Rate-A-Restaurant #191: Larchmont Grill

Restaurant: Larchmont Grill

Location: 5750 Melrose (Larchmont)

Type of restaurant: California

We stipulated: My friend Joe had been meaning to take me out for my birthday for months; we finally settled on a day. Larchmont was close to him and on the way home for me, and I’ve been curious to try it.

What we ordered: Mexico City jalapeno burger: raw red onion, cilantro, diced tomato, pepperjack cheese with a touch of cayenne & shredded lettuce on a sesame seed bun (with sweet potato fries); starter: homemade corn soup.

High point: Service was friendly, and that corn soup was excellent.

Low point: At the same time, I was told by the waiter that the Mexico jalapeno burger could be made with turkey meat. So I ordered it — but what I got was, well, just a turkey burger. Later, the waiter told me he’d been misinformed — the burger couldn’t be made with turkey, so I didn’t get the “Mexico City” recipe. He knocked $2 off the price, but I still wish ultimately I’d known beforehand, to order something else.

Overall impression: Unbeknownst to us, we had arrived on Larchmont’s Burger night (Wednesdays), when the restaurant offers up options such as Kobe beef burgers, salmon burgers, grilled tofu and portobello burgers, lamb burgers, pineapple teriyaki burgers, and more. Nice idea.. but the menu, which reads, “turkey burgers and butter lettuce wrapped protein burgers available,” made it vague — so did that mean turkey could be substituted, or just that you could get a plain turkey burger? That’s where the confusion set in.

Chance we’ll go back: You know, it was a pleasant enough experience, but I’m not sure there was a compelling reason to put the Larchmont on the “return” list.

For a complete list of our more than 190 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.

Rate-A-Restaurant #190: Butter Tart

Restaurant: Butter Tart

Location: 4126 Verdugo Road (Glassell Park)

Type of restaurant: Coffee and baked goods

We stipulated: A few months ago, Maria and I finally took in our dusty, decrepit bikes to get tuned up. It was an ambitious move: Neither of us had ridden bikes in years; hell, since the birth of Evan, neither of us do much exercise, period. We bought a bike trailer from Target for the Blogger Preschooler to ride along… and a few Saturdays ago, we took our maiden voyage — to a Coffee Bean in north Glendale. Since then, we’ve been on the lookout for other Saturday morning destinations. When we heard that a new boutique coffee shop had opened up nearby, it seemed like a perfect time to head on over.

What we ordered: “Colossal Coffee Cake,” $2.95; Bacon Butter Tart, $2; Large Coffee, $2; medium coffee, $1.45

High point: They don’t lie, that slice of coffee cake was indeed colossal — plenty for me to share with Evan, and even Maria (who found herself having to share the Bacon Butter Tart with our 3 1/2 year-old bacon fiend). Both were buttery good, and went well with the Groundworks coffee.

Low point: Strangely, the large coffee and medium coffee mugs seemed to be nearly the same size. I’m wondering if I should order my coffee “to go” next time. Also, it’s too bad the hours are so limited (Butter Tart is closed by 11 a.m. on weekdays and noon on weekends), although I get why they want to wait and test demand before being open longer.

Overall impression: What a needed and perfect addition to this part of the South Glendale/Adams Hill/South Eagle Rock/North Glassell Park region. The well-designed spot (love the cardboard moose heads) is bright and inviting, and the music was right on, a cool mix of indie, chill out and more. Then, of course, are the baked goods: All homemade, and all worth the bike ride over. (Hey, we earned those treats. It’s all a wash, right?) Some of the items may be a tad too buttery, but that’s quibbling. We’re so psyched to have Butter Tart nearby that we’ll be spreading the word.

Chance we’ll go back: You may see us there almost every weekend. Butter Tart’s Karena told us that bike racks are coming, which will help us concentrate on what’s on our plate, instead of keeping an eye on our bikes outside.

For a complete list of our more than 190 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.

Rate-A-Restaurant #189: Open Sesame

Restaurant: Open Sesame

Location: 5215 and 5201 E. 2nd St. (Long Beach)

Type of restaurant: Mediterranean

We stipulated: My parents were in town, and we were heading down to Long Beach to visit my high school pal Anthony, his wife Candice and their two kids (including Evan’s little g.f.). Anthony and Candice suggested Open Sesame.

What we ordered: Appetizer: Baba ghannouj (fire roasted eggplant, delicately mixed with garlic, lemon juice and tahini sauce sprinkled with sumac (sourberry) and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil), $6.25. Entrees: Chicken Shawarma (tender marinated chicken breast and thigh cooked on an upright spit then sliced, served with hummus, garlic sauce, wild cucumber pickles, pita and choice of salad), $11.99. Also: Beef shawarma pita (marinated beef cooked on an upright spit then thinly sliced and rolled into a pita, with tomato, onion, parsley, sumac, wild cucumber pickles and garlic sauce), $6.99.

High point: With a party of eight and no reservation, we sprung ourselves on them — and yet still managed to get a table fairly promptly. I also liked the constant stream of pita bread, and the garlic paste was excellent.

Low point: We were hoping to sit in the main restaurant, but had to settle for the satellite location. The hummus was also of a questionable flavor. And the fact that rice didn’t automatically come with the shawarma — it was $1.50 extra.

Overall impression: Nice menu, and decent food. But nothing too memorable about Open Sesame.

Chance we’ll go back: If we’re in Long Beach, perhaps. But we won’t make a special trip for it.

For a complete list of our nearly 190 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.

Rate-A-Restaurant #188: Max

Restaurant: Max

Location: 13355 Ventura Blvd. (Sherman Oaks)

Type of restaurant: Cal-Asian

We stipulated: For our sixth anniversary dinner, Maria and I were looking forward to finally trying Palate. But they’re closed on Sundays. Then we inquired about downtown’s Church & State. Also closed. Since we were going to be in the Valley during the day, we turned our attention to Sherman Oaks. We’d been wanting to try Max for years, and we regularly pig out at chef Andre Guerrero’s Eagle Rock-based “slow fast food” joint, The Oinkster. So Max it would be.

Ahi towers

What we ordered: Appetizer: Ahi towers (wasabi toiko, seaweed, pickled ginger), $9.50. Main: Miso-marinated black cod (baby bok choy, water chestnuts, shiitake mushrooms sugar snap peas), $24; Beef short ribs 2-ways (grilled with dry sautéed green beans; served with risotto), $22.

Beef shortribs

High point: Easy to get a reservation, nice environment and appreciated that they were open on a Sunday. We particularly enjoyed the ahi appetizer, with the crispy rice bank.

Low point: The after-dinner coffee was surprisingly weak and not worth the $3.50. Also, was disappointed that we weren’t told of the night’s wine specials. I didn’t see them until I passed by the bar (where they were written on a chalkboard) on the way to the restroom.

Miso-marinated black cod

Overall impression: Guerrero has adjusted the Max menu to add several touches first seen at the Oinkster — and as big Oinkster fans, we approve. We never visited Max in its original incarnation, but the current version nicely melds casual elements with more upscale elements. The bistro vibe is nice, and the place was packed on a Sunday night.

Chance we’ll go back: We’re not in the habit of spending that much on regular dinners, but if we’re looking to go slightly more upscale — but not too upscale, and still casual — Max is a nice middle ground.

For a complete list of our nearly 190 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.

Rate-A-Restaurant #187: Chickpea

Restaurant: Chickpea

Location: 210 East 14th Street (New York)

Type of restaurant: Falafel/Shawarma

We stipulated: Walking around the Union Square area and East Village, we originally planned to try some noodles at Momofuku, we failed in finding the right one (stumbling across a too-hip-for-the-room, dark joint instead). It started to rain… and we were hungry. So we decided to go simple and hit Chickpea, which had interested us as we walked by earlier. I’m a big fan of Maoz, and figured Chickpea would be cut from the same cloth. It pretty much was — but unlike Maoz, isn’t only vegetarian.

What we ordered: Falafel platter ($7.45), Shawarma plate ($6.95); Shawarma pocket ($6.95)

High point: My falafel platter (above) was fully loaded, with plenty of hummus, falafel pieces, salad and more. Good bargain for $7.45.

Low point:We ordered the shawarma plate with hummus — not realizing that it would be so hummus heavy. Hummus is great for a lot of things, but doesn’t work as a rice or bread subsitute.

Overall impression: The whole assembly-line style fast casual restaurant — popularized by Chipotle — is getting out of hand. Here, they ask you to choose your meal in a step-by-step manner that is just plain confusing — especially since they’re not actually making it as you go along. That’s what led to our hummus debacle.

Chance we’ll go back: When it comes to the battle of the fast casual falafel locations, Chickpea may have a leg up with the meat/chicken option. But in the end, I still prefer Maoz and its build-your-own salad bar, which allows you to really get bang for your buck. And since they’re located so close to each other, I’d probably just head to Maoz instead.

For a complete list of our nearly 190 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.

Rate-A-Restaurant #186: Sarita’s Macaroni & Cheese

Restaurant: Sarita’s Macaroni & Cheese (S’MAC)

Location: 345 East 12th Street (New York)

Type of restaurant: Mac and Cheese

We stipulated: OK, so Evan wasn’t quite interested in Catchdefish — so what might appeal to the 3-year-old’s taste buds? Oh yeah — mac and cheese. Sarita’s Macaroni & Cheese, to be exact. An eatery devoted to mac and cheese? Tell me more.

What we ordered: The “All-American” — “Nostalgia at its finest — a tasty blend of American and Cheddar cheeses.” (“Nosh” — $4.25)

High point: We took the Mac and Cheese to go, and didn’t eat it until later — and even cold, it was still great.

Low point: Sarita’s is cramped, and thankfully we were taking our food to go.

Overall impression: A gimmick, yes. But it works.

Chance we’ll go back: If we could, we’d return to try more varieties. We stuck with the simple choice for Evan… next time we’re in town, we’ll go with something more elaborate.

For a complete list of our nearly 185 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.

Rate-A-Restaurant #185: Posto Thin-Crust Pizza

Restaurant: Posto Thin Crust

Location: 310 Second Avenue, at 18th St. (New York)

Type of restaurant: Pizza

We stipulated: Evan was down for the count in New York, having been hit hard with an ear infection. As a result, going out to eat was out of the question mid-week. Instead, I decided to grab a pizza and bring it back. But not just any pizza. I’d read about Posto on Chowhound, where foodies raved over the joint’s thin crust. Posto was a few blocks from our hotel — good enough for me.

What we ordered: First visit, the Fafandone (16 inch, $20): Marinara Sauce, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Sweet Italian Sausage, Fresh Mozzarella. Second visit, the ChixPotle (9 inch, $11.00): Marinara Sauce & Cheese, Shredded Chicken braised with our own Chipotle sauce with sautéed Vidalia Onions and Peppers, Fresh Pineapple, Cilantro. Also, Formaggio Bianco (9 inch, $10.00): Fresh Ricotta, Fresh Mozzarella, Spinach, Fresh Basil.

High point: The Fafandone — wow. My favorite pizza in all of New York. Whatta combo, and with that cracker-thin crust, nearly perfect.

Low point: The other two pizzas we tried a few days later weren’t quite as special — shoulda stuck with the Fafandone.

Overall impression: A great NY spot: Located in a small home downstairs in the formerly rough ‘hood, Posto is worth the trip.

Chance we’ll go back: Next time we’re in NYC.

For a complete list of our nearly 185 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.

Rate-A-Restaurant #184: Catchdefish Seafood & Thai Kitchen

Restaurant: Catchdefish Seafood & Thai Kitchen

Location: 147 Third Ave / Corner of 15th St (New York)

Type of restaurant: Seafood/Thai

We stipulated: It was our first day in Manhattan, on a Sunday afternoon, and we were hunting for a lunch spot. Walking down Third, we figured we’d find something in the East Village. Passing by Catchdefish, we were taken by the sandwich board sign. Roped in — guess those signs do work.

What we ordered: Wasabi crab cake burger with wasabi mayo, $9 (above); prix fixe special: Cream of carrot soup/chicken skewer/mesculin salad with spicy mayonnaise dressing/salmon steak with green curry sauce, asparagus, thai eggplant, sweet pepper and mushrooms, all for $14 (below).

High point: Maria liked the setup of the restaurant, and it boasted a great view of the street scene, as people walked by. We also liked that the restaurant wasn’t crowded, at least that time of day. And the crab cake burger offered up a nice spice, while the green curry sauce made the salmon. Our biggest praise may have to go to the carrot soup, however.

Low point: Other than the carrot soup, we couldn’t find much on the menu that was kid-friendly for the Blogger Preschooler.

Overall impression: Our Catchdefish experience is a reminder of why we enjoy the city: The whole experience was impromptu. We randomly walked by, it looked inviting, and we managed to make the right call. At $14, the prix fixe menu was a bargain; add to that the $9 crab cake burger, and it made for an economical but tasty lunch. And with the place all to ourselves. we didn’t feel rushed, but instead could linger and enjoy the people watching from our street-level window.

Chance we’ll go back: Perhaps if we lived in NYC we’d make a return trip, but with so many restaurants to try, it’s not a place we’d probably return to in the coming future.

For a complete list of our nearly 185 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.

Rate-A-Restaurant #183: Viet Noodle Bar

Restaurant: Viet Noodle Bar

Location: 3133 Glendale Blvd. (Atwater Village)

Type of restaurant: Vietnamese

We stipulated: It was a Saturday night, and neither of us felt like cooking. Neither of us also felt like spending a ton of money for dinner. Oh, and we couldn’t just abandon our Blogger Preschooler. We could go to one of our staples, Indochine Vien in Atwater Village… or we could try something new. It was time to finally check out the rival Vietnamese joint across from Indochine, Viet Noodle Bar.

Springrolls

What we ordered: Appetizer: Bo Bia Chay (Fresh Springrolls: jicama, carrot, tofu, basil, shallots: $5). Fresh rice noodles: Bun Ca Thi La (White Fish Noodle: with dill, turmeric, white fish: $8) and Bun Chay (Vegetarian Soyskin noodle: Soyskin, shiitake: $8).

White Fish Noodle

High point: The White Fish Noodle was a nice surprise — guess you can’t go wrong with dill and curry. Delicious. I would have eaten it all myself, but we were sharing both dishes.

Low point: I’m sad to report that Viet Noodle Bar is cash only. I rarely carry much cash on me — but thankfully our bill was small enough that I could cover it. Just remember to plan accordingly — or you’ll be facing ATM charges somewhere.

Vegetarian Soyskin Noodle

Overall impression: The Blogger Preschooler enjoys the noodles at Indochine Vien, but I gotta say, we’re kind of leaning toward Viet now. The food’s good, reasonably priced, and the restaurant has a cool, stark, minimalist/urban vibe. And my main issues with Viet — small menu and the communal dining table — have also been addressed now that the restaurant has expanded. According to Eating LA and the Daily Dish, the new menu includes banh mi — hurray!

Chance we’ll go back: We definitely have to check out the expanded space… and try a banh mi.

For a complete list of our nearly 185 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.

Rate-A-Restaurant #182: Loteria Grill Hollywood

Restaurant: Loteria Grill

Location: 6627 Hollywood Blvd. (Hollywood)

Type of restaurant: Mexican

We stipulated: We were heading west to the LACMA — giving us a rare chance to hit Hollywood for lunch. We’ve been big fans of Loteria’s Farmers Market location for years — here’s our 2004 review — but that setting always seemed too frantic and not right for such gourmet Mexican fare. Enter the Hollywood location — not only is the food served in a more pleasant environment, but they mix margaritas there. Sold.

What we ordered: MIKE: Papa con rajas taco (potatoes with roasted poblano peppers, served with finely chopped onion and cilantro, queso fresco and salsa verde, $3); tinga de pollo taco (chicken, stewed with chipotle peppers and homemade chorizo. Served with salsa roja de chipotle, $3.50); cochinita pibil taco (pork, slowly roasted in banana lead, served with citrus-pickled red onion and chile habanero, $3.50); jalapeno margarita ($12). MARIA: Mole poblano con pollo burrito (chicken in mole poblano, served with sesame seeds, chopped onion and queso fresco, $8.50).

High point: The space is cool, comforting and less hectic (obviously) than the Farmer’s Market. And that jalapeno margarita was a nice surprise, tangy and just spicy enough. Also loved the habanero salsa that came with the free chips.

Low point: Flies. Lots of them. Landing on our faces. Distracting us from our food.

Overall impression: A great place for a Hollywood lunch — and not too pricey (other than the margarita, which, I know, I shouldn’t be having on a Saturday afternoon anyway. But hey, it’s summertime). And yes, I know meals like this are partly why I need to lose ten pounds, per my doctor. But food this good is hard to resist.

Chance we’ll go back: Absolutely. And will bring others as well.

For a complete list of our more than 180 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.