WHY A low-key West Hollywood tavern for discerning beer enthusiasts. WHAT Ryan Sweeney opened the Surly Goat after making a splash in the local beer community with his first bar, the Verdugo. His new place has an impressive array of more than two dozen taps and a rotating brew on cask. Rare and fascinating beers [...]
November 26, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Small, juicy hot dogs, just like the New York original. WHAT Pink’s has competition in the line-up-for-hot-dogs department with the arrival of this New York hot dog icon, which draws huge crowds at night. Pass on the beefier but soggier jumbo dog in favor of the small, juicy, peppery original. The curly fries are [...]
November 25, 2011 | Posted in
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WHAT Comfort food doesn’t get any more comfortable than on the Buttermilk Truck, where the mobile kitchen dishes out breakfast sliders, fantastic homemade cake doughnut balls, bite-size buttermilk pancake balls, red velvet cupcakes and Hawaiian-bread cinnamon french toast sticks. It all tastes just as good, if not better, at 9 p.m. as it does at [...]
November 23, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY True Neapolitan-style pies in a pleasant sit-down space with beer and wine. WHAT According to the menu, Neapolitan-style pizza is meant to be enjoyed without excessive toppings. The thin, chewy crust has a distinct sourdough tang, while the tomato sauce is bright and fresh. Pies are simply topped with buffalo mozzarella, a scattering of [...]
November 18, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY To check out SoCal’s first Vietnamese-American gastropub. WHAT Happy-hour specials and a half-dozen brews on tap pair with beer-friendly food that mirrors the everyday flavors most Vietnamese-American kids grow up eating—with a slightly creative twist. Good examples include the grilled mini skewers of curry-marinated chicken or beef and the sliders on Hawaiian buns (pulled [...]
November 17, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY For the wait staff, the history and the breakfasts, served 24/7. WHAT Do we love the Pantry? Yes. Is the food really good? No. Well, former mayor Dick Riordan loved it so much he bought the place, but he likes plain, filling chow, and that’s what the Pantry has delivered, 24 hours a day, [...]
November 16, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY You wish you were in Paris but you’re settling for Venice. WHAT This indoor/outdoor café and market on south Abbot Kinney has catered to homesick ex-pats since 1993. You may be the only English speaker in line waiting to order French comfort food: omelets with a green salad;le cheval (fried egg atop ham and [...]
November 11, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Because there’s so much more to the Mexican sandwich than carne asada—filled rolls. WHAT Seventy variations of the DF-style torta is an idea that might seem as gimmicky as popcorn-flavored ice cream. But each torta here is as precisely constructed as anything from a four-star kitchen. Choosing the best one is impossible, but the [...]
November 7, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Quality burgers and good drinks, right next door to the ArcLight. WHAT This isn’t the cheapest burger in town, but as long as you avoid the prime steakhouse burger, it’s a good deal for this happening neighborhood. The meat is a mix of sirloin, short rib, chuck and brisket, and it’s properly cooked and [...]
November 4, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY In a vintage, 10,000-square-foot theater space, Mohawk Bend boasts an enviable selection of craft beers and one of the nicer patios in this part of town. WHAT A slew of vegan and vegetarian dishes—like polenta with leeks and broccoli, fire-roasted artichokes and pizzas made with seitan and faux mozzarella—are seamlessly integrated into a wide-ranging [...]
Type: Restaurant
Region: Eastside
Neighborhood: Echo Park
Features: Cocktails, Dinner, Essentially L.A., Lunch, Open Late, Patio Dining, Sustainable, Vegan, Vegetarian
Price Range: $10-under, $17-$24
Cuisine Type: American, Vegan
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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