hollywood

If you use a black olive, you get what Wambaugh calls The Black Marble.

There is a lift although you may have to wait in line for it. I've walked it.

Meanwhile, back in the swim of sushi, Sushi Ike at Hollywood & Gower is pretty good. Small neighborhood place. Don't order the combo plates--taste premade. Go with selections of individual stuff. More expensive that way but way better. Had an intriguing appetizer of monk fish liver. Almost like a cake of it, not at all like ankimo sushi.

Strange is a relative term. You're right, we are not up to SF or Manhattan. But it's cheaper here. The economics just don't exist to support the sort of fine dining of which you speak. And when things start getting good, the staff leaves, runs off to start their own places, etc. But, having all that in mind, we try. To appreciate the best food experiences that the greater LA area has to offer, you have to explore the different varieties of ethnic food, particularly Asian, not available elsewhere. An example would be Renu Nakorn in Norwalk for Thai or some of the Chinese spots in the San Gabriel Valley. However, if you are looking for a total dining experience--top food, top decor, top service--you will be disappointed as often as not. I'd be curious to hear your take on L'Orangerie on a good night.

But does it have culinary relevance?

Humble opinions are an oxymoron for some folks.

Last night I was surfing and chanced on part of "Ed." The doctor character was eating at the Stuckeybowl but couldn't be interrupted for conversation because he had "found Nirvana." He was eating a whole deep fried pie. Not one of those little pocket things from a vending machine or a fast food franchise but an entire pie. There was footage of an entire pie being lowered into a deep fat fryer. Does this happen? Any good? Didn't watch the rest of the episode so I don't know if the show had answers or not.

I'm not sure if it's square in Burgundy, but I'd return to Cote St-Jacques, both the hotel and the restaurant, in Joigny, on the Yonne.

lizziee, The special menu seems (notwithstanding certain comments on this thread) to remain constant. Just read someone's post on another site and their stuff matched up with yours except the fish and mystery butter.

You are far too reasonable and rational for this discussion. Hence, I completely agree with you.

Like your reports and the fact that you are demanding. With regard to course #5, I've heard that was sandre with hazelnut sauce. Would that change your view?

Wow, lizziee, terrific stuff. More please.

Sounds waycool.

You're right. Rick Caruso couldn't resist. He's on the Police Commission. And Park La Brea is doing that expansion thing to add to the mess. I find it's often easier (relatively speaking) to park at the Grove lot, get a free 1 hour validation at Barnes & Noble and then go to Farmer's Market. Producewise, there's more at the Hollywood Farmer's market on Sundays. Sigh.

Speaking of the Farmer's Market, what happened to the croque monsieur place across from Gumbo Pot? I liked their fries and sandwiches.

Is the guy with the blue beard still working there?

There's a DuPar's in Studio City. Don't know about one in Burbank. The best one is at Farmer's Market in West Hollywood.

Exactly. There's a cutting edge, avant garde, break the rules and beat them at their own game aspect to haute cuisine which prevents the Plotto Academy from coming up with a perfect form or definition of h.c. Expect the unexpected.

This ignorant country hick has found himself in the wrong thread. Who's Nina W. ? She's egullet's answer to haute couture.

I prefer Frank Zappa's oratorios.

Italy must be fainting from all this damn praise.

I'll drink to that. Of course, you could consider a rear guard action in Constantinople.

As long as it's got culinary irreverence.

Badoit, Sole, Olympia. $5-6 tops for a big bottle.