Love f'n food!

Aroma Restaurant

2009-05-14T18:07:00.000-07:00

2903 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 644-2833
My husband and I are big fans of Aroma. The secret to truly enjoying this place is to go with the chef's specials. Nacho will tell you all about them!!! And make sure to bring in some great bottles of red from your own collection as the food here is rich. For example, try the crepe appetizer with truffles and parmesan, followed by the Ossobuco for your main course. Valentino veteran, Chef Edin Marroquin, has never let us down!

Barbarella Bar

2009-04-23T18:50:00.000-07:00

2609 N Hyperion Ave Silver Lake, CA 90027 (323) 644-8000

I actually like this place - and I thought I wouldn't since it was everything Silver Lake didn't stand for. I was dreading the opening of the big yellow bar with the half-naked lady as its logo. Turns out it's a female owner and the waitresses are awesome - even though they have to wear those black bustiers. This place is chic and beautiful enough to take my clients to and still laid back enough to meet with friends after work. Ah - and the happy hour prices seven days make this place A-OK in my book. For example, the other night, I had 2 nice glasses of wine and a delicious ahi tuna tartare for about $20 with tip - plus I was able to get work done with a client. Good stuff.

Pavilion Grille

2009-04-13T14:18:00.000-07:00

104-04 Ditmars Blvd. East Elmhurst, NY 11369
(718) 269-1756 | www.thepaviliongrille.com

I live in LA and frequent Mastro’s, Boa and STK. So when my friend dragged me out to her favorite new seafood and steak restaurant in Queens – at the Crowne Plaza airport hotel of all places, I said NO WAY! But somehow she convinced me to give it a chance. Well it’s a good thing I did. I was in a seafood mood that night so I started off with the lobster bisque and was so surprised at how rich and creamy it was. Next, I had the lobster ravioli which was beyond spectacular! I also had a bit of my friend’s filet mignon which was so soft and juicy, it melted in my mouth - next time I come to visit - I’m definitely ordering surf and turf! To top things off, my friend and I shared the French apple tart because we were just too full to eat much more but had to try at least one dessert. It was the best apple tart I have ever had. It was light and sweet – just a perfect way to end a scrumptious dinner.

Turns out the restaurant also offers themed nights and I hear someone from the Soprano’s is hosting a cigar night at the end of the month. Good times in Queens. I’ll be back to visit!!!

Cliff's Edge

2008-04-21T20:43:00.000-07:00

3626 Sunset Blvd. | Los Angeles, CA 90026
323.666.6116

Who would ever think that such a great restaurant would exist next to a 99 Cent Store! Cliff's Edge is definitely one of Silver Lake's best finds.

It's tucked away behind a parking lot and two great big gate-like doors. Once you enter through the wooden doors, it's as if you've left the grungier parts of Silver Lake and entered into an exotic restaurant in Indonesia.

Half of the restaurant is situated outdoors under a stunning ficus tree and the indoor area is just as inviting with the dark and sexy decor.

Now to the food.

They always have amazing specials such as the John Dory with grilled asparagus and the Rib Eye steak with potato au gratin and spinach. But my favorite dish - the one I always come back for - is the Sauteed Rainbow trout with shallots, lemon and parsley. My favorite appetizer is their fried calamari...it's one of the best I've ever had. As for my husband, he can't get enough of the Filet Mignon with scalloped potatoes. My mouth is watering just thinking about all this yummy goodness. And the wine selection perfectly matches the menu, with selected wines at cost! I highly suggest this place for a romantic evening with your loved one or for Sunday brunch with the family.

Papa Cristo's

2008-04-09T18:31:00.000-07:00

2771 W. Pico Blvd. | Los Angeles, CA 90006

323.737.2970

Opa! Papa Cristo sure knows how to make me do the "I'm so happy dance because this food is so damn good!" Three words: Rack of lamb. And it comes with potatoes that are marinated, roasted then sauteed with onions and spices. And what is it about their Greek salad that's so amazingly delicious? It's simple ingredients of iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and olives become perfect bites with Papa Cristo's home-made Greek dressing. And every meal comes with freshly made pita and tahini sauce you just can't get enough of. Other favorites - the gyro plate (I heart lamb) and their Baklava. I never drink milk, except when I have Papa Cristo's baklava. It's on Normandie and Pico - but don't let the location deter you from trying this very authentic and delicious Greek restaurant. They also have a small Mediterranean grocery so you can get some shopping out of the way!

Good Microbrew & Grill

2008-04-06T14:24:00.000-07:00

3725 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026

323.660.3645

Just about everything is good at Good - no matter what meal I'm there for. For breakfast it's perfect after one of those big party nights and you need to soak up the tummy with a good solid meal to survive through the day. I love their chicken and sun dried tomato omelette which can come with a side of grilled zucchini, tomatoes, or fruit. They've even got their own version of the grand slam meal which comes with the usual: thick pancakes, bacon and eggs the way you like it. Then for lunch, you can't go wrong with any of their sandwiches or salads. It all depends on my mood or how bloated I feel. On fat days, I usually go for the Good Salad which is your basic American greens with ranch dressing and a meatloaf with spinach on top. YUM! So not so healthy but at least no carbs. Then on days when I feel like I've hit the gym often enough, I go for the burger with mushrooms, swiss cheese and avocado - and fries gallore! For dinner - I like the Three Stooges Fried chicken - I share it with my honey. It comes with 3 huge pieces of fried chicken, mashed potato, sauteed veggies and a big a$$ biscuit. But the most important thing about this place is the BEER. Good has a selection of over 250 beers from around the world! OK writing that blog just made me really hungry - am off to have me a GOOD meal!!!

El Conquistador

2008-04-06T14:15:00.000-07:00

3701 W. Sunset Blvd. | Los Angeles, CA 90026

323.666.5136

I usually come here on a Friday afternoon - after a long and stressful work week. By the first margarita - life is usually happy again. But it's not just the stiff drinks. The restaurant decor is so festive that it puts a smile on my face as soon as I enter and makes me feel like I'm on vacation somewhere in Puerto Vallarta. Plus the staff's great too. My favorite meal: La Paloma - tender juicy steak with Spanish rice, beans, guacamole y mas! Next time you need to start the weekend off right - stop by this joint.

Katsuya (Vine & Hollywood)

2008-03-31T22:51:00.000-07:00

6300 Hollywood Blvd. | Los Angeles, CA 90028

323.871.8777

Just got back and I am super full. Katsuya in Studio City had always been one of my all time favorite sushi places so I was skeptical about this one. The first time I got to experience the Hollywood location was the day before it opened. Me and my friends were able to try everything - food, drinks and all sorts of desserts. To my surprise - they made the baked crab rolls and crispy rice tuna just as well as Studio City. The onions could have been crispier on the crispy onions with albacore dish. But overall - same great food and mostly at the same cost (except valet parking!). Of course, they do offer some pricier and fancier dishes on the menu like the black cod with miso, beautifully presented on a lotus leaf. Yum! They also have great martinis that are dangerously delicious (they're like those juice-like drinks that you don't realize how drunk you are by the 2nd round until you get up to take a bathroom break) and decent sake options that are affordable (try a bottle of the Bamboo Princess). Anyway - I thought it might have been a fluke since it was a special pre-opening night. Turns out they served consistently well night after night and the service is always impeccable. Since opening, I've been there about twice a month. In addition to the food, Katsuya Hollywood has been a great place to bring clients and co-workers to, plus friends around town and from out of town, and just regular ole dates with my husband. Just make sure to make a reservation - you're setting yourself up for disappointment by showing up without one.

Cobras and Matadors (Beverly)

2008-03-30T18:38:00.000-07:00

7615 W. Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036
323-932-6178

Cobras and Matadors on Beverly has been around for quite awhile, yet some people still don't know about this place and there are those - such as myself - who almost forgot about it. Beyond the BYOB and reasonably priced Spanish tapas, this cozy restaurant offers anything from oven roasted mussels with chorizo sausage to sweet potato fries, skirt steak, salmon and paella - all ranging from $6 to $20 only! It's perfect for a date or with a small group. Tonight, I came here with 3 friends and 3 bottles of wine and we must have sat, ate and laughed for over 3 hours. Good times, great food. My personal favorites were the grilled rack of lamb in a port honey reduction and the paella with clams, prawns, chicken and chorizo. Talk about perfect bites! I also enjoyed the mussels and couldn't quite figure out what the ingredients were in the broth - I tasted lots of butter, red wine (or maybe I had too much to drink), a hint of soysauce, sweetness from the chorizo, and something else. Let me know if you happen to know the secret ingredient. I definitely need to find my way back to this place again very soon!

This place gets really packed - so even when you have a reservation, you may be waiting a while. But the food is always worth the wait.

Anyone have any comments on the Hollywood location? I hear it's bigger and no wait at all - might not be a good sign though. Never been there myself - but if you have, let me know what you think of it.