Lala's Argentine Grill

Lala's Grill
7229 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Mmmmm...meat. Hadn't been to this place since a birthday lunch several years ago. Still think it's great. A bit more chain like than I remember, but can't complain about the food. We both found the mashed potatoes to be divine. I enjoyed my steak; Jessica did too but is slowly deciding she doesn't like meat much anymore. I, on the other hand, am still a carnivore...

Appetizer:
-Tortilla de Papa: (Yummy onion potato quiche type thing)

Dinner:
-Lomo Lala's (Medallions of Filet Mignon)
-Entraña al Champignon (Skirt steak w/ mushrooms)

Drinks:
-Bottle of Trapiche Argentina Malbec (Good addition to our new Malbec fascination)


Details

Campagnola Trattoria

Campagnola Trattoria
1553 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90024

Back in town and back on track, this little Italian place in Westwood was a great find. Cozy atmosphere, extremely friendly staff, extensive wine list, and affordable great eats. Not much else to say, except we'll be back!

Appetizer:
Paesano Antipasti (roasted peppers, tomatoes, and goat cheese)

Dinner:
-Lasagna
-Veal Stew

Drinks:
-Bottle of Chianti Classico Castello di Meleto 2000 Toscana

Dessert:
-Tartufo (Yum!)

Details

Hotel Hana Maui

Hotel Hana Maui
5031 Hana Highway
Hana, Maui, HI 96713

Aloha! After a great start to our Maui trip on the west side of the island, we set out on the famous road to Hana for the tail end of the vacation. Hana is simply amazing as far as atmosphere. Secluded and lush, with black sand beaches and national parks for hiking. Culinary options are limited, so we decided to splurge and check out the dining room at this luxury hotel for our SFR meal. After showing up in semi-grubby clothes after some time at the beach to secure a reservation (and being treated with a touch of snootiness by the woman at check in), we fancied up and headed back for the 7pm dinner buffet and show.

We've commented on buffet's here before in the Vegas post, and in Hawaii it isn't much different. Food was good as far as a buffet goes, but not spectacular. I may be a bit hard on it for not living up to my expectations, as Jessica thought it was fabulous. Kalua pork is now one of my favorites no matter who makes it, especially if you get the salt just right. Prime rib was acceptable but not spectacular. The salads were probably the best.

The dinner show itself was fairly impressive, with a local troup of musicians and dancers both young and old being a welcome change from the typical hula dancers seen elsewhere. More fun than the overpriced luau we attended earlier in the week, with a different, more intimate type of show with a "real" feel to it instead of the staged hoopla of the major luaus. (Don't get me wrong; the Royal Lahaina Luau served its purpose with decent food and a good firedancing show, but the open bar was a joke.) Jessica was most impressed by the fresh flower leis provided at the end, even moreso as she saw them being strung together just before the show on a trip to the bathroom.

One last tip: the Mai Tai here was good, but the best Mai Tai I had on the entire trip was at their sister Hana Ranch Restaurant across the street.

Dinner: (buffet again, so I can't remember it all)
-Caesar Salad
-Garden Salad
-Prime Rib
-Kalua Pork (my new favorite dish)
-Stir Fried Vegetables
-Potato Salad
-Poi
-Mashed Potatoes

Drinks:
-Mai Tai

Velvet Margarita Cantina

Velvet Margarita Cantina
1612 N Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028

We're heading to Hawaii for the week early tomorrow morning, so the Secret Friday Restaurant became the Secret Thursday Restaurant this week. (It also wasn't all that secret, as it was chosen for it's close proximity to the Avalon where we had tickets to see Ray LaMontagne play.)

Jessica has been dying to go here since first reading about it, and was further convinced when my sister said good things about it after visiting an old boyfriend here a few months back. It was great, with the only disappointment being that we had to rush through the meal to make it to the show.

Decor is very cool, with Blue Velvet booths in a small dining room, Elvis movies on big screens above the bar, and various velvet paintings everywhere. Margaritas were pricey but good (and much needed) during the wait. I thought the red tortilla chips were mediocre, but Jessica liked the color and deemed them acceptable. The salsa tray was really good, especially the chipotle one.

We were a bit confused by the lack of prices on the menu, but eventually noticed the set price format listed at the bottom (everything is $11 for lunch, $15 for dinner.) Mole sauce on the chicken was among the best I've ever had, as was the dressing on the Caesar salad.

And as for the concert, we missed the first few songs but it was really, really, really good.

Dinner:
-Chicken Mole
-Spinach and Cheese Enchiladas
-Caesar Salad
-Turkey Albondiga Soup
-Guacamole
-Chips w/ assorted salsas

Drinks:
-2 Margaritas w/ Rocks and Salt
-1 Patron Margarita
-1 Pomegranate Margarita (Wow!)

Details

Cravings

Cravings
The Mirage
3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Viva Las Vegas! We went away to sin city for the weekend, and after the long drive didn't feel like venturing too far for dinner before gambling. Cravings was the buffet where we were staying at the Mirage, and the description included in the room brochure made it out to be more than just a buffet, so we gave it a go.

It turned out that (not surprisingly) the advertising was better than the actuality. But aside from being overpriced and with the decor of a cafeteria, it wasn't all that bad. Different buffet "stations" are located around the room offering the cuisines of the world. In true Vegas gluttony style, I had a bit of everything. The chipotle mashed potatoes were a hit with all of us, as was the "pick it while they mix it" style salad bar with the odd shaped bowls. I also enjoyed the balsmaic eggplant from the italian station. Otherwise, the chinese food station seemed to be best of all, with the rest being a hair above average but not spectacular.

Highlights: (sorry, can't remember it all)
-Chipotle Mashed Potatoes
-Tossed salad (a bit of everything) tossed with oil and vinegar
-Balsamic Eggplant
-General Gao Chicken

PS: As for the other major Vegas craving, we all came home winners. Let's hear it for Pai Gow and Let it Ride!