WHY A top contender for L.A.’s best fish tacos. WHAT Still called by its former name, Tacos Baja Ensenada, this stylish lime-green former burger stand turns out seemingly weightless battered fish tacos whose textural contrasts of crunchy cabbage, crackly battered, moist fish and tart, rich crema are an epiphany. A tiny ceviche bar serves blends [...]
WHY A wonderland of Armenian baked goods. WHAT There are some two dozen savory specialties at this family-run shop, like tangy zaatar-rubbed flatbreads and tender, doughy pockets stuffed with spicy sujuk and cheese. All are baked to order, including the magnificent khachapuri, an oblong Georgian pizza topped with four kinds of Middle Eastern cheeses and [...]
WHY Asian, American, Latin and whatever-else-Roy-Choi-feels-like-cooking dishes intermingle in perfect harmony at this unfussy neighborhood restaurant that’s something of an indoor picnic. WHAT Whether it’s the crisp Beer Can Chicken or the cheekily named Knuckle Sandwich (a massive bowl of broth bobbing with oxtail, tendon and other unloved meaty bits), the man who invented the [...]
There are no snappy sayings about a grey sky start to the month of May (although we’d opt for summer garden bounty in June). No matter; the perfect way to put some Spring in your May Day step is to snap up tix to the second annual Taste of the Eastside taking place this Sunday, May [...]
WHY With its chill vibe and entertaining concept—six choices in each category (appetizers, sides, entrées), six brews on tap and six wines by the glass—the Six fills a gaping need in the Overland-Pico neighborhood, where the mall overwhelms sidewalk life. WHAT This café-pub is a relaxed but confident departure for owners Will Karges and Jake [...]
On the most recent Eat LA on Off-Ramp, we focused on LOUD—places where the food’s good, the décor is smashing, but the noise level is on a par with Runway 24 at LAX. Does too much sound ruin an otherwise good meal? Or does it make it even better? And how do restaurateurs deal with [...]
Go Go’ers, April showers bring…wetness. Then there will be sunshine. The May flowers may or may not happen but the last weekend of April will. Plan accordingly. A Buttload of Belly Laughs Is web-trolling for laughs your favorite activity? Do you have the attention span of a gnat? Have you tried to register “Funny or [...]
WHY Locally sourced foods meet excellent beers at this casual Fairfax café. WHAT A minimalist ode to the joy of pairing craft brews—mostly from the Golden State (that’s California for you newcomers)—with food from the state’s purveyors, including Scoops’ unexpected ice cream flavors (including beer- and wine-inspired tastes), Let’s Be Frank dogs and sausages, and [...]
WHY Because you can snack on squid-ink tagliolini and romanesco pizza at 3:30 in the afternoon. WHAT This casual spinoff of Piccolo in Venice may be a lot less expensive, but it has the same authentic culinary bent—think veal tongue in tuna sauce and baccala-filled ravioli. An upmarket pizza list of sauced and unsauced varieties [...]
WHY A multi-purpose, festive Mexican spot with killer tequila selections in Downtown’s cocktail gulch. The downstairs rec room is fab for private parties. WHAT Silver Lake favorite Malo has spawned a bigger Downtown sister location in a cavernous and often deafeningly loud historic jewelry store. Hide out in the ’70s flashback basement lounge, or sip [...]
