milkbar "most eat to live. i live to eat!"

this place is probably the best Russian restaurant in los angeles. the food is so fresh and so familiar that it feels as though my grandmother is in that kitchen cooking the food.

the restaurant is very quaint and nicely decorated. the wait staff knows the food so thats always good. definitely start with the traditional cucumber and tomato salad. if you like borscht, its supposed to be really great here. i love the potato dumplings and the vareniki dumplings which have meat inside with a little sour cream and butter over the dumplings.

if you want a good, traditional Russian meal like they serve at Russian households, you need to try this place – its fantastic!

we always come here! its better to go on weeknights then weekends because this place will get packed quickly and you will be waiting a while. (they have a really cool 2 player pacman arcade in the waiting room though)

we usually start with a couple of appetizers and some soup. i always get the clam chowder. its very hearty and thick here. lots of potato chunks and tons of clams in the soup. 2lbs of garlic crabs is usually enough for us. thats about 6 crabs.. they really are small so the most meat you will get is from the belly area rather than the claws. if you are up for it, they also have steamed crabs a la carte and by size. these crabs arent sauteed in the garlic and butter sauce though.. the best part of it is actually breaking and cleaning the crabs, but if you want someone else to do that for you, just order the crab claws because its just easier to eat.

they also have a full bar so take advantage of their special martinis. super super gooood. highly recommended.

this is a hidden gem in cherry hill! it sits in the back of the Village Walk Shopping Center, right across from a very busy italian restaurant.

i love the fact that this is a BYOB. although i prefer to just choose my drinks at the restuarant, i can buy my own sake and plum wine for much cheaper than they will charge me, and they will even warm up sake for you. i prefer to bring NIGORI which is unfiltered sake (white in color and served cold). i think the cold saki complements the cool flavors of the sushi rolls.

i am from the west coast, and i grew up on sushi. i usually eat it every week so i am a huge critic when it comes to fish and the sushi rolls.

listen for their specials because they are dead on. their fish is super fresh – never fishy. if they have the special mackeral fish flown in from japan, you must have it. they take the fish and cut you some sashimi from it and they decorate the plate with what is left of the whole fish body. when you finish the sashimi part, they take the fish bone and deep fry it.. they say its really good for your skin.. like a cracker to chew on. its okay if you like chewing on small bones..

the east coast doesnt serve albacore tuna for some reason, which is my personal favorite, so you must try the white fish tuna instead.. ask for some ponzu dipping sauce with it – so good.

a couple of my favorite rolls:
the naruto roll – fresh fish surrounded by thinly sliced cucumber – no rice. very refreshing
the green dragon roll – fresh water eel inside and avacado outside – i prefer this as a “dessert roll” because its sweet
the volcano roll – it has a good crunch with spicy tuna inside and crunchy flakes and hot sauce

i am never dissapointed in this place. if we dont eat it, we always get take out. they are very friendly and the staff will do whatever it takes to please you. i also love the watermelon chunks for dessert. its different to the usual orange chunks. really yummy.

this place is pretty good. the only draw-back is that it is ALWAYS crowded and the rooms are tiny. they will try and squeeze you in anywhere they can find room.. i prefer sitting outside on a warm summer night.

we always start with the caprese salad, which they bring out with amazing roasted red peppers, and their calamari – not fried, just cooked in a nice spicy sauce. it is excellent!

i have tried many dishes here and i dont have a favorite. everything was always delicious. if you order a cream sauce though, be prepared – its super creamy.. you can taste the heavy cream.

food is good, staff is very friendly, canollis are excellent.

i have been coming here since i was a baby, apparently. it was my parents’ favorite sushi place then and it is just as good today.

we always start with the softshell crab appetizer.. just a spritz of lemon juice and its perfect with the ponzu sauce.

i always order my regular sushi dishes here.. but there is a secret menu! try the twilight roll.. its a variety of fresh fish and avacado rolled in thin cucumber so no rice at all.. excellent! also, try the BSC roll which is baked scallops on california roll. really good.

i will drive all the way out to tarzana just to go to this place. the sushi is excellent! everything is fresh and the special rolls are great.

you must try the beef tongue, gizzards, and chicken hearts.. i know it sounds bad.. but trust me – excellent little appetizers on skewers.

also, ask them if they have their special scallops.. they are a lot bigger than the regular ones and order a spicy scallop handroll if they do – you will love it.

i also love their take on the spicy tuna over crispy rice. try it with salmon or albacore too.

everything i have had on their menu or even off the menu has been impeccable. they know what they are doing here and they do it well.

we always have to order the albacore sashimi appetizer (with red onions and little jalapeno peppers), and johnny roll (shrimp tempura roll wrapped with spicy tuna).

i love it here.

i am a huge seafood girl. this place is beyond good. the oysters are always fresh. i have never had a bad or sour smelling oyster here. the guys are the oyster bar know how to pick and shuck them clean and simple.

you gotta remember only to get oysters in the months that have an “R” in them.. they will be the best then because of the colder climates.. but if you need your oyster fix in the warmer months, be sure to choose the oysters that come furthest from the equator, so anywhere north is good.

if you are craving lobster, dont hold yourself back – but remember to only get it steamed not broiled.. it will be softer and more rich in my opinon. i have tried their swordfish and the tuna, both arent bad. the lobster bisque is really creamy and the clam chowder is thick. this place is just a great all-around fresh oyster bar/seafood restuarant.

good to know: the have great happy hour specials between 5-7pm which is worth if for great oysters and beer.

i do have to mention that the last time we were here, which was a thursday night.. we were stuck with a waitress that was in a rush and didnt care. when she took our order, she didnt ask how we wanted the fish cooked (steamed or broiled) and didnt ask what 2 sides we wanted (which came with the entree). she also didnt bring out bread right away.. and when we asked her for some she brought it without butter.. so basically we were always asking her for things that she should have brought in the begining (such as bread dishes and extra napkins). other than that, we really havent had a bad experience here.