Killer Noodle by Tsujita (Sawtelle): I like the menu options from the other 2 Tsujita locations down the street better, but we wanted to try something new. I got the dry style Dan Dan noodles for $17-18, spice level 1. The noodles and egg were well cooked, and the egg was even warm (a unicorn in SD these days). Not the best bowl of noodles I’ve ever had but not bad at all. I’d go back. OG Tsujita and Wadaya still my favorites in this area.
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The fish sando at Killer Noodle was pretty great!
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Good to know for next lent! Sad I missed it!
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@J_L Very much in my wheelhouse but don’t remember seeing that on the menu. I’ll ask next time.
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I think it was a limited run. But hopefully they bring that back. #McRib
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Had lunch today at Lunetta on 24th and Pico in Santa Monica. It’s a perfect neighborhood restaurant, of which I wish there were more on the Westside. It even has its own parking lot! And it’s open continuously all day and is not crazy expensive.
Nice outdoor patio, although heads up if you sit on the right side of the patio there is an unpleasant smell permeating from the other side of the wall. I tried to peek in as I exited because I thought I might find a trash bin hiding there, but I didn’t see one so I don’t know what the smell was. 
But otherwise quite pleasant to sit outside on the patio.
Lunetta patio
I ordered the $38 “Power Lunch,” but you can also order a la carte.
First up, a tasty bruschetta. Nothing earth-shattering, but tasty and fresh.
Bruschetta
Next came a small salad.
Salad
For my main, I chose the barbecue salmon, which I really enjoyed. It wasn’t a huge portion and probably wouldn’t be enough for a huge eater, but for me it was perfect because I think a lot of restaurant portions have gotten ridiculously large in order to try to cushion the sticker shock of the prices and I’m not always interested in carrying around leftovers (or worse overeating just to finish it).
Salmon
For dessert, lemon shortcake.
If Lunetta were a bit closer, I would definitely have lunch there at least once a week. As I said, I wish there were more neighborhood places like it on the Westside.
They also have an 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. “Golden Hour” where the menu looks really appealing and an incredible value. Definitely want to try to swing by for that.
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Lunetta is our go-to spot for business lunches (not too many options in that part of town, especially with free and plentiful parking). Sandwiches, salads, pastas on the a la carte menu are all good.
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Will drop a full trip report in the Euro section but so far…
London:
St John Bread and Wine (lunch)
Bibi
Cafe Cecilia (brekky)
Wes Anderson Archived Courtesan Au Chocolate Afternoon Tea
Ikoyi
Somerset:
Jolene Bakery (for the train)
Three Horseshoes Batcombe (Lunch)
Osip (dinner)
Back to London for Gymkhana
Now in San Sebastián where we’ve eaten a gazillion pintxos and spent a whole day at Asador Etxebarri.
Ask me anything?
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Does Asador Etxebarri live up to the hype???
Short answer yes: it is a welcome and needed refresh from the fine dining world I’m used to (a tartlet, a chawanmushi, a squab, a granita! Repeat repeat repeat) in favor of something incredibly casual (in the best way) with none of the nonsense. Just hours of extremely simple food (but again not “Japanese inspired simplicity” just THEIR version of it) with the best product and lovely flavors. Our menu was largely different from People who went even one day before other than the “hits” that don’t change.
Wine mostly by the bottle. But Mo the somm poured us some glasses for the main because we couldn’t handle another bottle between two small humans.
It doesn’t hurt it’s at the most beautiful enclave in an already beautiful range of hills and mountains in the Basque Country.
It may very well be the best restaurant in the world by virtue of it not trying to be at all. I met Bittor on the way out as he was leaning on the bar. Stumbling through a conversation in Spanish he shook my hand and said “see you soon” - for all the reports that he’s a gruff dude he seemed exceptionally warm.
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Epic eats. Gymkhana still firing on all cylinders? I miss the days when it was easy to get in
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Looking forward to your SS adventures. How are the queues at the pintxo bars?
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fucking long man
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Not surprised. Are you queuing up at opening or?
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Bittor and Mo are just the best…
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Carnitas mixed plate from Carnitas El Artista on La Brea. Added a few tortillas and it came to $21 after tax and tip.
These are great carnitas. Not a dry bite on the plate. Salsas are killer— the habanero is spicy, balanced, I can’t stop eating it.
They’re shutting this spot down in the next few weeks. Lease ended and the new rate is too dear. Still working on a second location, and will go back to selling on the street Fridays and weekends.
Come for the expanded menu while you can; the carne en su jugo is a winner, too.
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Sichuan Impression
There was a time I used to love Sichuan food. Back when the world was new and I was full of wonder. But today I find this food grossly oily, over spiced, and inartfully prepared.
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Haven’t been to the other Sichuan places mentioned here. I like (but don’t love) Sichuan Impression, but I don’t find myself particularly craving it for the reasons you mentioned (well, perhaps minus the grossly oily). The fish in golden soup esp can really feel unappealing one-note to me.
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You say that like it’s a bad thing!
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