Here at LAist we loved to sample the culinary offerings of Los Angeles. Sometimes high end restaurants and other times scrumptious street food. In 2008 we went out on a limb and named some of the city's best foods. We leave it to you, our readers, to agree or debate with us about our choices.
Food: December 2008 Archives
A long-time family favorite of my good friend David Peeps, this recipe is originally from The Buffallo Mountain Lodge in Banff, Alberta. The apples mellow out the tartness of the berries, and the berries liven up the sometimes humdrum flavor of the apples.
It's Christmas and of course, not a lot of things are open. For those in search of an alternative to Chinese food, check out this list of ramen noodle houses that will be welcoming the hungry today, courtesy of the blog Go Ramen!
This one is an unusual take on a holiday classic. For years a personal obsession has been the peanut butter pie at the Wheel Inn at Cabazon. There have been many disappointments along the way to a duplicate recipe, with versions full of Cool Whip and broken dreams. This recipe seems to really hit the mark and is the closest you can get without a 3-hour drive.
Some pies are traditional for Christmas -- like pumpkin, pecan and mincemeat. Why not try something new this year? The bright tartness of a traditional lemon meringue pie can bring a litle sunshine to the holiday table and really wake up the palate.
Looking for a little holiday cheer in the frantic last days of frenzied mall crowds, last-minute shopping and party hopping? Well, today is your lucky day. Christmas in a cocktail glass at the following bars and even a little recipe to try at your holiday party!
A turkey sandwich, when done well, is a delicious and satisfying lunch mainstay. In fact, it's one that I rely on as a dietary staple. A few simple pieces of turks, tucked happily between two slightly warmed slices. Easy. Tasty. Attractive.
Since for many Angelenos, Christmastime is Tamale-time, our local Fox station recently asked on-air for viewers to let them know where the best tamales in town can be found. They put together a segment covering what emerged as the top four: South El Monte's El Mano Market, and Juanito's, La Indiana, and Liliana's--all in East L.A. For most, it's the quality of the ingredients that makes one tamale top another, while for many, it's the pursuit of the elusive bite that echoes something from a time gone by. Maybe they're the ones sold by your neighborhood "Tamale Man" (or woman), or maybe they're the ones you make with your family. So did the Fox viewers get it right? Are those really the best tamales in town?
Can't be hassled with slaving over an oven to make treats for all those holiday parties you're gonna hit up? L.A. has many wonderful dessert shops to save the day. Take your pick. Will it be cute peppermint cupcakes, a personalized gingerbread house or how's about a Yule log cake?
To celebrate their thirty year birthday, Morton's (The Steakhouse) will be giving away free Mini-Prime Burgers (aka sliders) this Sunday. One catch though. It's only from 5 to 6 p.m. And sorry large parties, this offer is available only at the bar (I guess that's two catches then.) Available at all Morton's locations.
In what has to be one of the grossest holiday-themed articles published this year on the LA Times (whose online content may or may not be controlled by gnomes) comes the breakdown of bacteria, as it can perhaps be found on the buffet table of your next holiday gathering.
Dear Recession: With leading economists recent declaration that our great nation has been in one of you since December 2007, our emergence into December 2008 can only mean one thing. It’s time to celebrate your first birthday. Happy Birthday Recession!
The much awaited Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet--the supposed oldest restaurant and sallon in the city--reopened in downtown Los Angeles last week. People flocked and they reviewed. One of those was LAist Featured Photos contributor on Flickr, two wheels good, who submitted this photo.
It took two words to get me to try Downtown's Nickel Diner for breakfast: Bacon Donut.
Back in October, The Vegan Spot on Sunset Blvd. put up an ad on Craigslist. It was a "quick sale." You could have your own vegan restaurant for $75,000.
A reader excitedly e-mails over that he's spotted Broguiere's Farm Fresh Daily egg nog with the face of California's cheerleader, Huell Howser, illustrated on the bottle.
Late last night in Westwood, among the dense maze of housing east of UCLA's campus, was a line, at least an hour's wait for some, of some 500 people waiting to grab some Korean inspired tacos and burritos and maybe the day's special--Kimchi Fried Rice Cake with Egg-Shiso. Meet Kogi BBQ. It's Korean food with the edge of a street taco on a catering truck mixed with the savvyness of Web 2.0 (follow them on Twitter to know their location).
The Edendale Grill may fall in and out of favor, but its bar has never wavered as a solid local watering hole.
The LA Times Food section embarks on a perilous and ambitious project today: collecting 1,001 recipes featuring that porky product most commonly known as bacon (less commonly known as "Taste Explosion Happy Fat Yummy Time!" and "Vegetarians, Weep"). Why bacon? Well, apparently because "bacon works so well in so many dishes, from soups and salads to chili and stuffed pork chops". Uh, yeah guys: is a pig's pussy pork? Anyway, so far the list is only five items long, but includes such creative (if questionable) items as a Candied Bacon Martini (ew?) and a roasted potato salad (that's definitely more my steez). They're welcoming comments and suggestions from readers, so head on over and school those fools on how to add some dazzle to your dinner.
Boule, that chic modern French patisserie in Beverly Hills, will be giving away free gourmet chocolates this evening from 6pm to 8pm to promote its holiday flavors: gingerbread, citrus rosemary and pecan pie. The patisserie also has a location on La Cienega but the freebies are only going down at the BH store. Boule, 413 N Bedford Dr., Beverly Hills (map), (310) 273-4488.
Fulfilled in Beverly Hills is a contemporary pastry shop serving sweet and savory versions of the traditional Japanese treat known as imagawa-yaki. These waffle-like pastries are normally filled with sweet azuki bean and are Japan’s version of comfort food. Still very popular today, imagawa-yaki originated in Tokyo in the early 1800s and are often enjoyed at various festivals throughout the year in Japan.
The Mel’s Diner blog over at Broadcasting & Cable magazine (not to be confused with the actual diner of the same name) includes posts on everything from who dines where (see their 'Fly on the Wall' sightings series) to proper etiquette for working meals.
The ESPN Zone in LA Live is the newest establishment in the entertainment complex adjacent to Staples Center that continues to evolve. As the adjoining massive Ritz-Carlton high rise is being covered with mirror-like glass, the various clubs and eateries in it's shadow are opening one by one. The Nokia Theater was first, and more recently Club Nokia and the chic Lucky Strike bowling lanes opened their doors.



