Bite by Bite

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar  @ LA Live (Steakhouse) $$$ ***4 out of 10***

Flemings at LA Live is the worst Flemings location that I’ve been to.  The service and décor is just fine but the food has disappointed me on every occasion that I’ve been there!

The bread and the bread spread = mediocre.  The shrimp cocktail = terribly disappointing in taste and presentation; 3 small, pathetic, tasteless shrimp for $15.95!  The oysters = pretty decent but absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.   The sautéed mushrooms = a bit too salty but it was okay.

My bone-in filet “seared black and blue” came out blackened but cooked to a hard medium-well!  Of course I had to send it back.  The second round came back to me raw and cold in the middle with a bit of warmth on the outside.   I ate it anyway.   

The cheesecake for dessert was just as disappointing as the rest of the meal.

If it weren’t for the convenient location in DTLA, walking distance from my house, I would have absolutely no reason to step foot into this place.   Absolutely none!

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
800 W Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Neighborhood: Downtown
(213) 745-9911
http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com

Home-Cooked Meals : Seafood bake!

Live Crystal Crab, 2 types of clams, Mussels, Periwinkles, Shitake Mushrooms, Garlic, Onion, Potatoes, Carrots, 1/2 bottle of Chardonnay, some butter, and a touch of sea salt makes for a wonderful Seafood Bake out on the rooftop patio!

Restaurant Review : Villains Tavern (bar) $$ *7.5 out of 10*

Villain’s Tavern is a local watering hole tucked away in the shady edge of DTLA’s Arts District attracting the artsy fartsies, the hipsters, the well-to-do-ers, the neighborhood locals, and the casual party-goers alike.   It’s a laid-back joint with an unusually unpretentious feel, cheap drinks, and delicious BACON-BOURBON-CARAMEL-POPCORN!  A live band often plays in their outdoor patio area where the sounds seem to incorporate quite well into the space and night.  

If you’re out to get some attention, this tavern may not be the place for you.  But if you want to have some drinks and a good time with your friends, you might find it worth your while to visit this out-of-the-way spot.

Villains Tavern
1356 Palmetto St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Neighborhood: Downtown
(213) 613-0766
http://villainstavern.com

Restaurant Review : Kachi Deli Cafe & Grill (Californian,Sandwiches,Salads) $$ *7.5 out of 10*

Kachi is ideal for those living/working in DTLA looking to get a quick and easy lunch that’s fairly healthy and served by a friendly energetic staff.  

The new location at the base of the City of Hope building is fun, bright and open which makes it a nice place to break from your day and gather what sanity you have left before jumping back into work to lose it again.  Free WIFI here is always a plus; just in case you can’t completely get away from it all.

Their sandwiches, wraps and salads are all good.  The ingredients are fresh and well-seasoned and their prices are reasonable.  I have yet to try their pastas but I have a feeling that it’ll be at least decent.  

I am a big fan of their fresh squeezed juices.  You get 20ounces for only $3.95 or a 12ounces for $3.25! My favorites are ABC(apple, beets, carrot, ginger) and Just Beet It (orange, beet, carrot, celery, ginger).  But truly, they are all good.  Or perhaps you’re a smoothie person and may want to indulge in one of their yummy, healthy, fruity concoctions sweetened with agave?

Kachi has just recently incorporated a new gelato bar.  I did some tastings and I will be back for a full portion sometime in the near future. 

Kachi Deli Cafe & Grill
1055 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Neighborhood: DTLA-CityWest
(213) 482-4553
www.kachidelicafe.com

Restaurant Review : Rivera (Latin) $$$ *7.5 out of 10*

Rivera offers up modern Latin food that’s small and pricey, but good.  In my opinion, the plates are a bit too over-presented which results in a lack of substance.  More than likely the meal will make a dent in your wallet but will still leave you slightly hungry.  

But the food is not why I find myself coming back here time and time again.  I come back here for the amazing, absolutely perfect cocktails.  Fresh fruits, herbs and fresh juices squeezed in-house garnish, complement, adorn these hand-crafted works of art. The ice is perfect and the drinks are never diluted, perfectly chilled and tasty.  The first sip sends chills of contentment that runs down my spine in happy tremors.  

Rivera has a cool, trendy, yet intimate atmosphere and is minutes away from the Staples Center making it a perfect watering hole for a pre-event drink.

Rivera
1050 S Flower St
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Neighborhood: Downtown
(213) 749-1460
www.riverarestaurant.com

Restaurant Review : Aburiya Toranoko (Japanese, Sushi) $$ *7 out of 10*

The name of the restaurant can’t get much harder than this.  Sheesh.

Aburiya Toranoko has an extensive menu with some traditional stuff and tons of fusion stuff.   Our party combed through the menu and here’s what we had…  

Hawaiian Ono Sushi $6 (I definitely have had better) —- “live” octopus sashimi w/plum and yuzu sauce $19 (why is “live” sashimi cooked?) —- Shimaaji (Jack Mackerel) Sushi $8 (decent) —- Aji Sushi (Spanish Mackerel) $8 (not fresh) —- Uni Goma Tofu $11(subtle, interesting…didn’t love it but grew on me more and more) —- Snapper Sashimi w/Pomegranate $13 (I found it too oily and the pomegranate hid the taste of the snapper without giving it any kick) —- Grilled Norwegian Mackerel $8 (best thing we had all night) —- Kumamoto Oyster Plate $20 (4 oysters with different toppings.  It was fresh, cute, pricey, small… I think I prefer the traditional toppings) —- Spicy Yellowtail Cut Roll $5 (booooring) —- Monkfish Liver w/Miso Sauce $7 (the sauce was sweet and overwhelming which made it hard to taste the Ankimo) —- Black Cod w/Sweet Miso $12 (decent, average) —- Ikura Sushi $7 (pretty good) —- Udon Vongole $11 (good chewy udon.  Dish is a bit heavy overall).  

For drinks I tried the Cucumber Chiller $10 and hated it.  It was way too sweet and syrupy for me.  I also tried the Strawberry Sake Champagne $10 which was a bit better.

I really love A.T.’s urban arty space with their open outdoor patio. The service was pretty good too.   While there are many things to try, I found myself quite disappointed with the food.  The fusion stuff didn’t really do much to complement flavors but worked instead to mask the true taste of the ingredient.   The traditional nigiri fell below my expectations on freshness and taste.  I can walk a block down the street and have great tasting sushi for fewer dollars. 

When I return, and I probably will to give it another go, I think I will have to change my game plan and try for more of the cooked stuff.  There are tons of interesting stuff on the menu and I did enjoy my experience there enough to warrant a return.  

Sun&Thurs-Happy Hour all nite
Mon-Sake nite-1/2 off sake bottles
Tue-Ladies nite-1/2 off specialty checklist for ladies
Wed-Wine nite-1/2 off wine bottles

Aburiya Toranoko
243 S. San Pedro St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Little Tokyo
(213) 621-9500
http://www.toranokola.com

Restaurant Review : Shekarchi Restaurant (Persian) $$ *8 out of 10*

Shekarchi is a great LUNCH spot in DTLA that serves Halal meat.  Although I am not religious in that way, I like the extra care that is put into slaughtering and handling the meat.  Their operating hours are as follows : Monday-Friday from 11AM-3:30PM …yeah, that’s it!

Their $9 lunch special with your choice of kebab ($1 extra for fish), rice and a grilled tomato really does the trick.  I’m normally a dark meat kind of girl but their chicken breast is juicy and flavorful so that’s what I get here.  Complimentary cucumber yogurt is served before your meal along with some pita bread.  The yogurt is wonderfully creamy and delicious.  The pita is thin and fresh.  They pair perfectly as a great starter. 
Note: You have the option to get half rice and half salad.  If this is what you want, make sure you remember to tell the server because they will not ask you when they take your order.  

The service leaves a bit to be desired.  Frankly, the attitude and swagger on the servers are a bit intimidating and not quite welcoming.

Parking is available in the lot across the street.  It is $3 with a Shekarchi validation.

Shekarchi Restaurant
914 S Hill St
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Neighborhood: Downtown LA
(213) 892-8535
http://www.shekarchirestaurant.com/

Restaurant Review : Yojie Japanese Fondue & Sake Bar $$ *6 out of 10*

Yoji’s is the only shabu, ahem, excuse me, “Japanese Fondue” spot I know towards the west side of downtown.  So out of convenience I find myself going back there.  One word : INAUTHENTIC.  

The servers are often awkward and they don’t seem to have any real knowledge of the food they’re serving.   Their portions are small and expensive for what you get.  The sauces are definitely not authentic.  The ponzu had too much lemon and the sesame is just bland and tasteless.

I’m a big fan of Sukiyaki but after a couple of failed tries at it here, I’ve settled to regular shabu.  The Sukiyaki broth is sooooooo sweet that I literally gagged!  People, this is not how Sukiyaki is supposed to taste!

Not everything is bad.  The booths are very comfortable and I do like the layout of the place.  The table is set up nicely for the “fondue” and the meat quality is pretty good.  I also find their iced green tea very refreshing.  

Free parking is available at the lot across the street with the purchase of an entrée.

Restaurant Review : Paulette (Desserts, Macarons) Little Tokyo, DTLA *7 out of 10*

Pretty, tasty, colorful, sweet, nutty sweets with a chewy center: that’s how I describe the perfect macaron.  

A new location opened up in the Little Tokyo Galleria next to Woori Supermarket in Little Tokyo, DTLA and of course I had to go and check it out.  

This location is a very simple, kinda’ sterile looking place that sells slush drinks, boba, coffee & tea along with their macarons.  Parking is a breeze…there’s plenty of space and it’s free for 2 hours with validation/receipt.

Macarons are $1.70 each…
2 for $4.00 w/box, 6 for $10.50 w/box, and 12 for $19.00 w/box.

I tried the Caramel(9 stars), Rose(5 stars), and the Colombian Coffee (6 stars). Surprisingly the Caramel with Ganache and Fleur De Sel was amazing especially since I thought that I would like this the least.  It was exactly how I would describe the perfect macaron.   The Rose and Coffee were just average.  

P.S. I’m super excited to go back to try all of the other flavors!

Paulette
333n S Alameda St #103
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 621-4457
http://paulettemacaron…

Restaurant Review : Izakaya & Bar Fu-ga (Japanese) *6 out of 10*

My husband planned a surprise birthday dinner for me here.  In attendance was closest friends and mom who was visiting from Korea.  While the surprise was absolutely wonderful and I had a spectacular time, I couldn’t stop the little critical voice in my head.  Since this is a restaurant review, I will review the restaurant and not the magical evening.  

Izakaya Fuga is hidden away in Little Tokyo.  You have to park in the parking lot next door, take an elevator to the basement and enter through a dingy little door.  Once inside, the décor is unassuming, friendly and comfortable.  

Their prices are reasonable and their food is fair; standard fusion/Japanese done quite well.  Based on the food alone, I would probably have given it 7 stars…  If you like fried stuff, try the Jalapeno Tempura stuffed with crab and topped with dynamite and unagi sauce. Very yummm… Of course the Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna is always a crowd pleaser but my personal favorite was the Miso Baked Chilean Sea Bass.

What killed our restaurant experience was the service. I’m not one to really fret about the service but our server was NEVER around.  I recall her being nice and pleasant but she never came back to take our orders, we never got our drinks, our sake cups, etc. etc.   Our busser ended up serving us.  Even my husband who never complains about such things started grumbling by the end of the night!

Since the service can be easily fixed, I’m willing to give Izakaya Fuga another shot.

Izakaya Fu-ga
111 S San Pedro St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Neighborhoods: Little Tokyo, Downtown
(213) 625-1722
www.izakayafu-ga.com/

Restaurant Review : Yen Sushi (Japanese, Sushi) *6 out of 10*

Apparel sample sales and Yen sushi go hand in hand for me.  Yen is located inside the California Market Center in downtown’s fashion district and I like to crush my raging hunger after hours of shopping here because of the convenience and their sensible lunch menu.  But I must warn you, going there during a sample sale can definitely test your patience.  The restaurant can be hectic and is usually under-manned.  

This is a Korean run establishment with big portions.  The food isn’t the best.  It’s a bit over-seasoned, it  lacks authenticity, the presentation isn’t perfect, but it does succeed in satisfying me.  I’ve had the chicken bowl + spicy tuna roll for $7.99.  I’ve also had their Udon + California roll for $6.99 and what I described above refers to both.

Restaurant Review : Corkbar (Wine Bar, American) *6 out of 10* DTLA

Located on the ground floor of EVO condominiums in DTLA, Corkbar is a good addition to the area.  Its wine-inspired décor is pretty cool as is the outdoor patio complete with fire pits. The food takes a back seat to the wine aspect of this place.  That being said, the wine pour is measly.  After being told that my first 2 wine selections had run out I settled upon a glass of Schramsberg 2006 to wet my palate for $19.  Please, save your money.   The sparkling wine failed to impress.  It wasn’t bad but for $19 served in a small champagne glass, I expected more. We tried 3 types of wine on this night, and none is worth mentioning in detail. 

We arrived to the restaurant at 7:04 on a Tuesday night to check out their $2 Tuesday test kitchen.  On this particular night of the week, Corkbar, starting at 5:30PM, prepares a mystery dish that is sold at $2 until they run out.  Unfortunately, at 7:04, they had run out.  I was told that it was a mussel dish but I can only guess on the taste.

What we had:
-Cheddar Mac&Cheese with Pasilla Chilies $10 : We expected a little more after all the hype. We found it kinda’ bland, kinda’ boring. 3 stars
-Cheddar Cheese Gougeres $7 : These were quite enjoyable.  They were subtle, light and fluffy and addicting! 4 stars
-Roasted Beet & Endive Salad $16 : Fresh ingredients but lacking in anything that makes it stand out. 3 stars
-Farmer’s Market Veggie Sandwich $9 : This was a well put-together sandwich with eggplant, cucumber, spinach, red onion and feta on an Olive Bread.  It was quite tasty for a veggie sandwich.  4 stars

Along with its mediocre at best service, the only true positive that I see in Corkbar is its nicely decorated venue where DTLA Southpark residents can conveniently hang out.

Restaurant Review : Chaya Downtown (Japanese, Asian Fusion) *6 out of 10* DTLA

The $1 oysters at Chaya save the day!  No one seems to know how long they’re going to have this special but it’s here right now so take advantage of it.  They’re fresh and tasty; a perfect way to round up your stressful workday.  Pair them with a beautiful outdoor patio, a cool city skyline and some cocktails and you’ll see a huge smile on my face. 

Aside from the oysters the food needs major help.  Every time I order real food here, I cringe.  On my last trip I ordered “grilled” octopus $8, a spicy tuna hand roll $4, and an ume shiso maki (plum, shiso leaf, cut roll) $5 along with the oysters.  The “grilled” octopus was actually fried, not grilled.  It was greasy, tasteless and tough and had about 5 measly dried-out octopus pieces in it that was drowning in mayo.  

The spicy tuna was food-processored into a tuna mush that didn’t look appetizing at all.  Although the tuna wasn’t of the best quality it did taste better than it looked, thank goodness.  

And how can you mess up an ume shiso roll?  I mean, it’s so simple right?  It turns out that you can mess it up especially if you don’t know how salty your ume is and you put way too much into the roll so that you cure your diner’s mouth and have them desperately reaching for water.

8 stars for the patio/restaurant space
8 stars for the oysters…until they last
3 stars for the food 

PS Free validated parking underground for 4 hours in the City National Bank Plaza
PPS Happy Hour is 7 days a week all night until closing. Includes half price drinks & HH menu.

Restaurant Review : Angelique Cafe (French) DTLA *8 out of 10*

What a great little discovery.  I was walking back from the fashion district and saw this adorable restaurant on the way home.  It was nestled in this little peninsula area sandwiched between two gradually intersecting streets.

I looked it up and decided to go check it out.  The hubby and I sat in the outside patio where we had a view of all the various people walking by with their dogs while I sipped on my morning coffee.  

We started off with one of the best bowls of mushroom soup I’ve ever had.  It was full of mushroom flavor, seasoned perfectly, not too rich with unnecessary fillers, simple, and delicious.  

Then out came my goat cheese salad for $10.95. Characteristic of French food I thought that the salad was going to be a small little thing but this salad was a full-blown American portion, dare I say almost too American?  I dug in.  The goat cheese was creamy & delicious, the greens were fresh, and I was very full.  Of course we had dusted off a whole basket of bread a few minutes previously so that definitely added to my state.

My husband had the half sandwich special for $9.95 that came with fries.  He chose the steak sandwich and to me, it looked like a full sandwich.  Really? That’s a half? The steak was cooked perfectly medium rare and the sandwich as a whole was pretty decent.  The hubby was pleased.

In conclusion if you want a bit of French in your diet but your wallet is a bit slim and your stomach is famished, this is the spot for you.