I could probably live on the karaage from Ikkousha.
6 Likes
Roberta’s Pizza pop-up at Platform in Culver City.
Bee Sting - tomato, mozzarella, soppressata, basil, chili, honey.
Famous Original - tomato, mozzarella, parm, caciocavallo, oregano, chili.
Ursula Parade (Special) - mozzarella, parm, Littleneck clams, Calabrian chili, garlic, lemon, parsley.
So glad they’re back. Everything was delicious.
10 Likes
Hollywood Thai down the street is the other late night Khao Tom joint in Thai Town.
Louder environment though with the singing and live music. They have the same Khao Tom dishes as Ruen Pair.
Returned to L.A. for the holidays and first meal in town was a fancy one in celebration of my mom’s birthday - dinner at Cassia. It was our second time here, with our first visit in 2015. Arriving just after 7pm on a Saturday night, we were seated immediately without reservations at an indoor communal table. Most of the menu remained the same from our last visit. Our party of 3 shared half a dozen raw oysters (I did not partake), green papaya salad (my least favorite dish of the night - herb dressing was reminiscent of pesto), spicy wontons (the server warned our party that they would be “really spicy,” but even my mild-leaning mom could handle these), pork meatballs in cashew curry with flatbread (my favorite savory dish of the night), fried rice (just OK), and Chinese broccoli. My mom planned to order the pot au feu but I guess felt it was splashing out too much since my brother was treating us. The overall winner of the evening for both me and my mom was dessert. We split a vanilla egg custard with ginger snap crust, pumpkin apple butter, pumpkin seed brittle, and ginger apple syrup. We weren’t planning to split it - each of us ordered one and my brother ordered the Vietnamese coffee pudding. The server suggested we share 
I could have easily polished off my own. In general, fine meal, nice space, and the best company 
4 Likes
Nothing But Coffee.
Koreatown, near Wilshire and Western. Lots of tables and outlets! Not too crowded. Coffee is from Balrog Coffee. Got to the try their speciality latte, Truffle Honey and really enjoyed it.
Korean coffee culture is a thing!
Seoul>>>Portland and Seattle
Olympic Mercado.
Came here after La Unica. Definitely not the Mercado that Esparza wrote about years ago. Not too many specialist. Most places are tacos,quesadillas, and other similar masa based items with the same fillings. Squash flowers, corn fungus, mushrooms, chorizo/potato, and pork skin in salsa as well as the common stuff ie Asada and the like. All of them are solid btw!! Oh feel free to mix and match. Asada and Corn Fungus? Yes please.
Amongst those I found a Puebla stand with blue corn and unique items like moronga/blood sausage and cecina.
And for dessert a big bag of mango and coconut:
If you never been it’s a madhouse! The south side of Olympic is busier. Also spotted a few chicharone and carnitas stands.
1 Like
Hanoi Corner
The search for the best bun cha Hanoi in Little Saigon continues…
Knew this wasn’t going to be success when it hit the table. No aroma and no grilled flavor.
Cold, too.
So far Hanoi Avenue is my favorite.
But Hanoi Corner has a killer baby clam porridge that always sells out and other noodles and apps that are worth exploring. Sadly the bun cha was bland.
I wish someone would do a street, truck, or underground backyard setup for bun cha Hanoi.
Binh Minh is next on the list
2 Likes
What do you think of the bun cha Hanoi at Brodard Chateau?
Have not had it. Is it good? Never been to Chateau either just the regular place for rolls
Oh, might give it a whirl.
I’m not an expert, but from your comments about grill flavors, aroma, and temperature it seems like it might be good. I haven’t had it in a while, but I can still recall it being really aromatic, and having the flavors of grilled, rich meat served quite hot (at least the meat, which comes in its own pot). I thought it was quite a great dish there!
1 Like
We recently had the chance to try a variety of wonderful restaurants on our most recent trip northwards. There are threads for each of these, but I’ll compile them all here in case someone finds it helpful:
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New England Lobster Market: Of Lobster Rolls, Chilled Shrimp and More [Thoughts + Pics] - Return visit to try the Dungeness Crab Sandwich.
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Fragrant, Smoky, Grilled Goodness and Sake at Kemuri Japanese Baru [Thoughts + Pics]
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Mensho Tokyo: Return Visit for their amazing Spicy Lamb Ramen and Shio Ramen!
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Return Visit to the Sublime Arsicault Bakery, and B. Patisserie [Thoughts + Pics]
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The Clinical Precision and Beautiful Plating of COI, but What About Taste? [Thoughts + Pics]
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LEGENDARY Dim Sum Returns! Enter The Dragon - Striving for the Pinnacle of Dim Sum Goodness! Dragon Beaux [Thoughts + Pics]
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Vibrant California Cuisine - Welcome to The Progress [Thoughts + Pics]
Thanks again to all the FTC’ers for the great recommendations! 
2 Likes
California Marketplace, 5th and Western.
I think this is the best korean market in KTown. Grab some samples, puts Costco to shame!!!
Very tasty banchan at the back of the market!!
Pollock Entrails. I should have bought this!!
Smoked Duck!
Went to check out the third floor…
Didn’t sample the food stalls here but saw a donkatsu , jjampong, kimbap, Italian-Korean fusion, soba, and dessert stall.
Headed across the street to Chomak for some grilled fish
Got the pike mackerel. Nicely cooked, and with the warm barley drink, very comforting meal.
6 Likes
Today had the most gorgeous sky at sunset!!
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LOL. It did Pheel like Philangeles.
Rams really blew it.
Main Line in da house!
1 Like
FYI Tomorrow is the last serving of the year for Burgers Never Say Die
I can’t really say I like their burgers, but I do enjoy the company of (most) the people who swing by.