Beachfan

What are you looking for in a brunch? The Ritz Carlton in marina del rey might have a nice buffet.

I had a very nice meal at Campanile tonight. I had a gander at their Thursday grilled cheese menu, looked very interesting. Has anyone been? Comments?

Really easy salmon Get the gas barbeque really, really hot Get a nice dry rub spice (I like the Asian spice rub available at Whole foods) If it's a filet, 4 minutes on one side, two on the other. Some people might say the Asian spice mix is too spicy for Pinot, but not me. However there are many other ones out there. People think my grilling is brilliant, but the only real trick is getting the bbq really hot so you sear the outside and keep the inside moist.

Great tip! I'm there. I love the restaruant, the deli sounds cool.

Sona dramatically upgraded their wine list recently, it doesn't bear any resemblance to the old one.

Nice post, thanks. Did you have wine?

My dinner last night at La Rossetta was mixed. The spagetti with shrimp, zucchini flowers, and percorino wasnt in the top 10 pastas I've had in the last 3 weeks. Or even top 15. At 30 euros, it should have been. On the other hand, the scorpion fish with onions, spinach, lobster medallions and shellfish was the best main course I had in Italy this trip, and second only to an appetizer in Venice. Even though the lobster medallions were not medallions, just pieces. Service was weak. On the other hand, they had some a good selection of wine in 375 mls.

I have been in Roma for the last few days, doesn't seem more expensive than NYC. Ditirambo was great. La Rosetta was mixed (considering cost). Uno e Bino was very good for the money, but out of the action in San Lorenzo.

Sounds great. I have been out of town this month, so no LA food, and very little internet.

That's an interesting comment. The quality of Tomoe's food is right up there with the best NYC sushi restaurants. Sure, they don't have eleven kinds of Yellowtail like Sushi Yasuda, but that's not their competition. There's a reason the line is so long; it's the gigantic sushi/sashimi combination for ~$25. Must sushi be artful? Tomoe's best yellowtail wouldn't get in the door at Yasuda.

Could be that Lupa reloaded on the wine, and had to pay higher prices in euro's (and definitely in dollars).

The short bald guy or the young guy with the goatee? The young guy was very nice; I was there twice in 8 days, remembered me, was gracious, etc. You have to cut short bald guys slack. After all, they have a lot to compensate for. If you want to really see sparks fly, we should be there when another short bald guy comes in and is kept waiting by the host short bald guy for 40 minutes. PS apologies in advance to all the nice short bald guys out there.

Although I'm a Babbo lover, I agree the waiting area is intolerable. They should not have the walk in tables; they should be just for people waiting. I get there late for late tables, early for early tables, and don't bother with prime time tables.

I've been to Babbo 6 times, very good to great meals each time. Went twice last week. There grilled octopus is the best anywhere. The sommellier always finds me interesting wines for under $50. I've been to Lupa 3 times. Also very good to excellent, but not on the same level. Lupa may be a little more value, but it's more like half the price for 2/3 the meal.

Suprised that dfunghi didn't mention Wine Cask. I love it, (based on 3 times).

You're better off getting a corn rye with seeds at Gelson's. Even for lox.

The Sonoma Mission Inn's restaurant is very good.

Great pics Foodzealot! It was great meeting you. I'm the guy with the beard somewhat inexplicably partially hidden with the beard. I'm not shy. My wife Sandra is in front of me (in blue).

3 cheers for Tissue for hosting a way cool event!!!!! My favorites - vegetarian dumplings (spinach and kasha?), and that unusual bun at desert (black on the inside, somewhat nutty).

I'm gettin excited.....!!!!

Was it crowded?

See the recent post for my comments on Melisse (linking doesn't seem to be working). As far as Saddle Peak; it's a lovely lodge type place but I wouldn't think of it as a place you would come to LA for, it's more a place you go to instead of getting out of LA. Elk is the main draw. If you really, really, want game, go. If not, then it's further down the list. I've been twice, once ok and once excellent.

If you haven't been to Sona, it might fit the bill. Everyone is in black, but people of all shapes and ages. Definitely don't need a jacket there.

Oh, it's been a while, but the pasta special is what I usually go for.

Try the pasta or the daily roast meet.