Yangtze Restaurant, Asian Fusion, Santa Monica CA

Yangtze Restaurant
1333 3rd Street Promenade
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 260-1994

This is an interesting Asian Fusion restaurant on the promenade, which makes for kind of a mixed bag. It is Thai, Chinese and Japanese with a Sushi bar. Half price Sushi at the Sushi bar as well. I have to say the Sushi is OK, and seems to be the best thing here, with the main dishes not impressing much.

Houston's, American Hamburgers, Santa Monica, CA

Houston's
202 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-576-7558

GOOGLE MAP

This excellent chain opened up down in Santa Monica a few years ago, on the South East Corner of 2nd Street and Wilshire, 1 block West of the 3rd street promenade right at the top of it. It has a main dining room with a bar, and a sushi car upstairs where the bathrooms are. I don't recommend it for the Sushi, but the burgers are excellent. Actually this has been my grandmother and grandfather's favorite restaurant. We used to go to the one in Georgetown in Washington D.C. when she worked for Reagan, and when my dad worked for Bush Senior, and then the one in Century City, but since this one has opened my family usually goes here when we go out to eat. Well worth checking out. You can park with their valet or in the parking structure on 2nd street just down the block.

Emrich Schšnleber Nahe 2001 Monzinger Halenbery Riesling SpŠtlese, Germany, Nahe Region.

Had this excellent German Riesling at the Pinot Bistro in Studio City, not the least expensive, but well worth it and quite tasty. Had a very fruity taste, almost of apple juice, with no aftertaste, went really well with the meal!

Pinot Bistro, French Cuisine, Studio City, California

Pinot Bistro
12969 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA
(818) 990-0500GOOGLE MAP

This place is pretty incredible. A small restaurant from the outside on Venture Blvd's north side, it has reasonably priced valet parking. The inside is quite nice and elegant, with a dining room on one side, and a full sized bar on the other, along with some tables, near the window and along the bar. We sat on that side next to the window. Their are also seats out front on the sidewalk for when it is warmer. The service was excellent as was the food, this is highly recommended!

Robert Mondavi Winery Pinot Noir 2004, Carneros

I have to admit it that horrible documentary called MONDOVINO made me interested in trying a Mondavi even if it is portrayed as the big monster. And I got a 10 discount on any bottle that was over $10 from Ralph's in their wine club, so I figure why not try a $20 bottle of Mondavi Pinot Noir. I have to admit I have not developed my palette for Pinot's yet. I mean I like them, but haven't figured out why people go so wild for them as of yet. That being said this is a good dry wine.

Fred 62, American Diner, Los Angeles, CA

1850 N. Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 667-0062

GOOGLE MAP

One of the few 24 hour diners in Los Angeles, and since it is in near the Dresden, you get yourself quite a hip retro place. It has seats inside and seats outside (so you will wait unless you want to sit at the counter and you want to sit inside). There is some valet parking, or you can try and find street parking.