Ah, Santa M, Welcome, Ayana, to my home town. I have spent most of my life here. I like iCugini: Brunch is spendy ($50 each), but the nice jazz, and a huge selection of great food, make it a favorite destination. Note iCugini is owned by the same restaurant group as Ocean Ave Seafood (and Kings down in LB, and the Water Grill downtown, and a few other places I don't go to). They have a great happy hour (until 8PM) with lots of reasonably priced tasties. Typhoon: This is where I think of when people mention eating insects. The owner, Brian, keeps the food close to its origin - this is not PF Changs. Jack G is one of the managers there, and a great person. The Hump: Upstairs from Typhoon, a truly beautiful sushi bar. High end, so bring your cc. The omokase can get very expensive if you start getting the live crab (seasonal) or some of the more outre things. I just ask them to make me some sashimi, then some sushi - one piece for the sushi. Mori: While not in SM (WLA, on Pico), this is the best sushi bar in the area (actually, I think it's the best in Southern California, but I haven't been everywhere). The style is very minimalist. I saw Irene Virbila eating here once, and I believe it was a non-review night. Again, expensive, but worth saving your money for. Broadway Deli: You mentioned Cora's. Same owner. I like the thin pizzas, and during their happy hour, they are very reasonable. They also have a Wine Bar, which has both red and white flights, and changes weekly. Ocean Ave Seafood: Excellent food. Ate there last night. All of their entrees are good, although the whitefish is boring. They have a happy hour, but it ends pretty early. If you like Oysters, this is the place to go. Sushi Roku: Next door to OAS, you're probably familiar with this place. It's SM branch is a little small, and hard to get into. I prefer the one on 3rd. Boa: Across the street from SR, an excellent steakhouse (I don't eat steak, but I can tell a good one when I see it). I had the grilled Salmon last Sunday, and it was excellent. On Sunday (nights at least) if you order an entree, wine by the bottle is half price off. Father's Office: I used to live a few blocks from there, and was a regular. It's too crowded now, so if I go, it's after 11PM. Food is good, but you have to buy into the "no changes" thing, hard for many westsiders to do. On Wilshire between 4th and 5th is a Japanese "Tapas" place. I want to go, but it's always crowded. Also open late. I love the Famima too. Neat food and drink. Sorry for going on so long, but there's a lot to say. I would continue, but I have an 8PM reservation at Michael Mina (I'm in San Francisco). Good Eating!!
