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4636 Lincoln Blvd
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
(888) 834-3068

Marina del Rey Toyota  

Categories: Auto Repair, Car Dealers

5.0 star rating
7/2/2011
My husband brings his Tacoma here for servicing and has always been treated well.  While we were waiting for service to be done, we decided to window shop for Highlanders.  We met with Ihab in sales and we told him straight out that we were only researching the vehicle and weren't buying that day.  He did not push at all and was very helpful.  A few months later, when we returned, ready to buy, we met with Ihab again and told him what monthly payment we were comfortable with.  He went off and worked things with his manager, John, and Scott in Finance.  We didn't have to deal with haggling or anything.  They got the number down close to what we wanted and weren't pushy with the add-ons or extended warranties.  

This was the best car-buying experience I've had.  I very much appreciated not be pressured or having to spend hours haggling over price.  

If you are looking for a Toyota, check this dealership out.  Ask for Ihab as your salesperson and get Scott in Financing.

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16061 Goldenwest St
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
(714) 841-1513

John's Philly Grille  

Category: Sandwiches

4.0 star rating
6/14/2011
I've never been to Philly and until a little over a month ago, I've never even had a cheese steak.  So I'm by no means an expert in this sandwich but hot damn if John's didn't sent a high standard for my expectations.

The Works here is awesome, especially with "hot" peppers added.  Don't bother with fries or any sides cuz a half order is enough to stuff you.  The garlic pepper sauce with a little bit of Louisiana hot pepper sauce poured over the sandwich gives it a nice kick.  

All the sandwiches are made to order and come out piping hot so grab a knife and fork or just blow real hard.

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1400 N Virgil Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Ricky's Fish Tacos  

Categories: Food Stands, Mexican

5.0 star rating
6/14/2011
I've consumed quite a few fish tacos ever since I had my first one over 15+ years ago. Ricky's are hands down the BEST.

He magically grills up his fish so they are light, airy and crunchy; it's like eating a cloud.  As good as his fish tacos are, I think I love his shrimp tacos just a smidge more.  

Anyone who can get my fish-avoiding Husband to chow down and rave about it and ask for more is AWESOME in my book.

Beware though...the hot sauce Ricky offers has quite a kick to it and can mask the flavors of the fish. Slather at your own risk.

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5233 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 663-3104

Jitlada Thai  

Category: Thai
Neighborhood: Hollywood

4.0 star rating
6/9/2011
I have one word for Jitlada: Delicious.  Actually, I have two words for Jitlada: Delicious and omgineedmilkstatholyspiciness!

The menu is crazy ginomorous so even the pickiest eater should be able to find something to nom on. The spicy levels here will make even the most tolerant weep.  The flavors will have your taste buds singing with joy.

Crying tiger pork, morning glory salad, pumpkin soft shell crab, green curry lamb fried rice, rice salad...everything is effing gooooood!  

Service here is...well, let's just say, bring some flags to wave down a worker whenever you need a refill or the check. A meal here can stretch into the 3 hour mark if the restaurant is packed, which it usually is.

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9540 Culver Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 838-3131

MoKo - CLOSED  

Categories: Korean, Asian Fusion
Neighborhood: Culver City

2.0 star rating
6/9/2011
I liked Gyenari. I did. While it was on the pricier side, the food was good and the portions enough to satisfy my appetite. With Moko, I can no longer say this.  

I went there and walked out still hungry and $60 poorer. The total bill was $120. The full order? Shrimp dumplings, duck and foie gras dumplings, Moko wings, kimchee jeon, a cocktail, a beer, 2 sodas, tea and a small sake + tax & ~18% tip.  

Dumpling orders are only 3 pieces and the shrimp ones were basically shumai for $9. $3 for one shrimp dumpling?!?! Seriously??? While it was good, it wasn't $3 worthy. The kimchee jeon needed more kick, the moko wings bland once you got past the sauce. Portioning was appetizer sized...and I don't mean TGIF-style. I'm talking tapas-style...little bites.

The service was great, though, and the ambiance of the place is sophisticated and hip. But really, in the end, that wasn't enough to sway me to justify the obnoxiously high bill. Frankly, the food was ok but the prices are what will keep me away.

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2383 Lomita Blvd
Lomita, CA 90717
(310) 534-0153

Gaja Japanese Restaurant  

Category: Japanese

4.0 star rating
1/2/2011
Ate here last night with some friends since no one wanted to cook.  I mean, c'mon, it's New Year's Day; everyone is nursing a hangover and starving.  Gaja was fortunately one of the few restaurants open and man....okonomiyaki FTW!  

There was a bit of a wait at this small strip mall location and service was a bit slow when we were seated.  But the food is solid and the menu, extensive.  Think novel-thick menu!

We got:
- kimchee (more like Korean kimchee which was a bit of a surprise)
- edamame which is served hot, the way I prefer
- tako-yaki (squid balls!!!)
- moden okonomiyaki (beef only)
- modern okonomiyaki (seafood & meat)
- spicy cod roe, mochi & cheese monjya-yaki

This was a lot of food for 5 adults and we ended up just splitting and taking the modern okonomiyaki home as leftovers.  

Okonomiyaki is a type of Japanese omelette-pancake, I guess...  Shredded cabbage & ginger mixed with egg and I don't know what else and "stuffed" with noodle and meat.  You top it with a sweet thick soy-based sauce, some of that mayo goop and fish flakes that squirm from the heat.  Really cool if you're into action food!

Monjya-yaki is similar to Okonomiyaki but runnier.  It's cooked very thinly and you use this tiny spatula to scrape pieces off the grill to eat.  

You cook the okonomiyaki and monjya-yaki at the table on a grill; they give you an instruction sheet.  But if you don't want to try it, you can ask the waiter to do it for you.  

Overall, the food was delish and the service, when you managed to flag down a waiter was good.  And the price, not that pricy!  Our entire bill broke down to a little over $20/pp and we were stuffed and had leftovers.

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730 Allied Way
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 322-1200

California Fish Grill  

Categories: Seafood, American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: El Segundo

2.0 star rating
12/30/2010
Husband and I came here about a week ago on a friend's rec and were sorely disappointed.  I opted for the Cajun-seared ahi tuna ($9.49) which was served with french fries and slaw.  The flavor was okay if a little fishy.  The fries were good.  Husband ordered Cajun Shrimp tacos which were incredibly bland, tough and fishy.  He couldn't even finish his meal.  Given what we got and the cost of it (over $20), I'd have to say that this place was a wash.  The service was good but the food put us off from wanting to return.

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206 N Western Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 466-4860

Biergarten  

Categories: Asian Fusion, Gastropubs
Neighborhood: Wilshire Center

5.0 star rating
11/24/2010
New fave place in K-town!!!    

The beer selection is pretty good and hello, beer floats anyone??  Yes please!

The food is awesome, being a mix of German, Korean and...Mexican?  The kalbi quesadilla beats any food truck's I've had and omg, the drunken chicken is nomilicious!  The sea snail salad is a great spicy dish for those looking for something more exotic.

The service here is great and Neil, the owner is friendly, accommodating and just all around a great guy.  

Reservations are recommended if you want to score a table.  Parking's valet for super cheap.

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13355 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

LudoBites 6.0 - CLOSED  

Categories: French, Asian Fusion
Neighborhood: Studio City

5.0 star rating
11/24/2010
Sheeeeee-it. I'm turning into a LudoBitch. After 5.0, I had to get a 6.0 res and fortunately, scored a reservation via a giveaway on a foodblog.  One of my dining companions talked me into sharing the whole menu with her.  While some of the dishes were a miss with me, it was all still very good and amazing.  I adored the carrot cake with Thai coconut curry frosting, the squid "pad thai", the hamachi, and the scallops.  Creative, beautifully plated, tasty....

Service, as always, is perfect. Our waitress even went so far as to write down all the ingredients that went into each dish since Ludo's known for changing things up on whim.  

Max's was a great spot; it had more room than Gram & Papa's and hello booooooze!  

So when's 7.0?

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10939 Venice Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 287-2200

Bigfoot West  

Category: Lounges

4.0 star rating
11/24/2010
Came here on Mon night for a friend's bday.  Totally chill place, awesome atmosphere. The drinks are poured with a heavy hand, geebus.  Had a Toasted Marshmallow drink that was awesome and frack, it comes with an actual toasted marshmallow!  Seriously, best. drink. ever.

The music's pretty good...jazzy swing mix and there was plenty of seating.  I guess it was a slow night so we had a side area all to ourselves.

If you want food, they have a binder of nearby places that will deliver.  Took full advantage of that!  

Parking's a bit of a challenge though since you've got to hunt for a spot in the residential neighborhood behind or across the street.

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"What are we eating meow?"

Review votes:
99 Useful, 34 Funny, and 47 Cool

Location

Los Angeles, CA

Yelping Since

February 2009

Things I Love

The Food Network, cats, dim sum, tater tots, WoW, music, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods Market, cheese, smoked salmon, sweet potato fries, french fries, pumpkin, berries, chocolate, bacon, green tea, chai tea, cooking, sushi

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the kitchen in front of the fridge wondering wtf are we eating for dinner

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http://thecattycritic.com

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I like to eat people from other planets, specially y'all...

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I tell it how it is...from the standpoint of the average cat.

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Kitchen Confidential

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Definitely involves sushi

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Teleportation...but it's visiting 2050 right now.

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Anthony Bourdain