ErinB

Beachfan, what did you order at Jitlada? Just so I know what not to order the next time I go there.

I'm in for the extravaganza.

ITA with FoodZealot. Also, especially since most of us were first timers for Korean BBQ, it was an excellent introductory experience.

jschyun, ITA. The fishcake was my fave as well. I should also say, a big thanks to jschyun's parents, who helped us order!

Are there many vegetarian options here? I may be going with a friend who's Vegetarian, I on the other hand will be eating mass quantities of meat.

Yes, definitely fun. The company was great. It was my first Korean BBQ, and while I can't see it as something I would do on a regular basis, definitely something to have occasionally. In terms of the food, the meat was very good. I like my kimchi spicy, and it wasn't nearly spicy enough. I thought the seaweed salad was pretty slimy, i like mine a little crisper.

I'll be coming from Mar Vista (Santa Monica), but it doesn't matter to me. I haven't really been South, so i'd be interested in going somewhere in OC, if that's what people want to do.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. This is why I love Egullet. I've already found Trader Joes (Sepulveda & Culver City), Whole Foods, and Wild Oats, and investigated the farmers markets.

As, I've mentioned in other posts I've just moved here for the next two months. I'm living in Mar Vista, and am looking for some suggestions for places in the Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, Culver City area. Takeout suggestions, thai, mexican, indian, chinese etc. Coffee Shops: best coffee and/or tea selection ... I like my mocha lattes and green tea. And anything else you can think of. I think i've got grocery stores and farmers markets covered from previous posts.

I just flew in to LA today, avoiding the huge snowstorm we just got in the East. I'm available anytime that weekend.

I had dinner at Union Pacific last night. Normally, I wouldn't have gone to Union Pacific (I avoid celebrity chef places) but I had a gift certificate that was about to expire. As previous posters have mentioned the decor is amazing. The meal was average. I felt like in some of the dishes there were too many flavors. It seemed like they were using concord grape way too much. I had a dish with monkfish and there were these little concord grape squares around the plate. It looked pretty, but i didn't really like the flavor with my fish that was already in a sauce. Also, I ordered a hot chocolate soup, which came out slightly warm, but should have been much hotter. The same for the complimentary warm chocolate cake they brought out, it was only slightly warm. (and also surrounded by a concord grape sauce)

Well, I'm not a complete and total snob. I've already been to LA once, see this post ... I've already been to A.O.C. and that ranks among my favorite restaurant experiences ever. I was really just wondering what people thought were the best fine dining experiences and why, so I could base my decision on that. I was seriously considering going to Sona, and I'll probably still do that, since that sounds most interesting. If anyone has gone to Bastide, I would be interested in hearing thoughts. I'm basically looking to avoid going to an overrated, hyped up restaurant. I'll be in the area for two months, so I'll definitely be eating tons of thai and mexican food anyway.

The friend i'll be going with doesn't do raw fish.

Coming from the NYC metro area. I have a general idea on what the high end restaurants are, but wanted to hear some thoughts on them, aside from what I can find in the Zagat guide. Don't want to do Spago. I've already been to Chinois and was underwhelmed.

What do you think are the top few fine dining experiences in the LA area. I'm going to be in LA for 1-2 months, and may try one or two. Currently, I'm leaning toward Sona. I'm not looking to do sushi. What do people think of Bastide? I haven't seen much discussion of it on here ... Any other suggestions, even if they're out of town ...

I don't know if people have seen this, but Mark Bittman did an article on Korean BBQ in LA in the NY Times. Here's the link. You have to subscribe to see it, but it's free. He reviews the following places: Chosun Galbee YongSuSan Seoul Garden Sa Rit Gol

Count me in.

This probably could go in its own thread, but I have eaten at Honmura An a few times. Every meal has been memorable. For apps, i've had a "soba gnocci" according to the menu an "esoteric" japanese dish. A plain soba noodle shaped like a leaf that comes out in a bamboo box in broth. Very plain, but cool looking. I've also had salmon caviar with wasabi and radish. The last time I was there, we ordered a snapper appetizer that was amazing. The fish was so succulent and juicy, moist on the inside, crispy on the outside. We placed a second order. For entrees I've had: soba with scallops, soba with prawn tempura. I've also had the soba, duck, and scallions. This is all served in a broth. I've also ordered the tasting menu which runs about $50. Last year it came with asparagus with a miso sesame dressing, vegetable and prawn tempura, egg triangles (i'm sure there's an official name for them, but i don't remember), the cold soba nooodles that come on the bamboo box, and sushi. Their sushi has noodles inside, instead of rice. I believe the last time I was there they had eel sushi. That about sums up every meal I've had at Honmura An. I feel like i've eaten the whole menu.

I think, relative to New York, the prices aren't superexpensive for an upscale restaurant. But a lot of people I know say "I'm not paying that much for soba noodles."

I live in the NY metro area, but just found out I'll be in LA for 2 months (December and January) for work. I would love to try some good thai, and meet some Egulleters in the LA area. The only thai i've had in LA was Jitlada.

I had dinner at Soba-Ya the other night. I had a special, which was Soba with various mushrooms (Shitake and Enoki, i think) and Duck in a broth. It was good, and definitely good for the price, but IMHO, I don't think comes anywhere close to Honmura An, one of my all time favorite restaurants. I would have to try the Soba side by side to really compare ... But, Honmura An makes a soba dish with scallions and duck that is amazing. Clearly, a lot of what you're paying for at Honmura An is the ambiance and the decor, which is one of the reasons I love it so much. Pan, you should definitely try Honmura An, I would love to hear what you think. Although, those desserts at Soba-Ya sound very interesting, now I wish I had gotten dessert.

I'm so excited about this thread. I'm planning on moving to "Upstate Manhattan" in the spring.

The easiest thing to do, would be get there right when it opens. Otherwise, you'll just have to deal with the line.

I hope this isn't too late but here are a few quick thoughts. The top rated restaurant in Hartford, according to Zagat is Max Downtown. I've never been there but have heard good things. Classified as New American. Tapas in West Hartford is an interesting option, very good, inexpensive Middle Eastern food. Between Hartford and Storrs in Vernon is a very good, inexpensive "NY Style deli," Rein's in Vernon. There are some Italian restaurants in the Italian area of Hartford, but personally, I think they are way overrated. Cavey's in Manchester supposedly has good Italian, but I've never been there. Although, Mozzicato's in Hartford has the best damn canolis. I've had enjoyable meals at Max Amore in Glastonbury. Italian. I don't really do steak, so I'm not sure about steakhouses in the area, but there is a Morton's. I don't know of any nonchain steakhouses in the area. I don't know about anything in Storrs, it's kind-of a dead area, although Willington Pizza has some good pizza, especially their white pizzas.

Jenny, Could you give us more info? What type of cuisine, how much are you looking to spend, and does the restaurant have to be in Hartford and/or Storrs or can it be in between.