2920 W. Jefferson Blvd, around 10th Ave
(323) 735-9023
Very local and absolutely the best - Harold and Belles should be visited and celebrated by all 90018 locals.
After living here almost 8 years, I finally went to H and Bs and then I had to go again almost immediately. Anybody want to go check it out, I will be glad to join you.
Yes, the food will kill you. But what a great way to go.
The food is Louisiana/New Orleans/Southern. Crawfish and shrimp and gumbo and oysters (and chicken and steak) in many delicious dishes.
I heartily recommend the popcorn crawfish as an appetizer. Entrees? Especially, the crawfish etouffee.
Nice bar, too.
Good service and comfortable tables - easy to have a relaxing dinner and talk and talk and talk.
Expensive - entrees are $25 -$30 and you will probably want to have drinks and apppetizers and the ammazing bread pudding with hard sauce for dessert, so the bill will be high.
Laissez Les Bon Temp Roule
Thursday, January 22, 2009
El Parian
El Parian offers the most spartan of menus: birria, carne asada, and carnitas, in orders full and half, in tacos or burritos. A long, dimly-lit space, divided by arches, with streaked yellow walls, its Pico-Union location resembles convincingly the taco halls of Mexico, complete with picnic tables and benches. Hailed for their Jalisco style Birria, roasted goat stewed in a chilied broth, El Parian also serves a mean carne asada, sweet, garlicky strips, nearly blackened.The restaurant appears to be the refuge of men, often unaccompanied, each to a table, quiet, intent, imbibing cold cervezas and giantic rounds of meat, occasionally consulting a folded copy of Hoy or Novedades. The sole females work the register or pat the thick, hand-built tortillas, whilst el cocinero rips into giantic sides of meat with glistening cleavers, unleashing a staccato like soundtrack, the ambience of simple toil and blunt purpose. How wonderful.
The burritos con todo may be a bit overstuffed with rice, though a "solo carne" version is offered. Phone orders are welcome and a parking lot is located in the rear off Toberman.
El Parian
1528 W. Pico Blvd.
213-386-7361
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
CRENSHAW LIVE BAR & GRILL
3888 Crenshaw Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
Crenshaw Live opened on Inauguration Night, Jan 20, 2009. We went for beers, but saw that they have a sushi bar and a fishtank in the floor. There were good-looking plates of fried food. Definitely worth further investigation.
Los Angeles, CA
Crenshaw Live opened on Inauguration Night, Jan 20, 2009. We went for beers, but saw that they have a sushi bar and a fishtank in the floor. There were good-looking plates of fried food. Definitely worth further investigation.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Balle Oaxaqueno
2318 West Jefferson Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90018
323 766-1727
The old Two Star Bakery on Jefferson has been renamed, but it doesn't look much different inside, except that now they seem to have things like baggies of cocao beans and some rough looking chocolate, perhaps to use to make molé or other Oaxacan delicacies. There is a small supermarket here too, selling pantry staples, vegetables, fruits, and spices.
Everyone who works there is very friendly, and the place smells sweet and yummy. One room is lined with pastry cases full of sweets and bread. Sometimes I go by to get a Mexican Coke or Pepsi, made with real sugar, instead of corn syrup like the stuff made in the U.S. They also have an ice maker and will sell you bags of ice for a party (unlike the corner liquor store, where people are rude and they don't sell ice and won't tell you where you can find it, but that's another story).
I finally tried the restaurant today, and as usual, I probably ordered the wrong thing. Not much vegetarian food, so I got the veg burrito, which was OK, not great. My friend had the carne asada burrito and she was also lukewarm about it. They didn't give us any salsa, which was part of the problem, but also the ingredients seemed uninspired.
I still think the best burritos around here are at La Taquiza, which is a bit of a schep.
Los Angeles, CA 90018
323 766-1727
The old Two Star Bakery on Jefferson has been renamed, but it doesn't look much different inside, except that now they seem to have things like baggies of cocao beans and some rough looking chocolate, perhaps to use to make molé or other Oaxacan delicacies. There is a small supermarket here too, selling pantry staples, vegetables, fruits, and spices.
Everyone who works there is very friendly, and the place smells sweet and yummy. One room is lined with pastry cases full of sweets and bread. Sometimes I go by to get a Mexican Coke or Pepsi, made with real sugar, instead of corn syrup like the stuff made in the U.S. They also have an ice maker and will sell you bags of ice for a party (unlike the corner liquor store, where people are rude and they don't sell ice and won't tell you where you can find it, but that's another story).
I finally tried the restaurant today, and as usual, I probably ordered the wrong thing. Not much vegetarian food, so I got the veg burrito, which was OK, not great. My friend had the carne asada burrito and she was also lukewarm about it. They didn't give us any salsa, which was part of the problem, but also the ingredients seemed uninspired.
I still think the best burritos around here are at La Taquiza, which is a bit of a schep.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Doomie's-- NOW CLOSED
As of February, 09, Doomies is no longer open at this location. They may open up somewhere else; we certainly hope so!686 N Spring St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Not exactly local, but it's yummy and mostly vegan. Doomie's is serving up veg "comfort" food. Went to visit the other day for lunch and their fryer was broken, which is a total tragedy. Still, they heroically figured out how to fry up some fake chicken for us. Served with mashed potatoes (my friend remarked that they could have used a bit more "whipping") and cole slaw, the fake chicken was devilishly close to how I recall the "real thing" tasting. Which is both unsettling and delicious!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Earlez Grille: Dogs, Burgers, Sandwiches & Veggie
3630 Crenshaw Blvd. 90016, 323 299 BUNS
Well known for a number of delicacies including The Spicy Beef Hot Link (which I had) and the Veggie Chili Vegan Cheese Fries (enjoyed by LAA). Wow. The fixin's on the Link were perfect. The real surpise for meat eaters was the amazing Veggie Chili; it didn't have to be loaded on Fries with Cheese, but boy that was a "meat" eater's delight. We were there on a Tuesday, which meant we hit it on Skinny Fries day. If this were a contest, I'd say "Best in Show."
ps. No beef burgers, which is ok, and no pork products, which is also ok. They have a variety of dogs and links, veggie burgers, salmon burger, and all kinds of cake including Vegan Cake.
Monday, September 29, 2008
El Colmao
Considered by some the most authentic Cuban food in Los Angeles, El Colmao soldiers along, housed for nearly 40 years in an anonymous strip mall in the Byzantine Latino Quarter, far from the foodie frontera. El Colmao covers most of the Cuban basics, Bistek Empanizado, Picadillo, Pollo Ajo, and sides: fried plantains, mariquitas, garlic yucca, etc. In short, whatever your menu favorite at Lala's or the Versailles chain, you'll find it at El Colmao, likely for around 10 bucks.
As established in the Chipotle post, I'm a shredded beef guy, a machaca minion, so naturally my preferred order includes the Ropa Vieja, served in the traditional tomato based sauce with rice and black beans (or moros y christianos).
El Colmao sports an extensive beverage list, including things alcoholic and batidos. The flan was mediocre. The service at times...Cuban. The decor pleasantly outdated and clean.
El Colmao
2328 W. Pico Boulevard (near Magnolia)
213-386-6131
Open 7 days a week
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