WHY Of all the great westside hybrid café/takeout/gourmet markets that have popped up recently, this is the first that doesn’t feel like a lunchtime splurge, with most sandwiches and salads priced less than $10. WHAT Regulars come here for Chinese chicken salad with fried won tons and sugar snaps; tomato, mozzarella and pesto sandwiches; and [...]
April 28, 2012 | Posted in
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WHY Except for low prices, this place has everything that’s missing from Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne’s other restaurants with similar farmers’-market-friendly Cal-French cuisine: breakfast, brunch, kids’ menus, cocktail bar, even a takeout counter. WHAT This glammed-up addition to the Lucques/AOC family is light-filled by day and romantic by night, with a takeout-friendly café as [...]
April 16, 2012 | Posted in
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WHY Kogi goes stationary. WHAT The thing to get at this simple little café is the rice-bowl version of owner Roy Choi’s infamous short rib and spicy pork tacos, though the grains are somehow not as captivating as the Kogi Truck tortillas. But at these bargain prices, it’s still a fun-to-taste game. The prime rib [...]
January 3, 2012 | Posted in
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WHY Kala jeera (black cumin) and French four spice, and knowledgeable staffers who can tell you what to do with them. WHAT This Wisconsin-based chain is the Grand Cru of spice shops. At both the newer Santa Monica branch and in Torrance, you’ll find a dizzying selection of chile powder, cinnamon and pepper blends. The [...]
December 21, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY An artisan shop that’s opening our eyes to new cuts. WHAT The butcher case offerings read like a fine dining restaurant menu: Angus beef, Kurobuta pork, farmer-direct chicken and duck. Don’t miss the well-edited fish selection, which is tweeted weekly. We love the quality and the mom ‘n pop vibe from the chef-owners; of [...]
December 10, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY A gastropub without inflated prices and a good happy hour weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m. WHAT We come here for the sharable bar bites, especially the crispy beer-batter-fried cauliflower and $4 buckets of the same fantastic sweet potato and French fries served at Beechwood (same chef/owners), as well as heartier fare like the [...]
November 29, 2011 | Posted in
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Just block s from the ocean, the six-block strip of Abbot Kinney Boulevard epitomizes the sun-drenched, lazy-afternoon surfboard vibe of Venice Beach. Though parking can be tight, you can usually find a spot; if not, try the valet at Joe’s. Either way, you won’t need a car to explore the cafés, upscale restaurants and funky [...]
WHY No-nonsense deli sandwiches stacked high—don’t be afraid to get your hands messy. WHAT This L.A. landmark has been around since 1931 and is open 24 hours. The endless menu boasts breakfast food, soups and salads, but it’s the sandwiches you want, even if they are pricey. It’s not quite Langer’s, but Canter’s serves one [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHAT Langer’s pastrami on rye may tower above rival Canter’s, but the mobile version of Canter’s is pretty darn satisfying when you’re nowhere near Deli-land. The oversize pastrami and corned beef sandwiches are smaller on the truck, which means they’re just the right size, and also more reasonably priced at $8.50. The accompanying coleslaw is [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY For a post-movie bite that doesn’t involve a food court or corporate chain restaurant. WHAT The pub grub from former Whist chef Warren Schwartz—ale-battered fish with tarragon-dill tartar sauce, asparagus salad with burrata—is leaps and bounds above the average mall fare, so we’re grateful for this Westside Pavilion hangout. Great craft beer list; tempting [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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