H: we're back! We had a lengthy hiatus. We're seated at that bar with our "sister", Michele Abbott, at the new, groovy INK restaurant.
Michele: my cocktail is noteworthy - fresh sprig of basil blossom.
H: is that why your drink looks like the contents of a lawn mower bag?
Michele: tequila, green syrup, Serrano chiles,
M: it's a breakfast cocktail. Hmmmmm. If I was having my car serviced, the decor would be fine here.
Michele: the music is Jimmy Hendricks hits the blues.
H: the kale salad with burrata, Asian pear and pumpkin seed is so beyond good!!
M: so far, Devin, the bartender, is the highlight. He,s a professional mixologist and has created an amazing menu of specialty cocktails.
H: the bigeye tuna with parsnip-sesame cream and smoked croutons is a must!! A little salty.
M: the squid spaghetti tastes like a seafood paella. Very fishy. Skip it!
Michele: The sea bass was light....missing a little chutzpah....like Madison said, "in other words, it was bland!"
H: I liked the sea bass.....the shishito peppers, kelp pasta and saffron did it for me!
Michele: I think everything needs more salt.
H: Hahahaha ah
M: the beef short ribs and turnips with tamarind BBQ was just the right amount of fat!
H: keep in mind that all the dishes are very small. The three of us have shared everything tonight....five dishes.
M: INK is good. I'm not overwhelmed....the food is ok. The bar is great. I give it 6 months!
Michele: I love Devin and his bar skills.
H: I like it but I wouldn't rush back. It's worth trying!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
H+M Eats: Tirovino Wine Bar - thank you GROUPON
H+M Eats: Tirovino Wine Bar - thank you GROUPON: H: we're no longer GROUPON virgins! We're seated at the Tirovino bar with our GROUPON and Sevi, the bartender, is attentive, welcoming and...
Tirovino Wine Bar - thank you GROUPON
H: we're no longer GROUPON virgins! We're seated at the Tirovino bar with our GROUPON and Sevi, the bartender, is attentive, welcoming and very excited about this new place. The music is energizing and mood enhancing.
M: I'm always looking for that neighborhood restaurant thats easy to find in the West Village, but impossible to find in LA. Lots of little bistros think they've done it....but they haven't. Tirovino looks promising. We've just finished our 1st course.
H: gamberi piccanti - deeelish. Arancini - not my fave as far as rice balls go. They were big balls but less flavor than I expected.
M: I agree. When it comes to Arancini rice balls, size really doesn't matter.
H: my pappardelle with wild boar is amazing. They make their pasta in-house. Perfecto!
M: my filet of sole is huge and delicious.
H: its not that huge. You're exaggerating!
M: since when is a ten inch piece of fish not huge?
H: anyway.....I love this place. Our GROUPON provided us this dinner (2 glasses of wine, 2 appetizers, 2 entrees) for $34. We'll be back because Tirovino is worth paying full price.
M: I really like it here. Simple decor, proper lighting, great music and reasonably priced.....sitting at the bar is a treat as Sevi wants to turn everyone into regulars!
H: Tirovino is located at 7166 Melrose, just west of LaBrea on the south side of the avenue. Parking is easy! get here!
M: I'm always looking for that neighborhood restaurant thats easy to find in the West Village, but impossible to find in LA. Lots of little bistros think they've done it....but they haven't. Tirovino looks promising. We've just finished our 1st course.
H: gamberi piccanti - deeelish. Arancini - not my fave as far as rice balls go. They were big balls but less flavor than I expected.
M: I agree. When it comes to Arancini rice balls, size really doesn't matter.
H: my pappardelle with wild boar is amazing. They make their pasta in-house. Perfecto!
M: my filet of sole is huge and delicious.
H: its not that huge. You're exaggerating!
M: since when is a ten inch piece of fish not huge?
H: anyway.....I love this place. Our GROUPON provided us this dinner (2 glasses of wine, 2 appetizers, 2 entrees) for $34. We'll be back because Tirovino is worth paying full price.
M: I really like it here. Simple decor, proper lighting, great music and reasonably priced.....sitting at the bar is a treat as Sevi wants to turn everyone into regulars!
H: Tirovino is located at 7166 Melrose, just west of LaBrea on the south side of the avenue. Parking is easy! get here!
Friday, August 12, 2011
H+M Eats: Il Covo - August 10, 2011
H+M Eats: Il Covo - August 10, 2011: "H: Madison is not with me tonight. I'm having dinner with my great friend, Gregg. Why isn,t il Covo (on 3rd St. across from Cedars)gett..."
Il Covo - August 10, 2011
H: Madison is not with me tonight. I'm having dinner with my great friend, Gregg.
Why isn,t il Covo (on 3rd St. across from Cedars)getting more press??? Sean Macpherson has obviously poured a pot of gold into this former famous Orso restaurant. It's over-the-top visually stimulating almost to the point of overwhelming. We,re seated in the dining room next to a beautiful burning fireplace. It's a chilly August night so it's quite cozy. The new patio is just as gorgeous and they've raised the walls so the paparazzi can't climb over to sneak pictures of us celebrities and restaurant bloggers.
David, the Server, is polished and effective - very confident with his food recommendations.
The watermelon salad special and the burratto was great. The branzino was brought to the table deboned.....with head and tail included. It was gorgeous and not a single bone was found. The ear-shaped pasta ( I don't the the Italian name and I'm not in the mood to google it) with black truffle cream sauce was very rich but the perfect portion. I feel light and petite as a feather.
Overall - Gregg and I love it here. I can't wait to bring Madison to see if he agrees. He's a much tougher critic.
Why isn,t il Covo (on 3rd St. across from Cedars)getting more press??? Sean Macpherson has obviously poured a pot of gold into this former famous Orso restaurant. It's over-the-top visually stimulating almost to the point of overwhelming. We,re seated in the dining room next to a beautiful burning fireplace. It's a chilly August night so it's quite cozy. The new patio is just as gorgeous and they've raised the walls so the paparazzi can't climb over to sneak pictures of us celebrities and restaurant bloggers.
David, the Server, is polished and effective - very confident with his food recommendations.
The watermelon salad special and the burratto was great. The branzino was brought to the table deboned.....with head and tail included. It was gorgeous and not a single bone was found. The ear-shaped pasta ( I don't the the Italian name and I'm not in the mood to google it) with black truffle cream sauce was very rich but the perfect portion. I feel light and petite as a feather.
Overall - Gregg and I love it here. I can't wait to bring Madison to see if he agrees. He's a much tougher critic.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
H+M Eats: Son of a Gun - Thursday, July 28, 2011
H+M Eats: Son of a Gun - Thursday, July 28, 2011: "M: so we roll into Son of a Gun at 6:15 with plans to sit at the bar and have dinner. The bar has two stools and then a little side return..."
Son of a Gun - Thursday, July 28, 2011
M: so we roll into Son of a Gun at 6:15 with plans to sit at the bar and have dinner. The bar has two stools and then a little side return with three more stools facing a wall adorned with tacky, nautical, fishing nic nacs.
H: the bar was full, it was really hot and really loud.....very small, neighborhood feel. The very sweet, kind hostess advised that all the tables were reserved.
M: We contemplated. The chefs from Animal have created a very clever menu at this place; featuring things that swim ( ie. Alligator).
H: we said thank you, we,ll try another time.......good night.
M: so where are we eating???
H: the bar was full, it was really hot and really loud.....very small, neighborhood feel. The very sweet, kind hostess advised that all the tables were reserved.
M: We contemplated. The chefs from Animal have created a very clever menu at this place; featuring things that swim ( ie. Alligator).
H: we said thank you, we,ll try another time.......good night.
M: so where are we eating???
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Mezze - Tuesday, July 26/2011
H: we are so excited to try the new Mezze (formerly Sona) on 401 N. La Cienega. Specializing in Contemporary Middle Eastern cuisine, Madison and I are psyched to compare the food to what we enjoyed in Istanbul just two weeks ago.
M: First, let me say that I really like the vibe. Finally a casual place with good energy. Love the stained glass windows. The faux finish is ghastly - so wrong. The paint color in the men's bathroom would've been so much better. The Moroccan tiles on the bar floor are fab.
H: Madison, this isn't an interior design blog.
M: I care more about design than food.
H: We've ordered the recommended Tabouli plate and the merguez sausage flatbread. Of course we're seated at the bar with a very busy bartender that isn't very chatty. I love the fava beans and marcona almonds in the tabouli salad.......and tons of chopped parsley
M: why on earth haven't they lit the two olive trees in the dining room? That's Lighting 101!
H: OMG....the flatbread is amazing!
M: the wild salmon sashimi is weird.....fishy. I don,t like it.
H: the Hashweh Risotto with summer truffle is deelish. But then again, how can you screw up truffle and or risotto? Hahah!
Omg...the white corn with moroccan spices...yum....better the the chipolte corn at Boa Steakhouse!
M: We need a rating scale.....food, decor, service and overall. Then we should have a rating on how attractive the staff is!
H: no! We are not rating the staff on their looks. Someone is bound to get hurt.
M: on a scale of 1 to 5....
Food: 3
Decor and vibe :
The way it looks: 3
The way it feels: 4
Service:
Efficient: 4
Engaging: 2
Overall: 3
H: I agree. Good rating system Madison.
M: First, let me say that I really like the vibe. Finally a casual place with good energy. Love the stained glass windows. The faux finish is ghastly - so wrong. The paint color in the men's bathroom would've been so much better. The Moroccan tiles on the bar floor are fab.
H: Madison, this isn't an interior design blog.
M: I care more about design than food.
H: We've ordered the recommended Tabouli plate and the merguez sausage flatbread. Of course we're seated at the bar with a very busy bartender that isn't very chatty. I love the fava beans and marcona almonds in the tabouli salad.......and tons of chopped parsley
M: why on earth haven't they lit the two olive trees in the dining room? That's Lighting 101!
H: OMG....the flatbread is amazing!
M: the wild salmon sashimi is weird.....fishy. I don,t like it.
H: the Hashweh Risotto with summer truffle is deelish. But then again, how can you screw up truffle and or risotto? Hahah!
Omg...the white corn with moroccan spices...yum....better the the chipolte corn at Boa Steakhouse!
M: We need a rating scale.....food, decor, service and overall. Then we should have a rating on how attractive the staff is!
H: no! We are not rating the staff on their looks. Someone is bound to get hurt.
M: on a scale of 1 to 5....
Food: 3
Decor and vibe :
The way it looks: 3
The way it feels: 4
Service:
Efficient: 4
Engaging: 2
Overall: 3
H: I agree. Good rating system Madison.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
The Tower Bar - June 22' 2011
H: The Tower Bar has been our favorite for the last six years. Now that's staying power! We're at the bar now.....having dinner.
Madison and I have decided to blog during the dining experience rather than write about it later. It's more interesting and fun if you hear about the restaurant as it's happening!
Michael and Derek, bartender Extraordinaires, are like family!! We may invite them for Christmas dinner. They always take great care of us. The crudités has been presented but it doesn't compare to Club 55 in St. Tropez.
M: funny how the only bartenders Hobie considers family are the hot ones...okay, so I agree...whatever...the best part is the people that work here...they are AWESOME!!!!! The ambiance is second (except for the new fake orchids)...
H: the salmon, sauteed spinach and truffle fries have arrived! That was fast! I can't find a single area of improvement.
M:I would hope not...not a difficult order...I like plain and simple food...that is what it is..delicious!
H: well.....the salmon was a little too sashimi for me. Spinach was perfect (no salt) and truffle Fries were a little over fried.
As we said, this place is like our remote dining room. We love the staff.
M: not so remote..it's down the hill, but I agree, our favorite (I can have more than one fav...right?!)
Madison and I have decided to blog during the dining experience rather than write about it later. It's more interesting and fun if you hear about the restaurant as it's happening!
Michael and Derek, bartender Extraordinaires, are like family!! We may invite them for Christmas dinner. They always take great care of us. The crudités has been presented but it doesn't compare to Club 55 in St. Tropez.
M: funny how the only bartenders Hobie considers family are the hot ones...okay, so I agree...whatever...the best part is the people that work here...they are AWESOME!!!!! The ambiance is second (except for the new fake orchids)...
H: the salmon, sauteed spinach and truffle fries have arrived! That was fast! I can't find a single area of improvement.
M:I would hope not...not a difficult order...I like plain and simple food...that is what it is..delicious!
H: well.....the salmon was a little too sashimi for me. Spinach was perfect (no salt) and truffle Fries were a little over fried.
As we said, this place is like our remote dining room. We love the staff.
M: not so remote..it's down the hill, but I agree, our favorite (I can have more than one fav...right?!)
H+M Eats: Craig's - June 21, 2011
H+M Eats: Craig's - June 21, 2011: "H: This relatively new Italian hotspot on Melrose Ave. is probably the hippest in town right now. We were there to celebrate the birthday..."
Craig's - June 21, 2011
H: This relatively new Italian hotspot on Melrose Ave. is probably the hippest in town right now. We were there to celebrate the birthday of Hollywood Hottie - Kristen Detwiler.
Appetizers: The meatballs were cold. The shrimp cocktail was like any other restaurant. The fried mozzarella looked like a brown breaded brick. The bread basket used to be worth waiting for. Tonight it was stale and crunchy instead of warm and doughy.
The green goddess salad is the best on the menu. You gotta try it!
Entres: The whitefish was OK. Brussels Sprouts are in every restaurant these days and they tasted like every restaurant. The honey, truffle fried chicken had an incredible taste; perfect balance between sweet and truffle - amazing.
M: I thought the cocktail sauce that accompanied the shrimp cocktail was the best ever. I, too, remember the whitefish being better at a prior dinner at Craig's. Love the atmosphere. Enjoy all the table hopping and people spottings. The service was OK - not enthusiastic. The desserts were the best part - bread pudding, apple tarte.
Bottom line - the energy at Craig's is 2nd to none and we had a great time. Can't wait to go back and have dinner at the bar!
Appetizers: The meatballs were cold. The shrimp cocktail was like any other restaurant. The fried mozzarella looked like a brown breaded brick. The bread basket used to be worth waiting for. Tonight it was stale and crunchy instead of warm and doughy.
The green goddess salad is the best on the menu. You gotta try it!
Entres: The whitefish was OK. Brussels Sprouts are in every restaurant these days and they tasted like every restaurant. The honey, truffle fried chicken had an incredible taste; perfect balance between sweet and truffle - amazing.
M: I thought the cocktail sauce that accompanied the shrimp cocktail was the best ever. I, too, remember the whitefish being better at a prior dinner at Craig's. Love the atmosphere. Enjoy all the table hopping and people spottings. The service was OK - not enthusiastic. The desserts were the best part - bread pudding, apple tarte.
Bottom line - the energy at Craig's is 2nd to none and we had a great time. Can't wait to go back and have dinner at the bar!
Monday, June 20, 2011
H+M Eats: House - June 20, 2011
H+M Eats: House - June 20, 2011: "H: This neighborhood favorite always delivers. Although I'm sad to hear that they are discontinuing the roasted chicken (for two). What ..."
House - June 20, 2011
H: This neighborhood favorite always delivers. Although I'm sad to hear that they are discontinuing the roasted chicken (for two). What are they thinking?? We made recommendations to our first-timer friends, Len and Dean. Len accepted our Rigatoni Truffle meat sauce recommendation and he loved it. Dean wasn't thrilled with the bernaise sauce on his steak frites entre'. I should've asked for a taste. We asked for no salt on the sauteed spinach and I think the kitchen missed it. I mean....it wasn't like a cow's salt block but it definitely was salted.
The service was friendly, welcoming and attentive.
M: House is a perfect week night neighborhood spot. Laid back decor, paper napkins (huge bummer)....but they offer Racer 5 IPA on tap. So, I can overlook the shortcomings. Although its price point is rated at two dollar signs ($$), I think its over priced. But I'll go back.
The service was friendly, welcoming and attentive.
M: House is a perfect week night neighborhood spot. Laid back decor, paper napkins (huge bummer)....but they offer Racer 5 IPA on tap. So, I can overlook the shortcomings. Although its price point is rated at two dollar signs ($$), I think its over priced. But I'll go back.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Fig & Olive - June 18
H: so we feel that on the birth of H+M Eats, we need to retroactively report on last night's Fig & Olive dinner.....which, by the way, was their busiest night since opening. Our awesome bartender, Derrick, told us about Mr. C; hence, our lunch there today.
Our close friend, Michele Abbott (she's really like a sister to Madison), Creator of the hit series "The L Word", joined us.
This was our 5th visit. Space - Great design. So much better than the former Republic. Note that it is very loud. Food is consistently good. I wouldn't recommend the Roquette cocktail - fennel infused vodka and muddled arugula. Dame Edna would spit it out!
M: I.ll report later. We're headed to dinner at the Valley Hunt Club in Pasadena!
Our close friend, Michele Abbott (she's really like a sister to Madison), Creator of the hit series "The L Word", joined us.
This was our 5th visit. Space - Great design. So much better than the former Republic. Note that it is very loud. Food is consistently good. I wouldn't recommend the Roquette cocktail - fennel infused vodka and muddled arugula. Dame Edna would spit it out!
M: I.ll report later. We're headed to dinner at the Valley Hunt Club in Pasadena!
H+M Eats: Fathers Day 2011
H+M Eats: Fathers Day 2011: "H: of course Madison wants our first post to be about our purpose and/or mission for this blog. And I just wanna say happy Fathers day fr..."
Fathers Day 2011
H: of course Madison wants our first post to be about our purpose and/or mission for this blog. And I just wanna say happy Fathers day from my bar stool at the new and amazing Cipriani property in Beverly Hills. It's fabulous. I feel like I'm in Venice, Italy (although I've never been). We've just finished lunch and I couldn't be feeling more international!!
M: thanks Hobie. We've decided to convert our kitchens into closets because we never use them....... since we eat out for every meal of the week. We really love restaurant experiences. Of course with Hobie and me, it always starts with the staff - they make it or break it. H+M Eats will be about our personal preference in restaurant experiences. For us, the staff is key. We love food. However, if the staff and ambiance lack....we probably won't return.
Now about Mr. C - the restaurant in the new Cipriani hotel. What a makeover from the old Prescott Hotel. Design - it's reminiscent of the Cipriani brand with regards to fresh, simple ingredients, delicious food (only the bartenders are more deelish), Venetian glassware and furniture, high gloss rosewood paneling, mahogany bar........and the famous signature Cipriani Bellini. Italians everywhere! What could be better?
Happy Fathers day.
Thank you to Josh and Georgi for the final inspiration to start H+M Eats. You both made our first experience at Mr. C one that will entice us to encourage our friends to try!! Even if they're not Italian!!
M: thanks Hobie. We've decided to convert our kitchens into closets because we never use them....... since we eat out for every meal of the week. We really love restaurant experiences. Of course with Hobie and me, it always starts with the staff - they make it or break it. H+M Eats will be about our personal preference in restaurant experiences. For us, the staff is key. We love food. However, if the staff and ambiance lack....we probably won't return.
Now about Mr. C - the restaurant in the new Cipriani hotel. What a makeover from the old Prescott Hotel. Design - it's reminiscent of the Cipriani brand with regards to fresh, simple ingredients, delicious food (only the bartenders are more deelish), Venetian glassware and furniture, high gloss rosewood paneling, mahogany bar........and the famous signature Cipriani Bellini. Italians everywhere! What could be better?
Happy Fathers day.
Thank you to Josh and Georgi for the final inspiration to start H+M Eats. You both made our first experience at Mr. C one that will entice us to encourage our friends to try!! Even if they're not Italian!!
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