Places to eat like a local in Los Angeles
Sep 17th, 2011, 07:27 PM
#61
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SocialWorker
If you travel north , there is very lttle traffic until 4pm-7pm..then it could be very clogged. Driving south, anythim after 10am should be OK..it's a very curvy road and only two lanes for the most part. When you get to four lanes, going north you will pass The Glen Center shopping mall (small one)...but it's classic L.A....if people there are not selling a script, buying a script, or promoting a flick, they must be from Bakersfield!). My street (Angelo) is the last street on the right before crossing Mulholland Drive going north. Write me at rozstu1 at aol dot com if you wish.
stu
SU...La Frite continues to be a very fine place..don't know if Ramsay has hurt or helped.
If you travel north , there is very lttle traffic until 4pm-7pm..then it could be very clogged. Driving south, anythim after 10am should be OK..it's a very curvy road and only two lanes for the most part. When you get to four lanes, going north you will pass The Glen Center shopping mall (small one)...but it's classic L.A....if people there are not selling a script, buying a script, or promoting a flick, they must be from Bakersfield!). My street (Angelo) is the last street on the right before crossing Mulholland Drive going north. Write me at rozstu1 at aol dot com if you wish.
stu
SU...La Frite continues to be a very fine place..don't know if Ramsay has hurt or helped.
Sep 17th, 2011, 08:15 PM
#62
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social worker: I should add, since you're from Massachusetts...I'm a Quincy "boy" born and raised. Emerson College grad (as is granddaughter and her husband!)..been a happy Angeleno since 1957...ain't no turning back! Still love New England, though.
stu
stu
Sep 18th, 2011, 10:49 PM
#63
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stu, when I was at UCLA many moons ago, we went to Dolores quite often with our two-for-one coupons. Glad to hear it is still good, I'd heard about a downward trend in quality. Do they still cut their own Suzy Q fries and bake their own huge yeast rolls at dinnertime?
Have you tried Pomodoro, the little mom pop Italian across from the Crest theatre? How about the Sweet Rose Creamery on 26th near Sunset/Montana?
Dinner at the Getty Center on a Saturday night is a nice splurge. The Bel Air Hotel is supposed to be re-opening soon, had a great burger in the bar there once. The Counter must be very popular if they have one in Studio City and also in Toluca Lake.
You're from Quinzy like the FABULOUS Ruth Gordon!
Have you tried Pomodoro, the little mom pop Italian across from the Crest theatre? How about the Sweet Rose Creamery on 26th near Sunset/Montana?
Dinner at the Getty Center on a Saturday night is a nice splurge. The Bel Air Hotel is supposed to be re-opening soon, had a great burger in the bar there once. The Counter must be very popular if they have one in Studio City and also in Toluca Lake.
You're from Quinzy like the FABULOUS Ruth Gordon!
Sep 19th, 2011, 10:52 AM
#64
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yup, Tracy, Kwinzee! Ruth Gordon, Lee Remick, Billy DeWolfe (and his famous Mrs. Murgatroyd drinkng skit), John Adams and son, but since they took my name and picture off the billboard entering town, I guess my Califoria residency since '57 just don't qualify me no mo'. But when I visit I still "pahk my cah in the Hahvidd yahd and take the trolley cah to Bahstin's No'th End."
stu
stu
Sep 19th, 2011, 11:03 AM
#65
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Pomodoro still there..and good spot for dinner. Dolores seemed to have quality menu offerings when I was last there after a flick at the Royal. Tasty crispy wraps. Did not have fries.
Will try the Sweet Rose Creamery as we go by 26th when we drive to SM via San Vicente quite often.
Stu
Will try the Sweet Rose Creamery as we go by 26th when we drive to SM via San Vicente quite often.
Stu
Sep 19th, 2011, 12:14 PM
#66
A quick search didn't find any of these on this thread, which is rather surprising to me, but maybe I'm just inept.
Phillipe's, a block or so north of Union Station downtown. Home of the French Dip sandwich and 9c coffee. Lots of history and color. It's been "discovered" a little, but still a lot of fun. http://www.philippes.com/
Nate 'n Al's on Beverly Drive in downtown BH. Good, not great deli food (best at breakfast) but the room is the attraction: always a lot of B-list or lesser Hollywood types or wannabes, often some A-list folks (Larry King pretty much a daily diner) but always decent nosh served by your grannie. With attitude. http://www.natenal.com/
Canter's deli on Fairfax - bigger menu than Nate 'n Al's, often (not always) better but also quite the landmark. Open 24 hours for when you need matzoh balls at 2 AM. http://www.cantersdeli.com/
Martha's 22nd Street Grill in Hermosa Beach - THE place for breakfast in the South Bay - sit at a sidewalk table in the sun (when you're done waiting) and eat. Then, get up and waddle 50 feet down the street to the Strand (pedestrian walk on the beachfront) and walk those calories off (well, provided you walk for six or seven days) past the bazillion-dollar beach houses facing the surf. I promise you'll be deciding which bank to rob so you can move here.
Phillipe's, a block or so north of Union Station downtown. Home of the French Dip sandwich and 9c coffee. Lots of history and color. It's been "discovered" a little, but still a lot of fun. http://www.philippes.com/
Nate 'n Al's on Beverly Drive in downtown BH. Good, not great deli food (best at breakfast) but the room is the attraction: always a lot of B-list or lesser Hollywood types or wannabes, often some A-list folks (Larry King pretty much a daily diner) but always decent nosh served by your grannie. With attitude. http://www.natenal.com/
Canter's deli on Fairfax - bigger menu than Nate 'n Al's, often (not always) better but also quite the landmark. Open 24 hours for when you need matzoh balls at 2 AM. http://www.cantersdeli.com/
Martha's 22nd Street Grill in Hermosa Beach - THE place for breakfast in the South Bay - sit at a sidewalk table in the sun (when you're done waiting) and eat. Then, get up and waddle 50 feet down the street to the Strand (pedestrian walk on the beachfront) and walk those calories off (well, provided you walk for six or seven days) past the bazillion-dollar beach houses facing the surf. I promise you'll be deciding which bank to rob so you can move here.
Sep 19th, 2011, 07:22 PM
#67
Here's a little write-up I did on Philippe's a couple of years ago (with some photos). I went a couple of weeks ago, and everything remains just about the same (as it has for more than a hundred years).
http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...6_Entry_1.html
http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...6_Entry_1.html
Sep 19th, 2011, 10:06 PM
#68
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I think Phillipes was closed down for filth this year for a short time. Some people think that means it's probably cleaner than ever, others of us wonder if it signals other problems with the operation?
stu, somewhere on youtube there's an interview that Dick Cavett did with Ruth Gordon where she tells him how to pronounce KWINZEE and talks about her first trips to New York on the "Fall River Line". She was one of a kind.
socialworker....Big Sugar Bakeshop in Studio City for the brownies. Fabulous with some Trader Joes vanilla ice cream. A block or so west of Laurel Cyn on Ventura Blvd.
stu, somewhere on youtube there's an interview that Dick Cavett did with Ruth Gordon where she tells him how to pronounce KWINZEE and talks about her first trips to New York on the "Fall River Line". She was one of a kind.
socialworker....Big Sugar Bakeshop in Studio City for the brownies. Fabulous with some Trader Joes vanilla ice cream. A block or so west of Laurel Cyn on Ventura Blvd.
Sep 20th, 2011, 08:13 AM
#70
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Great thread, cferrb!
Here are a few of mine:
Rose Cafe, Venice
http://www.rosecafe.com/
Shamshiri Grill (Persian food), Westwood Blvd, LA -- Huge platters, Persian bread to die for. This is the best of the Persian restaurants along that part of Westwood Blvd.
http://shamshiri.com/
Diddy Riese Cookies (and Ice Cream!) - Is it still just $1.50 for a large scoop of ice cream between two still-warm, fresh-baked cookies?!
http://www.diddyriese.com/home.php
Best Chinese restaurant chain in LA: Sam Woo's. It even has it's own wikipedia article!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Woo_Restaurant
The quality of the food is not the same at all locations. I like the one in Irvine best.
http://www.samwooirvine.com/index.html
If a Sam Woo location has takeout, their takeout is very good and inexpensive. The restaurant part can be inexpensive to expensive, depending on what you order. The live seafood is terrific but costs more.
Los Angeles is sushi-land. Lots of great sushi restaurants. Also there are some South American restaurants like the Brazilian churrascaria, Fogo de Chao (Beverly Hills, expensive) http://www.fogodechao.com/locations/ to neighborhood SA restaurants where one can get a plentiful platter of steak or lamb for under $15/$20 (pay by weight).
I give up! Too many good places to eat in LA!
Here are a few of mine:
Rose Cafe, Venice
http://www.rosecafe.com/
Shamshiri Grill (Persian food), Westwood Blvd, LA -- Huge platters, Persian bread to die for. This is the best of the Persian restaurants along that part of Westwood Blvd.
http://shamshiri.com/
Diddy Riese Cookies (and Ice Cream!) - Is it still just $1.50 for a large scoop of ice cream between two still-warm, fresh-baked cookies?!
http://www.diddyriese.com/home.php
Best Chinese restaurant chain in LA: Sam Woo's. It even has it's own wikipedia article!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Woo_Restaurant
The quality of the food is not the same at all locations. I like the one in Irvine best.
http://www.samwooirvine.com/index.html
If a Sam Woo location has takeout, their takeout is very good and inexpensive. The restaurant part can be inexpensive to expensive, depending on what you order. The live seafood is terrific but costs more.
Los Angeles is sushi-land. Lots of great sushi restaurants. Also there are some South American restaurants like the Brazilian churrascaria, Fogo de Chao (Beverly Hills, expensive) http://www.fogodechao.com/locations/ to neighborhood SA restaurants where one can get a plentiful platter of steak or lamb for under $15/$20 (pay by weight).
I give up! Too many good places to eat in LA!
Sep 20th, 2011, 09:04 AM
#71
"I think Phillipes was closed down for filth this year for a short time. Some people think that means it's probably cleaner than ever, others of us wonder if it signals other problems with the operation? "
Philippe's (note spelling) was closed for two days in February 2010 when health inspectors found a family of uninvited cockroaches. I didn't see any a few weeks ago, although my French Dip was a bit crunchy (just kidding). Still has an "A" rating, so I really have no concerns. The place is always packed at lunchtime, so to avoid long lines wait until about 2, if you want to go.
Cole's in L.A. is the other restaurant in L.A. that says it invented the French Dip. Here is my little review (with photos) of that restaurant.
http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...3_Entry_1.html
Philippe's (note spelling) was closed for two days in February 2010 when health inspectors found a family of uninvited cockroaches. I didn't see any a few weeks ago, although my French Dip was a bit crunchy (just kidding). Still has an "A" rating, so I really have no concerns. The place is always packed at lunchtime, so to avoid long lines wait until about 2, if you want to go.
Cole's in L.A. is the other restaurant in L.A. that says it invented the French Dip. Here is my little review (with photos) of that restaurant.
http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...3_Entry_1.html
Sep 20th, 2011, 09:27 AM
#72
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Las Fuentes on Vanowen in Reseda has consistently good Mexican food. It's clean and not expensive. I eat there whenever I am in the area, today included.
http://lasfuentes.com/
http://lasfuentes.com/
Sep 20th, 2011, 11:10 AM
#73
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Aaaaah, our favorite spot has been mentioned! My husband would rather eat here than ANYWHERE. Marvelous yummy food.
Beware of crowds at peak weekend dinner times, you seat yourself at any open table, and often have to hover about and stake out a table where someone's almost done. No waiters, you stand in line and place your order at a counter, then wait for your number to be called. Weekdays are the least crowded, Sunday dinner is the worst.
Beware of crowds at peak weekend dinner times, you seat yourself at any open table, and often have to hover about and stake out a table where someone's almost done. No waiters, you stand in line and place your order at a counter, then wait for your number to be called. Weekdays are the least crowded, Sunday dinner is the worst.
Sep 20th, 2011, 04:53 PM
#74
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Sea and gig...thanks for the Las Fuentes reco. Sea, you really get around, almost as if you're the undercover Zagat girl! Jut kidding. This thread has come up with dozens of interesting recs. The OP deserves accolades for coming up with the idea! Who says L.A. can't compete with the old over-rated standbys?
Sep 20th, 2011, 06:28 PM
#75
socialworker, if you go south on Beverly Glen, you'll find the road ends at Pico Boulevard. One long block west on Pico, on the south side of the street, is John O'Groat's. Great for breakfast and lunch. I haven't been there for dinner. There's a second location in Encino.
http://www.ogroatsrestaurant.com/
http://www.ogroatsrestaurant.com/
Sep 21st, 2011, 05:13 AM
#77
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We are not locals in LA--yet--that may change next year. However, we have spent quite a bit of time there over the last 10+ years that our son has been living there.
One of the places we really like--have only gone for lunch, but have gone multiple times--is Hal's on Abbot Kinney in Venice. There is just something about the place. A great vibe and really good food. We stumbled on it by chance, as it is directly across the street from Hair Venice, where both DH and I go for haircuts when we are in LA. We thought of it as our own private find, but DS says that it is a popular spot for many locals.
One of the places we really like--have only gone for lunch, but have gone multiple times--is Hal's on Abbot Kinney in Venice. There is just something about the place. A great vibe and really good food. We stumbled on it by chance, as it is directly across the street from Hair Venice, where both DH and I go for haircuts when we are in LA. We thought of it as our own private find, but DS says that it is a popular spot for many locals.
Sep 21st, 2011, 08:43 AM
#78
Totally agree with socialworker about the Hal's "vibe" and food. They have live jazz one or 2 nites a week as well.
Also love Lilly's just down the street.
Hal's has American nouveau comfort food. Lilly's has trad French bistro food.
Also love Lilly's just down the street.
Hal's has American nouveau comfort food. Lilly's has trad French bistro food.
Sep 21st, 2011, 10:45 AM
#79
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tower, I guess having grown up here in LA and having a car since I was sixteen and wanderlust to boot, I don't think anything of driving across the city for a good meal. I can find something to do in the local area and make it an outing.
Another little place I like is Eduardos on Westwood at Little Santa Monica. I was so addicted to their Border Burritos for the longest time when I worked in the area. Not much atmosphere, clean and cute, sometimes a star sighting and fun atmosphere, sitting on stools. The crew has been there for years which says something.
http://www.eduardosbordergrill.com/home.nxg
Another little place I like is Eduardos on Westwood at Little Santa Monica. I was so addicted to their Border Burritos for the longest time when I worked in the area. Not much atmosphere, clean and cute, sometimes a star sighting and fun atmosphere, sitting on stools. The crew has been there for years which says something.
http://www.eduardosbordergrill.com/home.nxg
Sep 21st, 2011, 10:47 AM
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Funny but when I traveled a lot and just before landing at LAX the first thing my family, friends and I would think about would be stopping at Eduardos for some good Southwest/Mexican food as a welcome home. I can't even remember how many times it was our first stop right off the plane. After our meal, we were home again!
