tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-115512212011-07-14T17:37:39.980-07:00Let's outmenu each other...Jake of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09208742067459269534noreply@blogger.comBlogger171100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11551221.post-1123291870451553172005-07-08T19:22:00.000-07:002005-08-05T18:31:19.820-07:00

Hungry Pocket1715 Pico BlvdSanta Monica, CA 90405Or the Happy Pocket as I always incorrectly refer to it. This was Jessica's dinner favorite during her stint at Santa Monica College, and it's the best greek cheap eats I've had, including my stint in Syracuse and perennial drive to Vegas standby the Mad Greek.My gyro was excellent, Jessica swears by the falafel. I've never been super keen on

Jake of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09208742067459269534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11551221.post-1123291185246652042005-07-01T19:14:00.000-07:002005-08-05T18:19:45.250-07:00

Border Grill1445 4th StSanta Monica, CA 90401We're running behind. Review coming soon...Dinner:-Carnitas Norteñas -?????Drinks:-Añejo MargaritasDetails

Jake of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09208742067459269534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11551221.post-1120876349842052092005-06-24T19:12:00.000-07:002005-07-08T19:32:29.850-07:00

Fassica10401 Washington BlvdCulver City, CA 90232Jessica was going to take me to Nyala, but thought that was cheating since we've been there before (though not for a SFR) so we ended up at this tiny Ethiopian place across from Sony instead. We had noticed it a few weeks before, and decided it was worth a shot since it was Ethiopian, close, new, and had a name that rhymed with Jessica. Very

Jake of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09208742067459269534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11551221.post-1120336342578270872005-06-17T19:02:00.000-07:002005-07-02T13:32:22.586-07:00

La Dijonaise8703 Washington Blvd.Culver City, CA 90232There's really no other place I'd rather be in the summertime than Europe. Since that's not a possibility for me right now, I have to make do with my favorite European foods instead. This, in part, explains why I have been quite the fanatic pouring over my French cookbooks lately. Jacob obviously took notice and chose this newish French

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03181526753697694122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11551221.post-1119207454127174812005-06-10T19:30:00.000-07:002005-06-19T11:57:34.136-07:00

Pizano's Pizza and Pasta3466 N Clark StChicago, IL 60657First let's get this out of the way: Wrigley Field was awesome, except for the whooping the Sox got in game one. Polish style dogs from the upper deck stand behind home plate are recommended; regular dogs sold by vendors not so much. And Old Style beer is not as bad as one might think.On to the SFR. Not really following the traditional

Jake of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09208742067459269534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11551221.post-1118293089640380182005-06-03T20:01:00.000-07:002005-07-02T13:35:40.086-07:00

Bombay Cafe12021 W Pico BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90064(Warning: Restaurant Rocks, but their website sucks)Unsuspecting little place we've probably driven by a million times. Jessica scored well on this pick. Nearby, cozy, and some great indian food. Samosas were amongst the best we've ever had. She went for the dosa after hearing great things about it on KCRW's "Good Food" and it didn't

Jake of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09208742067459269534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11551221.post-1117346760896077752005-05-27T22:32:00.000-07:002005-06-19T11:58:33.330-07:00

Chloe333 Culver BlvdPlaya del Rey, CA 90293This restaurant caught my eye when we were housesitting in Manhattan Beach at the end of December. I'm not sure quite what it was, maybe the lighting and the fact that it looked European. That will do it for me. We tried to go here one night after we saw a movie but they were booked for several hours. After we noticed that people were dressed far

Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03181526753697694122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11551221.post-1116820550752343162005-05-20T20:00:00.000-07:002005-05-22T20:58:02.043-07:00

Madeo8897 Beverly BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90048Although 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

Jake of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09208742067459269534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11551221.post-1116471900557075392005-05-13T19:45:00.000-07:002005-05-18T20:05:00.563-07:00

Ayara Thai Cuisine6245 W 87th StLos Angeles, CA 90045This 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

Jake of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09208742067459269534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11551221.post-1115582160130790742005-05-06T19:35:00.000-07:002005-05-08T12:56:00.140-07:00

C&O Cucina3016 Washington BlvdMarina Del Rey, CA 90292Jessica 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.

Jake of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09208742067459269534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11551221.post-1115581096525862262005-04-29T19:30:00.000-07:002005-05-08T12:38:16.530-07:00

Lala's Grill7229 Melrose AveLos Angeles, CA 90046Mmmmm...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,

Jake of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09208742067459269534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11551221.post-1114616602668948382005-04-22T20:32:00.000-07:002005-04-27T22:17:32.436-07:00

Campagnola Trattoria1553 Westwood BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90024Back 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 StewDrinks:-Bottle of

Jake of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09208742067459269534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11551221.post-1114214812666003712005-04-15T19:00:00.000-07:002005-04-22T17:07:48.986-07:00

Hotel Hana Maui5031 Hana HighwayHana, Maui, HI 96713Aloha! 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

Jake of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09208742067459269534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11551221.post-1113008644640862982005-04-07T22:46:00.000-07:002005-04-22T17:09:49.326-07:00

Velvet Margarita Cantina1612 N Cahuenga BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90028We'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

Jake of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09208742067459269534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11551221.post-1112652812263421812005-04-01T23:57:00.000-08:002005-04-22T17:10:30.966-07:00

CravingsThe Mirage3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd.Las Vegas, NV 89109Viva 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

Jake of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09208742067459269534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11551221.post-1111816259113737502005-03-25T21:49:00.000-08:002005-03-25T21:55:34.406-08:00

Cha Cha Cha7953 Santa Monica BlvdWest Hollywood, CA 90048Jessica was a bit under the weather, so my intent was to find her a place with some hearty chicken soup. My first idea (name withheld as it may be a future SFR) I decided was too far away, but couldn't think of or find anywhere comparible nearby. I was about to throw in the towel and go to a place around the corner we could walk to (name

Jake of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09208742067459269534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11551221.post-1111214454928110272005-03-18T22:20:00.000-08:002005-03-19T21:41:22.586-08:00

Axe1009 Abbot Kinney BlvdVenice, CA 90291Our secret friday restaurant thing has been going on for a bit over a month now, but tonight at Axe (pronounced Ah-Shay) the idea for a review blog to chronicle these visits was born.We originally tried to go here a few weeks ago, but were negged at the door for not having a reservation. The same mistake was not made this time. From the reviews it

Jake of All Tradeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09208742067459269534noreply@blogger.com0