Tamiza's Resto Recs

Susan Feniger's STREET, West Hollywood, CA

2011-01-27T11:58:00.000-08:00

Susan Feniger's STREET
742 N Highland (just north of Melrose)
West Hollywood/Los Angeles, CA 90038
323-203-0500
www.eatatstreet.com/
Tiny parking lot in back, and limited street parking.

Visited: January 2011, Lunch, Dine-in

Well, I'm not sure how to review STREET. I definitely enjoyed the experience of eating here, but I didn't necessarily enjoy all of the food. Maybe my expectations were too high. I thought many of the flavors to be too light, and others had too many flavors competing. But there were definitely some high points.

We wanted to get a good feel for the multi-cultural flavors featured at STREET and ordered a number of items.

We started with their famous Kaya Toast ($11) - thick coconut jam on toast served with a soft fried egg (really really runny) and a dark soy drizzle. It was an interesting mix of sweet and salty, and even a little cinnamony now and then. While fascinating, it didn't send my tastebuds dancing.

We also got the Dumpling Sampler ($14) which was a nice portion size with 2 pieces of 3 different dumplings. The Spinach Varenky were more cheesey than spinachy, and reminded me of a cheese blintz. The lemon marmalade the accompanied the varenky was very sweet, and overpowered everything. I was expecting more Asian flavor from the Mandoo Vegetable Dumplings, even the sesame dipping sauce didn't seem to add much. The Shrimp Stuffed Shiitake Mushrooms were the highlight of the Sampler. The mushrooms themselves were flavorful and the shrimp mousse was tasty. These were very hearty little mushroom appetizers.

And we also started with the Tatsutage Fried Chicken ($16). This was quite good, and I highly recommend having this as an entree. I would have liked the chicken to have more of the soy, mirin, and sake marinade flavor, but the batter was really nice, and the chicken fried well. The kewpie mayo didn't add anything. The chilled soba noodles with the pickled vegetable slaw and chunks of firm tofu were really tasty. Overall, a very nice dish.

For our entrees, we had a few sandwiches. First was the Vietnamese Pulled Pork Sandwich ($14) - actually two slider style sandwiches, and these were winners. It was kinda like having bbq pulled pork with vietnamese banh mi pickled veggie salad on a soft roll. Very tasty, and had a nice little spicy kick. The sandwiches came with a generous portion of fried plaintains, and these very curious chips that seemed similar to Chinese shrimp chips. This was a big and tasty plate of food.

Next we had the Brioche Cheeseburger ($13) - really, anything you do with brioche is going to taste good. The bread was a great holder for the tasty angus beef patty, Vermont white cheddar, and the bright yuzu sauce. The burger also came with a large serving of homemade pickles (didn't really do anything for us), and a large, but wish-we-had-more, serving of homemade Yukon gold potato chips.

And lastly, we had the Falafel Wrap ($11). The falafel themselves were fine, but there was just so much stuff in the wrap that it took away from the delicate falafel flavor. Tomato, lettuce, olives, pickled radishes, tahini, baba ghanouj, tzatziki - too much! BUT, the wrap did come with those heavenly potato chips.

We also ordered two hot teas that are supposed to be "pulled teas prepared tableside" - yeah, not so sure about that. Not only did the tea not arrive early (it came after we had our entrees, so really no time for the tea to cool enough to drink it with the meal), but there was no tableside service. The teas came in these really hot metal containers and poured into glass mugs without handles. Overall very awkward, but the Spiced Chai Assam ($4) was tasty, and the Gen Mai Cha ($3) was okay.

The food came out quickly - their kitchen must run really well. Our server was very nice, and got our order correct, but the slowness on beverages and lack of tea show was disappointing.

Cousin Vinny's Cafe, Torrance

2011-01-27T11:05:00.000-08:00

Cousin Vinny's Cafe
5148 W. 190th St (in the 99c Store strip)
Torrance, CA 90503
310-542-3300
www.cousinvinnyscafe.com
Plenty of free parking.

Visited: A couple times, most recently, January 2011, Lunch, Dine-in

Well, they're from back east, and they say they got a good Cheese Steak, and boy, they sure do. We really enjoyed our sandwiches, and will definitely be back.

From a south Philly perspective, the original Philly Cheese Steak ($8.50) was very nicely done. The hoagie roll is soft and toasted on the griddle. The meat is plentiful and very tender, and the onions were cooked very nicely. They also use Provolone, which was great, but also have Cheez Whiz for those that prefer orange cheese.

They also claim to have the best French Dip ($8.50) around, well, not so much. It's a very fine sandwich with that nice bread and meat, however being from LA, nothing tops Philippe's. And my longstanding pet peeve, they used the term 'au jus' incorrectly on the menu.

The Meatball Sub ($8.50) made with their homemeade meatballs and marinara was also very tasty. Good bread is such a key, and their hoagie roll holds up well to the sauce and melted mozzarella.

All sandwiches come with a huge portion of crinkle cut fries or macaroni salad, and a pickle spear.

Vinny's is a new business, so watch out for coupons in area mailers.

Yellow Vase, Palos Verdes

2011-01-26T15:49:00.000-08:00

Yellow Vase Café and Bakery
51 Malaga Cove Plaza
Palos Verdes Estates
310-378-0013
www.yellow-vase.com
Located in the hidden corner of the Plaza, to the right when you're facing Poseiden.
Plenty of free parking, just note whether you're in a 1 hour or a 2 hour space

Also:
1805 S. Catalina, Redondo Beach, 310-373-0013 (street parking; does not have a large room for events; is next to their flower shop)
810 Silver Spur Road, 310-541-0013 (plenty of parking; does not have a large room for events; has a very nice patio)

Visited: January 2011, Lunch, Dine-in

All locations are lovely with both indoor and outdoor seating, but the one in Malaga Cove is the cutest! They also have a private room that you can use for parties of 20 or more.

This review is for the Cafe side of the house. They have a lovely menu of breakfast favorites, crepes, omelettes, salads, soups, paninis (grilled or deli style, your choice), and other Home Specials.

Today we tried the Tomato Bisque Soup ($5), and very much enjoyed it. It's quite tomatoey with a light creaminess, and light on any other seasoning. It's served with 2 slices of baguette and 2 slices of seasoned crostini. This is a very filling bowl of soup.

The Quiches du Jour ($9) were Quiche Lorraine and a Vegetable Quiche. Sadly, they were already out of the Lorraine (by noon?) so we got the Vegetable. It was very good. It was hot, and the filling was well cooked and the crust was just flaky enough. There were lots of vegetables, and you could taste the freshness of the spinach and mushrooms. It also came with a small mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette, and two cute litte cornichons. A very filling meal.

And we tried the intriguing Olivieh Sandwich ($9). A chicken salad mixed with potatoes, pickles, eggs, and supposedly green peas (but we didn't find any) with lettuce and tomato on a baguette. You also have your choice of having it grilled panini-stytle, but we chose as is, or deli-style. The sandwich also came with mixed greens and their vinaigrette. The chicken salad mix was good, but needed just a little more seasoning. But the bread was outstanding. It really made the sandwich. Also, this is a very large sandwich, easily big enough to share.

The restaurant is partially self serve. You order at the counter, and take with you your beverages and pastries. Your food is delivered to your table of your own choosing. Now, taking your own drink to your table is normally fine, but it can really awkward if you've ordered a Large Hot Mocha ($3.80) (in a really large mug with saucer) or if you've ordered Hot Tea (2.25) - carrying your pot full of hot water and cup with saucer while trying to figure out where to sit is very cumbersome. A simple tray would have been nice.

We have tried a few of their bakery items in the past, and their adorable macaroons are also very flavorful - we've had Chocolate, Coffee and Passion Fruit flavors. We tried a Milk Chocolate Cupcake, and that was quite tasty too.

I'm already planning to go back with friends. A lovely place to relax and have a good meal.

Seafood Port, Torrance, CA

2011-01-26T14:40:00.000-08:00

Seafood Port
21180 Hawthorne Blvd (near Torrance Blvd)
Torrance, CA 90503
310-370-8478

Visited: January 2011, Dine-in and Take-out

Seafood Port is pretty close at being in a Chinatown-style and atmosphere restaurant here in the South Bay. The food is good, the portions are generous, and they're fast.

The real deal is go to at lunch at order the lunch specials, or order the food at lunch and save it for dinner. It really is a bargain. Not all items have a lunch price, but many do. Also, I think the dinner portions may be a little larger, but really, the lunch size portion is plenty enough.

The Bean Curd with Minced Pork & Chili aka Ma Po Tofu ($5.75/$8.50) is not super spicy., but nice enough to be noticed. This dish is cooked well, and has a very comfort food quality about it.

The String Bean with Ground Meat ($5.75/$8.50) is another nice dish. The beans, I'm pretty sure are long beans, are fried real quick and then wokked with the meat and sauce. The beans are cooked but still feel fresh.

The Salted Pepper Pork Chop ($6.50/$10.50) is labelled as spicy, but I think don't so. However, they are still very tasty and have a nice crisp coating and tender meat.

The Peking Style Pork Chop ($6.50/$10.50) is a fried pork chop with the sweet red sauce. The coating is nice, and meat tender, but I actually prefer the sauce to be a little sweeter.

The Fried Crispy Chicken ($6.50/$14.00) is quite excellent. Very tender chicken with a very lovely crisp to it. The menu says to allow 15 mins, but if it's lunchtime and they're cranked up, it out right with the rest of the food.

And, the Salt & Pepper Fresh Squid ($7.00/11.00) is amazing. I've never had fried squid like this. It has that nice and light salt & pepper coating on these lovely flat sheets of squid (not cut into rings or the tentacles). I've never had squid like this before, and I'm in love.

I thought I'd try something different, and got the Kung Pao Scallop ($7.00/14.00). Well, it wasn't very spicy, so the sauce just drowned out the delicacy of the scallops. I was hoping for a nice balance of sweet scallop to spicy sauce, but alas no. They do give you lots of peanuts, though.

They have quite a large menu, so we'll be back to try our more things.

Little Dim Sum, Carson, CA

2011-01-26T14:29:00.000-08:00

Little Dim Sum
107 W. Carson St (at Main St)
Carson, CA 90745
310-830-0808, 310-830-0809
www.littledimsum.com

Visited: January 2011, Dinner, Take-out

We got a number of things to try, and overall, it was okay.

The Pork Shiu Mai (4, $2.55) were very large and had shrimp mixed in, but were kinda plain. Sometimes when the shiu mai are that big, I'm wary if they're cooked all the way through, and the pink shrimp color wasn't helping.

The Shrimp Har Gow (4, $2.55) were also nicely sized, and all shrimp. The skin was pleasant, however leftovers the next day, the skin was rather hard.

The Chicken Feet with Black Bean Sauce ($2.55) was a nice portion size, maybe 5 feet or so, but bland. They were tender enough, but the black beans were like rocks.

The Fried Potstickers (3, $2.55) were really fried (not just pan fried and toasted, but kinda dark and deep fried), and filling didn't have much taste. I prefer potstickers to come with a soy dipping sauce, but these came with a reddish spicy thing.

The Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf (2, $3.95) were very tasty and lots of bits of meat in it. They just required a bit of patience to eat cuz the rice stuck to the leaves, a lot.

In addition to dim sum, they serve some noodles, congee, and noodle soup.

They also have Rice Meal Combos, but instead of a combo, we ordered a plate of the Salt & Pepper Pork Chops. Nice texture, but a little garlickier than we're used to.

I doubt we'll go back unless to try some of the other items on the menu.

Fish Bonz, Torrance, CA

2011-01-26T14:13:00.000-08:00

Fish Bonz
2599 Airport Drive
Torrance, CA 90505
310-325-BONZ (2669)
www.fishbonzgrill.com
Located in Rolling Hills Plaza in the odd round intersection.
Plenty of free parking, however parking is crowded on Friday nights and weekends due to the movie theaters.

Visited: January 2011, Dinner, Dine-in

Fish Bonz calls itself a casual seafood grill, and I'd say it lives up to that moniker. We tried a couple things on the menu, and were quite satisfied with the quality of seafood and the portion size.

We had the Grilled Mahi Mahi ($8.99), and chose to have it plain with Teri sauce on the side. Normally, you have your choice of Garlic Butter or Cajun style. It comes with choice of rice, fries, or brown rice (50 cents extra), and I chose the brown rice. And it comes with their housemade cole slaw which was very tasty. It's a light Asian-inspired vinaigrette and also has toasted slivered almonds. The fish was cooked extremely well, and the portion was very generous. The rice was also cooked very nicely. In all, I would definitely order it again.

We also had the Shrimp & Scallops ($8.99) fryer combo which comes on a huge bed of lightly seasoned fries. The shrimp were quite meaty, and the breading a little salty, but overall tasty. There were a lot of scallops. These were a little plain, and definitely needed sauce. They have a condiment bar where you scoop your own portins of cocktail and tartar sauces, and a variety of salsas.

Being January, it was a chilly evening, but we chose to sit outside in the heated (and enclosed) patio. It was very pleasant, and would be quite lovely on a summer night to dine and people watch.

In addition to items from the Grill, they have the tacos, other fried items, teri bowls, entree salads, and clam clam chowder. For an 'upgrade,' they also have grilled zucchini and sweet potato fries - will have to try both of those next time.

They have something on the menu called Swai White Ruffy - we didn't know what this was, and was told that it was a type of catfish.

If you are with anyone who does not eat seafood, the choices are limited to grilled chicken, chicken taco, chicken teri bowl, or the Green Salad with chicken.

All in all, we enjoyed our dinner, and will go back and try more items.

Side Street Inn, Honolulu, HI

2010-09-14T12:57:00.001-07:00

Side Street Inn
1225 Hopaka
Honolulu, O'ahu, HI 96814
808-591-0253
http://www.sidestreetinn.com/
Open daily, 2pm-2am.
It's on a small side street not far from the Ala Moana Center.
Very little side street parking available. There's a pay parking structure across the street - park in the upper levels. Valet available in the evenings.

Visited: August 2010, Dinnner, Dine-in

Side Street Inn is a large casual bar that serves great food. There are a ton of TVs around, and all in all, it seems like folks are having a good time. Chef/owner Colin Nishida has created a great menu of local flavors with a few high end touches thrown in here and there. Side Street Inn is supposed to be a favorite of locals and chefs alike, and I can see why.

Everything is served small plate or pupu style. Yes, everything is served to share, like a pupu or appetizer, however there is nothing small plate about it. The portions are very large. We wish we knew how large before we set to ordering.

We had the 12 ounce New York Steak (market price) which came on a sizzling black plate atop onions and mushrooms. The steak itself was rather plain, but very tender and tasty on its own. The mushrooms were heavenly! They continued to sizzle away in some type of non-visible buttery garlicky goodness, so it was quite a surprise to get so much flavor bursting forth.

We tried one of the specials, a combo of pork buns. Chinese BBQ Pork / Cha Siu and Chinese Roast Pork served with steamed white buns. Except for the mustard drizzled over the cha siu, these were delicious. The buns were a tender texture, however we could have used more buns. The roast pork with its crisp skin and touch of plum sauce was the perfect analog for Peking duck.

We had their Side Street Works Fried Rice ($15.00) which was loaded with quite the assortment of pork - cha siu, lop cheng, bacon, Portuguese sausage, and possibly more. It was a very good fried rice, however, with so many goodies, it soon became hard to distinguish all of the yummies. I think I would have preferred a simpler bacon fried rice, or a cha siu fried rice, for example, to really be able to savor it properly.

And lastly we had the Fried Saimin which was also a very large portion. It had a great flavor and was loaded with egg, kamaboko, Portuguese sausage and spamelope.

All in all, we enjoyed our meal, we just ordered waaay too much food. Their Pan Fried Island Pork Chops and Baby Back Ribs are also supposed to be delicious - so we'll try those next time.

Pitfire Artisan Pizza, Culver City, CA

2010-09-10T23:10:00.000-07:00

Pitfire Artisan Pizza
12924 Washington Blvd
Los Angeles / Culver City, CA 90066
424-835-4088
http://www.pitfirepizza.com/
Small parking lot that is very crowded on Friday and Saturday nights.
Warehouse environment that can get quite loud when crowded. Outdoor seating available.
Order at the counter, and food is brought to your table (self seating). Additional drinks and dessert may be ordered from your server.
3 more locations around LA in North Hollywood, downtown LA, and West LA.

Visited: September 2010, Dinner, Dine-in

Overall, we enjoyed our meal, however we wouldn't go out of our way to eat at Pitfire.

All food is brought at the same time, so even if you order an appetizer or soup, it will come as the same time as your pizza and pasta.

We 'started' from the Pantry or appetizer section with Meatballs ($6) which was 3 of their large Hand-Crafted Chicken Meatballs served with their tomato sauce and topped with some grated Grana. The menu says it's served with grilled bread, and well, we got one slice of grilled bread. This seemed rather odd - one slice of bread served with three meatballs? Regardless, the meatballs and the sauce were very very tasty. The meatballs had a nice texture and a very interesting spice mix - it had something sweet that almost hinted of a Middle Eastern spice. The tomato sauce had a great fresh yet rich flavor. I would definitely order the Meatballs again, or try them with the Spaghetti and Meatballs ($9.25).

We tried a couple pizzas. They use a thin crust that is cooked very well, and has a nice char. The pizzas are sliced into quarters, and I noticed some folks eating their slices New York style - folded in half. One problem is that there is quite a bit of untopped crust at the edges, and it's rather lacking (and too charred). If you have sauce leftover from the meatballs, that makes a nice dip. We noticed that folks at other tables were leaving crust edges behind, too.

First was the Pitfire Sausage ($9.95) topped with their very tasty tomato sauce, fontina and mozz, large and small chunks of their sweet fennel sausage (very mild flavored), and crunchy flavorless red onions. While overall, this is a pleasant pizza, it seemed lacking in sausage particularly when compared to the Pepperoni that we also ordered.

The Pepperoni ($9.75) was covered in slices of nitrate-free pepperoni slices which had a nice flavor - herby and with a little snap. A very good pepperoni that wasn't greasy. The pizza was also topped with their tomato sauce, fresh mozz and fresh basil. A very good pizza (except for the crust edge issue).

The Roasted Vegetable Panini ($8.95) was a disappointment. The crusty bread was quite lovely, however it didn't make up for the bland contents. Roasted vegetables should have a caramelization that provide their own seasoning, but alas, no. It was a large sandwich with olive mayo (the only tasty thing), pesto (which seemed nonexistent), roasted eggplant, roasted zucchini, roasted bell peppers (almost tasteless - how is that possible?), those flavorless red onions, melted fresh mozz (added a nice texture), and some lovely, but too plentiful, lettuce. The sandwich was also served with a very large side house salad of mixed greens, shaved Asiago, vinaigrette and homemade croutons. The salad was quite tasty.

They also have a nice collection of bottled sodas. Coke and Coca Light from Mexico so they're made with sugar. And a selection of Boylan sodas - regular and diet. I had the Ginger Ale, which was a nice treat. Interesting bottled and draught beers, and wine were also available.

I'd go back and try more items on the menu, but only if I were in the area.

Hukilau Cafe, Laie, Oahu, HI

2010-08-28T23:36:00.000-07:00

Hukilau Cafe
55-662 Wahinipe'e St
La'ie, O'ahu, HI 96762
808-293-8616
Located north of the Polynesian Cultural Center, to the west of Route 83 Kamehameha Hwy.
There is a small sign when going northbound that shows you where to turn.
Street parking.
Cash only. Breakfast and lunch only.

Visited: August 2010, Lunch, Dine-in

We were looking forward to a great plate lunch, and we were not disappointed! Be sure to go early to beat the lunch crowd, and to ensure finding parking in this residential neighborhood.

We ordered our favorites, starting with the Loco Moco - ground beef patties covered with very tasty scrambled eggs over lots of rice, then smothered in a rich brown gravy. This was a very good loco moco, which means that the gravy was good - the gravy is always the kicker.

Then we had the Hukilau Combo - teri beef, fried mahi mahi and tempura shrimp, of course served with two scoops of rice and usually a scoop of macaroni salad. But not being fan of mac, I ordered all rice. First note was that it wasn't tempura shrimp but rather panko coated fried shrimp. No matter - they were fresh (crisp and hot) and tasty. The mahi mahi was also panko crusted, and served hot and crisp. Side sauces included were cocktail and tartar, but they didn't really need them. I was a little concerned that there wasn't a side of teri sauce to go with the beef, but amazingly, it didn't need it. The many slices of thin teri beef were very flavorful - they must have a great marinade, that there was no need for any additional sauce. This is a good entree to try several things, and large enough to share.

Which is why we also ordered the Beef Stew Bowl instead of the plate lunch. The stew had that great Hawaiian stew look - a hint of red from the tomato, however it wasn't strong in the tomato flavor. But the stew didn't need it. The gravy was thick and rich, and the meat was plentiful and tender as were the carrots and potatoes. It comes served over rice.

We also ordered a side of fries (they just looked so good, and were tasty) and one soda. They have self service water near the counter. I don't have all of the individual prices, but our total (before tip) was $28 - a great great deal considering not only how much food we got, but how great it tasted. And everyone was super friendly and very welcoming.

Most folks visit and write about the giant Hukilau Burger which is a hamburger patty topped with teri beef, fried egg, grilled onions, cheese, and lettuce and tomato. We did see someone order it at the next table over, and it looked ridiculous. Perhaps another time.

The Donut Hole, La Puente, CA

2010-06-13T12:33:00.000-07:00

The Donut Hole
15300 Amar Road
La Puente, CA 91744
626-968-2912
Drive-through only; 24 hours.

Visited: May 2010, Dinner, Take-out

Well, the real reason to visit The Donut Hole is that you get to drive through the donut's hole! It's very cool. The donut shop is open 24 hours, and even at 8pm, they still had a nice selection to choose from.

We just got a couple things - a Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting and a Raised Glazed Twist. Both were fresh and satisfying. They don't sell French donuts (which is a rarity, anyways).

Dim Sum Express, Monterey Park, CA

2010-06-13T12:06:00.000-07:00

Dim Sum Express
326 N. Garfield Ave
Monterey Park, CA 91745
626-307-5800
Walk-up stand; 4 tables and benches on the side.
Parking in the lot behind.
Open 7:30a-7:00p.

Visited: May 2010, Late afternoon, Take-out

We were a little apprehensive in visiting this place because almost all of the dim sum items are sold by the piece, and that just seemed way too expensive (and unlike most other dim sum places). However, after we saw how large they were, and how tasty, we were sold.

The Siu Mai ($0.75) were large and plump, and very flavorful. I sometimes worry when siu mai are too big cuz they don't cook all the way through, but these were great.

The Har Gow ($0.85) had large pieces of shrimp - you could actually tell they were shrimp, not just minced orangey-pink bits. Very good.

The steamed Cha Siu Bao ($0.85) was also very tasty. There could have been a little more filling, but overall it was still satisfying.

The Hom Suey Goks ($0.75) were very large. They were a little greasey, but the dough was nicely chewy and the meat filling had a nice flavor.

We don't usually order Egg Rolls ($0.75) for dim sum, but thought we would try them while we were here. Yeah, no. They were nicely crisp and had lots of veggie filling, but they were very oniony. The overwhelming flavor was onion.

The flat Fried Wontons ($1.35) were disappointing. They tasted like fried egg roll wrappers (which is fine) but there was hardly any filling.

The Pot Stickers ($1.35 for 4) and the Steamed Dumplings ($1.25) had plenty of filling and were very tasty.

Also good was the Chicken Rice in Lotus Leaf ($1.65). The rice was tender, and there was the right amount of chicken filling. This would make a great lunch.

And the Turnip Cakes ($0.75) had a very nice pan fried char, and lot of yummy tasty bits.

The last thing we ordered, we were a bit disappointed in. They also feature some 'fast food' non-dim sum items. We tried the spicy Deep Fried Pork Chops and rice ($4.49). For the price, you get a lot of food. But it didn't have much taste - definitely not spicy.

Overall, we were quite pleased with this little dim sum walk-up stand.

Shakas Hawaiian Flavors, Monterey Park, CA

2010-06-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

Shakas Hawaiian Flavors
2300 Garfield Ave
Monterey Park, CA 91754
323-888-2695
http://www.shakas.com/
Casual; order at the counter.
Located just north of the 60 freeway.
Parking in the strip mall and on the side street.
Second location: 101 Main St, #C, Alhambra, CA 91801

Visited: May 2010, Lunch, Take-out

Shakas is a nice casual Hawaiian fast food place. We tried just a few things, but were quite satisfied, and will definitely be back to try more menu items.

We had the Kalua Pork Tacos - two crispy tacos FILLED with kalua pig and topped with raw cabbage, cheese and pico de gallo. The kalua was smoky and rich, however, I figured out that kalua tacos are not for me. While tasty, they were waaay too rich for my blood.

We got a side order of the Mochiko Chicken. Boneless chicken pieces that have been marinated in a sweet soy sauce, and then lightly coated and deep fried. These were delicious little morsels. They identify the Mochiko Chicken as a house specialty, and they're right.

We also got an order of Spam Musubi ($1.95) which was very fresh and flavorful. I love it when there's just a little sauce on the rice, and this how they do it. It was larger than I expected - maybe 4 inches long.

They have all the other traditional Hawaiian grindz (Loco Moco, Kalbi, Katsu, Huli Huli Chicken, etc.) so we'll be back to try.

The Donut Man, Glendora, CA

2010-06-13T11:28:00.001-07:00

The Donut Man
915 E. Route 66
Glendora, CA 91740
626-335-9111
Walk up stand, no seating. Cash only. 24 hours.
Plenty of free parking behing the shop.

Visited: May 2010, Afternoon, Take-out

The Donut Man is best known for their Fresh Strawberry and Fresh Peach donuts. Large circular raised glazed donuts that are cut in half and filled with fruit and glaze. The fruits are seasonal - either they have strawberries or they have peaches. When we arrived in the late afternoon, they were in the process of making a new batch of the massive strawberry donuts. We decided that they had so many other tasty things that we tried those and come back another time for the strawberry.

We tried their other specialty, Tiger Tails. Looong twisted raised glazed donuts that are plain, or have chocolate twisted in. Very good.

Their Boston Creme Pies were also decadent. Large (maybe 4 or 5 inches in diameter) raised donuts filled with custardy cream and topped with chocolate icing. Exceptional.

They also make French Donuts which are hard to find. They were fresh, and they custom glazed one for us with chocolate. Unfortunately, it wasn't that great. It was mushy in the middle. (Randy's in Inglewood makes excellent French donuts.)

We also tried their very large donut Cinnamon Rolls (maybe 6 inches in diameter), and their traditional Raised Glazed Donuts were very good.

There was slight hint of old oil, but overall they were very good donuts. And everyone was very friendly, including the other customers in line. It seems everyone's in a good mood when ordering donuts!

Despite the late afternoon/early evening timeframe, we were pleased at how fresh the donuts were. For a 24-hour business, it was great to know that they make their donuts regularly and provide quality donuts at all hours.

Bahooka Family Restaurant, Rosemead, CA

2010-06-13T10:53:00.000-07:00

Bahooka Family Restaurant
4501 Rosemead Blvd
Rosemead, CA 91770
626-285-1211
http://www.bahooka.com/
Casual; great for families or drinking get togethers. Full bar.
Plenty of free parking in their lot.

Visited: May 2010, Afternoon, Take-out

This place is quite the sight to see - even if you just come to look and not eat (which is almost what we did). There are fish tanks EVERYWHERE! Great fun to look at. It's also quite a maze of a restaurant, but looks like it would great fun to hang out with friends and have lots of drinks with umbrellas.

They feature Polynesian food and tiki bar fun stuff. We decided to try a couple of their noted appetizers. First, Bahooka's Special Exotic Ribs ($23.25 for two pounds) which were like Chinese-style red ribs but then they were served with American-style bbq sauce. The ribs were tender, but didn't really have much taste. I was expecting much more.

And we got an order of the Crab Puffs ($10.75 for 2o puffs) which were rather odd little things. They were little fried balls of soft crab filling. The first one kinda tasted crabby, but the next ones just seemed salty.

So, I'm thinking that we won't be back for the food, but for the ambience. And after a few drinks, maybe those appetizers will be downright delish.

Euro Pane Bakery, Pasadena, CA

2010-06-13T10:37:00.001-07:00

Euro Pane Bakery
950 E. Colorado Blvd, Suite 107
Pasadena, CA 91106
626-577-1828
This is the 'old' location near Lake. They're opening another location further west on Colorado (west of Los Robles.)
Some indoor and outdoor seating.
Metered street parking.

Visited: May 2010, Afternoon, Take-out

Euro Pane was recently on Food Network's Best Think I Ever Ate (for its Egg Salad Sandwich), however it was on our list to try before that. We were going to be the area, and thought we'd stop in.

It was around 3 in the afternoon, and we were very disappointed in the selection that remained. They didn't even have any more bread left to serve sandwiches! The cases was partially filled onesies of this and that, and it was all rather surprising since there was a line of customers who left rather disappointed. They were scheduled to be open until 5:30, and I don't know what they were planning to sell.

We tried a few things, and were rather disappointed in the lacklusterness of the items. We tried a slice of the Frittata which was really more like a quiche. It had some veggies in it, but the problem were the long frilly herbs that made it difficult to eat.

We also tried a Cinnamon Roll, and they threw in a Dinner Roll for good measure (I guess to clear the cabinet faster?). Both were just there, not inspiring.

The intriguing thing was the bag of Chocolate Chocolate Chip Biscotti-like things. They tasted and felt like a chocolate chocolate chip cake that was sliced thing and left to dry to produce these crispy wafter cookies. Fascinating and tasty. They didn't have a label so I don't know what they called them, or what they were supposed to be. Maybe they were just dried out cookies? Dunno, but they were tasty.

We were hoping to try the brioche, croissants, lemon bars, etc, that we had heard good things about. But alas, based on what we tried, we won't go out of our way.

Ristorante Deneno, Alachua, FL

2010-06-12T16:11:00.000-07:00

Ristorante Deneno
14960 Main Street
Alachua, FL 32615
386-418-1066
http://www.deneno.com/
Casual nice. Full bar.
Plenty of parking in the public lot across the street.

Visited: May 2010, Lunch, Dine-in

This adorable restaurant in the heart of downtown Alachua is such a gem! The portions are generous, the prices are very reasonable, and the service is friendly.

We started with the Calamari ($6). A very lovely pile of nicely coated and crisp calamari as well as these little slices of coated crispy lemon slices - quite an interesting flavor surprise. The marinara was thick and spicy, and very tasty.

The have an open wood burning pizza oven, and we had the Portobello Pizza ($6) with lovely portobello mushrooms, and grana padana and mozzarella cheeses, and the Blanca Pizza ($7) topped with garlic, artichokes, and a number of cheeses - ricotta, parmesan, romano, and mozzarella. Both were plate-sized with a very lovely chewy crust and plenty of toppings.

We also tried the very tasty Deneno Burger ($8) that came topped with gorgonzola, red onions, and choice of swiss or cheddar. The burger also comes with mushrooms, but we opted out of those. As the pizza crust was great, the burger also came on a very nice homemade roll. A generous serving of pasta salad also came with.

It was a very relaxing lunch with great good. I'm looking forward to trying other menu items.

Hans' Homemade Ice Cream, Santa Ana, CA

2010-06-12T13:55:00.000-07:00

Hans' Homemade Ice Cream and Deli
3640 S. Bristol St
Santa Ana, CA 92704
714-979-8815
Casual. Plenty of parking in the strip mall lot.
Located near South Coast Plaza.

Visited: May 2010, Evening, Dine-in

Hans' is a traditional ice cream scoop shop and parlour that also serves salads and sandwiches. Since we make some pretty good homemade ice cream, we're always looking for shops that make good 'homemade' or small batch ice cream.

We tried a One Scoop Dish ($3.50) of Coffee Ice Cream. If was definitely coffee flavored, but more like coffee and cream than just coffee. I prefer my flavors to be more distinct.

We also tried a One Scoop Dish of Lemon Custard that was pleasantly lemony; good, but not sensational.

And a Regular size Chocolate Milkshake ($5.25) that was quite pleasant and chocolatey, rich, and cold. It definitely hit the spot.

We wouldn't object to going back, but would not make a special trip, especially when our homemade ice cream is pretty tasty.

Shivers Bar-B-Q, Homestead, FL

2010-06-12T12:20:00.000-07:00

Shivers Bar-B-Q
28001 S. Dixie Hwy
Homestead, FL 33033
305-248-2272
http://www.shiversbbq.com/
Casual; large shared tables and benches. Beer and wine.
Parking in the front lot.

Visited: March 2010, Lunch, Dine-in

We had a lovely late lunch at Shivers, home of hickory smoked bar-b-q since 1950. It has a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

We tried the Beef and Pork Combo ($10.99) - 2 very nice servings of very tender beef brisket slices and sliced bar-b-q pork that also came with two sides. We got the Bar-B-Q Beans which were sweet and smoky with nice chunks of pork, and the Sweet Corn Souffle was terrific. There were choices of three sauces on the table - sweet, spicy and mustard-based. I had the sweet, and it was very good. The spicy was a bit too hot - meaning it was all hot without much flavor.

We also had the Hickory Burger ($7.99) with cheese ($0.50) and bacon ($0.75) added to it. The burger was thick, tasty, and very satisfying. The burger came with two sides, and we got the Bar-B-Q Beans and French Fries, also very good.

Additionally, we got a couple appetizers. The Onion Rings ($3.89) were a massive pile of skinny, lightly coated onion rings. And the fried Corn on the Cob ($2.19) was amazing. The corn became sweet and caramelized from the frying, and was oh-so-tasty.

A very nice little place that was recommended by locals.

Gourmet Cobbler Factory, Pasadena, CA

2010-06-12T12:05:00.000-07:00

Gourmet Cobbler Factory
33 N. Catalina Ave
Pasadena, CA 91106
626-795-1005
Take-out only. Street parking.
www.thegourmetcobblerfactory.com (although the website isn't that helpful)

Visited: May 2010

We were curious about the Gourmet Cobbler Factory, and whether they really just served cobblers. They in fact do have some other pies, and now appear to be serving bbq.

We were happy to find that even though we were there at closing time at 3pm, they still had fresh hot cobblers. We chose 3 small desserts, and while they weren't cheap, you do get a lot of filling.

We tried the Peach Cobbler which was very good. It had a thin crust on both top and bottom, which made it seem more like a deep dish pie.

And the Pecan Pie was good also. It had a nice bottom crust that wasn't mushy.

And lastly, we tried the Sweet Potato Pie which was good, but very sweet.

While she may have a selection to choose from in her case, your best bet is to place an order ahead of time.

Aloha Food Factory, Alhambra, CA

2010-06-12T01:22:00.001-07:00

Aloha Food Factory
2990 W. Valley Blvd
Alhambra, CA 91803
626-308-0215
Located 2 blocks east of the end of the 710 freeway.
Plenty of parking in their own lot.
Casual. And Hawaiian style, they're closed on Mondays and holidays.

Visited: May 2010, Lunch, Take-out

We wanted to get a good feel for this restaurant, so we ordered several items. The kitchen is rather small, and it took a while for our order to be completed. In the meantime, the lovely lady of the house gave us each a sample Macadamia Nut Pancake. The little pancake was tasty itself, but it was really the topping and little crunchy bits of mac nut on top that were amazing. I'm not sure what the topping is - it's not syrup, or sweetened condensed milk, but it was more like a creme anglaise. Very tasty.

We ordered the Loco Moco ($7.25) which was a very large portion of rice, hamburger patty, scrambled eggs, and gravy. While fine, it was overall rather plain. Which is what we found to be the case with all of the items we ordered. Good, but plain - not highly seasoned.

For the Aloha Plate ($10.99), we chose Kalua Pig and Cha Shu (which we had heard raves about). The Plate came with steamed rice, veggies, and Mac-Potato Salad. The Kalua was light on both smoke and flavor. And the Cha Shu was tasty roasted bbq pork, but definitely not cha shu. If we had been served it without a name, we would have assigned it the title of cha shu.

And lastly, we got the Kalbi Plate ($9.75) that came with rice, veggies, and Mac-Potato Salad. The ribs were tender and had a nice char, but also very plain. As if they needed to marinate longer, or have a sauce applied during or after cooking.

A friendly little hole in the wall that also serves shave ice, but not sure that we'd be back for the things we've already tried.

Cherrystone's Grill & Grotto, Gardena, CA

2010-06-11T23:57:00.000-07:00

Cherrystone's Grill & Grotto
15501 S. Vermont Ave
Gardena, CA 90247
310-329-8200
http://www.cherrystones.org/
Casual nice; sit down dining.
Plenty of lot and street parking out front.

Visited: May 2010, Dinner, Dine-in

This is an interesting restaurant with your traditional fare that you would find in a restaurant called 'grotto' such as prime rib, meatloaf, and fish and chips. But it's also a Hawaiian restaurant, so you get things like katsu, kalbi and bento boxes. It's such an unassuming restaurant with great food and friendly service.

We had the special thin sliced Prime Roast Beef with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy ($14.50) - so very tender, and the gravy was dark brown and heavenly. It came with a serving of seasonal veggies, and started with a nice little dinner green salad.

We also tried the steamed Chilean Seabass with Chinese Black Bean Sauce ($18.50). This was very tasty, and the fish was cooked very well despite its thickness. The fish came with steamed rice and vegetables. It also came with a starter salad, and we chose the somen salad that came with greens in a very nice soy vinaigrette. I could have eaten a whole meal of that salad alone.

And we got the Teriyaki Salmon Bento Box ($13.00) that came with somen salad, mac salad, broccoli medley salad, steamed rice, and fruit. While tasty and interesting, the other entrees seemed more exciting.

On special were their Sesame Wings which is usually only available on the catering menu. These were lovely soy-sesame marinated wings then deep fried to a golden brown. Tasty and very meaty.

Our neighbors at the table next to us had the braised shortribs with gravy and the panko crusted pork chops. Both looked super tasty, and gave us inspiration of what to try on our next visit.

Sonny's Famous Steak Hogies, Hollywood, FL

2010-06-11T23:40:00.000-07:00

Sonny's Famous Steak Hogies
1857 N. 66th Ave
Hollywood, FL 33024
954-989-0561
www.sonnysfamoussteakhogies.com
Casual; take-out, order from the counter; eat in, table service.
Plenty of free parking out front and on the street.
Cash only.

Visited: March 2010, Dinner, Dine-in

As seen on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives with Guy Fieri, this fun little sandwich shop has great Steak Hogies, akin to Philly Cheesesteaks, and everyone working there was really nice. They've been around since 1958 - they must be doing something right!

We had the #90: Steak Hogie, Plain with Fried Onions ($5.45) plus the recommended Provolone ($0.50), although Mozzarella and American are available. The Sauce was also recommended, so we got a dish on the side. It's a homemade marinara style sauce, which did add a nice kick. So really, this sandwich became a #50: Steak Hogie, Sauce and Fried Onions ($5.45) with Provolone. A very satisfying sandwich that hit the spot for dinner.

We also had a #90 with Provolone, Green Peppers ($0.50) (cooked, but not well cooked as I prefer), and I would have ordered the mushrooms, except that I read reviews online that these were canned mushrooms, and I'm not a fan of those on sandwiches. No sauce. Again, a very satisfying sandwich.

We noticed other folks ordering the pizza, pasta and other hot and cold hogies, and then the smell of buttery garlic entered the small dining area. We couldn't resist, and got an order of Garlic Rolls ($2.90) that are only served in the evenings. These tender bread morsels are coated in butter and minced garlic and herbs - YUM!

Sonny's is definitely going to stay on our list the next time we're in the Ft Lauderdale / Miami area.

Wolfe Burgers, Pasadena, CA

2010-06-11T23:11:00.000-07:00

Wolfe Burgers
46 N. Lake Ave
Pasadena, CA 91101
626-792-7292
http://www.wolfeburgers.com/
Casual; order and pick up at the counter. Plenty of indoor, covered and open patio areas.
Free parking in the lot behind the restaurant.

Visited: a few times, Lunch, Dine-In
Most recently: May 2010

Wolfe Burgers actually has quite an extensive menu including breakfast and Mexican fare, but we stuck to the burgers.

A Wolfe Burger is standard 1/3 pound, and then there are variations on the Wolfe Burger.

We had the Ultimate Wolfe Burger that had two patties and the addition of blue cheese and bacon. It was a good burger that satisfied that great burger craving.

We also tried a Bacon Cheeseburger with Cheddar. Wow, both the bacon and the cheddar were so flavorful! They really turned a plain burger into one with a lot of pizzazz.

The service is quick and friendly, and all around a good experience.

Dave's Chillin-n-Grillin, Eagle Rock, CA

2010-06-11T22:09:00.000-07:00

Dave's Chillin-n-Grillin
2152 Colorado Blvd
Eagle Rock, CA 90041
323-490-0988
http://www.daveschillin.com/
Casual; order at the counter, and the food is brought to you. Very small with indoor and a couple outdoor tables.
Some parking on the street, and a public metered lot in back (use the back entrance).
Cash only.

Visited: May 2010, Lunch, Dine-in

Dave's is known for their sandwiches and smoothies. We decided to try their most famous and talked about sandwiches.

The 10" Hot Sub Meatball Sandwich ($9.50) with everything - onions, pepper spread, cheese and sauce. The bread was great - crusty and chewy. But there wasn't enough sauce, and the meatballs weren't strong enough to hold their own. What does make the sandwich is the amazing 'pepper spread.'

And the Tuna Melt ($7.00) with everything - pepper spread and tomatoes. I had read rave reviews about the tuna melt and how it was this amazing sandwich. I have to say that yes, I thought the sandwich was quite good. However, my ideal tuna sandwich is made with tomatoes and pepper jack cheese, and this tuna melt just tasted like my normal tuna sandwich that I make for myself. I'm guessing that no one else thought to make their sandwich with pepper jack before, so this was an 'amazing find.' I would order it again, after all, it has my fave tuna sandwich flavor profile.

We chatted with Dave for a moment about the pepper spread - which is really what makes their sandwiches so amazing. He originally developed it for the Italian Cold Sub, but the spread was so popular that he started adding it the others. It's a lovely pink-orange colored spread based on red bell peppers. Again, this is something else that is also my in recipe repertoire, but I guess for most folks, it's 'fancy' and 'new.'

While we enjoyed our sandwiches and the staff were really nice, the service was really really really slow, and we weren't even there at lunch rush.

Joey's Smokin BBQ, Torrance, CA

2010-06-11T20:54:00.001-07:00

Joey's Smokin BBQ
25308 Crenshaw Blvd
Torrance, CA 90505
310-257-1324
http://www.joeyssmokinbbq.com/
Located in Rolling Hills Plaza between CPK and Iccho. Plenty of free parking, but can be limited on busy Fridays and weekends due to the movie theaters.
Additional South Bay location in Manhattan Beach, as well as locations in Tustin and San Diego County.
Casual; walk up to the counter to order, then food is brought to your table.

Visited: June 2010, Dinner, Take-Out

We had known about the location in Manhattan Beach since it opened a couple years ago, but hadn't may our way over to it. This location in Torrance opened earlier this year, and we decided to finally go and try it (after it had some time to settle in - there were some horror stories about wait time when it first opened).

We wanted to try several of the menu items, and decided on Family Pack #3 ($79.99) which they say serves 6. I would say that *easily* this would serve 6 hungry adults, and you could even serve 8 adults without a problem. Quite a value to feed so many people. So what do you get...

1 full slab of Baby Back Ribs with your choice of sweet (Suh-weet) sauce, Carolina wet, or dry rubbed. In general, we prefer sweet bbq, so we went with that. The ribs were meaty, smoky and tender, and the sauce was a nice touch.

1 whole Lazy Smoked BBQ Chicken, also very tender. I thought that the chicken was a little plain, but I suppose that's just how chicken is. The skin was very nicely cooked and sauced, and the chicken went very well with the extra Suh-weet bbq sauce that we had and the baked beans.

1 pound of sliced Smoked Brisket - now this was to die for. I think this is the best smoked brisket I have ever had. Not only was it super tender with a light light smokey flavor, but it actually still tasted like beef. Oftentimes, I find that smoked brisket has lost its beef flavor when taken over by smoking, bbqing, or grilling. The best item in the Family Pack.

1 pound of Pulled Pork - a very close second to the Smoked Brisket. Tender and flavorful, and I bet this would taste excellent piled high on a sandwich.

1 quart of Mama's Downright Addictive BBQ Beans which were made with tender kidney and red beans, and sweet. If you like your baked beans or bbq beans to be sweet, then you'll love these. They go very well with the chicken and the pulled pork.

The Pack also comes with 1 quart of creamy cole slaw, but we opted for 1 quart of Mac n Cheese (for $2 extra) instead. Interesting Mac N Cheese, more like buttery noodles with a hint of cheese than, pow, in your face cheesiness. Overall, a very nice product, but don't look for uber cheese flavor.

And lastly, the Pack comes with 6 squares of Cornbread. Now, everyone has their favorite type of cornbread, and I like mine to feel a little gritty from the cornmeal. This is not that kind. This is more the sweet fluffy cake-like cornbread that could almost pass for dessert.

In addition, we also ordered a Basket of French Fries ($2.99) which is a large order of skinny shoestring-style fries. Well cooked.

We were very happy with this meal, and the leftovers it will provide.

Some other tantalizing menu items that we hope to try soon are the BBQ Flat Iron Steak Sandwich, the Half-Pound Burger upgraded to Kobe, the homemade Louisiana Hot Links, and the BBQ Wild Smoked Salmon Salad.

Calamari's, Torrance, CA

2010-05-14T16:28:00.000-07:00

Calamari's
1000 Torrance Blvd, Unit A, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
310-792-0077
Southeast corner of Torrance and Prospect. In a strip mall with free parking.
Casual. Large dining room.

Visited: A few times, Dinner, Dine-In
Most recently: June 2010

This is the former location of The Appetizer which now has a new owner, but retains much of the same menu. We went on a Friday night for dinner, and were surprised how empty the restaurant remained. There was a steady stream of business, but the restaurant was by no means full. We wondered if this may be have been an effect due to the confusion from the closure of The Appetizer.

Anyhow, we enjoyed our dinner, and here's what we had.

We started off with Garlic Bread which was brought to the table (versus ordering it from the appetizer menu). It's pizza dough or thin foccaccia based, and very light on the garlic seasoning. Wasn't too inspiring.

We also had an order of Fried Mozzarella ($5.95). The coating was crisp and seasoned, and happily, the cheese was piping hot. They came with a dish of marinara which was tasty, and enough to dip the garlic bread in, too.

Since the place is called Calamari's, we decided to try the Fried Calamari ($6.95). The calamari was a golden brown breading with some herbs sprinkled in, and served with a dish of marinara. The serving was generous, but overall it was rather plain.

The Antipasto Salad ($6.95) was very generous. It has a base of romaine and iceberg, topped with sliced rolls of salami, ham and provolone, plus marinated mushrooms and marinated artichoke hearts. The pieces are rather large which makes this a knife and fork salad. Everything is very tasty, and definitely large enough for an entree salad. It's lightly dressed in an Italian dressing - you may want to ask for more on the side.

The Calzone with Pepperoni and Ham ($11.45) was well done. The crust was crisp and cooked well, without being mushy or doughy. There was plenty of pepperoni, mozzarella and sauce to fill the calzone from end to end (none of those doughy corners) plus it comes with extra tasty marinara on the side. We tried ordering this on a second visit, only this time adding ricotta, and were saddened to find out that they were out of ricotta (seems odd, no?)

They feature Brick Oven Pizzas, and so we decided to try an XL (16 in.) Pizza with Pepperoni and Sausage ($18.00). The sauasage were nice slices of sausage instead of chunks (which can sometimes be hard), and there was plenty of both meats. There was also plenty of sauce which had a nice spice to it.

We ordered the Seafood Fettuccini ($14.95). This comes with choice of marinara or white wine sauce, but I asked for Alfredo sauce instead, and they were happy to comply. This dish was great with a mix of nicely cooked baby calamari, scallops, shrimp, and white fish. The pasta also comes with garlic bread and soup or salad, and we chose the Lentil Soup. The lentils were tender and had a nice mild middle eastern spice to it.

We also tried the Cannelloni ($9.95) with meat sauce (choice of having marinara or meat) which also came with garlic bread and soup or salad. This time we got the Chicken and Rice Soup, and it was very tasty. The broth was rich, and the soup was full of chicken, rice and veggies. Now, my favorite cannelloni is/was the version at the now long departed Rossini's on PCH in Torrance (now home to the expanded Volvo dealership), and unfortunately all future canenelloni is compared to theirs. This one doesn't compare. It's a very nice sized serving of three rolls of pasta sheets filled with what seemed like sausage lumps in a gravy. I was hoping for a soft smooth filling, not the firm lumps of meat. Overall, it was tasty, but not my favorite.

We will definitely be back to try more things including the sandwiches.

Bombay Tandoori, Torrance, CA

2010-03-06T01:31:00.000-08:00

Bombay Tandoori & Banquet
4111 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance, CA 90505
310-303-3185
Located at the bottom of the Days Inn. Plenty of free parking.
Lunch buffet, Dinner, and Banquet room (up to 150).
2 other locations in Hawthorne and Los Angeles as India's Tandoori.

Opened: August 2009
Visited: March 2010, Dinner, Dine-In; September 2010, Lunch Buffet

This location has been a revolving door of restaurants over the last 15-20 years, but we're hoping this one will stay. If you have eaten Indian food in the Torrance area over the last 5 years or so, you may be familiar with Robbie (in this location before when it was Punjabi, then opened his own place Shah Tandoori Grill further down PCH), well Robbie is back! It was like old home week to see him - we had no idea this was his new location (he's back in the south bay after having been at their Wilshire location for the last 2 years.)

We ordered some of our favorites and tried a couple new things.

Alu Samosa ($3.50) - 2 very large potato and pea samosas. Kinda plain, but a nice starter.

Tandoori Chicken Wings ($6.95) - 7 very tender wings served as an appetizer but tandoori style with the sizzling onions and tomatoes. These were stellar, and a great innovation. They had both a very nice flavor and a very nice char.

The Chicken Tikka Masala ($12.95) is as good as ever. A great rich flavor with that sweet-spicy tikka masala gravy to die for. The gravy is good on its own without even any meat! We ordered medium but it didn't seem very spicy - it was great.

Keema Curry ($12.95) of ground lamb and peas was really nice. But this we also ordered medium, and it was quite hot. Almost too hot in that you couldn't taste the spices as well. But still good.

Lamb Biryani ($12.95) served in a heaping pile of basmati rice, large lamb chunks, and nuts and raisins. I'm not usually a fan of raisins, but these were nicely cooked in the biryani. Overall very tender, and quite the meal unto itself.

We also ordered Plain Naan ($2.50), and they were fresh, hot, fluffy, and chewy. Great accompaniment and tool for those curries.

The Lunch Buffet ($9.95) is also quite a deal. They have an assortment of salads, and always have both Chicken Tikka Masala and Chicken Tandoori. The appetizers (today was a dal samosa and veggie pakoras), veggies (today: bengan bharta, saag paneer - both excellent!), and other entrees (today: chili chicken, Indian noodles - similar to chow mein) change on a daily basis.

Tudor House, Santa Monica, CA

2010-03-06T01:08:00.001-08:00

Tudor House
1403 Second Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-451-4107
http://www.thetudorhouse.com/
Bakery, breakfast, lunch, and tea room. Not open for dinner.
Plenty of surface and structure parking nearby for 3rd Street Promenade.

Visited: February 2010

This review is of the numerous pies that you can buy either in the Bakery or have served in the restaurant for Lunch. They're quite the value when purchased in the Bakery - prices range between $2.95 -$3.95. In the restaurant, they're $8.50 and served with Tudor House Salad. They're easy to reheat in the oven or toaster oven, 350*F for about 10 minutes.

All of the pies have a very rich crust, and are quite filling.

Cornish Pastie - ground beef and veggies in a nice gravy. This was one of our favorites with a great flavor.

Beef and Onion - a very fine ground meat and onion filling; almost felt like mushroom duxelles. This was a little salty, and you definitely need the crust to help cut the saltiness. Overall, though, this was one of our favorites.

Beef and Potato - a nice mix of meat and potatoes. This also was a good choice.

Steak and Kidney - chunks of steak and kidney. Rather bland.

Lamb Vindaloo - it was definitely a lamb curry of some sort, but did not taste like vindaloo.

Lamb and Mint - well, I wanted to try this one, but it confirmed that I don't like mint with my lamb. I ended up picking out the meat chunks - those were tender and tasty.

Vegetable Curry - A nice mix of potatoes and veggies. A different texture than some of the pies in that you could feel chunks instead of the feeling being smooth. Nice spice flavor.

Chicken Curry - a soft mix of chicken and veggies. It has a nice little spicy kick.

Chicken and Mushroom - a nice blend of chicken and mushrooms in a creamy sauce. But like all of the other pies, there's just enough sauce to hold it together; no need to worry about any gravy spilling out.

Spinach and Cheese - very very cheesey (a bright orange kinda cheese). Too salty and rich.

Spinach Artichoke - also very cheesey. I ended up picking out the artichokes.

Pork Pie - plain, and the chunks of pork were rather firm.

Scotch Pie - a mixture of ground beef and spices. This was also a very tasty pie.

I'm glad we took the opportunity to try all of the pies. It was interesting that some were so tasty, others bland. Some I would definitely get again, others definitely not. Overall, I would choose to purchase them in the bakery to take home instead of being served in the restaurant.

Ye Olde King's Head Afternoon Tea, Santa Monica, CA

2010-03-06T00:50:00.001-08:00

Ye Olde King's Head
116 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-451-1402
http://www.yeoldekingshead.com/
Plenty of nearby lot of structure parking.
Casual dining and pub.

Visited: Afternoon Tea: February 2010
Visited: Pub, several times

Ye Olde King's Head has Afternoon Tea every Saturday from 2-5. We're always looking for a fun place to have English Afternoon Tea, so we were glad to be invited here for a special event.

There is one set Traditional Afternoon Tea menu (meat or vegetarian) for $15.95 meaning that you don't have a choice between how large a tea meal you want or any options within the menu.

You do have a choice of tea: Earl Grey, Darjeeling, or a House Blend of black teas. Each person gets their own pot with a shared tea leaf strainer. Milk and cute little sugar cubes are on the table. They do refill your pot with hot water if desired, and that was a nice touch.

On to the meal...Because we were a large group, the tiered trays were brought to be shared between 2 or 3 persons, which was nice to conserve space. However, we did end up with quite a number of tiered trays on the table and after a while it was hard to see each other.

The top plate of our tea tier was a scone with what looked like currants but tasted more like raisins. The scone was served with a dish of jam (to share) and what I thought was a dish of Devonshire cream but was in fact cream cheese! Quite shocking, I say. A nice dish of butter would have been better. But since I don't like either jam or dairy spread on my scone, I thought the scone was rather plain and dry.

Also on the top tray was a mini quiche and a slice of a sausage roll. Both of which were warm and very tasty. It would have been nice to have a full sausage roll, as that is something uniquely British and would have been a great treat.

The next tier down were our sandwiches. Overall, the ratio of bread to filling was very high on the fluffy bread side. The sandwich flavors were cucumber-cream cheese, egg salad, and something called Indian chutney with grated cheddar cheese (I thought this was very odd, kinda sweet and salty, but some others seemed to really like it).

The bottom tier was dessert. There were two different types of sliced cake. Very tender cake with cream fillings.

Overall, it was fun to try out their Afternoon Tea, but I won't be back.

Shayan Market, Torrance, CA

2010-03-02T22:52:00.000-08:00

Shayan Market
3801 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance, CA 90505
310-373-5550
Take-out or catering only.

Visited: January 2010, Dinner, Take-out

About a year or so ago, the Shayan Market (and the whole market strip) went through a remodel. We finally went in to see the new store, and were enticed by the yummy cooking smells coming from their grill. On our next trip back to shop, we decided to order some dinner. We placed our order, did our shopping, and then picked up our dinner.

Overall, flavors were milder than expected based on the smell. We tried the #1: Lamb Shank ($10.99). It was a very tender and large lamb shank, but very plain. It came with a very very large service of basmati rice cooked with broad beans and a lot of dill. I found that dill is not my favorite herb.

We also tried some basics the Koobideh (ground beef) Kabab ($9.99), Chicken Koobideh (Z$9.99), and the Boneless Chicken Breast Kabob ($9.99). These were all very generous servings of meat with basmati rice, grilled tomatoes, and lavash. However, they were a little plain or mild in seasoning than we prefer.

I love that everything is so fresh, but would prefer a more hefty seasoning package on the meats.

Fresh Brothers, Redondo Beach, CA

2010-03-02T22:22:00.000-08:00

Fresh Brothers
407 N. Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
310-374-5678
http://www.freshbrothers.com/
This location is in the big strip mall with Rite Aid and Whole Foods. Also locations in Manhattan Beach and Marina del Rey. Mostly take-out; there is some in-restaurant dining.

Visited: January 2010, Dinner, Take-Out

They advertise Pizza, Salad, Wings, and that's pretty much what they have.

We tried a Thin Crust Miller Pizza (a meat combo thins with sausage, pepperoni, ground beef, bacon and ham), and it was very tasty. Often when there are so many meat products, it gets really salty, but this was done well. Medium was $16.95.

We also got a Deep Dish Margherita (fresh mozz, tomatoes, basil, and light tomato sauce). We would have liked more sauce as the whole pizza was rather light on flavor. Medium was $15.50.

We enjoyed both pizzas. but the Miller really had much more flavor. I think the Deep Dish crust took away from the some of the flavor - too much dough to topping ratio.

Their wings are baked, not fried, and are offered as bone-in wings ($7.95-15.50) or white meat boneless bites ($7.95). The wings - both boned and boneless were very tender, and we would definitely get them again. The Mild Buffalo has a nice little kick to it - just enough heat. The BBQ sauce was more on the tangy side, while the Garlic BBQ was a little sweeter.

We also tried the Family Platter ($11.95) Appetizer. It was a sampling of chicken wings (your choice of sauce), mozzarella sticks (flavorful breading and good marinara sauce), chicken bites (your choice of sauce), and french fries (very tasty seasoned wedge cut fries). The one problem in ordering take out of fried items - they were not crisp. A non-crisp mozz stick just doesn't quite have the same impact, no matter how tasty.

In all, we'd go back and try some other pizza options, and maybe the salads.

California Sushi & Teriyaki, Hermosa Beach, CA

2010-03-02T21:44:00.000-08:00

California Sushi & Teriyaki
429 Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
310-372-3656
Located on the corner of PCH and 5th (a light), and has its own plentiful parking lot.
Order at the counter, and food is brought to the table.

Visited: a several times, Dinner, Dine-in
Most recently: May 2010

There are so many sushi and teriyaki places in the South Bay, but this one is really good. The food is fresh and plentiful, and everyone is really nice. And for being in Hermosa, it's amazing that it has so much of its own parking.

While everything we've tried on the menu is good, the tempura is amazing. They use rice bran oil - and I assume that must be the secret. The tempura is hot and fresh, but also amazingly tender with a very nice crisp bite. Very tasty. The Combo Tempura plate ($8.50) with shrimp and veggies is definitely the way to go, and definitely enough to share. If you get tempura with your Box or Plate meal, you don't get the variety of veggies that you get with the Veggie Tempura plate ($5.95) or the Combo Tempura plate.

They serve a variety of sashimi and rolls which seem to be popular. I particularly like Unagi ($3 for two pieces), and theirs is very tasty. The eel is well cooked, and has a nice sauce.

Other than the tempura, we go for the teriyaki. You have your choice of Bowl ($4.95-8.50; meat, rice, miso soup and salad), Plate ($7.95-11.95; meat, rice, salad, and tempura - shrimp and veggies), or Box ($9.50-9.95; meat, rice, salad, tempura, and California roll - 5 pieces!). Not all meats are available in all combos, but the basics such as Chicken, Beef, and Salmon are. The teri sauce is also a little different - less sweet and a little more peppery. All portions are very generous.

The Chicken Teriyaki is fine - as most places are. Nothing special, but not bad. The Beef Teriyaki is also good. It's a thin sliced beef instead of steak style. The Salmon Teriyaki is excellent, and highly recommended. The Korean BBQ - beef short ribs/kalbi - is very tasty and the meat is very tender. The Bulgogi is also very tasty.

There are several more things on the menu that we'd like to try, and we're happy to go back!

Tito's Tacos, Culver City, CA

2010-01-10T03:32:00.000-08:00

Tito's Tacos
11222 Washington Place, Culver City, CA 90230
310-391-5780
http://www.titostacos.com/
Located just west of Sepulveda Blvd. They have their own parking lot and street parking, however during meal times, parking can be difficult.
Fast food. Order and pick up at the inside or outside counter. Some covered dining. Cash only.

Visited: Numerous times over the years. Dinner, Take-out.

You know it's good if the cops eat here. Well, judging by the lines, everyone eats here!

The menu is limited, but everything they do is good. They have Burritos (bean, BRC, beef), Tamales ($2.70, beef or chicken), Enchilidas ($2.15, Cheddar) and Tostadas ($2.15, beans), but my favorite is the Tito's Taco with Cheese ($2.20) - you must be clear to say with cheese if that's how you want it. The tacos are a crisp shell filled with shredded beef, lettuce, and Cheddar cheese - simple as that.

All orders come with a large portion of chips and their homemade fresh tomato salsa. The salsa is so refreshing, and goes great with their Refried Beans ($1.50). They also have Chili Beans, but I prefer the refritos.

The perfect dinner is 2 tacos with cheese, an order of refried beans, plus the chips and salsa. That means dinner is $5.90. Amazing. While you can order a soda to go, I recommend taking your Tito's Tacos home and opening a bottle of merlot. It sounds odd, but the combination is wonderful.

Diddy Riese Cookies, Los Angeles, CA

2010-01-10T03:14:00.000-08:00

Diddy Riese Cookies
926 Broxton Ave, Westwood, Los Angeles, CA
310-208-0048
http://www.diddyriese.com/
Pay and metered parking available throughout Westwood.
Fast food. Limited seating.

Visited: Numerous times over the last 10 years. Take-out.

Diddy Riese's is a mainstay of Bruin life, located in Westwood Village about a block from the UCLA campus.

Their cookies ($0.35) are great - my favorites are the chocolate chip and cinnamon sugar, but they also have 8 other traditional flavors to choose from: choc chip with walnuts, white choc chip, white choc chip mac nut, peanut butter, double chocolate with nuts, oatmeal rasin, chocolate with white choc chip, and candy (like M&Ms). Three cookies are $1.00, Half Dozen are $2.00, and a Diddy Dozen is $3.75,

They also serve brownies, Dreyer's Ice Cream and now offer Hawaiian Shave Ice.

But for a real treat, get the Ice Cream Sandwich ($1.50): your choice of two cookies and your choice of ice cream. My favorite combo is 2 cinnamon sugar cookies with vanilla. YUM!

Diddy Riese's is open until midnight, and til 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. Don't be surprised if there's still a line at closing time.

Il Toscano, Torrance, CA

2010-01-10T02:40:00.000-08:00

Il Toscano Ristorante
24590 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
310-378-2686
http://iltoscanoonline.com/
Located at the top of Hillside Village, plenty of free parking. Requires going up stairs to get to the restaurant.
Higher end. Reservations recommended. Now open Sundays.

Visited: Numerous times over the last 15 years. Dinner, dine-in

Il Toscano has long been our favorite Italian restaurant. The owner, Vittorio, is full of character and his food is great.

Our World Famous Cioppino ($25.95) is delicious. It's a great sampling of seafood in a very lovely tomatoey broth. Comes with toasted garlic bread.

The Lasagna ($12.95) is also very tasty with layers of bolognese and bechamelle sauces.

If you've never had squid ink pasta, here's a great place to try it. The Sringhe al nero di Seppi ($13.95) is a long pasta served with shrimp in a light cream sauce. It looks a little bizarre, but is pretty tasty.

Be sure to plan ahead for dessert ($7.00) - the Tiramisu and the Chocolate Mousse are creamy and heavenly! There's also usually a dessert of the day, so be sure to ask.

The Dinner Detective, Courtyard Marriott, Culver City, CA

2010-01-09T23:30:00.000-08:00

The Dinner Detective
Courtyard Los Angeles Westside
6333 Bristol Parkway, Culver City, CA 90230
http://www.thedinnerdetective.com/
http://www.marriott.com/

Visited: January 2010, Dinner, Dine-in

This is a combo review of the dinner theater, The Dinner Detective, and of the venue, the Courtyard Marriott.

The Dinner Detective is an interactive, part scripted/part improv, murder mystery theater presentation. After you've checked in, you're asked to fill out a nametag with your alias for the evening. Then during the reception, you're given instructions to begin 'interrogating' your fellow guests - some of which are in fact, guests like you, others are actors mingling with the group as fellow guests.

The reception had a cash bar for soda, beer, wine and cocktails, and open service of coffee and hot tea. The hot hors d'oeuvres were veggie spring rolls and veggie quesadillas. Both were tasty, but a bit soft - the travails of serving them in a chafing dish, I suppose.

Dinner started with a nice mixed green salad with mushrooms, carrots, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes. A light vinaigrette was available on the table, as were rolls and butter.

Between courses, mystery action occurred, and during the meal, we were given clues to review and opportunity to discuss with our fellow guests.

We had a choice of entree (which you reserve when you purchase your tickets), and we wanted to try each they had to offer: tri tip with peppercorn sauce, Alaskan king salmon with lemon butter, and chicken marsala. The servings were very generous (for example, you got a whole chicken breast not just a half), and came with rather plain mashed potatoes, and large servings of carrots and broccoli. The meats were tender and their accompanying sauces were tasty, but we wished we had more of the sauce. There was also a pasta primavera (vegetarian) option that someone else at our table had, but they were not very pleased with it.

The murder mystery comes to a crescendo during the next break, and over dessert, you are given an answer sheet to identify who you think is the killer and why. Dessert was a very tasty double fudge chocolate cake served over caramel and raspberry sauces.

As we're wrapping up dessert, the detectives return to announce who did it and why. And then the host announces the winner who correctly deduced the killer and motive.

It was all very light-hearted and good fun, and the food was pretty good, too. The service seemed right on time and very responsive. I would recommend the show and the venue.

Gaffey Street Diner, San Pedro, CA

2010-01-09T22:56:00.000-08:00

Gaffey Street Diner
247 N. Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731
310-548-6964
http://www.gaffeystreetdiner.com/
Parking available in their small lot, and some street parking. Can be very crowded for weekend breakfast.
Casual/family friendly. Large, well lit dining room.

Visited: January 2010, Dinner, Dine-in

You may have seen Guy Fieri visit the Gaffey Street Diner on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, and it's definitely worth the visit. The Diner used to be only open for breakfast and lunch, but they've recently expanded their hours, and are now open for dinner.

The first thing of note (besides everyone being really friendly) is that the portions are very large. Almost everything on the menu is homemade, and you wish you could finish the entire portion. We were very happy with everything we ordered, and would definitely go back for dinner, and try it out for breakfast.

First, we had the dinner plate of Country Fried Steak & Gravy ($9.95) served with a choice of french fries, mashed or baked potato, and vegges with garlic bread or dinner roll. We got the mashed potatoes - very tasty unto themselves, but topped with the creamy Country Gravy - yum! The steak was mild in flavor, but very tender with a nice crust. Overall, a very satisfying meal.

Under sandwich specialties, we tried the Open Faced Hot Beef Sandwich ($9.75) which consists of many many slices of tender beef on top of soft white bread that is an amazing sponge for the tasty bearnaise brown gravy. The sandwich is also topped with crisp lightly battered onion rings which are just the right accompaniment for the meat and gravy. In addition, the plate is completed with those homemade mashed potatoes and a generous serving of veggies (broccoli, carrots and zucchini).

Several breakfast items are also available at dinner, and we got the Country Fried Steak and Eggs ($10.25). It's the same lightly seasoned but tasty steak with the addition of 2 extra large eggs (which we got nicely scrambled) and choice of side: home fries, spanish rice, refried beans, cottage cheese, peach halves, or sliced tomato. We got the very tasty home fries - potato chunks cooked with bell peppers and onions and flavored with seasoned salt. You also get a choice of toast, tortillas or biscuit. We chose the biscuit, and boy, were we glad that we did. It's about the size of 3 or 4 biscuits that you get anywhere else; a perfect size to share. The biscuit was fluffy and full of flavor all on its own.

As a frequent orderer of hot tea ($1.95), I also want to point out that for service, they brought a mug full of hot water as well as a little teapot of water. Something that I wish more restaurants would do.

'Y' Not Burgers, Torrance, CA

2010-01-08T01:50:00.000-08:00

'Y' Not Burgers
22940 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
310-375-4202
http://www.ynotburgers.com/
At the corner of Hawthorne and 230th. Usually plenty of parking in their lot.
Fast food. Plenty of indoor booth seating. Drive-through also. Very friendly.

Visited: Numerous times over the years; usually take out.
Most recently: August 2009

'Y' Not is a local landmark serving you any kind of burger you want - beef, turkey, ostrich, buffalo and garden with all the assorted trimmings.

They also serve a great hot Pastrami Sandwich ($5.85) on a French roll, and wonderful BLT ($5.10).

Their French fries are always cooked well, and if you're in a particularly evil mood, you have to get the Chili Cheese Fries ($4.55). An amazing portion of really good badness.

'Y' Not also serves breakfast, and we highly recommend the Breakfast Burrito - egg, cheese, salsa, and either bacon, ham or sausage ($4.50). There's quite a bit of salsa on the burrito, but it's very tasty and very filling. If you get a burrito for breakfast, you probably won't need to have lunch.

In all, a great local place that folks have been coming to for years.

Kincaid's, Redondo Beach, CA

2010-01-08T01:28:00.000-08:00

Kincaid's Fish, Chop and Steak House
500 The Pier, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
310-318-6080
http://www.kincaids.com/
Located on the upper level of the Redondo Pier. Plenty of validated pay parking.
Locations across the US.
Higher end dining. Reservations recommended for holidays and weekend evenings.

Visited: Numerous times; Dinner (usually), Dine-in
Most recently: November 2009

Kincaid's is located at the Pier, and so has a beautiful view of the Pier boardwalks and the Pacific Ocean. They have an extensive seafood and meats menu that changes based on the season or what's fresh. I think everything we've had has been great.

They start you with a warm garlic bread - similar to a soft or thin focaccia. Very buttery and tasty.

The French Onion Soup and the Salmon Bisque are both excellent, and can be quite filling. They also often have a soup special, and I've had the thick and tasty (yet a little too sweet) Butternut Squash Soup in the past.

The Prime Rib and Filet Mignon are both tender and excellent. If they have the Trio of Brochettes (sometimes seafood, sometimes surf and turf), get it. It's an excellent and beautiful sampling. The seafood is always good, and changes regularly. We've had the salmon, scallops, stuffed mahi mahi, and it's all been tasty.

Most of the entrees are complete meals with a starch and veg, however there are a few sides that you can add on. These are portioned to share. We like the Mac and Cheese (with bacon) a lot.

Desserts are also very good, and you may need to plan ahead to make sure you still have room! We like the Creme Brulee, Chocolate Cake, and the Pear Bread Pudding.

If you visit their website to view the menu, it really short changes how extensive the menu really is. I think this is because so much of their menu is seasonal or du jour, that it's hard to post regularly online.

Philippe The Original, Los Angeles, CA

2010-01-08T01:04:00.000-08:00

Philippe The Original
1001 N. Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-628-3181
http://www.philippes.com/
On the corner at Ord St near Chinatowon, the Post Office Annex, Union Station, and Olvera St.
Free parking in the lot behing Philippe's and across Ord St.
Casual.

Visited: Numerous times over 30 years; Dine in and Take Out
Most recently: March 2009

Philippe's is the home of the Original French Dipped Sandwich. Philippe's has been around since 1908, and is an LA landmark. Many generations of families have included Philippe's in their own traditions. For many, no trip to Dodger Stadium is complete without a stop at Philippe's.

It's best to go in at least pairs. One person to find and stand in line to order at the counter; glass cases enticing you with side salads and desserts. And when you're a kid, you're short enough to watch the ladies making your yummy sandwich through the glass. The other person to find a seat in the massive dining room, mostly filled with long communal tables and stools, and sawdust on the floor.

You can tell that some of the ladies have been there for decades, and I bet some of them have even served me when I was a little girl!

Our favorite is the Beef Sandwich ($5.55), Double Dipped (both halves of the French roll are dipped in the jus). Sometimes we add cheese (American, Jack or Swiss) for 55c. Another family favorite is the Pork Sandwich ($5.55), Double Dipped. We've also tried the Lamb ($6.75), Double Dipped, but it just didn't pack the same punch as the beef. They also offer a Turkey sandwich, but even after all of these years, we still haven't tried it yet.

They also offer chili, stew, soups, and breakfast, which seem to be very popular, but quite honestly, the sandwiches are so good, we haven't strayed.

Philippe's is also known for its Hot Mustard which used to be set out in the communinal dining space in these cute little jars with the special mustard dauber, but now they come in squeeze bottles. Just not quite the same feel. Jars are available for purchase.

As sides we often get the Potato Salad, Macaroni Salad or Coleslaw ($1.10). Philippe's also has a great assortment of old timey sides like pickled eggs (bright purple jars!), pickled pigs feet, and pickles.

Their lemonade is really tasty, and they serve an assortment of wines and beers. And coffee is still only 9 cents.

For dessert, they have a lovely display of pies, Balian ice cream, classic baked apples, and my favorite, the baked Custard Cup ($2.15) with a sprinkle of nutmeg.

It's nice to have some things never change.

Rascals Teriyaki Grill, Torrance, CA

2010-01-08T00:31:00.000-08:00

Rascals Teriyaki Grill
5111 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503
310-542-0022
http://www.rascalsteriyaki.com/
Free parking in lot, however can be very crowded during meal times.
Additional locations in Gardena and Long Beach.
Closed Sundays.
Casual/fast foodish. Order and pick up at the counter.

Visited: Numerous times; Usually take-out
Most recently: June 2010

Rascals is a teri grill with a decidedy Hawaiian bent. They do a brisk business, and everything is super fresh.

Our favorites are the Chinese Chicken Salads ($5.15, $6.75) with shredded chicken breast, cucumbers, green onion, and the cruchies are rice noodles and almond slivers. The dressing is tangy with a hint of sesame. Party trays of this salad are very popular for parties, but we think you actually get more 'stuff' if you order the individual salads.

And the Teri Burgers ($3.95) on a soft bun with lettuce, tomatoes, soft onions, pickles, and mayo. The burger also comes with extra teri sauce, which we find we need.

Also very good is the Teri Beef (Bowl $5.75, Plate $6.95, Deluxe With Salad $8.10). The Teri Chicken isn't bad, but we prefer the Beef.

The Curry Bowl (Chix $5.35, Beef $5.75, Veg $5.15) is also pretty tasty as is the Chili and Rice ($3.95).

Because they're usually so crowded during meal times, we often call ahead and Rascals has a separate pick up line for called in orders.

Fleming's Steakhouse, El Segundo, CA

2010-01-08T00:05:00.001-08:00

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar
2301 Rosecrans Ave, El Segundo, CA
310-643-6911
http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/
Locations throughout Southern California and the US.
Valet parking in front; free self parking behind the restaurant in the structure.
Higher end. Option of black napkin, if preferred. Full bar. Can be dark inside.

Visited: Numerous times, Dinner, Dine-in
Most recently: December 2009

We've been to Fleming's several times at this location, and every time except once, the service has been exceptional. The food has always been scrumptious. Entrees and sides are ordered separately, and sides are definitely large enough to share. Due to the pricepoint, this usually a special occasion restaurant.

Our favorite salads are the Fresh Mozzarella and Sweet Tomato - a classic Caprese served with fresh basil leaves, balsamic, and olive oil. And the Fleming's Salad is a real treat - greens, dried cranberries, grape tomatoes, croutons and candied walnuts in a light vinaigrette. They used to have a Warm Spinach Mushroom Salad which was velvety good; still hoping they'll bring that back.

Our favorite meats are the Filet Mignon and Prime Ribeye. The Seared Scallops, while tasty, were a bit disappointing in their size compared with the quality of the other entrees.

On Sundays, they have a special dinner menu of Prime Rib served au jus and with two additional sauces. The dinner starts with a choice of The Wedge, Fleming's or Caesar Salad, one side dish and dessert. A great piece of meat, and a great value for the set menu.

They also have seasonal prix fixe menus which have been very tasty.

Be sure to listen to specials. Some notable items have been the Bone-In Filet Mignon - an amazing piece of meat that is cooked well and literally fork tender. Also tasty was the Macadamia-Crusted Chilean Sea Bass served with asparagus. Often there is a Mixed Grill special - meats or surf and turf that sound tasty.

Our favorite sides are the Fleming's Potatoes - scallopped potatoes with jalapeno and topped with cheddar cheese and the Chipotle Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese - with a nice little kick. The thick tower of Onion Rings is also good, but a lot of onion rings. The Grilled Asparagus, Sauteed Mushrooms, and Creamed Spinach are also tasty.

For dessert, the Chocolate Lava Cake is very good and requires a pre-order during your entree. The Creme Brulee is also a nice finish to the evening if you have room.

They also have an extensive collection of wines and aged Scotches.

El Burrito, Jr, Torrance, CA

2010-01-07T23:33:00.000-08:00

El Burrito, Jr
Full Service Locations:
21141 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503 (at Torrance Blvd in the Albertsons strip mall), 310-944-9200
3830 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance, CA 90505 (former Taco Bell, next to McDonald's), 310-373-5404
Walk-Up Locations (with limited covered outdoor seating):
919 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, CA 90277, 310-316-5058
1865 Pacific Coast Highway, Lomita, CA 90717, 310-326-6513

Visited: Numerous times; Eat in and take out
Most recently: February 2010

We usually eat in at the West Torrance location (90503), however the food at all of the locations is consistent and equally tasty.

Table service starts with fried full-size corn tortilla chips (you need to break them up yourself) and the homemade fresh salsa which is not for the tame. The salsa is usually pretty zippy, and is so popular that people buy it by the quart.

Interestingly, nothing else is deep fried. The taquitos, tacos, and chimichangas are finished on the griddle, and this adds a different spin on those traditional items.

Particular favorites are Combos #1: Enchilada and a Taco with beans or #3: 2 Enchiladas and a Taco. We usually get cheese enchiladas and shredded beef tacos. Also Combo #27: the Chimichanga with rice and beans. The chimi usually comes with shredded beef, picadollo beef, ground beef or chicken, but you can also order it with carne asada for an extra buck or two, and it's worth it.

The Machaca and eggs plate is also very tasty, although sometimes the bell peppers and onions aren't quite as cooked as much as I like them.

The Carnitas are also good, and come as a plate or in burritos. The Super Deluxe Burritos (where the rice and beans are inside the burrito, and served wet) are also great.

EBJ has the yummiest beans around - so rich and creamy, they're like gravy! Most of the entrees come with beans, or you can get a Bean Burrito with cheese. Scrumptious! EBJ's beans are our gold standard, and we pretty much compare everyone else's beans to EBJ!

Suzy's Bar and Grill, Hermosa Beach, CA

2010-01-07T22:50:00.001-08:00

Suzy's Bar and Grill
1141 Aviation Blvd, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
310-379-6171
At the corner of Prospect in the Big Lots strip mall. Plenty of parking.
Casual.

Visited: Numerous times; Dinner, dine-in
Most recently: June 2010

Suzy's has entertainment most evenings - live music or Team Trivia (on Wednesdays), and they also have pretty good food including traditional bar food like Wings or Chicken Tenders (spicy, bbq or teriyaki), Nachos (plain, Steak or Chicken), and Mozzarella Sticks.

The Quesadillas are also good - choice of Cheese, Veggie or Steak, and comes with the house salsa. Even their Chips and Salsa are worth trying - a great homemade peppery salsa that you can't find anywhere else.

Their Double Dubiak Burger is exceptional. The grilled beef patties have so much flavor, it's amazing. You can order as is, or add onions. The burger comes with chips, but you can choose to add fries or onion rings.

The Fries or thick panko-covered Onion Rings are often a little pale for our liking, so we usually order then well done. However, the Sweet Potato Fries come out just right.

The BBQ Chicken Wrap is also a tasty option. Grilled chicken, bbq sauce, bacon, and tomato wrapped in a toasted tortilla. Very tasty. Comes with chips.

We also like the Beef Stroganoff - a more garlicky version than you'll usually find elsewhere. It's made with rigatoni, mushrooms, tri tip and grilled garlic bread.

The Vodka Rigatoni is also very satisfying - comes with chicken or meatless, and served with garlic bread. It's a pleasant pink sauce -not too tomatoey, not too creamy.

Also tasty is the Benny Burger. A burger with Swiss cheese, bacon, tomato, lettuce and 1000 island on grilled sourdough. Served with chips.

They also have a variety of Philly Cheesesteaks with your choice of toppings. Wyatt's Works is a favorite - loaded with peppers, onions, mushrooms and cheese. We sometimes order with extra cheese. Sometimes the bread can be a little too fluffy for my preference, but it still tastes good.

The Fettucine Alfredo is actually served with linguine but is still very tasty. The sauce is lightly creamy, very garlicky, and has mushrooms. Choice of beautiful shrimp or chicken breast.

Not on the menu but a frequent special are the BBQ Ribs served with fries and a side salad. The ribs are very tender, and have a nice grilled smoky flavor.

The Tortilla Soup comes with chicken, rice, veggies, and topped with avocado slices. The soup is very tasty and has a bit of a spicy kick. Very satisfying.

There are even more items on the menu, and most are pretty good.

Note: beer and wine only, no hard alcohol.

If you're a regular, the bartenders/servers really get to know you and your order. Nice and friendly.

Ports O'Call Restaurant, San Pedro, CA

2010-01-07T22:25:00.000-08:00

Ports O'Call Restaurant
Ports O'Call, Berth 76, San Pedro, CA 90731
http://www.portsocalldining.com/
Located near the southern end of the Ports O'Call. Plenty of free parking.
Higher end. Reservations recommended for holidays, brunch and weekend evenings.

Visited: December 2009, Lunch, Dine-in

The Ports O'Call Restaurant is located on the water with a lovely view of the boats, tugs, cruise ships, and freighters that enter and exit the Los Angeles Port. It's a great special occasion restaurant, and also has a lovely Sunday Brunch.

We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch - it was a beautiful day to watch the waterway and its various birds, and the food was great as well. The menu is pretty stable, but may change around the holidays for special treats.

To start, the restaurant serves warm crispy baguettes with butter and a pesto parmesan dip. I'm such a sucker for warm bread, and the pesto was a nice touch.

I started with the special Lobster Bisque that came with two shrimp. Because the broth was based on cioppino, it had much more depth than your usual bisque. Rich and amazing. Great with the baguettes.

The Stacked 10 oz Prime Rib Sandwich ($12.00) served au jus was amazing. It comes on a lovely toasted baguette and topped with crispy onion rings and a garlic-cream cheese spread. Served with a choice of side French Fried Potatoes, Creole Cole Slaw or Mashed Potatoes, and we chose the Fries, a generous serving. The meat was super tender, and it was a very satisfying and filling sandwich.

Another very satisying entree is the Seafood Combo Tempura ($11.00), a lovely lightly battered combination of 2 shrimp, 2 scallops, fish, and a mountain of fries. The combo is served with the House Tartar Sauce and ketchup.

A holiday seasonal special was the Grilled Halibut served with shrimp with a light beurre blanc, roasted corn mashed potatoes (little bits of roasted corn kernals mixed with the potatoes) and asparagus. This really was a heavenly mixture.

We also ordered a couple sides to share (not that we needed them; the entree portions were plenty): the special Macaroni and Cheese and the Spinach with Bacon. Both were very tasty, and we would definitely order them again if offered.

It's been a long time since we attended the brunch, and that will be on our agenda soon.

Versailles, Miami, FL

2010-01-07T22:08:00.000-08:00

Versailles Cuban Restaurant
3555 SW Eighth Street (Calle Ocho), Little Havana, Miami, FL 33135
305-444-0240
Plenty of parking in around the restaurant and its associated bakery and cafe.
Casual.

Visited: March 2009, Dinner, Dine-in

We were under the impression that our beloved Versailles in LA was somehow related to this original establishment in Miami. However, after sampling the fare in Miami, there is no comparison to the garlicky goodness that we are accustomed to, in fact, barely any garlicky goodness.

We tried the Roasted Garlic Chicken and the Macitas de Puerco Fritas, our Cuban fare favorites, and while the meal was just fine, the portion sizes were much smaller, and the mojo de ajo was hardly visible and didn't have much taste. As we understand, there are different standards for Cuban fare, but we prefer our garlicky goodness that we can get at our home Versailles.

However, we would come back to visit the Versailles Bakery and Sandwich Shop or the Pastry and Coffee Counter for some amazing Cuban coffee served traditionally in those tiny little paper cups to share. Sidewalk seating is great for people watching.

Randy's Donuts, Inglewood, CA

2010-01-07T21:37:00.000-08:00

Randy's Donuts
805 W. Manchester Ave, Inglewood, CA 90301
http://randys-donuts.com/
On the northwest corner at La Cienega. Plenty of parking, and two drive-throughs.

Visited: Breakfast and Dessert, Take-Out
Most recently: November 2009

You totally know Randy's - it's the iconic LA landmark with the giant donut on its roof seen in practically every TV show or movie that is panning images of LA. Well, we finally went for the first time, and yes, the donuts are quite good.

We tried several of our favorites: Raised Glazed, Glazed Twist, Chocolate Raised, Coconut Raised (a little different style than other places - less snowball-like), and Devil's Food. They also have French Donuts which most donut shops do not have anymore.

They also have the other traditional donuts (jelly and custard filled, buttermilk cruellers, old fashioned, cheese, etc), muffins, cinnamon rolls, a few breakfast sandwiches, a few fancy coffees, and some other interesting items like the Apple Crepe (a crepe filled with cinnamon apples then deep fried and coated with cinnamon sugar).

Randy's is open 24 hours to satisfy that donut craving. Walk up (no seating) or drive through.

Paco's Tacos, Los Angeles, CA

2010-01-07T21:22:00.000-08:00

Paco's Tacos Cantina
6212 Manchester Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
310-645-8692
http://www.pacoscantina.com/
Located between Sepulveda and Truxton. Free parking behind the restaurant; shares the lot with other businesses and can be crowded at meal time.
A second location at 4141 S. Centinela Ave, LA.
Casual. Full bar. At dinner, can be dark inside.

Visited: Lunch and Dinner, Dine-in
Most recently: November 2009

Paco's has some really nice Mexican food basics (Enchiladas and Tacos, and other items in combination) as well as some tasty "Regional" and "Native" plates such as the Cochinita Pibil de Yucatan, pork chunks marinated in a special BBQ sauce served with rice, beans, and tortillas.

The real reason to come to Paco's is for the flour tortillas. They are handmade fresh throughout the day, and served warm with crisp, flaky and chewy textures in all the right places.

This location is near LAX and worth the stop if you are heading to or from the airport.

Don Jose Mexican Restaurant, Sebring, FL

2010-01-07T21:01:00.001-08:00

Don Jose Mexican Restaurant
1711 SW Lakeview Dr, Sebring, FL
863-385-9326
http://www.donjosemexican.com/florida
Plenty of parking in their lot.
Casual nice.

Visited: Lunch, Dine-in
Most recently: September 2009

Don Jose is located on the shore of Lake Jackson, and many of the seats have a lovely view of the water, the reeds, and the wildlife (lovely little egrets and cranes).

The chips and salsa were fresh, and the salsa had a little kick to it.

We had the #7: Beef Burrito ($6.95; also available with Chicken) was full and satisfying, and quite the value for the price. The beans were tasty and creamy.

The #21: Enchilada Mole ($9.95) was exceptional. The shredded chicken in the chili guajillo and peanut butter mole sauce is very distinctive and tasty. The rice and beans are a nice accompaniment, but the real winner here is the mole.

Overall, a nice restaurant and pleasant suprise in Sebring.

Charlie's Bar-B-Q, Dania Beach, FL

2010-01-07T20:48:00.000-08:00

Charlie's Bar-B-Q
1302 S. Federal Hwy, Dania Beach, Fl 33004
954-924-0109
Plenty of parking behind the restaurant, also has a drive-through.
Dania Beach is in the greater Fort Lauderdale/Miami area.
Casual. Order and pick up at the counter.

Visited: Lunch, Dine-in
Most recently: March 2009

Charlie's Bar-B-Q is very tasty, and quite the value. Charlie, himself, is quite the character.

The Texas-style bbq is very good. The Beef Brisket Sandwich and the Pulled Pork Sandwich were on super tender rolls, and the meat was fork-tender, and the sweet bbq sauce, beans and potato salad were excellent.

When we head back to this area, we're going to stop by again.

Bruddah's Hawaiian, Gardena, CA

2010-01-07T19:56:00.000-08:00

Bruddah's Hawaiian
1033 W. Gardena Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247
310-323-9112
Located between Normandie and Vermont. Usually enough street parking; can be very crowded on weekend mornings.
Casual, Hawaiian-style.

Visited: Breakfast and Lunch, Dine-in
Most recently: October 2009

Bruddah's is a real Hawaiian hole in the wall. Everything is local style including the laid back clientele. Anything with a sauce or gravy is going to be outstanding. They have the best gravy maker anywhere. Some particular favorites include:

The Beef Shortribs Stew ($8.95) is part of the Daily Specials menu and only appears on Weds, Thurs, Sat, and Sun. The meat is super tender, as are the vegetables, and the rich tomatoey-beef gravy is heavenly with the rice. Also comes with Macaroni Salad.

Really, it's about the gravy. The Roast Pork with Gravy (Plate $7.95, Side $5.60) is a heavenly portion of tender roast pork smothered in their spectacular pork gravy served with rice and Mac.

The Loco Moco ($7.95) from the Breakfast Menu (which is served all day) is a mass of two hamburger patties served with two eggs over a mound of rice covered in an amazing brown gravy (with mushrooms). The best Loco Moco on the mainland. They also have a Spam Loco Moco ($6.95).

The Kalua Pork with Cabbage (Plate $7.95, Side $5.60) is also tasty.

While their food is always good, we're just as not as big a fan of their teriyaki dishes.

Tandoori Bistro, Harbor City, CA

2010-01-07T19:41:00.000-08:00

Tandoori Bistro Pizzeria Cafe
970 W. Sepulveda Blvd, Harbor City, CA 90710
310-530-2245
Near Vermont, around the corner in the strip mall area near K-Mart. Plenty of parking.
Casual/fast foodish. Order and pick up at the counter. Limited seating.

Visited: Dinner, Take-Out
Most recently: October 2009

This is one of the more bizarre eateries, and perhaps reflective of the mix of food interests that you find in the South Bay. Menu items range from tandoori, pizza, smoothies, wraps, fancy coffees, sandwiches, and breakfast. We tried several items that have intrigued us to go back and try more.

We didn't know what to expect from the Tandoori BBQ Chicken Pizza ($16.99) but is was pretty good. In addition to the chicken, it came topped with bell peppers, onions and tomatoes. The pizza also comes as Tandoori Beef, and we'll probably get that next time.

We also tried a Large Pepperoni Pizza (Mini $3.99, Large $10.99). It was okay and somewhat plain. Most of the flavor from a pepperoni pizza comes from the pepperoni, and it was a bit sparse.

The Large Cheese Steak (Reg $5.99, Large $9.99) was very good. It is made of thin slices of Prime rib with Swiss cheese, grilled onions, and herbs. We would definitely get this again.

The Tandoori Beef Kabobs Medium ($7.99) is a actually a wrap sandwich, and quite tasty. It comes on a tandoori bread with grilled onion, tomatoes, cilantro and a white cheese. There's also a yogurt chutney spread on the bread.

The Cafe is rather small, and we recommend getting take-out.

Soho Thai, Lomita, CA

2010-01-07T19:22:00.001-08:00

Soho Thai Fusion Bar & Grill
2104 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite #3, Lomita, CA 90717
310-530-SOHO (7646)
At the corner of PCH and Oak. Turn on Oak to enter the free parking lot behind the restaurant. The entrance is from the parking lot, not PCH.
Casual. Limited bar.

Visited: A few times; Lunch, Delivery, Dine-in and Take-Out
Most recently: February 2010

This is such a unique restaurant. While many of the menu items are Thai, it really is a whirlwind tour of noodle dishes from around the world. In addition to Little Bangkok and other Thai favorites, they also have dishes from Little Hong Kong, Little Saigon, Little Tokyo, and Little Italy. They also have Fried Rices, items From the Wok, Hot Stuff and Vegan Options. There are so many items to try, that we've barely made our way through them.

Overall, however, I would say that the portions seem small for the price, and our favorite dishes are in fact, the Thai dishes.

The daily Lunch Specials are also a great option - served with green salad, and choie of Thai Jasmine Rice, Brown Rice, or Fried Rice. The Thai BBQ Chicken ($9.00) was a generous serving of marinated bone-in chicken served with plum sauce.

The Tom Kha soup with Chicken (Cup $6.00, Pot $9.00) is a lovely and fragrant coconut soup with button mushrooms and galangal. The soup is midly spicy, and very satisfying on a cool rainy day. The Pot serving is a great size for an entree.

While the Pad See Ew (Chicken, Beef, Pork or Tofu $9.00; Shrimp $12.00; Seafood $15.00) - wide flat rice noodles stir fried with meat and broccoli in a soy sauce - is quite tasty, the broccoli wasn't quite cooked enough. While pretty and green, the broccoli was still very crunchy. When reheating leftover Pad See Ew, the broccoli finished cooking and was perfect. We had it with beef, and it was very tender and tasty.

One of usual favorites, Angel Wings ($7.00) were a bit a disappointing. These stuffed fried wings were tasty, but the filling had an odd chewy texture.

The Thai Toast ($7.00) was very flavorful. The toasts are small baguette slices topped with a minced pork filling then deep fried. If you've ever had shrimp toast before, this is the same concept. We enjoyed the toasts, but for the price, we felt we should have gotten more than 6 small pieces.

We had high hopes for Crying Tiger ($14.00) - thin slices of charbroiled marinated ribeye. The meat had a nice mild flavor, however the portion size was abysmal compared to the price, and the accompanying sticky rice was oddly wrapped in foil and a bit hard.

The Pad Thai ($10.00) is very tasty and we enjoyed it very much, however, again, the price is off-putting particularly when compared to other Thai restaurants. We have so many Thai places in the South Bay that make a good pad thai, why would we want to pay $10 when we can easily get a larger portion for less elsewhere.

We were excited to Chinese Lo Mein on the menu and ordered the Roasted Duck Lo Mein ($11.00). Yeah, not so much. Lo Mein are typically a thick eggy round noodles, instead, these were skinny chow mein noodles. While the duck itself wasn't bad, there wasn't much else - very little sauce and a few pieces of undercooked onions and baby bok choy.

From The Wok, we got the Asparagus Spears with Tofu ($9.00) which was a lovely stir fry of asparagus, tofu, and a little garlic. The menu advertised shiitakes as well, but I didn't see any.

And finally, the Panang Curry with chicken ($9.00) was delicious (chicken, peas, green bell peppers). The best panang curry that I've had. It had a great smooth texture, and a slightly sweet flavor. Very nice, very well done.

New York Deli #2, Torrance, CA

2010-01-07T18:31:00.001-08:00

New York Deli #2
2424 Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501
310-891-1229
http://www.thenewyorkdeli.com/
Closed Sundays
Plenty of free parking in the strip mall parking lot.
Casual. Order at the counter or full service.

Visited: Dinner, Take-Out
Most recently: Many times over the years; most recently October 2009

We used to frequent the NY Deli #1 further down on Sepulveda (near Arlington), but that one is now under construction and appears to be becoming a dentistry office. It ws originally recommended to us by New Yorkers, so we figure it had to be good!

In all, NY Deli is very tasty with very large portions - it's not uncommon for the sandwich to last two meals. Some of our favorites include:

#1: Hot Corned Beef ($8.95) served on Rye Bread with mustard, and choice of salad (Potato, Cole Slaw, Macaroni , Carrot, Pasta, Three Bean, Cucumber or Fresh Fruit in summer). We usually get the Potato salad as our favorite, however all of the salads are good.

#9: Kosher Beef Salami ($8.95): a huge sandwich served with lettuce, tomotoes and mustard served on Rye. Instead of the mustard, we get the Russian dressing - a great combination with the tasty salami.

#11: Liverwurst ($8.50): a huge and very tasty pile of liverwurst that comes with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo. This sandwich is also good with mustard instead of mayo.

#15a: Fresh Chopped Chicken Liver ($8.50) sandwich served with raw onion. We usually omit the onions, and add tomatoes. The chopped liver also has bits of hard boiled egg, and is very rich and tasty. The tomatoes help to cut the richness.

There are also several High Sandwiches - the original sandwiches are so large, we can't imagine ordering one High, but at least there's the option.

#27: Club House (12.50) is a huge sandwich served on Rye with choice of salad. The Club consists of turkey breast, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo.

#51: Three Salad Platter ($14.95): a scoop each of chicken, egg, and tuna salads served with tomatoes, onion, pickles, and choice of bread, roll or bagel. It's enough for two people to share.

They also have half-pound burgers. We got the Bacon Cheeseburger ($8.95) which comes wth a large serving of crinkle-cut fries. A very tasty and substantial burger.

#32: Submarine ($13.95) is enough for two people. However, if you are expecting a traditional Italian sub, this is not it. The Sub is turkey, roast beef, ham, salami, roast beef, Swiss cheese, American cheese, tomato, lettuce and mayo on a French roll, plus pickle and choice of salad.

NY Deli has been a mainstay for us for over 20 years.

Woody's Bar-B-Q, Sebring, FL

2010-01-07T17:47:00.000-08:00

Woody's Bar-B-Q
3030 US 27 North, Sebring, FL 33870
863-314-4447
http://www.woodys.com/
25 locations throughout Florida, and few other locations in the southeast.
Casual, family friendly.

Visited: Dinner, Dine-in
Most recently: Dec 2009

Over the years, we've seen billboards for Woody's on the interstate throughout the state of Florida, and finally decided to try one, and it wasn't bad! Definitely better than another large southeast chain, Sonny's BBQ.

We got the Pork Sampler ($12.99) which consists of 2 spareribs, a small pile of Carolina pulled pork, and several slices of bar-b-q pork. They serve the bbq sauces on the side - Southern Sweet, Smokin' Hot, and Tangy Mustard. The meat looked dry, but once you put a little of your fave sauce on top, it didn't feel dry at all and was very tender. It comes with garlic toast and two sides (choice of Special Recipe Bar-B-Q Beans, Creamy Cole Slaw, French Fries, Country Vegetables, or Mashed Potatoes and Gravy), and we got the beans (sweet and smoky; very tasty) and for $2 extra, the Corn Nuggets (which are on the appetizer menu) which are tasty little fried creamed corn morsels. It doesn't look like much when the plate arrives, but it's quite a bit of food. I had some leftover sliced bar-b-q pork, and ate it the next day with garlic toast as a mini sandwich - a very tasty sandwich.

We also tried the Bacon Cheddar Burger ($7.79) which is based on a half-pound grilled Angus beef burger. The burger comes with one side, and we got the fries. This is a very generous and filling burger.

Haven't quite figured out what the Country Vegetables are, but the next time we get a hankering for bbq while in Florida, we'll have to stop in and ask.

The Watering Hole, Sebring, FL

2010-01-07T17:23:00.000-08:00

The Watering Hole
6813 US 27 South, Sebring, FL 33876
863-382-4554
http://www.wateringholesebring.com/
Restaurant open Mon-Sat, 4pm-10pm. Lounge and package store open 7 days.
Plenty of parking in the dirt lot.
Cash only; they have an ATM inside.
Casual. Can be dark inside.

Visited: Dinner, Dine-in
Most recently: December 2009

The Watering Hole has been in Sebring for a very long time, and really did start out as a watering hole for the local cowboys way back in the day. It's now a really good steak and seafood restaurant, but still maintains some of the casual cowboy-ness with its large wood plank tables and large communal-ish dinig room. There's also a 14'+ alligator named Bully that lives there, and if you're lucky, you may actually see Bully move.

As soon as you walk in, you smell garlic, and the entrees come with the house garlic bread which is quite tasty and not for the faint of heart. The bread is toasted in the same area as the dining room, so the smell really pervades everywhere.

All of the dinners come with green salad, fruit salad or cole slaw. The green salad is nicely sized and very colorful. It has romaine as its lettuce base topped with pretty bell peppers, onions, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots. The fruit salad was a very nice mix of melons, fresh pineapple, and grapes.

Entrees also come with a very nice fruity garnish of a strawberry, a third of a peeled banana, and a thick slice of grapefruit. Very pretty. You also have your choice of potato: baked, parsleyed red, or fries. In all, very generous portions.

In addition to the menu items, you'll also see their meat and seafood specials at the hostess podium. We got the special of the day Porterhouse ($21.95). YUM! It was well cooked and comes slathered in the same garlic butter that is on the bread, and a baked potato. It was a great price for the quality and size of the meat and for all that comes with it.

We also got the Cowboy-size Fillet Mignon (as opposed to the Cowgirl-size) with Fries, the special of the day Ribeye ($15.95) with parsleyed red potatoes, and the very nicely sized Fried Shrimp (choice of grilled, fried, or sauteed in the garlic butter) and potatoes.

We saw someone at the next table over have the fettucini (with a number of menu options), and I think we'll try that the next time we visit.

Everything was very tasty, and the service was good and southern friendly.

Fritto Misto, Hermosa Beach, CA

2009-08-21T20:45:00.000-07:00

Fritto Misto
316 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
310-318-6098
Metered street parking which can be quite busy during the summer and any Fri/Sat.
They have another location in Santa Monica at 601 Colorado Ave.
Casual nice. Beer and wine.

Visited: Several times, Dinner, Dine-in
Most recently: August 2009

I've been to both locations, however I've eaten at the Hermosa location more often.

They start you off with a warm crusty bread and cold butter. I'm such a sucker for warm bread.

For appetizers, they have a Fried Calamari in two sizes ($6.50, $10.50). It's fine, nicely cooked, but nothing special. I wouldn't order it again.

However, the Fried Pillows ($6.00) are amazing. These little fried pasta pillows filled with ricotta and basil are served with cocktail sauce and a creamy peppery and garlic mayo. These little guys are addictive. You can also get these unfried as the basis for your pasta entree.

They also do have a Fritto Misto platter ($11.50), however due to its size, I have yet to order it. Maybe I need to go with a larger group of people. It includes fried shrimp, calamari, artichoke hearts and seasonal veggies.

While its name is Fritto Misto, it really is a pasta place. You can get almost any combination of pasta, sauce, and toppings that you could possibly want. Each component is added together to create your final dish and price. I think it's a bit pricey to do it this way, but then again, it's a custom order.

Here's an example of a plate I've created: whole wheat pasta $6.25 (it has an interesting shape that holds sauce pretty well) with pink sauce $2.25, and eggplant and wild mushrooms $3.25 for a total of $11.75 for a vegetarian dish.

They also have several dishes already devised for you, and those are pretty good too. In all, the portions are very generous.

The Cajun Seared Chicken ($10.50) has a nice kick to it. It's blackened chicken breast pieces mixed with a garlic cream sauce and tossed with a red bell pepper fettucini. Overall, it's a relatively simple dish but it packs a lot of punch.

The Pasta Pancetta ($12.00) is absolutely heavenly. It's an amazing mix of crispy pancetta, sun dried tomatoes, and sweet caramelized onions with the garlic cream sauce and tossed with tomato fettucini. The only thing is that it is a very rich dish, and about half way through, I was ready to box it up. It did make for great leftovers, though!

We've also had the Italian Sausage & Roasted Red Peppers ($10.75) which is a generous portion Italian turkey sausage, peppers, caramelized onions and marinara sauce. It comes with linguini, but we ordered the whole wheat pasta, and that was just fine.

Also pay attention to the Daily Specials. I had the beef tenderloin that was marinated in hoisin, and served over egg fettucini with caramelized onions and mushrooms. Very very tasty, and the meat was incredibly tender. With the sprinkle of fresh herbs, it tasted almost like a beef stroganoff.

In all, it's a fun place to come back to frequently because there are so many options to mix and match on the menu. They offer beer and wine, as well as have free corkage.

Harry's Cafe, Gardena, CA

2009-08-21T00:12:00.000-07:00

Harry's Cafe
1721 W. Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247
310-324-4231
While small, there's usually plenty of free parking in the lot out front or on the street.
Casual. Order and pick up at the counter. Small dining room.

Visited: many times over the years
Most recently: July 2009

This is the old Harry's Aloha Chop Suey that's been 'modernized.' Fortunately, many of the old Harry's recipes are still being produced so that makes for very happy campers.

The combo plate lunches are the way to go to get a treat of many things, or you can get one of the Special Plates that are pre-arranged for you. Either way, it's a winner.

Harry's Mixed Plate ($8.95) is a tasty sampling of Harry's Fried Chicken (the traditional version with the bone), char siu, spareribs, fried wonton, mac, and steamed rice.

LOVE ME some spareribs. I often just get a side serving of the Spareribs (Sm $3.95, Med $5.95, Large $8.95). The medium is plenty to be stuffed for a meal. These spareribs are cut short and cooked in a sweet (and maybe a little sour) gravy. The meat just melts away. I recommend getting some steamed rice to soak up all the gravy.

Then there's the Aloha Mixed Plate ($9.95) of Island fried chicken (boneless), fried wonton, kalbi, spam musubi, mac, and steamed rice. Also an excellent plate lunch choice.

You can also order Harry's Fried Chicken or Island Fried Chicken by itself: Small ($5.95) 5 pieces or Large ($10.95) 10 pieces.

Spam Musubi is also available on the side for $2.50. Eight pieces of Fried Wonton for $3.95 - very tasty filling.

We were so happy to see that all of the old favorites are still here. I have family members from Orange County that make special detours to Harry's to pick up some Fried Chicken any time they are coming home from LAX.

Best of the South Bay

2009-08-20T23:07:00.001-07:00

Best of the South Bay

I thought it might be fun to create a compilation of Best Ofs, so here goes. I'll be adding to it as I discover my favorites. There are some 'best of' restaurants here that don't have full reviews yet, but they're coming soon.

Baba Ganoush
LaZeez Pita Grill, 4903 Torrance, Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503
Smooth, creamy and garlicky.

Barbecue
Jay Bee's House of Fine Bar-B-Que, 15911 Avalon Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247
Great finger lickin' bbq.

BBQ Brisket
Joey's Smokin BBQ, 25308 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
OMG tender and tasty.

Biscuit
Gaffey Street Diner, 247 N. Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731
This biscuit is not for the faint of heart. Large enough for 3 to share.

Bolognese
Vince's Spaghetti, 23609 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
The Original Meat Sauce is a fine food unto itself.

Breakfast
Snax, 4535 Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
A great neighborhood place.

Cake
King's Hawaiian Bakery, 2808 Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
Their use of chiffon-style cakes as the basis for most of the cakes makes them heavenly.

Carne Asada
Acapulco, 3530 Carson St, Torrance, CA 90503
Consistently an amazing flavor.

Carnitas
El Burrito, Jr, 21141 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503
Tasty and not greasy at all.

Chicken Tikka Masala
Angara, 2170 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501
Creamy, sweet - great mild or medium. The Lamb Tikka Masala is also fab.

Chili Cheese Fries
Y' Not Burgers, 22940 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
I'm sure these are incredibly bad for you.
Honorable Mention: Snax, 4535 Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
Great LA Area: The Hat, 1 W. Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91801

Chips and Salsa
El Paso Cantina, 2404 Sepulveda Bl, Torrance, CA 90501
Great chips and really nice fresh salsa - a little sweet.

Chinese Chicken Salad
Chicken Maison, 3901 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance, CA 90505
A beautiful and tasty salad with pita croutons as an added treat.

Churrascaria
Greenfield, 5305 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, CA 90804
Honorable Mention: By Brazil, 1615 Cabrillo Ave, Torrance, CA 90501

Cioppino
Delzano's by the Sea, 179 N. Harbor Dr, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
There are many lovely cioppinos out there, but this one is really stellar.

Cuban Food
Versailles, 1000 N. Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
They have the best mojo de ajo around.

Deli Sandwiches
New York Deli, 2424 Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501
Long term quality that still holds up.

Donuts
Randy's Donuts, 805 W. Manchester Ave, Inglewood, CA 90301
Really, the big donut on the roof reflects how good these are.

Double Cheeseburger
Suzy's Bar and Grill, 1141 Aviation Blvd, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Honorable Mention: Snax, 4535 Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505

Fried Chicken
DUTC Grill /Golden Bird, 14903 S. Western Ave, Gardena, CA 90249
Golden Bird - do I need to say anything else?

Fried Seafood Combo
The Admiral Risty, 31250 Palos Verdes Drive West, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90275
Just cooked so very well.
Honorable Mention: Captain Kidd's, 209 N. Harbor Dr, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Garlic Bread
Kincaid's, 500 Fisherman's Wharf, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Honorable Mention: Vince's Spaghetti, 23609 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505

Gelato
Crema Dolce, 1820 S. Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
If you've been to Italy, you'll like the gelato here.

Hawaiian Food
Bruddah's Hawaiian Foods, 1033 W Gardena Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247
An excellent hole-in-the-wall where the locals eat.

Hawaiian Fried Chicken
Harry's Cafe, 1721 S. Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247
Available as Harry's Chicken with bone or Island Fried Chicken, boneless.

Ice Cream
Rite-Aid/Thrifty, 3860 Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
Mmm, mint chip and chocolate!

Indian Food
Angara, 2170 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501
Great curries, biryanis, and an excellent lunch buffet.

Koobideh
Fanoos Grill, 25336 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
Seaside Palace, 3720 Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505

Lasagna
Il Toscano, 24590 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
Excellent.

Linguine and Clam Sauce, White
Il Toscano, 24590 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
Excellent.

Loco Moco
Bruddah's Hawaiian Foods, 1033 W Gardena Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247
Bruddah's has the best gravy.

Macaroni and Cheese
Jay Bee's House of Fine Bar-B-Que, 15911 Avalon Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247
You can see the cheesey goodness.

Machaca
Snax, 4535 Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505

Meatball Sandwich
The Appetizer, 1000 Torrance Blvd, Unit A, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Overall tasty, but the bread really makes this the winner. You may want to ask for extra sauce.
Unfortunately, they've closed - we'll have to try their other location.

Pastrami Sandwich
Y' Not Burgers, 22940 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
Greater LA Area: The Hat, 1 W. Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91801

Prime Rib
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse, 2301 Rosecrans Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245

Refried Beans
El Burrito, Jr, 21141 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503
OMG, these are so creamy and gravy-like, they must be bad for you.

Shwarma
LaZeez Pita Grill, 4903 Torrance, Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503
Great seasoning and char.

Steak
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse, 2301 Rosecrans Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245
Fork tender.

Tempura
California Sushi & Teriyaki, 429 Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Cooked in rice bran oil. Very tender and crisp.

Teriyaki Beef
Honda, 3629 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance, CA 90505
Real meat, not that thin stuff you often find elsewhere.

Teriyaki Salmon
California Sushi & Teriyaki, 429 Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Very tasty, well cooked and a nice portion.

Fun Fish Market and Restaurant, Redondo Beach, CA

2009-08-20T22:23:00.000-07:00

Fun Fish Market and Restaurant
123 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
310-374-4277
Plenty of pay parking in either of the pier structures; try to get as low as possible. Located next to the Fun Arcade.
Casual, family friendly. Large dining room.

Visited: Dinner, Dine-in
Most recently: August 2009

Fun Fish is located at the pier, so of course the seafood has to be good, right? Well, it was okay. On this trip, we just tried a couple things, and while not overly specatular, it was enough to whet our appetites to come back another time. Overall, it's not cheap, but it's also seafood.

We had the Fried Seafood Combo which consisted of white fish, shrimp, and scallops, along with a generous serving of fries and cole slaw. It was fine, but you can get a better cooked combo with more side choices over at Captain Kidd's which is a 5 minute walk away.

We also had the Spicy Seafood Soup. This was a fascinating dish. The 'small' is really meant for 2 people, so the serving is huge. It's a Korean style soup that is very spicy, and is served with steamed white rice and kim chi. It had a lot of strange chunks of fish on the bone, some small whole shrimp, daikon, and tofu. While I actually very much enjoyed the dish, it was also a little odd because I couldn't tell what the fish was or what part of the fish it was. After a while, the bones became tedious.

While Fun Fish has a very open air feeling, it is enclosed in glass which helps to protect against the elements at the pier. For this reason, I would feel comfortable eating here even if the weather were inclement. The next time we go back, we're going to try to the shrimp fajitas which looked really good.

Sabra Beirut Mix, Hermosa Beach, CA

2009-08-20T21:58:00.000-07:00

Sabra Beirut Mix
500 N. Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
310-376-8226
http://www.beirutmix.com/
Located at the corner of PCH and 5th which has a light. There is a very small and tight parking lot. It's in the old Amigo's Tacos location next to Pinkie's BBQ.
Casual. Order and pick up at the counter.

Visited: August 2009, Dinner, Take-Out

The owner of the Amigo's Tacos chain has opened this Lebanese Eatery & Deli in one of the old Amigo's Tacos locations.

You know, we're big fans of mediterranean/middle eastern food, and had heard great reviews of Sabra, so we figured we'd better check out. Overall, the food is just fine, however we decided that we still prefer LaZeez Pita Grill over in Torrance for the overall flavor and value.

Here's what we had.

Beirut Mix Combo Plate ($16.99) comes with your choice of three skewers, and we chose lamb, beef and chicken (which is tawouk, or chicken breast). The plate also comes with a very nice basmati rice that absorbs the meat juices well, salad, hummus, and pita bread. Overall, it's a large and very nice meal, and really nothing to complain about, I was just expecting a bit more flavor in the meats. The price also seemed a little high especially when compared to other similar restaurants.

And to try the other skewers, we ordered a la carte: Chicken Kofta Kebab ($3.99) and Beef Kofta Kebab ($3.99). The two skewers came with pita bread underneath, and that was some heavenly bread! However, both koftas again left me lacking for any distinct flavor. Also, the chicken kofta had an odd fluffy texture, as if the meat had been ground in a food processor and air was allowed to blend in and then cooked. For both the combo plate and the a la cart kebabs, we felt that we needed a sauce, perhaps tahini sauce or garlic sauce on the side to add a little zip.

We also ordered the Falafel Mezza (appetizer) ($7.99) which included 6 pieces of falafel that comes with radish pickles, diced tomatoes, and pita. It was also supposed to have some tahini sauce, but the little container that we got was more like a veggie salad in Russian dressing, so I'm not sure what that was. The falafel were spicy, and I loved them. Others thought they were too spicy, but I think these were my favorite thing that we ordered all night because it actually had some flavor.

The Baba Ghannouj ($4.99) was smokey and had a nice texture. It also came with diced tomatoes and pita. A very nice baba ghannouj, I just prefer the garlicky smooth version at LaZeez a whole lot better.

The side of House Special Rice ($3.99) was a great little suprise. It was almost like a basmati fried rice with little grounds of meat in it. It had a great spice profile, too. Definitely a winner here.

So in all, it was a pleasant meal. If I lived or worked nearby, I would be content to eat at Sabra, but I don't, so I probably won't be back.

The Admiral Risty, Palos Verdes Estates, CA

2009-07-31T23:39:00.001-07:00

The Admiral Risty
31250 Palos Verdes Drive West, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90275
310-377-0050
http://www.admiral-risty.com/
Located at PV Drive West and Hawthorne in Golden Cove Plaza. Plenty of parking.
Higher end. Reservations recommended. Can be dark inside when the sun goes down.

Visited: July 2009, Dinner, Dine-in

Admiral Risty's is definitely a special occasion dining experience. It's an old school establishment that has been there forever. It has an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean, and reservations are particularly recommended if you want a window-side view. However, I think most diners in the restaurant can enjoy the view from wherever they are.

Menu items may seem pricey, but you certainly get a lot of food. All dinners come with soup or salad (mixed greens, caesar, or spinach mushroom salad), fresh steamed veggies, and your choice of starch, plus warm bread. I'm such a sucker for warm sourdough!

It's a seafood restaurant, so you can imagine there are a lot of seafood options. The Cioppino ($36.00) was to die for. It arrives in this HUGE covered crock, comes with all of those sides listed above, PLUS a plate a linguine. We bypassed the pasta and took that home, and also skipped the offered starch since we had the pasta, but did enjoy some clam chowder to start and the steamed asparagus. The broth was incredible and the seafood was oh so tasty. Several types of fish, scallops, shrimp, clams, mussels and lobster all melded so well with the frangrant rich tomatoey broth. All I needed was that sourdough, and it was heavenly. This portion could easily, easily have been split by 2 people.

We also had the Deep Fried Combination of Shrimp, Scallops and Fresh Fish ($28.00). Again, the seafood was so fresh and very well fried. If you like seafood combos, you'll love this. Started with the spinach mushroom salad, and had the baked potato and asparagus.

And of course, every seafood restaurant has to offer is meat dish. We had the Filet Mignon ($36.00) started with mixed green salad, and then had the wedge fries and asparagus. For a seafood joint, the steak was just as quality. All of these are very full plates of food.

We also had dessert. A bowl of Fresh Strawberries with Vanilla Ice Cream - a perfect combination. And their German Chocolate Cake ($7.00) with a glass of cold milk. We really didn't have room for dessert, but again, it's a special occasion restaurant, and we were there to celebrate. The desserts were luxurious and topped off a great evening.

Fanoos Grill, Torrance, CA

2009-07-31T23:07:00.000-07:00

Fanoos Grill
25336 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
310-530-4316
Located in Rolling Hills Plaza, facing Crenshaw, across from Starbucks, near Airport Drive. In general, RHP has plenty of parking, however it can be a little tight to maneuver in this area.
Casual/fast foodish. Full service or order at the counter if to go. Small dining room.

Visited: Numerous times, Lunch, Dine-in

Fanoos calls itself a Persian Restaurant Grill - you get all of the traditional menu items that you would at a more stately Persian restaurant, but in a lighter, more casual atmosphere. We usually go for lunch, and you often see other patrons there on their lunch break. They also seem to have quite a take out and catering business.

They do have lunch specials which are a slightly smaller portion, but we don't bother with that at Fanoos!

To start, the Cotlete ($4.95) appetizer is so tasty. It's a patty of ground beef mixed with herbs that is served with warm pita and olives and pickles. A beef patty doesn't sound like much, but when Fanoos gets their hands on it, it's amazing - delicate and tasty. A great app for 2 to share, if you have a larger crowd, you may want to order a second just cuz it's so good, you can't stop eating it.

On to the entrees. First up is the Beef Koobideh ($8.95): two large strips of seasoned ground beef that is charbroiled. Very well seasoned with yummy juices soaking into the basmati rice. Served with a charbroiled roma tomato and salad. The lunch portion is one strip/skewer ($5.95).

The Beef Shish Kabob ($11.95) of juicy chunks of filet mignon is also very tasty, but the extra seasoning in the Koobideh rules. The Shish Kabab is also served with basmati, tomato and salad. Lunch portion is $6.95. If you can't decide, and want to try both (which is a great idea for your first time), they have the Beef Soltani ($13.95) which is one shish kabob and one koobideh.

They also make a Chicken Koobideh ($8.95) that is equally as tasty and juicy, and we prefer that over the Chicken Shish Kabob ($10.95). How ever they grind and season their meat is just fabulous. A Chicken Soltani ($13.95) is also available.

Fanoos also makes a very tasty Gheimeh Bademjan ($9.95): a stew of fried eggplant, tender cubes of beef, split peas, and fried onions in a rich tomato based sauce served with basmati. This is a very large portion, one that I can never finish in one sitting. The eggplant really shines in this dish. They also serve just Gheimeh ($8.95) without the eggplant, but really, I can't imagine ever ordering it.

They also offer an assortment of sandwiches (even one filled with the Cotlett that I'm often tempted to try).

They're really nice, and if you're intimidated by Persian food or have never had it, this is a great casual way to get started and have some great food while you're at it.

DUTC Grill (& Golden Bird), Gardena, CA

2009-07-31T22:43:00.000-07:00

DUTC Grill
14903 S. Western Avenue, Gardena, CA 90249
310-715-6774
Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
A bright yellow bldg at the small corner of 149th St, north of Redondo Beach Blvd. Street parking and a small lot behind.
Casual. Order and pick up at the counter. Large dining room.

Visited: A few times. Dinner, Take-out
Most recently: September 2009

We were actually looking for another restaurant that apparently no longer existed, but instead found this charmer. And with the Golden Bird sign calling our names, we had to stop in.

They did have a brisk take-out business going on, and it looked like they were prepping for a large catering order. There is plenty of dining room space if you want to eat in.

They have a variety of Creole and soul food menu items as well as that luscious Golden Bird fried chicken. I'm not sure if it was because we were there on a Sunday late afternoon, but several of the menu items we wanted were not available. But, there was still plenty to choose from, and here's what we had:

Smothered Pork Chop Dinner ($11.99): This very hearty portion of two pork chops comes with 3, count 'em THREE, sides plus a cute little corn muffin. We chose Macaroni Cheese (very good), Collard Greens, and Potato Salad. In addition, the pork chops sat on top of rice to soak up all of that smothering gravy (very rich and tasty). Overall, the meal was tasty, however I don't prefer bell peppers in my smotheredness, so I wouldn't order it again.

We also got the Short Rib Dinner ($11.99). We didn't realize when we ordered them that these were also also smothered, but as with the pork chops these were also very tasty. We got 2 Mac Cheeses and a Mashed Potatoes. Other side options include Rice & Gravy, Red Beans, Black Eyed Peas, String Beans With Potatoes, Corn, Cabbage or Yams.

They had a special BBQ combo that was not on the menu, that was also a fabulous deal. A BBQ chicken quarter, pork ribs, and hot link. MMmmm. Everything was so very well cooked. For sides we got Mashed Potatoes (good), Beans (sweet and tasty), and more Potato Salad, plus the corn bread. I would whole heartedly endorse the BBQ plate if that is option. The BBQ sauce is a big tangy. If they have the Cole Slaw, that's pretty good, too.

And we couldn't leave without our beloved Golden Bird. We were quite sad when Porky's BBQ on Manchester in Inglewood stopped carrying GB, but happy to know we can get it closer to home in Gardena. We got the 12 Piece Chicken Only ($17.49). Figured we had all those other sides, didn't need any more. The chicken was perfect; plain and simple as that.

We tried the Spicy Wingettes from the Spicy Menu - 6 pieces ($3.99), 20 pieces ($11.99) or 40 pieces (22.99). These deep fried wings are very good, and really are spicy as the name implies.

The next time we go, some of the other items we want to try include the Gumbo and Jamaican Patties. The lovely woman who took our order said that the Patties were particularly tasty with a good spice to them.

DUTC stands for Dare U To Care, and the restaurant (and the gift shop next door) are fundraisers for the Dare U To Care Outreach Ministries providing community programs including a food bank and drug rehabilitation.

LaZeez Pita Grill, Torrance, CA

2009-05-28T21:52:00.001-07:00

LaZeez Pita Grill
4903 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA, 90503
Between Anza and Palos Verdes Blvd
310-542-3100
http://lazeezpitagrill.com/
They have a small but ample parking lot behind the building.
Zabihah halal.
Casual. Order at the counter; food brought to your table. Dining room fills quickly at lunch.

Visited: numerous times for dine-in lunch and take-out dinner.
Most recent visit: May 2010

Not only is LaZeez so very tasty, it is also a great value. You can't beat the quality, and the great prices are a bonus.

My favorite sandwich is the Beef Shawarma ($5.75). It comes wrapped in a nice soft pita with lettuce, tomato, onions, and tahini. You can even get a combo, with fries and a drink, or you can order a side for $1.75 extra. The meat is so tasty, and for dinner take-out, we order the Beef Shawarma By the Pound ($9.99). It comes with pita and tahini on the side. Really excellent.

We've also had the Chicken Shawarma By the Pound ($9.99) that comes with pita and garlic sauce; Beef Kabab By the Pound ($12.99) with pita and cooked tomatoes; or Beef Kafta By the Pound ($10.49) with pita and cooked tomatoes. The Chicken Breast Kabab By the Pound is also very tasty. This is a real value - tasty, fresh, hot, and they're super nice, too. They have other meats that you order 'family style' or 'catering' - we just haven't tried them all yet. In all, the beef shawarma is my favorite.

They also make great Hummos (small $5.49, large $7.49) and Baba Ganoosh (small $5.49, large $7.49). Both are very tasty, but I just love their baba ganoosh. I use that instead of tahini or garlic sauce with the shawarma. YUM! Also, I always order with 'no oil' - that's the extra olive oil they drizzle on top.

Their falafel is okay, a little dry for my preference. It's available as a Falafel Sandwich ($5.25), Falafel Salad (small $7.99, large $8.99), by the piece ($0.65, 3 minimum).

They also have an assortment of sides, and we decided to try the Macaroni & Cheese ($2.75). It's pretty plain and simple. I was hoping for a Mediterranean twist perhaps, but alas, no, plain ol' mild mac n cheese.

They have been having coupons in the local coupon book that comes in the mail. Their prices are so reasonable, you really don't need the coupon, but it's a nice bonus.

Delzano's by the Sea, Redondo Beach, CA

2009-05-28T21:29:00.000-07:00

Delzano's by the Sea
179 N. Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Located at the far northern end of the Intl Boardwalk of the Redondo Pier.
310-374-7525
http://www.delzanos.com/
Plenty of pay parking in several nearby lots; validation available.
Higher end. Full bar. Reservations recommended.

Visited: May 2009, Lunch, Dine-in

Well, being a Saturday at a higher end restaurant, it was pretty empty. We sat in at a tall bar table with a very lovely view of the International Boardwalk and watching small boats, ski-dos, etc being loaded onto the launch. There were also some rather ornery looking sea gulls waiting for handouts from returning fishermen.

A lunch menu was available in addition to the full dinner menu. The lunch menu offered more choices of salads and sandwiches. We stuck to the dinner menu, and ordered, what soon became, two favorites.

Frutti Di Mare ($19.95): an incredibly generous portion of pasta with a matching incredibly generous portion of lobster, shrimp, scallops, clams and fish. You have your choice of garlic cream sauce or marinara, and we chose red. The sauce was also a bit chunky, and the entire dish could easily have been shared. There were also a couple little ramekins of freshly shaved parmesan, which seemed so un-Italian - cheese with fish?

By the Sea Cioppino ($19.95): The cioppino comes in a large lidded bowl with a heaping, and I mean heaping, amount of seafood. The bowl was full of crab (partially cracked to make things easier), many kinds of fish, a ton of clams, huge shrimp, and huge scallops. It was all cooked well, very fresh, and the the spicy tomato broth was a perfect match. Again, this dish can easily be shared, and you would both be full.

The meal also came with fresh hot crusty and chewy bread - all the more decadent to soak up the broth.

I also had their special iced tea - a homemade blend of tea infused with citrus and rose. The flavor wasn't super strong, but for someone who usually doesn't like flavored tea, it was quite refreshing.

All in all, the meal was delicious. With tons of leftovers, and the service was great.

Versailles Cuban Restaurant, Manhattan Beach, CA

2009-03-28T19:19:00.000-07:00

Versailles Cuban Restaurant
1000 N. Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310-937-6829
http://www.versaillescuban.com/
Plenty of free parking behind the restaurant.
They have 4 other locations in the Southland - see their website for details.
Casual nice. Large dining room. Full bar.

Visited: Numerous times, Dinner, Dine-in
Most recently: March 2010

This is the standard by which I compare other Cuban restaurants. It may not be fair, and not everyone will agree, but I just love the mojo de ajo. When you walk in the restaurant, you can just smell the garlic permeating everything, and it's heavenly. It seems that no other Cuban restaurant hits the same mark.

Here are our favorites:

#1: Lechon Asado, Cuban Style Roast Pork ($10.95): the meat is tender and shredded, and covered in mojo de ajo. The plate comes with plenty of rice (and black beans, if desired) plus a generous portion of plantains (maduros). Always enough for leftovers.

#2: Masitas de Puerco Fritas, Fried Chunks of Pork ($10.95): oh man, is this good. The chunks of meat are fork-tender, and the slight marbling of fat is fried beautifully. Comes with rice and beans or moros, and raw onions on top. I always order my onions cooked, and that makes the dish more heavenly. I also order tostones instead of plantains, and they go great with the mojo de ajo.

#6: Famoso Pollo Versailles, Versailles Famous Garlic Chicken ($10.95): this is a large half a chicken with amazingly roasted skin and very tender meat. Comes with rice/beans, plenty of raw onions, and plantains. While there is mojo de ajo on the meat, we usually order an extra cup of sauce because the rice comes on the side in this dish and the Lechon.

#14: Rabo Encendido, Oxtail Stew ($14.95): this is a Creole-based red stew with amazingly melty and succulent oxtails. The richness of the meat and richness of the gravy are outstanding. Goes very well with white rice and tostones.

I'm sure they have plenty of other tasty items on the menu, but these really take the cake.

I've also been to the Culver City and LA locations, and they are just as fabulous. The Manhattan restaurant is a little larger, and less prone to being too crowded whereas at the other locations, you might have to wait for a table on Friday or Saturday nights.

La Creperie, Chicago, IL

2009-03-28T09:35:00.000-07:00

La Creperie
2845 N. Clark, Chicago, IL 60657
773-528-9050
http://www.lacreperieusa.com/index.html
Near the Clark/Diversey/Broadway split
Casual nice. Dining room broken up in to several separate areas. Outdoor seating when the weather is nice.

Visited: many times over the years

I just love this little place! I first came here for a Peace Corps gathering, and have been coming back ever since.

If they are offering the prix fixe menu, do it; it is definitely the way to go. My favorite combination: start with the vichysoisse, then have the boeuf bourguignon entree crêpe, and crêpe with fresh strawberries and whipped cream for dessert. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu.

The entree crêpes are made with buckwheat and hold up very well to the hot steamy fillings. Other favorite entre crêpes are the Poulet au curry, Coq au vin, and Fruits de mer.

They've been in the same location since 1972; you know it's gotta be good!

Cafe Iberico, Chicago, IL

2009-03-27T18:53:00.000-07:00

Cafe Iberico
739 N. La Salle Dr., Chicago, IL 60610
312-573-1510
http://www.cafeiberico.com
Casual nice. Large dining room plus deli. Full bar.

Visited: many times over the years

Ah yes, I have spent many a hour here in this wonderful Spanish tapas bar! It's a large restaurant, but also very popular so it can be crowded in the evenings (starting at happy hour) and weekends.

There are many yummy things on the menu - it's quite extensive. Below are a few of my favorites that I like to start with. The larger your group, the more fun things you can try.

Patatas Bravas ($5.50): chunks of potates in a spicy tomato sauce. The potatoes just melt when you eat them.

Champiñones a la Plancha ($5.50): mm, these are grilled mushrooms with garlic and olive oil. Each little mushroom is like a little bit of heaven.

Queso de Cabra ($7.50): a warm little dish of soft goat cheese covered in a fresh tomato basil sauce - perfect for spreading onto bread.

Particularly good fun is the Sangria available in red or white. We always got the red. There's plenty of fruit to have for dessert right in your drink.

They also have a deli area with a selection of hams, cheeses, empanadas, and other goodies to go.

Ahh, what fun!
--T

Tropi-Cuba Cafe, Torrance, CA

2009-03-27T16:30:00.000-07:00

Tropi-Cuba Cafe (and Bakery)
21730 S. Vermont Ave, Torrance, CA 90502
310-961-9550
http://www.tropi-cubacafe.com/
Open daily 6am-11pm (the bakery opens at 6a)
Plenty of parking in the strip mall. Located near Carson Blvd, across from Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
Casual nice. Medium sized dining room.

Visited: March 2009, Dinner, Dine-in

This is a new Cuban restaurant and bakery. The decor was just adorable with a very classy tropical feel. We sat in one of the side room/booths which was very cozy, but a little difficult to scoot all the way around. At the time, they also do not have their liquor license yet.

We tried our usual Cuban favorites -a great way to sample a new restaurant by comparing our favorite standard dishes. The entrees came with a choice of rice/black beans, moros, or rice/red beans, and plantains (maduros).

Masas de Puerco - aka fried chunks of pork. I prefer my puerco to have more of the mojo de ajo than just what it's marinated in. While the large chunks were cooked well - crispy and melty, it didn't have much taste beyond the pork. The rice was pleasant, and the tostones (instead of plantains) were cooked well. But overall, without any extra sauce, the whole dish was rather plain. The most engaging item on the plate were the moros - in addition to the rice and beans, there were well cooked pieces of onions and bell peppers. Very nice.

The Lechon Asado was also very nicely roasted and tender. It was marinated in the mojo, however when it was served, there was no additional sauce on the side, so again, the whole plate seemed rather plain. There are 3 pieces of plaintains served. They seemed kinda small on the plate.

The Pollo Rancho Luna - half a roasted chicken marinated in mojo - was also very well prepared. The rice was pleasant, and the overall dish was good. But again, our preference is for there to more garlic in the final dish served, not just hiding in the marinade.

In all, the meal was pleasant, but we won't be going back there for Cuban food. We will, however, go back to try the bakery which looked pretty tasty.
--T

Sonny McLean's, Santa Monica, CA

2009-03-27T15:50:00.000-07:00

Sonny McLean's
2615 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403
310-449-1811
http://www.sonnymcleans.com/
A few parking spaces out back, otherwise you're on your own finding street parking on Wilshire, 26th Street or Princeton.
Casual. Full bar.

Visited: Friday, March 06, 2009, Lunch, Dine-in

Sonny McLean's is an Irish Pub and Restaurant with a definitive Boston slant. If you are a Bostonian in LA missing your roots, this is the place to come. They feature Boston sports, lots of memorabilia, even some seats from Fenway. They also have pool tables and darts.

This used to be Red Setter; if you've been there, you know where Sonny's is.

So we just had a few things...

The appetizer portion of the Fried Clams ($12.00) - these are amazing. Super fresh and plump. Not those chewy things you usually get. It comes with coleslaw and tartar sauce. This portion is huge, and enough for a meal. But they also have the Fried Clam Dinner for $16.95 that includes fries.

The basket of Sweet Potato Fries ($4.95) were plentiful and very tasty. I just love sweet potatoes this way - crisp on the outside but soft and sweet on the inside.

And the Hamburger ($7.95) was huge! It's a half pound burger on a potato roll served with fries. It comes with the usual lettuce, tom, onions, pickle and regular potato fries. Quite a meal.

They have 30 beers on tap, plus more bottled, and a full bar. A quiet place to come for happy hour; a bustling place to come on the weekend.
--T

Maggie's Pub, Santa Fe Springs, CA

2009-03-07T19:15:00.001-08:00

Maggie's Pub
11900 Telegraph Road, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
562-944-5399
http://www.maggiespub.com/
Open Monday-Friday (i.e., closed weekends)
Plenty of free parking in the lot.

Visited: Thursday, March 05, 2009, Lunch, Dine in

As soon as you walk in, you know that Maggie's is a British Pub. The smell of malt vinegar hangs in the air. But you soon get acclimated, and once you open the menu, you start to chuckle. I've been there several times in the last 6 months, so below is a description of several menu items eaten there since last fall.

Sherlock Holmes ($9.95): a very large piece of fish and a large serving of chips (er, fries). Everything is fresh and the fish is quite filling. Comes with cole slaw, tartar sauce and lemons.

Winston Churchill ($9.95): the same tasty batter fried cod with a fritters. What are fritters? Ah yes, I had the same question. Think of a very large potato that is cut into long thin slices, then coated in batter and fried. These really do make the chips seem ordinary.

John F Kennedy ($12.95): the fried seafood combo. JFK comes with fish, shrimp, oysters, scallops, fritters and cole slaw. This is quite the value at $12.95 - two people could easily share this entree.

Sweeney Todd ($9.95): aka Shepard's Pie. Okay, so the beef and gravy mixture is pretty tasty and covered with mashed potatoes (and a bit off cheese, odd). It comes in a little dish, but the veggies are on the side. I like to have the beef, gravy and veggies all together. Tasty, but a bit too dissambled for my preference.

Benny Hill ($9.95): Bangers & Mash. Two very tasty traditional bland bangers, lots of cooked onions, and the mashed potatoes with a very nice brown gravy. Very filling (as are all of the plates here, actually).

The Lodger ($9.95): Open Faced Roast Beef. The meat, the mashed potatoes, gravy and white bread just melt. A nice meal on a cold wintery day.

Dutchy ($7.95): Banger Sandwich. This also comes with two very tasty traditional bland bangers (quite a lot of meat) on a large French roll. It's rather too big to eat as a sandwich. It also comes with mustard, onions, and strangely, Cheddar cheese. The cheese just kinda melts and becomes creamy with the onions.

Abe Lincoln ($7.95): Patty Melt on Rye. So did Abe like patty melts? Anyhow, this is a great sandwich. Very nicely grilled, plenty of onions, 1000 island, and cheddar.

Note - fries or fritters with the sandwiches are $1.25 extra. Aka the Stanley & Livingstone combo option.

They also offer what they call Afternoon Tea-time Favorites. They mean it when they that they're only available tween 3pm and 6pm. I've never been able to order these at lunchtime or dinnertime. They're also not what I consider traditional afternoon tea fare, but tasty, nonetheless.

I've had the Garden Vegetable Combo ($8.95). It's a fried assortment of mushrooms, zucchini and cauliflower. It's a huge appetizer, and pretty tasty.

And the Spinach 'n Artichoke Dip ($7.95) is quite good. Again, a large portion of dip served with tortilla chips.

They have a full bar, including traditional British beverages.

Maggie's is quick at lunch, and they do quite a brisk business. This is their main clientele, as you can see, they're closed weekends.
--T

Vince's Spaghetti, Torrance, CA

2009-03-07T18:49:00.000-08:00

Vince's Spaghetti
23609 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
310-375-1455
http://www.vinces-spaghetti.com/
Plenty of free parking behind the restaurant.
Casual. Family friendly. Large dining room. Very popular on Friday and Saturday nights.

Visited: Numerous times, Dinner, Dine in
Most recent: October 2009

So Vince's has been here forever, and as the name implies they specialize in spaghetti. We've been coming here for some time, and the food is always fresh, hot and tasty.

Dinners come with vegetable beef soup, dinner salad, and 2 pieces of fabulous garlic bread. There is really no way that we can ever eat all of this, so we always get our entrees a la carte.

In the past, spaghetti and lasagna were pretty much it for the menu. These days, you can get ravioli all the time, as well as get half portions. They also have a selection of hot sandwiches (that also come with soup or salad). And they now serve lunch during the week.

So what did we get:

Spaghetti with Vince's Original Meat Sauce, extra large, a la carte ($9.00): piles of well cooked spaghetti covered with authentic red meat sauce. This portion is not for the faint of heart.

Lasagna with Vince's Original Meat Sauce a la carte ($9.75): two luscious squares of lasagna covered with meat sauce. What's particularly interesting about this lasagna, is that there is no sauce on the inside - it's completely white. The white pasta layers are filled with a cheesey and meaty filling (which I love on its own) then topped with the rich red sauce.

2 Orders of Garlic Bread ($2.25 each): 2 orders equals 4 slices. I'm not really sure what the topping is, but it's pretty tasty. It reheats very well in the toaster oven.

And if we plan ahead to have dessert, we get the Chocolate Ice Cream ($4.25): a huge portion of amazing ice cream. Definitely enough to share. We finally had to ask the brand, and it's Humboldt Creamery. MMmm! I don't like the cappucino flavor as much because it has these flavored crunchy bits that distract from the ice cream.

Vince's definitely has a family feel - meant for folks to get together in a casual atmosphere with lots of food. We always have leftovers - at least another 2 meals worth, so the value here is incredible.
--T

Potrero Canyon Buffet, Cabazon, CA

2009-03-02T10:29:00.000-08:00

Potrero Canyon Buffet
Morongo Casino
49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon, CA 92230
http://www.morongocasinoresort.com/d_pcb.cfm
Plenty of free parking in the structure. Turn left when you enter the casino from parking.
Casual. Very very very large dining room.

Visited: Dinner, Dine in
Most recently: November 2009

So being a fan of the Las Vegas casino buffets, I had to come see how the Morongo Casino's buffet stood in comparison. And I must say, it is really good, and the value is exceptional. Saturday night is Prime Rib Night, and dinner is $18.95 per person. In Vegas, you would easily spend at least $10 more per person, and food quality is almost what you'd get in Vegas.

So what do they have to offer (now keep in mind, the menu does change, so you may not get the same things, but you get the idea)...

Salad Station: an assortment of do-it-yourself salad bar items as well as a couple prepared salads such as Caesar. They also have assorted cut and whole fruit. My favorite part of this station is the selection of cold grilled veggies - tonight they had asparagus and yellow squash that were cooked very well. A couple of soups round out the Salad Station.

Italian Station: garlic bread, bouillabaise (chock full of shellfish), and an assortment of pastas. They also had a pink colored ravioli filled with butternut squash with a gorgonzola cream sauce - I'm not so into the gorgonzola, but the ravs were very tender and tasty. They also had a nice linguine alfredo with a tinge of nutmeg. A couple flavors of pizza rotated throughout the night, ranging from margherita, and pepperoni, to barbecue chicken.

Carving Station: Saturday being Prime Rib night, there was a nice Prime Rib, compelete with your choice of jus or an amazing dark mushroom gravy. They also had roasted turkey breast and gravy.

Americana: following the Carving station was the next take on Americana which included herby roast chicken, smothered mushroom gravy (I didn't really know what this was, but it was really good!), creamed spinach, mashed potatoes, and homemade potato chips. They also had some bbq pork ribs and really fresh crispy fried chicken.

Asian Station: there was really quite the selection here from some traditional Chinese food fare like chow mein and spicy orange chicken, to really tasty Korean kalbi beef, to a whole Mongolian bbq where you can choose your meat, veggies, and sauce (mild or spicy).

Mexican Station: included carnitas, tacquitos, and of course rice and beans.

Dessert Station: the soft serve ice cream machine was a sight to behold unto itself. You pushed a button, the machine gurgled, and in a flurry of activity you received a nice sized portion of either vanilla or chocolate. The vanilla was okay, but the chocolate was really flavorful. There was also hot fudge to add on top. They also had a hot bread pudding and a hot apple cobbler. The dessert case was full of an assortment of fruit tarts, creme brulee, cream puffs, eclairs, pie slices, mousses, etc etc. They also had nice selection of sugar free desserts (however, the brownie wasn't too fabulous).

The dinner price included a non-alcoholic beverage. Service to take our drink orders and pick up empty plates was very efficient, and everyone was very polite.

The prices vary during the week, for example, Friday night is Seafood Night, so dinner costs a little more. But overall, it's an exceptional value.
--T

Lucio's Restaurant, Torrance, CA

2009-02-27T22:16:00.000-08:00

Lucio's Restaurant
1605 Cabrillo Ave, Torrance, CA 90501
310-328-9810
Located on the oddly angled corner of Cabrillo and Gramercy in Old Torrance. There are entrances to the restaurant from both streets. Street parking.
Casual. Large dining room.

Visited: February 2009, Dinner, Dine-in

This is definitely a hole in the wall that's been here for decades, yet this is the first time we've been. It's a very casual restaurant, and you could tell that some of the diners had been coming here for ages.

We started off with the chips and salsa. The salsa was very mellow with a great roasted flavor. For entrees, we had:

Carne Asada Dinner ($9.50): comes with guacamole (warning if you don't like raw onions, cuz it was packed with them), rice, refritos and tortillas. This was a huge plate of meat. Everything was pretty mellow tasting, but very satisfying. Dinners come with soup or salad, and we had the albondigas.

Carnitas Dinner ($9.75): served with rice, refritos and tortillas. The meat was very tender and flavorful, and unlike many other restaurants, it wasn't greasy. A huge plus.

Chimichanga ($7.95): comes with shredded beef, rice, refritos, guac and sour cream. The chimi had a great crispy skin and the meat was very well seasoned.

I can see why it's been here for so long.
--T

Pinkie's BBQ, Hermosa Beach, CA

2009-02-27T21:42:00.000-08:00

Pinkie's BBQ
502 Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach, CA 90278
310-379-0616
http://www.pinkiesbbq.com/
In a very small strip mall with tight parking.
Casual. Small dining room.

Visited: February 2009, Dinner, Dine-in

Pinkie's opened some time last year, and we finally made our way there. And we're glad we did. We left full and happy. However, I will point out that this is a smokey dry rub type of bbq, not the saucey kind of bbq. And while I prefer the saucey kind, Pinkie's was still very tasty.

Also, our server was amazing at how well she handled all of the tables in the small but packed restaurant.

We were pretty pleased with everything we had:

Beef Tri Tip Plate ($13.95): mm, the meat was flavorful and very tender. The plate comes with two sides, and we got BBQ Beans (these were well cooked, but a little too firm for our liking) and Mashed Potatoes (just pots, no gravy). Plates also come with a corn bread stick.

Full Rack Baby Back Ribs Plate ($22.95): these were the meatiest baby backs eh-ver. Pinkie's does a smokey dry rub kinda bbq, and there's a bottle of sauce on the table. The ribs were tender and filling. This is a big plate. The two sides we got were Creamed Corn (yummy and peppery) and Mac N Cheese (rich and thick).

Sampler Plate ($14.95): you get a couple of those meaty ribs, 1/4 chicken, and a few slices of that yummy tri tip. Quite a value when you see how much food is on the plate. We got the Coleslaw (sweet vs vinegary; not creamy) and Mac N Cheese (just couldn't resist more!).

We saw some other folks get the chocolate bundt cake. I don't know how they had room for dessert, let alone that massive slice of cake!

They have Stone Brewery's Pale Ale (which went well with the meal) and Arrogant Bastard on tap.

I'm full just thinking about it!

Union Cattle Company, Hermosa Beach, CA

2009-02-27T21:25:00.000-08:00

Union Cattle Company
1301 Manhattan Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, 310-798-8227
http://unioncattlecompany.com/
On the northwest corner of Pier and Manhattan. There's metered street parking and validated structure parking under the restaurant.
Casual nice. Large dining room on several levels. Full bar.

Visited: several times for Happy Hour
Most recently: September 2009

This is a great place for happy hour! All of the appetizers are half price, and there are many drink specials ranging from beer and wine to cocktails. At this time of year, there's a great view of sunset during happy hour - a little bright at times, but stunning. Happy hour lasts from 5p-7p.

Here are the treats we had:

Parmesan Spinach Dip ($4.95): comes with red and green corn tortilla chips. This was so good we ended up ordering two of 'em! We did run out of chips at one point, but they were so gracious to bring us more.

Thai Chicken Rolls ($3.95): My expectations of these rolls did not live up to the product. It was a large plate - plenty of food, but I wasn't quite sure what was Thai or chicken about it. The best parts were the fried wonton strips and soy dipping sauce that were garnish.

BBQ Chicken Lettuce Wraps ($3.95): now these little guys were good! I'm not sure what all was in the filling, but it was very tasty. The BBQ sauce was sweet and smokey; very nice. There is plenty of filling - we even got extra lettuces and were able to split the filling between them.

The service is really nice; they are very sweet. They're also accomodating to groups.

Angara Indian Restaurant, Torrance, CA

2009-02-27T20:58:00.000-08:00

Angara Indian Restaurant
2170 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501
310-320-9090
http://www.angara.us/
Near Old Torrance. Usually plenty of street parking, and they have a small lot behind the building. Do not park in the tiny lot that is next door.
Casual. Large dining room that fills quickly at lunch. Beer and wine.

Visited: Numerous times, Lunch Buffet, Dinner, Dine-In or Dinner Take Out
Most recently: August 2010

This is our favorite Indian restaurant. The food is always fresh and great tasting. We've been winding our way through the menu and have tried many items.

Chicken Tikka Masala, mild or medium ($10.95): yes, the ubiquitous chicken tikka masala. Man, do they do it right. The curry is creamy and sweet with its own great texture (quite a food unto itself). The chicken tikka is cooked well, and makes for a seamless dish. If you get this dish 'mild' it will have a sweeter taste than the 'medium' - both are tasty.

Lamb Tikka Masala, medium, ($11.95): one of the great things about Angara is that all of the curries come with your choice of meat, tofu, veg, or paneer. We tried this lamb tikka masala for the first time, and also tried the tikka masala medium for the first time. This was a spot-on dish. The 'medium' spiciness was perfect heat that didn't linger so that everything afterwards would taste hot. The lamb was tender and very mild. A+.

The Lamb Biryani, medium ($12.95) is rich and full of flavor. The lamb and rice are tender. You can have this as your entree and be fully satisfied, with enough to share.

Bengan Bharta ($8.95): well, I love eggplant, and while this dish was very tasty, all I could see and feel were onions. I didn't dislike the dish, but I wouldn't order it again if I were craving eggplant.

We also order the Plain Basmati Rice ($4.00) and Plain Naan ($1.95). Both are cooked very well. The rice is tender and each grain is distinct. The naan is fluffy and chewy, and is a very good tool for eating with.

They also have a fabulous lunch buffet ($7.95) that is busy and the food is always hot and fresh. Usual staples of the buffet include Onion Bhaji, Naan, Daal, Saag, a Vegetarian Curry, Ground Lamb Curry, Chicken Tikka Masala, and Chicken Tandoori. One or two other items rotate through. There are also some salad and pickle items, and a dessert, usually rice pudding. A soft drink comes with.

The Appetizer, Redondo Beach, CA

2009-02-27T20:29:00.000-08:00

The Appetizer
1000 Torrance Blvd, Unit A, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
310-792-0077
http://www.theappetizerrestaurant.com/
Southeast corner of Torrance and Prospect. In a strip mall with free parking.
Casual. Large dining room.

March 2010 Update: CLOSED. This location has been sold, and is now a restaurant called Calamari's. The new owner has kept the menu very similar to The Appetizer. The other Appetizer location on Deep Valley Drive in Rolling Hills Estates is still open.

Visited: a couple times, Dinner, Dine-in
Most recently: Dec 2009

This restaurant had been teasing us for some time with a sign out front saying that it would open soon, and many months later, it finally did. What we didn't realize was that this was the next in a series with the first ones open over at the Hughes market, and they still have a location up on Deep Valley Drive in Rolling Hills Estates. Well, this was a first time for us.

The service was still 'new' feeling. Everyone was very friendly and courteous, but I think the kitchen still has some kinks to work out to ensure all of the items come out on time. Maybe they need to add an expo back there.

But, the food was quite good. So what did we eat?

Pepperoni and Canadian Bacon Calzone ($11.45 + $1 extra topping): really, it was probably the best calzone we've had on the west coast. The dough was crisp and soft, plenty of goodies inside, and overall very flavorful. It comes with extra marinara on the side, but not quite enough; you'll probably want to ask for another cup. It's also quite large - good for sharing or for someone who's hungry.

Hot Meatball Sandwich, Large ($7.45): wow, was this good! The bread was very nicely toasted on the outside yet still had enough softness on the inside to absorb the yummy sauce. The meatballs were big and very tasty, and mozzarella melted with gooey goodness. You may want to ask for extra sauce.

Meat Lasagna ($9.95): comes with soup or salad and a big basket of garlic bread. We had the Garbanzo Bean Soup, and while not sure what to expect, the soup was very tasty. Lots of garbanzo beans and mini pasta tubes in a vegetarian broth with plenty of flavor. The garlic bread actually had minced garlic on it - fancy that! It was also very nicely crisp and soft in the right places (they do their bread well). The lasagna was also good. Despite the meat sauce being a little thin, it has a very deep rich taste.

XL Pizza with half pepperoni/sausage and half sausage/mushroom ($17.45): the half with pepperoni had much more flavor than the other side. The sausage is in these tiny little crumbles that cover the pizza well, but just didn't have enough oomph to work well with the mushrooms. Overall, a good thin crust pizza, but need we need to figure out what flavor combos to get.

We will definitely go back; probably for take-out.

Ono Ono Hawaiian BBQ, Tustin, CA

2009-02-09T18:16:00.000-08:00

Ono Ono Hawaiian BBQ
17582 E. 17th Street, Tustin, CA 92780, 714-505-0750
http://onoonohawaiianbbq.com/
In a strip mall with plenty of free parking.
Casual/fast foodish. Order at the counter; your food brought to you.

[Note: This is not the same as the Ono Hawaiian BBQ restaurant chain.]

Visited: February 2009, Lunch, Dine-in

The food was hot, fresh, and fast. What a treat! It was definitely Ono Ono (ono means delicious in Hawaiian)!

It's a combination of fast food and sit down dining. You order at the counter, but they bring you your food, and you're served on real plates with plasticware. It sounds odd, but it works. The staff and decor were all very nice.

All of the entrees come with choice of 2 sides: white rice, brown rice, long rice noodles, Asian coleslaw, grilled veggie, potato mac, or green salad. Keep in mind that if you want rice, you have to order it as one of your sides. This threw me for a minor loop when ordering.

You can also get free soup if you eat in. I had the miso soup with tofu. Very tasty. They also had a second more traditional looking veggie soup in a reddish broth.

For appetizers we got:

Spam Musubi ($2.75) which was sliced into 4 nice slices. The rice was seasoned and tender, and the Spam was nicely fried. Overall more flavor than I've had at other restaurants.

12 pcs Fried Dumplings ($5.99). I guess I was expecting pan fried gyoza, but these were actually deep fried. They came with a soy dipping sauce. Not bad, they needed the sauce; but I wouldn't order them again.

The 3 item combos are a great way to sample their offerings, and they are sold at a great price. You get plenty of food, and may even be able to share a plate. We had:

Mix Plate ($8.95): BBQ chicken (like teri chicken), kalua pork, panko fried mahi mahi (served with tartar sauce) with sides of grilled veggie and long rice. The mahi mahi was outstanding as was the long rice. The chicken and pork were also very good, but the other items outshone them. The veggies were plain, and that suited the meal very well.

Ono Plate ($8.95): chicken katsu, BBQ spicy pork, beef kalbi with sides of white rice and potato mac. The pork was just like Korean-style spicy pork - yum! Great flavor and very tender. The kalbi was also very nice - hot and fresh with a nice char. The katsu was just fine; the others were just that much better. The potato mac was plain but tasty. It had little bits of carrots for color and texture.

There are plenty more things on the menu to try, and I'm looking forward to my next visit.

Thai Rama Restaurant, Torrance, CA

2009-02-09T17:38:00.001-08:00

Thai Rama Restaurant
4473 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503
310-542-9242
http://www.thai-rama.com/
Casual. Large dining room. Beer and wine.

Visited: Numerous times, Dinner, Take-out
Most recent visit: September 2010

This has long been one of our favorite restaurants almost exclusively for take-out. There was a lull in there when the food wasn't as great, but I have a feeling the restaurant changed hands a few times during that period. We tried all of our favorites, and everything was delish.

#5: Chicken Wings Royal ($6.95)- tasty filling and crunchy coating. It also comes with a little container of spicy pickled cucumbers and red onions. Very nice.

#8: Thai BBQ Pork Spare Ribs ($6.95) -very tender and tasty.

#31: Pad Thai ($7.95) - plenty of noodles, plenty of goodies.

#33: Pad See You with Beef ($6.25) - very flavorful, and the broccoli was cooked well.

#38: Panang Curry with Chicken ($6.95) - has little green peas and carrots mixed with the chicken. It comes with a very nice natural spiciness.

#47: Chili Beef ($6.95) - beef stir fried with sliced green chiles and onions. It was tasty, but not sure if we would order it again. It has a spiciness that is very mellow and creeps up on you.

#48: Mongolian Beef ($7.75) - very flavorful and tender.

They also have lunch specials which are highly recommended.