Rick "The Kim" K.'s Profile
DateLos Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 747-0033
Cafe Aroma
Category:
Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Downtown
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
(760) 934-3077
CJ's Grill
Categories:
American (New),
Steakhouses,
Seafood
Black Velvet is the Pinkberry of coffee shops. Neither rustic nor romantic. It is minimalistic yet cozy. With cash registers powered by iPads, this coffee shop flirts with the hipster/artsy-fartsy community. I can't say that it is "as good as it gets" because the menu is limited and quite frankly there is no clear indication the baristas have achieved anything significant in the coffee world. Yet, their selection is decently delicious (and they use fresh beans to make their espresso). It is worth the visit if you're in town.
PS: 4 stars is fair. Anyone who tells you otherwise either doesn't know coffee or is friends with the staff/owners (I think the latter sounds just about right).
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 663-6173
Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea
Categories:
Coffee & Tea,
Bars
Neighborhood: Silver Lake
If a romantic decor is what you are looking for, this is probably not the best place to go to. The business model is catered towards fast in & out customers. I think it's ingenious. I approve!
Bishop, CA 93514
(760) 873-7156
Erick Schat's Bakkery
Categories:
Bakeries,
Delis,
Candy Stores
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
(310) 652-7673
The Stinking Rose
Categories:
Italian,
American (New)
Neighborhood: Beverly Hills
With that said, I should tell you that The Stinking Rose is an interesting place to dine. The decor is reminiscent of a gypsy or over the top Italian place... the food itself is good. I do feel like dishes there tend to be on the oily (not greasy) side, which might turn off some healthier conscious freaks out there. The food itself is decent and they do offer some non-garlic options.
I enjoyed their signature starter, but I wish it had more texture for the cooked garlic was much too mushy. I highly recommend you order a glass of wine to cut right through the oil or strong garlic flavors. All in all, it was a good experience, and surprisingly my clothes didn't smell bad at all.
The garlic ice cream was interesting. I had to suck on a piece of lemon to clean my palate enough to taste the flavors. The ice cream itself is served on a mole sauce (Mexican cinnamon-chocolate sauce), which actually works quite well.
That's all folks!
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 625-2228
Green Bamboo
Category:
Chinese
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Little Tokyo
Glendale, CA 91208
(818) 243-4585
Leon Bakery & Cafe
Categories:
Bakeries,
Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Glendale
It is easy to overlook the difficulty of baking sweets, and Leon's Bakery is rock solid, perfecting the art of baking. The tarts are particularly great because the dough is perfectly flaky and buttery. The fruits are incredibly fresh while the custards (not patisserie cream) are fluffy as they are folded along with a light whipped cream (creating a pleasant, not too heavy, consistency). Nothing is too bland or too sweet. Their croissants are incredible. Must try.
My only pick about this place is the cream puff. They don't use vanilla beans for their custards, and the folded whipped cream proportions dilute the custard flavor too much for my taste. The Choux itself needs some work. They are sure big, but they are much too chewy. The Chocolate ganache is okay... but a little less heavy cream would be ideal for me.
Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 568-3700
IOTA Coffee & Bakery
Categories:
Coffee & Tea,
Bakeries
Neighborhood: Koreatown
It is easy to take for granted a good slice of cake, but this place does it all. However, what I don't particularly enjoy are the long lines. I am sure their business could increase the service speed without compromising quality. This is the only coffee shop that serves Mille Crepes by the way... enough said!
I don't recommend this coffee shop if what you are looking for is a quiet and laid back place to think. However, if you have a large group, by all means.
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 380-9123
Hair Day
Categories:
Hair Salons,
Nail Salons
Neighborhood: Koreatown
1 Previous Review:
-
8/3/2007
Disclaimer: I don't know how well they please the female population. Never asked around to find out any details... BUT it seems to be very popular among Korean chicks.
So being a Korean American male living in Los Angeles, I am living testimony of the difficulty in finding a hairstylist expert in my type of hair (straight and Asian). Unless you want to settle for a mediocre $10 haircut in the nearest barbershop (which is absolutely fine for those who like their hair simple and homogeneous to the growing Korean population), think about spending about $25 if you're a guy (plus at least 20% tip) for a haircut that will leave you quite pleased for about a month or so.
The secret is asking for a lady named Julianne. She is a funny, trendy, young good looking hairstylist, and SUPRISE... she speaks English!!! YES. Ask her nicely, and she'll give you input and even teach you a few things about how to take care of your hair. Oh yeah... go during the week because Saturday is the busiest day.
you will soon notice that Julianne rather stands out in the crowd of hair stylists at Hair Day. Perhaps it is safe to say she will one day own a hip hair salon in the near future. You'd better take advantage of the fact that her service as of now is very much affordable... but no one knows how long that will keep up.
PS: If you are a regular customer, make sure to ask her work cell number. Don't be ashamed. It is easier to reach her that way.
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"I'm hot cuz I'm fly... you ain't cause you're not."
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Review votes:
478 Useful, 140 Funny, and 251 Cool
Los Angeles, CA
Yelping SinceFebruary 2007
Things I LoveBrand new socks, hot showers, NY-style pizza, Pho, Photojournalism, Paella, Korean & Brazilian bbq
Find Me InLa Crescenta
My HometownTorrance, CA
Why You Should Read My Reviewsbc those who know food aren't self proclaimed foodies.
My Favorite MovieGirl with the dragon tattoo
My Last Meal On EarthKorean BBQ
Current CrushJang Hee Jin, Park Soo Jin
Forte come un peccato (Strong like a sin),
Dolce come l'amore (Sweet like love)
e caldo come l'inferno (and hot like hell).
Those who know me, or at least follow my reviews, know I am not one to write poems (on yelp I personally find them cheesy and hyperbolic). Surely I didn't write this one; in fact it was printed on their business card. As I learned Italian as a kid, it is my duty to share my excitement about this shop and its coffee. Cafe Aroma is located in the heart of the fashion district. The establishment may not be what you'd expect from a coffee shop, especially if all you know living here is pretentious/hipster espresso bars and franchised shops. This is a quaint little spot, but it makes excellent coffee. The beans are freshly ground every time you order an espresso rendering the pure essence of the coffee bean. Unlike many coffee shops that offer amazing decor but distastefully mediocre coffee, this place is all about the product they bring, and the product is robust and full of flavor. Though the menu may be limited, I do think its coffee beats the likes of Starbucks and Coffee bean.
Cafe Aroma may not be ideal for a first date, but I know good coffee, or at least would like to think so. If you're in the area, I highly recommend this place.