Despite their ridiculously great location one block from the beach, our recent visit left us dissatisfied. We are absolute pho fanatics, so we are probably pickier than most, but their version was far too sanitized for our tastes. The broth was very watery and unflavorful, and the beef portions were microscopic. The appetizer we tried was tasty, but really expensive considering the portion. On the plus side, the service was friendly, but the extremely small interior meant that they were practically on top of us the entire time. Also, isn't it a law that eating establishments should have bathrooms? If it isn't, which it apparently isn't, it should be!

I have to disagree with the glowing reviews here. I understand this is a popular place, but I can't see why. My Japanese-American friend and I had to try the chicken cutlet curry, but we weren't impressed at all. She absolutely hated it, and didn't find it at all authentic, especially the too-thick consistency of the curry sauce. I liked it better, but I have to agree that the sauce did seem overly thickened and very heavy. Moreover, we couldn't distinguish between our orders, even though she got spicy, and I got extra spicy. Everything else was just adequate. If I am going to splurge on a meal that includes breaded and fried chicken, this isn't going to be my choice.

Tere's is a great find. Very tiny, but extremely friendly and the food was excellent. Their carne asada burrito is the best I've had in LA yet, although I would have preferred that they included fresh onion over lettuce. The sauces and tortillas were very fresh-tasting, and the salsas were appropriately tasty and spicy. I only wish I had a Tere's in my neighborhood!

Our recent visits to this chain place were very enjoyable. Although quality usually suffers the bigger a chain gets, this seemingly hasn't affected McCormick's yet. First off, their menu is updated daily, which indicates fish that is fresh that day. Although some dishes are certainly tastier than others, many items are outstanding, and the entrees and appetizers are always well-prepared. A minor quibble we have is that some of the preparations seem to overpower the fish with too many ingredients and flavorings. For this reason, many times the simpler dishes are the better choice. The prices are surprisingly reasonable considering the food and the service, which is consistently top-notch. Every server we have had has been extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and accomodating.

While not our absolute favorite pho place, Pho 2000 generally delivers. Like the best noodle shops, don't go expecting ambiance. The food here is what is important, and it is usually very good and reasonably priced. They offer a flavorful broth with good quality meats. Our only quibble is that sometimes their accompanying basil, onions, jalapenos, and bean sprouts look like they've been sitting around too long on the plate, and can be a bit wilted. And although we can't really say that they don't offer enough of these side items, they definitely are more stingy than our favorite place, especially with the basil.

Obviously, one doesn't go to a taco shack expecting ambiance, so Tito's needs to be evaluated on its food. Overall, Tito's was a mixed experience, although their food can be described as average at best. The crunchy, thick-shelled tacos are the best item, and the shredded beef filling was less greasy than you might expect. Our meat was accompanied solely by some lettuce and cheese, so I think that we'd hate the cheaper taco without cheese. Their chips are exactly the same as the taco shells, so if you like thick chips, these will do. The salsa is plentiful and isn't completely horrible, although it could definitely use more spice and flavor. However, their ""burritos"" are an insult to the term. Stuffing a tortilla full of bland, stewed meat does not a burrito make! Avoid these at all cost.

A recent outing here, based on a glowing review in a local rag, was an interesting experience. The food, overall, was very well-prepared and interesting, especially for these Lebanese-novices. Their menu includes all the usual middle-eastern dishes, but also offers an extensive selection of less common starters, both hot and cold. Sadly, there wasn't a sampler platter of these, so we tried one of each. The cold raw beef and cracked wheat appetizer was mild, yet rich. The tender lamb and pine nuts in a lemon-butter sauce was amazing. We wish, though, that they offered a smaller portion of the former and included more for the latter. Entrees were pretty standard fare, but delicious. The only real complaint was with the service, which was extremely rushed and not very friendly or helpful. Considering the money we spent, we would prefer to be treated more politely.

We always enjoy the experience here. The rosewater hand-washing, dim but attractive rooms, and communal dining are a big hit. The food is definitely the best part. As non-experts on Moroccan/Tunisian cuisine, we find the flavors novel and usually amazing. The brik, exotic-tasting salads (especially the rose-flavored carrots), hummus, and even their mint tea are all great. The meat dishes are exemplary, including honey lamb, and our favorite, the B'stilla (ground chicken-filled pastry sprinkled with powdered sugar). B'stilla my heart! There is definitely lots of food served with any of the dinners, so you should definitely arrive hungry. Some downsides are that some servers aren't very good, you may end up sitting close to annoying diners, and the vegetarian meal is expensive considering that meals containing several meats are only $4 more. Also, the belly-dancing can be a bit hokey, but usually adds to the overall mood.