Good eats in Los Angeles

[PeANuT]

Been travelling a lot lately and extensively through Cali... I found some great food in both San Fran and San Diego but I'm looking for more recommendations in Los Angeles for my next trip. Preferrably Hollywood/Beverly Hills area but also in Santa Monica and Malibu.

I'm also not necessarily looking for the most exquisite upscale dining, just fun food, what not to miss, etc.

Gracias!

[beachman]

what types of food? I know some good steak and sea food joints

[djcyph]

for some late night drunk munchies def check out Rosscos Chicken and Waffles

[PeANuT]

Any type of food really... It can be fast food (like In & Out, which i've been to obviously, but would normally be something i'd tell someone to check out if they were heading out West)... Or a local chain (Freshii, Tender Greens) or a mid range restaurant. Just looking for some memorable meals people have had in the area.

Not so much looking for a steak or fancy restaurant, per say, I feel like you can get that high end spectrum in any city and its pretty similar.

[chrisd1163]

I can give you lists of places but there is one place that is my first stop off the plane every single time I got to LA (which is often). It's called California Chicken Cafe. I go to the one in Venice because it's like 10 minutes from LAX and where I stay in Marina Del Rey but there is one on Melrose in WeHo and a few others around. I usually eat there once a day. Good, healthy, cheap food.

[Forca Barca]

If you are gonna be in the Marina Del Rey area, I ate at El Tarasco 3 times in 3 days. Everyone said Cali's Mexican food was so good so I had to try it. They were right LOL. Place was incredible. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=marina...ed=0CDMQ8gEwAA

[PeANuT]

I can give you lists of places but there is one place that is my first stop off the plane every single time I got to LA (which is often). It's called California Chicken Cafe. I go to the one in Venice because it's like 10 minutes from LAX and where I stay in Marina Del Rey but there is one on Melrose in WeHo and a few others around. I usually eat there once a day. Good, healthy, cheap food.

YES... I want to try CCC, I read about it on Yelp when I was looking for a good salad spot (ended up at Tender Greens which was also very good).

If you are gonna be in the Marina Del Rey area, I ate at El Tarasco 3 times in 3 days. Everyone said Cali's Mexican food was so good so I had to try it. They were right LOL. Place was incredible. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=marina...ed=0CDMQ8gEwAA

I'll look it up - I stay in Hollywood so its not super close but we venture out to the beaches. I loved the mexican food I had in San Diego, once we go to LA I didnt get it as much but its one of my favorite cuisines and i'm psyched there is so much of it out there. I really liked Sharkeys which is a chain mex-place.

[chrisd1163]

Where are you staying?

[PeANuT]

My friends live right off Hollywood Blvd, technically H'wood Hills I think.

[chrisd1163]

Almost forgot this little gem. For late night snack, there is a spot on Sunset called Bossa Nova. I think it's brazilian. Open till 4am which is good because most of the clubs close at 2am.

Poquito Mas in Burbank. I could eat there every single day. Well worth the 15 minute drive from the hills. Little outdoor eating spot with the freshest mexican around. I get the fish tacos and a quesadilla. Its right near the studios so you always run into celebs if you're into that shit.

Firenze Osteria in Studio City is probably the best italian in LA. Owned by Fabio Vivianni. He is there almost every time I walk in. Get the Short rib ravioli for sure.

There is a burger joint called The Counter, you build your own burger, tons of options.

Def don't pass up Katsuya on Hwood and Vine. Some of the best sushi I've ever eaten. Get the Kobe and Fois Gras entree for an app, black miso cod and the eggplant app. Sushi Roku in Santa Monica is great also for sushi. Skip Geisha House, the place sucks.

If you wanna wait on line for a half hour, go to Pinks on La Brea for a hot dog. I've been to LA probably 75 times over the past 3 years and I've never gone though.

If you want more Santa Monica, Venice or Marina Del Rey spots, let me know, thats where I spend most of my time.

[PeANuT]

They have the Counter here in NYC now... Reviews were all pretty bad which stinks, I was excited to try it. We did Umami last time I was out there. Wasnt as impressed with the original as I thought I would be but "The Hatch" which has the hot peppers in it was pretty amazing.

Katsuya is definitely on my list and right near their apt.... We did Kabuki last trip which was REALLY good.

Pinks is also on there.... They tell me about it every time and drive past (its right near Happy Endings, right?) and we havent stopped yet.

Poquito Mas sounds right up my alley!

I cant wait to go back.

[chrisd1163]

Can you tell I spend a lot of time in LA? lol. The poquito mas you have to go to is on Olive and Naomi in Burbank. There's 2 or 3 other locations but don't go there.

[PeANuT]

I'll be in the same boat in a couple of months, lol. I'm going to be the one making recommendations.

[bennyboy]

They have the Counter here in NYC now... Reviews were all pretty bad which stinks, I was excited to try it.

My son and I ate at The Counter in NYC last month and I thought it was pretty good, he loved it too. 2/3rd pound burger with blue cheese, fried onions, bacon, calamari olives, chipotle aoili. Very good.
1/2 and 1/2 fries/onion rings were good too