Rate-A-Restaurant #235: Border Grill

Restaurant: Border Grill

Location: 1445 4th St. (Santa Monica)

Type of restaurant: Mexican

We stipulated: Our Groupon to Border Grill -- $20 for $40 worth of food -- was expiring. We've been to Border Gril plenty of times over the years (I even held our first Great Los Angeles Walk afterparty there in 2006), so it's an old standby. And when that Groupon popped up earlier this year, I didn't hestitate.



They stipulated: "Presenting the bold foods and flavors of Mexico, Border Grill has established a new standard for gourmet Mexican fare. With a menu of complex authentic dishes based on the home cooking of Oaxaca and the Yucatan."



What we ordered: Cochinita Pibil, $19.50 (achiote pork roasted in banana leaves, caramelized onion, orange, cinnamon, roasted plantains, guacamole)

Chile Relleno, $16.50 (roasted poblano chiles; manchego, panela, cotija cheeses; salsa roja; tomatillo salsa)

Kids' quesadilla, $7



High point: The sauce with the cochinita pibil was amazing. And the time we went -- around 5 -- was very kid friendly.

Low point: Service took a suprisingly long time. And as much as I loved the sauce with the cochinita pibil, the pork itself was a bit too fatty for my taste.

Overall impression: I'm surprised we haven't done a Rate-A-Restaurant on Border Grill -- we already did one on the Border Grill Truck, as well as on Ciudad. But the "Two Hot Tamales," Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, are now turning Ciudad into a downtown outpost of Border Grill -- so the time seemed right to revisit the joint. I'll miss Ciudad, but Border Grill is always a good place to go when you're not sure where to go.

Chance we'll go back: Absolutely, although it will likely be the Downtown location next.

Rate-A-Restaurant #234: Larchmont Bungalow

Restaurant: Larchmont Bungalow

Location: 107 N. Larchmont (Larchmont)

Type of restaurant: Breakfast

We stipulated: Maria had bought a Living Social coupon that was set to expire, and it was an excuse to take the kids out to the Larchmont neighborhood.



They stipulated: "Larchmont Bungalow specializes in breakfast all-day, lunch, dinner, desserts and specially crafted teas and coffees. The Bungalow takes pride in its artisan offerings and also offering catering services."



What we ordered: Mole benedict, $12.95 (2 poached eggs spinach, roasted pepper and mole chicken sausage on brioche topped with hollandaise, pico de gallo and crispy tortilla strips)

Cactus omelette, $13.95 (Cactus, southwest chicken, salsa, pepper jack, grilled jalapenos)

Best of both worlds, $11.95 (Layered fresh berry pancakes and berry brioche french toast topped with fresh seasonal berries and served with awarm berry syrup)

Coffee, $2.25



High point: Nice size portions; and the egg was nicely poached with just the right amount of mole.

Low point: Ordered coffee in a to-go cup -- bu that meant no free refills. A breakfast spot that won't refill your coffee cup??

Overall impression: Larchmont Bungalow tries hard, and its menu offers up some interesting choices from both the savory and sweet category... and yet, it's not quite there.

Chance we'll go back: Not necessarily enough of a reason to make the trip over to Larchmont on a weekday morning.