sara "i'm a sucker for anything cooked in coconut milk" l.'s Profile

Carlos Sierra  does the finest work I have ever seen.  I called Carlos when I needed a chair reupholstered last year.  He worked for my father at his old furniture company for probably 20 years, so I knew his work would be amazing, but I had no idea it would be SO great!  Carlos is an upholsterer, furniture sample maker, pattern maker, he's worked for furniture companies, restaurants, and hotels.  What's best?  He came to my house to pick up the chairs and did such an amazing job with the material I had bought, that every single person who has sat in the chairs has commented not only on how great they look, but they've asked for his number!  Carlos doesn't email or have a website (yet), so you have to call him.  He's bilingual in Spanish and English, and he gets the work done not only fast, but with the utmost quality.  Best thing is that his quote was less than the other upholsterers.  I'm amazed.  This is old-school, high quality, hand-made stuff, that you thought went out long ago.  HOORAY!

I've still not had their food.  But the desserts really are spectacular.  Absolutely painstakingly prepared, stunning to look at, and go down like some of the best around.  Mmm...my wife loves their macarons, and I think their caramel tart is heaven on earth.

My food was delicious.  Now that that's out of the way, I'll say that I love what MF's trying to do.  Good food, high quality, and in a wonderful historic downtown market.  I've loved the GCM since I was a kid.  And the other day I had a long lunch break during jury duty, so I walked down.  I soon realized, though, that I really wasn't in the mood for much of the wonderful-but-greasy-as-hell stall food that GCM offers, when I came upon MF Gourmet.  I ordered, and innocently asked, "mother-fucker gourmet"?  "It's open to interpretation", I was told.  I wasn't given a straight answer.  I like straight answers.

Ah, well.  I ordered the daily pasta, which was gnocci, and the dude behind the counter recommended it with the bolognese.  I'm never one to turn down a homemade bolognese, so I went with it, even knowing full well (only after asking) that it costs $15.  I thought that it had really better taste like $15, too.  And it was delicious!  But it wasn't bolognese.  The sauce was wonderful.  It had sausage in it, it was a bit creamy, and VERY garlic-y.  But as you can tell from the description, not bolognese.  And it came with read, which was great for sopping up the sauce.  But I thought for $15 that I'd rather have some sort of green thing, not carbohydrates in sauce, with a side of more carbohydrates.

Would I eat here again?  Sure.  The food was delish.  But just be a bit more up front about things.  Write how much things cost up on the board.  Tell me what "MF" stands for.  Call your sauces what they are, not what they remind you of, as the food is great, and I'd like for you to stay in business.

Geez. Another good food find by my mother-in-law in a MALL.  I guess I'm a total snob, because any time I go to Orange County all I want is Chinese or Vietnamese.  I always forget that there are millions of white republicans who want some nicely presented Italian food.  Food here was pretty delicious.  The giant meatball, obviously, is what got me all excited, but the pastas were great, too.  That polenta with duck starter was phenomenal, and the chocolate budino dessert was the most rich, wonderful thing ever.  You'll want to spread it all over your partner and then lick it off.  Awesome.

St. Vincent's court is the most charming part of the jewelry district.  A hidden gem where only people in the know eat.  The dudes who sells your jewelry all have their coffee, sandwiches, and Persian food here.  And tucked right in is this cute little coffee and dessert shop.  All I had was a watermelon smoothie, and it was perfect.  No added sugar, fresh fruit, ice cold.  Delicious, and no more expensive than a licuado down the street (which I'll try next time).

I was skeptical.  Prices were high.  Things looked hipster-y.  But alas (or hooray). the food was great!  Still pricey, but we loved the elote, and thought that the grilled pork loin was a real standout.  Will be back for burritos...

I liked my passionfruit coconut fonut all right.  It was tasty, coconut-ty, oily goodness.  WOuld I eat one again?  Yes.  Do I think they're any healthier or better for you than doughnuts?  No way.  But if I were gluten free, I'd be a very very happy gal.

This review is only of the lunch buffet, which is really only okay.  Tandoori chicken was 'meh', but the veggies were okay.  Options were limited, no dressing for the salad as far as I could tell.  Would try again, but I'd order off the menu instead of the buffet.

Nom nom nom nom nom.  An LA institution.

Have been here twice, and both times loved the shows I saw.  Black Dahlia Theatre is really a gem in the neighborhood.  Support it so that it stays here for years to come!