Los Angeles Master Thread

[Yehoshua]

PSA: Do not waste your time and money at Mazal'rella. Review coming soon.

After calling the restaurant after we got home (and at the dinner we made for ourselves) I called and spoke to the manager. I told him what a negative experience we had, and he offered to give us a proper experience. I told him I'd hold off on publishing a negative review until we had the proper service, so my review will have to wait a few days. In the meantime, I'd avoid it just in case.

[thaber]

After calling the restaurant after we got home (and at the dinner we made for ourselves) I called and spoke to the manager. I told him what a negative experience we had, and he offered to give us a proper experience. I told him I'd hold off on publishing a negative review until we had the proper service, so my review will have to wait a few days. In the meantime, I'd avoid it just in case.

you're not the only one who had a less than positive experience. Hopefully they'll figure it out quick

[Yehoshua]

you're not the only one who had a less than positive experience. Hopefully they'll figure it out quick

Well when they admit that lots of people have complained that their pasta is soggy, already admitted to needing a new recipe (which I gave them btw, doubt they'll use it), and they still haven't done anything about it, I'm not left with high hopes. I'll report a back after dinner tonight.

Have you tried it yet?

[thaber]

Well when they admit that lots of people have complained that their pasta is soggy, already admitted to needing a new recipe (which I gave them btw, doubt they'll use it), and they still haven't done anything about it, I'm not left with high hopes. I'll report a back after dinner tonight.

Have you tried it yet?

No,  I'll wait till you go back

[Lee Fisher]

Heres my reviews: Now that they had their grand opening we went again to Mazzelrella for Melava Malka. The margarita flatbread with heirloom tomato was very good but what really stood out was the stone fruit and Brie brochette. The salty cheese was really balanced out with sweet plum and some pomegranate for a bit of tartness. Very nice! Dessert was bombolini. Italian style doughnut with a cinnamon and vanilla cream.Fantastic!

And this : So after Shabbos we went to the new Mazelrella for friends and family night. Very impressive! Love the ambience inside, very upscale. Next time I would like to eat at the outside patio. Looks real cool.With the hanging lights, greenery and being at the side of the building,reminds me of The blue Bayou restaurant at Disneyland.Anyway, we started out with the mushroom toast which was fantastic. Four types of mushrooms in a light Alfredo sauce and a slow cooked egg.Next we had the Tunisian flatbread which we thought was the star of the night. Excellent yellowtail with a rich eggplant Bolognese and the flatbed itself was baked perfectly with the smoky flavor. Next was the Pomodoro which was very nice with the ricotta cheese really giving a nice flavor. We ended with the fish and chips which was a light and buttery ling cod. It was a nice evening and I think this place will be very successful. The location is also a plus with it being on "restaurant row" and out of the main drag Pico or La Brea. Looking forward to going there again real soon.

[Dan]

Great to have you here Lee!
Please post some pictures as well

http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=46084.0

[Yehoshua]

Heres my reviews: Now that they had their grand opening we went again to Mazzelrella for Melava Malka. The margarita flatbread with heirloom tomato was very good but what really stood out was the stone fruit and Brie brochette. The salty cheese was really balanced out with sweet plum and some pomegranate for a bit of tartness. Very nice! Dessert was bombolini. Italian style doughnut with a cinnamon and vanilla cream.Fantastic!

And this : So after Shabbos we went to the new Mazelrella for friends and family night. Very impressive! Love the ambience inside, very upscale. Next time I would like to eat at the outside patio. Looks real cool.With the hanging lights, greenery and being at the side of the building,reminds me of The blue Bayou restaurant at Disneyland.Anyway, we started out with the mushroom toast which was fantastic. Four types of mushrooms in a light Alfredo sauce and a slow cooked egg.Next we had the Tunisian flatbread which we thought was the star of the night. Excellent yellowtail with a rich eggplant Bolognese and the flatbed itself was baked perfectly with the smoky flavor. Next was the Pomodoro which was very nice with the ricotta cheese really giving a nice flavor. We ended with the fish and chips which was a light and buttery ling cod. It was a nice evening and I think this place will be very successful. The location is also a plus with it being on "restaurant row" and out of the main drag Pico or La Brea. Looking forward to going there again real soon.

Well I agree with you on ambiance and location. We ate on the patio, as it was a balmy 72F mid-November night last night. While I don't doubt the non-pasta food was good, the pasta dish we tried (the Mushroom Bocatini) was overcooked. Apparently it has to do with their pasta recipe, as they've gotten many complaints on this before.

I can only imagine how high your bill must have been. This place is not cheap (they have to pay for their location some how) and the menu is quite limited (the brie and fruit bruschetta, one of the salads, and anything with tuna weren't available). I also found that about half the customers (they were all booked) were dressed very casually (polo shirts, jeans) and some were business-casual, but no one was dressed up. Could be just the Sunday night crowd. I hope they survive, too, but I think they work a bit on the fine details or service in order to succeed (and get a new pasta recipe).

I'll refrain for mentioning our horrible service experience until tomorrow.

In the meantime, here are some pictures:


Exterior


Salt-free (not by request) zucchini spears, free appetizer (in lieu of bread on the table)


Mushroom Bocatini with fried egg


Kale Salad with oven dried tomatoes (note the brown dressing on the left side of the bowl)

[Lee Fisher]

Yep,they need time. I got a mac and cheese that I sent back so I agree about the pasta.As far as dress,I have regularly seen East Coasters at Tierra Sur in shorts and a tee shirt.And yea,they will have to step up the service if they want to survive.Im rooting for them,but I
 dont know.

[Yehoshua]

Full Mazal'rella Review:

We went back to Mazal'rella the night after our first (disastrous) evening.  On Monday night our experience was 1000 times better than it was the night before. We ate inside and had an extremely attentive server, Karen.

Within 5 minutes of sitting down we had our orders in. Karen brought out some toasted bread with an olive oil and vinegar mix to dip the in.


Toast, 7/10

We started the meal with the Parmesan and truffle oil fries and the endive and blue salad, a salad with frisee, endives, and a blue cheese dressing.


Parmesan fries, 9/10


Endive and blue salad, 9/10

The portion of fries was quite large, more than enough for 2 people for an appetizer. I'd say it can easily be enough for 4 people.

The salad was a nice size for 2 people, though it could be a main for 1 person if you add on the optional fish (salmon, $9 or tuna, $11). It was also nice that they lightly dressed the salad and included extra dressing on the side, in case the person you're splitting the salad with is less enthusiastic about blue cheese that you are. 

For the main course we ordered the Salmon with an apple and onion risotto and green peas. Since we were planning on splitting the entree anyway, Karen asked if we'd like the kitchen to just split it for us which we thought was a really good idea.


Half a portion of the fish and risotto entree, Fish: 10/10, Risotto: 1/10

While the speed of the service was greatly improved, the risotto came to the table cold and bland. There were only 2 small pieces of apple in it (both in DW's dish) and it was completely bland with just a hint of onion. The rice itself was gluey, too soft and not all the grains were separated. However, the salmon was cooked absolutely perfectly. The skip was crispy and served skin-side up as it should be. We asked for the fish medium (the proper temp for fish, not sure why they even asked) and they delivered.

I told Karen the risotto was bland and cold. She took back the dishes (after we'd already eaten the fish) and brought us another bowl of risotto. This time the risotto had flavor and was nice at hot. Unfortunately the rice was still gluey, on the soft side and full of rice clumps.

For dessert we had the chocolate flatbreads. This dessert was new as of that night, since the night before I heard a few people request a chocolate dessert which was previously not on the menu. The dessert was a plain flatbread topped with a house made chocolate hazelnut spread, strawberries and whipped cream.


Chocolate flatbread dessert, 8/10

While the dessert was nothing fancy, it tasted very good, was warm, and hit the spot. My only comments were the whipped cream presentation (it should have been piped on instead of globed on) and the flatbread itself should have been crispier. It wasn't soggy, but rather a bit chewy, almost like a toaster pastry.

We finished the meal 1:20 after we arrived and left full and satisfied.

Conclusion
I'm not sure if the service the 2nd night was so much better because they were trying to impress us or if that's the normal service (they claim it's normal). I really hope it was their normal service, for if it was they have a lot better chance at succeeding. The portions weren't super large (with the exception of the fires), so you'll need an appetizer, salad/flatbread, and main to be full if you're splitting everything.  While we didn't pay for our meal on Monday, the whole meal (including the sparkling water I ordered) would have cost close to $100 including tax. While on the subject of tax, I noticed on Sunday they charged me 9.25% sales tax on the meal. The tax should be 9% through 12/31/16, at which point it will go down to 8.75% at least until 4/1/17. I told them that and hope they change it soon. Overall I'd consider going back for a special occasion.

[Ai1234]

Planning a trip to LA in mid-January from Sun -Thurs with a 1.5 year old. I currently have approx 68k Starwood points. What is the best use of points for hotel nights?

Should I avoid certain areas? How about the beach areas? Is it unwise to stay in that area in January for the lower use of points?

TIA!

[Yehoshua]

No more questions about kosher baked goods at Coffee Bean: Everything is kosher again. Yay!!

http://kosherquest.org/kib-coffee-bean/

[thaber]

No more questions about kosher baked goods at Coffee Bean: Everything is kosher again. Yay!!

http://kosherquest.org/kib-coffee-bean/

Came to post this

[thaber]

Planning a trip to LA in mid-January from Sun -Thurs with a 1.5 year old. I currently have approx 68k Starwood points. What is the best use of points for hotel nights?

Should I avoid certain areas? How about the beach areas? Is it unwise to stay in that area in January for the lower use of points?

TIA!

Not that many options for points at la beaches,  what specifically are you looking at?

[sedge]

Planning a trip to LA in mid-January from Sun -Thurs with a 1.5 year old. I currently have approx 68k Starwood points. What is the best use of points for hotel nights?

Should I avoid certain areas? How about the beach areas? Is it unwise to stay in that area in January for the lower use of points?

TIA!

January is cold. Santa Monica is the closest beach to L.A.  Fun pier. Great restaurants.

Le Meridian is an SPG property. We stay there often and have young kids.

Ritz Carlton Laguna Nigel if you're willing to go south a bit.

Westin Long Beach but it's not beachy.

Those are your only options really.

Too bad Monarch Beach is no longer a St. Regis.

[Chief Rabbi of New York]

January is cold. Santa Monica is the closest beach to L.A.  Fun pier. Great restaurants.

Le Meridian is an SPG property. We stay there often and have young kids.

Ritz Carlton Laguna Nigel if you're willing to go south a bit.

Westin Long Beach but it's not beachy.

Those are your only options really.

Too bad Monarch Beach is no longer a St. Regis.

Why? the ritz is in the same area, so who cares if Monarch beach is no longer a St. Regis

[Dan]

No more questions about kosher baked goods at Coffee Bean: Everything is kosher again. Yay!!

http://kosherquest.org/kib-coffee-bean/

Awesome!

[keemster26]

No more questions about kosher baked goods at Coffee Bean: Everything is kosher again. Yay!!

http://kosherquest.org/kib-coffee-bean/

Note:  Not all Coffee Bean outlets are certified for bakery goods.  Please check the certificate for those that are only limited in their certification.

[Yehoshua]

That mostly means the franchises, but most stores are corporate.

[damaxer91]

Legit feel bad for the people of L.A and Phoenix this summer. They don't have a clue whats about to hit them....

[Yehoshua]

Legit feel bad for the people of L.A and Phoenix this summer. They don't have a clue whats about to hit them....

Heat-wise? In what regard?