Cali, have you been to Franco's Trattoria on Greenleaf? I wonder what you think about it. I have mixed feelings after
a few visits. It seems like a good idea, family owned, "fresh every morning" ingredients, "not Olive Garden" but ......

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/966052

I accidentally came upon the above photos. This is what was served, at Maude, when I was there in February... minus, of course, some substitute dishes that were done for me. I'm excited about returning next month and hopefully also in May.

Happy Travels!

WOW!! So lovely and looks delicious as well, Guenmai! Thanks for posting them.

I think we need to start having LA area GTG's and trying out some of these restaurants. I don't even technically live in LA (San Diego) but am in the area all the time for work and visiting DD in Long Beach. We should had least try to plan one and go from there. There are definitely plenty of us and it would be fun to try out some of these places.

SeaUrchin, we have not tried Franco's Trattoria yet. Have heard of it but just never seem to get there. We do go to Vintage which is right across from Phlight and have liked that. Have also been to Seta and our meals there have been hit and miss. Sometimes have had really good food and other times have been disappointed. Might be what I order each time.

"socialworker on Mar 13, 14 at 3:14pm
WOW!! So lovely and looks delicious as well, Guenmai! Thanks for posting them."

You're welcome, socialworker. Hope you're having fun here in our wonderful city. Can't beat the weather or fresh produce, huh? Smiles.

Happy Travels!

Had another meal at Maude Restaurant. This month revolves around peas and was even better than my incredible meal in February (citrus month). Below is the menu of what is being served this month. I had some slightly different items in order to take in consideration my food allergies and that I don't eat meat/poultry. I was substituted more fish dishes.

Burrata- (delicious)
Rabbit Pie- (I had pea pie)
Dim Sum- (delicious)
Fritter- (really delicious)
Gyro- (I don't remember this one-I'd need to look at my notes)

Spring Salad: cucumber lemonade, radish flowers, asparagus-(delicious)

Peas and Carrots: pea, carrot puree, mint (beyond delicious) (pea soup)

Ocean Trout Cruda : pea leaves and flowers, wasabi snow (beyond delicious)

Vitello Tonnato: sweetbreads, pearl onions,wood sorrel (delicious-I had a modified version)

Bouillabaise Ravilolo: crab, shrimp, goat cheese ( I had fettucine made of pea flour) (beyond delicious). I don't remember what the sauce was, but it had a citrus tang to it.

Lamb Neck: chanterelles, ramps, potato ) (I had a different potato dish)

Frangipane Tart: strawberry,tarragon cream,tangerine sorbet (delicious- also included was something like shortbread with a layer of strawberry jam between the layers)

It was another well worthwhile meal and I have another reservation, but for a different month.

Happy Travels!

A few weeks ago we finally hit Bäco Mercat in downtown Los Angeles. For the most part, we really enjoyed it. We were lucky to get a seat outside (inside is pretty loud). The dinner was really good with terrific service. The desserts, however, were a letdown. Her's my little review with photos.

http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...ena%2C_CA.html

((H))

Thanks, Maitaitom: I've bookmarked that one,too. It's nice to gather a collection of restaurants in downtown L.A., as I seldom eat down there. But, I do go to concerts and other events down there and it's nice to have restaurant choices.

Oh, speaking of downtown L.A., I wonder if Clifton's cafeteria has reopened. My family ate there over my entire childhood. We'd drive from Pasadena. It brings back some great memories.

Happy Travels!

http://www.zagat.com/b/los-angeles/1..._campaign=LA#1

I saw the above article and thought it was interesting. I love Tender Greens and go to the Pasadena location quite regularly. The Thai shrimp salad is really good as is the vegan salad. I also love the lemonade and the olive oil cake. There are other items that are also really good.

Happy Travels!

We have not been to Tender Greens in a long time, but whenever we pass the SM location, the line is always out the door and we will be sure to give it another try! We used to like Coral Tree but have had some blah food there recently with the salad greens being watery, which is unforgivable for a salad place!

Last Friday, we ate here, http://www.theaddictionbistro.com as we were going to a show nearby at Largo, and wow was it good! Everything homemade, down to the ketchup, and they say that everything on the menu is available gluten-free, which means that if and when my brother who has celiac disease visits LA, that this place will be on our list! It was so cute and cozy and reminded me a lot of the very cute, small places we frequented when we were in Edinburgh last year!

Yes, watery greens in a salad place is unforgivable and especially here in L.A. where salad has been king for decades. Smiles. My little, side salad at The Habit is right on spot every time and that's a fast food place.

Happy Travels!

Hi Guenmai...Clifton's has not yet re-opened. I check their website periodically, as that would be fun to go back to.

((H))

It's way behind schedule for reopening. I miss the place. Smiles.

Happy Travels!

Some of these places are sounding pretty fancy.

But there's a new place in Redondo Beach for true locals. Jus' Poke. It's amazing, very reasonably priced and even though it's only been open a few months, already has lines out the door at lunch. http://www.juspoke.com

It's great to have a wide variety of places to choose from. And there are a lot of locals at a lot of these restaurants whether in a low or higher price range. I go out a lot and meet a lot of folks in various restaurants.

As I was leaving Maude, recently, a couple stopped me on the street and asked how the food was. They were locals and mentioned that they lived walking distance around the corner and were out walking their dog when they stopped to peep inside the restaurant.

I hope posters continue to post all types of restaurants.

Happy Travels!

Don't get me wrong! Maude is definitely on my list!

<<But there's a new place in Redondo Beach for true locals. Jus' Poke.>>

Would that be "true" CA locals or "true" HI locals?

I think any locals that like super fresh ahi poke.

http://killershrimp.com/

For the Easter meal, we dropped into Killer Shrimp in Marina Del Rey. I had a mahi mahi burger that was really good. We arrived around 2:30 and walked in and easily got a table. When we left, all tables were full and there was a line. They don't take reservations, but I definitely plan to go back.

Another seafood restaurant, really good, is Parker's down in Long Beach. Or family has been eating there for years. It's one of my favorites.

http://parkerslighthouse.com/


Happy Travels!