tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667271330300336985.post5847838355246154399..comments2024-03-26T00:33:41.321-07:00Comments on kevinEats: Dal Rae (Pico Rivera, CA)kevinEatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13874030588556187843noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667271330300336985.post-85147627220765078662016-07-05T10:47:31.539-07:002016-07-05T10:47:31.539-07:00Great review!
I am a retro revivalist, and I only ...Great review!<br />I am a retro revivalist, and I only eat at mid-century establishments if I can help it. I recently enjoyed a meal at Dal Rae, and I will definitely go back. I agree with much of your post.LivingMCMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667271330300336985.post-62926334349771505432010-02-12T01:44:34.632-08:002010-02-12T01:44:34.632-08:00Francis, you're talking about the original loc...Francis, you're talking about the original location at 10511 S Western Ave right? Apparently that one opened in the 1940's, then closed in 1968.kevinEatshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13874030588556187843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667271330300336985.post-9258588728763193622010-02-09T11:51:32.404-08:002010-02-09T11:51:32.404-08:00Just found your site. Been reading your reviews.
...Just found your site. Been reading your reviews.<br /><br />The Dal Rae also had a location on Normandie near Hollywood Park, was popular with race crowd.Francishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02695458503069537406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667271330300336985.post-39050625448913753322009-09-22T18:07:31.412-07:002009-09-22T18:07:31.412-07:00Hi Kevin,
I think you have a really awesome blog ...Hi Kevin,<br /><br />I think you have a really awesome blog here. Thanks for the food reviews, they are really useful for moms like me on the go who don't have to waste time looking for places to eat. <br /><br />Share this with others in my <a href="http://www.bizymoms.com/pico-rivera/index.php" alt="http://www.bizymoms.com/pico-rivera/index.php" rel="nofollow"> Pico-rivera </a> mom community. <br /><br />Keep up the good work.Shevonnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06397270332113322829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667271330300336985.post-78011113380753025112009-09-21T16:58:03.545-07:002009-09-21T16:58:03.545-07:00Shayan, thank you for the kind words. I'm glad...Shayan, thank you for the kind words. I'm glad that you've been able to enjoy the blog!<br /><br />Recently, as you mentioned, I have begun trying to incorporate more about the histroy and background of a particular restaurant, in order to provide some context to the reader. This is not always easy unfortunately, and can involve considerable research. I pride myself on attention to detail and completeness, two hallmarks of kevinEats that I believe have contributed to the blog's success over the past year.<br /><br />And now, your questions:<br /><br />1) In your opinion, what elements must exist for you to want to go back?<br />I actually don't go back to restaurants all that often. But I do look for: good food that is also distinctive in some way; a menu that changes regularly; exclusivity; passable service; a special event or some other element that creates a sense of urgency.<br /><br />2) How often have you found yourself at a packed restaurant just to find that it is only busy because it is at a convenient location?<br />Very rarely, surprisingly. If I find that a restaurant is undeservedly packed, it's more likely that it's because the place is safe/nonthreatening or is billed as some sort of trendy/hip spot.<br /><br />3) How important are the non-essentials to you, like parking, service, atmosphere, location, et cetera?<br />By far, for me the most important facet of a restaurant is what's on the plate. Parking isn't an issue as long as there's valet. Service just has to be competent and not grossly inadequate. Atmosphere isn't really a big deal unless I'm physically uncomfortable. Location matters, though I do regularly drive 30+ miles to dine.kevinEatshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13874030588556187843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667271330300336985.post-47731510147628371052009-09-20T22:45:51.683-07:002009-09-20T22:45:51.683-07:00First and foremost, I want you to know how much I ...First and foremost, I want you to know how much I admire bloggers like you for dedicating so much time to share your restaurant experiences with readers like me. The first review of yours I read for was my all-time favorite restaurant, CUT. From there, curiosity got the best of me and I have not been able to stop reading your blog since. <br /><br />What caught my eye in your review of the Dal Rae restaurant, along with several other recent entries, are the history of the establishment and the background of its chef or owner you provide. Your introduction of the restaurant made me immediately respect it, knowing how difficult it is to compete in the restaurant industry, let alone maintaining the same customers for several decades. In addition, your entries always include a strong description of the venue and the photos do a good job of complementing your interpretation. This is a great way to draw the reader in and allow him or her to really imagine what it is like to step into the restaurant for the first time.<br /><br />Continuing down your post, I see that you always order quite a few appetizers and several drinks before the main course. Dinner usually consists of two or more large plates followed by dessert. Again, your detailed critique of every dish combined with excellent photography gives the reader a good idea of whether or not this is the type of restaurant he or she would like. I also like that you subtly allude to the service of the restaurant by making comments like, “A relish tray, containing two types of peppers, pickles, radishes, carrots, and celery, was quick to appear on the table.” All too often, a restaurant is graded predominantly on its service rather than the food itself. Although I admit service is very important, sometimes restaurants are written off after one go because it may have just been an off day for the waiter. It is good to see a critic that focuses on what matters most, rather than getting too hung up on one aspect of the overall experience. <br /><br />All in all, your blog not only presents itself as an educated, non-biased source for restaurant reviews, but it is also a learning tool for those of us who are trying to determine what really makes a restaurant successful. And as I have learned from your review of Dal Rae and many other dining spots, a lot goes into making a restaurant stand out from the crowd. In your opinion, what elements must exist for you to want to go back? How often have you found yourself at a packed restaurant just to find that it is only busy because it is at a convenient location? How important are the non-essentials to you, like parking, service, atmosphere, location, et cetera? These are the aspects of the restaurant industry that I am trying to get a better grasp on (in addition to the obvious essentials), and I figured who better to ask than an established foodie? <br /><br />Regards, <br />Shayan RostamShayan Rostamhttp://myportfolio.usc.edu/rostamab/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667271330300336985.post-71967518068129990272009-09-20T16:11:31.003-07:002009-09-20T16:11:31.003-07:00Russ, why are you in Hawaii now? Last time I was a...Russ, why are you in Hawaii now? Last time I was at Urasawa (my choice for the first 3-star), Hiro-san was asking about you.kevinEatshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13874030588556187843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667271330300336985.post-86386245838917289692009-09-19T19:56:43.615-07:002009-09-19T19:56:43.615-07:00We may not agree that Melisse will be the first 3 ...We may not agree that Melisse will be the first 3 Michelin Star Restaurant in LA but I totally agree with your assessment of Dal Rae. It's a Oasis in the Desert of Pico Rivera and nothing has changed in the 32 yrs I've been hanging out there for lunch. Now I live in Hawaii so it's mute point but my DR acct was still available when I was in LA recently. RusskarAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667271330300336985.post-70330261536152941352009-09-19T18:48:20.455-07:002009-09-19T18:48:20.455-07:00Danny: Yep, I'd read Mike's review of the ...<b>Danny</b>: Yep, I'd read Mike's review of the place, so I was a bit wary. It turned out better than I'd expected, though their famous pepper steak was ironically the weakest item of the night.<br /><br /><b>Weezer</b>: You're absolutely right, but my dining companion wanted to go, hence. ;)<br /><br /><b>Jo</b>: It's alright once in a while. I would like to see you as Holly Golightly though. Halloween <i>is</i> coming up...<br /><br /><b>Jackie</b>: Next time I gotta get the cherries jubilee. =)<br /><br /><b>Anon</b>: I wouldn't say "like," but I think you'll find it tolerable. The banana really isn't the dominant flavor. ;)kevinEatshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13874030588556187843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667271330300336985.post-81180039821621074572009-09-16T17:38:21.955-07:002009-09-16T17:38:21.955-07:00That banana flambe looks divine! This is a legitim...That banana flambe looks divine! This is a legitimate question- would a non-banana lover like it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667271330300336985.post-19621870527521783762009-09-16T10:13:33.105-07:002009-09-16T10:13:33.105-07:00MmmmMM...that banana flambe looks delish, but the ...MmmmMM...that banana flambe looks delish, but the peach does seem a bit out of place...interesting. =)citynitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05176600267032530793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667271330300336985.post-7964429843811324532009-09-16T09:30:18.370-07:002009-09-16T09:30:18.370-07:00I love all these old school dishes! Makes me want ...I love all these old school dishes! Makes me want to dress up like Holly Golightly or Jackie Kennedy...MyLastBitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02355731821516764190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667271330300336985.post-47768639518465525182009-09-16T08:12:28.109-07:002009-09-16T08:12:28.109-07:00How'd you end up here? It doesn't seem li...How'd you end up here? It doesn't seem like the "cutting-edge" stuff you typically dig.<br /><br />This is a fave amongst the old attorneys at my work. Like really old. Heh.weezermonkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08023289768556784443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8667271330300336985.post-69684076388571502002009-09-16T02:15:09.105-07:002009-09-16T02:15:09.105-07:00Mike and I tried Dal Rae last year during DineLA, ...Mike and I tried Dal Rae last year during DineLA, and while I thought the place was nice, the special Dal Rae pepper steak was slightly disappointing. The meat quality was OK, and as you said, it was masked by the sauteed peppers and onions. <br /><br />I might go back again, but prob not for DineLA. I enjoyed the service and the classic building. It's hidden quite well in Pico Rivera next to the Jack in the Crack. LOLKung Food Pandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14947611326101640959noreply@blogger.com