Chris Cognac

Fine Living and Food Network are both Scripps networks and I think they are making them "seperate" in what they offer to the viewing public, with Food Network being geared towards a more average audience and fine living a bit more sophisticated and polished. For the record I enjoy those shows about the garlic festival and such....and I purchase lots of products at the store!

Wow you sure missed out on Bob's, I reviewed them last month...that place is awesome...on the weekends they have a live Hawaiian duo play during breakfast and lunch...

Yea....I think....My friend says there are "2" secret places in L.A.....I want to go to the less expenisve one!

Paula Dean?..She rules....Gravy, Gravy and more Gravy!!!! I get fatter just watching her show!

get togethers are what we are about here in L.A.....I am sure you can count on it....I guess you would want Mexican as you most likely dont have good Mexican in the islands!...We could do a little place...or El Gringo in Hermosa...its where I took Alton when he came out here...good stuff!

My neighbors own ShenSenGumi on Western...our kids are in the same class! The next sumo bouts are Jan 9 thru 23... The secret place might be more secret than I thought...I am thinking they want to remain secret!

Heck I have to work out being allowed to eat there, so I dont know when or what day....Its all part of the secret world of the Japanese nationals out here in L.A.. We will be full on outsiders, Gaijin allowed into the inner most dining circles that we should not know exist. So....who know's what will happen or when....but I am working on it!

Iron Chef is indeed done in 1 hr!

Its not in the South Bay....I dont know where it it yet...I am working with Yuki from Fuji TV to set it up..I am sure she will come as well....I will have to learn the secret handshake!

OK, I have confirmed that this place is real and I am working on a way to get a dinner seating. Its supposed to be really good, omakase beef with only 5 tables. I think this could be a worthy eG L.A. group adventure so who is in?

I went there a few years ago and it was really good, kinda spicy If I remember correctly....let me see if we can ditch the kids...

if you are going to the home depot center you will be about 2 miles from where I live.....There are a zillion great places to eat near the home depot center...if you are into philipino food your in luck...there is also a mexican seafood place called casa camaron in Carson that has good fish taco's, ceviche etc....not too far from your destination....Also the food mecca of Gardena is right there too.....The world famous Gardena bowling alley is awesome....Hawaiian food, breakfasts...oh yea.... This is my area and I write restaurant reviews for the area newspaper..i have a bunch on my site so check em out....also pm me and I will give you my cell number so you can do last min checking with me if you have any? Oh yea...dont forget San Pedro...there are some cool places there as well....and El Gringo in Hermosa Beach...oh yea, I have some pics of a dinner there on my site as well... hope that helps, Chris Oh yea....my column is $10 dining so it will fit your budget

Bufadora is a good call....there are stands and some real restaurants....check it out, its worth it to go at least once....some of the places have nice views from upstairs of the ocean as well...its nothing fancy, but would be a great lunch!

I must have one....but I am sure that in healthy happy southern california there is no place I can get one...dammit!

San Jose State never had food like that, it looks awesome....I wonder if that "Pho to go" concept would work as a chain type place?

Its pretty touristy but the La Bufadora blowhole actually has some pretty decent shrimp and lobster taco places....

While we are at it, lets discuss the "secret" omakase beef restaurant in L.A. that is frequented by Japanese celeb's and the like....I confirmed today with my friend Yuki from Fuji TV that indeed it does exist....I must go....there and to Club 33!

I am drinking my first glass of George D.B. right noww as we speak and I must admit, it does lack the depth of flavor that I am used to in a red. But on another note its light and does not have an strong "acid" tone to the flavor. I would say its not bad, just different and its growing on me. I will finish the entire bottle tonight and see if my view changes.

I have the bread knife and its awesome..I use it for lots of stuff, it works great for carving roasts and stuff like that....I would love to get a few of them but they are pretty damn expensive!

I tried the salt and vinegar...a little too much for my taste...but the hawaiian are the best

I have a bottle of and should crack it open soon....I am interested to see how it is.

Heard pretty good things about it, went to lunch with PR guy from Palmilla who raved about it...He took me to Taco's Rosey in San Jose.....make sure you go there!

I yea, Shawarma is the bomb....a must have!

Let us know what you end up making, and post some pics!

Well, because many of us have had a night fired up on cerveza and then, at just the right moment, spotted the hot dog cart, and the rest is history!