LA staple, can't go wrong - affordable (~$20-30/person), generous portions, tasty and hearty food…read more The closest you'll get to good, pretty authentic Chinese food other than the SGV. Would advise coming before 6pm to beat the crowds - came around 8:30pm once, and there was still a long wait! Food comes out quick once you do sit down. Recs: - Beef roll - Wonton noodle soup - Twice cooked pork - Pan fried pork buns

Echo Park, Los Angeles. Fast, Delicious and Filling. Like its sister resto in HP, Joy, Pine and…read moreCrane serves geniusly fresh, reasonably priced and super delish Taiwanese plates. First, grab a menu, you fall in line and order. Then the cool thing is a waitperson will direct you to a table where you can put the number the cashier gives you. Then the food comes to your table when ready. I love the food here, Ive visited its sister resto Joy more often because its close to home. I would so come here when Im in the area. Theres so many shops and places to eat in Echo Park, its like another city In any event, there is a line but once you get your food, you're thankful a place like P&C that serves simple, inexpensive and delicious food NB. This place is bustling so you will not visit a quiet restaurant. Im sooo coming back. End of Yelp

Came here to celebrate Father's Day with my husband and my snarky teenage son, who had just turned…read more17 after spending his birthday in Hawaii at a summer youth submarine training program (because regular camp is apparently too basic). We started with cocktails. I had the Mary Sue ("Pornstar Martini") with vodka, vanilla, passionfruit, salted lime, fino sherry, and champagne foam. YUM. Dangerously good. My husband had the Rob Gentile, an elevated Old Fashioned, and was thoroughly impressed. Service was great, and the food was top-notch. Let's dive in! Meatballs with beef, pork, ricotta, potato purée, tomato sauce, Grana Padano, and arugula--WOW. Cheesy, saucy perfection. Beef Tartare with tonnato, shallot, marjoram, crispy potato, and toast. Delicious and a generous portion. I ordered Coop's Pork Shank with Lambrusco-mustard glaze, aromatic jus, and potato purée. Tender, flavorful, and that broth was incredible. It paired perfectly with the broccolini... ...which we didn't order. We spotted the table next to us enjoying it with burrata and immediately added it to our "next time" list. My son ordered the Chicken Parm with capellini. He loved the huge chicken parm portion, which successfully fed his bottomless teenage appetite, but declared the pasta "too eggy." Teenagers are basically unpaid Michelin critics. My husband ordered the Scarpinocc with braised beef cheek, brown butter, sage, and saba. He loved it, but our resident food critic chimed in with, "I don't really taste the beef." Dessert was the cinnamon bread pudding with ice cream and caramel drizzle--absolutely worth saving room for. Everything was delicious, portions were generous, and we left happy (and full enough to feed a small submarine crew). Definitely coming back!

Great experience. Service was awesome. Based on reviews, we got the kale salad. - not too dressing…read moreheavy but so much texture and deliciousness. The right about of cheese and crunchy nuts, but also a super healthy start to what'll come next, haha! Broccolini - wasn't a fan. Spicy and tangy and over really great ricotta. I just think the ricotta would be better with a simple arugula and seasonal fruit with balsamic glaze. Not terrible, just not for me. The scarpinocc was divine! Looks super heavy bc of the butter, but unless you're scooping the butter up with each bite, most of it stays on the plate. Brilliant move to add the sage - really makes it pop! Mushroom lasagna - hubby loved it. It was delicious but a bit too heavy for me. Super cheesy. First bite was awesome. Two more bites and I was done. Oddly, more heavy than the buttery meat dish. Overall, fantastic and we'll be back.

This spot is so cute for dinner with the girls or a cute little date! I went with 2 other friends…read moreand we left so satisfied with all the food we had. Our server Kieran was very helpful with explaining the different items on the menu. We ordered the whipped feta, halloumi fattoush, chicken skewers and sticky sweet potato! I would drive over an hour for the whipped feta alone, sooo good!

This is definitely one of those trendy, hipster-style spots in Highland Park. Walking upstairs and…read moreinto the restaurant gave me a slightly dark, eerie feeling at first, but once inside, the atmosphere felt very Roaring Twenties-inspired with a jazzy, vintage vibe. The lighting is extremely dim, which isn't really my preference, but it definitely adds to the ambiance. The restaurant was packed, yet we were seated right away in a cozy corner booth. We started with an appetizer that our server recommended over the hummus, and I'm glad we took the suggestion. It had a unique flavor, and the pita bread was absolutely delicious. Be prepared to spend some money here. Dinner for two can easily run over $100 if you're ordering more than just an appetizer and salad. The food itself was interesting, with bold and unique seasonings. Some dishes leaned a little salty for my taste, and I found myself going back and forth on whether I loved them or not, but they were definitely memorable. If you're looking for a fun date-night spot or a lively place to meet up with friends, this restaurant is worth checking out. It has a great vibe and a lot of character. While it's probably not somewhere I'd visit regularly, I'm glad I gave it a try.

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.

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 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 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.

Had a delicious bacon, avocado cheeseburger and fries and the beer selection was solid. The outdoor…read morearea is nice and the service was great.

Really great local joint vibe here. Almost all regulars. On a beautiful, lazy Sunday like 75…read moredegrees people were coming in and out with families, dogs, whoever! I knew I was in the right spot. Poor servers were slammed from how busy they were. The whole Downtown El Segundo area is a real treat. Shared two apps and a burger. - Irish Fries had some nice cheese coverage and the fries have a really great potato flavor. It really reminds me of Island's fries if any of you have been to that chain. Stellar especially with ranch and blue cheese on the side! - Chili Chips had a BUNCH of chili on top. Real tomato flavor that I really enjoy and super beefy. Only drawback was that the chili had a lot of liquid so the chips were instantly soggy. Kind of a bummer by the end of it. - Bacon Bleu Cheese Burger was massive. Thick patty, big pieces of bacon and globs of bleu cheese. Everything I want in a big ole burger. Will be back to try the Chipotle roll!

The Biltmore is a beautiful historic hotel and an interesting place to experience at least once…read more The real star of the property is the architecture. The lobby, ceilings, artwork, classic furnishings, and public spaces create a sense of stepping into another era. Walking through the hotel often felt more like visiting a historic landmark than staying at a modern hotel. My cousin also pointed out several photographs highlighting the hotel's connection to old Hollywood, which added another layer of nostalgia to the experience. The location is good for exploring downtown Los Angeles and made a convenient home base for our weekend visit. Where the experience became more mixed was in the details. The hotel shows its age, which is part of its charm, but also means some areas feel more historic than luxurious. Nothing was particularly wrong, but beyond the architecture there wasn't much that left a lasting impression. My biggest recommendation is to seriously consider valet parking. The self-parking garage involved a seemingly endless series of tight turns and spirals on the way to the upper levels. By the time I found a parking space, I felt like I had completed a driving obstacle course. I drive a small SUV and managed, but if I had known what to expect, I would have gladly chosen valet from the start. Overall, I'm glad we stayed here. The Biltmore offers history, character, and a great downtown location. For me, it was a worthwhile experience and one I'm happy to have had, even if it isn't a hotel I would specifically seek out again.

Awful. I do not know where to start. The front desk staff is extremely rude and will not make any…read moreeffort to go above being barely polite at all. The hotel is run down, and barely functioning. Valet service is some days available, some days not and the worst part of all is the self-parking that costs $55 a day is on the 9th floor of the hotel. Yes, 9th floor you have to drive your car up 9 floors to park. The rooms are old, outdated, the furniture is all scarred up and this property has so much deferred maintenance it is remarkable it is still open. There is no room service for even a bottle of water. Avoid at all costs this property. It is an embarrassment a hotel with this history and grandeur could have slipped to this level. I was forced to stay here now twice. I usually stay at the Omni for about the same price that is the exact opposite experience of this once proud Biltmore. Very disappointing.

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!

On a Saturday evening, I had a family dinner at Atwater Village. First off, Atwater Village is a…read morepretty awesome part of town. There are a bunch of bars, restaurants, and shops in the area. There's metered parking on the main street, but you can find free parking on the street in the residential area that's a few minutes away by foot. We sat out on their patio in front of the restaurant. Ambiance (4/5): While we sat outdoors, I did get a peek inside. Both inside and outside are good options. Inside, they had several TVs playing the football game. It's trendy yet laid back at the same time. The patio was comfortable too. It was a bit chilly and rainy outside, and they were nice enough to turn on some heaters for us. Service (4/5): Service, while it didn't stand out, did the job. Taking care of a group of six isn't easy. Our waitress stopped by pretty much when needed. The host was friendly. All in all, a pretty good experience. Drinks (5/5): While Bon Vivant Market & Cafe is listed as a cocktail bar on Yelp, I couldn't help but go with beer. They have Delirium Tremens on the menu, my favorite beer. This Belgian beer is not one you find in a lot of places, so it was a nice surprise. Overall, they have a solid beer menu including Fin Du Monde (another great beer). The cocktail menu is pretty expensive and looked interesting, too. Food (4.5/5): I went with the French Dip sandwich which consists of thinly-sliced ribeye, mushrooms, caramelized onions, and a garlic aioli served with au just (for dipping) on a fresh baguette. It comes with two sides, fries and mac and cheese. It was a generous portion and good value compared to the price points of some of the other items on the menu. I haven't had a French dip sandwich in a bit and I was glad I did. My only complaint? Too many mushrooms. Since the meat is thinly sliced, it was a bit much. The fries were crisp and skin-on like I like them. And the mac and cheese was creamy and a hit with everyone who tried a bite at my table. Their food consists of a mix of French, American, and Italian food for the most part. I hear they have a pretty awesome brunch, too. All-in all, a very satisfying meal.

Super disappointed!! We have been coming here for years, been away and recently came back and…read moreEVERYTHING has changed, and NOT for the better. The food used to be much better, portion sizes are 1/3 of what they were & now for more money- in this economy that's backwards!! The kids menu is more like an adult menu. They've removed some popular items, changed recipes on others, all to a much advanced and not so kid friendly pallet- the Mac n cheese (noodles nor cheese is kid friendly) , the chicken tenders are gone. The complete menu changed, this place USED TO have the best drinks and presentation, best/great portions, the BEST BEST food ever. We used to send people here, and they all fell in love. Multiple friends recently told me they won't be back and I couldn't understand, now I do. If you didn't know what it was before you wouldn't miss it, but whatever change they made I hope they change it back super soon!! Don't believe it's in their favor. On the other hand the staff was superb, Ryan served us and I believe his name was Wilmur ( we always ask because we appreciate phenomenal service - which they absolutely gave!) Ryan's personally is above and beyond accommodating and kind. This was one of our favorite restaurants. Not sure what happened, but I wish they could bring back what was the old menu and whomever cooked it all (from reading previous reviews trying to figure what happened here), if it's not broken don't fix it.. this used to be one of our favorite places to frequent and we're back and sooooooo disappointed. Before when looking at the menu you wanted everything (and we've tried about everything- been coming here for years), last night it took a while to decide because nothing caught the eye or taste like before ... the fries were ok. Before EVERYTHING from portion to price, to taste to presentation was 10/10 now I would say 3/10- entire experience food wise and drink wise doesn't compare to before! The place is still absolutely beautiful.... has all the potential... not impressed with changes at all.. total disappointing experience food/drink wise from what was.. If we could bring back the menu before and all mentioned it would be perfect.. till then not returning.....unfortunately

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!

I've only been the arts district location before so it was nice to find Wurstkuche in Venice as…read morewell. The layout inside is exactly the same as the arts district location but I enjoyed that the Venice one has a little patio that's part of their building where you can hang. The arts district outdoor seating is just kind of on the street. The prices are fair, and while their exotic links are decent I feel like more flavor in the bun and add ons. However their Belgian fries are legitimately my favorite fries I've ever had in all of LA and that's truly saying alot!