j44lee "Sushi Monster"

 

Yeah, yeah, so the chairs are made out of cardboard but who gives a flying uni’s arse? I came for the sushi, and you can call it a self-fulfilling prophecy (or maybe I am psychic), but the experience paralleled my unfavorable premonition.

Thanks to a couple of the awesomest “dining companions” for providing the booty list below. My commentary is provided at no extra charge.

BOOZE:
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Kirin Light $4.50 – Light, refreshing, but I should’ve stuck with the regular.

Echigo $8.50 – Available only in one size (500 cc); tasted clean and ricey.

Asahi Select $5.50 – Never saw this one before. Think of a red label Asahi with an amber color and extra bite. Good, but I wouldn’t get this on my own.

Harushika (Junmai), Large $35 – What the heck…I thought we were going to get a bottle of this stuff. Instead, the sake was served in a small glass decanter with a hollowed, concave center which accommodated a glass sphere of ice. Whatever. The sake was good, but not worth $35 for the pitiful quantity.

Grüner Veltliner, Leth, Steinagrund, Austria 2007 $38 – A dry and crisp white – thought this added a nice and classy touch to the mediocre dinner.

FISH:
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Spicy Tuna Roll $6 – YAWN. Booooring. I’ve had better for less at crunchy-maki-yaki-type places. A sloppy presentation with too much rice (which was on the soggy side) and wimpy nori.

Tuna/Maguro $6 – Hands down, the ruby reddest flesh I’d ever seen. There was no correlation between its gorgeous gem-like hue and unmemorable, almost absent, flavor.

Halibut/Hirame $6 – Good effort, had a pleasant snap.

Salmon/Sake $6 – THIS was unusual, in a good and unexpected way. Salmon typically melts in my mouth, but this baby required some heavy mastication. The texture was closer to a hearty snapper rather than an oily pat of butter. I enjoyed this.

Red Snapper/Tai $8 – No soy. Dressed up with a dash of yuzu and sea salt. Tasty.

Spanish Mackerel/Aji $8 – Unusually buttery – the aji literally fused into the pores of my tongue. Chewing would’ve been optional had it not been for the rice accompaniment.

Jumbo Clam (Geoduck)/Mirugai $10 – dry and plasticy. I enjoy a good mirugai, but this one was too leathery with the consistency of tarp (yeah, that’s what I said).

Needlefish/Sayori $8 – This was the least fresh of the bunch. No distinctive flavor other than its slight hint of fishiness which I attribute to lack of freshness.

Scallop/Hotate $4 – Flabby little globs of scallop served in the style of a typical “spicy scallop nigiri” but without the spicy. Serving size was stingy – my scallops didn’t runneth over the nori border.

Salmon Egg/Ikura $8 – SIGH. This wasn’t good. The egg balls were misshapen and didn’t burst into an ocean of salty briny love upon mastication. These eggs came out of a white plastic jar…looked pretty cheap and old.

Sea Urchin/Uni $10 – Had almost a radioactive orange hue. Flavor was good; not offensive by any means. I’ve certainly had better, but this was passing.

Fresh Kumamoto Oysters $12 – Good but not great. Served with a wedge of lemon and a side of bland cocktail sauce.

Ankimo – Steamed Monk Fish Liver with Spicy Ponzu Sauce $10.50 – I enjoyed this. The ankimo had a nice, smooth pate texture. The liver is not available as nigiri, but you can order as an appetizer from the kitchen.

Fresh Water Eel/Unagi $6 – Decent, a bit firmer than what I’m used to. The sauce had a thick consistency akin to tar and a rich maple syrup color. Anything beyond its small strip of application would’ve been sugar overload.

Beef Sashimi $15 – BLAH! This was definitely the worst of the worst. My “dining companions” thought this was a decent dish, but I was almost compelled to fling the meat back to the kitchen and demand more tender cuts. These strips tasted like well-done sirloin pieces served beneath a deceptive cloak of rare preparation.

Japanese-Style Ceviche $14 – Very good, but I imagine this dish is hard to screw up. I regret that the liberal application of cilantro and lime juice ousted any semblance of Japanese-ness, but life goes on. Served on a crispy rice bowl (reminded me of a Taco Bell taco salad tortilla).

Egg Cake/Tamago $4 – No thank you. No natural eggy flavor and a bit on the firm side. Overpowering sweetness that seems to originate from a man-made source (e.g., high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, etc.).

SUMMARY:
———————-
I wouldn’t return and I definitely would not recommend R23 to my friends. For its hype (and a solid 26 Zagat food rating), I expected much more. Don’t get me wrong – the ambiance is quite lovely and a hip/elegant spot for a date, but don’t come here expecting great sushi.

 

We only came here for coffee and a pastry, but I was BLOWN AWAY by the charm of MASA – clearly, I could sense this is a favorite local spot.

FANTASTIC:
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1. LOVE the CHARMING AMBIANCE here. Every single square inch of this place is adorned with cute and kitschy art pieces (funny paintings of dogs, eclectic glass vases, pretty hanging lamps, etc.). The LIGHTING is phenomenal, too. Slightly dim to set the mood for a nice meal or a relaxing conversation over the coffee du jour.

2. RESTAURANT immediately to your right upon entry and BAKERY/CAFE to your left. Each side is separated by the BAR in the center.

3. CHEAP COFFEE PRICES – what the heck? They offer maybe 10 different coffees (Sumatra, Americano, Mocha, Espresso variations, etc.) and everything is $1.65-$3.

Their MASSIVE CROISSANTS are also under $4. They obviously don’t gouge the customer even though the quality is very good.

4. CUTE WAITORS: hehe, what can I say? I’m a sucker of nerdy looking guys with sweet faces. There were 2 fellas here who were tall, thin, and wore glasses – CUTE!

5. HAPPY CUSTOMERS: apparently, their pizzas are the big thing here. Most of the patrons seemed to have a deep dish on their tables, and boy – did they look happy!

Masa is about 45 minutes from me but I think I would make a trip out to Echo Park just to try their pizza…being able to see the cute servers again is a plus, too!

 

5 stars – GO HERE!

I don’t like Italian food, but D-E-Y-A-A-A-A-A-M-N….Franco’s is the ish!

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN – Ferrealz….you step into this hole-in-the-wall restaurant, and immediately you’re in some random homey Italian place in New York. Freshly baked bread (Franco’s is a restaurant and bakery), roasted garlic and olive oil spread, and a ton of homemade Italian entrees and appetizers await your consumtpion.

FOOD:
- Bread & Garlic spread: warm, crusty french bread and foccacia served with creamy garlic spread…magnificent.

- French Onion soup: a bit on the salty side, but you can taste love that went into this homemade soup.

- Fried Zucchini: WOW! Sliced into very thin medallions…these babies retained their crunchiness down to the last bite. $6 for a HUGE plate and served with a bowl of rich marinara sauce.

- Seafood Fettucini Alfredo: served with scallops and shrimp. Yummy~

- Pasta Sampler: woah – $12 for a pretty large plate of the following mini servings: meat lasagna, stuffed cannolini, and 2 other stuffed cheesy and eggy things. This thing was quite hearty, especially because it was covered in melted mozzarella. I would recommend it as an appetizer for a party of 4.

PATRONS: The night we went, we saw a bunch of older folks – probably 60-y/o Italian family members who’ve been regulars all their lives. That’s one of the reasons I fell in love with this place – it’s for old skool people or anyone who enjoys REAL HOME COOKIN’!

ENTERTAINMENT: Even when we were the last 2 customers, the cute and young keyboard player and violinist continued to perform live music for us. What a nice touch! As we were leaving, they were fed their meals from the kitchen…looked like pasta primavera and a glass of red wine. “Will work for food” at its finest!

AMBIANCE: plain and homey. About 15 tables inside a relatively small and cozy space. A large mural of Venice is on the main wall, and smaller paintings of random Italian stuff (bottles of wine, fat chef, etc.) are scattered across other walls.

P.S. Our server’s name was Luigi! (Not going to allude to obvious Nintendo joke – oops! Just did!)

 

I’ve driven by here a million times and was always curious. HOWARD’s looks like a standard, old-skool, all-American diner and I was always curious to try it out.

Thursday morning marked my first meal (breakfast) in this homey little spot.

AMBIANCE
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Loved it. Very woodsy and rather cabin-ranchy like. Everything looks like it was constructed in the late 70s or early 80s. Lots of natural light inside from the large windows. I immediately thought about returning and bringing my parents here for brunch next time.

FOOD
————-
I normally expect to be served copious amounts of food at a place like this. Sometimes, I’ll even forgo the standard restaurant silverware and bring my own garden shovel to stuff my face with glorious food.

However, the serving size of my corned beef hash, hash browns, eggs, and toast were adequate, which is fine, because my gluttony must sometimes be tempered. Besides, it’s the quality rather than quantity that counts. My corned beef hash was delightfully crispy on the outside and hot and yummy inside. The eggs were cooked perfectly at over medium, and my side of sourdough toast was toasted and buttered to perfection.

Plenty of daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials – expect to eat well for about $9-$12 a pop.

SERVICE
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Granted, there were only about 5 patrons in the place (3 of which being our party), but the service was EXCELLENT – almost a tad overbearing at times, as we were checked on every 6 minutes or so. Still, I felt that our kind lady server had the best intentions.

OVERALL
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Sometimes I feel like an old man because I have such a strong penchant for these old skool diners, but I don’t care – I loved this little diner and look forward to my next visit.

 

Other than the occasional Sapporo Ichican instant ramen I used to eat growing up, I’ve only had about 2 or 3 “real” ramen experiences. Today, I finally tried the critically acclaimed SANTOUKA RAMEN and was pleasantly surprised.

Having read some of the previous Yelps, I braced myself for some heavy sodium action. True to form, my miso ramen probably accounted for 80% of my daily salt intake (and week’s worth of MSG), but I enjoyed the tasty al dente noodles in the rich miso broth. I didn’t bother using the cheap plastic spoon to stuff my pie hole. Rather, I busted an old skool and slurped that baby up straight out of the bowl.

I ordered a set which came with a salty deviled egg (yum) and a bowl of rice topped with chopped green onions and some fuzzy crap. I would not recommend this combo (“#56” – reasonably priced at just $8.50), but I’ll definitely come back for a regular sized $6.99 ramen sans “banchans”.

BTW…do the Japanese have a word for banchan (e.g., side dish)?

 

AMBIANCE: Gorgeous restaurant with fun and hip ambient music. Dine near the window (or better yet, outside on the balcony!) to watch the Bellagio water show every 15 minutes – bellissimo!

FOOD: I really can’t stress how striking this place is – I enjoyed the ambiance more than the food, which was definitely above average. My 4 pcs of scallops were served over a bed of mushroom risotto – all drizzled with white truffle oil. My spinach salad was delicious, though a tad on the oily side.

The risotto was excellent, but the scallops were decent – nothing to write home about. I was hoping for more plump cuts and cooked medium rare, but they were cooked through and through, which resulted in a firmer texture.

DRINK: My lychee martini wasn’t good…at all. It was on the gross side with a strange frothy banana bread after-taste. The alcohol level was spot on, so I knew the bartender knew what he was doing. The rest of the ingredients were a miss.

BREAD: The breads were on the hard and dry side, but the banana nut bread had an addicting subtle sweetness I quite enjoyed. The accompanying small olive and tapenade plate was fabulous, too.

OVERALL: I enjoyed Olives and I’d recommend it, but I wouldn’t return just because there are so many other wonderful restaurants in LV I must try!

 

Talk about a hidden gem! Tibet Nepal House is truly one of a kind. Had it not been for Abby’s brilliantly organized event, I would never have been able to find or enjoy the fine cuisines we sampled at tonight’s decadent dinner.

First, some random comments:

PROS:
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- FANTASTIC FOOD. Please read the “what did you eat” section for a critique on each delectable dish!

- Superior service. The servers were very friendly and attentive. Our water glasses were always full and the staff was happy to explain what each unique dish was.

- Beautiful interior with lots of traditional ethnic statues, art pieces, and photos. Quite charming!

- Spacious – don’t judge the interior by the cozy store front. Once I stepped inside, I realized that the space could easily accommodate about 50 patrons. A nice smallish-medium sized venue.

SUGGESTIONS:
—————————-
- I prefer that my hot foods are served hot. Some of the dishes were served either warm or at room temp. The freshness of each dish was undeniable, but I wished they were hotter – particularly the stew.

- The coffee was a bit on the weak side. A little less water and more beans will easily remedy this.

CON (NOT THE FAULT of the restaurant!!):
———————————————————————————
- Parking is somewhat difficult. I parked along the intersecting street (Raymond) and fed the meter, which was about $.25 for each 15 minutes. I understand there is also a free lot called “Parsons” nearby, though I was unable to dine this area. Park here free with restaurant validation.

WHAT DID YOU EAT?
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(1) Yak Mo-Mo: delicious yak dumplings – not gamey at all! Reminiscent of ground beef.

(2) Tse Mo-Mo: Mixed Vegetable Dumpling – you would never know this was vegetarian. The seasoning was subtle yet effective – one of my favorites of the dinner!

(3) Cheese Pakora: served a bit colder than room temp, otherwise, good flavor, but not particular memorable.

(4) Goondruk: Reminded me of a Korean banchan (side dish) due to the pickled nature of the assorted bitter veggies. Delicious!

(5) Kathmandu Sekuwa: This was absolutely my favorite tonight! Squeeze a bit of lemon for an extra kick!

(6) Gaunle Khasi: a bit gamey for my personal tastes, but this was definitely a hit with the rest of the group!

(7) Sherpa Stew: Absolutely wonderful and hearty without any heaviness. A nice peanut-y taste with soft rice and tender chicken.

(8) Annapurnayak: yummy – reminded me of steak fajitas!

(9) Tibetan Bread: Deep-fried whole-wheat flour bread…how can you go wrong with that?

(10) Chyamtange Dhopzi: delicious and light – tasted like a simple pita bread. A great accompaniment to the curry-like dishes.

(11) Bhaat: Steamed Himalayan Basmati Rice – light and fluffy.

(12) Bhatamaas Saadheko: a simple appetizer with a big garlic taste!

(13) Kheer: Oooh…I could eat this sweet and cinnamony treat all day.

(14) Mt. Everest in a Blanket: Even the greediest of crepe lovers will find it in their hearts to share this lovely dessert.

(15) Beverages. Try their imported beers! Quite tasty and exotic. Large beers are $6.50 and wines are $7.50 per glass.

 

KINOYA = YUMMYLICIOUS (Good call, Yuki!)

I didn’t know what came over me. I NEVER order rolls from a sushi place – then again, I NEVER eat at a table, either. That said, I gotta get this out of the way:

1. I think it’s kind of a travesty for anyone to come to a reputable sushi joint and load up on rolls or other fusioney stuff. If it’s a taste preference, do your thang! If the idea of raw fish scares you, get over it and experience the goodness that is sashimi~
2. I always sit at the bar so that I can chat with the taisho, see the food preparations, and enjoy the full nigiri/sashimi experience.

OK…on with the review!

*FOOD – VERY GOOD.*
1. My selection: I ordered the albacore roll, salmon skin roll, and spicy scallop roll. Everything was DANG GOOD. These babies were on the small side, but packed a big punch. I liked that they didn’t over-do it on rice and incorporated sufficient “stuffing” – all very fresh and perfectly sauced.

2. Lots of daily/nightly specials and fresh catches of the day. VERY CREATIVE specials, at that. You have to check it out for yourself.

3. Lovely presentation and garnishment. Each dish was edible art.

*EXCELLENT SERVICE*
1. NICE: Our server, a very cute and sweet Korean gal, was very thoughtful and accommodating to our large party (14 of us Sapporo/Kirin-lovers).

She even said good bye to us after closing as we were loafing around outside and she was walking to her car.

2. SEPARATE CHECKS: She didn’t show any sign of malice when she asked if we wanted separate tabs, to which we sheepishly affirmed. In any other setting, I’m sure this kind of request would warrant a lashing or additional premium to the party. What a doll – she even kept track of our beverages, which we ordered before we asked for separate checks!

3. FREE FOOD (or, as we Koreans call it, "service"*): yup – they sent over a nice plate of ankimo for every 4 persons (about 4 plates) in our party. They even gave Yuki and Chris (apparently, the biggest spenders) a freebie sashimi salad comprised of assorted fresh fish, cilantro, onion, and tomato in ponzu sauce. Refreshing!

*LOVELY AMBIANCE* Clean, perfectly dimmed lighting, simple and classic feel. Kinoya felt more like a stand alone boutique sushi place on Melrose rather than a random spot in the same strip mall with neighbors Chronic Taco and some furniture store.

I would DEFINITELY COME BACK.

• Koreans may call it “service” but we pronounce it “seo-biss-su”! LOL

 

5 Stars – EXCELLENT!

I think I just found my new favorite local sushi place. New Harima was AMAZING…it’s the “morning after” today and I still have an afterglow. I can’t stop thinking about the incredible butterfish, sweet scallop, hamachi wrapped uni, and ankimo topped with snapper – SOOOOO GOOOOOD!

NOTES:

1. CHEF DAI-SAN was the hero of the night – he prepared some of the tastiest and most creative works of sushi art I’ve seen in a long time. He was very talkative with his patrons at the bar, and had a great sense of humor – quite humble, too.

2. EXOTIC FISH – I LOVED LOVED how we didn’t have a single piece of tuna or salmon in our meal. Don’t get me wrong – these fish are fine, but they’re also quite pedestrian. I appreciated how I couldn’t readily identify at least 30% of the tasty sea creatures sitting in my plate. Magnificent!

3. LOCALS/REGULARS – the 7 random patrons we sat with at the bar have been dining at Harima well over 10 years. They were also very friendly and open, making their personal recommendations (poki salad, oyster shooters), offering a tall plastic cup of beer to Dai San, and actually offering us tastes of their cuisine!

4. LOCATION – is kind of difficult to find if this is your first time here. Look to the furthest left end of the strip mall, and you’ll find Harima situated adjacent to It’s a Grind coffee shop. Ample parking, btw!

5. ARRIVE EARLY – Harima was nearly empty when I arrived at 6:20 PM, but don’t be fooled. The regular customers insisted that it gets PACKED here and that it’s nearly impossible to get a seat at the bar, especially during weekend dinners. Get here early, hungry, and leave as happy as a clam!

 

Food: EXCELLENT!!!
Ambiance, Decor: NASTY!!!

The food was great and cheap:

- 15 pc sashimi dinner: $21
- 4 pcs spicy yellowtail roll: $5.50
- red bean ice cream: $1.80

BUT – the restaurant itself is a major poophole. Sorry, but as soon as we stepped in, we were engulfed by the stench of rotting fish and tempura oil.

The space is large, bar seating is ample, but the whole place was just dark and depressing. There weren’t many patrons either, and it was a Friday night! Still, I wanted to stay put because:

- 115 mostly positive yelps
- Sushi chefs were all Japanese
- Health grade= A

Thankfully, the fish was AMAZING ( 3 hunky pieces each):

- Salmon: one of the most buttery sakes I’ve ever had.
- Snapper: crisp and yummy.
- Scallop: as startlingly sweet as amaebi…made even better by a spritz of a lemon wedge.
- Tuna: the reddest flesh I’ve seen! Lovely.
- Yellowtail: looked frozen, but was actually FRESH and creamy.

Of course I’m glad I stayed, but I don’t know if I’ll come back – the actual restaurant is just too dark and smells gross :-P