Foodcourt at Century City Mall

In a weeks time, during the holiday rush, I ended up eating at the newly built foodcourt at the Century City Mall. The modern architecture, real plates and glasses, and good quality foodcourt fare makes this worth a trip.

In fact, Rommel had a visitor last night and in his search for a restaurant near West Hollywood, I encouraged him to check this place out.

Featured:
Baja Fresh
Mr. Hana
Harper's ( I would avoid this)
A sushi place
A korean place
A coffee/deli/bakery place
Fuddruckers
Etc.

Harpers

Hungry one night while hanging around Marvin's place, we decided to walk to the nearby Century City mall and after much deliberation tried this restaurant, the very few at this used to be quiet local hangout of the rich and ultra rich neighborhood next to Beverly Hills.

Harper's claiming to be Italian is well located at a busy corner next to Houston's and Gulfstream restaurant. We sat ourselves at the patio, though cold that night, the host was nice enough to turn on one, yes only one, heater. Yes, it wasn't much help. We were served bread, and soon our dishes were served. I am not sure which canned pasta sauce they opened, but certainly not one I would care open myself. Now if it was only me complaining about the blahness of their entrees, I probably wouldn't say this, but with all of us unsatisfied, our recommendation for this place: Head to the foodcourt.

Overly creamy, too cheesy fettucini with smoked salmon: $15.00

Jack and Jill

Marvin called me at 730AM for the annual post Thanksgiving day shopping craze and an hour later we drove around Rodeo Drive to check out the bargains. None were open yet, so we decided to have breakfast at Jack and Jill, a usually crowded place we never bothered to try until today.

With only 1 table occupied at the patio, we braved the chilly morning and sat at another outside table. Coffee was quickly served on this bakery, offering breakfast fare, salads, and other diner entrees. I ordered the breakfast wrap, simply bacon, spring onions, chees and lots of eggs, LOTS, wrapped in lavash bread for $12.95. Marvin had the eggs benedict also for $12.95.

LOTS of eggs, too much for me, I ended up not eating half. I'll come back to try the baked goods next time. But no more eggs please.

Kroa Thai

After my initial diamond peel, our new best friend suggested we try Kroa Thai instead of the usual Sanamlaung. A few blocks from their residence cum clinic, it is conveniently located along Sherman Way close to the 405 freeway.

As we passed the ever crowded Sanam, we saw the neon sign of this unknown, at least to us, Thai restaurant. Just like any other, they offered an inexpensive with pictures and settled on the usual shrimp cakes, pad seew, chapo and 2 thai iced teas all for less than $25 including tip.

Good food, served within minutes. Another haunt we will definitely go too after our next peeling session.

Shiki Sushi

Heading home on a Sunday night, looking for the first Japanese restaurant we find along Ventura Blvd. Kevin pointed out Shiki Sushi. As we entered the parking complex, and seeing the small lights every homeowner brings out during Christmas, and the busy restaurant, I had the gut feeling to back up and pick another one.

We pushed through and the waitress sat us in a corner table by the window, which would have been the best seat hadn't it been for the drum music playing in the background. Soon enough I can hear the noisy chatter at this bigger than usual sushi joint, and my head started to throb.

Combination plate - Calamari and Chicken Terriyaki at $12.95 comes with spicy tuna, salad and bowl of rice.
Salmon skin cut roll - $4.00
Eel and cucumber cut roll - $4.00
Dynamite - $9.95

Prices are expensive due to the portions. Dynamite was a whole plate full, the salmon skin roll crumbling into pieces and calamari seemed to come from a giant squid. Maybe I had a headache, but I felt that I was eating in an American restaurant serving Japanese style food. One good thing about western restaurants, every one seemed to go home with to go boxes.

Total bill including tip - $45.00

All India Cafe

Walking through a parade along Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena, trying to find a Thai restaurant Kevin and I decided on, we decided to end our trek and go for Indian food. And what better way to expand my palate from the usual curry or kabobs, as my friend knows indian food quite well. Burma has a large muslim preparation, so I let him decide on what we were having.

Samosas - a wonton style appetizer stuffed with mashed potatoes and veggies, similar to croquettes
Chicken Tandoori - similar to chicken bbq cooked in a tandoor
Chicken Masala - unlike the masala's i am used to, this one is done bbq style too

Our $9.00 entrees came with small servings of lentils, potato and green peas in a broth, bread and rice pilaf. Great for a warm sunday lunch.

Bale

How can I miss this local favorite? Today, I took Kevin for some Vietnamese food right here in the Valley. I had Grilled Pork Chops, he had steamed crabmeat n shredded pork, shared spring rolls and one thai iced tea with boba. All for $16.00 excluding tip.

Must try: Chicken with Oyster Sauce
Noodles, both hot and cold

De Soto and Sherman Way

Doug Arango

We were driving the whole day in search of a place to celebrate Marvin's birthday when we stumbled upon Doug Arango's. A restaurant convenient and location familiar to us, West Hollywood. The big red doors should be an eye catcher, however this is the first time we have actually seen it. So with one of our friends footing the bill, I decided to have dinner here on this special day.

Reservations were made for 8:00 PM, and arriving an hour early, after walking about the local gay spots, we entered the restaurant half an hour before schedule. We wanted to have the round table by the fireplace, but it has been already reserved, so we were sitted almost at the middle of the dining floor. Since one of our friends was running late, we took our time, and ordered a bottle of "Suave", white wine from Spain at $30.00, and it was nice and refreshing. The waiter gave us free time only coming over to continuously refill our olive tray. Even Franklin who never had olives before ended up liking them. Bread was served upon ordering our entrees.

The two page menu offered bistro specialties, and we settled with Pasta Verde for Marvin (the least of my favorite at $25), NY steak with great fries (love it for $31 and the most expensive item), ravioli ($19), cod and my selection of rack of lamb. I rarely get lamb because of the gamey taste, however due to our waitress push for me to have it, I am happy to say was the best lamb I ever had. It came with no mint jelly, but with wild rice and vegetables. We were to have coffee and cake elsewhere, so sans dessert our bill came to $190 excluding tip for 5 satisfied diners.

Next trip, I will push Marvin for the veal liver.