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.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Diddy Riese Cookies, Los Angeles, CA
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.
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
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.
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.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
The Dinner Detective, Courtyard Marriott, Culver City, CA
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.
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
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.
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.
Friday, January 8, 2010
'Y' Not Burgers, Torrance, CA
'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.
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
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.
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.
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