e s.'s Profile

This ramen is the BEST.  I had once thought Shin-sen-gumi was the best, but I went back there last night and I gotta say...Santouka is that much more flavorful.  I concede that they are not the same kind of ramen, but this particular ramen is really tasty.  The noodles are firmer than Hakata ramen.  The shio (salt) ramen comes highly recommended. Highly, highly recommended.  Fast service, too.  Come here for your next noodle-craving grub.

The food is good.  My favorite was a special they had--Cajun Stuffed Lobster.  Their gimlets are good, too.  The cottage charm is, ... well, charming.  There's no denying there's a lot of L.A. history here, so soak it up.  Just make sure you're in the mood, and I mean in the mood to deal.  

The star-gazing is a bit over-hyped at times because all the no-bodies are actually looking at everyone else to see if they're SOMEbody--and yes, that gets annoying.  If seeing an A-list or B-list celeb will make your day, then take a gamble here.  If it doesn't, well, there are plenty of other tourists who will.

I generally only bother coming here for lunch.  Yes, that still means you need a reservation--but it's a lot easier than a dinner one.  That will generally save you the headache.  Don't expect a spectacular experience by means of the value of the food or service.  This is a place to rub elbows for all the wannabe scensters.  It is what it is.  And you might as well enjoy lunch with your girlfriends while you're at it.

Luna Park is a tad uppity (their greeting when you walk in the door is "Do you have a reservation?") but if that still surprises you in this town, I'd suggest getting used to it.  It's got a dark motif with burnt-red walls and unique drawings of robotic caricatures on the wall.  Not likely you'd have a choice, but you'll either be seated at a table in the middle or at one of the cozy booths along the walls.

I heart Luna Park.  Everything's always been tasty whenever I've eaten here.  I've tried quite a few things on the menu, specials and non-specials alike.  Fried chicken, mac 'n cheese, cheese blintzes with tomato soup--they've all been great.  Their bar serves up some tasty cocktails, too.  There's usually a cocktail special available and they've never disappointed, either!

I have only had happy hour experiences here, but they've all been great.  Plasmas everywhere amidst a sports bar yet avant garde motif.  You know, like it's a sports bar yet the walls are painted in a blue and white paisley.  The saving grace is, of course, the brown furniture.

Before 7, the drinks and appetizers are half-off, so it's well worth it if you get your drink-and-eat on early.  I mean, you're coming from work for a reason, right??

There's a cool smoking-yet-outdoor patio situated in the middle of the place.  The other centrally located patio has a foosball table in it.  You can also take your pick of backgammon, pool, or a room-length shuffle board.

Ladies, the two bartenders I've seen there at the main bar are really freaking hot.  An easy 5 stars from me.  You're welcome.

In the end, not too shabby for Wilshire's Miracle Mile.  A much-needed addition.  The Congo Room wasn't cutting it, so this is a nice change.

My neighborhood favorite, so pardon if I'm a little bit biased.  I'm a little disappointed the beef stroganoff disappeared from their menu, but that's about it as far as my "Tom Bergin's Disappointments List."

You should really be coming here for a drink or twenty, anyway.  The Irish names on the shamrocks plastered all over start to MacBlur together after awhile...

Seedy.  The way you like your Irish Pub.  Fine.  The coffee is good, too.

I love this place.  For the camaraderie, for the a la carte tacos, for the yummy (freshly fried and warm, salty) chips and salsa, for the fact that Drew Barrymore shot a scene in here in the first Charlie's Angels...  Typical L.A., I know.  Sue me.

It's a good place to meet your fellow L.A. compadres.  The tequila selection is one of the most famous (over 100 they say) but I'm a little suspicious that they're a full 1.5 oz.  Never fear, though!  The margaritas are insane!  So just stick with the cadillacs (or strawberry, or whatever) and you will be happier than an immortalized Luchadore with his painting on the wall.

This place is one of the few hotspots that has managed to stay unspoiled...

I'd have to say that Marston's, with its quaint cottage charm and never a shortage of people standing outside patiently waiting to be seated, has a lot of hype to live up to.  I've been twice, and it has failed both times.  Maybe if the food were exceptional, or even average, I wouldn't mind that a freshly squeezed large orange juice cost me a Beverly Hills-esque $4.

The food is pretty bland, really.

Like the time my muenster-chicken-artichoke omelette was so chock full of chicken, I thought they had stuffed the thin egg layers with 5 processed breasts all at once.  Was this supposed to taste good?  If they were trying to give me a chicken value meal for my money, then they get 5 stars from me.  

Maybe the hype is derived from the fact that there's probably no where else in Pasadena that rolls its french toast in corn flakes.  Here's a clue: The Saddle Ranch Chop House on Sunset serves it, too--and it even tastes better, and isn't so dry.  Not only that, when you're done, you can ride a freaking mechanical bull.  How's that for value?

Good ol' down home Latin cooking!  The "executive lunch" (M-F before 2, non-holidays) is a steal at $6.95 and you get steak, rice, beans, plantaines and salad or soup.  Otherwise, be prepared to spend upwards of $15.  You can choose from steak, chicken (white or dark), pork, fish and other dishes.  Flavorful and reliable.

The ambiance is also a cozy, homey feel.  Randomly-patterned seat cushions atop wooden furniture with different finishes make it charming.  Or, enjoy outside their tents on patio (also cushioned) furniture with heat lamps.  You'll find nothing but futbol on their overhead TVs, so brush up your Portuguese!

P.S.-They're famous for their delicious apple tart.  :)

This place is a gem, a diamond in the rough, if you will.  Located in the little Japanese district on Sawtelle north of Olympic, it's a modest little joint that serves those yummy Japanese skewers flavored by that special bincho charcoal.  Each skewer is meticulously cooked to perfection by the yakitori(ya) chef and served to you hot off the coals in order of their flavoredness.  You can sit at the bar or at one of a few cozy tables.

The mustard they grind up and serve on your rectangular plate may seem like a modest helping but you'll soon learn it is sinus-clearingly potent!  How refreshing!  I'm rather indifferent about the chicken breast (the first thing on the menu and first thing served, if ordered), which is decorated with three tiny dashes of wasabi.  I'd try at least one of the organs (chicken liver, gizzard, heart) but definitely add at least a couple skewers of veggies.  You can choose from green onion, okra, asparagus, zucchini, eggplant complimented by a tiny slice of chicken tying your veggie skewers together.  For that flavorful goodness, try chicken thigh, meatball, skin, wing, or even duck.  A note:  Each skewer is $2.50 or $3.50 and they require that each person order at least 5.  As a reference point, I average 6-7 skewers plus rice per visit, and I'll proudly say I eat a lot for my 5'4" frame.  :)  This place reaches into the "yelp spendy" range (+$30) if you decide to enjoy some sake or wine--well worth it, though.

All in all, the charcoal flavoring is why you come back.  The house salad to start is an excellent choice.  Their ginger dressing is one of the best.  Seems as though this is the spot those in the know come to for Japanese yakitori.  I usually find myself in the minority whenever I go--and by that, I only mean I'm not Japanese.  :)  Try it once, and you may find you'll like it!

Overrated at best.  Just like The Griddle on Sunset.  We waited 30 minutes, got seated, had trouble flagging down the server to order, and then when we finally ordered, we had to wait an hour for our food to come.  Once it came, the order was wrong.  When we finally flagged down our server the second time, she blamed the cook in the back for getting it wrong and then just looked at us.  So why did I feel bad for asking her to take our order back and getting it corrected??  The food tasted like the big cigar painted on the wall was ashed in it.  No worries--you won't find a customer like me adding to your "worthwhile" wait for a table.  You guys can have this joint to yourselves!!  I'll be across the street @ Toast (and to eat, not look pretty).