08/24/2009
Situated near the entrance of the Landmark Theaters on Pico and Westwood boulevards, Westside Tavern is helmed by executive chef Warren Schwartz, who was formerly the execute chef at Whist in Santa Monica’s swanky Viceroy Hotel. Prior to Whist, chef Schwartz led a successful stint at Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas, and I can tell you the nice folks in Calabasas are going to want him back after reading this review.
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Recommended Dishes:
Duck confit, flat-iron steak, spit-roasted chicken, day-boat scallops

 
08/17/2009
This Monterey Park seafood eatery specializes in crab and lobster preparations, and also has an excellent lunch menu with dozens of tasty $10-and-less dishes
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Recommended Dishes:
Seafood bean curd, scallops with asparagus, garlic crab, Chiu Chow chicken

 
08/14/2009
Where dry-aged goodness meets a no-alteration policy.
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08/09/2009
A dining experience like no other --  LudoBites presents Michelin-star food with a casual, up-beat vibe and entertains the palate with items such as foie gras cupcakes and liquefied chorizo.
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08/07/2009
An eccentric Japanese bar and izakaya serving deep-fried delicatables at college-friendly prices. Go for the wings, stay for the vibe.
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07/31/2009
Sangria and local brews served with a helping of Tater Tots and mac and cheese. The Must combines the complex flavors of its wine and beer selection with down-to-earth comfort food in a gastropub setting.
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Recommended Dishes:
Mac and cheese, fluffernutter, portobello sliders

A solid breakfast place in Thousand Oaks.
07/13/2009
Stopped by one morning with the guys before our weekly golf outing. I really couldn't find any faults with this place. Our breakfast was quite a good deal and the service/decor just about right for the price. I got the waffle/egg/bacon combo. The waffle was huge, probably 10" square of Belgium waffle goodness, and the "one" egg it came with was more like three eggs, hard scrambled.  Each of us ordered coffee and I noticed we all got different mugs -- good luck finding this kind of charm at your local Denny's. Overall it was a great meal and I'll definitely be back when I'm in the area.

Recommended Dishes:
Waffle, biscuits and gravy

07/13/2009
A decent and perhaps the only pho place in the Sawtelle area. I usually get the brisket pho ,and at 9 bucks it's not exactly cheap, but I do feel the quality and quantity of the meat is respectable. I sometimes get the tofu salad but during the last visit, the tofu was tasteless and too cold, as if it was in its last stage of defrosting.

I've been to some good pho places in Westminster/Garden Grove, and of course PhoReign is not going to be as as tasty or as cheap, but it is within walking distance to us for when we have a pho/bun craving.

Recommended Dishes:
Pho with brisket, bun

Go for the burger, stay for the vibe
07/13/2009
The 8oz burger is good, not great, but when you throw in the truffle potato skins, a few draft beers from local breweries, and a room full of Melrose hipsters, then the overall experience is kicked up a few notches.  And at $10, I can't say the quality and taste of the burger is worth the 3X in price over the one at Big Tomy's near my house, but there's a price to be paid if you want a burger on Melrose from the former Table 8 chef. Street parking was plentiful on a Saturday night, and our attentive server did a fine job with drink recommendations.  We were informed that the cupcakes were made in-house; we didn't have room for dessert but guess what I'll be having next time I go?

Overall, if you come here in search of the world's best burger, then I think you're going to be disappointed, but if you show up with a few friends looking to have a good night with good food and easy parking, then expect to be impressed. I'll definitely be back.

Recommended Dishes:
8oz burger, truffle potato skins