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Westcoat Manilla's or Butter clams are not ideal raw the way little neck or even cherystone are. They however are an acceptable substitue when used in pastas or steamed open or especially in chineese food. Here in LA you can find eastern clams but it will cost you. Better to have someone ship them to you from Montauk or the like. There is a guy I know ( no financial incentive here) that has a seafood business direct from Maine including clams, scallops and of course Lobster. He sells to the trade so it's large orders only. If anyone interested I will ask him if he would do it. Last year we got 19 lobsters and 10 #s of steamers ( real softshell clams aka pissers) and a bunch of cherrystones. That was a small order for him but he did it. So think partys or events or getting your friends to all buy some. Prices are a tad above wholesale ( eastcaost wholesale) and so fresh. You have to order 3 or 4 days in advance at least, nothing is stored all delivered fresh from Atlantic ocean to a box to Boston to LAX in about 16 - 24 hours. Also 99Ranch has them from time to time, also at great prices. Softbelly fried clams... Ahhhh. Just outside of Mt. Desert Island Maine by the little causeway that lead to the island were a string of roadside "clam shacks" These were seasonal wood sheds on the side of road with parking for a few cars and a guy inside with four things. A cooler, a clam knife, a bowel of batter and a fryer. You get the idea with progression from cooler to fryer. Served in plastic oval weave bowel like the ones French dip and burgers are in here on Westcoast lined with paper and overflowing with the most delicious, hot fried clams.They were crispy and golden on the outside and inside lay this briny, soft as velvet mass. Eaten while sitting on the hood of your car, looking at English bay living a postcard moment.Boy oh boy were they good. This was 20 years ago and I can still taste them. They have remained the single finast fried clam or cooked clam of any kind I ever ate. And I spent my childhood sumers on Gardiners Bay in L.I. NY with clams and lobster and fish, etc... So I knew clams well at this point in my life. Simply the best ! Sorry for the diatribe. D edited to add "of batter"

So if Safeway and friends lost 3 billion $$$ I guess Trader Joes , Whole Foods, and a slew of small independent stores had a 3 B windfall. Seems like a big loser for both the union and the grocers. I'm a union member and have been in three diferent ones in my life. I think union mngmt is losing touch with reality. I suffered through a strike a couple of years ago and work conditions have never been back to where they were before. There are ill fellings and will be for some time to come. Nothing was gained. The same will happen to the supermarkets now. So when you go (if you go)back to Ralphs or .... Hopefully you wont be treated too badly by all the unhappy people there. Plus there will be a two teir wage now. I'm sure that wont cause any anomosity between workers, especially when the 20 plus year employee that stands around all day is making $19 per and the hard working youngster is making $9 Secondly , and I know this is harsh, grocery store clerks / managers do not need to be paid the same as EMT, or LVN, teachers, etc. It was nice while it lasted but the facts are people want to shop at the lowest priced stores not the stores with the highest paid employees. Perhaps if this was specialized work or it was done under averse conditions we could justify the saleries. But it's not either of those things. Perhaps there is a health risk to have our food handled by lower waged workers although Im not sure how. Standards must be followed. If people want to support the wage levels where they are now then dont shop at Walmart, Costco, dont look for sales, and spend 30% more for your food. Of course there is no way to know if the higher prices paid go beyond the stockholder to the stockboy. For me I will shop at TJ's and WF as was our norm anyway. Both I might add have excellent wage / benefit packages. I am proud to say I did not ever once cross the picket line. Afterall Im a Union man. D

Fairly standard food court type chineese food,perhaps with a more healthy cooking style. However for $10 find out for yourself since it's a cheap place. At least the one here in W.LA is. Their food is clean not greasy is the best thing I can say. Downtown Honolulu must have better food than C.W. . Find a nice Saimin place instead. Aloha, D

Spot prawns are available with or without roe at the farmers markets Sat and Weds in Santa Monica. AnjinII has them but she sells out VERY FAST. Come at the openning. D

Omakase means "chefs choice" more or less. So if you want all sushi or all toro etc,, just order what you like. Mori is not a sushi "nazi", he will servewhat you like. That said, why not just trust him and eat the balanced menu of raw and cooked. Another good choice for sushi if you just want AAA fish simply done is Sushi Sushi on Beverly Drive. Small, chef driven place. There for many years. D

Not only does Mori polish the rice daily, he travels to Sacramento to have the rice GROWN for him exclusively by one farmer. Mori sushi is special because everything from the plate it's servrd on to the fish itself is calculated and precise. Horay for Mori. As to an alternate choice, try Go's (Mart) 22330 sherman way ( sherman and shoup) in the back of the mall. Don't be mislead by the appearence, it's all about the fish. I travel from Santa Monica to eat there. IMHO this is one of the best sushi bars I've been to. Eating Sushi since 1981 ( Japonica on University) in NYC. D

Ahh. So many choices. Just some listed below http://www.nationaldirectory.com/Shopping/Food/Meat/Beef D

Chris, "most people forget that we have to be out 24 hrs a day in all weather" Yea that South Bay weather can be brutal! Good luck D

Beef prices are on the rise and have been for sometime now. Stands to reason a good steakhouse would have to charge 30% higher for their food as well. Of course there is always Harvey Guss and the Webber. D

Sparks and S&W, are fairly corporate and Pacific Dining Car is close to that on a food level I guess. What you wont find is the" expense account " driven type of steak house like those mentioned above. The counterpart of the NYC Steak house scene is SUSHI here. So if you are looking for the "scene " try Roku or Matsuhisha, or Crustecean(sp) . So now you have your choices of great steaks or great scenes. lastly we do have a Ruths Criss(sp) here now. D

Many fine steaks here in LA if not at a "Steak House". Jar, Campanile,Opaline, Michaels, Fathers Office ( steak fritte). Steak House type. Balboa,Pac Dining Car, Taylors. There are others but here's a start. D These are just the ones I frequent with high quality Aged beef. There are many others.

Music, I don't know another person or place here in US to find that soup. Or one even close. Glad he has it there. Too bad you cant sit at the bar an have just that with a glass of wine as you could at Lavande / Loews So verve why on a monday anyway? You would probably have better luck on another night and just celebrate your birthday then. I enjoyed a great birthday truffle dinner in Piedmont Italy one year ( 40th) even though it was a week late. Sometimes its good to be flexible. If you were to change nights; If you ( or your date) called well in advance and asked to leave a message for the chef on their VM and explain what you would like and when your resv. is you will probably get a great meal. Certainly at Sona, Bistro 21*, Melisse, to name just three. Most restaurants want to make their patrons happy. D * bistro21 probably only one of the three for <$200

Monday Night I spoke with the chef from Il Grano in W. L.A. and they're open on Monday and the chef is there. D

Music, Was not my intention to dis your review or suggestion.Sorry it seemed that way . I have not enjoyed his food over all the many years and restaurants he has been at. It's a personal taste. However Lavande had great fish soup. D

Sounds like I need a trip to Artesia. I miss really good Indian food. Dhaba on Westwood is only decent place I have found. Iv'e tried alot. D

Monday Nights. Bastide will be more than $200 especially with wine. Of which you can't bring your own. Plus why pay those prices for mostly attitude and hype? Allain Giroud is far from LA's best chef. Just most expensive. As well, it is a disservice to compare to French Laundry.Not on his best day is Giroud the level of chef as Keller is. IMO Not sure whats going on at Whist these days? They are open 7 days. Campanille is open Monday and Mark is there. Check with them for the family menu on your particular monday. The regular menu is available as well. $200 is no problem there. Should be much less. Specially if you bring wine. D

Indian food is beter in NYC so pass on that.IMO DimSum in SG Valley at any number of places. Seaworld for volume and price or 888 seafood for quality are our 2 standby's. There are many others. Lake Spring on Garvey for Shanghai food. Hua's for the hottest tastiest food in America! Go to east LA for Mexican. Try Denises on Olympic for Carnitas and Chicharrones. Or any number of places on Olympic or Washington blvd. This you will not find in NYC. Go to K-Town late at night and be adventurous. Go to Westminster for Vietnamese food . Go to Hollywood for Thai. We like Ocha on Sunset and Kingsley. Go to Mori or Sushi Sushi ( westside) or Go Sushi ( valley). The sushi here is better than NYC unless you spend $$$$$ in NYC. Hit the farmers market in Hollywood ( or any big market) . Great stuff and people watching. NY'ers love to see fresh ripe strawberries in Feb. Plus all the fresh herbs etc.. Enjoy , D

This is a Book I will be getting anyday now. It sounded good to me David http://www.book-reviews.info/Italian_Cookb...025209159.shtml

After much research and many disappointing e-mails we finally have a res at the Hotel Due Torri. 190 euros a night. Small hotel near Navona. Thank you for your help. I will post all about the food and such this summer after trip. David

Thanks The Lacarno is on the list to check as we widen our search. The Del Sol is booked already for our dates. I will keep searching and will check the other rec's on here now. D

Will be in Rome the first week of June and have been looking at apt. and hotel. They range from expensive to very expensive or up 3 flights no lift and noisy. Would like to stay near Navona (5 minute walk) for about 150 euros and have peaceful sleep. Is this possible in Rome? D

Haven't lived in NYC since '89 ( the first 31 years of my life) but I used to buy my "special" meats at either Jefferson mkt. on 7th or Ottominelli's (sp) in village. Are they not that good anymore? Lobel's was probably $25 then so $40 now isnt bad. D

Go to the boros, Forest Hills, Midwood, Kew Gardens for good bagels. Or try Jumbo on 2nd ave in 50's D

Report: Luccas fish and chips was OK at best. The fish inside the batter seemed like old frozzen Cod or Snapper that would be ineddible without the batter around it. Sandpipper F & C's were much, much better with fresh rock Cod and yummie sides. Good chowder too. Only slightly more money than the deli at Luccas and had table service. We passed on the Tides restaurant due to high prices. They did have the best fish market out of the 3 we went to ( Crab Pot selection was weak and overpriced). All good and fresh and priced right Could not get in at Rivers End without a long wait so we passed on that too, although it looked and smelled great. Nextime we will wait. Hog Island was sold out all weekend. How sad! No oysters anywhere for the most part. Point Reyes, Tom. Bay Foods was closed Monday and Tuesday (ughhh) when we were there so no cheese. We did have excellent breakfasts at Pine Cone Diner as we have had a few times since first visit 15 years or so ago. All local meats and eggs etc. Palace Market makes great sandwiches but more importantly they have the best pies. Really the best ( wild black?) berry pie I have had in years. Taste like the great pies of late sumer sold by church bake sales. Freestone bakery! Too, too many things to mention. Just get one of each to go. The sticky bun is more sticky than bun and the scones are perfect. The fougasse bread was great but filling. The trip to Gualalla( sp) St. Ores was called off due to the road conditions. All those curves for 50 miles at 30 mph at best seemed too far to return from after 5 courses and 3 bottles. We will go another day and stay closer hopefully. Thanks all, D

It is my understanding that Tim and wife are no longer involved with Whist. For sure I know that the Chef ( Jeff ?) left a few months ago. D