WHY A rare family-owned café in the heart of chainland, serving tasty and healthy Thai food. WHAT Not only is this stylish little strip-mall café a friendly family operation, but it’s a great value—both the regular menu and the $6.95 lunch buffet. Chef Poki’s cooking is several notches above the suburban strip-mall standard—vegetables are crisp [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY A sane and serene retreat in the heart of the Sunset Strip, with beautifully presented and delicious Thai food. WHAT This Thai pioneer has a new lease on life, thanks to a major renovation and the energy and good cooking of young Kris Yenbamroong, grandson of the 27-year-old restaurant’s original chef. In a stylish [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY A long-standing source of Indonesian excellence. WHAT The decades-old, family-run Toko Rame touches on what seems like every possible Indonesian entrée, from lightly charred satay and dishes constructed around the glutinous rice cake known as lontong to carefully executed curries and combination plates like nasi bungkus. There are more than 100 options (because Toko [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Charming plates of Italian classics. WHAT Though it’s not completely unique to Long Beach (there’s a Claremont branch), La Parolaccia is as entrenched in local stomachs as any of the city’s famous greasy spoons. The reason is clear: Its osteria-style cooking stands well above the nearby red-sauce joints. Consider trying the fluffy gnocchi, rich [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Hunger-killing tortas ahogadas. WHAT An unassuming place crammed into a corner strip mall that often goes unnoticed on this busy block, this place covers all the expected Mexican bases— but the real reason to visit is the Guadalajaran specialties. La Concha’s torta ahogada is the best around: slabs of crusty bread stuffed with crisp [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Intercontinental fusion food informed by 100 years of immigration. WHAT Born out of history, this quaint place is the culinary result of a century of Japanese immigration to Peru. Its success stems from its ability to take two disparate cuisines and forge a strong, seafood-based middle ground. On the Peruvian side of things, try [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Upscaled Vietnamese cuisine with an eye for authenticity. WHAT Stashed in a strip mall that butts up against the Orange County border, Benley is one of Long Beach’s most consistent restaurants. That’s because it has a very clear handle on the kitchen, which turns out refined and thoughtful Vietnamese cuisine: great bowls of pho [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY An honest taqueria that capably handles the classics. WHAT El Taco Loco No. 3 earned its number as part of a loosely affiliated South Bay chain, though many share tenuous ties at best. This location is particularly true to the taqueria tradition: fresh-made tortillas, all the meat (offal and otherwise) that you could want [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY An L.A. classic for its ’50s roots and Googie architecture alone—but when you add the waffles, patty melt, fried chicken and incredible biscuits… well, it’s a downright treasure. WHAT George and Rena Panagopoulos opened this Jetsons-style restaurant in 1958, and the family still runs it today. They’ve kept the place in tip-top condition, and [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY When you’re in Boyle Heights but don’t want Mexican food. WHAT You’ll feel like you’re walking into the film L.A. Confidential when you pull open the screen door to this diner, which has just five stools and three leatherette booths. It’s a vestige of when Boyle Heights was a hub of Japanese immigrants, before [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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