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.

Zankou Chicken, Chicken and Armenian Restaurant, Los Angeles, California

5065 W. Sunset Blvd.

Los Angeles, C 90027

(323) 665-7842GOOGLE MAP

Strangely the Zankou web site, doesn't list the original restaurant, which is in a little strip mall at the corner of Normandie and Sunset. If you like roasted chicken, you can't beat this place. The chicken is so moist, it just comes apart with a touch, and the garlic sauce is to die for. The menu is short and easy, and this one has more items than the rest. You really can't beat this place for some good chicken.

Romano's Macaroni Grill, Italian Restaurant, Burbank, California

Romano's Macaroni Grill
102 E. Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502-1715
(818) 729-9405

GOOGLE MAP

In the same structure as the Burbank 16 theaters in Burbank, this is a tasty and inexpensive Italian chain restaurant. Certainly not as good as Magionos, but quite taste, and with an honor system where they leave large bottles of wine on the table, so you can help yourself without bothering the waitress, which is interesting.

The Water Grill, Seafood, Los Angeles, California

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

GOOGLE MAP

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)

GOOGLE MAP

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

GOOGLE MAP

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

GOOGLE MAP

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

GOOGLE MAPS

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.