The Spice Table

114 S. Central Avenue 

 Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 620-1840

Forget the 18-hour plane ride to Southeast Asia, and instead drive downtown to Central Avenue in Los Angeles.  Step off the street of Little Tokyo and straight into what might be a back-alley store front in Saigon.   

Above the din of the crowd, ubiquitous lighted bird cages dangle from the ceiling, casting a sexy glow over the wood tables, and more than 100 year-old aged brick walls. 

Loft like ceilings and silver ducts remind us that we’re in modern day L.A., but Vietnamese Kim and her Singaporean Chef-husband Bryant Ng have nailed the ambiance in this deservedly trendy downtown venue.   

Bryant cut his chops at Pizzeria Mozza, and Kim knew that if they were going to save their marriage, they better open a labor of love together; and that they certainly did.

Conveniently located off several freeways, and tangent to a validated parking lot for parking ease, this gem is right in the heart of the hip and happening Little Tokyo scene.  Although you could park and walk into almost any restaurant with great results, this one stands out because of it is a southeastern flair for both exotic food choices and spices that will send your mouth into an eating orgasm.

We recommend asking your waiter to “just bring a variety of food” to the table.  You’ll avoid squirming over western awkwardness to things like “pig’s tail” and “bone marrow” if you just don’t know what they’re serving, and you’ll most likely surprise your taste buds with the results.   

Although the preparations are a bit salty for the Dining Duo’s cleaner tastes, it was worth the bloat the next day to sample their creations.

We started with their famous Kaya Toast ($7.00), and we highly recommend that you do as well.  It’s served almost like a grilled cheese sandwich, but it’s actually coconut jam on toast, and then a 45-minute soft-boiled egg is provided, along with white pepper and soy sauce for dipping purposes.  It’s divine; don’t miss every finger-licking bite of it.

Scott particularly enjoyed the Lamb Belly ($10), with cumin and turmeric, which was served satay style on a stick.  The lamb was tender and the taste was off the charts fabulous. We cannot speak highly enough about the grilled brussel sprouts ($9). Scott wouldn’t even eat one until a few years ago and even now he has to be pushed.  If we ate nothing else here, it would be these morsel bites of crunchy yum. 

We could make a meal out of three orders of brussel sprouts (with bacon and dried shrimp), which are not overly spiced but prepared, to perfection.

Be daring and try the Pig’s Tail with a selection of lettuce and a enormous herb concoctions ($13), it is something you’ll be talking about with your foodie friends for days to come.  It was a bit fatty for our tastes, reminding us of “baboy” we ate in the Philippines, but we really need to revisit it again.  Try the creamed kale ($10), which comes complete with paneer (fresh cheese of Indian origin) and grilled pork belly; scrumptious.

 On a very minor basis compared to our great meal, we thought the “per glass” wine selection could have been broader and we also had mixed emotions about the Spiced Cognac dessert. 

Michael found it unusual and satiating after the spiced items we ate; it was bursting with different flavors.  Scott thought the sweet dessert fell short, just missing it.  That said, The Dining Duo has loved traveling extensively throughout Asia and Southeast Asia, and we found the desserts from those countries to be odd flavors for the American palette.  Maybe we just need to broaden our perspectives when it comes to dessert, but lets face it, there’s nothing like chocolate.

Putting those minor points aside, we woke up the next day wishing we lived closer to The Spice Table so we could go back the very next night for another fantastic meal; now that’s a great restaurant!

Read More......

"Mr. Wynn needs more people like you to visit ...glad you had a good time. where are you off to next?" --Mark


"O.M.G. we can't wait to go...we just changed our reservations from Bellagio to the Encore...." --Cathy

"I'm drooling. I'm booking now!" -- Robert

"Great Pics. Everything looks AMAZING. Vegas has a whole new image with the Encore and we're going to go there for Memorial Day." --Sam and Shirley

"Those views! That food! Those dining rooms! How fast can I get there?" Mary

"I've been dying to try this place since I've heard so many great things...but I thought it was unaffordable. I just called and they're offering great prices. Thanks for letting me know about this...can't wait to go!" -- Bobbie

"WOW! You guys really gushed over this one. Every time you've suggested something, we've loved it. We're going to the Encore muy pronto. Thanks for the tips." -- Jeff and Robin

"THAT STICKY BUN at Society has made my computer gain 5 lbs. I'm going there just for that...the rest of it is gravy." -- Leslee

"I LOVE good Asian food, and we wondered where Jet went to since we took a cooking class iwth him in L.A. Now we can finally look forward to another fab meal by him, and we've added that to our "must do" restaurant list for our trip to LV next week" -- Andy & Carey

"You guys are amazing...thanks for letting us know all the "in" spots. We get faster, better, more honest reviews from you than anywhere else...Thank you! We just called and booked a weekend at the Encore...we'll let you know what we like best." -- Carl

"That Steve Wynn is brilliant! How does he keep thinking of these things? It sounds like so much fun....can't wait to hear about the Spa, do tell." --Mary

"We're stuffed just reading about all this. How in the H#$$ do you two keep fit and trim? Probably by running from restaurant to restaurant in the gorgeous Encore. If it works for you, it's going to work for us...we've decided to take a "close" vacation this spring and try it all out, thanks to you two." -- The "S" family


THANK YOU READERS...WE WOULDN'T SAY SO IF IT WEREN'T SO!



Appetizingly yours,

The Dining Duo

Read More......

Bravo. Encore!


Encore Las Vegas
702. 770-7171 for hotel reservations
888. 320-7110 for dinner reservations

There’s the train of thought that a “junior” is never quite as good as the “senior”; a copy of an original is somewhat less than. Throw that concept out along with the fear that you can’t afford Vegas in these tough times. Steve and Elaine Wynn have brought us Vegas like you’ve never seen before, and this time it’s on steroids: The Encore Hotel and Spa.

You might as well plan on spending your entire stay at the Encore (with a field trip to the neighboring Wynn), because there is so much to do, see, and eat that there’s no need to go anywhere else. At the end of the famed Las Vegas Strip, the gold shimmering Encore is a product of imaginative genius and detail that one-ups its already superlative neighbor. From the exquisite tropical flowers in the lobby to the seamless and friendly check-in, we knew we were in for a treat.

Arriving on the 61st floor (we suggest booking a strip-view room, and hook a right when you exit the elevators for a room as far in that direction as possible), we opened the doors to sweet suite that has absolutely outdone anything we’ve seen in Vegas before. Some creepy owner somewhere once thought that ugly rooms will keep people on the casino floors spending, but finally the Wynns have realized that indulgence, sophistication and luxury only encourage you to open your wallets all the more. There are Salon and Tower suites on each floor that range from an unheard of 1,408 to 2,261 square feet of exquisite marble bathrooms, handsome wood furniture and electric curtains that open to floor to ceiling, wall to wall awe-inspiring views of the strip and the mountainous desert beyond. Like flies, we had our noses glued to the window taking in the scene like a kid waiting in line at Disneyland for that ride on the Matterhorn. Add in an abundantly comfortable bed with divine sheets and beyond-soft down pillows, and you have a win-Wynn situation.

SINATRA’S

Man cannot live by a fabulous hotel room alone, one must eat; and eat is what we kept doing. The first stop for dinner must be Frank’s place. If you like Italian, you will love this restaurant. Steve Wynn sets the tone at the door with a picture of his young self with Frank, and when you swing through the doors, with the sound of Frankie swooning in the background, and non-stop Sinatra movies playing in the bar, you feel as though you’ve arrived in Frank’s personal dining room. Elegant and comfortable, the light wood paneling centers a simple 50 x 100 photo of Frank. The soft orange tablecloths offset the giant green chandeliers that have a slight pagoda look. There is an expansive wall of windows that overlook lush formal Italian gardens, complete with pergolas and fireplaces, where you can dine during the warm weather nights. The details to be served on your plate are initiated with even the fine linen napkins, embroidered with butterflies, all to compliment the smart leather chairs.

The Dining Duo always hates when a waiter says, “everything on the menu is good”, so it pains us to relay that, everything on the menu is not good; it’s great. The sommeliers at all of the Wynn restaurants are top notch, so we threw ourselves into their hands at each restaurant, asking for appropriate pairings. Executive Chef (and one heck of a nice guy) Theo Schoenegger, has created a menu that is simple, but sublime. We suggest starting with the Cappesante ($21), which was a most unusual combination of seared Maine diver scallops, celery and kumquats. It practically melted on our tongues and we are not even scallop fans. The Zuppa di Fagioli (no comments please, and it was $15) was light and flavorful as it offset the bean soup with tubettini and garlic and rosemary oil. Butternut squash is becoming de rigeur as of late, but Frank’s puts a spin on theirs by adding vanilla and amaretto which sets it apart from the pack.

There is a dish which we have to rate amongst the best we ever tasted and we can not recommend it highly enough: Uovo in Raviolo, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Truffled Beurre Noisette, quite simply this is soft boiled egg in a ravioli with black truffles ($25). When you break the egg yoke and it combines with the other pasta ingredients, it creates a taste sensation that is unparalleled.

It’s a shame you can eat both meat and a fish entree, because the dishes are fabulous. Scott had the Black co with lentils, celery puree, pancetta and vinaigrette ($45) that proved to be tender and succulent. Michael, the meat eater, devoured the Ossobuco “My Way”. The veal was, well, like “butta” and was served with risotto cannelloni for ($49). There are only four side dishes, Rapini, Ratatouille, Mashed potatoes and wild mushroom sauté ($9 - $12), and we particularly enjoyed the blend of spices in the vegetable ratatouille. Ready to burst, we only tried two desserts, the chocolate sweetheart cake and pumpkin cheesecake, both scrumptious and accompanied by Dow’s 1985 Vintage port and Cockburn’s ten-year-old Tawny port. One should allow Jennifer Eby, the wine manager, to pick out pairings for each course as her choices were nothing short of brilliant. Sadly we had to cut the dining experience short because we were rushing to see Elton John in one of his last performances, and at the end of the show we got to work off the calories because we went on stage and danced and sang around his piano with about 30 of our closest new friends.


SOCIETY

Waking up to this amazing view, we worked up quite a hunger for brunch, and although there are so many choices, the one you simply cannot miss is Society. Elizabeth Blou conceptualized an Oscar Wilde feel for the room, and it proved to be a perfect place to snuggle into and stuff our faces. The décor is opulent, done up in greens and vibrant pinks, framed by lush green and white striped curtains that surround a room of coffered walls and rich paneled walls. The Asian theme is carried over here too with the accents of lime green chandeliers and two giant kensha palms in Asian pots. The black crocodile chairs and tables make the room come alive.

Be prepared to gorge on everything breakfast (there’s more, but this place is “it” for breakfast items). The sticky bun is the best, sweet, most fabulous sinful experience you can have this side of a downtown girlie bar. Piping warm, you can feel the cholesterol coating your pipes. Don’t miss it. The waffle was made with pumpkin and pecans and slathered in butter ($15), and was a sweet tooth’s fantasy. The French toast was surrounded with cornflakes, proving a nice texture and flavor. It was decadent and rich, but certainly hits the spot, especially with the serving of caramelized bananas and chocolate cream ($14). The Eggs Benedict were superb, primarily because of the homemade muffins. The eggs were perfectly cooked, soft on the inside, firm on the outside; and the Hollandaise was gooey and fresh ($15). Do not leave without trying Society’s signature dish, the ultimate Steak and egg sliders. The beef tenderloin, scrambled eggs and creamed spinach were all on a bacon-cheddar muffin ($16) and you simply cannot believe that something could taste so good. Wash it down with a great Caesar Bloody Mary (spiced like a Caesar salad), and you’re ready to hit the spa. By the way, Patrick is the manager and if you mention the Dining Duo, he’ll get you past the ubiquitous line to enjoy all of the above.

WAZUZU

Still hungry? No problem, you don’t have to walk far. Encore created Wazuzu restaurant, a pan-Asian bistro with a gorgeous red and white intimate dining room that sets the stage for the meal, with Thai-American Chef Jet Tila conducting the orchestra. Anchored by a giant Swarovski crystal dragon that took thirteen months to create, white leather booths and chairs are splayed over a carpet of multicolored fans, with accents of gold leafed giant pears.

Jet, an approachable, affable and beyond creative chef has enjoyed an interesting background of writing for the L.A. Times, working for his family in the restaurant biz, and as a private chef for Reba MCintyre and Jim Belushi. He has Grace, Boulevard and The Hungry Cat under his belt as well, but this time Steve Wynn allowed him to bring not a fusion or Asian flavors but an array of tastes from all regions of Asia: Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Singaporean, and Thai cuisines. It’s all about “Sebai Sebai”, which in Thai, means “easy going” or “comfort”. The Dining Duo loved spending Valentine’s Day here (and our 23rd anniversary) because the place is comfort, while screaming red, as well as passion.

At Wazuzu, Chef strives for a balance of tastes: hot, salty, sour and sweet, resulting in what the Thai’s call “yum”, a midpoint between these four flavors which result in balance. We found this balance in so many taste treats that our stomach said “yum” over and over again. If you’re daring, ask to try the Bitter Melon with minced pork and 1000 year old egg ($28), a classic Chinese dish with detox health benefits which Americans don’t have the taste for but Michael loved, Another classic taste treat is the Northwest Roll ($30), spicy tuna expertly chosen with salmon sashimi, and, if you ask, their home made Wsasabi.

We’ve been told that the way to judge Thai food is by their Thom Khar soup and chef Jet tested his out on his; it should be on the menu shortly and it was sensational, once again, the perfect blend that he had mentioned to us. Be sure and try the Roti Panang ($12), the velvety curry chicken, which is creamy, and the curry taste is not overwhelming, it is just perfect.

The average check at Wazuzu is about $45 per person and it may be one of the best deals in town and on your way out, cleanse your palate with their Ice Kachang, straight out of Singapore, ($9), shaved ice and red beans with tropical fruit.

SALIVATING FOR MORE? Part two of Living Large in Las Vegas is coming next week...don't miss it!

Read More......

The Kress
6608 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90028
Phone: (323) 785-5000
Hours: Sun, Tues, Wed 5 - 10 pm, Thu-Sat 5 - 11 pm

The Dining Duo has never been much for old Hollywood. The traffic is bad, the streets are dirty and crowded, and the homeless and hucksters are plentiful; but every now and then we are proven wrong, and The Kress takes full credit for us eating our hats, seasoned and cooked to perfection, of course.

Like a mirage, the moment you open the door to this palace of a restaurant, it is clear that you’ve arrived into something special. The main dining room is cavernous (seating 175), yet richly warm, if not exotic. It is framed by a gigantic Asian-inspired chandelier that looks like an upside-down cake and seems to be back-lit by red neon. Our eyes took in the giant golden booths that afford a sense of privacy, as well as the comfy banquettes and tables. Above, the intricately wood carved ceilings were itself a thing of beauty and painstakingly restored to its 1930s splendor; and this was only the dining room. After spending nearly 30 million dollars on dolling up the old Kress department store (which was more recently, Fredericks of Hollywood), the San Diego based visionaries created a 38,000 square foot, 5 floor city exotica offering the beautiful people everything from affordable fabulous dining, to a giant curved sushi bar overlooking the main room, to hob-knobbing with the likes of LL Cool J, The Pussycat Dolls, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake, and more.

Now back to the food, and it was terrific. After being seated in one of those giant gold round booths by a gorgeous girl, the equally gorgeous Nate rushed us water, while the well-trained and informed (and cute) Mathew came right to our aid with food suggestions. Chef Travis Kamiyama has taken over the business and menu planning aspects, and after opening a host of restaurants since he was 14, it shows. Chef loves bringing people of all varieties together and bridging the gap through food, and he’s reduced the original prices to do so.


The Chef is Japanese born and American raised, and his food is Asian-inspired, reflecting elements of Korean, Chinese, Japanese and other Southeast Asian locales. The highlights are the sushi, wok items and the grill. He uses only the finest blue-finned tuna, the king of all tunas, selecting those nearly translucent fishes originating from Spain, Malta and Croatia. The Blue-eyed tuna is from Hawaii, and the meat of the fish we experienced was super red, not showing a lot of fat. The Lobster hails from the North Atlantic coast, and the Kompachi is from Japan. No scrimping here.


Reflecting an “Eo Mae” style from Tokyo, none of the dishes we tasted were overly sauced like many restaurants we’ve experienced as of late. Even the rice served is freshly milled right at the restaurant, ensuring freshness and quality of taste.


The standout were so many but don’t miss the Lamb Chops with some caramelized onions at $22, which Scott particularly enjoyed.
Michael loved the Kobe Beef (American, but tasted close to Japanese) at $39 in a red wine reduction sauce. The Crispy Spicy Tuna Roll gives Katsu ya and every other sushi restaurant in town a run for their money at $18, it was fresh and delicately prepared. The daily fish inspiration, sea bass, was indeed inspired in its ultimate freshness and its light flavor ($24).
We weren’t crazy about the chocolate dessert we tasted, but the plate of five Crème Brulees in sake cups
more than made up for it. Each one had its own unique flavors, ranging from vanilla to peanut butter, and it was out of this world. Hard to believe we had room after the eat-a-thon to devour desert, but it was well worth the calories and the price at $8. We’re anxious to go back and try their warm Banana Split ($23).

For something unique and European, as well as Eastern, this is the place. Come for the food, take in the fabulous décor, drool over the people and spend the night wandering the building—downstairs to the Kress basement nightclub, upstairs to the happening rooftop bar that’s bubbling with energy and raging hormones. Just don’t valet park your car, or it could set you back $20 bucks. Never mind, we parked on the street.

Read More......

Aloha. The Dining Duo just returned from the valley isle, and we have some updates. Although there are plenty of good eats on this island, there are just three outstanding choices that should be added to every visit:

Mama’s Fish House Restaurant(808) 579-8488
799 Poho Place
Paia, Maui, Hawaii
info@mamasfishhouse.com

Talk about Maui Wowie… Our dear friend CJ has demanded that we go to Mama’s and we finally did, only to discover that it was world class on all fronts. The setting is divine; right on the beach, the restaurant is a myriad of rooms facing an empty stretch of virgin sand complete with the pounding surf just beyond. Although everything on the menu is superb, of particular note is the Mahi-Mahi (they even tell you who caught it, and where) stuffed with lobster, crab, Maui onion and baked in a macadamia nut crust. It was infused with flavors that will drive your tongue to do the hula (the price changes, but it was $45 at our lunch, and well worth the hefty price). The wait staff could not have been nicer or more attentive. Don’t miss it. Thanks for the tip, CJ.


Gerard’s Restaurant174 Lahainaluna Rd
Lahaina, HI 96761
(808) 661-8939
www.gerardsmaui.com


(The Dining Duo, Gerard and Mom)

C’est magnifique. This was perhaps our 20th visit to Gerard’s and the only thing that changes is our appetite after we’ve dined for hours on end. Chef Gerard is as charming as he is talented in the kitchen. With a huge litany of restaurants under his belt, Gerard came to Maui and set his restaurant in a colonial style home typical of somewhere in South East Asia, or beyond. Dining on the patio, with the light scent of jasmine and burning coils, the exotic palms complete the experience. White glove service, table clothes, and a fabulous wine list and menu make this experience superlative. Everything is excellent, but make sure to linger over the Terrine of Foie Gras Maison ($24), made of duck liver, aspic of sauternes wine, exotic fruit chutney, toasted country bread, truffle and balsamic vinegar. Also, don’t miss the rack of lamb Persillade ($42), which is always perfectly pink, and encrusted with a mint and lemon crust, served with potatoes au gratin, which melts in your mouth. The champagne and wines compliment each other like our matching Hawaiian shirts.


Merriman’s KapaluaOne Bay Club Place
Lahaina, Hawaii 96761
Phone: (808) 669-6400
www.merrimanshawaii.com


Once the old Lahaina Bay Club, this setting is dramatic and sophisticated. Go during the daylight hours to really enjoy the views (the neighbors won’t let them light up the ocean anymore). When our friend described the food as “weird”, we knew it was a must for the Hula Duo. Far from weird, we enjoyed everything that was served. Of particular note was the Peter Merriman’s original wok charred Ahi, served with cabbage slaw, black and white rice and a dash of wasabi-soy ($37). It was fresh and locally produced, as the chef has always believed in “from the farm to the table”. The service was friendly, but beyond slow and inefficient, especially for the prices they charged. That said, the 17-year-old blond-surfer-bus-boy, David, was so adorable he made up for it, and we passed the time by having him fill our water glasses. Who cares if we needed to go to the bathroom 10 times?

Read More......

Los Angeles (310) 659-9449
730 N. La Cienega
Los Angeles

SNAPSHOT: There are so many yummy things at this restaurant... we started with the sliced Tuna over Crispy Rice (their signature dish), which was nothing short of magnificent. Scott's not a sushi guy... but had a religious transformation over this dish. With Maine running through Michael's veins, he had to try the Lobster Roll... very different and sophisticated. 3.5 Stars

Just off one of L.A.’s busiest thoroughfares is a secret garden. You wouldn’t know it to drive by, and even the army of valets and security folks might hasten you from discovering it, but just walk through the gates and suddenly you’re in an Asian garden so impeccably clean and fastidious, you might think you’re in a Buddhist temple in Kyoto; or a stealthy retreat in the hills of Chang Mai.

Trickling fountains with discrete lighting invite you into a series of rooms that each has their own intriguing character and sense of place. We were warmly welcomed by a pretty hostess and ushered off to a comfortable booth in what appeared to be the main room. It was nice to be amongst all the action (and the crowd varied from a family with teen kids to smoothly dressed professionals), but a tour of the remaining rooms revealed other stirring spots for future visits. And there will be future visits, because the atmosphere was only the beginning of a sensational dining experience.

Jamison, our equally handsome and proficient waiter who has been at Koi for almost six years, rushed to our table with the adroit knowledge of both the food and drink menus. Although we found the “by the glass” selection of wines to be limited, Jamison’s understanding of what was featured helped Scott towards his selection of a tasty Robert Mondavi 2004 cab at $38 (ouch) or $320 for the bottle. Michael opted for the cold Shikomi sake, a bargain at $25, because Jamison described it as crisp and clear; it was an accurate portrayal and we were off to a great start.

There are so many yummy things at this restaurant that we decided to try a sampling of items in the hopes of finding something we disliked; as the dishes arrived, our quest seemed like an impossible task. We started with the sliced Tuna over Crispy Rice ($15), which was nothing short of magnificent. Scott’s not a sushi guy, but he nearly had a religious transformation over this dish, which offered up a chewy and flavorful backdrop to a mild and fresh tuna. With Maine running through Michael’s veins, he had to try the Lobster Roll ($22); very different than anything you’d find at a roadside stand, this lobster roll was a sophisticated paste loaded with deliciously spiced lobster and gingerly placed on a delicate roll.

The Creamy Rock Shrimp ($16) was amongst the Duo’s favorite selection. We think they’re called “rock” shrimp because of the way the flavors rocked our mouths. The shrimp had a slight crispy crunch and the creamy residue made us scream for more. Although Michael’s not a fan of Black Cod ($26) in general, this preparation was a taste treat. It was fragile and flakey and had a smoky flavor that lingered on your taste buds. Another favorite—and believe us it was difficult to select “favorites”—was the Special Duck ($28). It came towards the end of our eating orgy and yet the flavors and tenderness of the meat was distinct and superb. Although it was unclear whether the salmon was wild, its presentation and preparation put it amongst our list of favorites. The fish was cooked to a perfect degree; it was delicate and practically melted in our mouths.

Stuffed to the gills, we forced ourselves to try a sampling of desserts because after all, everything had been so sensational thus far, how could the desserts be anything less? The Mochi, an ice cream surrounded by a rice covering of sorts, was unusual and although not native to Japan (they don’t eat sweets like we Yanks do), it maintained an Asian style. We loved the coffee flavored Mochi, but the rich chocolate cake was out of this world, with a moist and molten chocolaty center; but unlike most of the clones of this dessert, the chocolate itself was fine and smooth as black silk.
We don’t know how many times we’ve driven past this hidden treasure without stopping, but we can tell you one thing for certain, we’ll be stopping in there again, and soon!

Read More......

Red Pearl Kitchen
6703 Melrose Ave

The Scene: Metrosexual Hot
Cuisine: Pan Asian Fusion
Must Try: Close your eyes and point to a menu item
Star Rating: 3
Average Cost: Prix fixe is the best option $45-$75


Only in L.A. can you eat dinner with gorgeous people all around you, AND be in a reality show at the same time. “The Hills” was filming at the table next to us, and we couldn’t decide who was more beautiful, the women or the men.

The Dining Duo enjoyed an Asian feast each time at the new, happening and hopping Red Pearl Kitchen. At the site of the old Alex & Citrus, just west of Highland, the only thing that remains the same is the odd floor. You hardly notice it once you walk past the attractive valet girls and through large exotic carved wood doors, it feels as though you’ve entered a South-East Asian opium den of another century. There’s a separate bar and lounge area, and the restaurant is a giant room filled with lanterns, warm creamy booths and dark teak wood tables.

The crowd is definitely young and pretty, and very metrosexual; the wait staff matched the look. That always makes eating a little more fun. Yet if you strip away the appealing façade, you’re still left with great service and dynamite food prepared by the Thai chef, Ped, who brings the influences of his homeland and those around him to each and every dish. The tasting menu, which the chef creates on the spot, is the best way to dine, and even though one half of the Dining Duo is a bit of a control freak (guess which one), we relented and ate so many interesting and tasty dishes that we just about burst ($45 or $75 per person).

For some of the highlights start with Dim Sum; the Ribs simmered in strawberries and cinnamon ($9) were a taste sensation and the Teriyaki glazed chicken ($9) put a whole new spin on an Asian staple. The use of exotic spices made the Udon Noodles smothered with a generous amount of duck and yellow curry sensational ($11). Chef Ped is big on shrimp, and every variation we tried was superb. Try the Black pepper and caramel shrimp ($16) and see what we mean. The chicken and mango fried rice, laced with basil, ($10) was outdone only by the Udon noodles simmered in bacon, smoky miso and topped with a fried egg ($12).

In true orgasmic style, even the desserts are called “happy endings”, and they were; don’t miss the Vietnamese Coffee Sundae which just about made us have our own happy endings ($6). Hang on to your receipt because if you come back the following Monday, regardless of how many folks you bring, the eats are half price on everything.

Read More......

Take a quick retreat from Ventura Boulevard by strolling into Yen Sushi and Sake Bar for some surprisingly delicious dishes. The small storefront restaurant is sleekly stylish and simply appointed, with wood floors, concrete-toweled walls, and a dozen heavy wood tables and chairs (which prove to be a tad bit uncomfortable on the backside). Thick bamboo pieces grace the entryway, after which the focal point of the restaurant is the sushi bar. As you walk in the door, a transformation begins and the friendly sushi chefs and wait-staff greet you immediately (all in Japanese, though we later found out they are predominantly from Korea).

The calming environment immediately sets the tone for a delightful assortment of sushi, nouveau Katsu-ya style semi-cooked sushi and traditional Japanese items. If you toast the chefs with a cup of saki, they will get very creative with their offerings. Michael adores sushi, so he gravitated to the Spicy tuna roll ($5.50), yellowtail ($6) and freshwater eel ($4.50), both of which delivered on freshness and taste. Scott doesn’t like sushi at all (“unless it’s cooked”); however, that said, their specialty of the house, the crispy rice with spicy tuna ($9.50), proved to be absolutely out of this world and worth braving the world of slimy uncooked things.

Make sure to start your meal with their miso soup, which is always tasty, and the “yummy-yummy crispy tuna” (that’s their name, not ours) appetizer ($8.50), which was just that. We recommend following with the broiled salmon steak with teriyaki sauce entrée ($17), which comes with a side salad and a tasty sprinkling of sticky white rice. Also worth noting is the pan-roasted lobster tail ($25). Unfortunately, we discovered that the wine selection is very limited, so we recommend bringing your own selection and paying a minimal corkage fee, which appears to be negotiable as it was presented to us as somewhere between “$10 to $15” (we paid $8).

Most nights are quite busy, and at times waiting for a table is mandatory. Monday nights are much slower, but the tranquility is interrupted by a flat-screen television screaming Monday night football. If you can get past a bunch of sweaty men in tights pouncing on each other (which, don’t get us wrong, can be of fun), and wish to bring your own wine, this little find on Ventura Blvd. (near Coldwater) will lure you back for meal after meal.

The Scene: A yen for zen
Cuisine: Traditional Japanese and more
Must-try: Crispy rice with spicy tuna
Star rating: 2.5
Average cost: Entrées range from $15-$26

Yen Sushi and Sake Bar
12930 Ventura Blvd. #120
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 907-6400
Other locations in Century City and Belmont Shore, Long Beach

Read More......

Much to our friends shock and dismay, two years ago we moved ever so slightly over the top of Mulholland; we call it: “North Beverly Hills”, but our friends call it Studio City. Being the food snobs that we are, we got our passport and shots and ventured into “the Valley” looking for signs of life, and amazingly, we found it.

Amongst the host of mediocrity, we discovered five stand out restaurants within 3 miles of our home. Here is a small sampling of the best Studio City has to offer, covering all price ranges.

Our favorite pick of the litter, ”Max”, is the creation of Philippino owner and chef, Andre Guerrero (formerly of Saddle Peak Lodge). As a result, all his presentations have an Asian fusion influence that is both distinctly exotic and wonderful. Remember, Michael is the meat eater, so he simply couldn’t resist the Applewood Smoked Baby Back Ribs, which proved to be amongst the best he had ever tasted. Scott chose his favorite standard, Salmon, but this Peppercorn dusted salmon dish moved to the head of the class. It was so expertly and deliciously prepared that he ranks it amongst the finest he has experienced in Los Angeles. We highly recommend the Thai Lemongrass Coconut soup, which percolates just the right combo of herbs and spices. After dining here three times, each experience proved to be a great one, along with excellent service. The atmosphere is very “valley” understated but certainly appealing and with entrees priced from $18.50-$28.00, it will not put a dent in your purse.
Max (open 7 days for dinner)
Max Restaurant
13355 Ventura Boulevard
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
818-784-2915


When you have a craving for Mexican Food (and who doesn’t love those fat free, no carb chips and salsa?), not far down the road, you’ll find “Senor Fred”. Although most of the Mexican restaurants we’ve sampled on Ventura Boulevard leave your Pappi running for the border, there’s a reason why Senor Fred separates itself from the pack: it is also happens to be owned by the folks who own, Max. We have had two very pleasurable experiences there and one disappointing experience, with our 14-year-old godson, who was a good sport about his food never arriving, (but he filled up on perfect salsa and chips so he grinned and bore it). The Conchita Pabil, pork marinated in Banana leaves immediately brought Michael back to the years I spent in the Caribbean as a young boy; it is not to be missed. And for our women readers, the waitress, Cher, is such a hot tamale, she almost turned us around (emphasis on “almost”)! Most entrees are priced between $10.95 and $21.95.
Senor Fred (open 7 days for lunch & dinner)
13730 Ventura Boulevard
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
818-789-3200

If you want a totally unique food experience, try one of our favorites, “Yoshi’s Shabu Shabu”, If you’re not familiar with Shabu Shabu, It’s a Japanese eatery where you cook your own food right at your seat by dipping pieces of pork, prime beef or chicken into a pot of steaming hot water. They start you off with two little salads of cucumbers and spinach, each with just the right exotic spices. We’re getting hungry just writing about the experience! Keep in mind, the atmosphere is so downscale and devoid of style, that this in and of itself is part of the charm—along with blaring florescent overhead lighting that makes every gay man run for cover. The attentive service from the owners and the staff more than compensates for the accentuated lines one might notice on your neighbor’s face. The price of dinner for two (approximately $50) is so cheap you’ll almost forget you’re cooking your own food.
Yoshi's Shabu Shabu Restaurant (open for dinner Tuesday-Sunday)
13573 Ventura Boulevard
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
818-995-1660

“Albano’s Brooklyn Pizzeria” is neighborhood “run on in” kind of place that always delights our culinary senses. The style is “Brooklyn”, with red booths, simple tables and lots of pictures of mobsters and local celebrities (not mutually exclusive). The menu includes their homemade pastas (all of which are a attributed to “Mama Albano” by the owners, mama’s two handsome (and hunky sons) and extraordinary thin-crusted pizza. Most times, you might even find the boys themselves cooking in the kitchen. The storefront is spotless and offers indoor and outdoor dining (although outdoors offers a view of a parking lot facing Venture Blvd.). Be sure and check out Frankie, an adorable Italian boy from Eastchester, NY who knows what service is all about. We think he’s as straight as they come, but that doesn’t make his smile any less welcoming. We have been there many times and have never been disappointed. Dinner for two will run you approximately $30, unless a local “wise guy” wants additional “protection money”. Albano’s also has a more up-scale location on Melrose.

Albano's Brooklyn Pizzeria (open lunch & dinner 7 days)
12229 Ventura Boulevard
Studio City, CA 91604
818-760-8180
Albano's Brooklyn Pizzeria (open lunch & dinner 7 days)
7261 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, Ca.
323-934-2494



If you are a sushi eater, no doubt, you have heard the acclaim of “Sushi Nozawa”, infamously coined as the “Sushi Nazi”, after Seinfeld’s Soup Nazi, because the owner/chef is fond of yelling at you if he doesn’t like your order. Despite his ornery attitude, this is about as good as it gets as long as you ask for Chef’s special, $50-$75, plenty to satisfy the most die hard sushi fanatic. But remember, don’t ask for any substitutions or a California Roll, if you do, you will suffer the same fate as Nicolette Sheridan (which she recounted on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno), and be thrown out on your ears. It is worth putting up with as it has one of highest ratings in the Zagat Guide, as well as in the Michael and Scott Guide, and is worth the downside.
Sushi Nozawa open for lunch & dinner Monday-Friday
11288 Ventura Boulevard Suite C
Studio City, CA 91604
818-508-7017

SNAPSHOT: It may be slim pickings, but from Sushi to Pizza, folks are getting their passports and shots and venturing into “The Valley” for some mighty good eats.

Read More......

The Orchid
119 Broadway
Santa Monica, Ca. 90402
310 395 6037

Cuisine: Traditional Thai
The Scene: Storefront Chic
Must Try: Chaink Kai-Thai Mixed Drink
Star Rating: 3 of 4
Average Cost: $19-$27 Entrees


Sawadee Kap…Hello Santa Monica! One does not expect much from the restaurants surrounding the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica (except for, maybe, Jiraffe) but every now and then there’s a little gem. Michael was on the treadmill one day at the gym and met strikingly beautiful Toy from Thailand who told him that she had opened a chic new spot that offered the unusual combination of true Thai food and a pleasant ambience just off the hustle and bustle of the promenade. On our multiple visits, we had to agree and found the staff warm and charming, especially the good-looking host James and the handsome bartender Eric.

Toy worked for her brother in Bangkok creating a high-end restaurant, and imported the recipes and acumen to L.A. She had the wisdom to hire Eric--who also spent a few years working in the Bangkok bar scene--to designed the extensive exciting and extravagant bar menu; there is an active happy hour from 5 PM- 7 PM,, Monday-Friday, which is just perfect to “Thai one on”. Whether you sit at the bar or at a table in this simply lavender appointed storefront space, don’t miss out on our favorite drink, Chaing Kai-Thai, delivered flaming (unlike Eric but perhaps like some of the patrons), it is a perfect combination of Parrot Bay Mango & Pineapple, lime and 151 rum. The TKO was also yum as it packed a smart Muay Thai punch with Captain Morgan Spiced rum, shaved fresh ginger, lemon ginger, ginko-biloba, ginseng and royal jelly. All the drinks were served at a refreshing $10 each.

Don’t think that because the drinks excel, that the food is secondary. You will definitely notice Thai patrons (always a great sign) and everything we tasted was more mouth-watering than the next. The Tom Kah Gai, a Thai staple composed of spicy lemongrass-lime, galangal soup with coconut milk and plenty of chicken, is something we always order and at $7.00, we can’t say we have ever tasted one better prepared, exacting the correct amount of spices, chicken and coconut milk.

The Pineapple fried rice with a yellow curry flavor mixed with sweet Chinese sausage is surprisingly light and scrumptious and is available with Chicken at $12.00 or Shrimp at $16.00. A Thai meal wouldn’t be complete without noodles, and the Pad-Thai Noodles with rock shrimp offered up some of the best we’ve tasted. These pan-fried rice noodles are blended with tofu, bean sprouts, onions, egg and peanuts and is a Thai dish made to perfection. An unexpected surprise and one of the more expensive items on the menu is the seared Black Cod with sweet fresh mango at $22.00. James recommended it and we were thrilled he did. It isn’t something to order if you’re very hungry as the portions on this dish are conservative, but coupled with sautéed spinach it is one of the most healthy items on the menu and just wonderful to boot.

After dinner, walk around the corner and take a stroll on the 3rd street promenade; stop by our favorite jewelry store extraordinaire, Rafinity (where we purchased one of our wedding rings) and say hi to the muscle-shredded Rafi and his beautiful hottie Ann. Back outside and over the din of the undulating nightlife, if you close your eyes, you may just think you’re on Patpong Road in Bangkok where all you have to do is imagine the possibilities.

Read More......