WHY A pretty little restaurant off the Old Town chain highway, with personality and a great Wednesday deal ($20 for an entrée and glass of wine). WHAT Not to be confused with Green Street Restaurant, this cozy, upscale little bo’te is sculpted with art nouveau curves and holds just a couple of booths, a few [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Catalan warmth and hospitality and outstanding paellas. Try the squid-ink one or the paella marinara, with saffron and seafood. Los Angeles magazine proclaims this the best flan in town. WHAT An intimate (read: make reservations) and fetching cottage with a devout following for its delicious paellas. The tapas aren’t anything to shout about, but [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY For a short, delicious menu of Brazilian dishes, including a fabulous (and massive) chicken pot pie made with hearts of palm, corn, roasted potatoes and olives. WHAT The bright, minimalist space in the heart of the Fashion District is warmed with yellow flowers, the rich flavors of Brazil and the presence of the owner/chef, [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY For the best taquitos around, and a place to eat on Olvera Street that isn’t a tourist trap. WHAT This plain-jane stall in the middle of Olvera Street has a few tables and downright delicious taquitos. You can also get pan dulce, enchiladas and a few other things, but most everyone gets the taquitos. [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY To eat a good meal in the splendor of L.A.’s Union Station. WHAT Chef/owner Tara Thomas serves a concise, appealing menu of modern American dishes (with Asian and Latino influences) in a great-looking streamline moderne dining room or out on the ‘patio’ under the painted beams of Union Station. The separate bar is one [...]
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WHY Very fresh char-broiled fish (yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi, catfish, swordfish) that is not overcooked like it usually is at these kinds of places, served with rice or perfect fries. WHAT Don’t be put off by the paper plates, concrete picnic tables or lunchtime crowds—this seafood-market and café has fish better than at many a [...]
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WHY The best dim sum in Chinatown, and good Hong Kong—style seafood for dinner, too. WHAT Chinatown’s most elegant restaurant, Empress Pavilion is packed for weekend dim sum; we prefer coming during the week. It’s lesser known for dinner, but the more than respectable cooking (steamed Dungeness crab with flat noodles in garlic sauce) and [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY They keep the ovens fired up all day, so everything’s fresh and hot. WHAT This Gujarati-style chat (snack) and mithai (sweets) shop in Little India packs ‘em in with a menu featuring vegetarian thalis (combo plates), curried dishes and a marvelous array of fresh goodies—all made from ground grains and beans—that include crispy chips, [...]
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WHY The truck-stop rule: All those people in the line snaking out the door at lunchtime know that these are some of the best Korean dumplings around. WHAT Beautifully crafted Korean dumplings are gems at this modest café, whose name, roughly translated, means ‘All Family Restaurant.’ They’re hand rolled and cut, and the taste and [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Pretend you’re voyaging through Indonesia and order the nasi pecel leme—deep-fried catfish with a dried shrimp-chili sambal. WHAT Indo Kitchen’s nasi campur combination plates, which might include barbecued pork, chicken and a variety of garnishes, are some of the best bargains this side of Jakarta. They’re also delicious, as are the longtong cap goh [...]
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