Hamptons @ Manhattan Beach, CA

Went to this new place in downtown Manhattan Beach.  At the site of the old Sun & Moon cafe and across from MB Post.  It is very much a New England seafood place with lots of lobster on the menu.  I had the lobster roll and it was good, not great.  The bread was wonderful -- lots of butter no doubt but soft and sweet.  The lobster salad needed a bit more flavor either from lobster not being in season or in need of some spice and likely salt.  I saw the lobster mac & cheese which looked good but very rich.  The overall atmosphere is nice.

All in all, I'll go back and give them another try.

Mendocino Farms @ Marina del Rey, CA

OK, so I went here again today for lunch.  I went much earlier to avoid the line.  I still like this place but wouldn't order the same sandwich.  Today, I had the Pork Belly Banh Mi which I'm relatively certain did not contain pork belly.  It was more like over cooked, tough pork rib meat than the juicy, succulent and tender pork belly I expected.  Further, they put thick slices of raw jalapeno on the sandwich which was over the top.  Thinner slices would have given the sandwich the kick it needed.  I also tried 2 side salads and will someday order the spinach salad with figs. 

All in all, I'm less impressed than the first time but hopeful this place will get better.

Bin 73 @ Marina del Rey, CA

Saw this relatively new place in Sunset magazine.  It is a small plates / large wine list place very near the water on Washington Blvd.  It was good.  I shared a cheese plate, stuffed peppers, truffle mac & cheese, and a small pizza with a friend.  My husband had the breakfast sandwich.  Wine list was good size and dinner menu had lots of interesting items on it.

All in all, I'll go back and hopefully be as lucky as today to get close parking.

Mendocino Farms @ Marina del Rey, CA

Went to this relatively new sandwich place yesterday.  It is quite the talk of the town.  The line was long and it took 20 minutes to order & pay and another 20 minutes to get our food.  I had the signature Papa Mario's Italian deli sandwich and my friend had a 'build your own' steak sandwich.  Both were good and the salads and other menu items looked good as well.  I'm not sure it was good enough for the wait, but the atmosphere was intriguing. 

The entire outdoor mall area surrounding the place was quite nice and worthy of a visit -- Loft, Black/White Market, Pinkberry, CPK, etc.

All in all, I'll give Mendocino Farms another try, albeit at a less busy time.

Tabla @ Portland, OR

Tabla Ravioli

I had dinner here last Wednesday night and it was amazing.  It is located a few blocks north of Burnside on 28th.  I did the 3 course meal and started with a spring vegetable salad which was okay.  Then I had the Truffle Fettuccine which was by far the most awesome meal I've had.  Think buttered noodles from your mom, but then up the ante with whisper thin noodles that are freshly made on site and a hint of truffle flavor.  Delicious!  Next was the house ravioli, also freshly made noodle, with a perfectly poached egg inside and ricotta.  It was amazing. 

All in all, I will return for the truffle noodles again and again.  Next time it will just be a full portion instead of a tasting portion!

Spring Vegie Salad

 

 

 

Truffle Fettuccine

Davis Street Tavern @ Portland, OR

Went to dinner here last night.  It is basically at 5th and Davis.  It was just OK.  We started with a beet and pear salad which was good, but salty.  Then I had the Sea Scallops that were carmelized so a bit sweet.  My husband had the pasta special with dungeness crab, sugar snap peas, and tomatoes.  Both were okay, not spectacular. 

All in all, I likely won't be coming back.

Crab pasta

Sea Scallops over coconut polenta and kale

Nostrana @ Portland, OR

Had a fabulous meal at Nostrana Friday night (14th & Morrison).  We started with a very fresh asparagus soup and perfect bread.  I had the goat cheese stuffed papperdelle with pesto cream and my husband had the pasta with Pork ragu.  They were both delicious and freshly made pasta. 

All in all, I will definitely be going back again and again.

Goat cheese stuffed Papperdelle

Pasta with pork ragu