Lady Face Alehouse and Brasserie

29281 Agoura Rd,
Agoura Hills

The name Lady Face and the sketch on the restaurant's logo suggest something ultra feminine, dating back to the Renaissance days. It promotes great expectations! Once inside the doors, the spacious ambiance reminds one of a distinctive pub with brewery tanks in full view, but there are some very ladylike touches in art and decor that kind of sneak up on you here and there and take you back to that gentler, artistic period. In the final analysis Lady Face symbolizes a time and place where femininity was beautiful and reigned supreme...and a lady could still lift a pint with the best of them It's a classy yet casual joint quite unlike anything you have experienced anywhere, and, judging from the clientele, it appeals to both men and women from every walk of life. On the day I visited, there seemed to be a power business meeting with four men at the next table, as well as married couples nearby and casual friends of both genders meeting up for lunch. Owned by lovely Cyrena Nouzille, with brewmaster David Griffiths and Adrian Gioia, executive chef, Lady Face lives up to its great reputation and turned my visit into a delectable lunchtime treat.

Celebrating four years in the Agoura Hills location, Lady Face is not a chain, so that kind of uniqueness makes it even more special. In today's world it's hard to find just one place that you can eagerly anticipate returning to without its twin establishment smacking you in the face on the very next corner. The look, the ale, the food are all prepared to suit the gourmet palate. In tandem with the fourth year celebration Lady Face is offering a Belgian quadrupel ale brewed with raspberries. The ale is light, smooth and delicious. About twelve draught ales are brewed on the premises, as well as a half dozen incredible beers. Cask ale is served at cellar temperature and there are terrific happy hour discounts on all of them, as well as on wine and all luscious cocktails, from 3-6 pm Mondays through Fridays.

The philosophy of Lady Face is to serve hand-crafted and artisan products, which means fresh ales, and dishes with 100% natural ingredients prepared at the peak of freshness. What is offered on the menu, then, is only in-season, locally available or California-grown produce.

Well, what sounds fresh and delicious turned out to be just that, as the lunch served to both myself and my guest were 100% terrific. Our affable server Christina was exceedingly helpful in making choices that would not only satisfy my tastes but attract a wider audience and suit some of the varied tastes of my readers as well. I started out with a Lady Face Sangria, fruity and delicious. Even though I proclaimed myself a non-beer or ale drinker, Cyrena insisted on us sampling the fourth anniversary ale, which was indeed light and savory. For my first food selection, I chose French onion Soup, which I had heard was a wonderful choice. What made it different from other French onion soups was the beer stock included that blends to perfection with the onions and gruyere. My next course was a grilled romaine salad with a tangy bleu cheese dressing. As an appetizer my friend and I shared pulled-pork sliders on pretzel buns, which were oh so good. I had the salmon as my entree, and it was the preparation with fingerling potato coins, grilled long oyster mushrooms, peas, caramelized onion puree and lobster saffron emulsion that made all the difference in bringing out the dish's special  flavors. My guest raved about the steak tartare and manila clams. For dessert we shared a scrumptious chocolate torte with vanilla ice cream and Lady Face's specialty bread pudding, smothered with whipped cream.

Other specialties of the house include wood-grilled house-made flatbreads, mac & cheese with salt & vinegar potato chip crust, ale-battered fish & chips. wood-grilled burgers, and sandwiches, including a croque-monsieur and croque- madame. Burgers start at $10 and the salmon entree is only $15. How can you beat these exceedingly reasonable prices!

The presence of the gracious proprietor Cyrena made our visit that much more memorable, as she stopped by our table to introduce us to her restaurant, to bring us samples of her fine ales and to answer any questions. This was to be sure an unforgettable afternoon of fine dining, which I most highly recommend to one and all. Breakfast is served from 11: 30 am to 4 pm and dinner from 4 pm to 10 pm, with happy hour specials  from 3-6 pm and late night offerings after 10 pm!

http://www.ladyfaceale.com/

Giuliano's in Redondo Beach/Torrance

review in February!

Revisiting Pizza Rev in Studio City

new manager Johnnie Hertlein

On Wednesday January 15 I returned to PizzaRev in Studio City, which had its grand opening 16 months ago, to partake of their delicious hand-crafted pizzas. The last time I was there it was to celebrate the opening in SC and the inclusion of a full array of wine and beer to the beverage menu. This time it was to celebrate a brand new inclusion of low calorie pizzas into the menu in keeping with the start of a healthy New Year.

In case you are unfamiliar with PizzaRev, you craft your very own pizza with the ultimate in fresh ingredients. What a taste treat for Valley residents of Studio City, North Hollywood and Sherman Oaks! Practically right next door to The Counter, where you can create your own burger, you can now craft a delectable pizza and enjoy a glass of wine or beer...and, if you are still hungry, order a specialty dessert pizza.

If you have never crafted a pizza, what this means is that you decide the kind of dough you wish, the type of sauce, cheeses, proteins and veggies to go on your pizza, and just simply tell your server. It’s as if you were making it at home from scratch, only your PizzaRev server will do for you. If you prefer gluten-free dough, it’s yours for the asking; reduced fat mozzarella is a possible choice as well. There is a huge array of proteins like pepperoni, Italian sausage, crumbled beef meatball, ham, crispy bacon, grilled chicken or anchovies. Veggies are also plentiful such as mushrooms, red onions, green bell peppers, tomatoes, pineapple, black olives, basil, spinach, garlic, jalapeno, sun-dried tomatoes and capers. And the new reduced fat pizzas, at 650 calories a piece, may include thin and crispy crust, organic red sauce, low-fat mozzarella, as well as your choice of veggie toppings. Amazing, you can craft a pizza that suits your workout plan to help shed those nasty pounds you’ve gained over the holidays. What could be better?

Moderately priced at only $7.95 each, or hand-crafted salad at $3.95 or dessert pizza at a mere $3.95,  PizzaRev's offerings cannot be beat, considering pizza joint pizzas like Domino's or Pizza Hut cost at least $10-$20, and Papa John’s, even higher. And what makes PizzaRev the best, apart from the reduced price, is the quality. PizzaRev offers only the best ingredients that are fresh and healthy...only the finest meats, veggies, cheeses, sauces and PizzaRev's very own homemade crust made fresh daily. Gluten-Free crust costs only $2 extra; Vegan Cheese, only $1 more.

The service? Unbeatable! Manager Johnnie Hertlein and his team aim to please, giving service with a smile. Hertlein was on hand to greet me and to talk about the amazing pizza ovens which cook your pizza in less than five minutes...that's right, you only have to wait about 3 to 4 minutes before it is brought to your table piping hot...mm mmm, delicious....the thin cracker-like crust on my BBQ chicken pizza was light, easy to chew and very tasty.

PizzaRev stores are offering a Perfect Pair deal right now, which includes any pizza + participating beer or house red/white wine for only $9.95 daily from 4 pm-8 pm and after 8: 30 pm. And a great Monday meal deal includes 4 pizzas, 4 fountain drinks, a salad for 4 and a dessert pizza, all for only $39.95, anytime after 2 pm.

Stop in at PizzaRev on Ventura Blvd, Studio City, near Laurel Canyon for lunch or dinner or at one of the other stores. There’s also one in nearby Burbank, Woodland Hills, Northridge, El Segundo and Oxnard.. and new stores to open soon in Van Nuys, Pasadena, Mid-City LA and Valencia. Plus, some really hot news: PizzaRev announced a partnership with Buffalo Wild Wings earlier in 2013, and Buffalo Wild Wings will open the first PizzaRev franchise location very soon.

Check the website below for hours of operation and multiple reviews from very satisfied customers...PizzaRev caters your party...and you can order online for faster service:

www.PizzaRev.com

Brendan's Irish Pub - Agoura Hills

Brendan's Irish Pub
30315 Canwood St, Agoura Hills, California 91301(818) 874-9400



There's an old Irish proverb that goes What butter & whiskey will not cure, there's no cure for. Good food and drink are the perfect remedies for everything. Where should you go? To Brendan's Irish Pub, that is, in Camarillo, Newbury Park and Agoura Hills. Proprietor Brendan Searls opened the one in Newbury Park in October; his Agoura Hills pub opened in March 2012. What a spacious and wonderfully laid back place it is to have a Guinness and chat with a group of friends or to go all out and have a scrumptious Irish meal like corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, shepherd's pie, Kenmare lamb shank or a nice filet. For those of you non=Irish folks, shepherd’s pie is ground beef simmered in Guinness gravy with sautéed peas, carrots and onions then topped with a mashed potato crust. Does it whet your appetite? Well, it should. It’s delectable!

I am of Irish heritage on my mother's side of the family, my grandparents both from County Mayo; Brendan told me he's from County Cork, and from the minute you start conversing with this affable gentleman, it is obvious that he is possessed with a wee bit of the devil. He loves to live life to the max, which means to drink and eat to the fullest, and so has designed his pubs to provide the most ultimate pleasures for every customer. Those who are not familiar with Irish cuisine may take comfort in the fact that there are plenty of menu choices for lovers of good old American grub like burgers-of every kind, salads, salmon, chicken pot pie, fries, onion rings, potato skins and chicken strips. And of course, for folks like I, who prefer to eat a la When in Rome, do as the Romans do, there are delicious Irish appetizers such as corned beef sliders, whiskey wings, blarney beef sliders, drunken mussels as well as potato leek and roasted tomato soups. Other Irish specialties not mentioned before include bangers and mash, fish and chips and steak and mushroom pie. The service is great and the prices surprisingly reasonable. I, of course, ordered a steak, the bone-in blackened ribeye at $28. There's also a filet mignon at $24 and a prime cut sirloin at a mere $18. I could not believe the low prices...and the portions are huge. My ribeye was oh so tender and juicy and covered the plate, served with mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables of broccoli, carrots and zucchini. I had to try the small portion of shepherd's pie, which is a favorite dish of mine on St. Patrick's Day. Big portion, high on flavor! My friend ordered the lamb shank at $20 and raved and raved. He also loved the drunken mussels in Gobshite Ale, and the mixed berry salad.

For dessert, Brendan offers a Sherry trifle, Irish brownie, seasonal fruit cobbler and their famous bread pudding studded with a whiskey glaze. I, chocoholic that I am, had the brownie smothered in vanilla ice cream and my friend, the bread pudding, which I did sample...and yes, it's to die for. I did indulge after dinner with an Irish coffee, another all-time favorite.

As well as Guinness,wine and beer of every kind, sangria, and plentiful mixed drinks, Brendan proudly displays over 200 liquors on shelves near the bar. The ceiling is an attractive and rare copper-colored metallic. We sat at a lovely table, but there are also spacious booths for your dining enjoyment. The restaurant is definitely big with plenty of leg room so you can sit back and enjoy a dynamite meal, lift a glass of your favorite libation and celebrate the Irish traditions. Brendan's Irish Pub is open for lunch and dinner, and I'll definitely be back. Faith n' begorrah!

with owner Brendan Searls originally from Cork, Ireland and  marketing director Tyler Rex

http://www.brendans.com/locations.html

Vino Tapas & Wine Bar

18046 Ventura Blvd.
Encino, CA 91316
info@vinowineroom.com

Tel: 818-343-2525
 

When I heard I was invited to Vino Tapas & Wine Bar in Encino, the first thought that came into my head was...Spain, the beautiful country that offers sangria, gourmet paella and scrumptious tapas. I wonder if an LA restaurant can duplicate this real European ambiance and cuisine? Located in Encino, close to Tarzana, the establishment owned by Alla, is hardly large; in fact, it's a long, narrow room with an ample bar in the rear and whose lush wall decor includes glorious still life paintings by renowned Spanish artist Luis Melendez, among others. Yes, Vino Tapas & Wine Bar does have the look of old Spain. Now, what about the food?

Alla, who was away at an appointment, left handsome manager Chris Warmling in charge and we could not have been in better hands. Chris graciously allowed us to photograph the room and made suggestions about serving us a variety of tapas to satisfy our cravings. Happy hour is every day from 4 pm to 7 pm, and since we arrived at 4: 45, we were right on time to partake of a lovely, rich sangria, made on the premises. Our happy hour tapas included a sampling of albondigas, Spanish meatballs in tomato sauce; eggplant crujiente, crispy and drizzled with honey - one of the more delectable and distinctly different eggplants I have ever eaten; and croquetas, crispy mashed potato croquettes filled with chicken and served with tomato aioli. There was also a tortilla espanola, the traditional Spanish potato omelet; patatas bravas or crispy potatoes with spicy aioli sauce - truly heavenly; ceviche de pescado, seafood marinated in fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and shallots served with pita tostada chips. And to top it all off, sliders, or mini burgers with lettuce, tomato, caramelized onions, bleu cheese and tomato aioli and served with thin fries! What a divinely prepared array of flavorful treats...and with the authentic taste of Espana! Dish after dish arrived at our table, and my thought was, OMG, I ordered a filet mignon and my friend, paella for two. Would we have room? It was all too delicious, but box some of the tapas, or I will never be able to eat the entree, listed as a big tapa on the menu.

with manager Chris Warmling

When the steak and paella arrived, I could not have been more thrilled with my tender, juicy filet, beautifully cooked, which was topped with bleu cheese and served with green beans, tomato confit and mashed potatoes. I sampled the paella, and found it delightful, except from memory, I expected yellow saffron colored rice, which is the way I had it in Spain. Maybe that rice is difficult to obtain in the states? Not sure, but not a major prob, as it was all delicious including shrimp, mussels, squid - a lovely seafood paella Valenciana. There are also soups on the menu such as gazpacho and mushroom and a nice selection of salads, but because of the overabundance of tapas, we decided to pass.

But...there's always room for dessert. I ordered the flourless chocolate cake and served with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream. It was sheer bliss! My friend had leche frita a vanilla citrus custard with berries and wrapped with a thin fried coating. There's also the Spanish staple... flan, bread pudding and banana bread.

Besides the sangria there's a terrific wine list to suit every palate, and the price for the small tapas, about $8 each...and the steak? Only $15. The paella is $26, but considering the plentiful amount of seafood, that's really quite reasonable.

I noticed that the clientele included couples, both young and middle-aged, and a group of young ladies, perhaps dining out after work. Vino Tapas & Wine Bar is a nice, casual place to sit back, relax, and share friendly conversation over a great glass of wine or sangria and some truly delicious tapas, big and small. As they say in Espana, que sabroso! Alla delivers 'delicious' with a touch of class.

http://www.vinowineroom.com/

Padri's Restaurant and Martini Bar

Padri's Restaurant and Martini Bar

29002 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills, CA 91301

Phone:(818) 865-3700

Tucked into the side of Agoura Road in Agoura Hills Padri's has a quaint, old-world charm that makes it stand apart from the citified decor around it. If you disregard the mini-mall behind, you would swear you were out in the country, most likely in Italy, not Los Angeles. The old-fashioned atmosphere grabs you first and then the elegant food, all adding up to a unique dining experience.

Manager Ramone Saldivar was on hand to welcome us and to fill us in on the restaurant's history. Owned by Saverio Posarelli from Florence, it's been in this location for about fifteen years, and every five or so, it's renovated. All I can say is the aura of old Italy is there at Padri's. One can practically smell it, as you walk through the front door. I should mention that in the courtyard are hanging some lovely autumn/Halloween decorations and so I assume with Christmas right around the corner, Padri's will look fetching with sparkling trees and lights. I'll just have to return in December. And that I will do in a heartbeat based on the dinner and friendly service that accompanied this first visit on October 23.

Good to state right up front that even though Padri's is Italian cuisine, they are not limited. Their expansive dinner menu includes steak, chicken, lobster and other delightful seafood. Let's start at the top. There's a superb wine list and as Padri's is known for their fine array of martinis, that's a must for the martini lover.

Lending authenticity, the menu is in Italian with appetizers including Salumi, Formaggi, Assaggini and Affettati, a combination of the first three. More to Share includes calamari fritti, crab cakes, pancetta wrapped jumbo shrimp and bruschetta. The calamari are sweet and delicious, as are the crab cakes and jumbo shrimp stuffed with gorgonzola. The Insalata course includes a variety of salads, my choice being Insalata Cesare. There is also Zuppa which includes minestrone and soup of the day. Since I am a steak lover, as many of you have read in my past reviews, I ordered the Tagliata di Manzo or grilled Angus New York steak with balsamic reduction sauce, mushrooms and on the side, potato gratin. It was served to me sizzling hot on a board and was delectable, tender and juicy. I like it cooked medium, and it was done to perfection. The potatoes were a lovely golden brown and seasoned just right. My friend ordered Linguini con Frutti di Mare with a mix of seafood in a garlic, tomato white wine sauce. He raved and raved. My entree did not include a pasta, but when I mentioned the special of the day, a homemade lasagne with roasted pumpkin and soffritto ragu, my gracious server suggested they bring me a tiny portion to sample. It turned out to be a scrumptious side that I just could not finish, so I took it home with me.

There's always room for dessert chez Grigware, so from a list of Dolce, sweets, that includes Spiked Bread Pudding, Chocolate Torte, Tiramisu, Apple Tart, Creme Brulee and Banana Cream Pie, I chose the special Pumpkin Creme Brulee and my friend the Banana Cream Pie, which is pictured below. Artfully presented, and, by the way, the creme brulee was lovely, not screaming pumpkin but with an essence of the spice.

with manager Ramone Saldivar

To say that I enjoyed my meal is an understatement. Padri's is a lovely place to dine with a lot of ambiance, delectable food, great service and...the meals are reasonably priced. Most entrees are under $25, and the steak $28, with a filet mignon slightly higher at $32. In comparison to other high-class restaurants, this is a steal. And there is also a banquet room for your private parties, as well as a beautifully sunlit patio for your enjoyment. When you eat at Padri's, expect to eat with style in an atmosphere of sheer elegance.

http://padrirestaurant.net/

Revisiting Cookin' With Lenny Smokehouse

I had my birthday party at Lenny's this year and told Lenny (above, top) that if I had to do an encore review of his place, I would not rate it less than an A+. He was so pleased!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Above, bottom) the Sappuchinos and sweet waitress Crystal