Madeo

Madeo
8897 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048

Although it felt a bit out of our league, comfort level, and price range upon arrival, we can't say enough good things about this place. Expensive without being overpriced, attentive service, a comfortable feel once you warm to it, and remarkable food that's among the best we've ever had.

The only drawback (more of a personal pet peeve than anything actually bad) was that the tables were on top of each other, so you're essentially eating with the people around you whether you want to or not. Some of the clientele near us were a bit pretentious with a conversation about "lovers," but that's just LA for you. Unbeknownst to me, this edition of the SFR doubled as the SBR (Secret Birthday Restaurant) as Jessica caught me off guard 4 days early. After overhearing this the couple to our right chimed in with a pleasant exchange, really sealing the deal on the friendly vibe.

Happy (early) Birthday to me...


Appetizer:
-Caprese Salad (Superb mozzarella)
-Panzanella (Devine!)

Dinner:
-Artichoke Risotto (Very good; Jessica was unsure of the protocol for a doggy bag due to the classiness of the place...)
-Tagliata alle Erbe Aromatiche (melt in your mouth steak)

Dessert:
-Apple Tart

Drinks:
(We mixed and matched, both having one of each from the "by the glass" list)
-Cabernet
-Malbec

Details

Ayara Thai Cuisine

Ayara Thai Cuisine
6245 W 87th St
Los Angeles, CA 90045

This week's choice for Friday the 13th revolved around an unnecessary airport run. On our way back from Hawaii, we volunteered to get bumped from our flight in exchange for $500 vouchers on a future flight. It turns out that these vouchers: A) Can only be used if you purchase the ticket at the airport, and B) purchasing a ticket at the airport results in an additional $10 fee per ticket. Long story short, we had to go to the airport on Friday night to use our $480 vouchers for two future trips, and thus I decided to check out the LAX culinary scene with my SFR pick.

The look on Jessica's face when we pulled up to this place indicated that it was not the best choice. I'll admit I was surprised by the low key dive-ness of it, but it had an A in the window and the reviews were off the charts. She wasn't just skeptical of the location, as she also reminded me that after a Thai stop in Hawaii she decided she didn't really like Thai food anymore. I assumed it was just from our frequent partaking in it rather than a major revelation.

Anyways, in the end Ayara impressed us both. Great flavor, authentic dishes, and a spice factor that was off the charts. We even had some unintentional comedy from a family at a nearby table. The dad's meal was so spicy he was turning red and sweating as he sucked down beer after beer, while the son and mother practiced a warped form of lemaze breathing to cool off their mouths.

A few days later Jessica was raving about her leftovers, so it seems to be a winner, though probably reserved for our next airport trip.

Appetizer:
-Vegetable Rolls (best ever!)

Dinner:
-Jungle Curry with Beef
-Rice Dish with Tofu and Chilis (can't remember the exact name and no online menu)

Drinks:
-Sing Tao Beer

Details

C&O Cucina

C&O Cucina
3016 Washington Blvd
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

Jessica was a bit under the weather for the tail end of the week, so for the first time ever the SFR was done take out style. The results, however...

Let me start by saying we've never eaten at the C&O Cucina before, but the original C&O Trattoria (just 1.1 miles down Washington by the water; very odd) is one of our heavy rotation favorites. The latter has great food, huge portions, and a fun vibe. Maybe the take out factor contributed, but we were disappointed by the younger sister location.

I only popped my head in for a few seconds to pick up the food, but the interior seemed more like a large chain restaurant rather than the pseudo italian vibe of the original. As for the food, the garlic rolls still packed their usual delectable punch and the caesar was good, but my eggplant lasagna seemed to have something missing, and Jessica's pizza was mediocre at best, with a rubbery crust that seemed like it was cooked and refrozen numerous times.

(Disclaimer: we've never ordered pizza at the real C&O).

(Disclaimer 2: Maybe skipping the wine due to illness was a contibuting factor.)

In anycase, next time we'll stick to the tried and true favorite by the beach, eat in, and make sure to have lots and lots of that wonderful house wine.


Appetizer:
-Killer Garlic Rolls (Still heaven)
-Caesar Salad

Dinner:
-Margherita Pizza (Yuck!)
-Eggplant Lasagna (Eh...)