Eagle Rock

Los Angeles Magazine - Best of LA 2005

My mother, who is a total goddess, sent me my LA care-package. Among other things, she included my August edition of Los Angeles Magazine. This month’s issue is 101 things to love about LA. I, of course, skim through everything and read only the food stuff. It’s interesting to see what these writers think in comparison to SoCalorie’s reports on what the ones at LAT and LA Weekly think.

French Fries: mentions In-N-Out, Tommy’s, Mo’ Bettah Meatty Meat Burger, and Benita’s Frites for casual favorites, but the winner? JAR.

Chain Cafe: As if there was any doubt Urth would win this one.

Wine Shop: noteworthy mentions include Silverlake Wine, Chronicle Wine Cellar (Pasadena), and Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits, & Cheese. Their favorite? Woodland Hills Wine Company.

Chicken Potpie: While they liked Broadway Deli and Musso &Frank, they loved Kate Mantilini. I got hungry reading the description of “tender white chunks of chicken, peas, carrots, and onions in a just-rich-enough cream sauce, and its light, well-textured crust.” (No website, so here’s the info: 9101 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-278-3699; and 5921 Owensmouth Ave., Woodland Hills, 818-348-1095)

Tea Shop: Le Palais Des Thes, which serves teas from around the world. You can buy soose leaf teas or stick around for tasting classes. (Again, no website: 401 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-271-7922)

Summer Cocktail: Rhode Island Red at Providence (5955 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, 323-460-4170). This drink “has the bite of tequila, the sweetness of berries, the color of Chambord, the balanced tang of lemon, and the snap of ginger beer cut with orange bitters.”

Grappa Selection: Grappa, which I had no idea was unaged brandy, is the way to end dinner in northern Italy. Apparently, many places all over LA serves grappas, including Valentino and Zucca, but LA Magazine recommend Trattoria Tre Venezie (119 W. Green St., Pasadena, 626-795-4455). Apparently you have 71 choices here - a selection that includes a “Grappy Marolo, flowery, chammomile-based variety; Gioiello Nonino, nutty flavored with chestnut honey; and at $45 a glass, Ue Moscato Cru Besenello di Vallagarina, whose taste of apricots and melon finishes with the scent of rose petals.” I had never seen nor heard of grappas prior to today, so if anyone has tried this and can elaborate further, I’d really appreciate it.

Banh Mi: A Vietnamese sandwich can be enjoyed at many shops along Valley Blvd. in the San Gabriel Valley (such as Mr. Baguette, Baguette Express, Baguette du Jour, etc.), but LA Magazine says skip all those for KP’s, a deli in Silverlake. While it costs $5.55 compared to $1.50 at the places previously mentioned, seems like KP’s is worth the extra $4.

Brownies: The Farm of Beverly Hills apparently has really addictive chocolate fudge brownies, and if enjoying them with a tall glass of milk isn’t enough for you, LA Magazine suggest… a brownie sundae! (I’ll admit, I’m drooling.) If anyone wanna go to the website to order me a box, I’ll love you!

Limeade: Honorable mentions to Clementine’s ginger limeade, but they give the honor of best in LA to Border Grill’s Minty Lime Cooler (which I want to add is also served at Ciudad).

Waffles: Canter’s Delicatessen’s waffle “needs nothing more than butter, which comes in a saucer already melted” for $4.75.

Bar Menu: Tower Bar wins hands down with Chef Collin Crannell (Patina, Water Grill, and Chloe are notches on his belt) running the show. Along with his extravagant entree menu, you can choose desserts from Pastry Chef Miho Travi (formerly of Sona). If all bar food was like this, you’ll probably never see me in a restaurant again.

Small Plates: AOC which stands for “Appellation d’Origine Controlee” may be recommended by LA Magazine, but I’ve got my doubts about this place. I mean, $25 for corkage and if you bring your own cake for someone’s birthday or any other special occasion, you will be charged $2.50 per person for a “dessert corkage fee” is usually the type of place I avoid. Still, the fact that AOC is owned by the same people who own lucques tells me the food must be fairly good.

(Incidentally, lucques is having its 5th annual Rib Fest on August 7th from 4pm-10pm. This makes it definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re going to the Hollywood Bowl later and haven’t figured out what to do for food.)

Bread Pudding: Blair’s bread budding is based from brioche soaked in custard “flavored with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg and layering it with butternut squash puree before baking. The pudding is served bottom side up, so that the caramelized brioche is on top, with creme fraiche ice cream.” (2903 Rowena Ave., Silverlake, 323-660-1882)

Indian Restaurant: Maurya offers good food in a comfy environment to win this category. LA Magazine was sold on the “plush sofas and silk-covered stools” along with the chicken tikka masala “blanketed in tomato gravy redolent of honey and black cumin” and the “coconut lamb curry spiced with ginger and fennel.”

Salad Bar: Mrs. Winston’s Green Grocery Stores have not only selection but also CLEANLINESS! (Locations: 2901 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica, 310-452-7770; Water Garden, 2450 Colorado Blvd., Santa Monica, 310-315-2777; and opening soon at 1999 Avenue of the Stars, Century City)

Foie Gras: I know there are a lot of people who aren’t crazy about this one, but it can be oh so good if it is done right. LA Magazine suggest Norman’s, whose foie gras is “seared and served between layers of warm French toast, with passion fruit caramel and a pineapple, mango, and papaya salsa.”

Dessert Shop: Susina Bakery is filled with a wide range of pastries including kiwi and strawberry tarts, chocolate tortes, cheesecakes “infusede with fresh mandarin oranges, and cakes drunk with figs.” In addition to these desserts, cookies, pies, and coffee, the owner’s aunt is a tarot card reader, so you can get some food and your fortune read all at the same place.

Tamales: I first heard about Tamales Liliana’s on the news last Christmas. LA Magazine seems to be seconding that story about Liliana’s being the best stop for tamales. Last December, huge, long lines wrapped around the block since before the doors were open at 5am. While the rest of the year isn’t as packed, Tamales Liliana’s is still nevertheless very busy. I say go now and avoid the lines in December. (3448 E. 1st St., Boyle Heights, 323-780-0829)

Caramels: Little Flower Candy Co. caramels are chewy just the way good caramels are supposed to be. If anyone wants to send me a box of these with the brownies from The Farm, that would be super.

Middle Eastern Restaurant: Mandaloun offers fresh food and live entertainment. I’m not sure which LA Magazine enjoyed more, but the warm kalaj bread sounds really good to me.

Microbrews: Most of the brewing companies I’ve been to are chains (BJ’s, Gordon Biersch, etc.), none of the beers very impressive, but LA Magazine recommends one I’ve never heard of, Angel City Brewing, that is different from the rest. Supposedly, the beer here is rich in flavor.

Chowder: Water Grill’s wins hands down, but I warn you that this soup will kill any diet. (It’s worth it though!)

By Pauline (see more of her posts).

© 2005 la.foodblogging.