kai-m

George's at the Cove - if you can get a table with a view on the terrace it is just great!. And the food is pretty good as well.

For a change, I will give a foreigner's view of Alinea... We visited Alinea on our Chicago trip as one of our two "fine dining" nights in Chicago (the other was Moto, write up follows...). But actually I don't think that the old-fashioned term "fine dining" does justice to Alinea - Alinea is, as many here know, rather an overall "experience" than a mere "dinner". And I mean that in the best sense. To put it in one sentence: our evening at Alinea was, in my opinion, the best dinner of our 3 1/2 week tour through the US...(my fiancee liked LA's "Providence" better). I won't give a dish by dish account of the menu, since many dishes have been discussed before - and because I don't really think that the Alinea experience is about individual dishes. To me, it is about the overall experience -the mixture of a nearly flawless, ballet-like service, the reduced, Zen-like and atmospheric interieur design, a very "concentrated", yet surprisingly relaxed and funny staff and, of course, the unusual dishes. Even though I really have a hard time remembering most of the dishes we had, I found the whole experience just wonderful - it was like we didn't want it to stop...which shows once again that you just cannot separate the food from all the other factors in a dining experience. Sure, the servers might (to some) seem "intrusive" or "self important" at times, interrupting a conversation to explain the next course or talking endlessly about the wine. But if you know this in advance, it can be part of the fun – to us, it was! We had the "Tasting", which amounted to 18 "bubbles" on the printed menu we were given at the end. I had the upgraded wine pairing and the only irritation of the evening was that the sommelier was reluctant to split the pairing for my fiancee and me – he just offered to give her a "pour" of each wine. In he end this was okay since my fiancee doesn't drink much wine (and prefers red) and I ended up drinking her "pours" as well on many courses. Still, it was a bit strange service-wise. (But apart from that the sommelier is a really nice and cool guy!) But to talk a bit more detailed about the food: Most of the dishes tasted really good, but only 5 were truly "outstanding": "Celery, pork belly, shiso, sudachi" "Wagyu, maitake, date, bliss elixir" "Rhubarb, ginger, basil" "Strawberry, violet, olive" "Sorrel, honey, fennel, poppy seeds" These dishes were original, innovative and – had a lot of taste. Really some of the best I ever had. But maybe it says something about Alinea's cuisine that 3 of the 5 are "one biters". Many other dishes, especially the "bigger" courses, didn't leave such a lasting impression, taste-wise. They were all good to very good, of course, but not as memorable. There was even one glitch, namely that the "Lamb, potato, sunflower, sweet spice" course was barely lukewarm – but this was the weakest course anyway, mostly because the potoato-chip-like-"sculpture", in which the lamb was wrapped, was totally trivial and distracted way too much from the rest. The "Duck, foie gras, mole flavors" course, on the other hand, would have made my top-list, but it was so intense and rich that it would have been better as a 1- or 2-biter. The size that it was, so late in the menu, it lost impact. Same with the "whole wheat, almond, apricot, chervil" dessert – very nice, but way to rich (and not so well balanced: the whole wheat was way too much in relation to the other ingredients) The hot potato/cold potato was very good, as well, but maybe I expected too much after reading so much about it – it left me underwhelmed (but the "hot" potato was only lukewarm, so maybe the dish didn't work as well as it should/could.) And after looking into Achatz' cookbook I think that with some dishes there is a discrepancy between the amount of work that goes into the preparation and the effect/taste of the final product (the "transparency" would be an example). Anyway, what I want to say with those critical points is that even though not all dishes at Alinea are "great", I think that Alinea is a great restaurant, for the reasons given above. Upon analyzing the menu afterwards, one could even come to the conclusion that Alinea's cuisine, especially given the price, is not as good as so many people say. But somehow these guys work magic – and it makes one (or me, at least) want to go back as soon as possible... greetings kai

We had dinner at The Better Half back in september. The place itself is nice, service is good and one can sense that they try to find a way between "fine dining" and "casual bistro". Unfortunately the food is not very good, though. Many dishes were way too sweet, due to some stuffing or some chutney or some side. Some meats were overcooked and the fish on the table next to us had a heavy smell to it... Even the tiny sorbet that came between starter and main (nice gesture!) was way too sweet. The actual dessert was announced as "creme brulée with berries" - well, the "berries" were exactly 1/2 strawberry on top of the creme... The wines (by 1/2 bottle, thus the name of the place) were rather expensive - barely something under 25$ (for 1/2 bottle at a bistro...). Our lunch at George's in La Jolla was very good, though! Nice pasta with lamb and very good sandwiches (and a very charming red-headed-waitress from germany ). The view on the terrace is magnificent. greetings kai

We had the "milk chocolate, banana, coffee-urfa" - it was nice, of course. But not half as intriguing as the pre-dessert, which, I think, was similar to your "Pear" dessert, only with curry added. But I kow too little about the california restaurant scene to compare those desserts to those at other places (but if Providence's are "the best" in the state, well...). Anyway: You had 6 desserts? So I guess that the "chefs menu" is the "full tasting" plus those numerous desserts? Had I known that I would have ordered that menu, too. (And in this case there seems to be no need to come twice, since you get like 2-in-1: the full tasting *and* the dessert tasting...).

How do you know that?

Congratulations on the second Michelin star**!! There were moments in our meal where I saw it coming (and there were moments, where I didn't...).

To answer my own question: The Spotted Dog in Springdale is really good! Very solid and partly ambitious bistro food (excellent "tasting of creme brulee") in a nice setting - casual attire definitely accepted...

On our visit to Los Angeles in september we had a very good to excellent meal at Providence. We came from Chicago, were we had an excellent meal at Alinea, so the stakes (that he right word?) were rather high...and what can I say: my fiancee at least liked Providence even better! (Me, I think it is too different to compare) Anyway: I don't want to list all the courses, but rather give an overall impression. We had the 8-course-menu (the first dessert on the menu is not a 9th course, but a very small pre-dessert) for 120,-. The product quality was top notch from start to finish - I have rarely had such a quality fish at a restaurant. We got 6 amuses bouches in 2 courses - especially the 2nd three were terrific. The dishes of the menu are not what one would consider very "modern" or "avant garde". Providence features, in my opinion, a very product-oriented cuisine, that tries to enhance to qualities and bring out the flavor of the central ingredient, especially when it comes to fish. The dishes might even seem "simple" to some, but I would rather call it a "reduction" in the best sense. The flavor-palette is mostly very delicate and subtle - but not without bursts of very intense aromes (a wonderful red-wine-reduction with the grilled salmon). The weakest part of the meal was the dessert, I must say: a not very inspired pairing of milk chocolate and banana; the coffee&urfa ice cream was good, a bit too peppery, though. The pre-dessert (raisin, pear, curry, hazelnut) on the other hand was outstanding, as were the petits fours and the pralinés, that you can get at the restauarnt in a little box (thanks, russell!!). This was our 2nd visit to the restaurant (see above) and the menu was clearly a step forward from 2 years ago. But looking back, apart from the overall product quality Iam still not sure if I really see a 2nd michelin* here - can't wait to see the upcoming results... Regarding the service: Greeting by the host was a bit formal, not what one (or a foreigner at least) would expect in california. But overall the atmosphere was very nice and very relaxed. Providence is elegant, but not stuffy or a (thank god!) "hipster hot spot" - it is a place for "normal" people who go to a restaurant for the food and are able to appreciate first rate cuisine. Service (by Steve) was excellent - and what a nice coincidence: they even have a german waiter! I just find it sad that virtually no american finde dining restaurant offers american sparkling wines by the glass - especially for interested foreigners this would be really great (and I don't go to the US to drink overpriced french champagne...) Apart from that I have just two critical remarks: when you order the 5-course-menu you seemingly get less amuses bouches than when you order the full tasting and no pre-dessert. This didn't concern us here, since we had the full tasting; nevertheless I find this a bit ungenerous (I don't know if this is the right english expression). Such a "2-class"-treatment would be unthinkable in europe. Same goes for the fact that they charge you extra when you exchange one course from the tasting menu with a similar course from the a la carte menu - very strange... Nevertheless, Providence will always be on my list for visits in LA.

Hi all, I"ll be in Vegas for 2 nights and need some dinner advice: On one night we (2 persons) will dine at one of the Emeril's restaurants, since we have a gift voucher (150$). The question is: which one? Any suggestions? Delmonico and Table 10 both sound interesting... For the other night Iam still unsure...are the top end places like Michael Mina, Alex or Picasso really worth the price? From what I saw and read they seem like your average french cuisine-based fine dining restaurant to me. Nothing special. (We come from great dinners at Chicago's Alinea and L.A.'s superb Providence, so the stakes are high...on the other hand we now had to suffer through 10 days of eating in rural Arizona and Utah, so we might be thankful for anything that is not a bad burger, inedible beef ribs or terrible steak with even worse fries... ). Robuchon and Savoy are not an option - way overpriced in my opinion. Any thoughts about Bouchon? The menu doesn't look too intriguing imho. Thank you all! regards kai

Hello, we'll be in Page around september 30th for 2 nights. Can anyone recommend some decent restaurants in the area? (Steaks or Burgers or Asian or...) And some breakfast places? Thanks very much greetings kai

Hi everyone, we'll be in Bryce and then in Zion/Springdale at the beginning of october for some nights. Can anyone recommend some decent restaurants? (Steaks or Burgers or Asian or...) And some breakfast places? Thanks best regards kai

Hi everyone, we'll be in Flagstaff at the very end of september for 2 nights. Can anyone recommend some decent, not too touristy restaurants? (Steaks or Burgers or Asian or...) And some breakfast places? (Preferably something where they serve good capuccino and some nice sandwiches. Not that undrinkable starbucks crap...). Thank you! regards kai

Schwa doesn't take reservations so far in advance. At least that's what they told me when I got a real person (!!) on the phone at the beginning of july and tried to reserve for mid-september ("we haven't even got a book yet for september...") ...6-8 weeks seems to be the usual time frame. Anyway, good luck! - after that conversation I have been calling every day since the beginning of august and the best I got (twice) was their answering machine...

I read something about a "worst table" at Providence - which one is it upon entering the main dining room and how can we avoid being seated there? Also, is it nicer to sit in the patio than in the main dining room? (Or could it be too cold in the last week of september, which is when we have our current reservation) And are there some "signature dishes" that we should try out? thanks best kai

Thanks for the info, JFL! I guess you mean the stretches of Melrose, Beverly and 3rd between Fairfax and LaBrea, right? We will definitely check out the farmes market - sounds exactly like the kind of place we are looking for, for a daytime trip... Westwood seems like fun for a stroll and some drinks; same goes for Pasadena, I suppose. Thinking about dinner, I just came to think about asian restaurants... Really (I mean *really*) good chinese, vietnamese and japanese restaurants are extremely hard to find here in germany. Over here it is all about little original flavour or good products, but tons of added glutamat to enhance the taste... So maybe I should rather try some asian cuisine, instead of eating the kind of modern french that we have in abundance over here... Any reccomendations for that? (Regarding japanese: Iam not that much into sushi, though - but probably I never had real good one. But apart from that I guess there is more to japanese food than that) Thanks, kai

Thanks for the details, rjwong. I know very well about your pictures and reports (I have been following them quite closely for years now). It just seems that you are the only one keeping up the good work for the Los Angeles area... Anyway: we'll be in town towards the end of september (22.-27.), so I guess the Jose Andres place won't be open. Could you elaborate on the service at Ortolan? In what way does it need improvement? (Have you been there lately?) As it seems at the moment, we'll be staying in West Hollywood. I read somewhere that Westwood is one of the rare areas in L.A. that can be experienced/explored by foot, quite nicely, and that there are quite a number of nice, relaxed bars und gastropubs. Is that so? greetings kai

I have a general question, first: how come that for L.A.'s top restaurants there are not half as many reviews to be found, than for the top places in NYC or Chicago? I mean: when was the last update on places like Sona, Ortolan, Melisse, Bastide or Providence (not to speak of pictures...)? Are foodies from L.A. not as "reviewing-happy" as others? Don't get me wrong, please - I just wonder... Anyway: Iam still not really sure about my choices. Providence is set. (will ask some specifics in the Providence-thread). But I read so many mixed-to-bad reviews about Sona (on chowhound, mostly) that Iam not really convinced anymore. And Ortolan: nobody seems to go there... I can't really find reports by experienced diners. Is that a bad sign? It's the most expensive of the bunch (besides Melisse) and I don't wanna spend such money for a mediocre experience. Regarding the Ritz-Carlton in Pasadena: Does it still exist?? I can't find anything on the RC-website... Still hope to read something about the "new" Bastide (rjwong: can I hope for your report?). Thanks regards kai

Of course I meant "very" rich, too - which, in the end, amounts to the same thing, doesn't it: one feels very full towards the end of a meal, which is not such nice thing...

Mike: Interesting to read that you found some of the dishes in the large "tour" too "rich" - it looks rich, indeed, and they should work on this. (Confirms my decision to go for the tasting - I hate it when I can't really enjoy some courses anymore and leave a restaurant feeling too full...) Can't wait...

Thank you for this amazing -no:brilliant!- review, ulterior epicure. On can feel that you really tried to do the restaurant justice with your well thought out words - and you succeeded! I still think about going to l20 on my chicago-trip in september. Since you criticized the repititions and the sheer amount of food, do you think one fares better with the 4-course-menu (meaning that this could be more "satisfying")? I find the 4-course very, very expensive, though, given the fact that they don't seem to add many amuses and stuff... Anyway, thank you again for this great report!! best kai

prasantrin: judging from the "regular" plates, the tableware at L2O is definitely from the german designer stefanie hering in berlin. But I don't know if some items, such as the piece containing the escolar, were produced especially for L2O. I hope that helps a bit.

Comme ca looks wonderful, thank you! Sona seems like a sure thing. Opinions on Providence seem to be either enthusiastic or pretty disappointed. We have been there 2 years ago and liked it, overall, especially for the relaxed and down to earth service (but maybe that is everywhere the case in L.A.). We didn't find the food "great" but we thought about going back to see how it has evolved by now. Gotta think this over... How come that I cannot find a single review on the yet "new" Bastide??? Has really noboy been there yet (seems like even the L.A. Times has given up reviewing the place)

Thanks for the update LAZ. And thanks for explaining me what a maillard reaction is But I think there is a huge difference between the maillard reaction that adds flavor and a burnt steak - or "charred", as it is called in the US, I think. (Another cultural difference in taste, I suppose) greetings kai

Thank you! That is interesting, because I thought that Sona's cuisine was way more "classical" than Ortolan's, judging from these reviews and food-picture (but overall Ortolan seems way more formal): Sona: http://www.potatomato.com/blog/?p=1220 Ortolan: http://www.potatomato.com/blog/?p=1127 Spago doesn't really appeal to me... And not to give wrong impression, rjwong: I have never been to Melisse- but from what I see and read it is too much in the vain of a classical french fine dining cuisine to make me wanna spend top dollars...

I couldn't help but smile, no: lol at this remark - sounds like a quote from woody allen... Nevertheless I would be thankful if you could elaborate what you mean by that, especially in regards to fine dining...(per PM, if you like...) By the way: as opposed to many other european tourists, I love L.A.! (And I love NYC, too!) regards kai