WHY A good, all-around cooking school with particularly worthwhile classes for teens, workshops with some of L.A.’s top restaurant chefs and summer camps for kids. WHAT Leslie McKenna cooked at Valentino, was a private chef for celebrities and now runs an all-around cooking school on the westside. Her kitchens are roomy and well equipped but [...]
WHY Wonderful lentil soup, robustly garlicky hummus and kebabs of exceptional tenderness and flavor. WHAT Consistently delicious Lebanese food is the draw at this friendly neighborhood spot, known for its chicken and lamb kebabs, hummus, falafel and schwarma. Weekdays are relaxed, but weekend nights bring live music, so it gets loud. 4805 Whitsett Ave., Valley [...]
WHY For one of the most convivial, food-celebrating places in Belmont Shore, with happy groups sharing fattoush (a chopped salad), schwarma, crisp-soft fried potatoes, vegetarian platters, Belmont Brewing beers on tap and, of course, baklava. But whatever you order, just make sure you include some of those potatoes. WHAT Ali Kobeissi’s Lebanese bistro is so [...]
WHY Fried pickles, fried green tomatoes, fried chicken and, if you’re trying to go easy on the fried foods, pulled pork and mac ‘n cheese. It’s a theme restaurant, but a good one. WHAT Southern-food buffs (and really, does anyone not love fried chicken and cornbread?) wept when Johnny Reb’s burned down a couple of [...]
WHY Memorable carne asada burritos, a good vegetarian burrito, excellent tortas and vibrant watermelon agua fresca. WHAT Long Beach’s best taco joint is this bare-bones stand with an order window, indoor and outdoor seating and damn fine carne asada. A local treasure. 3270 E. 4th St., Long Beach, 562.433.6389 L & D daily. Cash only. [...]
WHY One of the most civilized spots in Long Beach for lunch and weekend breakfast, with a dazzling view of the harbor and good ladies-who-lunch food: crème brûlée french toast, salmon BLTs, chicken Caesars. WHAT Occupying the Arts & Crafts Elizabeth Milbank Anderson House on the museum grounds, with a lovely patio next to Claire [...]
WHY An astonishing selection of Jelly Bellies, Pez dispensers, gummies, candy and gum from sentimental boomers’ childhoods and, best of all, chocolate bars imported from the U.K. and Canada, where milk chocolate is much better than in the U.S. WHAT Willy Wonka is the patron saint of this place; there’s a shrine to him, and [...]
WHY Properly Parisian baguettes (crisp outside, airy inside), more substantial sandwich breads, croissants and addictive oatmeal cookies. WHAT Known for its breads and for fruit tarts that are far lovelier than the neighborhood outside, Babette is a great and affordable find for breads, breakfast pastries and desserts (but skip the cupcakes in favor of the [...]
WHY Excellent and inexpensive turkey burgers, cheese dogs and hearty hamburgers. No fries, but you can manage with the little bags of chips. WHAT A burger shack in the parking lot of a gas station, with made-to-order fast food that’s better than most. 3396 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, 562.424.3340 L & early D Mon.-Sat. Cash [...]
WHY To sit at the counter and revel in a perfect pot pie and, to keep the theme going for dessert, a piece of brownie pie with vanilla ice cream. If you can’t stay, pick up some frozen pot pies to take home, and for your next summer party, make sure to order the French [...]
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