hobbes "i have become one with the burrito"

Mako is the place I save for special occaisions or when I just feel like the perfect balance of flavor, presentation, and ambiance.

I have had several memorable dining experiences here that have woven this restaurant into that special place between my stomach and heart.

The dining area is fairly relaxed and rather informal, but you’ll still see people in degrees of dress from suits to country club attire to business casual. Being that this is LA, a trendy pair of jeans and a button shirt will suffice. Just make sure you’re not wearing sandals or sneakers.

The service is polite, informative, and very welcoming. The waitstaff seems to have little turnover, which is something I look for when judging the service at a restaurant. For those of you who use refills as an indicator of service attention, glass are promptly refilled when the glass gets low, but not with such frequency that the servers are constantly at your table to refill everytime you take a sip.

This is a tapas/izakaya type restaurant, where you order small dishes and share them with your fellow diners. The dishes are quite small, so don’t expect much from an individual dish, however, I’ve never left the restaurant still hungry. I guess it just depends on how much you’re willing to spend to fill up. For two people, I usually spend around $150.

The flavors are wonderful and varied, so each dish is an experience unto itself. The sauces are what give life to an otherwise common dish, such as tuna sashimi or carpaccio. And thankfully, the sauces are unique to each dish, so there is plenty to sample from.

Overall, this intimate eatery hold many fond memories of great conversations and fun times over delicious dishes.

Reservations are not a must, but are highly recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday.

This place has a great staff that is very knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly. The waiters are also fairly handsome.

The food is extremely delicious and the plating is simple yet artistic. Check the website for the standard menu, which is supplemented by many seasonal and daily specials.

I have dined here quite a few times with mirabell_19 and have never been disappointed. Although the facilities are nice & hip, the dress and atmosphere are LA casual.

The dining area is also somewhat tiny and always busy, so make sure to call ahead to see if you can make reservations.

http://www.orrisrestaurant.com/

Nestled amongst the eclectic shops of Abbot Kinney hides the jewel of the tea scene in LA. Jin is the reason I find myself in Venice every weekend.

The main sitting area is a small courtyard filled with well groomed landscaping that creates a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy your perfectly steeped tea and pastries. While the wait can be quite long for a seat, the host (the ever-friendly and quiet Hugo) will gladly call your cell phone when a space is available, thus allowing you the chance to peruse the many nearby shops (Take a peak at Tortise if you get a chance).

There is a wide variety of tea to choose from and the staff is always ready to provide a recommendation should you require one. In addition to the tea, Jin also offers small meals (not for those with large apetites), pastries, and chocolates. The pastries and chocolates are delicate and contain subtle flavors that are hard to find elsewhere. For a complete listing please visit their website.

Be forewarned that the courtyard is open air and will be closed for seating should it rain. Also, the prices are on the high side, but are fair considering the attention to detail and perfection found in each menu offering.

The perfect place to take a special someone and relax.

http://www.jinpatisserie.com/

Too often I run into people who think Japanese food and sushi are synonymous. Which is why Furaibo is the place I take my friends and acquaintances when I want to debunk this myth.

Furaibo is an izakaya restaurant, some prefer to call it “Japanese tapas” or “Japanese dim sum”, which means that your dining experience consists of ordering small plates throughout the meal and sharing them family style.

While beer is not an essential part of the dining experience, I find that a large Asahi and some good friends makes this fun evening filled with great cuisine.

There are multiple locations, so pick the closest one to you and enjoy.