FOOD

This section is not just about the edible delicacies that make our mouths water and then smile, but also about the brain food that makes our heads tick.



As plastic and cheesy as Los Angeles can be, there are some great things about this city.

EAT & ENJOY

LA FAVORITE!!!  Yes, I have officially picked a favorite restaurant in Los Angeles.  It's one that impresses all who dine there (including after-hour top chefs and Angeleno foodies)...drumroll please...

THE LAZY OX CANTEEN
For fresh California style tapas, stop by The Lazy Ox in Downtown Los Angeles.  Let me say that the back corner of the restaurant IS the kitchen, a tiny area where the chefs create sinfully simple yet elegantly decadent tapas for everyone to share (Note: the best tapas bars/restaurants have the smallest kitchens).  The waitstaff is friendly and don't hesitate to inject some of their own personality into their service.  Every dish led to a big smile on my face.
  • Reco: Salmon Crudo, Buttered Spaghetti Squash
2nd Favorite LA eatery is Son of A Gun.  I can't say the service was the best, but I went during it's second week of opening.  Get me a Manhattan, and a few plates to share with a friend, and I'll have dreams about these dishes for the next week (literally).  The plates are small, tapas style.  The seafood is so fresh that the texture of the lobster, the mussels and the albacore is as smooth as butter and sweet as...I don't know, really fresh seafood.  I recommend getting in early.  By 9:30PM, the restaurant had sold out of at least 5 dishes.  I had to eat whatever was left on the menu.
  • Reco: Lobster Roll, Albacore Tataki, Mussels, Linguine & Clams with Uni Aglio-Olio

3rd Favorite would be Ramen dates at Daikokuya!  I can never exercise my enthusiasm enough for this place.  Yes, the ramen soup is THE best.  Don't even try to argue with me.  What makes this place even better?  It's not the hour long wait for a table.  But if you order the Daikoku Ramen Combination, you get some delish cabbage salad to start AND a Rice Bowl (my favorite is the chicken and egg...tastes like sukiyaki in a mini bowl of rice).  Just writing about Daikokuya has made me want to go tonight.

Tapas at Bar Pinxto
  • Reco: Tocino con Manzanas (crisp pork belly, apple red onion compote)
Manhattan Beach Hole-in-the-wall: El Tarasco
  • Reco: The Taquitos!
Nibbling while shopping in Beverly Hills:  The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills
  • Reco: Sweet Aged Gouda and Aged Swiss (perfect in salads and grilled cheese sandwiches)
Sneaking out of the office for Ramen in Sherman Oaks: Koraku
  • Reco: An order of Gyoza and Soy Sauce Broth Ramen with an extra egg
Sprinting from the office for exotic sausage and wonderful beer: Wurstkuche
  • Reco: Filipino Marharlika sausage with Sauteed Onions & Sweet Peppers; Fruli (Strawberry Beer)
Erdinger at The Sidewalk Cafe in Venice, CA
  • Reco: Salted Pretzel with sweet mustard
Fighting retail traffic at Costco
  • Reco: Blogging about the traffic jams caused by insane people at Costco; free tasters (replacing dinner)
Food Truck hunting in Los Angeles
  • Reco: CASH and Twitter stalking your favorite trucks
Breaking your diet for the Umami Burger
  • Reco: Try the ketchup.  It's corn syrup free!!

SEE & DO

Santa Monica Sunday Market
  • Reco: Carbon Grill 3lb. Breakfast Burrito (share it-each bite is packed with flavor and fresh produce)
Donation Based Yoga Classes at Bryan Kest and Shakti Box
  • Reco: Must bring towel and do NOT fake tan prior or you will streak.
Facebook Comedy night at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theater
  • Reco: Get picked from the audience so Rob Riggle (The Hangover) can pick on you via Facebook 
First Fridays on Abbot Kinney
  • Reco: Popping into an art gallery for a drink then digging into a paper cone of Sweet Corn Tamales from The Border Grill Truck
Riding beach cruisers to the green grass patch just South of the Sa Mo pier
  • Reco: Finding Ernie and David "Soop" to practice your Acro Yoga moves
Spinning calories and cooling down with yoga at YAS
  • You're going to sweat (a lot).  Bring a towel and lots of water!
Practicing your Chaturanga at Urth Yoga (Eco-friendly and toxic free environment)
  • Reco: It's Anusara based yoga, which means come with a good spirit and open mind
Strolling Los Feliz and Silver Lake for vintage finds, definitely stopping by American Vintage 
  • Reco: There are at least a dozen stores in the area.  Bring cash to negotiate better deals.
Downing an Umami Burger Kombo Meals with corn syrup-free ketchup!
  • Pairing it with Tiger Beer