CAFFE ROMA

Sorry...I don't get it. Sure the Governor frequents here (in fact Arnold was there the same day, and I all wanted to do was shout, "Don't raise our sale taxes!!!!") and Sly and other old Hollywood peeps, but the food is not impressive.

I was here a few weeks ago for my boss' birthday. It was a lovely day so we sat outside, which can be weird because you are in the middle of this mall and there's construction going on.

I started off with the Antipasto Caffe' Roma (chef's choice cold cuts), which had a good meat selection.

My boss had the appetizer special Truffle Mushroom Polenta, which was good, but not as good as it sounds like.

The Antipasto was pretty filling so I shared a Margherita pizza with my boss' wife. It looked more of a cheese pizza...

I was expecting the pizza to look like: My sad slice was so sad...there was nothing special about their pizza.
I tried my boss' daughter's boyfriend's pizza, the D.O.C. (Fresh tomato and buffalo mozzarella) - I think that's what it's called I was hoping that it would taste better, but nope, not at all.
My boss ordered the Gnocchi con Pomodoro (filante potato gnocchi with tomato sauce) and it was tasteless too. What a disappointment!
Thank goodness the desserts were exciting...well at least the Chocolate Souffle. Ladies, their Chocolate Souffle is the perfect meal to have when you are on your period.
Their Tiramisu was just okay...

Service was a hit or miss. They were excellent at refilling our wine glasses but then I had to ask for water THREE times. I am told 10 years ago Caffe Roma's food was amazing...well, now it's gone, and I much prefer La Terza or Osteria La Buca.

Address: 350 N Canon Dr Ste 13 Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Phone#: (310) 274-7834

Rating: 2 out of 5

ASIA DE CUBA

It was a rough start but then it ended well.

I convinced my boss that we must help the economy and take advantage of Open Table's Stimulus plan. Asia De Cuba is a restaurant that I would always hear about but never tried so what better way to dine there on my boss' dime. We lucked out finding meter parking, so I don't know how much valet costs... The restaurant was pretty empty at 1:30pm...guess the special offer didn't really helped. It took a really long time for my boss to get his lemonade...maybe it was freshly squeezed by hand??? I was disappointed when I saw what was offered for the Stimulus plan. Instead of each person getting their own appetizer, entree, and dessert for $24, it was 2 guests choose 2 appetizers, 1 entree, and 1 dessert. If you wanted to get your own entree it was an additional $8. Furthermore, you only had a few options for each category. For appetizer, you could get the Black bean and Chickpea Dumplings

or the Spicy Lobster Roll (yeah...only 2 options). Luckily they were willing to substitute the Spicy Lobster Roll for the Spicy Tuna Roll,
which was good but I had better -at least it was better than the Black bean & Chickpea Dumplings. My entree, the Miso Cured Alaskan Butterfish w/ edamame salad was delicious!

My boss enjoyed his Marinated Crispy Tofu with Caribbean Vegetables.

The best part of the meal was the Cuban Opera dessert! OMG - I died and gone to heaven! It's a must if you go to Asia De Cuba.



Overall, the food was good and service got better. I can see why people love Asia De Cuba.

Address: 8440 W Sunset Boulevard West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone#: (323) 848-6000
Rating: 4 out of 5

Al Bae Ne

Al Bae Ne is my go to place when I want to be Asian and have dumplings and Mandu Duk for breakfast as it’s open 24 hours. I could go to Hodori or Nak Won House but they’re further south and it’s always better to support a mom & pop restaurant. There might be a language barrier but thank goodness they have photos of each items.
I like their Mandu Duk because they don’t skimp out on the dumplings in its Mandu Duk. They also throw a few beef pieces.

Their dumplings are not bad either. The pork and leeks are evenly mixed in the dumplings.

Like the usual, they throw in rice, kim chi and other banchans. It’s a lot of food and all for $15!

Address: 3470 W 6th St, Ste 6, LA, CA 90020
Phone#:(213) 388-1105
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8 Oz. Burger Bar

I tagged along with my colleagues, Pinks and Farts to 8 Oz. Burger Bar, for lunch to nibble on their food since I was still pretty full from my mandu duk from Al Be Ne (I'll write about that review later once I finished the boiled dumplings for supper). Pinks ordered the 8oz Burger combo, which came w/ onion rings and a glass of beer for $15 (pricing is not bad).

Farts ordered the burrata salad
and the Classic burger w/ fries.

I ordered their Strawberry Milkshake.

The 8oz burger was pretty good, but I wasn't crazy about their brioche bun, which made it one soggy burger. It soaks up the juice real fast --must eat immediately! The onion rings were ok, nothing to rave about like 25 Degrees' onion rings.

We didn't realized that the menu "states that burgers are cooked to "medium-rare to medium." Farts' burger was pretty medium-rare, rare. The fries were good, but still 25 Degrees' fries are better. The burrata salad was excellent. Love burrata.

Now my Strawberry milkshake?

"My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard,
And they're like
It's better than yours,
Damn right it's better than yours,
I can teach you,
But I have to charge"

And they did for $4.00. Not bad for that yummy shake!

I'll be back!

Address: 7661 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Phone#: (323) 852-0008
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BAJA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL

Baja Fresh is just not Chipotles, but I am thankful that Baja is across from the Grauman's Chinese Theater. I don't think I could eat another hot dog (spent my day at the AFI festival). I had a soft chicken taco and a soft carne asada taco. Meh, it's better than a hot dog, but not by much. The chicken was better than the carne asada. I had a nice fat chewy carne asada piece in the taco. I should have just ate a bagel from the Coffee Bean...

Address: 6922 Hollywood BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90028
Phone: (323) 467-4620
Rating: 2 out of 5

HAPPY ENDING

This place is not a happy ending.

Came here for a girlfriend's birthday and this place is a frat house and a cluster f**k on the weekends. You have a bunch of boys/men just standing around drinking beer; it's not my scene; it feels creepy. They serve fatty bar food. Upstairs is another crowded bar area.

I guess it's good for single ladies-- that's where the happy ending comes in...or not.

Once is enough for me --my happy ending.

Address: 7038 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028
Phone#: (323) 469-7038
Rating: 1 out of 5