Always an Event at Lawry's

We waited over 30 minutes for a table, even with a reso. Had I not been with a group, I would have left and gone to a number of other places. It was two days before Christmas, one of the busiest nights of the year. There were over 100 people waiting for their tables, really.

I made the best of it and took to the sport of people watching. Most people were coming and going in large groups. I observed a family with 3 small children have their photo taken in front of the Christmas tree. Nearly every person leaving the restaurant left with a doggie bag, for good reason: individual portions look like they are meant for cave men.

When we finally were seated, we were 6 around a large table, my least favorite type of seating arrangement because you can hardly hear what the people are saying on the other side. The noise level was so loud anyway. The huge dining room was packed to the brim and 2 groups of carolers moved from table to table singing songs of all denominations including Hanukkah carols.

For all of my dismay with the crowd and noise level, I still enjoyed the evening. This is such a ole' fashioned place; not much has changed since 1938 including the menu, decor and servers' funky costumes. Even the"Famous Original Spinning Salad" show is the same. The server brings the big salad bowl, takes a container of French dressing in her hand, then raises her arm as high as it will go and pours it into the bowl like a waterfall.

Everyone at the table had prime rib. Each Prime Rib Dinner comes with a salad, Yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes and whipped creamy horseradish. A man with a mobile carving station served up the dinners, one by one. The salad, sides and hot bread were tastier than the meat. For dessert we had apple pie and pumpkin cheese cake, both a little too sweet for my taste.

Overall, dining at Lawry's was an event. The tradition is better than the food.

Lawry's The Prime Rib
100 N La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 91101
(310) 652-2827



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e. baldi

This is a great place for long lunches. Their salads, pastas and fish are great. I typically order the fish Carpaccio (an item not on the menu but available for the asking), Ricotta and Butternut Squash Ravioli with crispy sage and browned butter, or the Branzino.

The waiters are Italian and friendly. They let you have leisurely meals and linger at the table, just like in Italy, without insinuating that you should leave quickly.

I've read some mixed reviews on the place, yet I've always had lovely meals. Funny thing, I typically notice many Europeans dining there.

e. baldi
375 N Canon Dr
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310/ 248. 2663

Fulfilled in Beverly Hills Opens Today

June 2009 Update: CLOSED

Move over cupcakes, the Ima has come to town. An Ima, short for Imagawa-yaki, is a Japanese pastry made of a waffle-like batter with sweet or savory filling. Measuring about 1 1/2 inches thick, Imas are served hot off the specially made grills which were imported directly from Japan.

The Beverly Hills shop is just down the street from Crumbs, next to Pinkberry. From the street you can look through the window and see the cooks making fresh Imas. My faves: Harajuku Monkey is serious comfort food. Banana and Nutella ooze out as you take a bite. Nutty Buddha has every great ingredient: Ghiradelli chocolate, toffee, and crunchy peanut butter. The flavors meld together and taste like a chocolate croissant. I loved the cheese Sumo Italiano, a similar to a croque monsieur, with Prosciutto, ham, Parmesan and basil.


Fulfilled is the brain child of Susumu Tsuchihashi, known as Sus. He gave up corporate life for his love of pastry, got creative, and opened this shop. You see, traditional Imagawa-yaki in Japan, is filled with sweet Azuki beans. Sus took a traditonal idea, used his imagination and developed a whole menu of sweet and savory combinations.

Best of all, the price is right for this economy. Two Imas make a great meal for under $6.

9045 S. Santa Monica Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310.860.0776

Great Steak at Wolfgang's Steakhouse

You know the food must be great when, once the food arrives at the table, there is a long silence that continues until someone exclaims "D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S". Twice I've been to Wolfgang's Steakhouse, and both times that is what occurred. The Porterhouse is the reason to go. They dry age the beef themselves and cook the steak in extreme temperatures. The result is a mouth watering flavor I have yet to taste anywhere else in the city.

Wolfgang's looks and feels like a New York Steakhouse. Located in the heart of Beverly Hills, this is the third branch, the first originating in Manhattan. It might remind you of Peter Luger's, and for good reason: Wolfgang Zwiener was the head waiter there for many decades.

Servings are ginormous, the steak for 2 ($87.90)can serve 2-4 people. We had creamed spinach, sauteed mushrooms and shared a piece of delicious cheese cake for dessert.

The name of the restaurant might sound familiar. Don't confuse it with CUT, Wolfgang Puck's restaurant or Spago just down the street. In fact earlier this year Puck's company tried to get Zweiner to change the name, claiming that (according to Reuters) Wolfgang's Steakhouse "created confusion in the public's mind regarding the affiliation of "WOLFGANG'S STEAKHOUSE" and Wolfgang Puck".

I still have yet to to try the steak at CUT, yet until I do, Wolfgang's Steakhouse has the best steak in Los Angeles in my book.

Jamon Jamon

After years of waiting, Jamon Iberico direct from Spain has finally arrived in the US. The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills is among the first of the US stores to carry it. When I tried it there, it tasted as delicious as I’d expected. At $90 a pound, it was worth it.

Jamon Iberico is the top grade of Jamon Serrano. These acorn fed pigs are a Spanish national treasure. In Spain, you see this ham all over the place, legs hanging in shops, bars, restaurants and homes. The Spanish take great pride in their Serrano, and hand-slice the delicate meat with care. Even though The Cheese Store slices the ham with a deli machine instead of by hand, which takes training, the thin slices are still delicious, sometimes.

I’ve visited the Cheese Store twice since the Serrano arrived. The second time I tried the it was a bit of a disappointment. The man behind the counter informed me that he was opening up a new ham to slice, as if this was a privilege. He peeled off the airtight plastic wrap and started making some slices for me and my friends to taste. When he presented these little slices to us to taste, what I tasted was more like a Prosciutto than a Serrano. It was dry, almost dehydrated. He continued to cut slices and they did not improve. I asked if he could cut slices from the center and he said no. He told us to come back the next day, when they would be at the center of the ham.

I’ll be back sometime soon for that delicious ham from Espana. If you intend to purchase some, remember to try it before you buy it. The ends of hams are usually better for cooking with than eating directly. Add them to a split pea soup, eggs or even mac n' cheese like they do at Violet restaurant for a tasty treat.

The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills
419 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills CA 90210
www.cheesestorebh.com 310.278.2855

A Cup of Tea

This blog is dedicated to Buddy. She calls me her google because I am her resource for well, many things.

Yesterday I was talking to her, wondering what I could get my parents for their anniversary. This was no easy task-- you see my parents seem to have just about everything and have quite discriminating taste. I wanted to get them something they could both enjoy together. I was stumped and Buddy came up with a great idea- tea. Buddy was so happy that she could be my google this time and I was thrilled at the great suggestion. So Buddy, thank you!

Both of my parents love tea so off I went to Les Palais des Thes in Beverly Hills. [401 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (310) 271-7922]http://www.palaisdesthes.com/eng/index.cgi

I've learned through the years to ask the experts for advice, and this is just what I did when I walked into the store. I explained to Matthew that my parents were major tea drinkers who already had many tea accoutrements and teas and I wanted to get them a special gift.

I walked away with a great gift my parents loved: Gyokuro Hikari tea, their finest tea, and a package of Ecuadorian honey.

Gyokuro Hikari tea is translated "Pearl of Dew". They say that it is "one of the best Gyokuro teas from the province of Uji. To create this exceptional tea the tenderest buds are selected by hand, something that is very rare in Japan, and then one by one, finely rolled. In this tea one discovers a lively, fresh taste, with an absolute remarkable delicacy and roundness; the result of a refinement and a degree of care that only the Japanese are capable of. A tea to delight any tea lover."

Matthew explained to me that out of all their teas, this tea has the most antioxidants. It is prepared a little differently than other teas. "For optimum enjoyment infuse 10 g of tea in 60 ml of water at 50°C for two minutes." If the water is boiling, let it sit for 4 minutes before you add the tea. Tea should be brewed for no more than 2 minutes. If it taste bitter than it probably was brewed for too long or the water was too hot.

I asked if the store sold any electric devices to heat water, like the ones in England. They don't. It gave me a great idea for a Christmas gift for my parents though.

I also bought a box of The du Hammam for Buddy. It's one of my favorites there. It is a green tea flavored with date pulp, orange blossom, rose and red fruits. It is quite light and elegant.

My parents were thrilled with the gift and loved the exquisite taste of tea.

Another favorite at Les Palais des Thes worth mentioning is Melange de Cap. It is an rooibos tea flavored with pieces of cocoa and vanilla beans. Rooibos is a great alternative to tea- no caffeine and high in antioxidants. This particular one is one of my personal favorites.

I also like Mighty Leaf's African Nectar, a rooibos with tropical fruit and blossoms. http://www.mightyleaf.com/product-pouch.aspx?ID=80