My partner asked me about a place called “Venice Steakhouse” that she came across on social media. Never heard of it. Looks like it just opened.
Anyone been?
Toronto: Christmas Eve.
Managed to slip into Congee Wong before closing:
Tendon & Brisket Stew
Vermicelli with duck and shredded preserved vegetables
Clam, Mustard Green and Salted Egg Congee
Specials
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Merry Christmas!
had Sonmari at silver lake again yesterday,
they are figuring out and changing a lot but new menu pork tonkatsu kinda situation was delicious and reminds me as Korean Japanese son of gun or animal kinda dish. Very satisfied. They said they are going to go more interesting neo Korean bistro kinda dish and handroll to leave customers full. If you’re near by and drop the opinion to them, it’s really helpful for them. Wish them the best.
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Brennan’s, Broxton and Stalking Horse all closing with little notice tomorrow (Saturday). Same parent company. Sure, it’s the end of the year and leases may be up, but it seems like there could be a bigger story here. Anyone have more info?
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Venice Steakhouse or Venice Room? https://theveniceroom.com/
The former: https://venicesteakhouse.com/
Osusume Fumio (Atwater)
First time visit. Delightful chef. Lovely interaction with Chef Fumio along with a catch up conversation with a visiting friend during our meal.
He is part of an L.A. sushi lineage and is old skool with a contemporary flair.
Dry-aged maguro
vs. more recent maguro curing. Chef explains how the curing process is reducing the moisture to concentrate the umami. However the maguro he chose for us today was left uncured based on the location he had cut from, near the base of the head, which yields a concentrated flavor as is.
Shari is on the firmer side, each grain of rice shows beautifully, and unravels upon biting. Shari style calibrated based on the fish. (Stronger flavored fish use akazu.) There’s a lot of work in the attention to details for each bite.
It’s a nice addition to the neighborhood in a reasonable price range. He’s serious as Edomae shokunin as he had kanpyo at the ready for those who end sushi meals in that way. IYKYK.
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Someone on Reddit who claimed to work there said it was rent issues. It’s just rough out there on all fronts.
I went to the Stalking Horse just in July and they had completely gone to a QR code and expediter model. Sad. But I just got back from DC and it’s all over there too. I had to freaking open an account to yet another bill paying app to host a tab for my party at bar. SO RIDICULOUS!
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Every meal at Osusume Fumio has been excellent, genuine edo-style sushi without paying for the plane ticket to Tokyo.
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Paging @Clayfu ! Where can I find your caviar before New Year’s Eve?
@set0312 You can order online and pick up in Pasadena. They’re right by Jin Tea.
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I think they carry Astrea caviar at the Joint or at least they used to. It’s worth calling if that is convenient to you
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Le Shrimp Noodle Bar (Costa Mesa)
It’s honestly pretty solid. Broth is rich and shrimpy. I like that I can choose between thick and thin noodles. It reminds me much of the van canh tom cua broth, and I always have leftovers to turn into a leftovers meal at home.
Maison Matho -
Drove by on my way home from the city and found no line and easy parking. Grabbed a jambon buerre and Daniel’s favorite before hitting the traffic-laden freeway.
I really adore simplicity and that’s exactly what the jambon is. A great baguette, lots of flavorful French butter, shaved jambon and some cornichons. I do wish there was more cornichons to help offset the butter and ham, but that’s a small quibble.
I found the Daniel’s Favorite with prosciutto too rich and salty for my liking. It was good, but I’m more a fan of less is more in this case.
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Great looking sandwich!
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@set0312 just place the order online and note you’ll be picking it up from the office.
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Beautiful thanks!
Not sure it’s really a bang bang but I hit up Moto Azabu and Rutic Canyon for drinks and snacks after.
With sushi I want great quality fish but I’d rather order myself. This is the place I find myself coming back to. I’m not mad at the combination of Shochu and sushi either lol, I had Komasa Migakai & Ikkomon (Sweet Potato)
Wanted to do a vibe check at Rustic Canyon since JF just announced he left. I’ll post a picture of the first menu of the new chef. Check it out for yourself but it’s a similar vibe but with more of a Latin twist. Still one of the best cocktail bars on the west side. I am bummed JF left but come support a young chef. I had an off menu pimento cheese and bacon jam dip and the new Chile lime almonds (replacement for the lavender ones) both of which were excellent. Drink wise had a vesper and an eggnog.
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Sign up for text alerts. They have a NYE special but need to order by today.
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A week in Sayulita. Apologies for the lack of food photos. We ate very well. In addition to the pics, we had shrimp tacos at Mary’s a few times, a perineal favorite. Al pastor at the place right off the plaza, 20 pesos each. Fantastic guacamole everywhere with the unanimous winner at Chaman. Quesadillas and margaritas at La Isla are a tradition. Our favorite restaurant is Carbon. The grilled shrimp with garlic, butter and lemon is just ridiculously delicious. Their rib eye is also fantastic. Best coffee is at Marea. The French bakery, Paris Delights, has great croissants and other pastries. Chili rellenos at Sayulita cafe are damn tasty. We also had two excellent meals at Zingaro and Habibi, both Italian. Zingaro’s focus is pasta and pizza. We had two pastas (Carbonara using chicharron and squid ink linguini with calamari and shrimp) and two salads (caprese and radicchio with pears, walnuts and gorgonzola). Habibi is in San Pancho, the next town north. The pappardelle with short rib ragu is pictured. Also did meatballs in tomato sauce, tuna crudo and a delicious salad of rocket, melon, walnut and parmigiana. Fantastico! Christmasdinner at the popular Don Pedro’s. Despite it’s touristy rep, the food is good (Mahi Mahi and filet mignon) and its location on the beach is worth the $$. Another great trip to Nayarit. Cheers and happy holidays FTCers!
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I dropped my December 2025 contribution in the France board here. 
There is so much info out there about fine dining in Paris, but that was not what we were interested in for this trip. It is harder (in my opinion) to sift through the many options for casual, local spots in Paris. Hopefully my post will help any of you who may be looking for more casual options, as we were.
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