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Well, it's another month in magazine publishing, so it's another month's list from the folks at Los Angeles Magazine. This time, like they do every year, they're apprising their readership of their picks for the "Best" in LA. We've noticed over the years that there's no particular method to their madness, just for them to make mention of 101 things that have struck their fancy this year in this city. In looking at their food and drink selections, we're frankly not surprised. They invoke a handful of the currently most dished about spots for dining in town; places they've name-dropped as recently as last month's "Cheap Eats" feature, like KP'S Deli, and places we've talked about, like The Farm of Beverly Hills (renowned here for their brownies), and The Border Grill (amazingly, for a non-alcoholic cocktail, the Minty Lime Cooler). We noticed a heavy favoritism towards restaurants in the Beverly Hills and adjacent areas, with only the ethnic entries coming from elsewhere around town (Middle Eastern at Mandaloun in Glendale, Tamales at Tamales Liliana in Boyle Heights). Naturally the inclusion of a "Small Plates" category was to hail the popular A.O.C., and we're also basking in the obviousness of the "Best Chowder" choice of downtown's Water Grill, highly reputed for their seafood. Some, like us, may balk at their assertion that Canter's Deli serves the best waffles, that the higher end Jar is the spot for french fries, and that a Curry House in Little Tokyo is the best spot for kids. So what was missing? We wish they'd settle our "Best Burger" debate, and also offer us insight on eats near and dear to us, like cupcakes (no mention, despite frequent foodie talk on the topic), ice cream, group dining, happy hour, and sushi. While we know that LA Mag's LA is not our LA, or that there's no such thing as one LA, but we sure wish they would up and surprise us.
The complete list of LA Mag's food & drink "Best" picks is after the jump.
Best French Fries
JAR
8225 Beverly Boulevard (323) 655-6566
Best Chain Cafe
URTH CAFFE
8565 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood (310) 659-0628
267 South Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills (310) 205-9311
2327 Main Street, Santa Monica (310) 314-7040
Best Wineshop
WOODLAND HILLS WINE COMPANY
22622 Ventura Boulevard, Woodland Hills (818) 222-1111
Best Chicken Potpie
KATE MANTILINI
9101 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills (310) 278-3699
5921 Owensmouth Avenue, Woodland Hills (818) 348-1095
Best Tea Shop
LE PALAIS DES THES
401 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills (310) 271-7922
Best Summer Cocktail
RHODE ISLAND RED
@Providence
5955 Melrose Avenue (323) 460-4170
Best Grappa Selection
TRATTORIA TRE VENEZIE
119 West Green Street, Pasadena (626) 795-4455
Best Banh Mi
KP'S
2616 Hyperion Avenue, Silver Lake (323) 913-1818
Best Brownies
THE FARM OF BEVERLY HILLS
439 North Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills (310) 273-5578
The Grove (189 The Grove Drive) (323) 525-1699
Best Limeade
MINTY LIME COOLER
@ The Border Grill
1445 4th Street, Santa Monica, (310) 451-1655
Best Waffles
CANTER'S DELI
419 North Fairfax Avenue (323) 651-2030
Best Bar Menu
TOWER BAR
@ The Argyle Hotel
8358 West Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood (310) 654-7100
Best Small Plates
A.O.C.
8022 West 3rd Street, (323) 653-6359
Best Bread Pudding
BLAIR'S
2903 Rowena Avenue, Silver Lake (323) 660-1882
Best Indian Restaurant
MAURYA
151 South Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills (310) 786-7858
Best Salad Bar
MRS. WINSTON'S GREEN GROCERY STORES
2901 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica (310) 452-7770
2450 Colorado Boulevard, Santa Monica (310) 315-2777
Opening soon in Century City
Best Foie Gras
NORMAN'S
8570 West Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood (310) 657-2400
Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant
CURRY HOUSE
123 Onizuka Street, Suite 204, Little Tokyo (213) 620-0855
Best Dessert Shop
SUSINA BAKERY7122 Beverly Boulevard (323) 934-7900
Best Tamales
TAMALES LILIANA
3448 East 1st Street, Boyle Heights (323) 780-0829
Best Caramels
LITTLE FLOWER CANDY CO.
(323) 551-5948
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant
MANDALOUN141 South Maryland Avenue, Glendale (818) 507-1900
Best Microbrews
ANGEL CITY BREWING
833 West Torrance Boulevard, Torrance (310) 329-8881
Best Chowder
WATER GRILL
544 South Grand Avenue (213) 891-0900