doug m.'s Profile

My new favorite bar. An amazing whiskey menu (although a bit expensive) and a PINGPONG table!!! What more do you need. The place didn't start filling up until around 11:30. The bartenders seem to be of uneven skillsets if i may be as polite as possible. basically, if you can't pour me a decent Jameson's and Gingerale then I find you suspect...but regardless, i'll let one bad drink slip when the rest of the night was aces.

Wow, this place was a disappointment. Trip Advisor had given it top ratings but my wife and I had a less then acceptable experience.

Where do I start. Well, first off the layout of the place just puts the servers at an immediate disadvantage. Upon entering the place it is impossible for the customer and any of the servers/wait staff to see each other. So my wife and I stood there for quite some time until anyone came to check us in. After that we were left to wait until our table was ready, which took a while. If i could've browsed the wine shop, that would be fine...but instead there was a table and a big sculpture blocking any chance of that.

After being seated, my biggest annoyance of some upscale places was reiterated. I was made to feel like a second class citizen. The manager made his rounds sitting next to several "regulars" while we were resigned to service from a nice but rather awkward waiter who seemed to not be interested in really selling the food or wine. We ordered and proceeded to wait....and wait. I had ordered a glass of wine, and even though they gave me a hefty pour, i was unable to save any for my main course since it took so damn long and there was nothing left to do but drink. There was a rather half-assed apology for the wait probably about a half an hour into it...but little less.

finally the food came. presentation was poor. the soup looked like it had splashed around the bowl for a few minutes before it got to us and was rather bland. My wife's fish had been billed as having a tomato puree(which we only knew by overhearing the manager) on it, but as far as we could see it was completely lacking any sauce. My boar picatta was a visual mess and lacked any lemon flavor at all. Basically just pasta, meat, and some capers. The smokey flavor of my wife's fish was pleasant, and my boar was tender but thats about all i can say.

My wife and I had really high hopes for this place, but in the end it was probably the worst part of an otherwise pleasant trip to Cambria.

Flavors at this place span the globe combining asian, eastern european, and italian approaches. The salmon bisque was exceptional. The flavors are light and not overpowering. Even the bread pudding seemed to be a much more delicate version of a typically heavy desert.

The setting and service were also top notch.

Fantastic Pies, good coffee, great breakfast. Certainly a go-to place in Cambria if you want quality food but don't want to break the bank.

oh man, i can't believe this place closed. was hoping to take my wife for she has never experienced a true cheesesteak. Lake has lost an essential part of its junk-food corridor royalty.

Probably the best gelato i've ever had.

I was a Pazzo fan but this beats it. Scoops, eh. The good and bad about this place is its location. Altadena is a charming town....except for where Bulgarini is. Next to a Right Aid in a strip mall. But you'll be transported to LALA land when you taste these flavors.

And yes, its expensive. but worth it.

No this isn't Rambos or la Estrella. Both solid establishments but for a dollar more per taco you receive ingredients that are a notch up. The carnitas are well better then most trucks and probably double the meat. Cochonitas pebil (blame my iPhone if I spelled that wrong) were great, and I just need to say two more words, duck confit! We'll be back...often.

great coffee shop.

It's taken me way too long to actually sample the wares of this place. I've known about it for quite a while. Even stepped into it during a gallery show one evening. But never actually had coffee there. Biked over one morning and had myself a cappuccino. Delicious. Not too much milk, not in a huge cup, just well made and tasty. I'll certainly make this a weekly ritual. Some day i hope to open a similar type of joint in my neck of the woods.

So let me start with this tiny little land of Kenneth Village. My wife and I ventured to this neck of Glendale to  go to a Yoga studio that had been recommended to us. Its nestled in a fairly upscale neighborhood with nice houses and well groomed lawns.

The village seems to span one square block, but within it is a good foundation of neighborhood business'. A cute retro womens apparel store, a bakery, florist, and two count em two meat markets.

Arts Meat Market looks like its been there for years, and had some good looking home made sausages for sale. But next to Arts is a market that may make Art pretty nervous.

Kenneth Village Meat Market looks to be brand new, clean, and full of international products...mainly focused on eastern european and mediterranean styles of food. Everything looks delish. My wife and I decided to sample a few salads and dolma's. A creamy beet salad  and a dill and vinegar green bean salad, grape leaves, cabbage stuffed with lentils, beans, and grain, and stuffed grilled eggplant. All were absolutely amazing. We will probably try the pre-marinated meats next.

I'm sorry Art but i have to recommend this place highly...but i promise we'll stop by and pick up a few sausages at your place as well.

Possibly the best meal I've had EVER. My wife may not totally agree, but we both couldn't deny that this place deserves its Micheline rating.

I don't really have time to go into all the food we scarfed down on our evening out....but there really wasn't a dud in the bunch (maybe one or two of the pre-desert's weren't all that amazing, but thats really just a drop in the bucket). I had the tasting menu, against my better judgement, and it was fantastic.

I think what really puts this place over the edge is the service. A team of five, all friendly and attentive. My wife told them it was my birthday and I'm not sure if they stepped it up a notch because of that or not...but I felt like a King.

We'll be back....as soon as we save up enough money for it.