Always a great experience with pine and crane To go orders…read more The parking there stresses me out so I ended up door dashing. The food came well packed and was delicious as always. The BEEF ROLL and the DAN DAN NOODLES are my go to. The quality and flavor is always consistent. I tried the MAPO TOFU this time. The flavor was good and the portion was bigger than i expected. As always, can't wait to come back!

Food was delicious. We got the bean curd salad (standard and good), three cup chicken (so flavorful…read moreand their rice is soft and fluffy), wonton noodle soup (great wontons) ~ I ask for the thicker noodles, and beef rolls. Beef rolls and wonton noodle soup were my favorites of the bunch. Service is really friendly. You order at the front and find a seat but when it's busy they'll help you find seats so no stress. It was a super hot summer day in LA and their AC was there but it still felt pretty warm inside the restaurant. Parking can be tough around here.

Was able to make LA Dine Lunch course here the Thursday before it ended. Two of us were seated…read moreoutside quickly a very hot day but Jame patio seating is still cool out of the sun. For the first course: we got meatballs and Spicy Cesar salad Main course: as Spicy Rigatoni and Tonnarelli cacio e pepe w/ Chicken added to each Dessert: we obviously shared the fresh baked Chocolate chip and Snickerdoodle cookies. Everything was Excellent with perfect texture of both pastas and soft flavorful meatballs. Lunch was extra busy the kitchen was at a perfect pace. This is a great lil corner of El Segundo that I will continue to explore after just randomly finding this!

Hit all the marks. Great space, food, and service. Easy parking…read more DineLA was my introduction and I was impressed with the space upon walking in. It's an unassuming spot in a corner of a strip center that you could easily miss. It's the cutest space with indoor and patio seating as well as a few bar spots, good for solo dining. We started with the meatballs and Caesar salad. The meatballs had a crisp sear outside that gave way to a soft inside. So good with the tomato sauce and arugula. The Caesar had a touch of spiciness and was dressed with toasted bread crumbs, a nice touch. I had the bolognese. It was tender and meaty and the pasta had the right amount of bite. This was even great leftover the next day. The Meyer lemon pie was the perfect closer. DineLA was the right call to bring me in to to try this gem of a spot.

After reading all the reviews, you've probably already gotten the point, the food here is amazing…read more And it really was. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos because we're trying to get better about actually enjoying our meals instead of always taking pictures of everything, but man, everything was so delicious and the portions were nicely sized. For a party of two, we started with the baba ghanoush, which was so good. The bread was warm, fluffy, and perfect with it. We also ordered the Brussels sprouts. They weren't my favorite dish of the night, mostly because they were pretty tart and saucy, and I'm personally not a huge sour or tart person. But we still finished them, so that should tell you something. If you like saucier dishes with a more tangy flavor, you'll probably love them. The rice was amazing. It had different types of raisins, nuts, and so much flavor. It was honestly beautiful. We also ordered the branzino, which was really, really good. For our first time here, I think we did a pretty good job ordering, especially because we had no idea how generous the portions would be. We are two full-grown adults and we were stuffed. We even had to take some of the rice and branzino home, and we definitely did not have room for dessert. The service was great too. It was surprisingly busy for a weekday, but everything still felt organized and well handled. The staff was friendly and attentive, and we never felt forgotten even with how packed it was. This place is perfect for sharing and would be amazing for a bigger group. The space itself is also so beautiful. It has a historic and eclectic vibe and it would be perfect for a date night or catching up with friends. There's also so much to do around the area before or after dinner. I'll definitely be back. Easily one of my favorite spots on the Eastside.

My soon-to-be sister-in-law Rhian M. just turned 30, and her parents invited our family to a Labor…read moreDay birthday dinner at Checker Hall. We were a party of fifteen, between the ages of two and 69, and we occupied the entire back wall of the main dining room. It was a fun, festive, memorable gathering. Checker Hall is a happening place, in the heart of downtown Highland Park. It had been a minute since I'd been in the neighborhood, and boy has it fully gentrified. This restaurant is across from both a Jeni's Ice Cream and a Mendocino Farms. Checker Hall has plenty of character, though, and it seems popular with young people, maybe because it's attached to a music venue. It's probably the nicest restaurant I've been to of late where I'm above the median age. The space is beautiful, on the second floor of a lushly restored masonic hall. Rich wood floors, green patterned wallpaper, an attractive bar in the middle of the room. Several ceiling fans, much admired by my four-year-old. My boys also dug the live music, provided by a three-piece band playing near the entrance. Service was great, the staff well equipped to handle a large dinner party. The menu was pre-set, though we were allowed to order a la carte for the kids (this was unnecessary, as there was plenty the non-picky ones could eat, and we brought food for the picky one). We paid corkage for a couple bottles of wine, and ordered some cocktails, too. I liked my Carmen #6, a spicy tequila drink with pamplemousse, lime, yuzu, agave, jalapeño, sumac, and Angostura bitters. Ditto my husband's The Screaming Parrot, a tropical highball with Singani 63, Bacardi Reserva Ocho, orgeat, eucalyptus, makrut, citrus, pineapple, walnut bitters, and nutmeg. The food was delicious and plentiful, starting with a trio of house spreads and a mountain of hot, fluffy za'atar-dusted pita. There was hummus with crispy chickpeas, green zhoug, and tahini; baba ghanoush with grilled eggplant, seasonal peppers, tahini, and pomegranate molasses; and whipped feta with caramelized honey butter and urfa chili. There were three kinds of skewers, all superb. My favorite was actually the maitake mushroom, perfectly cooked with chili garlic glaze, salsa verde, and tahini. The spiced chicken was tender and juicy, with brown butter, lemon, chickpea, and herbs. And the glazed pork belly was a sticky, crispy throwback to the 2010s, with aromatic shoyu and pickled daikon and rhubarb. For veggies, we had halloumi fattoush salad with arugula, radicchio, strawberry, cherry tomato, red onion, cucumber, crispy pita, and sumac. Then brussels sprouts with pomegranate, lemon, and petitas romesco and sticky Japanese sweet potato with garlic glaze, hazelnut, harissa oil, and aji verde. The sweet potato was especially good. The two entrée dishes caught me by surprise, mostly because I was full of food and they were truly enormous. There was chicken schnitzel with spiced honey, herb lettuce salad, citrus slaw, and a trio of sauces: tahini, harissa aioli, and chili jam. Then the steak frites, New York strip with levantine au poivre and frites. I didn't eat that much of either of these, but they were solid, if not as impressive as the smaller dishes. We brought our own cake and, at one point, took the children across the street for ice cream, mostly to give them a field trip. I have no doubt, though, that the house desserts would have been top notch, and appreciated the flexibility. We live pretty far from Checker Hall but I'd love to go back. It's a wonderful restaurant, great for a special occasion or just a lively night out, with music and atmosphere and excellent food and drink.

Went to Slice & Pint during a really busy night and the atmosphere was loud and somewhat chaotic…read more We were told to find a seat and order up front, but honestly I didn't hear the part about needing the table number first. After finding a table, we went back up ready to order and the server responded pretty rudely: "Did you not hear what I said?" I completely understand restaurants get busy and mistakes happen, especially in a loud environment, but the attitude felt unnecessary over a simple misunderstanding. We ended up leaving and went to Japonica around the corner instead, where the service was much friendlier.

I went on a self-guided pizza crawl near LAX before picking up my family flying in from the East…read moreCoast. Stop 1 was ESBC The Slice and Point. This was one of the best pizza-related choices I've made in Southern California. Parking is a little tough...I ended up parking a few blocks away on a main street, which was fine, but didn't notice there was a public parking structure available closer behind a building across the street. The place was crowded and lively on the early Saturday evening I was there. That's a great sign...I was just getting a slice to go, but overheard the host telling people it would only be 10-15 minutes for a table. I had a classic cheese slice. (My litmus test for NY pizza at a new location.) It was FANTASTIC. Easily among the very best crusts I've had on the west coast...super thin and crispy...exactly as it should be. The balance of sauce and cheese was also perfect. Too many pie shops seem to treat sauce as an afterthought...too thin a layer, almost not tastable. But not here...it was perfect...the right amount of everything. There are other really delectable looking pizza options, even for vegetarians like me, including a fascinating "Cacio E Pepe" and a Margherita. (I also saw one which looked all sauce like a tomato pie, which looked really good. (Plus other options like Fried Brussels Sprouts or Fried Cauliflower...cheese bread, and salads. The beer menu, as one would expect with "pint" in the name, is extensive with lots on tap and "guest" brewery selections. Lots of wines to choose from as well. Slice and Pint may be local to El Segundo (lucky El Segundonians!) But my experience with this one slice is that it would be worth the drive from anywhere in SoCal to eat here...If you love NYC-style thin slices...like real legitimate ones...charge up the car and get yourself there.

This was my first time ever stopping here, and boy was I impressed for a public facility! For those…read moreof you who are ever in the area and need to print out a few forms or documents, you can't beat this library. Your first 10 printouts are free. And while my home public library in Culver City is up to the task and gets the job done, the environment here is on another level all together. Perhaps it has something to do with looking out on the mighty Pacific right? Lol Leslie and Ann were super helpful immediately upon entry as my guest and I had never been here before. In addition to their great customer service, the cleanliness of the facility also stands out. Would highly recommend to anyone.

I visited this library for the first time yesterday, and I was impressed at this facility. Parking…read moreis free (at least for two hours) if you park at the lot that is connected to the library. You can either walk around or cut through the path to get to the main entrance. The bottom floor is mostly kids media as well as DVDs, and when I went the library itself was pretty quiet, so that was a pleasant surprise. The construction of the building was nice to look at as well, with a lot of glass and stainless steel, and there were also a ton of art features, such as the hanging jellyfish when you walk up the stairs to the second floor. There are rentable study rooms, but also a good amount of tables and chairs, and most of the tables had their own outlets to use as well, making this a great place to study. I took up a spot at a table that faced the ocean, and it was just so calm and serene. I would come again, as it wasn't too busy from 1-3 PM.

This cozy and friendly little corner bar and grill has been one of our favorite spots to grab a…read morecasual dinner or drink for several years now, and I'm surprised I haven't reviewed it sooner! My bad! We are not technically locals, as we live in Del Rey; however, we are always greeted promptly and with a big smile by one of the wait staff. The food and drinks are always great and reasonably-priced for the area. My absolute favorite is the Chicken Pickler, a generously-portioned fried chicken sandwich on a potato roll with melty Swiss cheese and - wait for it- pickles. :) Boyfriend usually gets one of their burgers, but last night opted for their special Cubano sandwich. We enjoyed both with their yummy house-made chips. They have a nice selection of beer and wine, and it's a relaxed and comfortable ambiance whether you are sitting inside or on either their front or back patios. A must-try when you are visiting charming old-town El Segundo!!

Richmond Bar and Grill is an ordinary place to hang out, and personally, nothing about it felt…read moreparticularly special. That said, the service was excellent and friendly, which definitely made the experience more pleasant. There's still room for improvement, though, especially when it comes to elevating the overall atmosphere and maintaining the restrooms. With a few upgrades, this spot could offer a more memorable experience.

Beautiful hotel with so much to see and do. I only spent a night here this past week but was fully…read moreblown away by both the beauty and history of this hotel. Not to mention they were filming something right outside of my door, which was a fun surprise. It may not have been so fun if they were there all night but luckily for the crew and I they got to wrap early. The bar/restaurant downstairs is the perfect spot for a luxe lunch with a sandwich or salad and a cocktail. I enjoyed not one but two during my short less-than-24 hours at the Biltmore.

The Biltmore is completely gorgeous. The classic…read morearchitecture, hand-painted ceilings, and Old Hollywood vibes make it feel so special the second you walk in-you just don't see craftsmanship like this anymore. I've been to a handful of events here over the years, and the space always sets such a great mood. Most recently, I went to one of the Candlelight Concerts in the Gold Room, and it was incredible. Being surrounded by thousands of candles while listening to live music in a room with that much history was straight-up magical.

I am taking this steps pretty often. Great step. Solid build. Not slippery even during the rain.read more

I am a fan of John Fante and have been fascinated for years with Bunker Hill and its tragic…read morehistory. It's nice to see a John Fante place near Bunker Hill since his books create the best description of what it used to be a fascinated part of town that was destroyed with brutality. All it's left are these steps, which are nicely redone, with water fountains working again. Go up and down, check the area and the views. This should be on your itinerary of you visit downtown LA!

We were in the area for a matinee play and this restaurant is in the Aadvantage Dining program so…read morewe decided to give it a try. Parking is tricky as it is all street; however, we went around the block and parked in residential. The place was not too busy when we arrived, and happy hour is all day on Sundays. We ordered from the HH menu so we chose the grilled prawns w/crostini and shishito peppers. The prawns were a little too "fishy" smelling at first but then realized it was because they were still in their shell. The shishito peppers were very tasty. Next up we shared a burger which also comes with a fried egg but we opted out of it and the server asked if we wanted a substitute so we chose avocado (note: the burger comes a la carte). We thought the burger was going to be bigger so we split it, but it's perfect for one person. We also ordered the gnocchi with red sauce and it was divine! We then ordered their fries (truffle I believe). We also had two glasses of wine each. Total bill incl tip came to 116.00. Not bad for all of the tasty bites we ordered and the excellent and friendly service we received. Will definitely be back when in the area again! I told our bartender/server that we'd be back to see her and we had a couple of other servers who would pass by and check up on us. Ambience is great as well, very warm and welcoming. They also have a deli market on one side of the restaurant but it is very subtle (hence "market" in their name).

One of the most underrated restaurants I have ever been to! Been coming here for years and the food…read moreand quality has been consistent. Everything it top notch and at a very fair price. Don't skim over the desserts cause they are also amazing! Highly recommended!!!

You can't beat dogs and beer. If you can't decide, order their Bratwurst and Hot Italian. My…read morefavorite sauces are the tomato mayo, curry ketchup, and tzatziki to pair with the fries. The Venice location offers a casual communal experience with butcher paper-lined tables in a gothic-inspired, vibey space. Perfect for solo meals or large groups!

Really liked both drinks we got - Kasteel Wit Beer and Duvel…read more The fries were really good but the curry ketchup wasn't good. The spice tasted raw Beautiful ambience for a date / evening with friends