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.