PANDA INN

I had dinner here last night and didn't realize that Panda Express had a restaurant...I would have much preferred the Express as service was on the uber slow side (our waiter was the chef -I'm just joking). We had the steamed veg dumpling (ok), orange chicken (ok), and the pan fried noodles (read below) and were there about 1.5 hrs. I thought Chinese restaurants were all about fast turn arounds...

I had a problem ordering the pan fried noodles as there are two kinds of pan fried noodles; there's the Hong Kong style and the Cantonese style. I wanted the HK version. There was a communication problem with the waiter; I probably should have spoken in Chinese but I didn't want to assume just because I'm in a Chinese restaurant that all the workers know Chinese...I had asked the waiter 3 times if their noodles were HK or C and each time he responded, "Uh...top part crunchy and soft on bottom." It was an accurate description, but now I know to ask the thickness of the noodle...oh and we had ordered beef pan fried noodles, but got chicken instead.

Address: 111 E Wilson Ave Glendale, CA 91206
Phone#: (818) 502-1234
Rating: 2 out of 5

SEVEN GRAND

I was teetering and tottering on rating 7 grand a 2 or a 4, but decided that they deserve a 4. Now, let me explain.. I had reserved a table for my boy's bday a week ago and when we showed up, they couldn't find our reservation. I didn't confused it with 7grand the restaurant as I specifically requested an outside table (there's no outside seating at the restaurant). The manager was nice, but could not do anything about the situation (all he has to do is just kick some people out --just kidding!) Luckily, we snagged a table in a less crowded area. Our friends had some trouble getting into the bar (typical around 11 on a Friday night) and the manager allowed us to make a list for our guests so they could bypass the line --guess that's the least they could do, but no, that's not the only thing they did, one of the guys (forgot his name...) who worked there kept checking in with us to see if we were fine and that's why they deserved a 4-star! The waiteress was nice --gave us a free drink.

If you plan on going to 7grand and it's crowded, order from the waiteress (p.i.t.a. to order @ the bar) and when you're half way done with drink order another one. Oh, and if you make reservations and they don't call to confirm, call to confirm...and get the name of the person who you spoke to.

Address: 515 W 7th St 2nd Fl Los Angeles, CA 90014
Phone#: (213) 614-0737
Rating: 4 out of 5

CIAO TRATTORIA

I took B to Ciao Trattoria for his birthday, and was disappointed with the salmon. It was good but I was expecting it to be different from other restaurants...the carpaccio was good --thinly sliced so for those who have a weak stomach eating raw meat should be able to handle it. B's chicken was good --forgot what the entree was called but it came with prosciutto and mozzarlla. Their tiramusa is unique --instead of cocoa powder on top it's molassas (I think..).

Address: 815 W 7th St Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone#: (213) 624-2244
Rating: 3 out of 5

EIKO

1 star for the nice people
0.5 star for the cheap prices
-3 stars (should be -5) because now I want to throw up after eating their spicy tuna roll and eel avocada roll.

I had their rolls before and was disgusted. I don't know what I was thinking, just lazy (closest sushi place to my work) and craving sushi and hoping the rolls weren't as bad as I recalled...there are two ways of eating sushi: 1) eat it w/out soy sauce & wasabi because the fish is so yummy and fresh 2) douse it with soy sauce & wasabi so you don't have to vomit your lunch back up. I forgot to douse it --not that's going to help much...gotta find some chocolate now to rid this taste. Oh, they serve Pad Thai there....

Address: 6357 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone#: (323) 655-8060
Rating: 1.5 out of 5

KODA SUSHI & SAKE

We came here last night and at first glance one would think that KODA closes at 9, but we noticed that it actual closes at 11. We would normally go to another sushi place --one with more people... but I was starving, and thought, well at least I won't have to wait for my food.

To our surprise, the sushi was delicious! We had the Maui (seaweed out , tuna, avocado, mango, cucumber and macadamia nuts) roll, the Fever (I think...spicy tuna --really spicy but yummy according to my guest), eel avocado roll (sauce is perfect), and the the salmon, hamachi roll (forgot what it was called...their website needs to be updated) . I love their hot tea too! We'll definitely come here again.

Addres: 3719 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90026
Phone#: (323) 663-1048
Rating: 4 out of 5

MORE THAN WAFFLES

I'm not a waffles or pancakes expert, so MORE THAN WAFFLES' strawberry waffle tasted no different to any other diner's. Instead of the whip cream, I would have enjoyed more strawberries...the Milan omelette looked like a Denny's omelette. 2 stars for the good service and making sure that my coffee mug was always full.Oh, and M.T.W. is inside a small mall on the 1st floor...

Address: 17200 Ventura Blvd Ste 109 Encino, CA 91316
Phone#: (818) 789-5937
Rating: 2 out of 5

CELADON

The food presentation is impressive, and the service is excellent.

We ordered the Tuna Tartare Lollipop (very filling), the Kobe Beef Spicy Tahina Slider (ok, tastes like a regular burger), Middle Eastern Style Hamachi Spoons (my favorite out of the 4) and the Hummus Parfait (the zataar bread is yummy). If I had to pick at something, it would be their lychee special drink --where's the lychee? It tasted more like a margarita...The next time I'm around, I'll know to order one less dish, so I have room for dessert.

Oh, if you're having trouble parking, just park at Farmer's Market for $2 --don't forget to get it validated...

Address: 7910 W 3rd StLos Angeles, CA 90048

Phone#: (323) 658-8028

Rating: 4 out of 5

Update 3/16/09: R.I.P. - It's CLOSED.

VINUM POPULI

I really want to rate V.P. higer because it's a neat idea to pay wine by the ounces, but their white wine selections suck. I'll have to try the red wines next time. If you don't spend all your money on the card, you don't have to worry as it won't expire. The pinot grigio at Ugo (next door) tastes better --albeit on the sweet side.

**Note, when you call up Vinum Populi, it's Ugo, so when you're looking for the building number, just go to Ugo.

Address: 3865 Cardiff AvenueCulver City, CA 90232
Phone#: (310) 204-5645
Rating: 3 out o f 5

Update 3/16/09: R.I.P. - It's closed.

MARIELAS TACO

Marielas Taco is my new lazy dinner place -cheap and within walking distance.

I had ignored Marielas Tacos for so long because it looks so ghetto and parking is always a bitch in that area. I was the only non-Latino there, so I was hopeful that the food was going to be good. I went for the asada, pollo, and carnita soft tacos.

Each taco costs $1.20! Not Taqueria El Guerrero Truck's $2.80 disgusting tacos. I also ordered a horchata, which is a bit on a sweeter side for me. Total came out to $5. The wait took forever. I waited for 20 minutes before I said something...it turned out my food was done...they called out my number in Spanish...I need to ask the cashier how to say my number in Spanish next time....All three tacos were good. The asada was slightly dry for me but still pretty tasty. The pollo is shredded.

The carnita was flavorful. Marielas Taco also offers a bunch other meat tacos that I've never heard of...then again, I need to brush up on my Spanish. Stick to the asada and carnita. You will be happy!

**CASH ONLY

Address: 3662 W 3rd St Los Angeles, CA 90020

Phone#: (213) 381-7356

Rating: 4 out of 5

BOND STREET RESTAURANT

My friend wanted to go to Katsuya tonight, but I suggested Bond Street as it was closer to where we were, and needless to say...we should have gone to Katsuya. Despite making reservations, the host and the hostess could not find my reservation...that's not the bad part--well the funny part. The restaurant was for the most part pretty empty, but they just stood their for 5 minutes trying to find our reservations and said, "well, umm...I think we can seat you..." meanwhile I can see my friend who has a NY attitude thinking, "What the hell is your problem, just seat us as there is no one here!" Ok, I have to admit, I was thinking the same thing.

My friend was disappointed that they didn't have the spider roll and the california roll. She felt so ill eating the tuna sashima, that she didn't bother eating her other rolls. I have to say, she was right, the tuna was was not fresh. The unagi didn't come with the sauce, and the spicy tuna handroll came with sauce on the side...

In a nutshell, if you like NYC Bond Street (which I've been to and it's better) don't expect the same thing with LA Bond Street.

Valet Parking is $7 with validation.

Address: 9360 Wilshire Boulevard Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Phone#: (310) 601-2255
Rating: 2 out of 5