Catch 56-Closed

Catch 56
5615 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323-667-2777

LA Eater listed the 18 best places to get fish and chips in LA.  I tried to go to one place, Searestasalt Fish Grill, but they were closed the day I went; even though their website said they were open. So, Catch 56 is the first place I tried that was on the list.

A good sized restaurant with tables spread all over.  You order at the counter.  You choose your catch- cod, salmon, shrimp, calamari, and they recently added red snapper.  Then you picked how they cook it-fried, grilled, or Hawaiian style and you pick you side-chips, cajun chips, herb rice, or spring mix salad.

I picked the cod, $11.99, fried, with chips.  This was a huge portion of cod, I would bet at least half a pound.  A light batter that made the cod very crispy,  The cod was good, I'm betting the cod was frozen, but they cut the fish in portions and make their own batter.  This isn't a frozen, premade fish and chips.  A very good example of fish and chips!!

The chips are well seasoned, and cooked to perfection!!  The chips are cut into thick rectangles, much like chips in England.

Service was good.  Nice friendly service.

I would go back to Catch 56 any time!! 

Gracie’s Pizza-Closed

Gracie’s Pizza
4330 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90029
323-663-1219

Gracie’s Pizza, is the owner a fan of Gracie Allen?  Anyways, Gracie’s Pizza is about a year old and has been getting good reviews, but I think it's been under the radar in LA's pizza scene.  I haven't found anything written about Gracie's on any foodie blogs or websites.  I found it on yelp, while searching for another restaurant.

A small corner building, Gracie has a few tables as you walk in, a counter along the wall, and the bar and kitchen at the back.  It's a dimly lit room, you wonder if this is a bar or a pizza place. 

Spinach and jalapeno pizza.  $21 plus $3 for first regular topping, $1 each additional topping.  Premium toppings are $6 for the first, $3 for each additional.  Mushrooms are considered premium toppings!? Total $27.45

This was a very good pizza, one that deserves to be on any must try list of pizza in LA!  It's a huge pie about 18 inches or so.  Very good, firm, New York pizza like crust.  Folds over well, holds up to the toppings, and good flavor.  The cheese and veggies are fresh.  But, for $4 total, I expected a bit more toppings on the pizza.  There weren't that much spinach at all.

Service is good. As I mentioned earlier, I found Gracie's through Yelp.  When I read the reviews, I take all reviews with a grain of salt, I saw one idiot yelper, isn't that an oxymoron, give Gracie's one star because of the high prices.  He wrote he bought a couple slices, and a couple beers and the total was $80!!  Well, a couple slices and a couple beers at most would be about $30.  While he could have made a mistake, it could have been a couple whole pies and a couple beers for $80, his review distorts the facts!  Nobody with the IQ above a lug nut would believe a couple slices of pizza and a couple beers would cost $80!

Anyways, I would go back to Gracie's Pizza anytime!  A damn good pizza!

Boos Philly Cheesesteaks and Hoagies

Boos Philly Cheesesteaks and Hoagies
4501 Fountain Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90029
323-661-1955

I've heard a lot about Boos Philly Cheesesteaks and Hoagies and decided to give them a try.  Located in East Hollywood, in a small hole in the wall restaurant.  There are about 5-6 tables instead and another 8-10 tables out front.

Since I only will eat fried chicken six times throughout the year, I knew I would have to get a grilled cheese or a veggie hoagie.

Veggie hoagie-$7.95.  Filled with your choice of cheese- American or Provolone, lettuce, mayo, tomatoes, and pickles.  The roll had a nice texture and chewiness.  The veggies were fresh and plentiful.  The cheese was fine.  This was a pretty good sandwich but nothing special. 

Service was good.  But, one thing most of their cheesesteaks are about $9.95.  I asked if they can make a grilled cheese.  They said yes, but they would have to charge the $9.95 price.  Since the beef is the most expensive part of a cheesesteak, why would they charge full price for a grilled cheese?

Boos is fine, but nothing special or outstanding.  I wouldn't rush back.

DeSano Pizza Bakery

DeSano Pizza Bakery
4959 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029
323-913-7000

DeSano Pizza Bakery has been on my bucket list of places to try for a long time.  I was going to go to Village Pizzeria, but on the way there I drove past DeSano!  A quick U turn and I parked in DeSano's huge free parking lot.  Desano's is a Neapolitan style pizza like Bollini's in Monterey Park.

From the parking lot there are two doors, one to the dining room and the other to where you place your order.  The dining room has huge ovens where the pizza magic happens!

Charleston Pizza- 11 inch, shrimp, broccolini, peppers, and buffalo mozzerella, $16.  The Charleston is a special, normally it's only available at their Charleston, South Carolina location.  But, I'm glad they brought it to Los Angeles!  This was a great pizza!  The crust is great, soft, but with a great chewy texture!  The toppings plentiful and fresh.  All the flavors worked very well.  The sweetness of the sauce helped the bitterness of the broccolini.  A great pizza! 

Service was very good.  Nice helpful lady at the counter.  And the lady who brought the pizza to my table, was very nice too.  She quickly changed the channel to the baseball, instead of some stupid racing.  The other TV had that stupid kickball game at the Rose Bowl, that caused a ton of traffic on the 210 freeway!!

I hope DeSano keeps the Charleston Pizza on their Los Angeles menu, but I will go back and try their other pizza!!  A great place for Neapolitan style pizza.  Yes, while I haven't been to Bollini's in a long time, DeSano is better!!