Rate-A-Restaurant #215: Angelique Cafe

Restaurant: Angelique Cafe

Location: 840 S Spring St. (Downtown)

Type of restaurant: Casual French

We stipulated: We were downtown a few weeks ago for the Renegade Craft Fair, and needed to grab lunch. The problem: It was 3 p.m., so we wanted to get something in the immediate vicinity of the Fashion District, yet many places had already stopped serving lunch. Angelique was close by and still open.



They stipulated: There's plenty of seating upstairs, and a patio as well.



What we ordered: Chicken porcini sausage sandwich ($12.95); Chicken sandwich ($11.95)



High point: It's a great, cute location, and the sandwiches are extra large.

Low point: The menu was very limited, especially for lunch. Also, despite its French leanings, the offerings were on the basic side.

Overall impression: I'm afraid it seems that Angelique's best days may be behind it. The walls are still covered with good reviews and accolades earned at the start of the decade -- when the menu was quite more extensive. It's sometimes the little things that first demonstrate a slide: Angelique hasn't paid to keep up its website; when we went, they'd run out of straws; etc. I wouldn't completely write Angelique off yet, especially since it has such a great location.

Chance we'll go back: As a result, we'll probably search for another joint the next time we're hungry downtown.

Rate-A-Restaurant #214: Kogi BBQ

Restaurant: Kogi BBQ

Location: Mobile Truck; 5900 Wilshire Blvd. for this review (Miracle Mile)

Type of restaurant: Korean tacos and burritos

We stipulated: I've stood in line for Kogi BBQ several times... but have always bailed when it quickly became apparent that I'd be there for at least 90 minutes. That just doesn't work at dinner time, when I've got a wife and kid at home waiting for me. So despite all the hype, I had never had a Kogi taco... until I heard that one of the three Kogi trucks would be outside the Variety Building on Thursday. With that in mind, I called up my colleague, Ben, and we stood in line in the hot sun. The line was *just* long enough that we once again considered dropping out... but eventually we passed that point of no return, and committed.



They stipulated: Kogi offers a daily special -- but not at lunch time. There's the lengthy waiting-in-line thing. Then there's that need to order a lot, in order to justify the amount of time you waited in line.





What I ordered: Korean short rib taco ($2), Korean chicken taco ($2), Korean spicy pork burrito ($5)





High point: The burrito comes with a tasty potato mixture inside; I ordered without cheese and didn't miss it one bit. The kimchee mixture and other spices are much more elaborate than the knock-off Korean taco trucks we've eaten at.

Low point: What can I say, that line -- especially in the hot sun -- is pretty annoying. Especially when you realize that you fell in line during the peak, and that the line was never as long as when you joined it. In other words, it would have been better to get there an hour later. Meanwhile, when Ben and I finally made it to the very front, wouldn't you know it -- they ran out of tortillas. After a six minute wait, they began taking orders again.




Overall impression: You know how sometimes movies come out, and they're so hyped -- and your friends built it up so much -- that it can never live up to expectations? There's always that weird let down -- yeah, it was good, but not the best thing ever.

That's the experience of the Kogi truck. Given all the hype, the Twitter explosion and the lines, you're expecting nothing short of the best experience ever to hit your mouth. And that's not what it is. What it is is tasty, original, excellent burritos and tacos, with the perfect amount of spices and kim chee to get you through the day without ruining the day of everyone around you.




Chance we'll go back: Yes -- but I wouldn't wait in that hour-long line again. That's a one-time deal. It's like Pink's in a way -- you only really want to do that line once; but if it's short enough and you're driving by, it's your duty as an Angeleno to line up and grab something. Ditto here.

Rate-A-Restaurant #213: Bool BBQ

Restaurant: Bool BBQ

Location: Mobile Truck; 5750 Wilshire Blvd. for this review (Miracle Mile)

Type of restaurant: Korean tacos

We stipulated: The new Variety offices on the 30th floor of the newly dubbed Miracle Mile "Variety Building" offer up great views -- but on the down side, our eating options are even worse than they were in our old digs. And they weren't great then either. With more mobile food trucks stopping in the area, it's getting a little better -- and with that in mind, I decided to visit the copycat Korean taco truck "Bool BBQ" on Monday.

They stipulated: You know the drill: Wait in line, order, and then wait some more.



What I ordered: Two chicken tacos, one pork taco ($1.99 each).



High point: The spice is great -- and despite the kim chee, I didn't suffer any aftertaste throughout the afternoon. (Can't vouch for what the people I spoke to might have noticed.) he chicken, in particular, was also cooked well.

Low point: The Bool BBQ menu is very limited; and somewhat confusingly, isn't only Korean and Mexican. The truck also sells Brazilian pastels.




Overall impression: It's easy to just dismiss the Korean taco trucks that have popped up in the wake of Kogi's success... but there's definitely room for Bool, which offers up tasty Korean-inspired tacos at -- and this is the important part -- a fraction of the time in line. I waited only about five minutes for my food -- not a bad advantage of the always-packed Kogi.




Chance we'll go back: Absolutely; it's a nice change of pace from the same mix of Koo Koo Roo/Johnny's/Baja Fresh/O to Go in that part of the Miracle Mile.

Rate-A-Restaurant #212: Cliffs Edge

Restaurant: Cliffs Edge

Location: 3626 Sunset Blvd. (Silver Lake)

Type of restaurant: Italian/Mediterranean

We stipulated: For the tenth anniversary of the day we first met, Maria and I decided heading back to the Good Luck Bar wouldn't work out -- Maria's eight months pregnant, after all, and that wouldn't probably come off well. Instead, we opted to venture close by.

They stipulated: Cliffs Edge is almost entirely outdoor seating -- but permanent heat lamps hover above.



What we ordered: Barramundi with Sugar Snap Peas & Jasmin Rice, along with Lemon Grass Jalapeño Broth ($24); Pan-seared California white sea bass with mashed potatoes and broccolini, along with butter corn sauce ($25). Salad: “Cliff’s” Caesar Salad --Classic Caesar with Shaved Reggiano & Anchovy & Garlic Crostini. Mike drink: Jalapeno margarita ($12).



High point: My fish was moist, and the rice had a nice hint of coconut. The hint of lemon in the salad was also nice.

Low point: Maria's fish was a bit too dry.


Barramundi with sugar snap peas

Overall impression: While the food is just OK, the Cliffs Edge setting helps make up for most of those shortcomings. Surrounding a massive tree and with greenery throughout, the restaurant is a great outdoor setting -- especially at dusk. Service was good, except at the start -- when we were greeted by a gruff maitre'd, followed by the employee who took us to our table -- and reeked of body odor. Yuk. Thankfully, it got better from there.


Pan-seared California white sea bass

Chance we'll go back: Perhaps for another special occasion.

Rate-A-Restaurant #211: Max Tribeca

Restaurant: Max Tribeca

Location: 181 Duane St. (New York)

Type of restaurant: Southern Italian

We stipulated: For our last night in New York, we didn't want to stray too far from our Battery City hotel. With no obvious choices there, we scoped out Tribeca. Maria was in the mood for Italian -- and Max popped up high on our search.

They stipulated: "Most pastas are already finished with cheese. Please inquire when ordering."



What we ordered: Spaghetti del Marinaio (homemade black spaghetti with shrimp in spicy tomato sauce; $14.95); Fettuccine al sugo Toscano (homemade fettuccine with Max's tomato meat sauce; $11.95); for Evan, Pollo Capriccioso (breaded chicken cutlet; $7.95)



High point: They definitely don't skimp on the sauce. Meanwhile, the seating was immediate, the service was quick, the environment was great and the food decent -- not the best Italian we've ever had, but it hit the spot.

Low point: Some attention to detail was missing, however; we asked for butter early on, but it never came. Also, the dessert selection was disappointing.



Overall impression: Time Out NY has called Max the best affordable Italian restaurant in New York, and I believe it. The prices are strong, and it's a great environment without being too upscale. We were happy to see a children's menu, and pleased with the service.



Chance we'll go back: If we were there, it'd be a great place to return again with Evan -- a nice adult restaurant that is still kid-friendly.