Restaurant Review #6: Nobu Malibu

At Nobu Malibu, I died and went to sushi heaven. I savored the following:Mushroom saladKelp SaladTiradito (Peruvian-style sashimi)House Special RollSpicy Yellowtail RollRed Snapper nigiriMackrel nigiriKanpachi (young yellowtail) nigiriYellowtail nigiriAvocado tempuraShiitake tempuraPumpkin tempuraMatcha (yes, it was!)My friend had two shrimp tempura rolls and the kobe steak. He doesn't like

Best Santa Monica Restaurants

Indian: Nawab of IndiaThai: Bangkok West Thai, Santa Monica and 6thRaw Vegan: Juliano's RawVegetarian: Real Food DailySushi, casual: NomaSushi, upscale: Sushi Roku, Ocean and Santa MonicaCoffeehouse: Anastasia's AsylumChinese: Venice is not that far, go to Mao's Kitchen. Otherwise, Yangtze.Italian: Fritto MistoMexican: Border Grill, Tacos Por FavorCarribean: Cha Cha Chicken

Restaurant Review #5: Infuzion Cafe, Santa Monica

The worst boba I've had in Los Angeles can be found at Infuzion Cafe at 3rd and Wilshire (just off the Promenade). While I welcome boba near the Promenade and would be perfectly satisfied with this place if I lived in a less culinarily diverse city such as, say, St. Louis, Infuzion's boba just doesn't live up to LA standards or the standards of any boba-lover.

Whether or not the tapioca will be

Restaurant Review #4: Tapioca Express, West LA (now closed)

Tapioca Express has an amazing array of flavors, including rose and watermelon. My rose icy was disappointing, but I think it would be great as a creamy drink, and the light plum was just what I had in mind. They also use fresh fruit in some drinks when in season, like honeydew and canteloupe in the summer. Also, their boba is notably fresh, and has the perfect amount of subtle sweetness for

Restaurant Review #3: Upper House, Sawtelle, West LA (now closed)

Upper House, on Sawtelle in the two-story shopping center near the corner of Olympic, is hands-down the best place to get your boba fix, and believe me, I have shopped around. They have a somewhat small menu, and quirky hours (2pm-midnight), but their honeydew frappee with boba is otherwordly. Upper House's boba is extra sweet (probably soaked in a sugary syrup) and they put it into your drink

Random Food Tip #1-Tomatoes

A refrigerated tomato is a mushy tomato, and a mushy tomato is not a tomato. Store your tomatoes at room temperature for optimum tomatoey bliss. And um, don't buy those pinkish orange ones at Vons.

Restaurant Review #2: Ngoma, Mid-Wilshire

Ngoma is a pan-African restaurant that serves specialties from all over the continent and discourages the use of silverware. In fact, it is the only pan-African restaurant in LA, which is rather exciting.

The service was extremely friendly and happy to explain the dishes. I didn't feel intimidated at all, even though the food was new to me. The food is inexpensive and generously portioned. The

Restaurant Review #1: ZaZen, Marina Del Rey (now closed)

ZaZen's sleek decor, creative (sort of) dishes with raw fish, and very red interior lend it the trappings of trendiness, but its not-happening-enough location on the Venice pier and the large TV screen prevent it from being truly so. This is the type of place that the hopelessly hip go for a nice date, where the boy barely disguises his greater interest in the game while the girl wonders why her