Los Angeles info needed
 

DGS is doing an internship in LA this summer and his dad and wife are headed out this weekend for a visit. They are foodies of all levels but especially like the little known gems and authentic ethnic. Neighborhoods that would be fun to explore and eat a meal? Sights that really are fun to be seen?
They have the Farmer's Market on the list--is there a special one?
Thanks.

It's tough to answer this when restaurants are still impacted by Covid. Some restrictions have been lifted, but staffing shortages abound and many restaurants are self-limiting their capacity. The ease of getting reservations is a bit spotty. And L.A. is huge with great food to be found everywhere. It would be helpful if you narrowed the scope a little, either geographically or type of food experience.

FWIW, I know some are big fans of the Original Farmers Market, but I don't consider the restaurants "gourmet" if that's what you're looking for. There are many stand-alone restaurants but nearly 1/3 are chains. I think Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. is more interesting and has more diverse restaurants, but it's perhaps too far away unless you're heading to DTLA for other reasons. The OFM doesn't open until 10 a.m. GCM opens at 8 a.m.

LA is so huge. Where are they using for their base?
On my last trip, I was in Pasadena mostly and enjoyed staying in a smaller, geographic area. I did dip down a bit, hoping to meet up with a friend's daughter (well, a friend of mine too) but our schedules didn't work.

Not a "little known gem", but they have very good and authentic tacos. Actor Danny Trejo's Tacos: https://www.trejostacos.com
I think he still has a place at the Farmers Market, also.

Mercado is a chain we also like, for Southwestern-type meals. More expensive, though.
We usually go to the Hollywood location: https://www.cocinasycalaveras.com/mercado

Los Angeles has so many little ethnic neighborhoods, you can find just about any cuisine you want.

Like funky Caribbean Cha Cha Chicken in Santa Monica: Cha Cha Chicken | Santa Monica Caribbean Restaurant | Northridge Caribbean Restaurant

We love La Bruschetta for Italian: https://www.labruschettarestaurant.com

We also like the very simple Fish Grill: https://fishgrill.com

For a fun beachside meal, try Paradise Cove Cafe, near Malibu: https://www.paradisecovemalibu.com/home/
Huge servings, gets crowded, nice beach

More beachside dining, at Moonshadows, also near Malibu: https://moonshadowsmalibu.com

These all assume you are interested in driving to various neighborhoods.

I agree that without a neighborhood and knowing where they are from it's hard to recommend.

I haven't been downtown recently but it wasn't in good shape pre-pandemic.

For a first time visitor (not knowing where they are from) I'd recommend Thai Town, Korea Town, Little Persia (Persian Square). There are great restaurants of all interesting types all over the city.

Chichen Itza in Mercado Paloma is back open, as is Guelaguetza.

Best for them to be sure a place has opened back up if traveling there.

Here are some of my favorites:

Salazar (Frogtown L.A.) - Mexican - fantastic food and one of the best outdoor patios in Los Angeles
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/sal...s-frogtown-ca/

Fia (Santa Monica) - California Cuisine with Italian influence - Some deliciously unique and traditional dishes in gorgeous outdoor setting (indoors looked cool, too.)
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/fia-santa-monica-ca/

Union (Pasadena) - Italian - One of the best Italian restaurants in L.A. County. Can be a little noisy inside, so reserve outside if that bothers him
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/union-pasadena-ca/

Hippo (Highland Park) - Cal-Med - My 2019 Restaurant of the Year. Some fantastic pasta dishes and share a large steak perfectly cooked (my favorite steak in L.A.)
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/hip...hland-park-ca/

Bavel (LA Arts District) - Middle East Feast - People will tell you not to go to the Arts District. I highly disagree. Yes, there's lots of spots you don't want to be in, but all the places we've been have parking nearby or in an adjacent or across the street. The Arts District has arguably tghe best restaurants in the city. Bavel is one them. We're going again next week
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/bavel-los-angeles-ca/

Musso & Frank Grill (Hollywood) - Classic American Cuisine - When in L.A., you have to dine here at least once. History at every booth, and they've upped their game with its cuisine. A Martini at the historic bar is a must.
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/mus...-hollywood-ca/

Spoke Bicycle Cafe - (Frogtown) - Breakfast/Lunch - One of the best burgers in L.A. and good breakfasts, too.
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/spo...s-frogtown-ca/

Dama - (Latin-Caribbean) - L.A. Arts District - My 2018 Restaurant of the Year - Been back a few times. Wonderful food! Do not miss the Whipped Beans; heirloom white beans, crispy pork, cotija cheese, onion, radish, pickled onions ... Wow!
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/dama-los-angeles-ca/

We've recently been to two other restaurants in the Arts District that I'm reviewing soon. Both excellent, Also in that area is Factory Kitchen, another favorite of mine This is just the tip of the iceberg of great places in LA. Oh yeah, He must hit Bob's Big Boy in Toluca Lake. Have him ask for the booth where the Beatles sat.

There are so many different ethnic areas like Koreatown, San Gabriel Valley for good Chinese seafood (out of the way from most standard tourist sites though), Westwood for Persian, Ethopian, Arcadia for Indian, and so forth. Since LA is so sprawling, what area they are staying in or near would be helpful.
It is going to be hot this weekend so personally I would head for someplace on the coast. Malibu is a good suggestion, I like Duke's since almost all the seats have an ocean view except maybe the ones in the Barefoot Bar. Moonshadows is also nice.

Thanks for sharing your list, maitaitom! I always love your recommendations.
We have a morning meeting in downtown LA next week, at the courthouse. (Blech)
Would you please recommend a place you like down there, for lunch/brunch afterwards? (We will need a drink!)
I think you once wrote a review of restaurants & sites in that area?
Thanks.

MoBro - Maccheroni Republic (332 S Broadway,). Some of the best pasta you'll find in L.A. (at least before Covid) 7-minute walk.

https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/mac...-angeles-ca-2/

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4d40186c07.png

Oh my. Many many thanks. That will keep them busy and happy.
I don't kow where DGS lives--it was a struggle getting him a sublet and of course that would have been helpful. But you all really came through.

Footnote. When they WERE looking for a sublet they found a "great" place. Exchanged emails with renter, agreed on money, etc. DS said to renter, he'll (DGS) will stop by and see it tomorrow. No no--just send the money. Uhhhh, no, he'd like to see it. Silence.

https://www.yelp.com/search?find_des...C%20CA&start=0

I don't know which ones have survived the pandemic.

I have no idea where in L.A. County your DGS is staying as we have 88 cities in L.A. County. I'm in Pasadena. However, when I go out to Malibu, I have for years eaten at Malibu Seafood.

https://malibuseafood.com

I also eat at Tocaya in both Century City and I recently tried the one in Toluca Lake (Burbank) and both are really good. I have also tried the one on Sunset Strip (Hollywood-across from the old Tower Records), but wasn't impressed with that particular one. I like to order either the Del Rey bowl or Del Rey burrito and choose tofu and vegan cheddar cheese to go into mine. One can choose one's protein and cheeses. The one in Toluca Lake (Burbank) is next to the original Bob's Big Boy hamburgers where we used to go as kids. Bob's Big Boy is a piece of history. https://bobs.net

https://tocaya.com

For Ethiopian food, my sibling and many friends have eaten at the Ethiopian restaurants along Fairfax, south of San Vicente. They're lined up on both sides of the street. They've been around for decades and are very popular.

https://la.eater.com/maps/best-resta...hiopia-fairfax

* For years, I've also eaten at Banana Leaf-Singaporean food in the original Farmers' Market on Fairfax in L.A.

* As far as kabob places as I like both salmon kabobs and tofu kabobs, I've eaten at both of the below for years.

https://www.massiskabob.com

https://paninikabobgrill.com (formerly Panini Cafe)

* And then there are all fo the Thai restaurants as L.A. has the largest Thai community outside of Thailand. I've eaten at a lot of Thai restaurants. But, friends own some of them out here in my part of town and also east of me. Here in the cities in the San Gabriel Valley area of L.A. County, there are tons of Asian restaurants of all types of Asian cuisine.

https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=vie...+Gabriel%2C+CA

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-a...gabriel-valley

https://www.metro.net/about/local-service-councils/sgv/ Cities here in San Gabriel Valley area of L.A. County.

Oh, and for Italian, I eat at Amici as I go in and have them make me penne arrabbiata which is no longer on the menu, but they will make it. Great sauce. I used to also get the delicious swordfish, kale, and leek entree which was taken off the menu right before the pandemic. But, now they have new items on the menu as I just checked. I go to the one in Glendale- Americana Shopping Center. One can sit outside. I was last there at the beginning of the pandemic although I go to Americana for other things. Glendale is about a 20-minute drive west of Pasadena.

https://amicila.com

* I also agree with Maitaitom's recommendation of Union Restaurant here in Pasadena.

* Off the top of my head, I can't think of other restaurants right now as there are so many and I've eaten at so many all over L.A. County. If I think of others, I'll post them. We have really excellent food throughout L.A. County and also at various food trucks throughout the county. There's huge variety here.

Happy Travels!

Thank you, maitaitomi! That's exactly the report I was looking for. Will report back if we go there.

P.S. There used to be a Maccheroni Republic in Denver, but it was more like a chain restaurant, with decent food. We'd take the kids there.

Gretchen, good thing they did not fall for that scam! People can be so dishonest!

Probably a good idea to book reservation if you can even find one, or at least call to see if anything is open in your time frame. A lot of DTLA 's best are not open for lunch at this time since so many office workers are still working from home most days.

I suppose you could wander down to Grand Central Market if nothing else works.

Another option is to walk up to Olvera Street and find a margarita. I don't care much for the food at El Paseo Inn but they may be open (except Tuesdays). Maybe takeout from one of the better places such as Luz Del Dia first, then Margaritas and chips.

Good advice, mlgb. Thank you.

Many many thanks again for ALL the suggesteions.

You're very welcome.

Happy Travels!