WHY On a coolish day there’s nothing better than a big bowl of Jinya’s aromatic tonkotsu ramen, laden with toothsome noodles and sliced pork belly. WHAT A Jonathan Gold rave put this ramen house on the foodie map, despite its location in a dark corner of a Studio City strip mall next to Marshall’s. The [...]
March 21, 2012 | Posted in
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WHY The best Mexican food in the Valley—with margaritas, to boot. WHAT Chef Jimmy Shaw of the original Lotería Grill in the Farmers Market and its successful spinoff in Hollywood now rules the second floor of the strip mall at Ventura and Laurel Canyon. In an airy space decorated with blowups of vintage lotería cards, [...]
February 8, 2012 | Posted in
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WHY Because Studio City needs a civilized, elegant spot for lunch and dinner. WHAT Raphael is an intimate bo’te with an eclectic yet traditional menu from chef Adam Horton, formerly of Saddle Peak Lodge. The interior, designed by Terry Raphael, is drop-dead gorgeous, with a comfortable lounge/bar and a warm dining room that has so [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY For mantee, of course (it’s an Armenian specialty), along with many other Middle Eastern dishes. WHAT This little place serves all the usual suspects, and very well, too (fattoush salad, made with purslane, is terrific; garlicky labne toom is heavenly; lamb kebabs are tender and juicy). But don’t miss the more unusual specialties, such [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Lower-than-usual prices on an array of seafood items, and a super-friendly owner. WHAT Not a conventional seafood market, this is partly a resource for high-quality, low-priced frozen and fresh fish and seafood and partly a lunchtime café, where owner Johnny and crew make lobster tacos, sea bass burritos and grilled fish plates. Look for [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY A well-edited lineup of scrumptious bar food, including skewered chunks of pork belly so succulent they’ll make you weak in the knees. WHAT The Valley’s coolest gastropub is a long, streamlined room with exposed brick walls and French doors opening onto the busy boulevard. Some of the nicest barkeeps in town make sure patrons [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY A long list of traditional noodle dishes infrequently seen outside Thai Town. WHAT In its hidden location, this simple spot has been surprising folks for more than 25 years with the quality of its food. Besides the excellent noodle dishes, you must try the swoon-worthy yet rarely seen ‘Indian’-style coconut curry and its northern [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY At the time of this writing, über-sushi-chef Katsuya Uechi is not only in the house; he’s preparing omakase in the small sushi bar at the back. WHAT After Katsu Michite closed Tama to open Katsu Sushi in Beverly Hills, Uechi took over the old space, notwithstanding the fact that he has the perennially popular [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY For a Sunday family outing. WHAT After 11 years, this mid-size market has made moves toward quality and crop diversity to become a solid resource. We just hope the new management continues on this path and junks the M&Ms sold in the middle of the market. Seek out Givens Organics (who knew celery could [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Good last-minute party food from the freezer case—spinach-pesto puffs, gorgonzola-fig phyllo rolls—as well as lovely order-in-advance party platters (cheeses, crudités, caprese, caviar). Intelligently filled gift baskets, too. WHAT A friendly and convenient spot for all your high-end culinary essentials, from roasted-pepper-and-pesto sandwiches to chicken-apricot salad. Good lunch salads and sandwiches, party foods and prepared [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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