Coming Into Los Angeles

The last time I went to LA, I didn't mention the trip until it was over, missing out on all of your suggestions and tips on where to go and, more importantly, what to eat.

This time it's going to be different. I'm flying back to Los Angeles in a week. Where should I go? What should I eat? Who should I see? Where should I shop? I'll be staying in Pasadena, equipped with a rental car and several parents.

Leave me a comment, or send me an email. Thank you, dear readers. I can't wait!

Comments

[Larry]

Hi, Luisa,
For a bit of an unusual experience, check out the Original Pantry on Figueroa for breakfast - been open 24 hours a day for about 40 years or longer - lined up every weekend. Go there some day you are going to be in downtown LA-
get the sourdough bread and the fried potatoes if nothing else! Have a great trip and don't breathe too much smog!!

[David]

The bran muffins at La Brea bakery, Jin patisserie, Zankou chicken (5065 Sunset Blvd in Hollywood) with garlic sauce (the best!...don't let the outside scare you off, but do get it 'to go'...), and Eric Kayser opened a bakery in Pasadena. If it's anything like his place here in Paris, his chocolate financiers are super-duper.

And I would kill for one of those corned beef sandwiches at Nat & Al's and Korean BBQ and...

[Chloe]

You are in Mexican Food haven: west of Pasadena are Highland Park, Eagle Rock, and along Sunset Blvd: Echo Park and Silverlake, 'hoods that host a slew of taco stands that are hit or miss and the pulse fo L.A. dining. One of my favorites is Leo's Taco Truck, west of Pasadena in Eagle Rock, usually located on the east side of Eagle Rock Blvd, by El Paso Dr and the 7-11. The veggie burrito is divine and the carne asada tacos solid, along with everything else he offers. Open every night but Monday, 8pm - 3am.

[Emily]

In Pasadena, if you're looking for an upscale creative restaurant that is reasonably priced, check out Bistro K...lots of people say it's the best restaurant in the LA area.

[Celeste]

The Norton Simon museum in Pasadena is wonderful and shouldn't be missed.

[hannah]

Skip the Original Pantry (I am not a fan) but if you do go downtown, Langer's Deli is a must for pastrami.

Recent great meals I have had include:

-Jar (for upscale)
-Mozza (I believe the hype and love, love, love the pizza and the desserts; well worth it if you are up to waiting for a spot at the bar mid-day, even)
-M Cafe for macrobiotic (not something I thought I would like)

[Erin]

If you're looking for great Asian (particularly dim sum) you are right near the LA-metro epicenter of good food:

Sea Harbor
3939 Rosemead Blvd, Rosemead, 91770 - (626) 288-3939
A Teochew/Chiu Chow place

888 Seafood Restaurant
8450 Valley Boulevard Ste 121, Rosemead, CA (626) 573-1888 8450

Din Tai Fung
1108 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, (626) 574-7068
famous for their xiao long bao (dumplings) and the only american branch of a group of restaurants famous in Taiwan for these dumplings

At the last two you should be prepared for quite a wait for a table and I've heard that they can sometimes run out of food on a really busy weekend.

[Leah]

You should see me! Of course.

In all seriousness, I am more in tune with Orange County dining (which, contrary to popular belief, has a number of yummy options too). So unless you are down here, I will be taking notes as well since I'm still trying to get familiar with LA dining!

[Julie]

Well, Lucques. I can basically remember every detail of my glorious first and hopefully not last meal there in the fall. This is a lovely, lovely place to dine, appealing to all the senses.

I also really love Persian food when I'm in LA, especially since it's so hard to find in NY (Ravagh Grill notwithstanding). We had a great meal at Shamshiri Grill, although be forewarned -- the portions are absolutely enormous. They seemed family-size to me.

[Steven]

Luisa,

We like Roscoe's House of Chicken 'n Waffles a “no-frills” soul food chain.

Matsuhisa is probably the best sushi in town.

Enjoy and we hope that we can finally do dinner.

Steven

[Myrtille]

Mission 261
261 S. Mission Drive, San Gabriel
626-588-1666

One of the best chinese restaurants.

[leigh]

There is a Zankou Chicken in Pasadena on Colorado Blvd. just past Hill near Pasadena City College. Get a lot of the garlic sauce. It is heaven.

[Sofia]

Great little jewelbox restaurant: Hatfields (on Beverly Blvd. in Hollywood)
intimate, amazing food...MUST have desserts!

Special occassion restaurant: Sona (on La Cienega)-- spectacular restaurant all around

If you're a fan of sushi: Saitos in Los Feliz (small, great portions, ridiculously fresh fish)

For a refreshing snack: Pinkberry! Also know as "crackberry" for it's addictive quality. Frozen yogurt that tastes like, well... yogurt-- silky, creamy, a little tangy!

Have a great time!

[shauna]

Lucques. Oh yes. That place knocked our socks off, and we have eaten in many a fine restaurant. Not only was the food extraordinary, but also they gave my friend a trick candle in her birthday panna cotta. What other fabulous restaurant has such a sense of humor?

The Silverlake cheese store. It's dangerous.

The Casbah, just up the street from that one. Lovely coffees and Middle Eastern snacks. Perfect for a late lunch.

[yvonne]

My favorite cafe is Cafe Tropical - amazing cafe con leche, cuban sandwiches and guava and cheese pastry. It sits on a curious intersection of Sunset and Parkman in Los Feliz/Echo Park area and its simple wood tables and inviting smells are a lovely way to spend a warm afternoon.

[nina]

all trips to LA mean a trip to Versailles -- get the garlic half chicken, just plan to not kiss anyone for a few days afterwards... (1415 S. La Cienega Blvd but check out http://losangeles.about.com/od/restaurantreviews/gr/versailles.htm for more locations)

[Grant]

I agree with the comments about Lucques. But also be sure to try Suzanne's husband's restaurant, the Hungry Cat. It has fantastic seafod dishes and amazing cocktails. Also located in Hollywood is 25 degrees, a hip and high end burger bar where you can pick from at least a dozen of artisinal cheeses and the fries are seasoned with herbes de provence.

For brunch try Quality on Third Street, making sure to get one of their biscuits, or check out Hugo's for interesting decadent and healthy breakfast dishes. Celebs love it.

For something sweet, I recommend Sweet Lady Jane's on Melrose (near Lucques). It's the local's go to for amazing cakes.

Mario Batali's new restaurant Mozza is excellent and if you go late (between 10:30 and midnight), you can usually get a table.

Marix in West Hollywood has great Mexican food. Be sure to try their frozen blood orange margaritas. Or head to Santa Monica and check out Border Grill's happy hour.

These are all some of my favorites. I hope you have fun.

[Paige]

In Pasadena, you must go to the Pie n Burger, near Caltech. Best burger in L.A., which is saying something. Breakfast--the new bakery Milk on Beverly Blvd. between Fairfax and LaBrea is divine. For sushi, Matsuhisa is wonderful, but you could go to Nobu at home. Instead, try Sushi Ike at Hollywood & Gower. Sit at the bar, in the middle (Ike-san's section) and order omakase. You will not be sorry. Best fish in town. Really. For Mexican, it's all about the taco carts, though Malo and Mexico City in Silver Lake and Los Feliz respectively are both fun. M Cafe (the macrobiotic place) is completely addictive. Really. Get a mixed salad plate and go to heaven. The best $4 meal in town is at India Sweets and Spices on Venice Blvd. in Culver City. Chinatown is also wonderful--try the homemade noodles and the dumplings at Mandarin Deli in the Wing Hop Fung mall on Broadway. I agree that Zankou Chicken is great, but more fun is Carousel, also on Hollywood Blvd. near Normandie, in the "Hye Plaza" minimall. Zero atmosphere, incredible food. Get muhamarra, chicken, lamb, the fatoush, and on and on. You can't go wrong. As to others' reco's--imho, yes on Mozza only if you can deal with the crowd, noise and scene and are feeling pizza-obsessed. Jar is good, definitely not great. Campanile is way, way better, as are Patina and Lucques--of those, I would go to Lucques first if you have never been. The Hungry Cat, too. Absolutely have a cocktail at the Hungry Cat, and a lobster roll. They're phenomenonal. Skip the Pantry. For weird L.A. historical food, you're much better off going to Philipe's for a purportedly-original French Dip. Yes, yes, yes on the Norton Simon: best museum in L.A. The Huntington Gardens in San Marino are also beautiful. Have a wonderful visit!

[Luisa]

Everyone - thank you SO much for your suggestions. This is such a help - if only there were enough mealtimes in the week that I'll be there to try everything out! Yum, I can't wait. I promise a full report.

[nancy]

sorry this is late. I was in NY enjoying lunch at the Balthazar bar.
I agree - forget the Pantry.In Pasadena/San Marino the perfect spot for breakfast is Julienne at 2649 Mission St. in San Marino. They do lunch but the wait is always long. Sat.breakfast is long too. If you miss eating there go to the take-out next door. Hope you found good Mexican. Pasadena has at least three Tex/Mex family run spots that are very popular with locals. ElPortal, LaNuevaPosada and Mijares. I suspect my NY based daughter stops at Mijares before she comes here. Have fun.