Post: #76

(01-08-2013 12:53 AM)Octane Wrote:  Drais's (rooftop club/lounge/restaurant) in W hollywood: used to be decent crowd but has since had a change in management. Crowd is the "bridge and tunnel crowd" aka Riverside and OC crowd of predominantly minorities. They like to charge a 20-40 dollar cover and push tables. I have a contact at drais but I no longer patronize the place due to the dwindling standards.

Interesting.

Back when everyone was fronting on the Kate Upton thread, I asked where people hung out with hotter girls than Kate Upton.

The only places mentioned were:

Drais and The Rhino. I let Drais slide because I haven't been in years.

I guess were are down to just The Rhino now.

---

Also, I don't think I ever posted my Hollywood Restaurant and Nightclub Data Sheet if anyone is headed to those parts.

Post: #77

@Octane- Supperclub has the valley types on Saturday, because one of the promoters is from the valley. They take a hummer limo (or limos) w/30+ pppl down from Ventura and White Oaks Ralphs. Collects around 10, drop then around 3am.

Its tough to game these girls at the club, because they dont want to be stuck w/no ride (typical LA logistical nightmare). In the limo, on the way back, thats another story! =).

Drais was good last year when I went (Small sample size, but dont doubt it may have changed. Clubs popularity changes quickly here in LA. Do you guys remeber when Guys and Dolls used to be hot stuff in LA? haha).

Post: #78

after a few months of pretty wack crowds, Manhattan Beach was actually pretty decent the other night. Started off at MB Post and in the bar and the Shade hotel wasn't too bad either. But man, the bar area at Post, even though its pretty tiny always has great talent, you have to be able to open girls sitting down eating/drinking at barstools though.

Haven't been down to Venice/SM in a while, maybe in a few weeks I'll hit some of that up....not sure how the Bungalow has been ever since summer ended.

Post: #79

Saw this on Twitter. I went to one of those meetup mixers a while back, it was really really easy to open girls. wondering how these lock and key things are.

http://naughtytravelguideblog.com/2013/0...s-angeles/

Post: #80

Hot-girl Crazy Story-

This weekend, went to Santa Monica w/my good friend, his semi-GF and her cousin from moscow. Ends up the cousin has a BF, but whatever, I just kept it cool. Hopped from place to place, but the cousin wanted to dance so we went to Malaki (i think thats what its called)

Started out slow, we hung out for a bit. Around 11ish, w/some joking around and light dancing. I start loosening up (about 2 strong drinks in). Mentally, I resigned myself for a boring night.

Im chatting w/the cousin, and i feel a hand touch my shoulder, then another touch my thigh/crotch area. Somebody tickling me/playing handsy. I turn around and its this 8.5/9 hot blonde girl. She smiles at me, pauses, then walks off.

I have been fondled in packed clubs, packed bars, house-parties but in a semi-empty bar? lol. I was sober and shocked. For all this blonde girl knew, the cousin coulda been my girlfriend.

See her grinding/dancing between two guys later. One latin Mixx-looking dude and a frat-boy. She really seemed to enjoy the attention. Haha.

LA Hot-girl crazy...Makes you wonder what drama-bomb is going off in these girls heads? Shit, people have been stabbed for much less. Bitches be crazy.

Post: #81

Upcoming- DineLA Jan 21-Feb1. Anybody go to this before? Some nice spots on here.

http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/dinela...urant-week

Post: #82

(01-19-2013 06:42 PM)DVY Wrote:  Upcoming- DineLA Jan 21-Feb1. Anybody go to this before? Some nice spots on here.

http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/dinela...urant-week

DineLA SUCKS, but that's because I'm on the other end of it.

It seems like a good deal, and it probably is, but it depends where you go. Most restaurants I know of come up with some cheap shit to satisfy the hordes of tourists and food "newbies" (diners that ask for well done, sauce on side, etc) and the quality isn't as good as it usually is. On top of that, a lot of restaurants wind up overbooking since people go apeshit for DineLA; it encourages the riffraff that can't usually afford dinner at said restaurant to show up with high expectations for their $35 4-course meal. Service usually winds up being a shitshow, the kitchen gets bottlenecked, and it's just bad bad vibes all around.

That said, check out one of my favorite restaurants, Night+Market for some of the best Thai food in the city. They do a nice DineLA menu. It's still not that popular of a restaurant so it's not a shitshow inside, and the food is fucking BALLER.

Post: #83

I stay away from DineLA for the reasons above.

Post: #84

@thedude

Maybe at some point you can post of list of recommended restaurants. As of late I barely dine out and when I do it's just my regular old spots that are nothing fancy. I'm by no means a "foodie" but I'm looking branch out and find some great new places to eat.

Post: #85

(01-19-2013 07:03 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  

(01-19-2013 06:42 PM)DVY Wrote:  Upcoming- DineLA Jan 21-Feb1. Anybody go to this before? Some nice spots on here.

http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/dinela...urant-week

DineLA SUCKS, but that's because I'm on the other end of it.

It seems like a good deal, and it probably is, but it depends where you go. Most restaurants I know of come up with some cheap shit to satisfy the hordes of tourists and food "newbies" (diners that ask for well done, sauce on side, etc) and the quality isn't as good as it usually is. On top of that, a lot of restaurants wind up overbooking since people go apeshit for DineLA; it encourages the riffraff that can't usually afford dinner at said restaurant to show up with high expectations for their $35 4-course meal. Service usually winds up being a shitshow, the kitchen gets bottlenecked, and it's just bad bad vibes all around.

That said, check out one of my favorite restaurants, Night+Market for some of the best Thai food in the city. They do a nice DineLA menu. It's still not that popular of a restaurant so it's not a shitshow inside, and the food is fucking BALLER.

Yeah, people that work in restaurants HATE these type of things.

For that reason, I avoid as well.

Post: #86

I went to picca a few weeks ago and it rocked. Menu doesn't look so bad if you must do restaurant week http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/what-t...nts/picca. But when I went we ordered like 15-20 items on the menu and only 2-3 of them show up on this menu.

A lot of people do Fogo de Chao since its just cheaper, but that place sucks when its crowded as it probably will be for restaurant week

Looking some of the menus though, I hate being that limited with selections.

Post: #87

Yeah Picca is solid, Ricardo is a buddy of mine and he's blowing up right now. The downstairs restaurant, Sotto, is pretty damn good as well. Some of my favorite pizza in the city, and I don't like most pizza in L.A.

Speakeasy what kind of restaurants do you like? If you can narrow it down to Japanese, Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, French, Italian, Chinese, Gastropub, Wine Bar, etc...I can help you out

Post: #88

(01-20-2013 01:13 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  Yeah Picca is solid, Ricardo is a buddy of mine and he's blowing up right now. The downstairs restaurant, Sotto, is pretty damn good as well. Some of my favorite pizza in the city, and I don't like most pizza in L.A.

Speakeasy what kind of restaurants do you like? If you can narrow it down to Japanese, Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, French, Italian, Chinese, Gastropub, Wine Bar, etc...I can help you out

Yeah, what would recommend for Mexican, Italian, Gastropub and Wine Bars?

I tend to like restaurants that are nothing fancy but are at a good intersection of tasty food and reasonable price(entrees under $20).

Do you have like 5 spots off the top of your head that satisfy that criteria?

Post: #89

For sure

Mexican

-Rico's tacos. Little taco cart on the NW corner of Pico and Fairfax. Best al pastor in the city right now
-For "old school" kitschy Mexican I gotta say I dig El Compadre on sunset. It's got a cheesiness factor that I like.
-Loteria in Hollywood. A bit pricey for Mexican but very authentic D.F. style. Good margs too.
-Guisados. They just opened a second location in Los Feliz I think. Very good tacos.
-Mexicali Taco and Co. Best carne asada in the city. Best time to go is during busy lunch hour when the asada is freshly cooked
-La Parilla for Barbacoa
-Las Siete Regiones de Oaxaca. Great Oaxacan restaurant that most Oaxacans will swear by. Better than Guelaguetza.

Italian
(disclaimer: many of the restaurants I've worked in have been high end Italian, so I'm a little jaded. Also, having been to Italy, it's hard to justify paying so much for Italian food when the stuff in the mother country is much cheaper)

-Angelini Osteria: to date, some of the most authentic Italian I've had in the city. It's also 3 times more expensive than what you'd actually pay in Italy.
-Vincenti in Brentwood. I used to work here. Expensive, but very good.
-Bestia Downtown. Just opened. Working out some kinks but the food is seasoned really well and food is solid. Wouldn't drive across town to come here but if I lived in the neighborhood I'd be a regular
-Osteria/Pizzeria Mozza. It's good but it's not true Italian. In February they're opening their salumi restaurant that my buddy runs, called Chi Spacca. Hit that up, my buddy is legit.
-Tasting Kitchen in Venice. Not true italian but some very good pastas.
-Sotto, the restaurant under Picca in west L.A. My homies Steve and Zach run the show, very good southern Italian (Sicilian and Sardegnan), very unusual but good food that most people wouldn't even know is Italian
I would avoid any of the Drago restaurants. Shit is just way too overpriced and underwhelming.

Gastropub
The Gastropub thing is getting old, but there are some solid spots in the city.
-Father's Office. Pretty much the original gastropub. I never go to the SM location as it's always too crowded. I like the Culver City location.
-I liked Lazy Ox first couple times I went, but they've had some chefs come and go and have no idea what it's like now
-Baco Mercat-I've liked about half the food I've had here. Good beer selection
-Superba Snack Bar in Venice. Pretty solid
-Black Hogg in Silverlake. Didn't care for it
-Freddy Smalls. Didn't care for it
-The Parish downtown. Same chef as Tasting Kitchen in Venice. Food was pretty damn good, but a bit expensive. cocktails are also first rate.
-Blue Palms Hollywood. Decent food, one of the best beer selections in the city.
-Little Bear downtown. Good food, great beer selection.
-Umamicatessen. I hate Umami burger. Completely mediocre and overhyped.
-Golden State on Fairfax. Cool little spot with a good burger and good beer.
-Wurstkuche. Dogs and beer, cool vibe.

Wine Bars
I'm a huge wine snob so I can't endorse too many spots. Beer and cocktails are taking over L.A. and wine is just not given due attention here. That said, I like:
-Mignon downtown. Cool little spot with a cute French girl cooking basic food and very obscure, tasty wines.
...Seriously that's it. There was the best wine bar called Lou but he sold the place. I've been to AOC, barbrix, and every other "hot" wine bar you can think of and I think they more or less suck. Surprisingly, that Thai restaurant Night+Market has an excellent wine list. I can't say enough good things about that place.

I know that's more than 5 spots but that should keep you busy for a while. Report back and let me know what you think.

Post: #90

(01-20-2013 01:13 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  Yeah Picca is solid, Ricardo is a buddy of mine and he's blowing up right now. The downstairs restaurant, Sotto, is pretty damn good as well. Some of my favorite pizza in the city, and I don't like most pizza in L.A.

Speakeasy what kind of restaurants do you like? If you can narrow it down to Japanese, Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, French, Italian, Chinese, Gastropub, Wine Bar, etc...I can help you out

Yeah, he's opening a cervicherria near me soon in the marina, excited about that.

Was at lazy ox about two months ago, it was really good.

Post: #91

(01-20-2013 03:21 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  Italian
(disclaimer: many of the restaurants I've worked in have been high end Italian, so I'm a little jaded. Also, having been to Italy, it's hard to justify paying so much for Italian food when the stuff in the mother country is much cheaper)

-Angelini Osteria: to date, some of the most authentic Italian I've had in the city. It's also 3 times more expensive than what you'd actually pay in Italy.
-Vincenti in Brentwood. I used to work here. Expensive, but very good.
-Bestia Downtown. Just opened. Working out some kinks but the food is seasoned really well and food is solid. Wouldn't drive across town to come here but if I lived in the neighborhood I'd be a regular
-Osteria/Pizzeria Mozza. It's good but it's not true Italian. In February they're opening their salumi restaurant that my buddy runs, called Chi Spacca. Hit that up, my buddy is legit.
-Tasting Kitchen in Venice. Not true italian but some very good pastas.
-Sotto, the restaurant under Picca in west L.A. My homies Steve and Zach run the show, very good southern Italian (Sicilian and Sardegnan), very unusual but good food that most people wouldn't even know is Italian
I would avoid any of the Drago restaurants. Shit is just way too overpriced and underwhelming.

Have you been to/would you recommend Piccolo in Venice by any chance? I've walked by it a few times and it looks pretty good, and I've been meaning to try it out, perhaps during DineLA...?

Post: #92

thedude great list.. I've been to about half of those places and you're spot on.

Post: #93

(01-20-2013 08:15 PM)kerouac Wrote:  

(01-20-2013 03:21 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  Italian
(disclaimer: many of the restaurants I've worked in have been high end Italian, so I'm a little jaded. Also, having been to Italy, it's hard to justify paying so much for Italian food when the stuff in the mother country is much cheaper)

-Angelini Osteria: to date, some of the most authentic Italian I've had in the city. It's also 3 times more expensive than what you'd actually pay in Italy.
-Vincenti in Brentwood. I used to work here. Expensive, but very good.
-Bestia Downtown. Just opened. Working out some kinks but the food is seasoned really well and food is solid. Wouldn't drive across town to come here but if I lived in the neighborhood I'd be a regular
-Osteria/Pizzeria Mozza. It's good but it's not true Italian. In February they're opening their salumi restaurant that my buddy runs, called Chi Spacca. Hit that up, my buddy is legit.
-Tasting Kitchen in Venice. Not true italian but some very good pastas.
-Sotto, the restaurant under Picca in west L.A. My homies Steve and Zach run the show, very good southern Italian (Sicilian and Sardegnan), very unusual but good food that most people wouldn't even know is Italian
I would avoid any of the Drago restaurants. Shit is just way too overpriced and underwhelming.

Have you been to/would you recommend Piccolo in Venice by any chance? I've walked by it a few times and it looks pretty good, and I've been meaning to try it out, perhaps during DineLA...?

nah I don't usually head to the westside that often anymore. I know the sous chef at Hostaria del Piccolo that just opened, been meaning to go in sometime. He said the chef is legit. Check it out and report back.

Post: #94

(01-20-2013 03:21 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  For sure

Mexican

-Rico's tacos. Little taco cart on the NW corner of Pico and Fairfax. Best al pastor in the city right now
-For "old school" kitschy Mexican I gotta say I dig El Compadre on sunset. It's got a cheesiness factor that I like.
-Loteria in Hollywood. A bit pricey for Mexican but very authentic D.F. style. Good margs too.
-Guisados. They just opened a second location in Los Feliz I think. Very good tacos.
-Mexicali Taco and Co. Best carne asada in the city. Best time to go is during busy lunch hour when the asada is freshly cooked
-La Parilla for Barbacoa
-Las Siete Regiones de Oaxaca. Great Oaxacan restaurant that most Oaxacans will swear by. Better than Guelaguetza.

Italian
(disclaimer: many of the restaurants I've worked in have been high end Italian, so I'm a little jaded. Also, having been to Italy, it's hard to justify paying so much for Italian food when the stuff in the mother country is much cheaper)

-Angelini Osteria: to date, some of the most authentic Italian I've had in the city. It's also 3 times more expensive than what you'd actually pay in Italy.
-Vincenti in Brentwood. I used to work here. Expensive, but very good.
-Bestia Downtown. Just opened. Working out some kinks but the food is seasoned really well and food is solid. Wouldn't drive across town to come here but if I lived in the neighborhood I'd be a regular
-Osteria/Pizzeria Mozza. It's good but it's not true Italian. In February they're opening their salumi restaurant that my buddy runs, called Chi Spacca. Hit that up, my buddy is legit.
-Tasting Kitchen in Venice. Not true italian but some very good pastas.
-Sotto, the restaurant under Picca in west L.A. My homies Steve and Zach run the show, very good southern Italian (Sicilian and Sardegnan), very unusual but good food that most people wouldn't even know is Italian
I would avoid any of the Drago restaurants. Shit is just way too overpriced and underwhelming.

Gastropub
The Gastropub thing is getting old, but there are some solid spots in the city.
-Father's Office. Pretty much the original gastropub. I never go to the SM location as it's always too crowded. I like the Culver City location.
-I liked Lazy Ox first couple times I went, but they've had some chefs come and go and have no idea what it's like now
-Baco Mercat-I've liked about half the food I've had here. Good beer selection
-Superba Snack Bar in Venice. Pretty solid
-Black Hogg in Silverlake. Didn't care for it
-Freddy Smalls. Didn't care for it
-The Parish downtown. Same chef as Tasting Kitchen in Venice. Food was pretty damn good, but a bit expensive. cocktails are also first rate.
-Blue Palms Hollywood. Decent food, one of the best beer selections in the city.
-Little Bear downtown. Good food, great beer selection.
-Umamicatessen. I hate Umami burger. Completely mediocre and overhyped.
-Golden State on Fairfax. Cool little spot with a good burger and good beer.
-Wurstkuche. Dogs and beer, cool vibe.

Wine Bars
I'm a huge wine snob so I can't endorse too many spots. Beer and cocktails are taking over L.A. and wine is just not given due attention here. That said, I like:
-Mignon downtown. Cool little spot with a cute French girl cooking basic food and very obscure, tasty wines.
...Seriously that's it. There was the best wine bar called Lou but he sold the place. I've been to AOC, barbrix, and every other "hot" wine bar you can think of and I think they more or less suck. Surprisingly, that Thai restaurant Night+Market has an excellent wine list. I can't say enough good things about that place.

I know that's more than 5 spots but that should keep you busy for a while. Report back and let me know what you think.

Very legit list by thedude... I worked on cook's lines and owned a sushi restaurant/worked behind the bar (being Asian and faking a Japanese accent works wonders) so I have a similar stance on "get it way cheaper and better in the homeland". That being said, there's some good stuff under the radar and you really have to dig down between all the fluff to search it out.

You'll always find off the wall places to get great deals on wine. I remember Blair's in Silverlake was selling '07 Scarecrow for $550 in store when it was selling at auction for $700. I'd add Venice Wine and Beer Belly in Ktown to the list of beer/wine joints. Not the greatest selection at either place, but it's not terrible and it tends to attract some really good talent.

Post: #95

What's good in Santa Monica nowadays in the college/post college scene? Have some visitors this weekend and probably staying in that area to show them around a bit, they're not into lounges and fancier stuff.

Friday:
Main Street

Saturday:
The Bungalow for daytime drinking (but its raining this weekend so that might 86 that)
Cabo Cantina happy hour
Moms Bar
South (?)
Busbys (hit and miss)?
MaKai (never been but I saw there is a DJ etc)

anything along those vibes?

Post: #96

(01-24-2013 07:47 PM)PartyonBro Wrote:  What's good in Santa Monica nowadays in the college/post college scene? Have some visitors this weekend and probably staying in that area to show them around a bit, they're not into lounges and fancier stuff.

Friday:
Main Street

Saturday:
The Bungalow for daytime drinking (but its raining this weekend so that might 86 that)
Cabo Cantina happy hour
Moms Bar
South (?)
Busbys (hit and miss)?
MaKai (never been but I saw there is a DJ etc)

anything along those vibes?

Check out the Del Monte Speakeasy(and no not because of the name ). That bar is downstairs underground, and the bar upstairs is The Townhouse. I've had good times there. Plus there's bars on Abbot Kinney right up the street, they're all pretty close so you can walk around. These are in Venice technically but still pretty damn close to SM.

Post: #97

yeah, these guys are staying in West LA and we're going to cab it around...venice might be far-ish...but its closer to me so I'll def check it out.

Post: #98

(01-24-2013 07:47 PM)PartyonBro Wrote:  What's good in Santa Monica nowadays in the college/post college scene? Have some visitors this weekend and probably staying in that area to show them around a bit, they're not into lounges and fancier stuff.

Friday:
Main Street

Saturday:
The Bungalow for daytime drinking (but its raining this weekend so that might 86 that)
Cabo Cantina happy hour
Moms Bar
South (?)
Busbys (hit and miss)?
MaKai (never been but I saw there is a DJ etc)

anything along those vibes?

You should check out Copa d' Oro in Santa Monica. Usually cocktails are $12-$15, but they have an awesome happy hour (I think everyday but Sunday) from 5:30-7 where you can get the same drinks for $5. Music on Saturday is pretty dope too if you like 90's hip hop.

Post: #99

(01-24-2013 07:47 PM)PartyonBro Wrote:  What's good in Santa Monica nowadays in the college/post college scene? Have some visitors this weekend and probably staying in that area to show them around a bit, they're not into lounges and fancier stuff.

Friday:
Main Street

Saturday:
The Bungalow for daytime drinking (but its raining this weekend so that might 86 that)
Cabo Cantina happy hour
Moms Bar
South (?)
Busbys (hit and miss)?
MaKai (never been but I saw there is a DJ etc)

anything along those vibes?

PartyOnBro,

The benefit of the area you mentioned is that many of these can be hit up in the same night, and with WALKING in between.

Here's what I would suggest: Do a line-up and keep moving through them until you hit a good vibe in one.

There are two sets: First: Busby's & Mom's which are probably 200 meters from each other on SM Blvd., and Second: Q's, Cabo Cantina, and BruHaus which are literally right next to each other on Wilshire.

Pick one set, run through them all and if you're still not satisfied just walk to the other set and check them out.

Edit: My favorite of all I mentioned is: Q's, Cabo and Mom's.

Post: #100

yeah, we're starting off around SM and Barrington so we can either go to Moms first or walk to Cabo/Qs.....probably cabo since the drinks are 2:1 until 8.

what about that place on 14th/SM Blvd that used to be 14 below and then was "The Room" santa monica...is that anything at all or is it a "skip"?