First time going there - wow !! I try to avoid having too much good sushi, as i don’t want to move up the bar of enjoyment: but wow, what a huge difference. Loved the cooked tuna belly too, surprisingly. The squid was a big surprise.
Coffee at endorffeine, thought about grabbing a lil brekkie. Got a banh xeo from thien huong — actually quite large !! Still, nice and light, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside.
INI (Fountain Valley) -
A Kei Concepts Italian-Asian fusion place. It’s bright and airy and has a tree growing inside so it feels like you’re in a courtyard.
Grabbed a late lunch one Friday.
Caesar salad - the dressing is miso-based instead of using anchovies so it’s a little lighter and brighter. The croutons were more like brioche than focaccia
Beef carpaccio - the salad on top with apples was more fun than the beef itself…but if you throw a mix of this on top of the pizza crust, it is a delicious bite
Mentaiko pizza - yes, that’s tako and it was super tender, but what was extraordinary was the crust. The crust was like a banh mi…super crisp texture and pillowy crumb that you expect of a banh mi.
Spicy miso carbonara - made with udon, it was okay…there wasn’t a whole lot to make special probably would not order this again
Overall, it was okay but outside of that pizza crust, not my favorite of the Keis.
Spago -
Joined some friends for dinner…and surprisingly, it was our first time here. Service was exceptional and everything was solid. It’s clear to me why it has survived so many years…also the expense account meals help.
Tuna cones - a Wolfgang and Oscars Governor’s Ball staple this was a great bite and I can check it off my list
Smoked salmon pizza - probably the best bite of the night. The crust holds up like a cracker so the texture is super pleasing to me. Also a Wolfgang and Oscars staple that they don’t put on the menu, but you can acquire one if you ask
Toro roll - it was pretty and herbaceous and that’s about it
Wiener schnitzel - it was a Wolfgang classic night for yours truly…the best version of schnitzel I’ve ever had…the batter is light as a feather and puffs up all crispy-like. The sides were nice supporting characters
Filet - it was okay…solid and safe
Chocolate soufflé - rich and velvety…it felt very chocolate lava in the center
Kaiserschmarrn - they had me at Harry’s berries. The strawberries were cooked to enhance the flavor as we know berries are not yet at their peak, but this dessert was huge…I probably did not need to eat all of the strawberries and sorbet, but I did…soaked as much of that vanilla soufflé in the compote sauce
@boourns wqs right about the bar program at Spago…great cocktails. I was looking for refreshing and not-too-sweet cocktails and the recs were perfect each time.
Spago is very reliable. I get the praise. I’m also glad to have had checked it off the list of LA institutions.
This is an exceptional donut shop and the fact that they are opened 24 hours makes them a 10/10. Not a bad donut here. Okay so it’s not fried to order but they always taste fresh. The fact is they go hard. This is is easily one of the best shops in So Cal. I think they were the first to replicate the cronut. They also do mochi donuts as well.
The above 2 is ube cream (weekends only) and blueberry. Should have got one yeast but the worker insisted that I try the ube. Donuts can be reheated fyi just ask. My go to is usually maple bar and a coffee. Apple fritter, buttermilk, old-fashioned, chocolate bar are also some favs.
The ube cream is incredible. It is also vegan!
24 hours. What an establishment. Traditional/Vegan/Mochi/Gluten Free/Malsadas/Croissants
I don’t know if Pasjoli is under rated but it doesn’t get much mentioned. It’s really very good.
Not pictured is the (excellent) chartreuse crepes with strawberries and creme diplomat
Those look amazing.
My cousin is a huge fan of the Donuttery…I’ve been a few times myself to provide gifts for folks.
They are terrific doughnuts.
Was again looking up Thai spots in West LA and wandered upon Lala Rice. We were in the mood for Thai, and since this place is close by, we thought we’d give it try.
It was unexpectedly delightful. 
Crispy veg rolls, fine.
The chopsticks for the khao soi actually came as pictured; I like that they have a sense of humor and whimsy. Khao soi was a pretty big portion, and they were generous w/ the chicken. Flavor of the broth wasn’t quite as rich and soulful as I remember Northern Thai Food Club being (from my one visit there many yrs ago) but was still quite tasty.
The sweet and chili fish was OUTSTANDING (IMHO). Such a nice, thick (for panko), and crunchy crust. And, again, a big portion.
The flavors here are relatively subdued, but there is an underlying refinement that I enjoyed, and the dishes were well-balanced enough to hit the spot (vs. Ekkamai, which I have found refined and subdued but rather bland). And, like Hidden Gardens (which I posted about elsewhere), it feels like there’s pride and care in what they’re presenting (I think I prefer the stronger flavors at Hidden Gardens).
I wouldn’t have minded a bit more funk, but partner and I are very eager to return to try more of the menu. They have things like carbonara (!) and pesto (!) on the menu. Is that kind of fusion common in Thailand? I liked our meal enough that I would actually be willing to try those dishes here.
Not a destination place, but def worth a try if you’re in the area.
PSA: parking in the small lot is a PITA.
Their panang fish is also that breaded filet over the curry, and it’s pretty darned good. That whole strip mall is really impressive in terms of Asian food. Even Oops! (for what it is).
Ohmigod, such a coincidence that you mentioned that place specifically b/c, as I was pulling into the lot, I was like, “WTF is up that name???” 
I haven’t been to the strip mall since the Oaxacan place was there (I think it began w/ a “Tl?”), so will need to try the other places…
Tlapazola Grill (RIP 
)
Looks like a new exciting spot is opening up at the old mo chica/Caribbean restaurant spot in Mercado Paloma.
Looks like the chef has worked at Holbox and damian
Mapo dak galbi chicken 
Mapo tofu at Chengdu Impression in Arcadia near me 
, wish spicier tho… i asked for intense heat 
Chicken curry with roti from Carribean Gourmet, also nearby me San Gabriel/San Marino . Preferred this over the oxtail and jerk chicken 
Omakase at my favorite local sushiya Yui’s, in Sierra Madre
Char Kway Teo from Ipoh Kopitiam, also nearby in Alhambra 
And back to the gym…
Ta eem grill closed 
oh no! I haven’t been there since pre-covid, but that really makes me sad
Yeah i haven’t been there in 3 years and we loved that place used to go almost once a week sad news
That Chicken Curry looks amazing!! I love Roti… thanks for posting, will have to check them out since it also appears they do meat pies! <3 I haven’t been to Blossom Food Hall yet, so this maybe the best excuse!
What are peoples thoughts on Sands Chinese in Irwindale? The off menu specials look absolutely incredible…I’ve only tried the daytime menu, which was still very tasty
Partner saw a TikTok video about Aurora (Mid-City) and picked up a few items:
Croissant was pretty bready but had a decent enough buttery flavor.
The patisserie is very cute. The lemon one was quite enjoyable. Liked the texture of the chocolate cake (somewhere between mousse and cake), but the flavors were a bit muted and jumbled (IMHO). Partner very much liked all the items.
I think he said that the small patisserie were ~$10, while the cakes (which he said were beautiful) was ~$65? I am not a huge dessert person, but I think it’d be a fun place to visit. The place could certainly coast on looks alone, but I think the taste (at least for the items we got) was pretty good (but I’d skip the croissant).
LAX-C - lil neighborhood food crawl
Those kuihs are so good when they’re fresh (when they’re fresh you can smell the coconut/pandan at the counter). And got the 7$ soft shell crab tempura because why not ?!? So much easier to eat 
beats a costco hot dog imo. Got the takeaway packed boat noodles — again, i don’t know what these are supposed to taste like. The night market one was definitely better, but this hits a spot and reheats well
Nice thick noodle with some chew. Wanted something a little lighter. Saw a google review that mentioned it was like garlic noodles, i tend to agree.
