WHY Birthday cakes, tres leches cake, chocolate mousse cake and heavenly cinnamon rolls. WHAT An old-fashioned, family-run bakery in the heart of West L.A.’s Japanese-American community, with absolutely lovely desserts. WHO Longtime members of the local Japanese-American community, and everyone else in the know. 4542 S. Centinela Ave., West L.A., 310.915.2078 Closed Mon. MC, V. [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY For excellent barazek (sesame-pistacho cookies), cheese pastries and burma (rolls filled with kadayif nuts). WHAT A solid bakery with all the Middle Eastern classics, from baklavas to maamools, with European petits fours, too. WHO Although smaller than in the neighboring town of Glendale, Pasadena has a thriving Armenian-American community, as well as those who [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY For a terrific range of Middle Eastern sweets, notably the brioche-looking tahini cookies, the hand-rolled baklava, the layered bread pudding and the macaroons. WHAT The first Middle Eastern bakery in Glendale, Sarkis is one of the focal points of Glendale’s Armenian-American community. Glass cases are packed with all sorts of beautiful and delicious things. [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY The mulita, a sort of taco-quesadilla hybrid made with two fresh corn tortillas encasing meat, cheese, guacamole and salsa—the L.A. sandwich of your dreams. WHAT Tortillas are made fresh here all day, and the al pastor is slow-roasted on a vertical spit… clearly this is more than your typical strip-mall Mexican dive. Everyone gets [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Kalamata olive bread, plain and chocolate croissants, macarons and traditional Parisian baguettes with a crisp crust that shatters to reveal light, soft bread. WHAT No, it’s not the House of Pain, it’s the House of Bread, as well as the House of Tarts, Quiches and Cakes. It’s both a sweet little café with very [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Devotees drive an hour for their lahmajune, aka Armenian pizza. WHAT This longstanding center of Armenian food culture in L.A. is now owned by two Mexican bakers—the devoted employees to whom Abraham Partamian left the business in his will. The lahmajune is as good as ever, and it does the heart good to see [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY For Chiu Chow noodles and nothing but: egg noodles with sliced pork; beef noodle soup; chow mein with beef, Chinese broccoli and oyster sauce; or, for special occasions, Pork Variety (aka intestines) noodle soup. WHAT Richly flavored, sustaining noodle soups and fried noodle and rice dishes from the Chaoshan region of southeastern China are [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY The exuberant Greek flavors go down well so close to the ocean. WHAT Don’t expect plate-smashing hokum at this modern Greek bistro, just very good food: feta bruschetta, grilled octopus, shrimp saganaki with tomato, basil and feta, grilled pita with a dip of olives and sun-dried tomatoes, lovely fresh-fish entrées, a hearty lamb pasta [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Exceptionally tender and tasty pork and beef ribs and pulled pork, smoked by Jay Nelson with oak and almond woods. WHAT A shack in the best sense of the word, JNJ is indeed a burger joint, but that’s not why you come here. You come for the honest-to-goodness barbecue: tender pork ribs, hefty beef [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Tasty chicken or carnitas tacos, vegetarian burritos and guac ‘n chips, just a block from the beach. WHAT A short stroll from the Hermosa Pier, this tiny stand makes the best fast food around. You can eat your tacos at the counter or at one of the teeny tables or, better yet, take it [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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