Fritto Misto, Hermosa Beach, CA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.