L.A.'s most awful restaurant chain, Koo Koo Roo, suffered a blow when it closed its prime Studio City location earlier this month. In its place will be a much more popular chain, Chipotle. Ventura Boulevard in the Southeast Valley is starting to get comfortable with Mexican fast-casual joints--Poquito Mas last year opened nearby in Sherman Oaks and Baja Fresh already has two locations. Also: Loteria Grill will soon move to Laurel Canyon/Ventura, adding another popular sit-down Mexican restaurant to the boulevard where Casa Vega and Mexicali already pack houses. more ›

Carnitas, Spanish for "little meats," are my favorite edible incarnation of pork. For me, they’re a dietary staple, best devoured when surrounded by the perfect tortilla. Oh yeah, these tiny meats are typically pig butt. more ›

Map of New Pizza & Italian Places in Sherman Oaks | View Larger Map more ›