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catmanabat.yelp.com

Cat "a little more SAUCE, a little less SASS please" M.'s Profile

Photo of Cat M.

"Umm... can you not?"

Review votes:
55 Useful, 43 Funny, and 49 Cool

Location

Los Angeles, CA

Yelping Since

July 2009

Things I Love

Iced green tea, soy chocolate milk, dolsot bibimbap, crepes, banana ice cream, y tu mama tambien.

Find Me In

Glassell Park, yo

My Hometown

Los Angeles, California

My Blog Or Website

http://catmanabat.tumb...

When I'm Not Yelping...

I'm just not living.

Why You Should Read My Reviews

I don't know. I'm a n00b, so I have no sufficient reason to persuade you.

The Last Great Book I Read

Where's Waldo?: Thrilling saga about someone on a journey to be found.

My First Concert

BSB '99 -- don't judge.

My Last Meal On Earth

Dolsot bibimbap-- and there better be a load of banchan

Don't Tell Anyone Else But...

I'm addicted to eggs.

Most Recent Discovery

It was a channel of some sort.

Recent Reviews

58 Reviews

Filter by: Location   Category
11803 South St
Cerritos, CA 90703
(562) 865-7288

Guppy Teahouse  

Category: Coffee & Tea

3 star rating
 12/16/2009  
Oh, what can I say. This has become a go-to place for a lot of crowds-- mainly because you can get together with a bigger group and not have to spend a load of money.

Regular Food/Entree type things: Just stay away from them. I have to say the only food item that was decent was the popcorn chicken. If you're in the right mood, it's pretty tasty. Whatever version of chicken katsu curry they offer here is beyond gross.

Dessert: This is why I assume people come here-- to satisfy a sweet tooth. Brick toast always disappoints me, though I try different ones. It just seems like it should be more appealing than it actually is.

Sharing the fatty shaved ice can be a thrilling experience the first time. But remember kids, this is shaved ice. With fruit. And condensed milk. Are we really still marveling that this is a culinary masterpiece?

That said, I can't even give it a low rating because I have found myself here many times. Service is whatever, and I have never waited longer than a couple of minutes to be seated. (And for the record, I would never wait long to go in.)

So yeah. Eat somewhere else, save some room for shaved ice/boba if you must come to Guppy's. I'll give them that it's a good place for a casual group hangout.

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1101 Kenyon St NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 232-5263

The Wonderland Ballroom  

Categories: Bars, Restaurants
Neighborhood: Columbia Heights

4 star rating
 12/15/2009  
Okay, so when I was told this was a dive-y bar, I guess I was picturing something more chill (a.k.a. dives I frequent in L.A.). It's more like the hipsters' secret realm to dance to Bel Biv Defoe-- because you know, if it's 90s pop, it's acceptable. Downstairs people awkwardly stand around and attempt to socialize, upstairs people awkwardly dance around and attempt to socialize. So choose your floor wisely.

My friends and I opted for the latter. Despite the dense crowd, the bartenders get to their orders quickly-- always appreciated.

I'll give any place multiple stars just for staying away from too much Top 40 (yes we're drunk, no we're not THAT drunk) and too much mellow/indie music (uh, we're here to dance right). DJ kept it classic and fun. There is no one too cool to sing along to Motownphilly at the top of their lungs, I tell you NO ONE.

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3116 Mt. Pleasant St NW
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 462-1159

Dos Gringos - A Mount Pleasant Cafe  

Categories: Vegetarian, Local Flavor
Neighborhood: Mount Pleasant

3 star rating
 12/15/2009  
Grabbed a cup of hot chocolate here with the friend I was visiting in D.C. There's a definite homemade feel to everything, even walking into the place you'll feel like you're walking into someone's house.

They have a lot of offerings on the menu, but we were on the prowl for hot chocolate. It was served in cups you can find at home and were super generous with the whipped cream (stars abound for that alone in my book)! I also had some of their chocolate chip cookies... they were pretty cake-y so they might've been scones (yeah, this is the part where I admit that sometimes I don't know my pastries that well). I don't usually like stuff like that, but it complemented my hot chocolate well.

The owners/workers were extremely friendly, and it just seems like a great place to stop by for a warm cup of coffee/chocolate and read... and possibly a good place to study since there's no cell phone (must take calls outside) or WiFi to distract you.

In any case, I enjoy any place that clearly and very freely advertises community events. Wish I was in town for half of the stuff posted on their board!

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1908 Pike Place
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 441-6068

Piroshky Piroshky  

Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
Neighborhood: Downtown

4 star rating
 9/19/2009  
I know people tell you to try the sweet piroshkies, but I'm telling you-- nothing beats that fresh salmon pate piroshky!

The line wasn't too bad either considering it's a popular spot in a touristy destination-- and I was there on a weekend just this summer! It's mostly the inside of the market that gets super clogged up.

I had never tried a piroshky ever in my life, and it turned out to be a great breakfast pastry/treat with some coffee to wash it down. The salmon pate one is even shaped like a little fish. Steaming, fresh soft dough and an amazing filling.

My friend and I took our piroshky baggies to that little park area near the market... such a pleasant meal to start off the day. Plus, the word is fun to say. :]

In the piroshky department and open food market department-- Seattle, this LA kid bows down to you.

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2006 Colorado Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 256-7001

Taco Spot  

Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Eagle Rock

3 star rating
 9/4/2009  
This place is A-OK but I'm withholding stars a bit since I can't remember being completely wowed by their food.

I'd definitely rather eat here than at say, other Eagle Rock offers such as Taco Bell/Jerry's/Ernie Jr's. And yes-- they do serve the famed carne asada fries (though clearly they are no match for San Diego). I like that it's a very casual vibe, and if you're looking for California-Mexican food, this place will suit you just fine. Sometimes  that's what you want, ya know?

I had a tostada which I thought was fairly good. Everything was fresh and it was made quickly. I like that the tostada shell wasn't ridiculously oily.  

I heard they've gotten better since the last time I came here (around when they first opened) so that's good. Plus tons of vegetarian options for your vegetarian friends/when you're in a veggie kinda mood.

If I'm ever in the mood for this kind of food in my hood, it's not a bad place to hit up-- though it probably sucks it has to compete with the likes of Brownstone and Oinkster (where I usually end up)! :]

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143 S Maryland Ave
Glendale, CA 91209
(818) 243-7393

Sushi Kai  

Category: Sushi Bars
Neighborhood: Glendale

4 star rating
 8/31/2009  
What's not to love about Sushi Kai?The very best thing about this place is that their fish is so so fresh! You can definitely taste the freshness of each piece.

Lunchtime is definitely a deal, I usually go for their $10 special. I can choose any item on the list (choose from gyoza, yellowtail collar, various maki rolls) and it also comes with five pieces of nigiri!  

The blue crab roll is what I usually get and it's delicious. I once ordered the creamy salmon-- kind of like a spicy tuna-- which is very filling. I couldn't finish the roll because it was almost too rich for me.

A warning to those of you who don't like wasabi: they make legitimate nigiri here, and that includes wasabi. Most places around Glendale (or Pasadena and LA for that matter) don't add it even though it's traditional because a lot of people hate it, but this place does. My friend didn't know and was unpleasantly surprised. Don't forget to ask for nigiri sans wasabi. That said, I love that they make it the traditional way. ;]

I haven't had anything other than sushi here, but I saw the ladies sitting next to me ordered yellowtail collar and it looked humongous... might have to try that someday and save some for the next day!

Anyway, I love coming here at lunch, never had any problems-- though I've been there a few times when there's only one person working the lunch rush, so beware of that. I wouldn't come here unless you have a long lunch to kill, or if it looks relatively empty. I knocked off a star because I'm not a fan of their dinner prices, but I assume you do pay for what you get. And yes, the quality is 10x better than that "number one" place around the corner. Ahem... (Though that other place has price on their side...)

One last plus: The people who work here (chefs and servers) are super nice, which really rounds out for a pleasant experience. :]

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2803 W Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 256-1298

Ernie Jr's Taco House  

Categories: Mexican, Party & Event Planning
Neighborhood: Eagle Rock

2 star rating
 8/30/2009  
For the longest time, I would never try Mexican food in the Eagle Rock area unless it was from a taco truck or Arturo's. Lots of people will claim there are a ton of authentic Mexican food places/restaurants in Eagle Rock, but then you realize they are technically in Glassell Park or Highland Park.

So when Arturo's closed down and was replaced by that horrible downgrade that is Jerry's, my dad and I ventured into Ernie Jr's. This place has been sitting in the shadow of the freeway overpass for years, and it comes highly recommended by many (though you will probably notice, no one who's Mexican or really enjoys Mexican food).

I can't claim to know what the most authentic Mexican food is like but it's a safe bet this place is very far from it. The restaurant serves portions on steroids, I'll give them that, and the Chile Verde sauce on my burrito was tasty enough to mention.

But it's such a watered-down version of the greatness that can be Mexican food. I get that maybe spice isn't everyone's thing, but the food here just isn't even hearty. They really cater to the crowd that maybe scoffs at chains like Acapulco but ends up here.

I guess if that's your thing you'll love this place, but I'd rather pass for the real deal. Has a nice layout, and the service was okay.

Even my dad wasn't a fan, and he likes everything! (I will admit we made a killing on those chips and salsa, but could be because we were absolutely famished.)

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4720 Eagle Rock Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 257-7926

Pat & Lorraines Coffee Shop  

Categories: Diners, American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: Eagle Rock

3 star rating
 8/30/2009  
I grew up in the Eagle Rock area, and passed this place almost every day my entire life before finally trying it!

It's a typical coffee shop/humble diner, the menu is everything you'd expect. Very down home with cottage decor and nice staff. Food isn't stellar but it's filling and plates are enormous, which justifies the price (my omelette was $11) and makes it a decent deal.

I got a California Omelette with swiss on top, came with home fries and buttered toast. The California Omelette has bacon, avocado and mushrooms. It was so huge, my mom and I couldn't even finish one order together. Doused that baby with salsa-- it's a tad watery but it makes the omelette even better.

She ordered a fruit bowl for $5 just because she felt like having some fruit. I thought it was overpriced for being a small bowl of fruit (and the fruit wasn't even a good quality, which I guess they can't always control... but still). I also ordered a hot chocolate, and my server was generous with the whipped cream! :]

I'd probably go back for a nice, filling breakfast because the atmosphere is so small town and chill. I definitely want to try items like the eggs benedict and their other omelettes if I can handle it! My biggest gripe about this place is that they're cash only which doesn't take away from the food/service.

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735 E Green St
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 578-1123

Sushi of Naples  

Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese, Indian
Neighborhood: Pasadena

3 star rating
 8/27/2009  
I walked in here with a friend in order to kill time before a movie at Laemmle, and I have to say it was a pleasant surprise.

I've scoffed at this place many a time, simply because of its name. Sushi of Naples? Do they serve meatballs with their California rolls? Add spaghetti sauce to the sashimi? It's Pasadena, after all. Anything is possible. But my friend didn't feel like Thai food, we didn't notice Bamboo across the street, and we were debating between this place and the random Taqueria nearby. I guess fate dragged us in here.

I was surprised to find that this place is halfway decent. While it will probably never become my go-to place for sushi (what with a dozen far better sushi places just down the block), I can see why it's still in business. I thought the regular eel roll was tasty. the spider roll from the special section I was expecting to be far better than it actually was-- stray away from that.

Super prompt seating, and service was friendly enough-- they lagged a bit but there were a ton of people that came in around the time we did so perhaps they were understaffed.

It's also very clean, and the decor kind of reminded me of an Asiatic Denny's. That could actually be an appropriate way to describe the food as well. You know: place does its job in terms of filling you up and giving you what you were looking for, but somehow you thought it was going to taste better than it actually does.

Around happy hour, with half-off dishes, Sushi of Naples could be awesome, so I'm gonna go with this place is A-OK.

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5042 Eagle Rock Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 259-9052

Ruby Bakery  

Category: Bakeries
Neighborhood: Eagle Rock

4 star rating
 8/27/2009  
This bakery makes a fantastic quality cake, never had a dry piece at this place and my family has been getting my birthday cakes/cousins' birthday cakes from this place for years. Every now and then we switch it up with Porto's cakes, but Ruby's is of course far more affordable.

If you're not willing to brave the (let's admit, somewhat pretentious) lines at Auntie Em's and the theme park that is Porto's in Glendale, Ruby's is the way to go.

I have never had anything other than a birthday cake at this place, and almost always the strawberry one, so I can't justifiably give them five stars... but their signature strawberry is really all you need to try to be convinced. The cream is seriously luscious (overused word but it fits here) and the sliced almonds all around the side and the frosting are just the perfect combination!

And I personally don't think their Disney cakes from my childhood looked bootleg, at least not as bootleg as other kids' cakes from their childhoods. So thumbs up for that! I don't even know if they still make those anymore... haha.

Yelp has my word that I will return to try out other things and write an updated review when I get the chance. Just needed to put forth my thoughts/memories on this place and encourage people to support this local gem (har har, how many Yelpers have used that for this place)!

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58 Compliments

  • Hot Stuff

    haha. youre funny. Love shaved ice!

  • Hot Stuff

    Like a strip of bacon frying over an open fire, you're seriously sizzling.… More »

  • Good Writer

    you are speaking truth about guppy's!  fun when you're with friends, but… More »

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