo
I went out to see Lost City Radio perform at The Cat Club in West Hollywood this weekend. I like seeing good local talent live and this band is really well-put-together. The only thing I think they need to improve on is to turn up the lead's mike a bit.
Lost City Radio is mainstream rock and roll without any "alternative" or sub-genre label tacked onto it. Combined with the good fortune of being leagues better than the band that came on before and after them, they had the entire bar crowd involved that night. Their lead is pretty relaxed and works audiences very well.
After the show we crawled across the alley to Frankie & Johnnie's New York Style Pizza for . . .beer and pizza! The walls are covered with notes and signatures of B-list celebrities and the pizza really hit the spot. The server we had was really nice but it seemed that some of the other servers there could probably work on their hospitality skills.
Lost City Radio is mainstream rock and roll without any "alternative" or sub-genre label tacked onto it. Combined with the good fortune of being leagues better than the band that came on before and after them, they had the entire bar crowd involved that night. Their lead is pretty relaxed and works audiences very well.
After the show we crawled across the alley to Frankie & Johnnie's New York Style Pizza for . . .beer and pizza! The walls are covered with notes and signatures of B-list celebrities and the pizza really hit the spot. The server we had was really nice but it seemed that some of the other servers there could probably work on their hospitality skills.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Restaurant Review - Din Tai Fung Dumpling House
There is nothing quite so satisfying as a soup dumpling, garnished with soy sauce, black vinegar, and ginger.
My sweetheart surprised me with a trip to Din Tai Fung, which is a Taiwan-based, international chain of dumpling restaurants. The menu, which you order from before you are seated, is bilingual, and the hostesses are very nice.
The soup dumplings are their specialty, but they have a variety of other dumplings and buns you can order. Their soup is very authentic, and for dessert they have a just-right size of 8 treasure rice pudding for two!
The prices are fairly reasonable, although they do get quite busy and sometimes you have to wait a bit for a table.
Din Tai Fung Dumpling House
1108 South Baldwin Avenue
Arcadia, California 91007
(626)574-7068
My sweetheart surprised me with a trip to Din Tai Fung, which is a Taiwan-based, international chain of dumpling restaurants. The menu, which you order from before you are seated, is bilingual, and the hostesses are very nice.
The soup dumplings are their specialty, but they have a variety of other dumplings and buns you can order. Their soup is very authentic, and for dessert they have a just-right size of 8 treasure rice pudding for two!
The prices are fairly reasonable, although they do get quite busy and sometimes you have to wait a bit for a table.
Din Tai Fung Dumpling House
1108 South Baldwin Avenue
Arcadia, California 91007
(626)574-7068
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Restaurant Review - El Toro Cantina
I almost forgot that I promised to write about my experience here.
El Toro Cantina was definitely a happenin' spot the Friday night I was there, and we had a big group (something like 21, 22 people). They make their own tortillas for their gourmet tacos (I had the duck confit and coconut crispy shrimp). The guest of honor teased me about my selections and asked if I was writing a review for a magazine! Not quite. . . . .
This is the 2nd place I've found that will make a "from scratch" mojito. Let me tell you, there's nothing quite so delicious on this earth as a refreshing, sparkly, slightly sweet drink as a well-made mojito.
They passed around "kamikaze" shots at the end of dinner for us to toast the birthday fellow. I rarely (if ever) do shots and this was my first kamikaze. I'd like to say that it was probably well-made, lemony and sweet. Probably not good for an after-dinner aperitif, but for a 20s-something crowd it was great.
After dinner we went next door/upstairs to Busby's, which, among other things like pool tables and dart boards, has a pretty awesome separate dance floor and dj. Although the music was probably on the loud side (I couldn't hear my car stereo when I drove home that night), it was great to go out dancing - something I haven't done in over a year.
El Toro Cantina was definitely a happenin' spot the Friday night I was there, and we had a big group (something like 21, 22 people). They make their own tortillas for their gourmet tacos (I had the duck confit and coconut crispy shrimp). The guest of honor teased me about my selections and asked if I was writing a review for a magazine! Not quite. . . . .
This is the 2nd place I've found that will make a "from scratch" mojito. Let me tell you, there's nothing quite so delicious on this earth as a refreshing, sparkly, slightly sweet drink as a well-made mojito.
They passed around "kamikaze" shots at the end of dinner for us to toast the birthday fellow. I rarely (if ever) do shots and this was my first kamikaze. I'd like to say that it was probably well-made, lemony and sweet. Probably not good for an after-dinner aperitif, but for a 20s-something crowd it was great.
After dinner we went next door/upstairs to Busby's, which, among other things like pool tables and dart boards, has a pretty awesome separate dance floor and dj. Although the music was probably on the loud side (I couldn't hear my car stereo when I drove home that night), it was great to go out dancing - something I haven't done in over a year.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Restaurant Review - Catalina Coffee Company
I actually have only been here once, but I think this is an interesting enough little place to check out if you're near the Pier.
They roast their beans on-site (the only place in South Bay that I've found to do this!), so the coffee should be most spectacular. They have cozy places to sit, a fairly extensive mystery library (although no Chandler, by my first glance) and internet access (but what cafe *doesn't*?).
I actually had a mug of tea and a sandwich when I was there (if I had known about the on-site bean roasting beforehand, I would have gotten coffee). Their staff is patient and friendly. The tea was good (can't remember now if it was looseleaf or not) and the sandwich was made-to-order and yummy.
One of the most impressive things I saw at this coffee house was a mega-sized chessboard!
So take one of these rainy evenings, grab a friend and head over here for decent coffee and a game of chess. Or forget the friend and bring a dog-eared copy of your favorite Chandler book to supplement their lacking library. (You wanted to get that nice hardcover set from Everyman, anyway)
Bonus: these guys have their own parking lot. Take advantage of the free parking!
Catalina Coffee Company
126 North Catalina Ave.
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 318-2499
They roast their beans on-site (the only place in South Bay that I've found to do this!), so the coffee should be most spectacular. They have cozy places to sit, a fairly extensive mystery library (although no Chandler, by my first glance) and internet access (but what cafe *doesn't*?).
I actually had a mug of tea and a sandwich when I was there (if I had known about the on-site bean roasting beforehand, I would have gotten coffee). Their staff is patient and friendly. The tea was good (can't remember now if it was looseleaf or not) and the sandwich was made-to-order and yummy.
One of the most impressive things I saw at this coffee house was a mega-sized chessboard!
So take one of these rainy evenings, grab a friend and head over here for decent coffee and a game of chess. Or forget the friend and bring a dog-eared copy of your favorite Chandler book to supplement their lacking library. (You wanted to get that nice hardcover set from Everyman, anyway)
Bonus: these guys have their own parking lot. Take advantage of the free parking!
Catalina Coffee Company
126 North Catalina Ave.
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 318-2499
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Restaurant Review - Sompun Restaurant
I was here the other night - it has fantastic Thai food if you're looking for a mellow, inexpensive place to have dinner. It wasn't that busy the night I went, but I heard it fills up for lunch.
I had their Mint Noodles with beef. It was an excellent combination of spicy, refreshing, and rich beef flavor. Service is excellent.
Sompun Restaurant
4156 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 661-5350
(323) 669-9906
I had their Mint Noodles with beef. It was an excellent combination of spicy, refreshing, and rich beef flavor. Service is excellent.
Sompun Restaurant
4156 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 661-5350
(323) 669-9906
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Restaurant Review - Outback Steakhouse
I went to Outback Steakhouse the other night. They don't really need an advertisement from me, but I like their food.
My sweetheart and I shared a blooming onion, the appetizer Outback is renowned for. Then we were so full we had to share an entree. We split the Victoria Crowned filet mignon with crumbled blue cheese on top. I'm not sure why I love steak with blue cheese so much. It's a great combination of flavors.
I tried their blended peach bellini (Wallabay Damned?), which was really yummy. It wasn't too sweet, which most mixed drinks tend to be.
Probably expensive enough for a "nice" date, but casual enough you don't need to dress up. It's really a good Friday night "let's go out to eat" experience. Just don't try to split a blooming onion between two people.
Outback Steakhouse
21880 Hawthorne Blvd
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 793-5555
My sweetheart and I shared a blooming onion, the appetizer Outback is renowned for. Then we were so full we had to share an entree. We split the Victoria Crowned filet mignon with crumbled blue cheese on top. I'm not sure why I love steak with blue cheese so much. It's a great combination of flavors.
I tried their blended peach bellini (Wallabay Damned?), which was really yummy. It wasn't too sweet, which most mixed drinks tend to be.
Probably expensive enough for a "nice" date, but casual enough you don't need to dress up. It's really a good Friday night "let's go out to eat" experience. Just don't try to split a blooming onion between two people.
Outback Steakhouse
21880 Hawthorne Blvd
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 793-5555
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Vu Villa Pizza
I woke up this morning and had a craving for Vu Villa pizza. Which would be fine except for the fact that the Vu Villa is in Butte, Montana, and I'm here in L.A. I'm fairly certain they don't deliver interstate. This is a sad thing. I guess I'll have to wait until they start marketing frozen Vu Villa pizzas at my local grocery store.
The pizza from Vu Villa has this thin, almost crunchy, crust. The sauce is really good and they have all these different "specialty" pizzas named after things concerning Tech, Butte, and mining in general. (Have they named one after Coach Green yet?) They also make pizzas-to-order.
My favorite pizza from Vu Villa (I can't remember the name) has pepperoni and sausage on it, topped further by mushrooms and other veggies, with the option of added jalepeno peppers. This tear-enducing concoction is most delicious - I highly recommend it.
An ex-boyfriend (actually ex-fiance, but we won't go there) of mine used to work there. I didn't know he worked there until I decided to have pizza for dinner one night, and Vu Villa was the closest for me to walk to. I didn't see him behind the counter until after I entered the restaurant, and by then I was pretty committed to eat pizza so I couldn't really leave.
I think by then the call of the pizza god was stronger than the call to avoid an awkward social situation anyway.
I remember he was really angry that I was there, like he never expected me to show up at his work even though we both went to the same small school and Vu Villa was a popular hangout. I remember wondering why he was so angry because by then it had been two or three years since we broke up. I guess there were still lots of strange, unresolved feelings lingering. I remember he was so upset that he botched the credit slip (accidentially charging me $135.00, instead of $13.50 - I may not have the exact number correct but you know what I mean) and had to run a refund credit slip for me. Then when he was boxing my pizza it ended up on the floor, so it had to be remade.
Maybe he was just having a bad day - I don't think he was trying to do all of those things on purpose. Even though he used to harrass me and say really mean things to me if he saw me out on the town and he was with his friends. I used to go out alone because I couldn't get any of my closer friends to go with me - Butte is a safe enough town and I really just wanted to go dancing and maybe see some people I knew.
I've digressed. This is supposed to be about the deliciousness that is Vu Villa Pizza. If you're in Butte tonight and have the opportunity to wander into Uptown, please go to Vu Villa and have a slice for me.
Vu Villa Pizza
521 W. Park St.
Butte, MT 59701
(406) 723-9885
The pizza from Vu Villa has this thin, almost crunchy, crust. The sauce is really good and they have all these different "specialty" pizzas named after things concerning Tech, Butte, and mining in general. (Have they named one after Coach Green yet?) They also make pizzas-to-order.
My favorite pizza from Vu Villa (I can't remember the name) has pepperoni and sausage on it, topped further by mushrooms and other veggies, with the option of added jalepeno peppers. This tear-enducing concoction is most delicious - I highly recommend it.
An ex-boyfriend (actually ex-fiance, but we won't go there) of mine used to work there. I didn't know he worked there until I decided to have pizza for dinner one night, and Vu Villa was the closest for me to walk to. I didn't see him behind the counter until after I entered the restaurant, and by then I was pretty committed to eat pizza so I couldn't really leave.
I think by then the call of the pizza god was stronger than the call to avoid an awkward social situation anyway.
I remember he was really angry that I was there, like he never expected me to show up at his work even though we both went to the same small school and Vu Villa was a popular hangout. I remember wondering why he was so angry because by then it had been two or three years since we broke up. I guess there were still lots of strange, unresolved feelings lingering. I remember he was so upset that he botched the credit slip (accidentially charging me $135.00, instead of $13.50 - I may not have the exact number correct but you know what I mean) and had to run a refund credit slip for me. Then when he was boxing my pizza it ended up on the floor, so it had to be remade.
Maybe he was just having a bad day - I don't think he was trying to do all of those things on purpose. Even though he used to harrass me and say really mean things to me if he saw me out on the town and he was with his friends. I used to go out alone because I couldn't get any of my closer friends to go with me - Butte is a safe enough town and I really just wanted to go dancing and maybe see some people I knew.
I've digressed. This is supposed to be about the deliciousness that is Vu Villa Pizza. If you're in Butte tonight and have the opportunity to wander into Uptown, please go to Vu Villa and have a slice for me.
Vu Villa Pizza
521 W. Park St.
Butte, MT 59701
(406) 723-9885
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Restaurant Review - Pinkberry!
The traffic after last night's concert was really strained near the theater. I think it would be worth building a multi-level parking structure for the Greek Theater just to keep theater patrons from tearing up the mountainside with their vehicles.
Parking is so horrific there that they route cars anywhere they can, and after you park you're stuck there until enough people have left that you can get out. Talk about a major traffic hazard if you happen to be a little slow leaving the theater and your car happens to be the lone island in the middle of lots of moving cars.
I digress. This is supposed to be about Pinkberry. Pinkberry is a new frozen "yogurt" chain that originated in West Hollywood. It's quite popular.
As my boyfriend and myself were embarking on the mega traffic struggle back to South Bay last night, I spotted a Pinkberry. Neither of us had never been to Pinkberry and my boyfriend asked me if I would like to go. In the spirit of exploring new gastronomic horizons, I said "Let's do it!"
I got a small dish of original with fresh strawberries on top. The "yogurt" is tangy, almost as tangy as real yogurt, and refreshing. I can definitely see why it's addictive.
It's also mega sweet (although I think the mega-sweetness is more from the strawberries and not so much the yogurt), and the portions are large. I would say the small would be a good after-dinner treat for two. I can't imagine eating a large portion on my own.
Next time I want to try their green tea flavor. That's got to be delicious!
Pinkberry
1726 N. Vermont Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
P 323 661 0411
Parking is so horrific there that they route cars anywhere they can, and after you park you're stuck there until enough people have left that you can get out. Talk about a major traffic hazard if you happen to be a little slow leaving the theater and your car happens to be the lone island in the middle of lots of moving cars.
I digress. This is supposed to be about Pinkberry. Pinkberry is a new frozen "yogurt" chain that originated in West Hollywood. It's quite popular.
As my boyfriend and myself were embarking on the mega traffic struggle back to South Bay last night, I spotted a Pinkberry. Neither of us had never been to Pinkberry and my boyfriend asked me if I would like to go. In the spirit of exploring new gastronomic horizons, I said "Let's do it!"
I got a small dish of original with fresh strawberries on top. The "yogurt" is tangy, almost as tangy as real yogurt, and refreshing. I can definitely see why it's addictive.
It's also mega sweet (although I think the mega-sweetness is more from the strawberries and not so much the yogurt), and the portions are large. I would say the small would be a good after-dinner treat for two. I can't imagine eating a large portion on my own.
Next time I want to try their green tea flavor. That's got to be delicious!
Pinkberry
1726 N. Vermont Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
P 323 661 0411
Restaurant Review - Benihana
My sweetheart took me to Benihana in Beverly Hills last night. We were there a little early so we went down to Rodeo Drive and walked around so I could look at all the pretty things I can't afford to buy. Stores with security guards in black and an earwire.
When we got back to the restaurant, we had the most amazing meal. You're seated with other customers, 8 to a teppan grill. A waitress gets your drink order and gives you an oshibori towel to clean your hands with. Then the food never stops coming.
First, you're given a bowl of clear onion soup. It's salty, and delicious. They use those fabulous "french fried" onions as a garnish, and it's a perfect sweet complement to the salty onion broth.
Next, you're given a fairly standard salad with whatever magic Benihana dressing they use. It's gingery and garlicky. Whatever it is it's delicious.
Around the time you've finished your salad the chef comes in with a cart. He sets up the grill, and starts to grill onions, mushrooms, and a squash kind of like zucchini (maybe it IS zucchini!). He also starts to grill some shrimp, which will be your appetizer. When the shrimp are close to being cooked, he'll pull out a knife, cut the tails off, and then cut the shrimps into several pieces. Then he serves a portion of the shrimps to everyone at the table.
While everything that is cooked is seasoned with at least salt and pepper (sometimes soy sauce, sesame seeds, etc. are used) , you are provided with dipping sauces. I'm not sure what exactly is in the dipping sauces, but they aren't bad and they don't cover up the flavor of the meat.
After serving the shrimp appetizer, the chef will cut the cooked vegetables into bitesized portions and serve them.
Then comes the fun part. Whatever protein you ordered (chicken, steak, seafood) is put on the grill and cooked to perfection. It must take some practice for those chefs to remember exactly what everyone ordered! I had filet mignon and scallops, both delicious.
Good luck finishing all that food!
The staff at Benihana in Beverly Hills is very gracious. I would say they know exactly how to serve people food - always present but never in-the-way. No guest had to ask for a refill, and serving dishes were always promptly removed.
Last night I saw Victoria Beckham at Benihana. I had no idea who she was at the time. Afterwards I thought she was more petite than photos make her out to be, and that she wasn't nearly as anorexic-looking either.
Benihana Beverly Hills
38 N. La Cienega Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Phone: (323) 655-7311
Mgr: Bal Tejada
When we got back to the restaurant, we had the most amazing meal. You're seated with other customers, 8 to a teppan grill. A waitress gets your drink order and gives you an oshibori towel to clean your hands with. Then the food never stops coming.
First, you're given a bowl of clear onion soup. It's salty, and delicious. They use those fabulous "french fried" onions as a garnish, and it's a perfect sweet complement to the salty onion broth.
Next, you're given a fairly standard salad with whatever magic Benihana dressing they use. It's gingery and garlicky. Whatever it is it's delicious.
Around the time you've finished your salad the chef comes in with a cart. He sets up the grill, and starts to grill onions, mushrooms, and a squash kind of like zucchini (maybe it IS zucchini!). He also starts to grill some shrimp, which will be your appetizer. When the shrimp are close to being cooked, he'll pull out a knife, cut the tails off, and then cut the shrimps into several pieces. Then he serves a portion of the shrimps to everyone at the table.
While everything that is cooked is seasoned with at least salt and pepper (sometimes soy sauce, sesame seeds, etc. are used) , you are provided with dipping sauces. I'm not sure what exactly is in the dipping sauces, but they aren't bad and they don't cover up the flavor of the meat.
After serving the shrimp appetizer, the chef will cut the cooked vegetables into bitesized portions and serve them.
Then comes the fun part. Whatever protein you ordered (chicken, steak, seafood) is put on the grill and cooked to perfection. It must take some practice for those chefs to remember exactly what everyone ordered! I had filet mignon and scallops, both delicious.
Good luck finishing all that food!
The staff at Benihana in Beverly Hills is very gracious. I would say they know exactly how to serve people food - always present but never in-the-way. No guest had to ask for a refill, and serving dishes were always promptly removed.
Last night I saw Victoria Beckham at Benihana. I had no idea who she was at the time. Afterwards I thought she was more petite than photos make her out to be, and that she wasn't nearly as anorexic-looking either.
Benihana Beverly Hills
38 N. La Cienega Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Phone: (323) 655-7311
Mgr: Bal Tejada
Friday, August 10, 2007
Restaurant Review - FuRaiBo
It's FuRaiBo Friday!
I have yet to expound on the glory that is the Japanese Fried Chicken they serve at FuRaiBo. Every once in a while some of my coworkers and I will pull an extra-long lunch to indulge in the deliciousness that is the lunch experience at FuRaiBo.
Only at lunch is the fried chicken (I believe it's called Karaage) served as an entree. At dinnertime, the only fried chicken you can get is part of a larger, bento-box meal (slightly different from the DIY bento box lunch). For just under $7.00 you get a feast of a lunch:
miso soup
pickled veggies
steamed rice
salad
fried chicken
Their miso soup is the best I've had in South Bay - it's that good. If you don't like steamed rice you can always spike it with the spicy furikake they provide at the tables (it's in a shaker next to the soy sauce).
While I have to admit that their salad (shredded lettuce topped with cucumber spears and tomato wedges) is ho-hum, it's a good complement to the chicken.
A lot of people I know get the double teba (double order of wings), but I usually get the teba-chita (order of wings with a whole leg-thigh). I like the crispy, fatty, sweet and spicy goodness of the outside, but it's unparalleled when combined with the juicy, perfectly cooked meat within. It's truly an indulgence in fried foods, one of those things like fried calamari that is best enjoyed in a restaurant because it's too effort-intensive to make at home.
I go to the FuRaiBo in Gardena, but apparently there's one on Sawtelle near Olympic in West L.A. (just down the street from Taka Hair Salon in mini Tokyo)
FuRaiBo
1741 W. Redondo Beach Blvd
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 329-9441
I have yet to expound on the glory that is the Japanese Fried Chicken they serve at FuRaiBo. Every once in a while some of my coworkers and I will pull an extra-long lunch to indulge in the deliciousness that is the lunch experience at FuRaiBo.
Only at lunch is the fried chicken (I believe it's called Karaage) served as an entree. At dinnertime, the only fried chicken you can get is part of a larger, bento-box meal (slightly different from the DIY bento box lunch). For just under $7.00 you get a feast of a lunch:
miso soup
pickled veggies
steamed rice
salad
fried chicken
Their miso soup is the best I've had in South Bay - it's that good. If you don't like steamed rice you can always spike it with the spicy furikake they provide at the tables (it's in a shaker next to the soy sauce).
While I have to admit that their salad (shredded lettuce topped with cucumber spears and tomato wedges) is ho-hum, it's a good complement to the chicken.
A lot of people I know get the double teba (double order of wings), but I usually get the teba-chita (order of wings with a whole leg-thigh). I like the crispy, fatty, sweet and spicy goodness of the outside, but it's unparalleled when combined with the juicy, perfectly cooked meat within. It's truly an indulgence in fried foods, one of those things like fried calamari that is best enjoyed in a restaurant because it's too effort-intensive to make at home.
I go to the FuRaiBo in Gardena, but apparently there's one on Sawtelle near Olympic in West L.A. (just down the street from Taka Hair Salon in mini Tokyo)
FuRaiBo
1741 W. Redondo Beach Blvd
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 329-9441
Monday, July 23, 2007
Restaurant Review - Killer Shrimp!
My sweetheart took me to Killer Shrimp in Marina Del Ray Friday night.
There is only one item on the menu here, and it's the shrimp. (OK, if you want to split hairs, there are actually three items on the menu: shrimp with either bread, pasta, or rice. The recommendation is get the bread.)
So you sit down, and they give you some napkins and one of those "moist towelettes" that never seem to be large or moist enough. Then they bring you a huge bowl of simmering cajun-flavored broth and a bowl of sliced French bread. In the broth lies succulent shrimp in the shell.
The process is thus: soak up the broth with the bread and consume the bread. When you spy an elusive shrimp tail, retrieve it from the buttery broth and shell it (there's a plate for the refuse). Then devour the shrimp and repeat.
We didn't try any of the desserts (there are two: sweet potato pecan pie and chocolate cake) as I was gifted fudge before dinner.
I can't comment on the decor because we were seated outside. It was a nice night. :)
Killer Shrimp
523 Washington Blvd (it's upstairs)
Marina Del Rey, CA
90292-5420
(310) 578-2293
There is only one item on the menu here, and it's the shrimp. (OK, if you want to split hairs, there are actually three items on the menu: shrimp with either bread, pasta, or rice. The recommendation is get the bread.)
So you sit down, and they give you some napkins and one of those "moist towelettes" that never seem to be large or moist enough. Then they bring you a huge bowl of simmering cajun-flavored broth and a bowl of sliced French bread. In the broth lies succulent shrimp in the shell.
The process is thus: soak up the broth with the bread and consume the bread. When you spy an elusive shrimp tail, retrieve it from the buttery broth and shell it (there's a plate for the refuse). Then devour the shrimp and repeat.
We didn't try any of the desserts (there are two: sweet potato pecan pie and chocolate cake) as I was gifted fudge before dinner.
I can't comment on the decor because we were seated outside. It was a nice night. :)
Killer Shrimp
523 Washington Blvd (it's upstairs)
Marina Del Rey, CA
90292-5420
(310) 578-2293
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Restaurant Review - In'N'Out
Mmm. In'N'Out. There's nothing quite like the taste of an In'N'Out burger. (Quite obviously, this is my obligatory In'N'Out post - apparently there are a lot of them out there.)
I like the Double-Double served animal-style (grilled onions, pickles and "special sauce" added) with the bun extra-toasted, but I usually get the cheeseburger combo with the cheeseburger served animal-style with an extra-toasted bun. This is the epitome of fast food joints! A cholesterol kick will never get any more delicious than this!
In'N'Out is found all over Southern California and parts of Nevada and Arizona; I've heard they plan to expand to Southern Utah and Arizona as well. We'll see.
Their french fries are best right out of the fryer, with extra salt sprinkled on them, and everything is deliciously washed down with a strawberry milkshake. I've heard they'll make a Neapolitan milkshake, but I haven't tried this out yet.
Which reminds me, the In'N'Out restaurants have the most friendly staff I've ever seen in a fast food joint. Perhaps it's because they get treated well by the company they work for (you can start making $9.50 there). Regardless, they will make just about any change to their burgers they can possibly make. Protein-style (with a lettuce leaf instead of a bun), onions, no onions, extra pickles, no sauce, extra meat patty, extra cheese, the list could go on and on.
Mmmm. Delicious cheeseburger. Go get one today!
I like the Double-Double served animal-style (grilled onions, pickles and "special sauce" added) with the bun extra-toasted, but I usually get the cheeseburger combo with the cheeseburger served animal-style with an extra-toasted bun. This is the epitome of fast food joints! A cholesterol kick will never get any more delicious than this!
In'N'Out is found all over Southern California and parts of Nevada and Arizona; I've heard they plan to expand to Southern Utah and Arizona as well. We'll see.
Their french fries are best right out of the fryer, with extra salt sprinkled on them, and everything is deliciously washed down with a strawberry milkshake. I've heard they'll make a Neapolitan milkshake, but I haven't tried this out yet.
Which reminds me, the In'N'Out restaurants have the most friendly staff I've ever seen in a fast food joint. Perhaps it's because they get treated well by the company they work for (you can start making $9.50 there). Regardless, they will make just about any change to their burgers they can possibly make. Protein-style (with a lettuce leaf instead of a bun), onions, no onions, extra pickles, no sauce, extra meat patty, extra cheese, the list could go on and on.
Mmmm. Delicious cheeseburger. Go get one today!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Restaurant Review - Diddy Riese
Next door to Mr. Noodle is "the Cookie Place". One of my good friends from work told me about "the Cookie Place" long before I started driving up to Westwood twice a week.
Diddy Riese Cookies is incredible. For a dollar you can score yourself an ice cream sandwich, made with two of their delicious cookies (you can even use two different cookie varieties!) flanking a scoop of Dreyer's ice cream (if you're bored with vanilla, they have lots of other flavors!). For a buck-twenty-five you can get three cookies to take with you! A dozen costs $3.75. Possibly the cheapest place to get your sugar fix. They also have pretty tins if you want to give them as a gift.
The internet rumor is that Diddy Riese uses lard in their cookies, but it's really a blend of butter and margarine.
Diddy Riese is possibly the closest you can get to homemade if you live far from home. So delicious . . . not to mention fattening. Parking is wretched, so either go with someone and have the passenger hop out of the car to get cookies while the driver circles the block, or go after dinner at Mr. Noodle or BJ's, both of which are close by. If you're a student at UCLA, park on campus in the Medical Plaza Parking (Gayley Ave) and walk over. I think there are a couple parking lots near by as well.
Diddy Riese Cookies
926 Broxton Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 208-0448
Diddy Riese Cookies is incredible. For a dollar you can score yourself an ice cream sandwich, made with two of their delicious cookies (you can even use two different cookie varieties!) flanking a scoop of Dreyer's ice cream (if you're bored with vanilla, they have lots of other flavors!). For a buck-twenty-five you can get three cookies to take with you! A dozen costs $3.75. Possibly the cheapest place to get your sugar fix. They also have pretty tins if you want to give them as a gift.
The internet rumor is that Diddy Riese uses lard in their cookies, but it's really a blend of butter and margarine.
Diddy Riese is possibly the closest you can get to homemade if you live far from home. So delicious . . . not to mention fattening. Parking is wretched, so either go with someone and have the passenger hop out of the car to get cookies while the driver circles the block, or go after dinner at Mr. Noodle or BJ's, both of which are close by. If you're a student at UCLA, park on campus in the Medical Plaza Parking (Gayley Ave) and walk over. I think there are a couple parking lots near by as well.
Diddy Riese Cookies
926 Broxton Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 208-0448
Restaurant Review - Mr. Noodle
There's a place on Broxton, not far from UCLA, called Mr. Noodle. Here they serve delicious Thai food on the cheap - I had dinner last night for under $10 ($11 after tip)- and the servers are very friendly and recognize you after a few visits. Their portions are probably average for a Thai place - about the same as Thai Dishes.
I really like Thai iced tea (although it's probably worse than Starbucks, health-wise), and these guys make a good one: not too much "instant tea" flavor, and very creamy. It can be sweet, however.
I recommend their Chicken Pad Thai (which is served with delicious peanut sauce, topped with more chopped peanuts!), and their Chicken Yellow Curry, which I had last night. I would say their menu is as Americanized as Thai Dishes.
Service is very quick, and they're rarely packed unless there's a movie premiere going on. I recommend bringing cash if you're just feeding yourself; they charge a small surcharge on all credit-card transactions under $15.
Mr. Noodle
I really like Thai iced tea (although it's probably worse than Starbucks, health-wise), and these guys make a good one: not too much "instant tea" flavor, and very creamy. It can be sweet, however.
I recommend their Chicken Pad Thai (which is served with delicious peanut sauce, topped with more chopped peanuts!), and their Chicken Yellow Curry, which I had last night. I would say their menu is as Americanized as Thai Dishes.
Service is very quick, and they're rarely packed unless there's a movie premiere going on. I recommend bringing cash if you're just feeding yourself; they charge a small surcharge on all credit-card transactions under $15.
Mr. Noodle
936 Broxton Ave, Los Angeles, CA
(310) 208-7808
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Garlicky, Spicy Goodness
Last night my sweetheart wanted to watch the Warriors-Jazz game, so we went to Killian's Pub and Grill to watch the game on their projection-screen TV. It was pretty empty and uncrowded last night.
The game was good, even though the Warriors lost. I'm much too emotionally invested in how that series turns out (even though I'm not a basketball fan), so I think I'm going to try to avoid watching the other games. Powder blue will always look old and 70's-ish on a basketball court.
I highly recommend Killian's O'Danny Boy chips, even though they're not cut like traditional "chips". The garlicky-spicy coating is especially delicious. Chili and/or cheese topping isn't needed to make these delicious, and neither is whatever condiment you prefer on your french fries.
We also split the BBQ chicken wrap, which I thought was delicious but heavy on the BBQ sauce. I go back and forth on if I prefer the grilled chicken to the breaded-and-fried chicken. I suppose the grilled chicken is more condusive to reheating.
The waitress was friendly and nice, although she was the only server for the restaurant at the time.
Dan, if you're reading this, I tried Killian's Irish Red and thought it was tasty.
The game was good, even though the Warriors lost. I'm much too emotionally invested in how that series turns out (even though I'm not a basketball fan), so I think I'm going to try to avoid watching the other games. Powder blue will always look old and 70's-ish on a basketball court.
I highly recommend Killian's O'Danny Boy chips, even though they're not cut like traditional "chips". The garlicky-spicy coating is especially delicious. Chili and/or cheese topping isn't needed to make these delicious, and neither is whatever condiment you prefer on your french fries.
We also split the BBQ chicken wrap, which I thought was delicious but heavy on the BBQ sauce. I go back and forth on if I prefer the grilled chicken to the breaded-and-fried chicken. I suppose the grilled chicken is more condusive to reheating.
The waitress was friendly and nice, although she was the only server for the restaurant at the time.
Dan, if you're reading this, I tried Killian's Irish Red and thought it was tasty.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Easter Sunday
I had a nice Easter.
My new fellow and I went up to Venice Beach to have brunch at The Sidewalk Cafe with a friend, her uncle, and one of her classmates. I had their Eggs Benedict brunch special; it came with Mimosa. The Eggs Benedict was delicious, although I would have preferred the Venice Potatoes to be more crispy to complement the hollandaise sauce better. Their coffee was also really good.
I realize my comment on the potatoes sounds really picky. I don't think I'm especially picky - on the contrary, but I do try to point out what the "ideal situation" would be. The meal was fine on its own, but I happen to prefer crispier potatoes, especially when your food is topped with something like hollandaise. My eating preferences are going to give me a heart attack one of these days, aren't they?
After brunch, we wandered North to the end of the Venice Boardwalk. There are some interesting people that hang out and peddle goods there. There were some guys sitting on a blanket with a cardboard sign: "Family Killed By Ninjas - Need Money For Karate Lessons". I was most impressed with the young juggler I saw - he couldn't have been older than 22.
Several peddlers were selling these spraypaint paintings. They would use spraypaint to create a background, and manipulate the paint to create neat landscapes. Some of the artists would attract quite the crowd, although I think some people would hang around more for the fumes than the show.
My new fellow and I went up to Venice Beach to have brunch at The Sidewalk Cafe with a friend, her uncle, and one of her classmates. I had their Eggs Benedict brunch special; it came with Mimosa. The Eggs Benedict was delicious, although I would have preferred the Venice Potatoes to be more crispy to complement the hollandaise sauce better. Their coffee was also really good.
I realize my comment on the potatoes sounds really picky. I don't think I'm especially picky - on the contrary, but I do try to point out what the "ideal situation" would be. The meal was fine on its own, but I happen to prefer crispier potatoes, especially when your food is topped with something like hollandaise. My eating preferences are going to give me a heart attack one of these days, aren't they?
After brunch, we wandered North to the end of the Venice Boardwalk. There are some interesting people that hang out and peddle goods there. There were some guys sitting on a blanket with a cardboard sign: "Family Killed By Ninjas - Need Money For Karate Lessons". I was most impressed with the young juggler I saw - he couldn't have been older than 22.
Several peddlers were selling these spraypaint paintings. They would use spraypaint to create a background, and manipulate the paint to create neat landscapes. Some of the artists would attract quite the crowd, although I think some people would hang around more for the fumes than the show.
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