December, 2016 - Consuming LA

As we prepare to say so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye to 2016, it’s time to look back at the LA gastronomic highlights of the year. If you haven’t tried all of these things, I’m sure they’ll still be around in 2017 for you to stuff in your pie hole. Here is my annual list of the ten best things I consumed and wrote about during the past year:

“Big Mec” Double Cheeseburger from Petit Trois

10. “Big Mec” Double Cheeseburger from Petit Trois. The “Big Mec” is the only burger to make my list this year. It has foie gras in it, so basically they’re not playing fair.

Maguro and Toro from Sasabune in Beverly Hills

9. Sushi from Sasabune in Beverly Hills. Sushi is an expensive habit. If you’re looking to save some money in the new year, don’t even try the insanely good and addictive sushi at Sasabune in Beverly Hills.

Bossam from Kobawoo House

8. Bossam from Kobawoo House. If you read this blog regularly, you knew there was going to be some awesome Korean food featured on this list. This is it.

Noorook from Baroo

7. Noorook from Baroo. There are a lot of o’s in the name of this vegetarian dish and also a lot of ingredients, including something called “Job’s Tears,” which I’ve never heard of before but am going to start eating regularly.

Hot Chicken from Howlin Ray’s

6. Hot Chicken from Howlin Ray’s. I know what you are saying: enough with the healthy stuff on this list. So, here’s some deep fried awesomeness.

Foie Gras Funnel Cake from Otium

5. Foie Groas Funnel Cake from Otium. This is what carnies eat when they’re trying to act all sophisticated.

Nona Elvira’s Lasagne Verde from Angelini Osteria

4. Nona Elvira’s Lasagne Verde from Angelini Osteria. This is the best lasagne ever. No exaggeration. It’s made with beef, veal and chopped chicken livers — each of the three major protein groups.

Garlic Cheese Bread from The Smoke House

3. Garlic Cheese Bread from the Smokehouse. I updated my best restaurant bread list this year, and guess who came out the winner again. Yes, it’s of a color that doesn’t exist in nature, but don’t let that stop you from experiencing garlicky, cheesy nirvana.

Butter and Salt Doughnut from Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee

2. Butter and Salt Doughnut from Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee. Is it “donut” or “doughnut”? I don’t know. Does it really matter? Go to Sidecar and prepare to be blown away.

Tempura Uni from Tempura Endo

1. Tempura Uni from Tempura Endo. I dare you to find anything better in this town to put in your mouth. It’s my favorite thing that I consumed and wrote about this year.

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Things that I love from Italy include the films of Frederico Fellini, the art and architecture of the Renaissance, and a really good lasagna. Truth be told, if I had to pick just one, I would chose the lasagna over the other two.

The best lasagna I’ve consumed in LA is the one they serve at Angelini Osteria. It’s called Lasagna Verde “Omaggio Nonna Elvira” (English translation: Green Lasagne in tribute to Grandma Elvira) and it is spectacular. It is cheesy and meaty with ground beef and veal and chopped chicken livers, and it’s layered with spinach lasagna noodles and gloriously topped with a mound of crunchy fried spinach leaves.

Far from being a one trick pony, Angelini Osteria has many other awesome dishes as well, such as Uni Linguine, Lamb Chops Scottadito with Arugula, and Whole Mediterranean Branzino roasted in Sea Salt. Their bread basket with crispy Cracker Bread is one of my favorites in the city. Service is impeccable and the interior is bright, modern and cozy. Although with tables pushed so close to each other, don’t expect a lot of privacy. On the other hand, it’s perfect for making new friends.

Angelini Osteria is located at 7313 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles (in Mid-City).