Based on the fact that this post is being sent out into the universe on 2/16 and dineLA Restaurant Week(s…it’s actually over 2 weeks) ended on February 4…I’m seriously behind on posting things

I dined at three participating restaurants over the duration of the two weeks, but only ordered off the special dineLA prix fixe menus at two.

First up is Obika Mozzarella Bar, awkwardly located in the center atrium of the Beverly Center. My friend Cher made reservations beforehand, but when we walked up to the open restaurant and saw 4 other diners, we realized that wasn’t really necessary.  The waiter was friendly (although he butchered his pronunciation of spinaci…guys, it’s “speen-ah-chee”).  Overall, the food was good, not great..  There were some really tasty dishes, and there were some pretty mediocre ones as well.  That, coupled with the severely out of place location (are you really going to pop into a restaurant like this mid-shopping spree?) gives Obika a “meh” on my scale.

The notable dishes…
Burrata e Spinaci and Mozzarella e Prosciutto Crudo

The forgettable dishes…
Crespelle and Italian Pannettone

Later in the week, I tried out the Olive Kitchen + Bar in the Grafton Hotel on Sunset with my friend Sheffia.  The prices on the regular menu are a little steep for a mid-week dinner, so I was happy to find that it was least expensive of the three pricing options for dineLA.  Unfortunately, the food wasn’t even worth that.  The stellar reviews on Yelp must be based on their regular menu, because the dineLA menu items tasted like something a non-ramen-eating college student would throw together.  Particularly the charcuterie plate (which I had high hopes for).  The figs were delicious (they always are!), but the cold cuts and cheese tasted like a pre-packaged deli platter from a grocery store.  Oh, and when you call something “seared,” please don’t serve me a over cooked piece of dry, flavorless fish..without any actual evidence of searing on it.  Thanks.

The notable dishes…
None.  Seriously.  The most exciting part of the evening was finding prime parking on Sunset, with an hour already in the meter.

The forgettable dishes…
All of them.  Including the chocolate PB cake.  While it was ok, bordering good, it certainly wasn’t memorable.

I rounded out the week with a trip to my favorite little go-to spot BLD, with my childhood friends Kristy and Katie.  They came to visit me, and we paid a visit to the Venice canals, a la Valentine’s Day (am I a terrible Angeleno for never knowing those existed until I saw that movie?).  I can finally check something off my LA bucket list!

After spending the afternoon on the west side, we headed back to my side of town for dinner at BLD.  The crowds forming outside on the weekends for brunch have always dissuaded me from trying their earlier-in-the-day menu.  Maybe I should add that to my bucket list.  Thankfully in my past experiences with dinner at BLD, I’ve never had a problem getting a rez and there aren’t any masses congregating outside the restaurant.  In true form, I was able to get a same day reservation for a prime 8:30 slot.

We each had different plates: fresh vegetable salad with edamame, fresh corn, haricots verts, jicama, red bell peppers, etc. etc. and the seared (truly seared, and not overcooked!) albacore tuna for me; grilled salmon with pesto sauce and brussels sprouts for Kristy; flat iron steak with roast fingerling potatoes and brussels sprouts for Katie.  My vegetable salad was (I’m so saddened to say)…bland.  Even with all those veggies in there.  The dressing was too light, and there wasn’t nearly enough of it in there.  Good news is, I had some leftovers the next day so I tossed some salt in, and it made a world of difference.  (Why they don’t have salt and pepper on the table is perplexing.  Quite presumptuous, if you ask me.)

The notable dishes (the pictures suck due to the near lightless atmosphere in the restaurant)…
Everyone’s main dishes.  Who knew brussels sprouts could be so flavor-packed?!

The forgettable dishes…
Just the one.  My vegetable salad.

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