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Happy New Year from LAist and your brand new Food Editor! I've arrived home refreshed from a fantastic vacation in the Philly/New Jersey area, and now I'm revved up and ready for the New Food Year. It was difficult to leave Philadelphia and its fabulous dining options behind (cheesesteaks are only the tip of the iceberg), but nothing beats Los Angeles for its range of offerings. Here's my wish list for places to go, ingredients to cook, and meals to eat in 2008. What's tops on your list of must-eat destinations and recipes this year?
Doner Kebabs: Turkey's national dish (and a pan-European favorite) has finally made it to Los Angeles, and Spitz in Glendale Eagle Rock has the savory lamb sandwich you're craving.
The Farmer's Kitchen: this daily market and cafe is set for a tentative April 2008 opening in the Hollywood Entertainment District. It would be great to see a little slice of organic heaven in this neighborhood, and I for one will visit it regularly to pick up a fast lunch or shop for after-work dinners.
The Father's Office Empire: is there a better burger in Los Angeles than Sang Yoon's bacon compote & blue cheese masterpiece? Maybe now that a new location is opening up in Culver City, the crowds at the Santa Monica location will lighten a bit -- but this gourmet grub & beer establishment is so popular, we're doubting it.
A better restaurant experience in North Hollywood. The arrival of Bank Heist to the neighborhood was supposed to kick up the dining scene a notch in the Arts District -- so why do I still feel like I can't get attentive service or a knock-em-dead meal on this stretch of Lankershim?
Fish fish fish: it might not be the most original ingredient, but fish fits in perfectly with a health-conscious and sustainably-minded diet. This year, I am going to experiment with mackerel, mussels, anchovies, tilapia, and Pacific halibut.
Michael Symon, The Next Chef-Sex-Symbol. Why does the sight of this new Iron Chef send me into such spasms of desire for, er, rustic Mediterranean cuisine? Could it be that sexy bald head? That contagious yelp of laughter? The intense, focused gaze? Why can't I take my eyes off the guy or his food? Watch your back, Bobby Flay, there's a new hottie in town.
LA Mill: Cimarusti. Enough said? Alright, alright -- this upscale coffeehouse from the mastermind who brought Providence to Los Angeles will be (fingers crossed) opening in Silver Lake next week. From their website: "LA MILL is committed to sourcing the Earth in an effort to produce the world’s best cup of coffee."
Soup. What's the big dish of the year? We have to agree with LA Foodblogging -- soup is where it's at, especially during the rainy season. Mish mash, ramen, matzoh, pho, minestrone, consomme, ciappino, French onion -- for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, we love it and want to order it everywhere we go.
Hollywood. The neighborhood where I'll be eating out most? Why, Hollywood! With The Hungry Cat, Katsu-ya, Atch-Kotch Japanese (ramen again!), and Los Balcones del Peru all within a few blocks, and many more hot spots set to open in 2008, I'll be enjoying all the eats that this vibrant, classic neighborhood has to offer.
Photo by colin.brown via Flickr
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Have you ever actually had a burger from Father's Office? It's horrendous. And they served the cursed thing on a French Roll for god's sake...
When you're ready for a good burger, head over to 25 Degrees, in the Roosevelt Hotel (across from Grauman's Chinese).
Just because they're snotty about not letting you change anything to their burger doesn't mean it's good, just means they're presumptuous and over-confident.
To quote the bard: Don't believe the hype.
Uhhhh...yes, Bob, I've had their burger. Several times. And I love it and don't care to change a thing.
Alas, poor Llama.
You're killing all us proud Eagle Rockians
Spitz is in Eagle Rock not the hated Glrndale.
oooo you are so right I am changing it right now, chumpler! thanks!
Just walked by a new under-construction Spitz in Little Tokyo that is set to open in Spring 2008!!!
Yum!
Has anyone been to Ketchup on Sunset?
Carrie -
Blue cheese on a burger is either an insult to the meat, or a waste of good blue cheese. Either way, it's an abomination before man and god.
And there is never a legitimate use for french rolls.
Might I direct you here for the full scope of my distaste for their burger?
ahem, blue cheese on a veggie burger = good idea.
xoxo
Anything with flavor is a good idea on a veggie burger.
But I'm talking about a real burger.
Ali - I've been to Ketchup and actually liked it. I didn't think I would given the hype train and the bevy of anorexic beauties but it was quite good and they have all the American-type classics slightly gussied up you could imagine.
The much-hyped NY-style Two Boots Pizza is sposed to open in Echo Park any day now. Won't stop me from frequenting Masa. I was pleasantly surprised with 15 (I wouldn't call it Italian as this blog does), which opened late last year next to House of Spirits.
And to comment on Father's Office: I refuse to judge a burger that can only be ordered ONE WAY. I prefer their Steak Frites, a yummy and reasonable treat to complement one of the finest, rotating selection of beer on tap in metro LA.
LA Mill? Howzabout they just open up a Kings Road East?
hey! i'm definitely a fan of Spitz! i'm originally from the washington, dc area - where there are amazing mediterranean/lebanese restaurants (both hole-in-the-walls and upscale/trendy). i haven't been able to find as wide a range of places here in LA. any suggestions? thanks!
About LA Mill...hold your horses everyone (or should I say wallets). Do you realize that a cup of organic coffee will cost you $5.00? And that's a cup of black coffee!!!!!! I think I can wait for this one.