How was El Ruso? Feels like Eater’s been hyping it up a lot, I’m curious.
Hmmm can’t seem to do this right:
I drank more than I ate, lol. From the last two plus weekends
Beaujolais Cru Cote Du Py Morgon tasting
A&J style beef noodle soup (unfortunately too heavy on the MSG)
Wet beef chow fun
Grilled lamb chops off menu at a 7 course beef restaurant (Anh Hong Bo 7 Mon, San Francisco)
1989 Chateau Gloria St Julien Bordeaux for dessert
Mirugai at Sushi Yoshizumi
Kohada at Sushi Yoshizumi
Stonemill Matcha (pop up tent) featuring their signature katsu sando and sparkling matcha with aonori chips
Tasting Nikka from the barrel at Umami Mart in Oakland during their 7th anniversary celebration
Taishoken, official branch from Tokyo (yes inventor of tsukemen), in downtown San mateo. Tokusei Tsukemen with a dipping broth of pork, katsuo, chicken, niboshi, green onions…umami bomb
Tasting the new Den Batch #7 (released just last Friday) at Umami Mart
Sohomare Kimoto Tokubetsu Junmai at Izakaya Ginji
Piedmonte vs Tuscany: Vietti Barolo 2014 with Sassicaia’s 2nd wine (Super Tuscan 2016) Tenuto San Guido Guidalberto (freaking excellent Bordeaux blend style wine)
salume platter and duck ragu tagilatelle to go with the nice wines
Kagawa style Kama Age udon with tempura at Udon Mugizo (SF Japantown)
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Did you stay up for 48 hours straight eating and drinking? You are da man.
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Haha good catch… I forgot to post last couple weekends. If only I were built to be an eating and drinking machine!!
Hi @beefnoguy,
Nice! 
How was Den #7?
For Taishoken, overall did you think it was good? Worth a visit? Thanks.
Re: El Ruso
Tortillas: Nice texture, a little cheese that was crisp up also helped. I like.
Salsas/toppings/condiments: The avocado salsa was okay, and the salsa roja had a decent kick. Limes/radishes/cucumbers/onions etc all nice and fresh. At tableside, Salsa Sinaloa more accustomed to see this at mariscos places but it’s a solid bottle hot sauce for home. The beans are fine.
Asada: This was kinda bland for me as well. I personally would like more smoke, salt, and marinade to shine thru.
For me it was okay.
I have not been to Loqui and I had Sonoratown a few years ago at the taco festival at Olvera.
We are still lucky to have a regional variation of the carne asada taco! There are still a few more places I have to try both Sonora and TJ style asada. So far I love Tire Shop and Los Poblanos.
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Hi @JeetKuneBao,
Yah totally agree. El Ruso is overrated (more unnecessary hype). None of the meats were great (they were fine). Definitely not a destination place.
Fiona Sour cherry pie, fantastic.
Also Shawn Pham is no longer at Fiona but the menu is still heavily Vietnamese influenced.
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Taco Journey update coming soon?
I really wanted to like this place, but yup unfortunately the asada I had was not that good. Could not taste the smoke and the marinade.
It’s getting real competitive now with Carne Asada tacos in LA right now!!!
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Give Taishoken a try when you visit SF Bay Area again, if you enjoy tsukemen. The dipping broth is a bit on the thicker side (since Americans enjoy tonkotsu more so I think they up the ratio a bit more). They will eventually also offer Mazemen. If you want to be in first seating, wait about 2 hours before they open. Else wait 2 hours for 2nd or 3rd seating. After that no guarantees you will be able to get anything. They are still working out kinks.
Den #7 is very good and drinks better than 6 upon release, it’s still very young right now so you have that super vibrant freshness like a new year’s timeframe released sake in Japan (shinshu)… the classic medley fruit collection with melon tones, a lot of wonderful astringency and high acidity and a good dry/semi dry finish. The aroma is wonderful for sure. With some additional bottle aging this will turn into umami and build more structure. It’s also entirely possible the single pasteurized version will quickly add a touch of good bitterness into the mix (like #6 single pasteurized) and give it far more character and power…hopefully I’ll get to taste this alt version next weekend for a preview ;-). Give Shibumi a call and ask when they will get in #7, although if they are still buying cases and having them driven down, then you’d want to get in on that quickly. Or hit up Quince, Single Thread, (maybe Saison in the future), Cassava, Rintaro, Maum, Liholiho when you are up here next (the Michelin star places pour Den as part of beverage pairing).
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Update: Saison and Angler are carrying Den now (as well as Izakaya Ginji). Unsure if Angler LA will carry it, but you can always call to ask.
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Wirtshaus on La Brea in Mid-City 
We like to go with our cousin who grew up in Germany. But I’m wondering why they don’t get more love in general.
Grevensteiner Kellerbier German IPA
They offer dry Riesling and fruity Riesling. I picked dry.
…It was fine
Reibekuchen - Potato Pancakes w/Mascarpone Cheese and Homemade Apple Sauce
Wurstplatte - Sausage Platter (smoked pork w/chunks of emmentaler cheese, wild boar, smoked buffalo)
Oh man, they make delicious sausages!
Cheese Spätzl & Arugula Walnut Salad
Sausage (?) Potato Salad & Mashed Potatoes
Starch anyone?
Hahnchen Schnitzel - Chicken & Mushroom Sauce w/Spätzl & Green Beans w/Garlic & Almonds
Kid’s Schnitzel w/Cheesy Spätzl
The schnitzel is tender, crispy, w/the right amount of seasoning. The sausages are even better! Big sausage (wurst) selection, even Vegan Wurst. But I’ve decided I don’t love spätzl. 
It’s a beer drinking, soccer watching kind of place with loyal regulars, but there’s also a family vibe - ping pong table, board games. We played Jenga with the pups. Service is what you might expect from young dudes working in a tavern. The chowpups wanted pudding for dessert, but we got tired of waiting for our waiter to pay attention. 
Instead we walked to Milk on Beverly Blvd for ice cream.
I had my favorite dessert - a Hot Fudge Sunday (no photo). This one only had drizzles, more like thick chocolate syrup than hot fudge-y, fudge. Looking at online photos I’m concluding the sandwiches are the popular item at Milk.
Quarters BBQ - Koreatown
Our friend was in L.A. for the week. He used to live here and when he’s visiting always goes to one of his favorite KBBQ places then likes to checkout new ones. Quarters is his new favorite.
Of the sides & banchan my favorite was the noodle salad - noodles on green salad w/sweet, tangy, spicy dressing (possibly bibim guksu? but w/rice noodles, instead of wheat). 
The Kimchi is tame. Nice Broccoli Salad w/Raisins, Pinenuts, Shallots & Sweet Creamy Dressing.
Kimchi Soondubu Jjigae (kimchi & soft tofu stew)
Okay, I need peeps favorite spots for this. Come winter I’m puttin’ it in my rotation!
Gyeranjjim (savory, steamed egg custard)
Nice with Rice.
Kimchi Pancakes
A little oily. I’d maybe order them again.
Meat! 
Not pictures of everything, but my favorites were the Boneless Short Rib, the Ribeye & Beef Belly.
I think the meat in the middle is Spicy Pork Collar?
I had no intention of eating cheese (melted or otherwise) with my KBBQ. But I brokedown and dipped a grilled mushroom into the fondue. It’s good!
My friend was raving about the Kimchi Fried Rice, but for some reason it didn’t end up on our table.
I had tempered my expectations about the food because Quarters seems more like a drinking, party kind of place. It’s very good and we were pleasantly surprised with the quality of the delicious beef.
Side note: I haven’t read the distressing LAT article about KBBQ workers. But if I had I probably would have slipped an extra bill in our server’s pocket. Super busy, super friendly guy.
Afterward, a stop at Cafe Bleu. Fresh Soju for the Men!
The next night…
The Little Door (Beverly-Grove) aka Y’all Are Trippin’
Went to a wonderful birthday dinner at The Little Door. It’s beautiful, inviting, warm and the food is very good, just as I remembered.
I didn’t run around the large table photographing and trying every dish 
but everyone seemed to really enjoy their food. The vegetarians loved the Pappardelle w/Wild Shrooms, Vegetables, Roasted Pimentoes & Pesto, as well as the Vegetarian Mezze Platter made specially for them. The Wild Arugula Salad was a surprise hit with all of us.
Grandpa had the “Grandfather” - Bourbon, Calvados, Carpano Antica (vermouth)
He enjoyed it “very much!”
Margarita Granada - Dos Armadillos Blanco Tequila, Pomegranate, Cointreau, Lime Juice
Pretty color, balanced, tart, sweet but not too sweet, very enjoyable, could have used a skosh more tequila.
Chicken Couscous Soup
Mild in flavor & Moroccan spices, comforting, not salty, served with a slice of lemon to brighten it.
Avoid the bread @Chowseeker1999. It’s not hot let alone piping.
Not a exactly a dealbreaker for me - it’s a good soup dipper.
Duck Liver Mousse, Port Wine Aspic, Port Wine Reduction, Black Truffle Brioche Toast, Frisée w/Candied Almonds, Orange Blossom Vinaigrette
The port wine aspic & drizzle of syrupy, port wine reduction cut the rich, creamy duck mousse with tart sweetness + the bitter frisée, candied almonds & orange blossom vinaigrette.
I didn’t remember truffle until I read the menu again… hmmm.
Pistachio Crusted Day Boat Scallops, Balsamic Butter Caper Reduction, Angel Hair Pasta & Vegetables
I didn’t try, but it looked perfectly cooked and was eaten with a lot of “ummm & ahhhs”.
Roasted Organic Chicken, Smoked Garlic Confit, Polenta squares (maybe?), Lemon Oregano Au Jus, Angel Hair & Squash Pasta
I didn’t try, but again with the happy plate.
Grilled Ribeye, Sel de Guerande, Herbs, Cracked Black Pepper, Potato Leek Gratin, Green Beans & Shrooms
Honestly, everything about the beef at Quarters (cut, flavor, texture, cook) was better than this $56+ steak. But I could eat a whole dish of that gratin.
Duo of Duck (breast & leg confit), Port Wine, Roasted Plum & Star Anise Sauce, Quinoa Pilaf, Asparagus
(internet photo)
I didn’t have to ask if my son liked his choice. I watched him take a bite, lift his head, smile to himself and start nodding as he chewed.
The service was not fussy, just effortlessly on-point. The staff seem very familiar with each other and the regular customers. A lot of French is spoken.
I’m not sure where the hate comes from, except maybe the prices, which were a shock to the first-timers at our table. It’s definitely a special occasion place and everything about The Little Door made it feel like a special occasion.
For dessert we walked to Magnolia Bakery for Banana Pudding. They were out of plain banana, so this…
Gilding the Lilly! Gone was the wonderfulness of bananas, fluffy whipped cream, custard-y pudding & the subtly sweet, softly textured nilla wafers. That is one of my favorite desserts in L.A. But it was overpowered by chocolate & chocolate oreo type cookies and thankfully, not too many reese’s pieces. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t right.
Next up…
I fell off the wagon. The Izaka-Ya by Katsu-Ya was new on Postmates and staring at me, tempting me.
Cone Tar-Tar & Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice… because Katsuya.
Spicy Hamachi (yellowtail) & Creamy Salmon
Short Rib w/Jalapeno Miso on Cedar Board
Hamachi Kama (yellowtail collar)
What can I say? Everything was tasty. I’m blaming KazuNori as the gateway drug to my relapse.
We also went to Javier’s (reported already) and to Commerson on La Brea with a group. I won’t bore you with that one.
This report is a little late but I’ve been busy… going to restaurants! It was a long month of celebrations, get togethers and restaurants. Did I mention I also planned a small wedding in about 10 days. I’m going to sleep. 
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It’s not you, it’s the spatzle. I saw that photo and was offended.
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Okay, I was wondering if it was a case of me or the spatzle. Are there any places you’d recommend?
Just looking at the photos the food looks horrible and has little to do with food you would get in Germany (and don’t let even get me started that this type of food has very little to do with food eaten by Germans on a regular basis but just at tourist places.) German has so many international influences over the last 40-50 years through immigrants (~15% of the population) that “German” food has changed so much that it hardly resembles that stuff in your photos.
Whatever… that smoked pork sausage stuffed with emmentaler cheese was the bomb.
My cousin agrees with you, but she actually likes going to Wirtshaus for one of the reasons you touched upon - it is touristy and gives her that old-school German feel. She is disappointed the waiters don’t speak German… but said the service is exactly like a German restaurant, lol. She said it’s hard to recreate a real German restaurant here and the “it’s not exactly like a fill-in-the-country restaurant therefore it sucks” argument is dumb. I 
this woman.
We have a big extended family and dig a place where adults can drink, eat, talk, watch sports and the youngers can play ping pong and table games. Maybe some FTCers in my ‘hood with the same situation might appreciate the rec.
Happy Eating! Don’t order the Spätzl. 
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You mean with pineapple and Canadian bacon? 
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Where’s the ranch?
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Hold up wait a minute, that’s kinda big news, any details?
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