Friday, February 15, 2008

NomNoms: Table 8 (Los Angeles)

I've been sick since last Friday. I hate it!

The second restaurant I visited for Dine LA’s Restaurant Week was Table 8. My experience at Simon LA was much nicer because it seemed on this night, they decided to jam as many tables as they could fit into the dining room. Table 800 is probably a more appropriate name than Table 8 in this situation. There were only a few inches between us and the neighboring tables and people had to move the entire table away in order to get into the booth. It was also awkward being able to hear every word the people next to you were saying. We made it through dinner at any rate. The appetizer and dessert were both delicious, but the entrĂ©e was just good. Sorry the picture of the panna cotta looks like an egg.



Warm boucheron salad



Duck confit



Vanilla panna cotta with honeyed blueberries

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

NomNoms: Simon LA (Los Angeles)

DineLA's Restaurant Week ended recently. I was able to control myself and only went to two restaurants. The first one I visited was Simon LA, located inside the Sofitel. One of the main reason's I picked this restaurant was because Chef Kerry Simon won on Iron Chef America against Iron Chef Cat Cora.

I love Restaurant Week because it is a great opportunity to try new restaurants at a more reasonable price than normally. In this case, we got a three-course meal for $34 excluding drinks and tip. Here's a hint for restaurant week: go with people who like to share so you can try just about everything!

The bread basket was to die for. There was an huge assortment of breads including buttery biscuits, big fat tear-drop shaped pretzels, and some spicy jalapeno bread. The service was incredible, very unobtrusive and with perfect timing. I believe I ordered the best choices. To start: yellowtail carpaccio, beef short rib and chocolate tart for dessert. The other desserts were so mediocre!



Yellowtail carpaccio, cilantro mint and citrus vinaigrette



Jumbo lump crab salad, fresh hearts of palm, soybeans, pea shoots and grapefruit vinaigrette



Braised Beef short ribs with broccoli rabe and sweet potatoes



Soft chocolate tart and lemon sherbert



Mini red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting



Glazed doughnut bread pudding with salted gooey caramel


Simon LA
8555 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048