GENERAL COMMENT: In my way of looking at life, there are two kinds of taco joints, authentic and gringo. The best of the authentic ones usually have a regional aspect, and some special feature that draws in the Latino crowd.
When I was last in the Big Apple, three of the four high-end restaurants in Midtown where I ate specialized in seafood, the current restaurant craze. The first, Milos, where you can pick out your own fish from an ice table, is very reminiscent of restaurants in China, although there you can choose a
SM PLACE — Foodies on the hunt for freshness flocked to Santa Monica Place on Friday for the grand opening of the remodeled shopping center’s latest attraction, The Market, a 45,000-square-foot section of the third floor dining deck that features artisanal treats and a top-notch cooking school.
DOWNTOWN — Santa Monicans who love authentic Italian food do not have to travel to Tuscany to get it. It turns out there are two quality restaurants right here, according to the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West.
MAIN STREET — In my imbibing infancy, I found Budweiser to be palatable, enjoyed the crisp burn of the High Life and chugged with happiness ice cold Coors Light at many USC tailgate parties.
They say that when man lands on Mars, he will find a Starbucks on one corner and an Italian restaurant on the other. But, like in Los Angeles, no classical French food.
Gladstone’s is back. When Bobby Morris owned it, it was the hot spot on the beach, where you could wet your pallet and quench your hunger with a nice selection of seafood, while overlooking the Santa Monica Bay.
Second son Spencer lives in Japan, where he teaches Japanese literature and culture. About twice a year he comes home for vacation. As a special treat and to celebrate his visit we usually go to dinner (with other family members) to Sasabune, where Spencer kids around in Japanese with the owner and
WILSHIRE BLVD — Chefs, like any artist, are continually searching for inspiration. For his latest menu, Drago Ristorante’s Evan Gotanda didn’t have to look very hard.
GENERAL COMMENT: The new food court in the Santa Monica Place is a lot of fun. There are two Japanese restaurants, one taco place, a chicken and rib joint that needs improvement, a crepe place, one pizza place (and it was tasty), a typical Chinese, and best of all, Charlie’s Kabob.
OLYMPIC BLVD — Stefan’s at L.A. Farm screams aristocratic eatery with every detail of its composition, starting with the rampant bulls with smouldering red eyes at the street entrance and following through to the richly appointed tomes that sit adjacent to the host desk.
We used to sail out of Marina del Rey. After a cold, rough sail, with Spencer seasick and Bonnie bored, we would return to the marina looking for a good dinner.
