Alex

Overview:

The few times I have been in here have both been excellent. I came in a few weeks ago with a big group of people and we received great service as well as great food.

To start, I got the Sweet & Spicy Lobster Chowder - my favorite chowder prior to this was the Chowda' at Providence. This may be my new favorite. Must try. It's amazing. The table ordered a few Crab Cakes - there's not much "cake" in this crab cake and that's a good thing! There was a ton of crab! The cake was fresh, light and crumbled very nicely.

I ordered the Chipotle Glazed Pork Chop - this is a very thick cut pork chop with a nice sweet sauce. Very tasty. While some of the others I was with ordered the Seared Ahi Tuna w/Duck Confit Risotto - which was perfectly seared but everyone said the Duck Confit Risotto really made this dish pop. Someone else also ordered the airy raviolis (one mushroom and one lobster), on a sweet and lovely pea puree.

For Dessert we got the crepes with whipped marscapone cheese filling and tiny little chocolate dots (I don't know what to call them and neither did our "awesome" waiter), but they were good.

Just an all around great meal - ambiance, service and delicious food. Not a lot of tables and happy hour starts after 9 on the weekends. Keep in mind that the menu is different within the bar area as well!

Special Dishes:

Sweet & Spicy Lobster Chowder, Crab cakes, chipotle glazed pork chop, seared ahi tuna, duck

Alex

Overview:

I usually am afraid to try new things. I am a picky eater and like what i like. But i was with a friend from out of town and she really wanted Mediterranean food, so I wanted to be a good friend and go with her. I was pleasantly surprised!

We ordered apps and the hummus and walnut dip were both excellent. The mousakka, although not at all what I was expecting was also great. I rolled this in the pita with the hummus and walnut dip and it was a very good wrap.

I got the homemade sausage quesadilla for main meal and it definitely hit the spot. My friend got the chicken shawerma which came with a cabbage salad that she really enjoyed.

The service was very fast and friendly, however it was a little on the pricy side. But I do recommend this place- it is really good!

Special Dishes:

Hummus, Walnut dip, Mousakka, Sausage quesadilla.

Alex

Overview:

For an embassy suites hotel restaurant, this place was really good. I stayed here for the weekend and ate here for breakfast and dinner.

They had a limited menu for dinner, but everything we tried was super tasty! My co worker and I had the beef medallions, the burger and the chicken panini and we both enjoyed our meal!

Prices are fair, service is quick, and the appetizers are good as well. I also heard it was a great place for happy hour after work. They have a good selection of Mexican beers on tap which is a plus for me considering very few places do!

If you are in the area or staying at the hotel- this place is great for a quick bite or a relaxing meal.

Special Dishes:

Chicken Panini, Beef medallions, Burger

Alex

Overview:

I was very surprised when I ate here how good it was. It's not often you find a decent restaurant in a hotel- no matter how nice the hotel is. I was staying here for a weekend and went to this restaurant twice for dinner!

My favorite appetizer was the Panzerottiai Porcini and the margarita pizza, which I had another night was really good as well. By far the best entree I had was the New York Steak with Green Peppercorn Sauce, Rosemary-Thyme Roasted Potatoes, and Broccolini"Al Peperoncino." I am a picky eater and sometimes steaks don't always agree with me- but this one was to die for!

I had to top off one of the meals with a dessert so I ordered the Coppaal Mascarpone which is a Mascarpone Cream with Chocolate Mousse topped with Amaretto Cookie Crumbs and Cocoa Curls. Amazing.

It is a little bit pricey for a hotel restaurant but the food and service is great- they also have a live piano player!

Special Dishes:

Panzerottiai Porcini, New York Steak

Alex

Overview:

I was taking a walk one day and came across Hal's. I heard good things about it so I decided to stop in for an early dinner. I got right in without a reservation, but I think anytime after 6:30 you should make one because it got super crowded!

I loved everything I had, and I ordered quite a bit. For an appetizer I started with the baby artichokes which was a nice start to the dinner. Just enough so I wasn't full before my meal came. For my main course I ordered the charred rib-eye steak which was really good.

It was massive so I boxed it up and ate it the next day- and it still tasted just as good. Even though I was super full, I ordered dessert because I always have to end the meal with something sweet.

I ordered the bread pudding which ended the meal perfectly for me. It was amazing! One of the best I've had in a long time. Definitely recommend this place!

Special Dishes:

Artichokes, Charred-rib eye steak, Bread Pudding

Alex

Overview:

K-ZO is one of my favorite sushi places in LA. They have incredible specials including, Whole, house-cured Rock Fish, ocean trout, barracuda, sea urchin, halibut fin nigiri, maguro Carpaccio with arugula, parmesan and truffle oil.

By far the coolest sushi chef/owner in town as well. They are both really charming and make sure your meal is exactly what you wanted.

My favorite entrée is the seven-piece sushi that includes Albacore, Aji, Eel, Salmon, Tuna, Yellowtail, and the Blue crab Hand Roll. There were plenty of melt-in-your-mouth qualities to the nigiri and the rice was rolled perfectly to hold everything together. The best pieces were the Albacore, Aji, and the Blue Crab Handroll.

My friend loved the Yellowtail collar and the Octopus carpaccio. It was a phenomenal meal. We both really enjoyed the baby squid, blue crab handroll, the scallops and sweet live Shrimp.

Don't pass this place up! It is pricey but amazing at the same time.

Special Dishes:

Albacore, Octopus carpaccio, baby squid, blue crab hand roll and the scallops two-ways.

MalloryW

Overview:

Animal has great food! We started by ordering the Shrimp and Rabbit Sausage Spring Rolls that has eggplant, sprouts and green curry in them. The curry was VERY spicy but still delicious! We also got the Oxtail Poutine. It was served with fries and cheddar cheese. Everything went really well together. The best part of our meal was the Bacon Chocolate Crunch Bar with S&P Ice Cream. It was a unique combination but it all tasted great!

Special Dishes:

Shrimp and Rabbit Sausage Spring Rolls, Oxtail Poutine, Bacon Chocolate Crunch Bar with S&P Ice Cream

MalloryW

Overview:

Fig and Olive at Melrose is their flagship store. It is HUGE! Double height ceilings, two floors of dining and bar area, and an enclosed patio. This place was one of the most beautiful restaurants I have been to. Aside from the design and atmosphere, the food was great too! We started by ordering Crostini's, which are small grilled toasts with toppings. My favorite was the Mushroom, Truffle Artichoke and Parmesan. We also got the Shrimp, Avocado, Cilantro, Tomato that was delicious too. Along with our Crostninis we ordered Zucchini Carpaccio. It was covered in olive oil, lemon, pine nut, and parmesan. I enjoyed every bite. For my entree I got the Rosemary Lamb Chops that was served with gnocchi and eggplant. I would definitely recommend this dish!

Special Dishes:

Shrimp, Avocado, Cilantro, Tomato Crostini, Mushroom, Truffle Articoke and Parmesan Crostini, Zucchini Carpaccio, Rosemary Lamb Chops

Alex

Overview:

Cute place on the beach, fun patio with view. Love their Watermelon and Mango 'tini's (martinis). Great place to go on a beautiful day!

I had the beet salad, which was fantastic... fresh, delicious, and healthy. My friend and I both shared the fish and chips. Stellar fish and chips... best I've had in a long, long time! Generous portions, well prepared, great flavor, not greasy.... Just fantastic. Others at our table really enjoyed their meals, too. A few of them got carnita quesadillas and loved them.

Its a great place to come for a few drinks and watch the sunset or even on a nice day just to have a few apps and read a book. Highly recommend this restaurant!

Special Dishes:

Beet salad, Fish and Chips, Carnita quesadillas, any and all martinis!

MalloryW

Overview:

Osteria Mozza may be expensive but it is worth it. I loved everything we ordered. We started with the Grilled Octopus appetizer. It was served with potatoes, celery and lemon. The octopus tasted fresh and the flavors were great. We then had the Mozzarella Tasting, which consisted of Di Campagna, Smoked Mozzarella, & Mozzarella Di Lazio. It was fun trying the different varieties of cheese and they all tasted delicious. My favorite was the Mozzarella Di Lazio. For my entree, I ordered the Butter Braised Halibut. It literally melted in my mouth! The Halibut was served with Hedgehog Mushrooms that were also excellent. If you want a decadent meal, I highly recommend Osteria Mozza.

Special Dishes:

Grilled Octopus, Mozzarella Tasting, Butter Braised Halibut