Unfortunately it’s just uneven. I’ve had one amazing meal there and one terrible.
I’m hitting Feld again next week when I’m in town, stoked. And Asador Bastian because it’s an agreeable work dinner and maybe bang banging that with Elske.
And yeah dude, Esme is just too showy for me at the expense of flavor. Changing concept definitely contributes but I find it to just be the style of a lot of ex alinea/next folks
Fun dinner the other night at Nanban-Kan. Like other folks have mentioned: the phone. Woof. Just on a lark I started calling at 5pm. After a lot of busy signals, and at least three disconnects, I got through. The host asked me what time I wanted to come in. “7pm?” – on the other side laughter and, “Only time available is 5:30pm”.
Ok!
We made it there in 14 minutes. Ten or so other folks with reservations getting seated ahead of us. We were tucked into the little dining area off the foyer, with a view of the grills and bar. Other diners were plenty of families with kids, some business-looking tables, and other civilians.
What a charming little spot. Service was great. They take your order, then the food comes out.
Highlights were the chicken meatballs and the hot dogs with spicy mustard. The item on the menu board that reads corn/potato/onion is not, in fact, skewers with a piece of corn, potato, onion. You get a plate of each. Not a bad lesson, but it took up space that could’ve been filled with a thousand more hotdogs.
I would eat here all the time if it weren’t a chore to get a table. There were a few walk-ins who seemed to have a long history with the place. The host or the owner (I think that’s who he is) would say something like, “we’ll find a way to seat you…” I think it’d be worth the effort to achieve that level benefit if I lived within walking distance.
I’ll be there again first week of September but only for 3 days, going to try and do Smyth again for some redemption. Definitely considering Feld, but I’ve also been wanting to try void, I think it looks cool and cocktails are interesting. But not sure if it’s great for a solo diner.
Hope your trip goes well!
How many in your party, and did you feel it was a decent amt of food?
I went there once many yrs ago and felt like I was still fairly hungry, even after spending a decent amt (I can eat a TON of protein). But now everything is so expensive that your bill doesn’t seem so bad anymore (and so maybe I’ll give it another whirl)…
Molly Kabob on Santa Monica a block east of Normandie. Spanish-speaking family grilling kabobs. The sauce is slightly reminiscent of Dino’s. Everything was extremely hot and fresh. Definitely heavy on the rice.
2 adults. I left feeling pretty comfortable. I could’ve kept going, but my dining partner was done. I had a beer as well, which always fills me up.
Also tried A Tí on Monday last week, after seeing it mentioned by LA Taco. We enjoyed the duck leg with date mole, tuna tostada, the fish tacos, adobada/al pastor, and mushroom tacos. The cocktails are balanced and tasty. Not very crowded, so parking in their lot was fairly easy. The two desserts were also pretty good. Most folks we saw were mainly there for drinks.
some bites from last weekish:
new york bagel & deli, mar vista - besides the bagels, the hot tijuana cream cheese with jalapenos and paprika here deserves a ton of credit.
mustard’s bagels, culver city - ordered the 2 specials here:
-Andy’s special w/ pluots, peaches, plums (from Andy’s orchard), basil cinnamon, Inez olive oil, vanilla-chevre schmear on sesame bagel - excellent
-anchovy butter w/garlic confit, mustard, lemon zest, chives & guindilla peppers on bagel - excellent
-epitome sourdough bagel - crispy outside, less doughy, crunch is just right and not overdone and more importantly, the flavors of the toppings are super flavorful. the fruits on the bagel were incredible, what a delight. i will definitely be back here - i thought that this place was much better than apollo bagels in nyc. i haven’t tried layla or courage but i am open to giving this new era of smørrebrød bagels a chance. so far, so good. will be interesting to see how complex these bagels may become
noah’s ny bagels, marina del rey - i’m sure this place used to be good before it branched out but idk i’ve had better bagels at an airport
favorite everyday ny bagel with cream cheese: edge goes to ny bagel & deli because of that hot tijuana cc - bagel factory gets a nod
bridgetown roti, east hollywood - james beard nominee - highlights: oxtail and peppers patty, mom’s curry chicken roti, red pepper goat roti wrap. sauces are extra $$ but you need to get the sauces, the pineapple habanero is nice. really good casual Caribbean fusion.
bar sinizki, atwater village - i gotta say, the pierogis here were quite good. the potato and cheese puree was really nice and the homemade creme fraiche and the brown butter over the pierogis contrast well together. although i have to laugh because i know some traditional Polish folks who would think it is criminal to serve 3 pierogis for $26. the crispy cutlet with capers was tasty and the cocktails were all very good - especially liked their take on a manhattan that had spiced pear and black walnut. seems like a great neighborhood spot!
pollo a la brasa, koreatown - love these types of spots! slowly cooked rotisserie chicken with crispy skin combo with side of fries and beans and the green sauce is great.
sincerely syria, sherman oaks - 12" chicken plate - chicken shawarma wrap is cut up into 8 slices with a side of fries. the garlic mayo makes this whole plate so much better… put it on everything.
indigo cow, sawtelle - Hokkaido milk ice cream with chocolate wall topping.. never a bad choice.
tom bergin’s, mid-wilshire - guinness.
photos: mustard’s bagels
Solid week
I do love fruit and a bagel, but I’m not sure I want fruit on my bagel even if it is from Andy’s Orchard.
this one may change your mind 
NYB&D got taken over by Bea’s, right? Do the bagels still taste the same as they always have?
It’s a been very subtle takeover. The staff and the bagels seem to be pretty much 100% the same.
here’s a good breakdown on the whole story https://smdp.com/business/new-owners-bring-sweet-new-life-to-longtime-santa-monica-bagel-shop/
the NYBD location on National and Barrington is owned by a different party and was not included in the sale.
Yes
Borit Gogae in Ktown.The Basic Betty barley set up, no extra meat. If you’re a first timer I suggest going early for lunch (we had no line to get in, although the parking lot in rear of building was still cutthroat).
The value for the meal is out-of-this-world. It’s one of the few meals I wished I had looked up on YT before going. I’d go back again with a larger group.
For $35 it is one of the best qpr deals in LA. Every single vegetable was so flavorful on its own.
what is YT?
YouTube I am guessing.
“Basic Betty” hehe
