Hi! I tried searching around for a single or (few) classes on cake decorating and piping but am only finding weeks-long courses. Anyone have any suggestions?

My boyfriends family is from hongkong and lives in Texas now. He’s going to be visiting me in LA and he takes me to many delicious restaurants so I want to reciprocate this love back to him…. He loves soup and dumplings.

Can someone please share with me a spot where I can take him in SGV area?

I’ll delete this post ASAP after I receive an answer I may be looking for so the restaurant you recommend doesn’t unnecessarily blow up.

Halal food truck cluster near DTLA: https://laist.com/news/food/eat-halal-try-these-under-the-radar-food-trucks-near-dtla

Halal food options near DTLA:

https://laist.com/news/food/eat-halal-try-these-under-the-radar-food-trucks-near-dtla

There was an amazing Itameshi spot in LA that closed a few years ago. I can't remember the name of it, but I do remember it had a red neon sign that said Hell Yes in the window. Does anyone remember the name of this spot? It's driving me mad! This was before I knew LA well, so I can't remember the exact neighborhood, but I want to say Brentwood.

From my POV, Howard was completely unprovoked by me but decided at that moment to wield his authority to attempt to deny service to what he perceived to be a young black boy dinning alone in a seemingly expensive restaurant. Whether he recognizes it as racism or not, he also went as far as accusing me of being another black man who committed a crime of not paying his bill the last time in his store without proof or evidence. Mind you, I haven’t been to Cheesecake Factory in over 2 years. This accusation was a blatant lie levied against me to shame me and embarrass me publicly, and I believe he made it up to justify his actions and assign me presumable guilt to justify his threats of having me forcefully removed. 

He painted a narrative of a black-man stealing from his white establishment because as a young black boy there’s no way I can possibly afford to eat out every night and enjoy a nice quiet dinner in a restaurant after a long day working, studying, and making preparations to host Thanksgiving dinner for my family. It was also clear to me that me dining alone made me an easier target for Howard to do what he did in carrying out his discrimination/prejudice and biases and enact his internalized racism.

Howard's actions are not telling of The Cheesecake Factory, but the response to his actions will undoubtedly speak volumes on the organization as a whole. If black people aren’t welcome in the Cheesecake Factory…. I think the world should know!

What Happened: 

At 8pm on Tuesday, November 26th, 2024 I was a victim of hate, discrimination and blatant racism by the General Manager by the name of Howard at the Cheesecake Factory, Canoga Park, California (Los Angeles). Howard stalked me while I was being seated by a host and made it his intent to embarrass me and deny me service based on the way I looked. Other than being a seemingly young black man, I don’t know what it was about my appearance that made Howard so uncomfortable.

While being seated, I recall what is now unmistakeably several microaggressions. 

My first interaction with Howard was when he called my name when it was time for me to be seated from the host stand at the entrance of the restaurant… He said “King, Table for 2” and I responded “that's me but it's actually a table for one, it's just me tonight” 

(1) The look of discomfort and contempt was evident as he immediately looked away, refused to make eye contact and asked another host to seat me while gesturing to what was a dark table in the back of the restaurant. (2) Arriving at the table, it was dark noisy and the heat I felt made me uncomfortable so I asked if it was possible to be seated outside instead and luckily the host was gracious enough to immediately walk me to the patio and was able to help me find a seat outside in a more comfortable location.

(3) Upon sitting, Howard immediately walks up and begins his threats. He said “I'm going to have to ask you to leave, I won’t be serving you tonight”…. I was shocked and though this was a joke.  I faked laughed and hesitantly asked, “are you joking…. What’s wrong”. He doubled down and said “no you have to leave… we have the right to refuse service to anyone” (In my mind I had to ask myself if he’s telling me he has the right to discriminate still in shock of what’s actually going on at that moment”.

Howard wielding his power and authority:

(4) Howard said “We have the right to refuse service to anyone”… I pressed on and asked “what did I do” and in wielding his power and authority he began his smear campaign and made up a lie about him remembering me and me walking out on my bill the last time he saw me. In shock, I responded “that couldn’t have been me, I haven’t been here in over 2 years” and listed all the reasons I haven’t been to Cheesecake Factory given my vegan/vegetarian diet and Cheesecake Factory not being a vegan restaurant and the one thing I came for other than a drink and dessert no longer being on the menu. 

(5) “Im going to have to call security to drag you out….” I respond saying I haven’t done anything wrong, and I'm not leaving… and I asked Howard what this person looked like. I also asked for the date and time this person walked out on their bill last. I asked him how he was so sure this person was me, and he refused to answer and couldn’t give a response but kept shouting and repeating leave. I had to explain how his actions might be seen as racist, and he responds with “oh here we go, I'm calling security”…. He storms off mouthing off and in a raised voiced I said to him “You are f**king racist, and I'm not going anywhere” 

As you can imagine, I was beyond embarrassed and flustered at this point and I couldn’t believe this was happening to me in 2024.

(6) At this point another host and manager had stepped in to deescalate the situation and later made me pre-pay for my order before I was eventually served.

The numbering in this post are meant to highlight the microaggression which will be left to be interpreted and scrutinized.

Nobody goes into a restaurant expecting such behavior, especially one that was seemingly unprovoked, however prejudice, racism and biases show up in nasty ways. It would seem I am no exception when it comes to racism in America.

I've left a review on their Google page: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FFmD9in6jtBBJT7h9?g_st=ic

https://preview.redd.it/kka2215ayh4e1.jpg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=73ae1f955e3483eb822ec5d26dc89b879df3b7b6

https://preview.redd.it/lqqe195ayh4e1.jpg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=56cd88f2545a7be73e748956ea8d05ca6f0c4020

https://preview.redd.it/fxzs705ayh4e1.jpg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f476788d3573b35aa1ed2171b225120e7dd0d96a

https://preview.redd.it/ypwpp65ayh4e1.jpg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7e24a43932c834991cbfc449a1f71817cbc52ea9

Looking for any lunch specials around LA, no specific area just looking for a good deal. Thanks in advance!

My wife is a HUGE fan of the Lamb and Hummus plate from Dune (the restaurant in Atwater, not the movie, just FYI). For her birthday I was thinking about trying to recreate it for her. I've had the lamb meatballs / patties a few times but I'm unsure about what goes in them exactly. Anyone tried cooking something similar? Any suggestions? I'm usually pretty good about reverse-engineering dishes I want to try out but could still use some help with this one!

What do you recommend? I'm a fan of hip vibes! We're looking at 30 people and would need to be able to use a projector. Thanks!

If you're like me, the impending demise of Norms Diner on La Cienega is unacceptable. So, I'm taking a note from a comment I saw in this sub and organizing the Diner Preservation Society! I hope to expand on it with a newsletter and monthly meet-ups at LA diners and everything, but for now, I'm organizing a meet-up at Norms this Wednesday, December 4th at 9am so anyone who wants to can join, discuss, commiserate, etc. Then the following day on Thursday, December 5th at 10am, we'll be going to the CHC hearing on Norms at LA City Hall to voice our concerns over the fate of the business/building.

I love the many diners of Southern California. They're part of what makes us unique as a region. Tourists come from other countries and specifically seek them out to experience the culture here. That's why I'm organizing this society, so that we can be prepared for the next inevitable onslaught on our cultural, culinary institutions. To keep yourself up to date, follow me on Instagram and TikTok @DinerTheory, or keep an eye out here for when I start up that newsletter!

I’m excited to share that my sourdough bread can now be purchased in Encino not only by pre-order but directly in-store.

https://reddit.com/link/1h4nbyj/video/4kwf8j89bd4e1/player

This bright and beautiful new store, offering a wide selection of European products and ready-made meals, is located at:

15602 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91436 (near the intersection of Ventura and the 405).

📍Map

I will deliver freshly baked bread every Saturday and Wednesday right at the store’s opening (10 am).

I invite all sourdough bread lovers to stop by and enjoy!

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Facebook / Instagram

This was easily one of the best wonton soups I’ve ever had in LA. The wontons were so soft, tender, and had a delicious pork filling with the perfect texture and great flavor. The chicken broth was excellent too, well balanced, not too salty, and included some delicate seaweed (the black stuff).

Unfortunately the lamb skewers were a miss. Overly salty, chewy, and lacking of any real flavor. I would skip their skewers and just stick with dumplings, which is their forte.

Prices are super reasonable. Wonton soup was $8. Skewers were $4 (for both). I haven’t seen a bowl of made from scratch soup anywhere else for less than $10 these days, let alone one this good. I’m definitely coming back to try all their things. Service was quick. Parking is street only. Cash or card accepted. Rating: wonton soup 10/10, skewers 5/10.

Wow, really good! I'm in love with Korean fried chicken 😁

It is simply amazing!

It’s moist, decadent, and rich without being overly sweet.

It’s a pretty straightforward cake but executed to perfection and probably one of if not the best cake I’ve had in LA so far

Where can I find a spot like Swig in LA? Send me your recs! 😊

Hi! Taking folks to Intuit for clippers game and wanted an upscale spot. Dear John would have been great but not open Sunday. Any Recs come to mind? Maybe hatchet hall?

Any early morning Chinese bakeries on the west side?

Preferably west side