I liked Shibumi, qualitatively put it around the same level of enjoyment as Kinjiro (both a notch below Raku in LV, for reference).
Wow! I have now heard this from a few people so it appears Shibumi is quite polarizing.
the issue with shibumi to me is itās neither comfort food nor really executed cuisine. I like kinjiro cause itās comforting to me. Kinjiro is also half the price. The typical bill for wine peeps at Shibumi is $150+ at Kinjiro itās $70-80
Both are about the same for me ~$120. Usually get similar things ā something cold, like the uni & blue crab in jelly or the shrimp and lobster innards with some chips, then a vegetable, a broiled fish, and some beef and rice balls, but I also usually get sake/beer. Both places seem pretty attentive to ingredients. Maybe the only complaint with Shibumi was that the sea bream could have been a little fattier, but overall the flavors and textures were right on our visit. Iād go back sooner than other mediocre overpriced French/Italian/etc places in DT, especially as Kinjiro isnāt a place I can walk into.
Breakfast at Destroyer was fantastic
that looks great! If I have one lunch near there, should I do that or Gjelina?
Youāll be happy at either, but as a local Destroyer is new so my preference. Thereās no alc. (though you could probably byob discreetly outside) and seating is somewhat limited if that helps to sway.
While itās not LA, Lost at Sea in Pasadena has been a pretty solid place so far for the two times that Iāve been there; their emphasis is on fresh ingredients with a simple but unique perspective. For example, a standout dish was their shishamo fries dish: the fish were coated with a very light tempura and quickly fried to the point where the fish was still visible but they were a real pleasure to eat.
Just happened to be in LA for opening day of Kismet. From what I understand it will have an all day menu from 10-3, snacks from 3-7 and then dinner. I was there for the all day menu and it was fantastic. The Lemony chicken was so good I ordered a second.
Dinner ideas on Abbot Kinney?
or really, anything walkable or short uber from Marina Del Rey that isnāt Scoppa.
Gjelina is a popular spot on Abbot Kinney.
What type of food/atmosphere?
Iām really open to anything beyond Sichuan and Vietnamese which are my goals the other two nights. Under $200 and hopefully something I donāt see in Portland every day.
I wasnāt aware they did dinner
Gjelina, Gjusta, Rose Cafe, Baby Blues BBQ, The Tasting Kitchen, and (if you didnāt eat enough sausages in Germany), Wurstkuche. Unfortunately, Superba has become too variable to recommend.
thank you and due to that trip to Germany, Iām now a crabeterian.
I love Hamakaze in West Culver City (13327 W Washington Blvd). Not far at all from MDR. Killer Izakaya, $15/cokage.
any love for Spring? Good meal there but they refused to give me cream for my coffee so I didnāt order it. Strange.
added to my list. Thank you!
maybe it was good coffee