touring with tommy

santa monica: urth caffe

2009-05-06T22:14:00.001-07:00

tommy helps himself to brunch at urth caffe...

bread pudding with apples and warm milk

salmon scramble

tommy says: bread pudding is nice and warm and tasty! the salmon scramble was ok, but a bit too salty and could've used a smooth goat cheese to add another texture and creamy flavor. it gets pretty crowded on weekends which can make finding seating troublesome at times.

urth caffe
2327 main st
santa monica, ca 90407
(310) 314-7040

www.urthcaffe.com

burbank: porto's bakery

2009-05-06T21:57:00.001-07:00

tommy hearts porto's potato balls and sweets...

meat-filled potato balls

pan con lechon (roasted pork sandwich): slow roasted pork, mojo garlic sauce, and grilled onions, on a grilled cuban bread

tres leches
strawberry shortcake

tommy says: yummmm... potato balls! sandwiches were ok. desserts were really good. have had breakfast sandwiches in the past which were yummy. also, bonus: pretty cheap! they've also got another location in glendale.

porto's bakery
3614 w magnolia blvd
burbank, ca 91504
(818) 846-9100

www.portosbakery.com

santa monica: bread & porridge

2009-05-06T21:22:00.001-07:00

tommy tries the bread, but no porridge at bread & porridge in santa monica...

complimentary corn bread

mac 'n cheese

beef stew

shepherd's omelet: omelet with spinach, mild goat cheese, mushroom and onion. served with roasted red potatoes

blueberry tart with vanilly ice cream

tommy says: mac 'n cheese was pretty decent. beef stew was no good, super bland; the base basically tasted like thick peppery water. omelet was tolerable, but the ingredients weren't evenly dispersed so all the cheese was clumped in the middle and there was just too much spinach.

bread & porridge
2315 wilshire blvd
santa monica, ca 90403
(310) 453-4941
http://www.breadandporridge.com

venice: agra indian kitchen

2009-05-06T20:59:00.001-07:00

tommy finds some decent indian food at agra indian kitchen in venice...

complimentary soup

vegetable samosas

chicken tikka masala
bhendi masala: okra sautéed with onion, tomatoes and herbs

naan
volcano lamb

tommy says: finally found good chicken tikka masala in los angeles!! samos and naan were good too. bhendi masala wasn't so great, and the volcano lamb was crazy spicy (spicier than vindaloo) and couldn't really tell what it tasted like except hot. will be back for samosas, naan and chicken tikka masala... the search for other yummy indian dishes continues...

agra indian kitchen
2553 lincoln blvd
venice, ca 90291
(310) 827-0050
http://www.agraindiankitchen.com/

west la: raku

2009-05-06T20:39:00.000-07:00

tommy tests out raku in west la...

pork belly

agedashi tofu

bacon wrapped enoki mushrooms

miso black cod

tommy says: was hoping this was related to the raku in vegas, but it isn't. food was ok, but nothing exciting. bacon-wrapped enoki mushrooms were the good. black cod was ok, but not as good as asakuma.

raku
11678 w olympic blvd
los angeles, ca 90064

(310) 478-3090

west la: le saigon

2009-05-06T20:23:00.000-07:00

tommy is pho sho about le saigon...

spring rolls

pho saigon dac biet: rice noodle soup with cooked and rare beef

tommy says: pretty good pho, though the cooked beef was a lil tough. will probably stick to pho with just rare beef in the future. spring rolls weren't bad either.

le saigon
11611 santa monica blvd
los angeles, ca 90025

(310) 312-2929

santa monica: bagel nosh

2009-02-21T14:59:00.000-08:00

tommy starts his day at bagel nosh in santa monica...

omelette

smoked salmon

tommy says: for lala land, these are great bagels. they skimped on the smoked salmon, but put slathered on the cream cheese pretty well.

bagel nosh
1629 wilshire boulevard
santa monica, ca 90407
(310) 451-8771

san fernando valley - sherman oaks: cafe bizou

2009-02-21T14:46:00.001-08:00

tommy ventures off into the valley to try cafe bizou...

french onion soup

beef strogonoff: fettuccini, sliced ny steak, onions, and mushrooms in a burgundy wine sauce

monkfish on saffron shrimp risotto with fried carrots in a lobster sauce

tommy says: food was bland all around. the monkfish was dry and risotto was not creamy at all.

cafe bizou
14016 ventura blvd
sherman oaks, ca 91423
(818) 788-3536

www.cafebizou.com

santa monica: roll house sushi

2009-02-21T14:15:00.000-08:00

tommy goes to roll house sushi in santa monica...

spiderman: softhell crab with avacado, cucmber, tobiko, gobo, and kaiware

caterpillar: unagi (eel) and cucumber topped with avacado

tsunami caliente roll: spicy tuna, kaiware, and avocado topped off with a jalapeno and spicy mayo house sauce

tommy says: the fish was fresh and good quality, but they put some kind of sauce and additional topping on all of them which detracted from the experience. would consider going again, but would be sure to specify to serve the fish plain.

roll house sushi
1509 4th st
santa monica, ca 90401
(310) 394-3956

www.rollhousesushi.com/

santa monica: boa steakhouse

2009-02-21T12:51:00.001-08:00

tommy steaks out boa in santa monica...

boa chop chop salad: artichokes, salami, chick peas, pepperoncinis, tomatoes, olives toasted pine nuts, and aged provolone cheese

french onion soup

truffled cheese fries

bone-in rib-eye with foie gras butter

bone-in rib-eye with chimichurri sauce

tommy says: the salad was very refreshing, and the soup was pretty good too. cheese fries were tasty and indulgent. most importantly, a satisfying steak. it ain't no cut, but that's not really a fair comparison.

boa steakhouse
101 santa monica boulevard
santa monica, ca 90401
(310) 899-4466

www.boasteak.com/balboa

santa monica: broadway deli

2009-02-21T11:45:00.000-08:00

tommy tries broadway deli for the first and last time...

french dip

french onion soup

eggs benedict with creamed corn and hash brown

bread pudding

tommy says: bleh. save your cash and calories.

broadway deli
1457 3rd street promenade
santa monica, ca 90401
(310) 451-0616

los angeles - silverlake: cha cha cha

2009-02-21T11:07:00.001-08:00

tommy feels the heat at cha cha cha...

jerk pork: shredded pork tenderloin will spicy jamaican jerk sauce

garlic and goat cheese pizza

guava and goat cheese quesadilla

jamaican jerk chicken: chicken breast marinated in a secret jerk spice recipe

ceviche guadalupe: swordfish, salmon, and shrimp marinated in lime juice, ciliantro and spices

tommy says: the jerk sauce is tasty, but spicy - more so with the pork since the sauce coated every shred, the spice was still there with the chicken, but not as intense. the guava and goat cheese in the quesadilla were a nice combination of flavors. as was the garlic and goat cheese pizza. ceviche wasn't that great.

cha cha cha
656 n virgil ave
los angeles, ca 90004
(323) 664-7723

www.theoriginalchachacha.com

los angeles - koreatown: wakko

2009-02-11T15:46:00.001-08:00

tommy gets fried at wakko in ktown...

pork tonkatsu

tommy says: ok tonkatsu. outside is crisp and doesn't feel greasy, and the meat is pretty tender, but it would've been nice if it had more flavor. crushing the sesame seeds for the sauce is a nice touch.

wako donkasu
2904 w olympic blvd
los angeles, ca 90006
(213) 387-9256

las vegas: wolfgang puck bar & grill

2009-02-11T13:08:00.001-08:00

tommy wraps up his stint in vegas with a quick lunch at wolfgang puck bar & grill...

truffled potato chips with maytag blue cheese

tomato, burata mozzarella and basil pizza

house made spaghettini pasta with roasted tomatoes, garlic and basil

tommy says: the truffled potato chips are addicting, and the sauce is creamy and cheesy. the pizza was ok flavor-wise, but the crust was soggy and couldn't hold the tomatoes. the pasta wasn't that good, the noodles were dense and heavy. the chips are really good though...

wolfgang puck bar & grill
mgm grand
3799 las vegas blvd south
las vegas, nv 89109
http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/finedining/wpbargrill/lasvegas/index.php

las vegas: aureole

2009-01-14T08:08:00.000-08:00

tommy has an amazing 7 course (plus amuse bouche and petit fours), 3-hour meal at aureole in las vegas...

amuse bouche of tomato bisque with crawfish

ahi tuna and cured salmon composition with american caviar and lemon creme fraiche

house-made potato gnocchi and seared scallop with organnic leek fondue, sauteed wild porcini, and champagne foam

grilled halibut with confit tomato, roasted asparagus, and tuscan olive oil

asian spiced braised pork belly with creamy polenta and chinese longbean

duo of beef tenderloin and flat iron with caramelized onion, soft potato cake, seasonal vegetables, and a cabernet reduction

tasting of cheese [not photographed]
morbier moco rouge, westfield goat cheese, served with a roasted tomato green olive focaccia, apriocot-green peppercorn chutney

fresh blackberry tart and white chocolate blackberry float

complimentary petit fours

tommy says: an indulgent and delightful meal! so much great food makes it difficult to choose favorites. the amuse bouche and the first 2 courses were absolutely amazing! the soup was smooth and had a nice kick to it and a small piece of crawfish was at the bottom. the first course were delicate and yet had wonderful flavors - the fish was fresh, caviar was tasty, and the squash blossom had wonderful flavors stuffed in it. and the second course was velvety and creamy without being heavy - the gnocchi were fantastic! the braised pork belly (fourth course) melted in your mouth and was quite tasty! and from the desserts, the white chocolate blackberry float was delicious. all in all, a phenomenal meal!

aureole
3950 las vegas blvd s
las vegas, nv 89119

(702) 632-7401

http://www.aureolelv.com/

las vegas: bouchon

2009-01-12T20:56:00.001-08:00

tommy brunches at bouchon in vegas...

bouchon french toast: bread pudding style with warm layers of brioche, custard & apples

moule au saffron with pommes frites: mussels with saffron and mustard

tommy says: a tasty brunch! the french toast is a nice option for those who like a sweet treat for breakfast/brunch and could even be served as a dessert. the wine sauce served with the mussels had good flavor with a hint of mustard, and the fries were good too.

bouchon bistro
venetian
3355 las vegas blvd s
las vegas, nv 89109

(702) 414-6200

http://www.bouchonbistro.com/

las vegas: raku

2009-01-12T20:36:00.001-08:00

tommy gambles by dining off the strip and wins big at raku...

complimentary mochi with crushed edamame

kurobuta pork cheek

agedashi tofu

enoki mushroom wrapped in bacon

sanma (pikefish)

kobe beef miso skewers

steamed egg custard with foie gras

tomato wrapped in bacon

chicken wings

tsukane (grilled ground chicken)

tommy says: the best agedashi tofu! they make the tofu on-site and the broth is delicious! steamed egg was incredibly smooth, but topped off with a piece of duck, not really foie gras, but still so yummy. kobe beef was tender, juicy and very flavorful. pork cheek and enoki mushroom skewers were really good as well. tsukane could've used more seasoning and flavor, but everything was amazing!

raku
5030 spring mountain rd
las vegas, nv 89146

(702) 367-3511

marina del rey: aunt kizzy's back porch

2009-01-12T19:56:00.001-08:00

tommy goes for some soul food at aunt kizzy's...

complimentary corn bread

cousin willie mae's smothered pork chops with a side of greens and mac and cheese

spicy hot links, red beans & rice with greens and mashed potatoes and gravy

tommy says: pork chops were dry, hot links were good. mac and cheese tasted like it was from a school cafeteria. greens were so-so.

aunt kizzy's
523 washington blvd
marina del rey, ca 90292

(310) 578-1005

http://auntkizzys.com/

phoenix - chandler: tortas el guerro

2008-12-24T10:17:00.001-08:00

tommy tries the tortas at tortas el guerro in phoenix...

bistec torta and carne torta

tommy says: the bistec was ok and could've used more meat and flavor. the carne torta was quite tasty. the creaminess of the mayo and avacado contrasted so nicely with a spritz of tart lime and a kick from the salsa verde; the lettuce added a nice lil crunch. torta = spanish for tasty mexican sandwich!

tortas el guero
611 n arizona ave
chandler, az 85225

(480) 963-2633

beverly hills: cut

2008-12-24T09:35:00.001-08:00

tommy dines with some famous faces at cut...

parmesan bread sticks and warm gruyere cheese bread

austrian oxtail bouillon, chive blossoms, chervil, bone marrow dumplings

bone marrow flan, mushroom marmalade, parsley salad

8 oz + 2 oz of rib eye, true japanese 100% wagyu beef from kagoshima prefecture, kyushu, japan

kobe beef short ribs “indian spiced”, curried cauliflower puree, slowly cooked for eight hours

sautéed autumn greens, garlic

soft polenta with parmesan

nougat semifreddo, strawberry sorbet, wild strawberries

valrhona chocolate soufflé, milk chocolate hazelnut glacé

complimentary petit fours

tommy says: an amazing meal from start to finish. though difficult to choose, favorites were the bone marrow flan, wagyu steak, short-ribs, polenta, and the soufflé. the bone marrow flan is hauntingly good, silky smooth, rich, and amazing flavor. the steak was incredibly tender and each bite tasted buttery without feeling too heavy or greasy. the short-ribs had bold flavors and the meat fell apart so easily. polenta was out of this world as well, the texture was perfect. the chocolate soufflé was a true soufflé, not a molten cake like most places serve even though their menu reads soufflé, and was light and rich at the same time, fantastically chocolaty. simply heaven... except for the damage to the wallet.

cut steakhouse
beverly wilshire hotel
9500 wilshire blvd
beverly hills, 90212

(310) 276-8500

http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/finedining/cut/beverlyhills/

west la: nizam of india

2008-12-19T14:41:00.001-08:00

tommy tries another indian joint, nizam of india, in wla...

vegetable samosas

chicken tikka masala, saag paneer, and lamb vindaloo

tommy says: tolerable... samosas, tikka masala, and the saag were edible, but kinda bland. lamb vindaloo had an ok kick to it. the hunt for good indian food in la continues... sigh...

nizam of india
10871 w pico blvd
los angeles, ca 90064
(310) 470-1441

west la: purenaked yogurt

2008-12-19T14:33:00.001-08:00

tommy strips down for some purenaked yogurt at the century city mall in wla...

plain yogurt with raspberries, blackberries, and captain crunch

tommy says: pretty good. they only offer one flavor, but the fruit was really fresh. located by the fancy food court.

purenaked yogurt
10250 santa monica blvd
los angeles, ca 90067
(310) 553-8733
http://www.purenakedyogurt.com/

west la: pink taco

2008-12-19T14:28:00.001-08:00

tommy tries the trendy pink taco at the century city mall in west la...

burrito mojado with carne asada

carne asada and pork soft taco

tommy says: eh. not really sure what all the fuss is about. food was edible, but not much else. feels like a trendy chili's...

pink taco
10250 santa monica blvd
los angeles, ca 90067
(310) 789-1000

www.pinktaco.com

santa monica: fromin's

2008-12-19T14:07:00.001-08:00

tommy noshes at fromin's in santa monica...

turkey gumbo

corned beef dip

pastrami reuben

tommy says: eh. mediocre food at best. service wasn't so hot either - all of the food had to be sent back because the server got the entire order wrong except the soup, which just tasted like a mildly spiced vegetable soup, not really gumbo.

fromin's
1832 wilshire blvd
santa monica, ca 90403
(310) 829-5443

malibu: tra di noi express

2008-12-19T13:57:00.001-08:00

tommy grabs some quick italian at tra di noi express in malibu...

spinach and ricotta ravioli in a pink sauce

checca pizza: tomato sauce, mozzarella, chopped marinated tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil

tommy says: the pizza was surprisingly quite good! the crust was nice and thin, the sauce was pretty good, and the marinated tomatoes were tasty. the ravioli was ok, but nothing special, and was a small portion. there is also a tra di noi sit-down restaurant, but for a quick lunch, grabbing some pizza from the express window and eating at the picnic tables isn't bad.

tra di noi express
3835 cross creek road
malibu, ca 90265
(310) 456-0169

van nuys: doctor hogly wogly's tyler texas bbq

2008-12-19T08:11:00.001-08:00

tommy gets down with some bbq at dr. hogly wogly's in van nuys...

brisket and pork ribs

brisket and hot links
macaroni salad

tommy says: the brisket and hotlinks are tasty! the ribs are good too, but the brisket is where it's at. the sauce is the key to it all with a hint of sweet and a lil kick of spice. the side of mac salad is unnecessary and not that good.

dr. hogly wogly's tyler texas bbq
8136 sepulveda blvd
van nuys, ca 91402
(818) 782-2480
http://www.hoglywogly.com

west la: santouka ramen

2008-12-18T19:20:00.001-08:00

tommy finds nirvana in a bowl at santouka ramen in west la...

salt ramen with pork
miso ramen

tommy says: soooooo good! the salt ramen broth was delicious, flavorful, and not too greasy. miso is also fantastic. better than shin sen gumi and soooo much better than chabuya (no contest). quality food from a food court, who knew?! possibly the best ramen in la-la land - love it!

santouka ramen
mitsuwa marketplace food court
3760 s centinela ave
los angeles, ca 90066
(310) 391-1101

http://www.santouka.co.jp/

santa monica: cafe paradiso

2008-12-15T19:19:00.000-08:00

tommy checks out the grub at cafe paradiso in santa monica...

salad with burrata, tomatoes and olives

butternut squash soup

boscaiola: farfalle with mushroom, sausage, and peas in a creamy tomato sauce

vecchio roma: farfalle with chicken, sun dried tomato, artichoke in a creamy tomato sauce

macerated berries (berries in balsamic vinegar) with vanilla ice cream

tommy says: the macerated berries were the best part of the meal, the berries were so sweet and the vinegar enhanced the flavor - so yummy! the soup was quite tasty as well and had a touch of indian spice to it. pastas were so-so, chicken in the vecchio roma was on the dry and bland side.

cafe paradiso
2408 wilshire blvd
santa monica, ca 90401
(310) 828-0218

rowland heights: onggojib

2008-12-14T18:48:00.001-08:00

tommy feasts at onggojib in rowland heights...

assorted banchan

kalbi

spicy black cod

tommy says: yummmy! the panchan selection and quality was fantastic (spicy raw crab and the squid with spicy sauce were standouts). the bbq was tasty and the black cod was delicious! great option if you're hungry in this neck of the woods.

ong go jib
18891 e colima rd
rowland heights, ca 91748

culver city: yogiyo

2008-12-14T18:02:00.001-08:00

tommy becomes a fan of yogiyo in culver city...

plain frozen yogurt with captain crunch, strawberries, and blackberries

tommy says: hits the spot! the right amount of tart and the right amount of creaminess. plain is $0.50 cheaper than flavored yogurt (pink grapefruit, raspberry, mango, blackberry). medium plain was $3.50 plus $1.45 for the 3 toppings (individual toppings are $0.95 if you don't get 3). a worthy competitor in the yogurt wars.

yogiyo
8985 venice blvd
los angeles, ca 90034
(310) 559-3889
http://www.helloyogiyo.com

culver city: meltdown

2008-12-10T15:08:00.001-08:00

tommy doesn't quite melt for meltdown in culver city...

market melt: herb goat cheese, fontina, grilled eggplant, yellow squash, zucchini, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, walnut pesto on focaccia

classic 3 cheese: sharp cheddar, muenster, and fontina on sourdough
tomato soup

tommy says: the classic 3 cheese was good and tomato soup was ok, the combination was comforting. the market melt was bland. pickles were a bit too fresh.

meltdown
9739 culver blvd
culver city, ca 90232
(310) 838-6358
http://www.meltdownetc.com

west la: pomodoro trattoria

2008-12-10T13:01:00.001-08:00

tommy carbo-loads at pomodoro trattoria in west la...

gnocchi all'arrabbiata: potato pasta in a spicy tomato sauce with garlic and parsley

farfalle caprino: bowtie pasta with sundried tomato, goat cheese and garlic in a white wine cream sauce

tommy says: the farfalle caprino was yummy! the sauce was creamy but not too heavy and the flavors melded together nicely. the arrabbiata sauce wasn't really spicy which was a bit of a downer, but the gnocchi were good and weren't heavy and didn't leave you stuffed after three bites.

pomodoro trattoria
1393 westwood blvd
los angeles, ca 90024
(310) 445-9998
http://www.pomodorowestwood.com

west la: jamaica's cakes

2008-12-10T12:45:00.001-08:00

tommy digs jamaica's cakes in west la...

cookies-n-cream: cookies baked into vanilla pound cake, layered with chocolate mousse and whipped cream, frosted in rich chocolate ganache
vanilla bavarian: vanilla pound cake filled with vanilla bavarian cream, frosted with white chocolate buttercream
raspberry champagne: champagne sponge cake filled with raspberry mousse and topped with raspberry puree

tommy says: tasty cakes. the raspberry was the favorite of the three, but all were good. cakes were slightly on the dry side, but were still pretty good. buttercreams were smooth and not too sweet! a nice option to take care of a cake craving.

jamaica's cakes
11511 w. pico blvd
los angeles, ca 90064
(310) 478-1971
http://www.jamaicascakes.com

west la: susiecakes

2008-12-10T12:16:00.001-08:00

tommy samples susiecakes in west la...

sour cream cheesecake
classic marble cake: chocolate, chocolate chip cake swirled with vanilla cake filled with chocolate and vanilla buttercreams

tommy says: so-so... the cheesecake is neither light nor dense, but somewhere in between. it was not bad, and the better of the two cakes. the marble cake tasted like it was made from a cake mix.

susiecakes
11708 san vicente blvd
los angeles, ca 90049
(310) 442-2253
http://www.susiecakesla.com

west la: amandine

2008-12-10T11:49:00.001-08:00

tommy gets some satisfaction at amandine in west la...

delice au chocolat: chocolate cake with a graham cracker and walnut crust
gateau fraise: sponge cake with strawberries and whipped cream
cheesecake

tommy says: yummm. the gateau fraise was light and tasty. the delice au chocolat was rich, and the cheesecake is quite light and airy, so may not appease those who like dense cheesecake. the gateau chocolat (not photographed, chocolate cake with ganache, raspberries, and chocolate shavings) is also really good. a tasty spot to satisfy your sweet tooth!

amandine
12225 wilshire blvd
los angeles, ca 90025
(310) 979-3211
h ttp://www.amandinecafe.com/

west la: pink orchid

2008-12-10T11:32:00.001-08:00

tommy spells disappointment p-i-n-k-o-r-c-h-i-d...

chocolate cake, orange walnut cake, cherry cake, and pistachio cake

tommy says: super cheap, but sickeningly sweet. cakes were all pretty bad. will not be returning.

pink orchid
1927 westwood blvd
los angeles, ca 90025

santa monica: tacos por favor

2008-12-10T11:13:00.000-08:00

tommy gets messy at tacos por favor in santa monica...

carne asada, carnitas, and al pastor hard tacos

bistec encebollado

tommy says: pretty good. the hard tacos come with guacamole, sour cream, lettuce, pico de gallo and cheese, and be a bit messy to eat. the soft tacos (not pictured) don't cut it - stick with the crunchy ones here. the bistec encebollado was pretty tasty, and the meat was pretty tender. one of the better choices for mexican on the westside.

tacos por favor
1406 olympic blvd
santa monica, ca 90404
(310) 392-5768

santa monica: anisette

2008-11-08T14:26:00.001-08:00

tommy brunches at anisette in santa monica...

french onion soup

smoked salmon

steak and eggs with hollandaise

crab salad, scrambled eggs over puff pastry with tomato sauce

tommy says: french onion soup was very tasty! steak and eggs were hearty, but just ok. smoked salmon was good, but its not really something you can mess up. crab salad was pretty good too.

anisette

225 santa monica blvd

santa monica, ca 90407

(310) 395-3200

http://www.anisettebrasserie.com/

santa monica: warszawa

2008-11-08T13:55:00.001-08:00

tommy drops in for happy hour at warszawa in santa monica

hot dried plums wrapped in lean bacon and garnished with caramelized walnuts

polish grilled sausage with creamy horseradish sauce

potato pancakes

chopped filet mignon (steak tartar) with onions, polish pickles, marinated mushrooms, and egg yolk

chicken pierogie with sorrel sauce

cheese, potato, and onion pierogies

tommy says: appetizers are half off and drinks are $1 off during happy hour, wednesday through friday 6pm-8pm on the patio. plums were a bit too sweet. chicken pierogies, steak tartar, and potato pancakes were a little on the bland side. sausage and cheese pierogies were good.

warszawa

1414 Lincoln Blvd

Santa Monica, CA 90401

(310) 393-8831
http://www.warszawarestaurant.com

santa monica: caprice pastries

2008-11-08T13:35:00.001-08:00

tommy satisfies his sweet tooth at caprice pastries...

various pastries

tommy says: the most amazing customer service! jean louis is extremely helpful and friendly, and bakes up some mean pastries! be sure to try some of the cookies, the almond cookies with orange marmalade filling are fantastic!!

caprice fine french pastries
3213 pico blvd
santa monica, ca 90405
(310) 453-1932

west la: curry house

2008-11-08T12:57:00.001-08:00

tommy tries curry house on sawtelle in wla...

corn soup

chili shrimp and spinach spaghetti: spicy chili sauce flavored with shrimp, spinach, and onion

tommy says: the pasta and corn soup were so-so, and the special curry wasn't too bad. would prefer the curry at blue marlin across the street, but this place isn't terrible.

curry house

2130 s sawtelle blvd

los angeles, ca 90025

(310) 479-8477
http://www.house-foods.com/curry_house.html

el segundo: hummus factory

2008-11-08T12:30:00.001-08:00

tommy goes mediterranean at hummus factory in el segundo...

hummus, babbaghanouge, and tabbouleh salad

beef kabab sandwhich

baklava

tommy says: the babbaghanouge and tabbouleh salad were quite tasty. the beef kabob sandwhich was a bit on the bland side. the baklava was flaky and not too sweet, really yummy! overall, pretty good.

hummus factory

204 e grand ave

el segundo, ca 90245

(310) 322-1000

http://www.thehummusfactory.com

west la: volcano tea

2008-11-08T12:01:00.001-08:00

tommy tries the shaved ice at volcano tea

shaved ice with lychee, coconut jelly, almond jello, syrup, and condensed milk

tommy says: not quite simbala, but this is the place to get your taiwanese shaved ice fix on the west side. toppings are limited (they really need to add flan), but at least they have the basics.

volcano tea

2111 sawtelle blvd

los angeles, ca 90025

(310) 445-5326

west la: new japan

2008-10-22T18:13:00.001-07:00

tommy checks out new japan in west la...

spicy tuna salad

spicy tuna bowl

tommy says: they incorporate tomatoes in their spicy tuna which tasted a bit off... cheap and fast, but that's about it.

new japan

11283 santa monica blvd

los angeles, ca 90025

(310) 477-0557

culver city: cafe surfas

2008-10-22T16:00:00.001-07:00

tommy grabs a quick bite at cafe surfas in culver city...

spanish herbed tuna panini: albo tuna with herbs, aged white cheddar, pea shoots dressed with avacado oil on country white bread

tomato soup

orzo salad

mac and cheese with nueske applewood smoked bacon bits

tommy says: so-so... tomato soup was watery and bland, mac and cheese was too heavy and bland, the panini was ok, but skimped on the tuna. orzo salad was good.

cafe surfas
8777 w washington blvd
culver city, ca 90232
(310) 558-1458
http://www.cafesurfas.com

santa monica: josie restaurant

2008-10-17T14:56:00.001-07:00

tommy indugles his fancy side at josie in santa monica...

gruyere and mushroom quiche

tomato soup with goat cheese-stuffed poached tomato

bacon-wrapped grilled quail: crisp polenta croutons, frisée, pickled onions, golden raisins, pomegranate, and toasted pine nuts

heirloom tomato salad with arugula, burrata cheese, and bacon

buffalo burger: ground buffalo sirloin stuffed with gruyère, caramelized onions and mushrooms, and topped with foie gras
truffle fries

mesquite-grilled prime rib-eye medallion with pop’s peppercorn sauce, garlic mashed potatoes, and a gorgonzola-candied garlic-watercress salad

lemon sabayon cake: summer berries, brûléed lemon sabayon

tommy says: everything was tasty, and the complimentary quiche was a nice touch! the rib eye was cooked perfectly and the mashed potatoes were quite tasty! standouts were the quail and dessert. the burger was tasty but a bit on the rich and heavy side. overall, a decadent meal!

josie restaurant
2424 pico blvd

santa monica, ca 90405

(310) 581-9888

http://www.josierestaurant.com

washington dc - georgetown: news cafe cucina italiana

2008-10-17T14:35:00.001-07:00

tommy tries news cafe in georgetown...

penne caprino: sundried tomatoes, goat cheese and basil in a spicy tomato sauce

chocolate soufflee with vanilla ice cream

chocolate covered strawberries with whipped cream

tommy says: the pasta was dull and uninspired, and the tomato sauce wasn't spicy as advertised. the chocolate souffle is not really a souffle but a molten lava cake. overall, nothing special.

news café italian kitchen
3056 M St NW
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 965.5535
http://newscafedc.com

baltimore: samos

2008-10-01T18:49:00.001-07:00

tommy dies and goes to greek heaven at samos in charm city...

greek salad

pork souvlaki pita wrap (aka orgasmic food of the gods)

tommy says: hands down the most amazing greek food! the house dressing is phenomenal and the pork souvlaki is so flavorful and the perfect texture! they even season the pita bread! words cannot begin to express... samos will haunt you... if only it were in los angeles... long distance relationships are so difficult to maintain... sigh...

samos
600 oldham st
baltimore, md 21224
(410) 675-5292
http://www.samosrestaurant.com

baltimore: city cafe

2008-10-01T18:30:00.001-07:00

tommy gets his fill of flapjacks at city cafe in baltimore...

blueberry pancakes

tommy says: for people who love a thinner pancake but not too thin, with crisp edges, this is the place! not too fluffy. if only they would serve it with real maple syrup instead of log cabin...but otherwise yummy!! for a fluffier pancake, try blue moon in fells point..

city cafe
1001 cathedral st
baltimore, md 21201
(410) 539-4252
http://www.citycafebaltimore.com

los angeles - koreatown: jinju gom tang

2008-10-01T16:06:00.001-07:00

tommy tries jinju gomtang in ktown...

assorted panchan

chadol gomtang guk

soon dooboo jigae

tommy says: so-so soups, but open 24 hours which makes for another option in addition to hodori.

jinju gomtang
3377 w. wilshire blvd #100
los angeles, ca 90010
(213) 282-6789

west la: nook bistro

2008-10-01T15:30:00.001-07:00

tommy finds a hidden lunch gem at nook bistro in wla...

chicken tortilla soup

three cheese mac with manchego, cheddar and gruyere

catfish burrito with lemon aioli, nappa cabbage slaw, charred green onions and oven-dried tomatoes

char-grilled flat iron steak sandwich with red onion jam, manchego cheese, salsa verde aioli and baby arugula

tommy says: the steak sandwich was fantastic! the meat was cooked to a perfect medium rare and everything just melded together beautifully. the catfish burrito was interesting and pretty light which made it taste more like a sandwich wrap instead of a hearty burrito. the filling in the burrito wasn't dispersed evenly so some bites were really tasty while others were a bit lacking. the mac 'n cheese was eh - not terrible, but not worth ordering again.

nook bistro

11628 santa monica blvd

los angeles, ca 90025

(310) 207-5160

http://www.nookbistro.com

west la: blue marlin

2008-09-28T10:35:00.001-07:00

tommy spices up his life at blue marlin in wla...

salad

fried chicken wings with spicy miso sauce

beef curry

seafood gratin with macaroni

caramelized banana with vanilla ice cream

tommy says: blue marlin is the only place in the area that makes their curry spicy when you ask for spicy. when you ask for spicy at curry house or hurry curry, it is still pretty mild. the wings weren't bad, and the sauce was good, but the seafood gratin was thin and lacking in flavor. the dessert was ok, but nothing special.

blue marlin
2121 sawtelle blvd
los angeles 90025
(310) 445-2522

santa monica: fritto misto

2008-09-15T18:07:00.001-07:00

tommy gets his pasta on at fritto misto in santa monica...

fried calamari

atomic pasta: two cajun seared chicken breasts, sliced on a bed of new mexican chili linguini, tossed with red, green, and yellow bell peppers and red onions in a chipotle cream sauce

pasta pancetta: pancetta, sun-dried tomatoes, caramelized onions, and tomato fettuccini tossed in garlic cream sauce

tiramisu

tommy says: everything was a bit on the heavy side but still flavorful. most of the sauces offered are cream-based. the noodles in the atomic pasta were cooked properly, but the noodles in the pasta pancetta were not and were stuck together. the tiramisu was good. ok italian, but nothing special.

fritto misto
601 colorado ave
santa monica 90401
(310) 458-2829

los angeles - west hollywood: gardens of taxco

2008-09-10T16:28:00.000-07:00

tommy feasts at gardens of taxco in weho...

cheese quesadilla with guacamole

albondigas (meatball soup)

cheese enchilada
beef taco

garlic shrimp

beans, rice, guacamole

chicken in cilantro cream sauce with beans and rice

bananas and cream
cream sherry

tommy says: no written menu, the waiter just tells you what the dishes are (very entertaining, especially when he gets to the chicken that tastes like it was borrrrrrrrrrn in the sauce!). choose an entree, the other courses will just magically appear. all the food was fantastically amazing, even the unassuming cheese quesadilla tasted really good. favorites were the shrimp and beef taco. come hungry (its a lot of food) and come often (its muy deliciosa y sabrosa).

gardens of taxco
1113 n harper ave

west hollywood, ca 90046

(323) 654-1746

santa monica: victorian

2008-09-09T19:11:00.001-07:00

tommy has a relaxing brunch at the victorian in santa monica...

omelette with potatoes

blueberry banana pancake

tommy says: these are the same folks who serve up the omelettes and pancakes at the sunday farmers market (on ocean park & main, basically the right in front of the victorian itself). the omelettes are better on sundays, but the pancakes are better and bigger onsite. and of course, gotta love those potatoes!

the victorian

2640 main st

santa monica, ca 90405

(310) 392-4956
http://www.thevictorian.com

los angeles - west hollywood: milk

2008-09-09T18:41:00.001-07:00

tommy satisfies his sweet tooth at milk...

buttercrunch cone
berry, mint, and coffee bon bons

tommy says: ice creams are homemade! the buttercrunch cone had a generous amount of crushed butterfingers encrusting the ice cream. and who doesn't love bon bons? creative and yummy sweet treats!

milk
7290 beverly blvd

los angeles, ca 90046

(323) 939-6455

http://www.themilkshop.com

santa monica: 17th street cafe

2008-09-07T21:58:00.001-07:00

tommy finds some good grub at 17th street cafe in santa monica...

chinese chicken salad: mixed lettuce, shredded chicken, wonton strips, mandarin oranges, green onions, and toasted sesame seeds in sesame dressing

cafe burger: burger with feta cheese, arugula, tomatoes and balsamic grilled onions on whole wheat pizza bread

tommy says: surprisingly good. the salad was tasty with a generous amount of mandarin oranges. the cafe burger was good too... not as good as father's office (but honestly, what is?), but much better than the counter.

17th street cafe

1610 montana ave

santa monica, ca 90403

(310) 453-2771

los angeles - west hollywood: taste

2008-09-07T20:26:00.001-07:00

tommy gets a taste of tastein weho...

bread and hummus

prosciutto, black mission fig jam, prosciutto, gorgonzola and scallions pizzetta

white truffle oil and mushroom mac & cheese

crispy parmesan chicken paillard: chicken breast, potato purée, white gravy, baby arugula salad, red onion jam

cumin spiced pork chop with mojo sauce and sugar snap peas, and a side of white truffle oil and mushroom mac & cheese

tommy says: the complimentary hummus was the best part of the meal. it had a great bright, fresh, and lemony flavor! the flavors on the pizzetta were good, but the crust wasn't that great. mac & cheese was so-so and disappointing. the chicken paillard was bland, but the mashed potatoes were quite good. the pork chop was pretty good as well.

taste

8454 melrose ave

west hollywood, ca 90069

(323) 852-6888

http://www.ilovetaste.com/

west la: pho 99

2008-09-07T10:10:00.001-07:00

tommy dives into a bowl of pho and bun at pho 99 in wla...

pho

bun with grilled chicken, shrimp, and bean curd

tommy says: the pho broth was quite tasty, especially after adjusting the flavor with lime and sriracha, and all of the goodies that came with the bun were really good too! a nice vietnamese option for the westside, and a million times better than pho 4000 in ktown.

pho 99
11819 wilshire blvd

los angeles, ca 90025

(310) 312-7881

west la: yashima

2008-09-05T16:47:00.001-07:00

tommy lunches at yashima in wla...

tofu salad: tomato, cucumber, seaweed, lettuce, bonito flakes, and tofu in a creamy dressing

tanin don (beef and egg over rice) combo with cold soba

eel combo with cold soba

tommy says: the tofu salad is fantatstic! the flavors in the tanin don and eel were respectable, and the combo meals are a good value. you get your choice of cold or hot soba or udon for the combos. all-in-all a decent meal, and the tofu salad is definitely a highlight!

yahima

11301 w olympic blvd, ste 210

los angeles, ca 90064

(310) 473-5297

venice: joe's

2008-09-01T21:39:00.000-07:00

tommy enjoys an amazing meal at joe's in venice...

farmers' market tomatoes and burrata with balsamic vinaigrette and fresh basil

grilled santa barbara white sea bass with calamari, black gnocchi, cippolinni onion, roasted corn, dried tomato, and xo sauce

veal and short ribs

white wine poached nectarines, thyme-infused panna cotta, vanilla-wine reduction, white peach sorbet, nectarine peach salad

blueberry corn bread, caramel corn ice cream, blueberry gelee, honey rosemary glaze, blueberry compote

tommy says: the freshest of ingredients + tasty and interesting flavor combinations + perfect preparations = a delicious meal at joe's. great service to boot!

joe's restaurant

1023 abbot kinney blvd

venice, ca 90291

(310) 399-5811
http://www.joesrestaurant.com

west la: feast from the east

2008-09-01T12:48:00.001-07:00

tommy gets his greens at feast from the east in wla...

chinese chicken salad

tommy says: a simple and tasty chinese chicken salad. the dressing is light and slightly sweet, and the shredded chicken soaks it up. yummmmm...

feast from the east

1949 westwood blvd

los angeles, ca 90025

(310) 475-0400

http://www.ffte.com/

santa monica: bangkok west

2008-08-31T08:52:00.000-07:00

tommy drops in to bangkok west in santa monica for lunch...

salad

red curry

spicy eggplant with beef

tom yum kai

tommy says: tastiest thai in the area! the lunch specials include salad and egg rolls. the red curry was yummy! the eggplant tasted more chinese than thai, but was still good. the soup was quite good as well! the salad dressing and dipping sauce for the egg rolls were finger lickin good. they did have other asian and fusion dishes (pho, sashimi, etc) which raised a red flag when glancing over the menu, but the food delivered. fantastic flavors all around!!

bangkok west thai
606 santa monica blvd
santa monica, ca 90401
(310) 395-9658
http://www.bangkokwestthaicuisine.com

west la: nanbankan

2008-08-30T18:14:00.000-07:00

tommy goes for yakitori at nanbankan in wla...

veggies and dipping sauce

soboro don: ground chicken over rice
miso soup

shiso pork, bacon wrapped asparagus, shishito peppers

soft-shelled crab

black cod

quail eggs, chicken wings, veggies

house special onigiri

beef tenderloin

chicken meatballs, chicken with green onions

lychee ice cream

tommy says: tasty grilled meat on a stick. the complete dinner ($23) comes with miso soup, shiso pork, bacon wrapped asparagus, quail eggs, chicken wings, veggies, beef tenderloin, chicken meatballs, chicken with green onions, rice or soboro don ($1 extra for soboro don), and ice cream. favorite skewers were the chicken wings, beef tenderloin, and chicken meatballs, and the extra charge for the soboro don is worth it! the house special onigiri was disappointing and bland and not worth ordering, but maybe the other flavors are better. the black cod and soft-shell crab were quite good.

nanbankan
11330 santa monica blvd

los angeles, ca 90189

(310) 478-1591

los angeles - little tokyo: kushi shabu

2008-08-29T16:58:00.001-07:00

tommy continues his all-you-can-eat trend at kushi shabu in jtown...

veggies, noodles, tofu, and sauces

beef

goodies bubbling away

gelatin, fruit and red bean in syrup

tommy says: ayce shabu shabu! on tuesdays and wednesdays before 7pm, you can get 20% off. the meat is pretty good and the ennoki mushrooms are yummy. for carb lovers, they also give you two kinds of noodles. the sauces aren't bad, and the dessert is a nice treat. go when you can eat enough to feed a small village.

kushi shabu
weller court
123 s. onizuka st #305
los angeles, ca 90012

santa monica: monsieur marcel

2008-08-29T10:54:00.001-07:00

tommy drops in at monsieur marcel at the promenade in santa monica...

croque monsieur

french onion soup

mac and cheese

tommy says: everything was bland and heavy. fries were the only thing worth eating. the panache (half beer, half lemonade) was quite tasty. come for a quick drink and maybe some fries.

monsieur marcel
1260 third street promenade

santa monica, ca 90407

(310) 587-1166

http://www.mrmarcel.com/

los angeles - koreatown: manna korean bbq

2008-08-29T10:29:00.001-07:00

tommy does all-you-can-eat korean bbq at manna in ktown...

assorted banchan

meat

tommy says: another korean bbq restaurant that lets you stuff your face silly. panchan are ok, and meat was decent -- as good as any other ayce korean bbq joint. wear pants with an elastic waistband and let loose.

manna korean bbq
3377 w olympic blvd

los angeles, ca 90019

(323) 733-8516

http://www.mannakoreanbbq.com/

los angeles: el taurino

2008-08-27T21:41:00.001-07:00

tommy gets spicy at el taurino...

carne asada tacos

carne asada combo burrito (steak, rice and beans)

tommy says: the hot sauce is super spicy and tasty and makes everything taste good. the rice and beans got in the way in the carne burrito, the plain all-meat burrito is probably a better bet, but the combo burrito was still good. the tacos were yummy too.

el taurino
2306 w 11th st

los angeles, ca 90006

(213) 738-9197

http://www.eltaurino.com/

west la: echigo

2008-08-27T08:55:00.000-07:00

tommy falls in love with echigo in wla...

japanese snapper and albacore

toro

scallops and skipjack

bonito

kampachi

halibut

butterfish

blue crab roll

tommy says: omakase selection was superb! favorites were the butterfish, toro, bonito, and blue crab roll. the rice is warm and the fish is fresh. sparse decor, but who needs it with food this good! best sushi in la to date.

echigo
12217 santa monica blvd ste 201
los angeles, ca 90025
(310) 820-9787

santa monica: rosti

2008-08-23T18:23:00.001-07:00

tommy goes italian at rosti's in santa monica...

arugula & parmesan salad with tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette

bruschetta

spinach and ricotta ravioli with beef ragu

tommy says: the bruschetta was yummy and the ravioli was pretty good too. a decent italian option for the neighborhood.

rosti's tuscan kitchen
931 montana avenue
santa monica, ca 90402
(310) 393-3236
http://www.rostituscankitchen.com/

west la: don antonio's

2008-08-23T17:20:00.001-07:00

tommy checks out taco wednesday at don antonio's in west la...

carne asada and chicken tacos

tommy says: $1 tacos on wednesdays. the chicken and potato (not photographed) tacos were the tastiest. the salsa was so-so. the tacos themselves are ok, but when the price is factored in, pretty decent.

don antonio's
11755 w pico blvd
los angeles, ca 90064
(310) 312-2090

santa monica: bravo cucina

2008-08-23T16:43:00.001-07:00

tommy grabs brunch at bravo cucina in santa monica...

egg sandwich

eggs benedict

tommy says: the egg sandwich was pretty bland. the hollandaise on the eggs benedict had a nice kick, but otherwise wasn't anything special. eh.

bravo cucina
1319 third street promenade
santa monica, ca 90401
(310) 394-0374

los angeles - koreatown: pho 4000

2008-08-23T16:30:00.001-07:00

tommy tries goes for vietnamese at pho 4000 in ktown...

vermicelli rice noodles with beef, shrimp, egg roll, and fish sauce

tommy says: beef and shrimp were over cooked, tough, and inedible. the egg roll was whatever. fish sauce was ok. the server was super nice which makes it tough to give a bad review, but this dish just wasn't good.

pho 4000
414 s western ave
los angeles, ca 90020
(213) 252-4401

los angeles - gardena: shin sen gumi hakata ramen

2008-08-19T21:52:00.000-07:00

tommy slurps up some ramen at shin sen gumi hakata ramen in gardena...

ramen

sweet potato with butter

tommy says: good, but not as orgasmic as people hype it up to be. you get your choice of noodle texture (firm, medium, or soft), and oiliness of the broth. they also offer a half size ramen as well as extra noodles to accommodate all appetite sizes, which is nice. while the ramen here was good, would rather drive to jtown for an equal if not superior bowl.

shin sen gumi hakata ramen
2015 w redondo beach blvd
gardena, ca 90247
(310) 329-1335
http://www.shinsengumiusa.com/G_ramen/index.php

los angeles - koreatown: haus dessert boutique

2008-08-19T21:25:00.001-07:00

tommy goes for something hot and cold at haus in ktown...

drip coffee

shaved ice with fruit and red bean

tommy says: pricey. drip coffee was $8 (though it was quite a presentation -- they come a pour the water over the filter and it drips down into the pot, and did make 3 cups) and shaved ice with fruit (and red bean and rice cakes) was $10. the decor was modern and fun, but honestly, not really worth the price.

haus dessert boutique
3826 w 6th st

los angeles, ca 90020

(213) 288-5311

los angeles - koreatown: chilbomyunok

2008-08-11T21:11:00.001-07:00

tommy chows down at chilbomyunok in ktown...

yetnarl bulgogi

assorted banchan

tommy says: the yetnarl bulgogi was fantastic! the grill pan that the meat is cooked on has a moat around the edge that is filled with broth. as the meat cooks, the meat is pushed into the moat and then picked out to eat. so yummy! the nengmyun (both bibim and murl; neither of which was photographed because they were devoured too quickly) is good here too!

chilbomyunok
3680 w 6th st
los angeles, ca 90020
(213) 387-9292

san gabriel valley - arcadia: din tai fung

2008-08-07T21:46:00.001-07:00

tommy goes to the legendary din tai fung in arcadia...

appetizer

shrimp fried rice

rice cakes

dumplings

handy directions on how to eat the dumplings

tommy says: tried the new location, which is right around the corner from the original. the appetizer (that is literally what the menu lists it as) was really tasty. it had bean sprouts, bean curd, and other goodies. the shrimp fried rice was good and didn't seem as heavy as other fried rice. the rice cake dish was a lil on the bland side. and of course the infamous soup dumplings were tasty. had the pork & crab and the pork dumplings. the pork flavor overpowered the crab, but were still good. honestly, probably a bit over-hyped, but definitely a tasty meal.

din tai fung
1088 s baldwin ave
arcadia, ca 91007
(626) 446-8588
http://www.dintaifungusa.com

west la: twist frozen yogurt

2008-08-06T11:16:00.000-07:00

tommy tries twist, the newest yogurt addition in wla...

plain and forest berry with cheerios and mochi

tommy says: yogurtland knockoff that doesn't deliver. has about 6-8 flavors and an extensive topping bar. all the flavors are tart. tasted the plain, strawberry, and forest berry. strawberry and forestberry were too sweet; plain was so-so. they need to readjust the temperatures on the machines because the consistency of all the flavors was too soft and mushy. self-serve and $0.38/oz.

twist
12105 santa monica blvd
los angeles, ca 90025
(310) 481-2224

phoenix: bobby q's

2008-08-05T19:13:00.000-07:00

tommy gets messy with bbq from bobby q's in blisteringly hot phoenix...

corn bread

smoked link sausage

baby back ribs

jumbo texas beef ribs

smoked beef brisket

tommy says: the brisket was tender, juicy, yummy and the best of everything ordered. the baby back ribs fell off the bone and were solid but didn't blow my mind. the beef ribs were a lil on the chewy/tough side. sausage was quite good. corn bread was ok but could've used whole kernels of corn. the bbq sauce was sweet and could've used a lil bit of heat. overall, yum.

bobby q's
8501 n 27th ave
phoenix, az 85051
(602) 995-5982
http://www.bobbyq.net/

phoenix: paradise bakery and cafe

2008-08-03T20:30:00.000-07:00

thai chicken wrap
chocolate chip cookie

fire roasted garlic tomato soup

tommy says: the soup was pretty tasty, the wrap was no good, and the cookies are addicting. the thai chicken wrap had too many peanuts and the plain white rice was uninspired -- if it had been fried rice or something more interesting this could've been good. the chocolate chip cookies are dangerous... beware... overall, not bad for a chain.

http://www.paradisebakery.com

venice: primitivo wine bistro

2008-08-01T20:22:00.000-07:00

tommy tries the tapas at primitivo wine bistro in venice...

ceviche

baby octopus salad

bacon wrapped medjool dates with candied walnuts

paella with chicken, tiger shrimp, mussels and chorizo

beet salad

lamb chops with tabouli/israeli couscous salad

tommy says: nice ambiance and good food. lamb was cooked just right. bacon wrapped dates were delicious, though on the sweet side - could've used a nice salty cheese to go with it. the ceviche was also quite tasty. the paella was not so great as it was too mushy. portions are big for tapas.

primitivo wine bistro
1025 abbot kinney blvd
venice, ca 90291
(310) 396-5353
http://www.primitivowinebistro.com/

los angeles - koreatown: heung rae gak

2008-07-30T08:24:00.000-07:00

tommy goes for some korean-style chinese food at heung rae gak in ktown...

ddakwan and onions with black bean sauce
cabbage kimchee

seafood jjampong

gan jajangmyun (noodles with black bean sauce)

tommy says: the kimchee was nice, spicy, and crunchy, the jampong broth wasn't bad, and the gan jajangmyun had a thick and oniony sauce and was decent as well (regular jajangmyun looked to be a little runny). not a bad place to get your fix of koreanized-chinese food and definitely beats the dragon on vermont!

heung rae gak

357 s western ave

los angeles, ca 90020

(213) 383-0178

los angeles: 3rd stop

2008-07-29T17:41:00.001-07:00

tommy drops by the 3rd stop...

mac & cheese

lamb meatballs with tzatziki

blue cheese and mushroom burger

tommy says: the burger hardly had any blue cheese on it and was just so-so; the meat lacked seasoning. meatballs and mac & cheese were ok. service was incredibly friendly and atmosphere was nice yet laid back! great place to hang out for drinks and maybe a couple of munchies, but maybe not a full meal.

3rd stop
8636 w 3rd st

los angeles, ca 90048

(310) 273-3605

san gabriel valley - arcadia: phoenix food boutique

2008-07-23T23:28:00.000-07:00

tommy finds fantastic sweets at phoenix in arcadia...

fresh mango and soy custard

deep fried mini sweet buns

tommy says: absolutely heavenly!! the custard dish ($3.75) is absolutely amazing! fresh mango with tiny tapioca pearls and soy custard makes for an incredible combination! the deep fried buns ($4.25) are not too sweet and the inside is chewy. they come with sweetened condensed milk to dip the buns, so good!

phoenix food boutique
1108 s baldwin ave
arcadia, ca 91007
(626) 446-7668
http://www.phoenixfoodboutique.com/

culver city: cantaloop

2008-07-23T08:48:00.001-07:00

tommy tries cantaloop in culver city...

natural with mochi

tommy says: yogurt was ok, but the mochi tasted funny. also tried the mango, which was ok as well. yogurtland is still the favorite for variety and tasty flavors (and self-serve!), while pinkberry reigns for original/natural/plain, though it has a more creamy than icy texture.

cantaloop
3835 main st
culver city, ca 90232
http://www.cantaloopyogurt.com/

west la: napa valley grille

2008-07-22T22:37:00.000-07:00

tommy nibbles on the happy hour specials at napa valley grille in westwood...

sliders

tomato, prosciutto, and mushroom pizza

fish & chips with balsamic aioli

tommy says: sliders weren't bad, $2 each and your choice of cheddar, blue, or mozzarella cheese. pizza would be something to pass on - the crust tasted like a microwave oven pizza. bleh. fish & chips were passable, but not particularly noteworthy. during happy hour (daily from 3-7pm, then again 9pm-12am) wine and well drinks are $6 and beers are $4. napa valley grille brings in an older crowd that is a bit more polished. not quite the fun or hip atmosphere that a happy hour usually brings out, but then again, fun can be had anywhere with the right company!

napa valley grille
1100 glendon ave, ste 100
los Angeles, ca 90024
(310) 824-3322
http://www.napavalleygrille.com

los angeles - koreatown: loft

2008-07-22T21:46:00.001-07:00

tommy chills at loft in ktown...

pumpkin shaved ice
red bean shaved ice

sweet lady jane triple berry cake

tommy says: the pumpkin shaved ice was interesting and was like a pureed butternut squash. red bean shaved ice was good. both shaved ices had ice cream, mochi, a variety of fruit, and are big enough to share. not a fan of sweet lady jane in general, so the cake did nothing for me; it was too dense and dry.

loft
3882 w 6th st
los angeles, ca 90020
(213) 383-3006

los angeles - koreatown: honey pig

2008-07-21T19:16:00.001-07:00

tommy breaks a sweat from the heat at honey pig in ktown...

chadol

spicy pork ribs

fried rice made from the leftovers

tommy says: pretty good, but get ready to sweat! the heat and grease splatter from the giant sombrero shaped pan will make you glisten. chadol, samgyupsal, and the pork ribs were tasty. left over chadol and samgyupsal are mixed with kimchee, bean sprouts, and rice to make a greasy fried rice.

honey pig
3400 w 8th st

los angeles, ca 90005

(213) 380-0256

west la: jaipur cuisine of india

2008-07-17T22:20:00.001-07:00

tommy digs in at jaipur cuisine of indian in west la...

items from the lunch buffet

tommy says: decent indian food. nothing to write home about, but at least it was somewhat flavorful. definitely better than anarkali (on melrose) and dhaba cuisine of india. weekend lunch buffet offers about a dozen or so dishes (including chicken tikka masala, tandoori chicken, saag, pakora, lamb curry, and more) and also includes your choice champagne or soda. naan (which was so-so) is brought out to your table. while this is not a bad option, the hunt for exceptional indian food in la continues...

jaipur cuisine of india

10916 w pico blvd

los angeles, ca 90064

(310) 470-4994

los angeles: susina bakery & cafe

2008-07-16T08:15:00.001-07:00

tommy satisfies his sweet tooth at susina bakery...

individual chocolate molten cakes

apple crumb tart

berry blossom cake

tommy says: fantastic bakery! the berry blossom cake was heavenly and blows sweet lady jane's triple berry cake out of the water!! the cake was light and moist and tasty, and the cream was soooo yummy. the chocolate molten cake was really good too, and not too sweet or too rich! the apple tart was quite tasty as well. easily the new favorite los angeles bakery!!

susina bakery & cafe
7122 beverly blvd
los angeles, ca 90036
(323) 934-7900
http://www.susinabakery.com/

los angeles - koreatown: palm tree la/arang

2008-07-14T23:13:00.001-07:00

tommy tries arang in ktown...

fried chicken

chadol and kimchi stir fry (this later became a fried rice)

spicy chicken wings

tommy says: pretty good bar food. the wings aren't as spicy as ob bear's but they are still tasty, which makes it a nice alternative for those who can't take as much heat. the kimchee stir fry/fried rice and the whole fried chicken weren't bad either. when you order the kimchee stir fry, you eat some of it, then when you are ready, your server will throw in the rice. its greasy, but good. free parking in the garage next door (drive past the valet outside the building).

arang
3240 wilshire blvd
4th floor
los angeles, ca 90010

santa monica: xooro

2008-07-13T10:53:00.000-07:00

tommy tries a fancy churro from xooro...

original

tommy says: bleh. these were oily, soggy, expensive (almost $5 each!) and not even served warm! the original was filled with a custard cream. also tried the turkish hazelnut which had icing all over the outside and was filled with hazelnut cream which was too sweet. the batter for the churro needs work. they should've spent more time concentrating on the taste of the product instead of the packaging! so not worth the calories!

xooro
125 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 260-2919
http://www.xooro.com/

santa monica: the yard

2008-07-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

tommy has happy time at the yard in santa monica...

mini pulled pork sandwiches

fish tacos

sliders

tommy says: the drinks and food were all so-so. sliders were dry and bland, the fish tacos were no good, but the pulled pork sandwiches were ok. they weren't great, but just ok, and out of the three items sampled they were the best, though that isn't saying much. they could've been more flavorful, but the bread was nicely toasted. cool, but chill atmosphere. happy hour is from 5-7pm daily. $5 margaritas and cosmos, $3 beers, and $5-$6 food items.

the yard
119 broadway
santa monica, ca 90401
http://www.theyardsm.com

san gabriel valley - san gabriel: mr. shabu shabu

2008-07-10T20:25:00.000-07:00

tommy gets his shabu shabu on at mr. shabu shabu in san gabriel...

10 piece beef shabu shabu

tommy says: not bad, and cheap for shabu shabu. you get your choice of broth, meat (beef, pork, or seafood), and size (10 or 15 pieces). the dinner comes with free iced coffee. the meat was good and the sauces aren't the best, but they are decent, and for the price its really not a bad option.

mr. shabu shabu
120 n san gabriel blvd
san gabriel, ca 91775
(626) 285-2700

beverly hills: mulberry street pizzeria

2008-07-10T20:07:00.001-07:00

tommy grabs a slice at mulberry street pizzeria...

artichoke and tomato pizza

tommy says: so-so pizza, nothing special. crust was flimsy and not crisp and the sauce was unremarkable as well. best thin crust ny style pizza is still joe's in santa monica.

mulberry street pizzeria

240 s beverly dr

beverly hills, ca 90212

(310) 247-8998

http://www.mulberrypizza.com/

west la: terried sake house

2008-07-10T19:23:00.000-07:00

tommy tries terried...

drink up!

albacore salad

tofu with egg

chicken and shishito pepper skewers

albacore with jalapeno

spicy yellowtail roll

squid

butterfish

mushrooms and scallops

chicken balls

tommy says: the butterfish was delicious!! tender and flavorful! other standouts include the tofu with egg, shishito peppers, and albacore with jalepeno, but all of the dishes were good. yummy!!

terried sake house
11617 santa monica blvd

los angeles, ca 90025

(310) 477-9423

santa monica: locanda del lago

2008-07-08T22:06:00.001-07:00

tommy goes italian for happy hour at locanda del lago in santa monica...

fritto misto: calamari, shrimp, and wild mushrooms, lightly fried and served with arrabiata

piadina prosciutto: grilled flat bread stuffed with parma prosciutto, stracchino cheese and baby arugula

burrata alla caprese con balsamico: roma tomato with fresh burrata cheese in balsamic vinaigrette, flavored with basil-infused oil

tommy says: the burrata was pretty good, the fritto misto was decent as well, but the piadina prosciutto was not good. appetizers and other select menu items are 50% off during happy hour which is from 4-7pm monday - friday. drink specials include select beers for $4, house wines for $6, cocktails/martinis $7, and premium wines for $8. so-so happy hour, and super slow service.

locanda del lago
231 arizona ave
santa monica, ca 90401 [map]
http://www.lagosantamonica.com

los angeles - downtown: ciudad

2008-07-08T21:40:00.001-07:00

tommy tried the happy hour at ciudad...

chicken and carnitas tacos

fish taco

tommy says: the sangria was cheap ($4) but so gross. the carnitas were dry, the chicken and the fish tacos were ok. happy hour is monday-friday 3-7pm, sundays 5-9pm. drink specials include the gross sangria, margaritas, mojitos for $4.

ciudad
445 s. figueroa street
los angeles, ca 90071
http://www.ciudad-la.com/

los angeles - downtown: langer's deli

2008-07-06T16:51:00.000-07:00

tommy fills up at langer's deli...

#44 - hot pastrami, sauerkraut and nippy cheese grilled on rye
#19 - pastrami, swiss cheese, cole slaw, and

tommy says: yummmm... langer's is known for their pastrami sandwiches with #19 being the most popular, but #44 was equally tasty, if not better. simply delicious!

langer's
704 s alvarado st
los angeles, ca 90057 [map]
(213) 483-8050
http://www.langersdeli.com/

santa monica: ye olde kings head

2008-07-06T16:32:00.000-07:00

tommy goes in for a late night snack at ye olde kings head...

tomato basil soup

rhubarb crumble with birds custard

sticky toffee pudding with birds custard

tommy says: soup was bad, desserts were good but incredibly rich. the birds custard is really yummy...

ye olde kings head
116 santa monica blvd

santa monica, ca 90401

(310) 451-1402
http://www.yeoldekingshead.com/