Lots of tasting in LA
I have said many times that I am insanely spoiled when it comes to food. My Mom was an excellent cook, my Grandmother was an insane baker. I love doing both and have been practicing both since I was young. We live in NYC where the food is so good that sometimes the meals are better here than the countries that the recipes are derived from.
We are out in LA until the weather thaws in NYC. I miss my city but I do not miss the cold. Maybe it is just old age of I have just become a wimp.
We are making the food rounds in LA. I do not want to shoot down everywhere we go but have yet to have that many great meals. I did love Rustic Canyon and thought Smoke Salt Oil was good too. We are on the westside of LA so driving 45 minutes for a new place seems utterly ridiculous to me so we aren’t doing much of that.
We drove to the Brentwood Country Mart and dined at Farmshop. Loved the space. Nice local place to pick up cheese, wines, sandwiches, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Didn’t love the food.
Had the scallops for dinner. Nothing we had was over the top. Maybe it isn’t meant to be.
I have also been to Gjusta, the third spot opened from the expanding Gjelina empire. I loved Gjelina when it first opened. The space at Gjusta is amazing. Maybe we got the wrong thing but I was not blown away by the salads or the rotisserie chicken that made me thirsty the rest of the day.
We took a ride up to the Malibu Farm for lunch. The location is amazing. You overlook surfers heaven.
There is a small shop across the way that you can wander in to if someone holds you a spot on line. You have to stand in line and order at the register. They give you a number to take with you and place on your table. Eventually your meal comes.
The food wasn’t great.
I continue to seek out new places. Is it the NYer in me that is having a tough time?
Comments (Archived):
LOL. I don’t know if they will let you back in after his post, Joanne.Here are some of the places we enjoyed there, you may or may not like them:http://www.farmersmarketla.comhttp://slowfishusa.com
My friend who has lived her for 20 years and is from NYC is in my camp. 🙂
Some other choices:Toscana in Brentwood, an old favorite, I am sure you have beenScratch Bar on La Cienga if you are daringKiyokawa – Japanese, a little gem on RobertsonTrois Mec – Ludo LefebvreRepublique on La Brea – actually most of Bill Chait’s restaurants are quality Malibu Kitchen and Gourmet Market, great for sandwiches or more on the beach or food to go after spending time at the beachAlso at the Brentwood Country mart outside the Reddi Chick for their roasted chicken and fries, awesome.And if you have a couple of suggestions for restaurants in NYC for family gatherings of 8 to 10 people, I would be grateful.
We live in NYC where the food is so good that sometimes the meals are better here than the countries that the recipes are derived from.Doesn’t surprise me at all. Almost certainly as a result of the intense competition (and the sink or swim nature of things in NYC) as well as the high cost of doing business and constant pressure to stay above water. In the suburbs we are lucky to have 3 Italian restaurants to choose from and maybe 3 sushi places convenient enough to go to.The inverse of this is what my Dad used to tell me as a kid when we would be on the turnpike and have to stop for some food. Essentially the food doesn’t have to be good because the market is captive and has no where else to go to eat.
Is it the NYer in me that is having a tough time?The fact that you have to use a car (similar to what I mentioned in my other comment) has a lot to do with that. In NYC you either walk or take a cab. And with that cab ride you have, what, thousands of choices?In a car environment even a place like LA you probably don’t have thousands of choices. So once again people are more locked into where they will go then in NYC. Also the culture in LA (I thought this isn’t fact or anything) is more based on being seen then perhaps in NYC (speculation on my part once again..)Point being that competition and the fact that if you get a bad meal in NYC you don’t have to ever try the place again. If I get a bad meal where I am I will go back because there just aren’t that many convenient choices.
NYC is a very public place. LA is a private place.NYC people hang out in lobbies, walk the street, sit in restaurants and coffee bars forever.LA you spend a lot of time in your car and home. Not that there aren’t cafes and public places. It is just different.
I’ve always felt that the reason there are so many single people in NYC is that it’s so easy to be single in NYC (Manhattan) (at any age). [1] You would have cabin fever and go stir crazy anywhere else but NYC. In NYC there is enough energy (and forgetting things to do) that it’s easy to be single (my theory from spending just a little time there when I was dating..)[1] A corollary to this is “why that pet of yours is keeping you from finding true love…”
“Eventually your meal comes.” Lol.
NYC has more restaurants that feel special and great, while I like everyday food better in LA. Your basic Tuesday night salad or thai curry is tastier, fresher, and more packed with interesting vegetables in LA than in NY.Maybe try some more casual places?
we are. will try more!
As a NY native living in LA for the last 7 years, I can tell you with confidence the most interesting food is definitely not on the west side. Try Jitlada or Night & Market Song (Thai) Park’s BBQ (Korean), Guelaguetza (Oaxacan). If you want to try great Szechuan check out Chengdu Taste or Szechuan Impression. (It’s probably worth staying a night or two on the other side of town to explore)
the east side is much much better.agree!