Westend Bistro

Actually called "Westend Bistro by Eric Ripert" but oh please...
1190 22nd St NW
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 974-4900
westendbistrodc.com
Reviewed 11/9/2009

I fell IN LOVE with chicken this weekend.

Talk about love at first bite... Eric Ripert, I love your grilled chicken leg!

Oh it was succulent. I have never cut through chicken so easily. It was perfectly done.

This baby was served on a bed of couscous mixed with a confetti of veggies and bits of feta. Mmmmmmmmm.

I wanted to go again but it was closed on Sunday. :-(

Given what I know of Eric Ripert, it makes sense that I was gaga for this chicken. However, having read the mediocre Yelp reviews, I did not expect to like it as much as I did. In fact, I pounced on a bar seat shortly after noon on a Friday so I could grab a quick and convenient (but decent) lunch. A few minutes later I was like, "Wooooow...this is GOOOOOOD!"
The service was professional, and reasonably prompt, but not particularly friendly.

But back to Chef Ripert: I would consider myself blessed if I can dine at Le Bernadin. I can imagine what that place is like. :-)

JiRaffe

American
502 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 917-6671

Reviewed 6/27/2009

Uh...wasn't quite the ambiance I expected from the photos I've seen. I was thinking more Frenchy with hardwood floors and paneling based on reviews I read. Weird. Instead it's lined with inexpensive red carpet (at least the upstairs is), and has unremarkable chandeliers; definitely not five-star deco...and it's American.

But if you can get past the chintzy deco (well, actually it's not so bad), you're in for good Californian fare.

The BEET SALAD appetizer was a showstopper.

It looks like a dessert---imagine a dense, chunky cranberry colored gelatin with a layer of cream cheese topping. But it's actually minced beets with dried cherries topped with a layer of goat cheese. Try it as a spread on the fresh sliced bread. It is amazing.

A woman stranger, being escorted to her table, demanded to know what it was and announced "We're getting that!"

Also ordered:
Ravioli with rock shrimp special
Tomato tart
Ahi tuna appetizer - the onions were too salty, but easily removed

Everyone's taste buds were happy.

The place is also a hop/skip/jump from the Third Street Promenade making it a nice escape from the crowds.

Too bad we were too full to try the desserts. I am sure we were missing out!

BLD

7450 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 930-9744
www.bldrestaurant.com

Reviewed 11/9/2008

In a phrase BLD is classy comfort food.

I love the menu here. It's both simple and quirky. American basics, such as burgers, grilled salmon and chocolate cake are offered alongside California-style dishes such as hemp seed crusted tofu and warm kabocha salad, a special offered the night I was there.

I am often disappointed when I order such things from Joe Schmoe restaurant. Veggie burgers are like glorified Boca burgers or the food is swimming in grease...or the bread is some supermarket brand. But BLD serves up its offerings as if they were its specialities; their food is hearty and satisfying and made as if someone in the kitchen cares about its quality. I am extrapolating from one visit, of course. ;-)

At our table were the veggie burger, beef burger, Philly Style rib eye sandwich and the herb-crusted tofu. I did not sample my companions' choices, but everyone seemed at least satisfied. I enjoyed my tofu and almost licked my plate clean. The sandwiches were huge and photogenic.

BLD would not be my suggestion for an early-in-the-relationship date, or power meal. But it's a great and certainly classy option for reliable comfort food.

If I can survive LA traffic, I will make an effort to come back for the "B" in BLD. I want to try these ricotta pancakes I╒ve heard so much about on Yelp!