Restaurant Review #164: La Fogata, Sherman Oaks

Enchilada and tamale combination plate

For my latest adventure in takeout, I tried La Fogata in Van Nuys. The reason we opted for takeout is that the restaurant itself is not much more ambient than a McDonald's--it has the same faux wood tile and black grout flooring, and while they've done a bit to spruce the place up by putting bullfighting posters and other decor stereotypical to the

Restaurant Review #163: Pinkberry, West Hollywood

Plain yogurt with Cap'n Crunch, raspberries, and blackberries

That's right, I caved. I'm normally not one to be a sucker for a trend, but I had to know how something as dull as frozen yogurt could have so many people in such a frenzy.

I went into the experience knowing about the difficult parking situation, so I wasn't going to let that stop me, or get me a ticket. Pinkberry is located on a

Restaurant Review #162: Sak's Teriyaki, Westwood

Teriyaki chicken breast bowl

As far as teriyaki places go, the only thing that stands out about Sak’s is the design of the restaurant: you enter through a tunnel-like hallway, place your order in the back, then return to the hallway to find a table. The layout, while odd and confusing at first, makes the restaurant pleasantly sheltered from the noise of always-busy Westwood, and the hallway

My Favorite Weekend

Erin of Erin's Kitchen is hosting an ongoing event where she asks bloggers to contribute a list of the restaurants that they most enjoy dining at over the course of a weekend. Her series is in response to the LA Times column of the same name which, in her opinion, has sub-par recommendations from sub-par sources. This week it's my turn to give my real recommendations from a real Angeleno.I've

Restaurant Review #161: Pho 999, Van Nuys

Pho 999 is your prototypical strip mall Vietnamese restaurant. The decor can only be described as garish, but the prices are low and the service is fast. The restaurant's specialty seems to be a meal of seven courses of beef, but I can't eat that much meat.

The pho tai was about average, maybe slightly above--the broth was flavorful, tasted more of cardamon than usual, and needed a bit of

Restaurant Review #160: Beard Papa, Sawtelle, West LA

Vanilla cream puff

It's impossible to not notice Beard Papa's Sawtelle location at night. Its bright lights, colorful walls, and constant customers draw you in. In mid-July, this cream puff craze moved into the space that used to be occupied by Mousse Fantasy. That space has been renovated, and still contains Mousse Fantasy, but they no longer serve hot meals, just pastries. Each business

First Annual Los Angeles Wine and Food Festival

Ann Gentry's cooking demoLos Angeles had its first ever Wine and Food Festival from August 25-27. Friday night's festivities kicked off at the Marriott Downtown for $125 a head. On Saturday or Sunday at the LA Convention Center's Kentia Hall, tickets were $65 per person or $120 per couple.The festival's main attraction was the 100+ wineries that poured. There were an array of chocolates, cheeses

Restaurant Review #159 : El Pedregal Mexican Grill, Van Nuys

Carnitas torta

Update: This restaurant is closed.

El Pedregal is a new Mexican restaurant in Van Nuys that has the shiny look of a La Salsa from the outside but a more authentic and independent feel on the inside, not to mention better prices. The menu is handwritten in neon markers on black boards and lists everything from tortas, tacos, taquitos, and enchiladas to mariscos, pescado, caldos