Marugame Monzo’s menu of fresh, handmade udons ranges from traditional, such as their kitsune udon, to more innovative offerings, like their miso carbonara udon and udon gratin. Located in the Little Japan section of Downtown L.A., you can see your udon prepared directly in front of you, through a giant glass window into the kitchen. … Continued
This unassuming, family-owned Thai restaurant in L.A. serves up superb traditional Northern Thai cuisine. Local Thai Chef/Ambassador Jet Tila introduced me to this place, and it was so good, I ate there on two consecutive visits, even though it was a 30 minute drive from where I was staying. One of the best holes-in-the-wall anywhere … Continued
Guests at Baco Mercat will be greeted by a vivid menu of dishes influenced by Western and Eastern Mediterranean cuisine; prepared with fresh Southern Californian produce. Their signature “baco” flatbread takes a prominent places on their menu. Working as a vessel for pork, beef, poultry, seafood, and vegetables, it’s served in its original sandwich form … Continued
Here’s a reference you don’t see very often when writing about Los Angeles: Ganda Siamese Cuisine is just a 5-minute walk from the Hollywood/Western subway stop. I discovered this place totally by accident, and it happens to be in the heart of Thai Town, in a densely-packed strip mall with a ton of delicious options. … Continued
One of the best breakfasts I had in 2014 was in the Silver Lake neighborhood in Los Angeles. It’s there where the tiny and unassuming Sqirl offers the most amazing jams, rice bowls and pastries. I spoke with owner Jessica Koslow about her training, and asked her advice for how to order from the beguiling … Continued
Hinoki & The Bird’s imaginative dining concept pushes modern California cooking to new heights. Drawing inspiration from his travels through the Silk Road, chef David Myers’ restaurant combines vivid flavors with that California approach to healthful sensibility. The space itself is very cool; a little modern, a little casual and yet still sophisticated. Hinoki & … Continued
At The Strand House, diners can enjoy a fresh, exciting take on traditional dishes in an elegant setting with unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean. Their colorful menu features the freshest produce, hand-selected from local growers. The Strand House 117 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266; (310) 545-7470
Little Next Door presents quality seasonal fare, a wide range of international dishes including pastries, house-made jams and preserves, and a global wine selection with European elegance. Little Next Door 8142 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048; (323) 951-1010
Award-winning chef Ricardo Zarate serves up an innovative, modern take on traditional Peruvian comfort food in a vibrant, urban-artsy setting, located in downtown L.A. (trust me, even though the area has been on hard times, downtown is making a major comeback). Mo-Chica 514 W. 7th St., Los Angeles, CA 90014; (213) 622-3744
Click here to read my story about walking downtown L.A. and finding better food than you’d expect.
Culinary darling José Andrés continues his American “Spanish food boom” with the Bazaar at the SLS Hotel, which has a buzzy and innovative (some would say frenetic) tapas menu, loaded with locally sourced ingredients. Think Willy Wonka meets El Bulli. The Bazaar 465 S La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90048, (310) 246-5555