San Franciscans planning LA trip
We'll have a week to eat. Looking particularly for cuisines we can't get at home. Possibilities so far:
hand-cut fatty pastrami - Langer's?
Keralan - Mayura?
Oaxacan - Guelagetza? La Morenita? Antequera de Oaxaca? any of these have first-rate Mezcal?
Yunnan - Yun Gui?
Uighur - Malan?
Goan - Addi's Tandoor?
Liaoning - Shenyang?
Izakaya - ?
Robert Lauriston
Feb 13, 2008 05:45PM
My brother lives in San Francisco and swears there is no decent deli there. Thus, he always opts for Nate 'n'Al's in Beverly Hills when he visits Los Angeles.
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langer's if you like pastrami yes. nate'n'al's is more of a nostalgic place; the food isn't that great. if you feel like driving, head to brent's deli in northridge. if not, there's also factor's deli on pico that's pretty good, and some swear by junior's on westwood, though i don't.
mexican, guelaguetza is good. if you want to drive, there's also babita. you might look to tacos por favor or tacomiendo for an afternoon snack (don't take up a whole meal?)
you could do ethiopian, persian, southern thai (don't know too much of the SF varietals), burger like father's office, sandwiches like bay cities deli... if any of thse cuisines appeal, we can give further suggestions.
i'd hit the farmers' market one day too.
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Thanks for the tip on southern Thai. I'm not sure we have that.
Jitlada?
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Jitlada is the best place to go for the Southern Thai specialities, yes.
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Izakaya = Musha http://www.chowhound.com/topics/401805 and here is an even better photo review of Musha Santa Monica: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/380055
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Yep, Musha or Wakasan both in Santa Monica.
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While Musha in Santa Monica is very good, I have a tough time categorizing it as an "izakaya" restaurant -- more an adventurous small-plates fusion. As such, I've got to recommend Orris on Sawtelle in W.L.A. Yep, even though Orris does not take reservations. But I'll admit it is a close call. I'd go to the online website menus to see if either offered more of your preferences. (And this is despite Orris's online menu not mentioning prices -- I'm told most are between $7 and $9 -- which is a big pet peeve.)
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Musha has always been characterized as "Japanese pub" style food, which to me is the definition of an izakaya so I'm not sure what you mean? Orris seems much more of an Asian fusion restaurant in the style of Mako in Beverly Hills to me.
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I'm not going to quibble about the precise classification. If Robert's party is closer to Musha, great. But if he is going to devote one dinner to that style, I think the best dishes and overall vibe at Orris beats the equivalent at Musha. Close call, and could depend on which menu had the dish (grilled romaine at Orris) the diner craved.
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My ignorant notion of izakaya (never having been to one) is that it should be more of a bar than a restaurant, the Japanese equivalent of a Korean soju bang.
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Which is exactly why I differentiated Orris, and Musha as well. Both are tasty, innovative, and excellent. I can recommend either. If you wind up near the coast in Santa Monica, try Musha. But overall, I prefer my favorite dishes at Orris. And I think it is interesting to check out the Japanese enclave on the westside on Sawtelle.
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Yeesh, go to Jtown or the new Shin Sen Gumi in Monterey Park for izakaya.
Jtown (Little Tokyo):
Izayoi (more upscale)
Haru Ulala (down home)
Honda Ya (I guess somewhere in between, it's the newest opening, nice space)
i love 'em all.
Also enjoyed all the variety at Shin Sen Gumi, they grill up everything. Plus they do shabu shabu. But all the "fun" loud yelling by the waitstaff got on my nerves after awhile.
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>>I'm not going to quibble about the precise classification.<< (While Musha in Santa Monica is very good, I have a tough time categorizing it as an "izakaya" restaurant -- more an adventurous small-plates fusion.)
Since I only replied to your quibble above in parens I am now totally confused.
We like Orris. I just didn't recommend it in the first place because it didn't fit the definition of an izakaya to me. YMMV
Closer to Orris is Place Yuu which is another izakaya we like. Also the Korean Raku (SE corner of Barrington and Olympic Blvd. in WLA) is another good izakaya.
Place Yuu
2101 Sawtelle Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 478-7450
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Would you really classify Place Yuu as an izakaya? I always think of it as a karaoke bar that happens to have some food on the menu... more like a noraebang than a pub.
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It is kind of a funny, (but tasty) amalgamation.
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Perhaps Musha is the Japanese equivalent of a gastropub?
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Birria estilo Jalisco at El Parian ( Pico & Union ).
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El Parian was the catalyst for my love of Mexican cuisine. The place changed my life.
Their birria is birthed in heaven.
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Yunchuang Garden in Monterey Park (the latest corporate incarnation of what used to be called Yunan Garden) would be a good choice since I'm not aware of any other Yunnan style restaurant in the U.S. (except for their second branch in Hacienda Heights). Malan is good for hand made noodles, but it's not Uighur in the sense of Uighur in Montreal or A Fan Ti in Flushing. Shenyang in San Gabriel or Northern Chinese Restaurant (8450 E. Valley Bl. in Rosemead), the latter having its Shenyang Fake Dog Meat would be something different, too. Might also consider one of the many dumpling restaurants such as Dumpling 10053 or Luscious Dumpling, since the few Bay Area choices (Tong Dumpling in San Jose or H C Dumpling in Cupertino) pale in comparison.
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Might also try China Islamic for Uighur type "da-bing", i.e. the thick sesame, green onion bread
Also, might want to consider Liuzhou cuisine and get some "Luo Si Fen" at NRN Noodle.
China Islamic
7727 Garvey Ave
Rosemead, CA 91770
(626) 288-4246
NRN Noodle
301 W Valley Blvd.
San Gabriel, CA 91778
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Pastrami - Johnny's (not NY style but superior imho)
Oaxacan - Monte Alban... first rate mezcal... I think you have to go to TJ for that. Although there is some wannabe Alta Cocina restuarant in the S.F. Valley that has an extensive Tequila & possibly Mezcal selection... probably your best guess. But if you end up at Guelagetza I must warn you... the Mezcal is terrible... I actually think its doctored up gasoline.
Best Mexican cooking $ for $ (but not many exotic dishes) is at BIrriera La Barca (the Camarones a la Diabla & Goat Birria are superlative... the Molcajetes are top notch as well).
Alta Cocina... Babita, La Huasteca or La Casita.
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Alta cocina's a great idea.
I visit Guadalajara regularly, so Jalisco cuisine's not a priority. The first-rate mescal I had in Ensenada came in a jug from the puebla, so that's just wishful thinking on my part.
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Some of the places in Tijuana like La Differencia source micro-distilled Mezcal from Los Danzantes (a well regarded restaurant with locations in Oaxaca City & Coyoacan).... the guys at La Casita are fairly in tune with Chow trends south of the border... they might be the best bet in L.A.
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You're talking about the La Casita in Bell?
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I was not very impressed with La Casita. Not what I think of as alta cocina, maybe you have to order a banquet to get that.
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/49998...
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skip johnny's. it's mediocre at best when compared to langers.
i wholeheartedly endorse monte alban for their oaxacan dishes, especially the brown and red moles. mm!
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Nah its great... like I said its not NY style...and as long as you expect that... its going to be great. All they really do is Pastrami... they probably make 200 sandwiches per hour during the lunch rush... everything is fresh, the spice blend on the Pastrami is perfect, the meat is supremely thin & fatty, the pickles are some of the best anywhere... crisp with strong flavors of garlic & anise... and the REAL hot mustard made in house is unsurpassed in L.A.
I personally think Johnny's style of Pastrami is superior to the NY style...
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I'm definitely not looking for thin-sliced pastrami.
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to each their own. but i find the pastrami at johnny's to be devoid of flavor, overly fatty and extremely gristly.
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Definitely Monte Alban for Oaxacan.
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La Huasteca in Pasadena or Lynwood?
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I think only Lynwood survives. Excellent, inventive food.
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I don't know about inventive... but solid, traditional with some Alta Cocina flourishes... Central & Southern Mexican
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It seems so very inventive to me, most likely because it is so very different from the usual Mexican food we eat around our area. But I take your point.
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La Huasteca in Pasadena is gone. You'll have to come down to Lynwood. But Babita's better.
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Would concur with Monte Alban for Oaxacan, and that no 1st rate Mezcal will be found at any Oaxacan place here!
For Izakaya, Izayoi in little tokyo
Have not heard anything outstanding about Mayura (in Culver City?) seems like a standard Indian/Pakistan place with a couple of dishes from Kerala...but I could be wrong. Artesia is the destination place for Indian here...
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Here's the report on Mayura that piqued my interest:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/363750
Is there a Keralan restaurant, or even a grocery with a snack bar? I find Kerala Delicacies (aka Kerala Store) in Artesia and Kerala Spiceland in Northridge.
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That post does look intriguing. I was going on what a friend said who lives in culver.
As you are on quest for specific regional food might be worth a try....?
As far as Artesia there is good southern regional specific (many posts that you have probably already seen) Here is a recent j gold review- Tirupathi Bhimas.. I believe you have one in milpitas...I think Indian in bay area equals (surpasses?) what you find in Artesia.
http://www.laweekly.com/eat+drink/counter-intelligence/tirupathi-bhimas-gets-regional/17992/
Not convinced that Indian should be a quest down here. (though Goan rest in Redondo might be, can not say, have not been).
Do not have knowledge of Keralan places you mentioned. Hope others on here with more Indian food knowledge will weigh in....
As far as Thai, as you stated there are a couple of Southern Thai dishes on menus up there (which makes me think Mayura as destination might not fit bill).
Jitlada is also a stand out because of their extensive menu
In case you have not seen it, recent post on additions to Jitlada menu-
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/489462
Also, yes there is Korean up there, but if you where on a quest of what food is done best here you would not want to skip the enormity of quality choices you have in Korea Town.
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Izayoi is definitely good. Plus, it's right by the Japanese American museum and a branch of MOMA. As a person who grew up 20 minutes from downtown, I still get a kick out of going to the newly built up areas at night.
There is another izakaya place called Haru Ulala around the corner from Izayoi. I've never been and have heard it's not quite as good, but they are open very late.
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I wouldn't call Ma Lan "Uighur" -- assuming you're talking about Ma Lan Noodles, it's basically noodles and a few cold dishes. About the closest you might come to Xinjiang-type food would be at one of the Islamic Chinese places -- there's China Islamic in Monterey Park and Mas Islamic Chinese in Anaheim; Tung Lai Shun reopened as yet another Taiwanese restaurant (how spoiled we are to be able to call Taiwanese food banal!) and I believe Jamillah Garden in Irvine closed down.
I have to admit that one of the only things these days that could make me cross the Orange Curtain and battle my way to the Westside would be Monte Alban. It's a total hole-in-the-wall but I love it. Eat Nopal is right on the money with the alta cocina restaurants -- I'll add that while La Cabanita in Montrose is not alta cocina, I feel it's well worth the drive (and what a drive it is!)
My choice for izakaya would be Haru Ulala or, if you're going to be on the Westside anyway, Musha, but I don't eat in LA much these days so couldn't tell you if they're still as good as they used to be.
Yes, Langer's for hand-cut fatty pastrami. I wouldn't recommend Brent's -- while they really do have very good food at Brent's the one time I asked for hand-cut it was very obviously machine-cut anyway.
When I lived in SF and Berkeley the thing I always craved that nobody did right was real Ensenada-style fish tacos. Every fish taco up there seemed to be grilled and with whatever the interesting fish of the week was -- very tasty, to be sure, but not at all what I was hoping for. So hie thee to Tacos Baja Ensenada, or one of the El Taco Nazo or Senor Baja chain outposts (they're both local chains, and I bet they're one of the few chains in LA to get almost unanimous love on this board). If you go to ETN the winner is the shrimp taco.
Also, I know that you have plenty of Vietnamese up there, but my recollection was that San Jose was populated with banh mi-erias and pho shops (and not much else, but I could be wrong) and SF had the fancy Vietnamese sit-downs, like Slanted Door and Golden Tortoise or whatever it is on Van Ness. There's really nothing like a day in Little Saigon.
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Good call re the fish tacos, which aren't so hot in the SF Bay Area.
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Not sure if you'd call it first rate, but the Guelaguetza on Olympic has mezcal on hand, as opposed to the other one (6th? 8th?) which doesn't have a liquor license.
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Gasoline Mezcal! I just had some last week... its pretty terrible.
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OK. I lived in the Bay Area for 10 years, and to see if our tastes match, my favorites are the following: House of Prime Rib, Nola, Santa Ramen, A Cafe for All Seasons, Cheung Hing, Hotaru, Pasta Primavera, Little Lucca's, Zachary's Pizza, Sweet Inspirations, Pancho Villa Taqueria, Universal Cafe.
OK: What I couldn't find in the Bay Area that is down here:
1) A good izakaya: Go to Musha (Santa Monica or Torrance) or Honda-ya (J-Town or Tustin)
2) Good Korean food that is not BBQ; Seoul Garden (in K-Town has a Genghis Khan special of shabu-shabu and jook like no other) and Yong Su San (Korean royalty-style dinner)
3) Good fried chicken: Nothing tastes like Golden Bird
4) A good upscale Mexican restaurant: go to Babita in San Gabriel
Hope this helps.
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Thanks. Oakland has great Korean places with a wide variety of specialties, but I've never heard of any serving Kaesong cuisine.
Menu:
http://www.yongsusan.co.kr/en/menu-1/...
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There are two that I know of: YongSuSan, and Gaesung in Garden Grove. The latter may be inaccessible if you have no Korean -- not because you can't gesture, but because they're not especially gracious.
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as another SF poster, trust me, do NOT get Robert started on Zachary's... :-)
I'd be interested in a report on Mozza...and definitely say yes to Jitlada...
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the bay area actually has their own decent j-town... and yong su san is north korean cuisine- just to clarify :O)
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I second Babita:
1823 S.San Gabriel Blvd.
San Gabriel CA 91776
(626) 288-7265
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Wood-oven pizza (my favorite food) - Mozza?
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Pizzeria Mozza is the obvious choice -- sort of in the same vein, vibe and atmosphere-wise, as A16 up in SF even though Mozza isn't Neopolitan.
Might also want to check out Antica Pizzeria. http://www.anticapizzeria.net/index.html
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You have to try P.Mozza. I'll echo ipse's warning that it's not Neapolitan pizza. The crust is very crisp and the toppings are not restrained. It is delicious however. I would recommend you stay with the salumi or sausage pizzas and really warn you not to get the "Egg, guanciale, radicchio, escarole & bagna cauda" pizza. It sounds great but it has so much radicchio and escarole piled on it that it's almost like a salad or a CPK pizza. It pretty much violates the simplicity rule to pizza.
I would recommend the salumi with chile and the bianchi with fennel sausage for your LA pizza experience.
AOC or Lucques may also be to your liking.
I also second/third the korean recommendations.
Another SF-doesn't-have-this recommendation is Vietnamese/Chinese cuisine at Newport Seafood for their spicy special lobster dish (very reasonably priced).
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Dinner at AOC or Luques is definitely on my short list.
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