The Water Grill, Seafood, Los Angeles, California

The Water Grill
544 South Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 891-0900

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I have often heard this place called the best seafood restaurant in California, and after eating their I must say that is probably accurate. While quite expensive, this place is fantastic. The service is top notch, the food amazing, with gorgeous presentation and an extensive wine list. If you like seafood you must try this place out, but expect to drop some serious money. For my mom and I with a glass of wine each and appetizers it was over $180 with tip!

La Parrilla, Mexican Family Style Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA

3129 W. Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026-2131
(323) 661-8055

(though their are two more of these, and the one in Boyle Heights is the original and supposedly the best of the bunch)

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An excellent and tasty family style mexican restaurant, with good food and cheap and tasty Margaritas ($3.5 to $4). The waitresses are dressed in costume and their is a Mariachi serenading the guests the whole time.

Dumpling House, Chinese Restaurant, Temple City, California

5612 Rosemead Blvd.
Temple City, CA 91780
(626) 309-9918

Hours of Operation: 11-9pm closed on Tuesday CLOSED!

THE HORROR, MY FAVORITE DUMPLING PLACE IS GONE! NO MORE DUMPLINGS OR ONION PANCAKES OR CUCUMBER OH NO!

GOOGLE MAP A bit of a ways away, but so worth it. I am allergic to pork, so I only get the chicken dumplings and Kelly (my girlfriend) says that the Pork Dumplings are tastier as they have less vegetables in them, but I am perfectly fine with my amazing Chicken Dumplings, and my ex who introduced me to the place thought the same. These are so tasty, and so delicious, that it is well worth the trip. If you like dumplings you will have to check this place out. And this Northern Chinese restaurant is also famous for it's noodles.

Elephant Bar and Restaurant, American Fusion food, Burbank, CA

Elephant Bar and Restaurant
110 North First Street
Burbank, CA 91502
(818) 842-1334

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So my girlfriend (this was Nan Lan) and I were going to go see Jarhead in Burbank, and we were hungry, and this restaurant is right by the parking structures at the AMC burbank 16, and it had a line of people waiting, so we thought it might be good, and decided to go for it. The menu was fusion, with good sounding dishes, and some really strange tropical drink creations that were pretty tasty, but the food was pretty bland, but fairly inexpensive, but...

Catal Restaurant & Uva Var , California cuisine restaurant, Orange County California

Catal Restaurant & Uva Bar
1500 Disneyland Dr.
Anaheim, CA
(714) 774-4442

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I have always wanted to eat at one of the Patina Group, and was finally able to try one, though I got my girlfriend to the Uva bar instead of the upstairs more expensive Catal Restaurant (different menu) which probably would have been even better (sounded amazing) and will have to try it next time we go back.

This place has excellent food and very large portions. A great choice, and the only place to eat at Disneyland.

Sterling Vineyards, Calistoga, Napa Valley, California

Sterling Vineyards
1111 Dunaweal Lane
Calistoga, CA 94515
(800) 726-6136

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A gorgeous vineyard to visit with a tram car that takes you to the Winery at the top of the hill, and a self guided tour that isn't too impressive, then the taste of 5 wines. Not the best wine, but decent.

Behringer GewŸrztraminer 2004, Napa Valley, California

Picked this up at Ralph's as we had liked Gewrztraminer when in Napa valley, a sweet white wine, here in a brown bottle. Quite excellent and inexpensive.

Vittorio Sattui Johannisberg Reisling 2004, Napa Valley, California

Got my 3 bottles of this from the Winery, from which is the only place to get this excellent wine. You can order it from V. Sattui Winery What a great white.

PF Chang's China Bistro, Los Angeles, California

P.F. Changs China Bistro 121 N. La Cienega Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90048 (310) 854-6467

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My girlfriend had always wanted to try this place, that is often listed as one of the best Chinese restaurants in Los Angeles. And I must say it is a place that people who haven't had real Chinese food might actually like, but true lovers of Chinese food will find this much like any Chinese take out place across America, except maybe without the MSG.

Cuidad, Latin American Restaurant, Los Angeles, California

Ciudad
445 S. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA, 90071

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I had read about this place, from the Chef's at the Border Grill, and had always wanted to try it, and my girlfriend had been there and enjoyed it, so we decided to go and have a nice evening meal. Their was an excellent hispanic band playing, and we got amazing seats on the patio right in front of them, as well as excellent breads and dips (one tasted like hummus and one an olive dip of sorts). And the food and drinks could not have been better. Really excellent.

Chateau Simard Saint Emilion 1995, Merlot

Picked this up at Victor's Liquors, asking for a $20-$30 red to go with Pizza, and was told this was too good for Pizza (and it was way too good for the pizza we got), and they were right. This was an excellent wine, and delicious.

Niebaum Coppola Winery, Rutherford, Napa Valley, California

Niebaum Coppola Winery

1991 St. Helena Highway

Rutherford, CA 94573

(800) 782-4266

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A gorgeous vineyard all the way around, without the most impressive wine though. Not bad, but not my favorite, but well worth checking out, and with some very cool memorabilia from Coppola's movie.

Beringer Winery, St. Helena, Napa Valley, California

Beringer Winery
2000 Main Street
St. Helena, CA 94574

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This is the oldest continually running Winery in Napa, since they made it through prohibition by making Medicinal and Religious wine. It was recently sold to Fosters, but is still run the same. The best tour we went on in the valley.

Pizza Al Forno, Hollywood, CA

6541 Hollywood Blvd, #101
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 962-8903

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I had been fiending for some good pizza and red wine after hearing how well they go together in Napa, but it was getting late, and we wanted to order, and I had this menu around. I must say I was very unimpressed all the way around. Stay away from this place.

New Delhi Restaurant, San Francisco California

160 Ellis Street,
San Francisco, CA 94102-2122
(415) 397-8470

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Excellent Indian food, the spiciest I have had at a restaurant, with a full bar. A little bit pricy, and they screwed up my check, but it is well worth checking out if you like Indian food.

V. Sattui Winery, St. Helena, Napa Valley, California

V. Sattui Winery
1111 White Lane,
St. Helena, CA 94574
(707) 963-7774

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I admit it, we only went to this winery because it is the only free wine tasting left in the valley, but it was well worth it, and even ordered 6 bottles of wine from their. Their is a reason they have a free tasting, and you can only get their wine there, or from their web site, it is not carried in any store, so you really must try it out.

Les Clos De Paulilles 2004 coullioure Ros

Had this at Bistro Jeanty in Yountville in Napa Valley. An excellent Ros

Bistro Jeanty, Yountville, Napa Valley, California

Bistro Jeanty

6510 Washington Street

Yountville, CA 94599

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Excellent food and excellent service. A great french menu, though it was a little hot out on the patio, but that wasn't their fault. Sure it is a bit pricy, but certainly worth checking out.

Piccolino's Italian Cafe, Napa Town Center, California

Piccolino's Italian Cafe
1385 Napa Town Center
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 251-0100

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A very tasty Italian cafe in Napa, near the visitor information center where we learned about Napa, and where we wanted to go. Tasty food, with decent wine, though the waitress seemed a little new, and screwed up my girlfriends order.

Tahoe Galbi Restaurant, Los Angeles, California

3986 Wilshire Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90010

(213) 365-9000

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This is a very good Korean BBQ that I have actually been to a few times. Used to go for many of my friend's birthdays, and always went a enjoyed it. Did have a couple of not so great experiences, but this last time this place was back up to it's best standards. It may not be as good as Seoul Jung at the Wilshire Grand in downtown, but it is still great. Not only that, but they have a new all you can eat , it is cheaper on weekdays, but on Fridays and the Weekend it is $16.99 per person, and you get to keep just eating, though you basically need to finish all the meet you are given or you will be charged extra for it. Of course as with other Korean BBQ's, their is a grill at your table, and you get to cook your own meet, which is always fun and enjoyable, and you get a million little side dishes, including a salad, and it adds up to so many different flavors (and of course they have kimchi which is one of my favorite foods.

Alcove Cafe & Bakery, Los Angeles, California

1929 Hillhurst Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 644-0100 GOOGLE MAP I was on my way someplace else when I spotted this place, and it's cute outdoor seating, and saw it was totally packed, so I decided to give it a try. The restaurant is mostly outdoors with all their seats under umbrellas in a nice shaded courtyard with trees and flowering plants (there are a few inside, but with all the people in line, it is a little nuts, so you had better try to find one outside, and bring your sunglasses, and remember their are also places to sit along the side, and remember the chairs are not too comfortable, nor are they or the tables well balanced). To order you go inside, and order at the counter, they quickly give you your drinks, and then you take a number to your table, and your food is delivered fairly promptly. They have an excellent selection of breakfast foods, scones and the like, coffee, and excellent all fruit smoothies, and the lunch menu is pretty fantastic as well. The line itself also moves pretty quickly, and gives you time to check out the menu as you wait to order (and remember to grab your drink before you go to your table, as the drinks come at the counter).

Libaio Chardonnay

Libaio Chardonnay

I had this at Maggionao's Little Italy, and was blown away by it. It has a wonderful flavor and no after taste. Absolutely wonderful and well worth trying, I can't wait to try it again, and would like to buy a case.

Maggiano's Little Italy, Los Angeles, CA

Maggiano's Little Italy 190 The Grove Drive Z80 Los Angeles, CA 90036-3154 (323) 965-9665

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So my girlfriend had been here with her Italian boss, and she decided to take me, and I was blown away. This family style Italian food is absolutely incredible, with huge portions, amazing taste, a friendly wait staff, and an incredible wind menu makes this a must attend restaurant.

El Coyote, Los Angeles, CA

7312 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 939-2255

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The prices are fairly reasonable at this famous Los Angels watering hole. The food is alright, nothing too special, but I am not sure I have ever had fine dining mexican food. After eating it I burped all night. The Margaritas are what the place is known for though ,and they are pretty decent, still not the best I have had, and not the cheapest, but alright.

Electric Lotus, Hollywood California

Electric Lotus

4646 Franklin Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027-4202
(323) 953-0040

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With a tiny little front entrance on Vermont next to the 7/11, this is a hipper than hip Indian Restaurant, with excellent food, though a little dark to see exactly what you are eating. Still well worth checking out, and fun to sit at the low tables against the wall.

888 Seafood Restaurant, Roseamead, California

8450 Valley Blvd, Ste 121 Rosemead, CA 91770-1681 (626) 573-1888

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This Hong Kong style seafood restaurant is fantastic. It not only the best variety of any dim sum place I have ever been, but the service is really top notch, some of the best I have ever had at a dim sum place. You can't go wrong with this place, though you may want to go early as the lines do build.

East India Grill, Los Angeles, California

345 North La Brea Avenue,
Los Angeles, CA 90036-2573

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Excellent food with a good atmosphere, and reasonable prices, though not much parking around the neighborhood. I would assume also very authentic, as everyone there is Indian, from the chef's to the wait staff to the buss girls, everyone is Indian. We really enjoyed the food, and very inexpensive.

Palms Thai Restaurant, Hollywood, California

Palms Thai Restaurant
5900 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027-4912
(323) 462-5073

Google Map

Recently moved from it's location east on Hollywood, they are now at the South West corner of Hollywood and Gower, with more parking, inside and outside seating, boba, and a liquor license (they have beer, wine and hot sake), the best Thai restaurant in Los Angeles just got better. This is the best Thai Restaurant I have ever had the pleasure of eating at. It is always packed, and has a large cliental of Thai's as well. And Wednesday through Sunday evenings it has some great entertainment as well (thoug the entertainment can be on the loud side). You really should not miss this place.

Louise's Trattoria, Los Feliz, California

Louise's Trattoria 4500 Los Feliz Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 667-0777

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I never would have expected a chain Italian restaurant to be so tasty and so reasonably priced. A really good date restaurant, as it won't break the bank, and the food is good, as is the wait staff, and reasonably priced wine.

Noodle City, Pho, Alhambra, California

Noodle City, Alhambra, California
628 W. Valley Blvd,
Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 308-3567

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My favorite Pho restaurant hands down. I love this place. The broth is just extra tasty here. Intensly good, and ultimately satisfying. I always get the rare steak Pho in a large. The meat is rare when it comes and slowly cooks, and I love putting in your own basil, jalapeno and sprouts. I loved this place so much because of the amazing broth. There is just something about it here that is better than any place else I have tried.

Atch Kotch Japanese Ramen Restaurant, Hollywood, California

Atch-Kotch
1253 Vine Street
Los Angeles, CA 90038-1662

(323) 467-5537

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A little Japanese Restaurant in a strip mall in Hollywood. A place for Ramen, though I haven't tried their Ramen yet, just their Bento box which was excellent and inexpensive.

Kabuki Japanese Restaurant, Hollywood, California

Kabuki
1545 North Vine St.
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 464-6003

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As a chain I didn't think this place would be that good, but I was wrong. The Sushi is actually really decent, and even better half price (the joy of bulk buying for a chain) and all tasted very good. My only complaint was the Chicken Terriyaki was not nearly as good as what I make, but the rest of the food was quite good, and $70 for 2 people including booze is pretty inexpensive.

The Curry House, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California

The Curry House
123 S. Onizuka St. #204
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 620-0855

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If you love Japanese Curry, or Curry at all you have to check this place out. This has been one of my favorite restaurants in Los Angeles for many many years. My friend Ashanti brought me here while I was going to USC, and I have been going ever since. The place is almost always packed, and the food is always good (if a little fattening).