Category Archives: Uncategorized

Dine LA: Cobras y Matadors

Cobra Pork Sushi The second location of Cobra & Matadors is a warm, inviting restaurant that invites lingering. Diners share small plates and feed each other delicious bites that are exotic, yet comfortingly familiar. It is hip enough for your … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

DineLA: Ciudad

Last week I put on a fancy dress and hit Ciudad. Of all the DineLA restaurants so far, this was the highlight. The open expanse of the room seemed a little chilly and impersonal at first, but little touches like … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

DineLA: Vermont

Vermont was my favorite neighborhood “upscale” joint when I lived in Los Feliz. Not only was the food outstanding, but the service was attentive to the point of obsequiousness. Once during a particularly romantic meal, a waiter casually dropped a … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

King’s Head Clam Chowder

The King’s Head is arguably home to the best fish and chips in Los Angeles. Sadly, the fish and chips get so much attention that the clam chowder is not given its rightful due. Let me make up for that … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

DuPar’s Chicken Pot Pie

Dupar’s is known for its delicious pies, so it naturally follows that they would have a kick-ass chicken pot pie. Really, its only competition in town is Musso and Frank’s, and I still think Dupar’s has them beat. The thick, … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

The Cat and Fiddle’s Mulled Wine

I have always had something against mulled wine. Besides it having the viscousity of blood, I just imagine Will Farrell and Rachel Dratch’s “Lovers” characters from SNL drinking hot mulled wine to wash down the juices of their roasted goat … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

O’Brien’s Kioki

In addition to your usual Irish Coffee, O’Brien’s in Santa Monica serves five other fun alcoholic coffee drinks. The Nutty Irishman, made with Frangelico, was beckoning (why are nutty Irishmen in bars always beckoning? Must be my red hair. And … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

dineLA Restaurant Week

Click here for my report Share on Facebook

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Hotta Hotta Chocolata

Every once in awhile something is so surprisingly good that you never forget the first time you tried it. I was standing around a giant campfire freezing my ass off somewhere near the Ortega Highway when a fellow camper handed … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

La Luz del Dia’s Champurrado

There is a common misconception that we don’t have seasons in Los Angeles. We know when the seasons are changing. There are two distinct events that herald the coming winter: the Christmas displays replace the Halloween merchandise, and the lunch … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Nate n Al’s Mish Mash Soup

The weather outside is frightful, but here inside Nate ‘n Al it’s toasty and warm. The waitress treats you like she’s your mom, chiding you if you don’t eat enough soup. Nothing takes the chill off like a big, hot … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Bistro Provence’s Beef Bourguignon

Sometimes when the weather or the world is a little too harsh, I get a craving for something I call “Mom food”. Most people call it comfort food. Stew is the quintissential mom food, and Bistro Provence in Burbank serves … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Tam O’ Shanter’s Hot Toddy

A feeling of familiarity always comes over me when I escape from the cold and the rain into the warmth and comfort of the Tam O’Shanter. Maybe it’s because I grew up in Scottish pubs. Maybe it’s because my mother’s … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Party Food: Mushroom Tartlets

Wild Mushroom Filo Cups These tartlets are a great appetizer for a holiday party. They can be prepared ahead of time and keep well. They are popular, elegant, vegetarian, and best served at room temperature. Helpful friends don’t need any … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Party Food: White Trash meatballs

This is the recipe that will bar me forever from the Cordon Bleu, that will cause Anthony Bourdain to look upon me with scorn; it is cooking’s dirty little secret. I first discovered these meatballs at a raging 4th of … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment