Umami Burger-La Brea-Closed

Umami Burger
850 S La Brea Ave
Los Angeles
323-931-3000

I went to the Umami Burger in Hollywood but I wanted to try the original location on La Brea to see if there was any difference.

I go the Port and Stilton burger, $9, with blue cheese and pocas port-caramelized onions. The burgers at Umami aren't cooked enough for me. This burger is cooked too rare for my tastes, I don't want my plate to be covered with blood. The blue cheese mixed in with the meat and there is a small amount of caramelized onions. The burger was a decent size but worth $9? Not at all.

I will give Umami Burger props for having Coke made in Mexico, $3 a bottle. Anybody who says Coke made with that crappy HFCS, is out of their damn mind. Coke made with real sugar tastes so much better!!!

Service is good. I wasn't lacking for anything.

Umami wants to be the fifth taste, which is savory. I don't think their burgers are savory. Umami has opened a third location on Cahuenga. The La Brea doesn't have the smash burger, which I think is the best burger. I would only go back to Umami for a $5 smash burger.

NY BBQ-Closed

NY BBQ
901 S La Brea Ave
Los Angeles
323-934-4343

New York City is not known for BBQ, at least real BBQ where the meat is smoked. Where are there hickory or mesquite or apple work in New York? But just the name, New York has appeal. So I went to NY BBQ on La Brea to see how good their BBQ maybe.

I got the lunch portion of the baby back ribs, they do not have spare ribs, $9.95, with double mac and cheese. Now I'm not a big fan of baby backs, but the baby backs served here was pretty damn good. Lots of meat on those bones. A decent smoke flavor and the meat was tender but there are babybacks, so they should be tender.

The mac and cheesy was pretty good but I too mushy and gooey. The macaroni was so overcooked. The cheese was pretty good and blended well but this was just off.

Since I ate there she filled a little bowl with water, so I could wash my hands after eating. A very nice touch. They are about 5-6 tables but very little parking.

Service is OK but sneaky. What do I mean by sneaky? I placed the order, lunch portion of the baby back ribs, with double mac and cheese. The lady, who I believe is the owner then asked if I wanted some dessert. She actually named the dessert but I forget exactly what she asked, maybe sweet potato pie or 7up cake. I was surprised because I read their online menu and they didn't mention dessert being included with lunch. I stopped her and asked if that was included. She said no. So I passed on dessert. I bet she has "sold" people on saying yes to dessert because of the way she asked the question. I find it just as wrong as when servers do not tell people that there are not free drink refills.

While I do like their ribs, I'm not sure I would go back to NY BBQ. I do not like how she conducts business, too sneaky.

El Toro-Closed

El Toro Cantina
5368 Wilshire Blvd.
LA
323-525-2618

El Toro Cantina offers a wide variety of tapas at pretty reasonable prices. The portions are a bit small, I know, I know, tapas are small plates. But even small plates can be small.

The first picture has three tacos, carne asada, $4.50, lump crab, $5.50, and Mahi mahi, $4.50, all with corn tortilla. The carne asada was pretty bland and not as flavorful as I would like. This was just Ok. I loved the lump crab, lots of crab, in a pineapple salsa. The mahi mahi was fried, an interesting way to cook it and topped with avocado. A nice dish.

Service is good at El Toro. We were seated quickly and the server took our drink order right away. Our server was nice, friendly and helpful.

I would go back to El Toro anytime. Matter of fact, I have been back and the now have a special combo, any three tacos for $15. That means I can get the lobster, $6.50 and Yucatan shrimp, $5.50. I think this is one of the best tapas places around.