WHY French charm and very good café cuisine. WHAT Yes, it’s owned by serial restaurateur George Abou-Daoud, but nonetheless we love this order-at-the-counter café, wine bar and gourmet market (its adjacent dinner restaurant, the District, ain’t bad either). High ceilings, vintage fixtures, sidewalk tables and nice people make the experience enjoyable, and the kitchen turns [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY To pretend you’re in Barcelona, or the East Village, or maybe Berkeley, if only for an evening. WHAT On the edge of Little Tokyo, in a no-frills, noisy modern pub, chef Josef Centeno turns out food that will make you think you’re not in L.A. anymore. Every night brings a different main course served [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY A fabulous outdoor space, a good happy hour and flatbread pizzas to share with friends. WHAT This cousin to Vermont is a two-level, mostly outdoor space built around an artfully lit coral tree. The vibe varies greatly depending on when you come—weekend brunch is peaceful, early weeknights are rich with candlelit romance, and from [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY Just because you enjoy retail therapy on 3rd Street doesn’t mean you want to spend $30 for lunch. And sometimes you want a great taco. WHAT Pete White paid his dues (25 years!) at Poquito Mas, and at his solo venture he uses farmers’ market produce and quality seafood and meat to produce some [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY Classic cocktails in goblets and vintage ship’s-deck views of palm trees and the Pacific. WHAT This streamline moderne boutique hotel was redone to within an inch of its 1939 glamour, yet it retains its quiet, hideaway feel. The cocktail menu reflects the era—old fashioneds, Singapore slings—while the food is contemporary and local: goat cheese—stuffed [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY Ice cream pie, thick milkshakes, and amazing flavors like malted chocolate with hazelnut praline. WHAT Owned by the folks behind Rustic Canyon and Huckleberry Café, this Country Mart spot showcases seasonal, small-batch ice creams and sorbets that include ginger, strawberry, banana, grapefruit-mint and that haunting malted chocolate. It also offers upscale versions of childhood [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY Excellent and affordable cocktails and wine by the glass, a killer burger and farmers’ market produce. WHAT Mike Simms has hit a home run with this indoor-outdoor bistro that rises above its shopping-mall setting. Skip the undercooked pizzas and too-small crab cakes in favor of the terrific curry spinach dip, caramelized brussels sprouts, thick [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY House-brewed beers, cozy booths and food that’s better than the pub norm, all an easy walk from the pier and the beach. WHAT The beer brewed onsite in large copper vats isn’t as good as Craftsman’s, but their Hefeweizen amd Manhattan Beach Blonde go down great after a walk on the beach. Regulars crowd [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY The brownies and lattes at the coffee bar. WHAT It serves three meals a day, plus weekend brunch, but we like it best for breakfast: good brewed coffee, chocolate croissants, frittatas built to order, brioche french toast and homemade granola. Lunch is fine, but on crowded days service can be slow. The Farm’s real [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY Laffa wraps heaped with lemony hummus and any number of savory, delicious fillings. One of the best sandwiches in the West Valley. WHAT The heart of this strip-mall spot is the round oven for baking laffa, the bubbly, doughy, completely addictive naan-like bread that is made fresh for each order. A cook spreads the [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
RSS Feed
Become a Fan
Follow Us
