dfunghi

York blvd in the 60's in Highland park. Any place will do. For carnitas try Denise Antijos on Olympic near Ditman ( take 5 south get off ditman go left on olympic for a few blocks Denise on rt hand side) she also makes the hard to find yet wonderfuly delish chichaornes con carne, this is chicharones that have a big peice of meat still on it. Usually available after 11AM but gone by 3pm. There is a street in Boyle Heights that has great illegal food carts linning it but I do not remeber name. I will remember and post it soon.

Tommys is a sentimental fav but IMHO Fat Burger or better yet In and Out for greasy cal burgers, Ok wait, once I typed greasy I knew Tommys double chili cheesburger was King Please do go to Dinos Burgers ( but get the chicken, everyone does) on Pico between Normandie / Vermont. I second Casels BTW. Good flat tasty well done burger. If you want "real " mexican go to Highland Park on Fri or Sat nights and cruise York blvd for taco trucks or tamale stands. Boyle height has this also but can get kinda freaky ( read Gangs) at night. If hot and spicy is on the agenda you must go to Youn Gui ( formerly Huas) at 301 Garvey in Montery Park. Research Hua's. It has changed names but nothing else has changed. Hottest food in USA by far. You catch a buzz when you eat it. Enjoy

I have been sending people to Jordi's place since May when we were there. Some of them have starting sending people there. It is the food and the place that first gets you there it is Jordi and his sister that make you want to return over and over. We sat till about 130 AM after our meal and had one of the best nights of our 3 weeks in Spain. Not just the food but the whole expeirence. Not to mention the list of hidden gems of places to eat at from Jordi. Cinq Sentis should be on anyones list for BCN.

Sorry no help on school but I have a very old and very excellent french ( in french) cookbook called tante Marie's. I wonder if there is any connection.

I did find a good source for Joselito Iberico in BCN, although honestly I did not taste that big of a difference from some of the other top shelf Iberico. For those interested Ravell has it most of the time.

If you really want to celebs the best is to hang out at the starbucks or Whole Foods on San Vicente in Brentwood. Recently saw , Al Pacino, Chris Mehloni, Sidney Pollak, And my wife see's lots of TV divas that I don't know. Also the old Chalet Gourmet on Sunset ( now a Gooches I believe). Now most TV stars are on vacation till mid August and Movies are on location so many celebs are not in town these days. Any restaurant or club will be devoid of celebs on weekends for the most part. Several do shop at the farmers markets on weekends. Sorry if my initial response was gruff but the way you asked "Are there any restaurants there?" seemd gruff to me. You could always try to make an appointment with a casting director on Paramounts lot and walk around looking for stars , but it is quiet right now. Good luck . For foodeveryone seems to love Providence right now and rightfuly so.

Bux, How was the Ham anyway?

Bux, Perhaps they have export division and EU division? Swine raised in Spain is still verboten in USA. I read once that they can be slaughtered in Spain and cured but must be raised / bred in the countries you listed. Can not remember where I read that though and it was a couple of years ago at least. As you know what passes for Serrano Ham here in USA is pretty sad. With new Bioterrorism laws it will be even harder to change any import rules for food. I spoke with two Importers here in California, one wine the other food. They are both getting out of the import trade due to impossible regulations. They believe it is one more attempt to crush small bussines' and leave little or no competition for the giant Agribussines' that donate millions of dollars to the Govt. ( both sides of the aisle). On an unrelated note I just learned about buying shares in a COW. http://tinyurl.com/ctyqu Not for beef, but for dairy. This is to circumvent the Raw milk restrictions. Maybe small farmers will survive if they are crafty enough.

For stars go to the Farmers market on Ivar sunday or Main st Santa Monica sunday or buy a map to stars homes on Sunset, mostly on sunday you will see them all out mowing the lawn or gardening or perhaps just in the driveway talking to other stars. For food if you are from Livermore I wouold reccomend Olive Garden or for a step up how about Pinks. I understand there is a place on Sunset open only weekends that makes you eat in total darkness to heighten senses ( or hide ugly waiters?) It don't get much weirder than that.

Ditto on Bux recs for dinning and more notice. Ca' Pep although not fancy or easy to do if you just ask the chef to "bring what he likes" you will have plate after plate of yummie food. Cinc Sentis is probably one of the best valus in BCN. The food is top shelf, the service is as well. The menu plus wine at 60 euros is a give away. It was one of the better meals we had in Spain. Echaurran ( in Ezcarray) was the other outstandin meals. Of course I could eat at Pinoxos everyday for the rest of my life.

Nan king is always garlicy, freshly made, and loaded with delicious. A must stop for us whenever in SF.

For cheese purests let me add that I know sealing cheese in bags or plastic wrap is not a good thing. However for short stays in order to get the cheese home little damage is done , plus you can always unwrap or open bags daily to let cheese breath. Once home just put in a bowl or cazuela covered with a damp towel. Put in fridge or pantry if you live in a cool climate ( 50 degrees or less)

I reccomend going to the Picos De Europa and visit the following towns ( villages) Bejas / Treviso ( for Picon), Sotres ( cabrales), Posada de Valdeon ( Valdeon). Having been fortunate enough to vist all these places at different times and bought cheeses from several sources i would say that they differ more from producer to producer than town to town. One thing for sure is they all are very aromatic ( they stink!) and run from soft, spreadable consistancy to firm, crumbly cheese. They also run from mostly blue to slightly blue and sharp and salty to sweet and ethereal. My favorites have been from Sotres although they aree all good. If you do have a chance to visit these areas bring cash, ( small bills) some plastic wrap or ziplock bags, and just look for signs in windows "QUESO" or ask around where the cheese makers are. They range from small proffesional "kitchens" to home spun. The largest I saw was in Bejas and he produced maybe 75 - 100 cheeses a year. They will usually have a taste available or at least drill into the center to show you the blueing than "spackle" it back in. The range in price from 7 or 8 Euros ( less than a kilo) for small to mid sized and up to 12 - 14 euros ( 1 - 1.5 kilos) for larger ones. Always ask if they use RAW milk and when was the cheese first made. Summer milk is sweeter.

Now thay I have consumed all my Spanish meats the USA is safe. Fortunetly my small amount of meat for personal consumption did nothing to destroy the US Agriculture industry. Maybe if the US Customs were based on reality instead of some rigid set of arbitrary rules set by old men and women in suits in DC who are pressured to believe that the US Pork lobby is correct when they preach the dangers of foreign pork products allowed in the USA. After all, everyone knows that Europeans are dropping dead all over the EU from the transfer of meats from one EU country to another. There are many stealth ways to "import" meats for yourself when returning to US.

So Pan maybe you want to bring me a quart of half sour garlic pikles from Gus's and a dozen Yonnah Shimmels? David

There are magazines then there are those things you see in hotel rooms. packaged like a mag but all entries are paid and the "articles" are value added ads. The best source would be to search publishers web sites and see what they publish. Good Luck.

Yes all three are still open.

Scooter is now at Il Grano doing pastry. As far as I know Joe Miller is still at the helm. I saw him at the mkt last week.

Joe's is alwyas tuff to get a table at on short notice. So the further the better especially for primetime out on the patio. You wont be dissapointed with Joes. People dress for dinne rthere but its not mandatory. Always a great vibe and great food. I would go more but can never get in. And I know Joe personally for over 10 years.

Excellent points made Bux. Egulleters rarely if ever have problems on the boards and I'm glad you stepped in. Besides Iberico Bellota is such a rare bird many will never try it anyway. Those of us that have count the days until we can have it again. Most expensive foods and wines seem not to have good value, this is not true of great Iberico. It is sublime and overwhelming all at once. Dam I wish I were back in Spain. I do however have one more pkg of nice serrano and a couple of cheeses, and 2 chorizos left so I think this weekend shall be a Spanish BBQ.

Christopher, If you knew more about the US Govt. agencies than you would be more than glad to live in Norway you would relize you are blessed. There was talk about Mexico trying to join the EU because they export most of their oil to Europe and it is their #1 export , besides labor. Being in California I for one would be soooooooo happy if Mexico actually got in the EU and we could bring all those great things to Mexico. That said, the US Customs are a drag but only if they catch you

IMHO they do this because this is "what they do". They regulate everything that goes in your mouth ( well food anyway) and they love to have something to say about everything. They must constantly make work for themselves and justify their existance. They have little or no actual concern with public safety outside of sanitaion. When lead was found in Mexican candy and LA county banned it. They got pressure from Mars ( a large American candy co.) and that was the end of the ban. Instead it comes with a warning. I could tell you horror stories about my own run in with them but I'd rather not you can read it on here http://tinyurl.com/akf9u

Pan, all the places you mentioned are good. Beechwood, Piccolo,Joes, Rocca, Chloe Joe's= Always solid service and solid food. Joe Miller works hard to procur the best ingredients and attracts quality staff for the kitchen. Resv needed. Chloe= Small place with neighborhoody type service. Food is solid though not as refined as Joe's.Resv. needed Piccolo= Typical Italian ( the real stuff) above enoteca food but below ristorante food. Very solid, tastes like Italy, good ingredients. Small place and neighborhoody service. Rocca= Hmmmmm. It is (has become ) a sort of see or be seen place for local celebs. On Tuesday the suckling pig is wonderful.I prefer the small plates over the entree' and I was dissapointed in the service ( they were disinterested and seemed a little too actor/ writer -vs- waiter for my taste) but many freinds I have love it. Beacon= Great food made by a known chef. I prefer it for lunch since the room is not that comfy for a long stay. The food is great. The service IMHO sux. Did I mention that the food is great? Some alternate choices: 2117 Sawtelle = cal/french done well, great service and ha sbeen open for many many years. Orris= New, small plates type place. Really excellent food and solid service. Good luck getting in. Go early ( before 6) or late ( after 9 ). Amuse= Local type place with solid food , good menu, friendly, solid service. Good for lunch or dinner. La Terzza= although it is a bit away in West Holly'd it is worth the trip. Specially on Thursday nights for the roasted meats dinner. They have a wonderful spit and know how to use it. Service is tight, professional, and attentive. All the food there is solid from the housemade pastas to the sesonal seafood delights. The chef Jason is a perfect complement to the menu of Angelo, of Angellini Osteria, the owner and LA Institution. This is one of my Fav's. Bon Appettite, David

Mariscos is a taco stand on Lincoln just north of Rose on westside of st, just look for the crowds, it is famous for seafood cocktails and fish tacos. Mossimos (sp) is on Abbot Kinney near Lillies and has salads, sandwiches and is mostly a bakery and gelato place. Amuse is also great to get a few small plates for diner like the ribs,the baby octopus,and the cockels. They also have one of LA's best burgers IMHO. The problem with the burger is you are hungry again 2 days later.

Beechwood, Amuse, Mariscos ( on lincoln),Antica Pizzeria (MDR),Hal's, Lillies, Mossimos, Chloe (PDR). There's a start