Lawry's Prime Rib, Beverly Hills

Three years ago, I was invited by my soon to be mother-in-law to join the family in their Christmas shopping tradition. The day starts at Century City mall and ends with dinner at Lawry's Prime Rib in Beverly Hills. This tradition has been in the family for so long it started when Lawry's was still across the street where the Stinking Rose is now. I had been to the restaurant before, but it wasn't until my visit with the family three years ago that I realized why it was such a special place.

During Christmas time, Lawry's has carolers that make their way through the restaurant stopping by every table taking special Christmas song requests. All dressed up in their caroling outfits and with beautiful lights strung around the restaurant, it is truly an one of a kind experience that never gets old. I can still feel the joy in the restaurant and hear the ringing of the bells. Now I can't imagine Christmas time without a trip to Lawry's.

Famous Spinning Salad

Yorkshire Pudding

Lawry's Cut Rare with Mashed Potatoes

The food at Lawry's is consistently good and the service is always on point. There aren't many restaurants where the waitresses go by "Ms." and the carvers roll around giant steel carts filled with prime rib. I can say that I've never had a bad meal at Lawry's and they really take care of their customers.

A note to first timers.

Show up at least 30 minutes early to your reservation and ask the hostess to seat you at your reservation time. Then go to the bar, snag a table, order a glass of house red or a cosmo and make your way across the bar to the potato chip and meatball station. Of course, try not to over do it on the chips and meatball or you won't have any room for dinner. Once you've made it to the dining room for dinner, do yourself a favor and order the Lawry's cut. Most pieces come with a bone and everything makes for good leftovers. Entrees comes with spinning salad, yorkshire pudding and mashed potato. If that's not enough food for you, they have plenty of side offerings. My favorites are the mushrooms and creamed spinach. Don't rush and enjoy the experience. Of course, if you celebrate Christmas, that's the best time to go.

Lawry's Prime Rib
100 N La Cienega Blvd 
Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Tamashii Ramen House, Sherman Oaks

Ramen houses keep popping up all over the valley and Tamashii is one of the newer additions to Ventura Blvd. Ramen is certainly not a one size fits all kind of dish. With so many variations from broth to noodle to toppings, it is all about personal preference. 

Fried Lotus Roots

Pork Gyoza
3.95

Mild Tonkotsu
8.95

braised pork broth

Tamashii Combo for 2
19.95

Toothsome noodles with a bite, melt in your mouth pork chashu and a thick pork broth are what I prefer. Forget the gyoza, curry, fried rice, and other sides. At the end of the day, it's the delicious bowl of ramen that will satisfy the noodle monster in my belly. Tamashii's ramen is thick, the chashu is tender and the broth packs a punch. There is no mistaking the pork broth for anything else. I especially enjoyed the Tamashii combo. Maybe it's the famous scene from Lady and the Tramp, but there is something special about sharing a giant bowl of ramen with that special someone. Also, it comes with four pieces of gyoza and wonton so there's no fighting over that last piece. Don't worry, the ramen arrives with two small bowls if you want to split the ramen evenly down the middle.

Tamashii Ramen House
14531 Ventura Boulevard
Sherman Oaks CA 91403