attn: foodies in SW
 

looking for interesting and hopefully reasonable food experiences in the following locations (interesting outweighs reasonable):

Pasadena
Las vegas
Mesa AZ
williams, AZ area--grand canyon
santa barbara, CA
Temcula, CA
ontario airport area, CA
redlands, CA

thanks for any suggestions
palm dessert/palm springs area

ttt

wow...no suggestions from anyone....on the asia board i would have had at least 20 by now????

I can't help with anything other than Las Vegas, but that should be the easiest for you to do a search on. There are hundreds of threads regarding dining in vegas. Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance, but I don't know these other areas. The only time I go to Pasadena is to go to Huntington Gardens, and I usually eat there.

My friend in Pasadena is going to take us to the Arroyo Chop House next time we are in town.
Sorry my Santa Barabara, Temecula and Palm Springs dining info is out of date.

My mother in law says Ponte Winery Smokehouse in Temecula is very good for lunch:
http://www.pontewinery.com/php/index...ion=smokehouse

Bob, Just noticed your post on my way to the Asia board. Happy to help you out after all your brilliant BKK advice.

Santa Barbara -
La Super Rica - Funky taco place originally discovered by Julia Child. Incredible, authentic Mexican street food. People drive all the way from LA to eat there. Arrive early, long lines.

Arigato Sushi - Once a cute brick-wall neighborhood spot, now an instituiton. Famous for delicious, creative hand rolls.

Trattoria Mollie - in Montecito. Excellent Tuscan, wonderful pasta and thin-crust pizza, somewhat pricey.
This was our standby Italian in SB, then was recommended by Oprah (in CA every restaurant has to have a celeb attached!)

Pasadena -
Xiomara - Fun eclectic Cuban/Neo-Latino, fabulous Mojitos
Saladang Song - Modern Thai, some think the best Thai in the LA area
(there's a traditional Thai next door, same name, same owners, both crowded)

Palm Desert Area:
Blend (I believe it's in La Quinta)
hot new special occasion place, Calif. cuisine, currently every foodie's favorite restaurant in the desert.

Blend is in La Quinta.

Desert Sage also reopened in LQ, another nice spot.

I second Arroyo Chop House in Pasadena. Also good for steak: Smittys and JJ's Steakhouse

Other options: Akbar (Fair Oaks and Union) for Indian; Pie & Burger (California just east of Lake); Crepe Vine (in Miller's Alley in old town); El Cholo (Mexican) is also a local favorite.

Also, near the Ontario airport you must try every Angeleno's favorite fast food burger, In 'n Out. It's a CA/AZ/NV chain (and craze) with two drive thrus in Ontario. Very simple menu: freshly-prepared burgers, homemade fries, shakes w/real ice cream. I normally hate fast food, but look forward to road trips so I can have their incredible fries (order them "crispy"). You can also get a custom protein wrap, which is a beef patty wrapped in iceberg lettuce.

perfect...just what i wanted!!! any more??

bob

THANKS

Make sure you order your Double-Double at Inn n' Out with grilled onions. Very important.

In Las Vegas, try Lotus of Siam. It's as good as any of the Thai food you've had in BKK.

I'm dying to get to Vegas to try Mix (at THEHotel)...gets fabulous reviews.

Have you checked out chowhound.com and roadfood.com?

I second the suggestion about the grilled onions at In 'n Out - they're essential.

Also for the LA area's best dives and ethnic places (all very reasonable) check out Jonathan Gold's book or Counter Intelligence column in the L.A. Weekly:

http://www.laweekly.com/index.php?op...amp;Itemid=122

Are you limited to just Mesa? I really don't venture out there. In Phoenix I have a couple of suggestions/ There's AWESOME Mexican food at Carolinas www.carolinasmex.com and Rustler's Rooste www.rustlersrooste.com has a pretty spectacular view and serves rattlesnake as an appetizer option.

Not sure if you're looking for any specific type of food, but those are two of the places I often take guests from OOT

~christine

any more great suggestions??

Palm Springs: Johannes, where you can get ahi tartare and wienerschnitzel on the same menu :)

Riverside, CA: The Mission Inn- Just for the architecture.

Near Temecula - A stop at Tom's Farms is alway interesting for some fresh California fruits and nuts.

For Pasadena: new place called Central Park, very good food, upscale casual, not pricy. Across the street from Saladang Song (I prefer it to Saladang which is across the parking lot) is Gale's - good Italian fare, cozy place.
Bob and Karen you have both been so generous with your posts in Asia; if you want to email make me directly [email protected], I can give much more Pasadena info (I'm a local), would be fun to meet for a drink if that works for you.
Best
Robbie (Roberta)