Category Archives: Highland Park

December 31, 2024 · 1:09 pm

The 10 Best Things I Consumed in 2024

This past year was a phenomenal food year in LA. So much so that it was quite a difficult task to pick just ten things for this list. But after much mulling over and agonizing, here’s my annual list of the ten best things I consumed and posted about during the past year. I suggest you make it your New Year’s resolution to try them all!

Maizhongo with Mushroom Mix, Hoja Santa, Chochoyotes and Huitlacoche

10. Maizhongo from Carnal Cocina Artesenal. Carnal serves the best Oaxacan Mexican food I’ve ever consumed, and this vegan mushroom dish is a particular stand-out.

Edna’s Sour Milk Cornbread with White Cheddar, Hatch Chile, Cultured Butter and Honey

9. Edna’s Sour Milk Cornbread from Dunsmoor. This Southern-inspired restaurant is one of my favorites in the city. Their cornbread is served hot in a cast iron skillet and is spectacular.

Beef Short Rib with Chili & Tamarind Dressing and Roasted Peanuts

8. Beef Short Rib from Cobi’s. I love this Southeast Asian fusion restaurant and their buttery short rib is in a league of its own.

Dan Dan Noodles with Sesame-Peanut Sauce, Chili Oil, Cucumbers and Crushed Peanuts

7. Dan Dan Noodles from Pine & Crane. If you’re not ordering this bowl of vegan awesomeness at my favorite uber-cool Taiwanese joint, you are massively missing out.

Dosa Onion Rings with Urad Lentil Batter and Mango Chutney

6. Dosa Onion Rings from Pijja Palace. There are many things to love about Silver Lake’s own Indian-Italian fusion hipster sports bar, but these insanely good onion rings are at the very top of the list.

Spicy Fusilli with Vodka Sauce, Basil and Parmesan

5. Spicy Fusilli from Jon & Vinny’s. This consistently excellent local Italian eatery with multiple locations (includiung a new one in Studio City) and its signature dish of perfect pasta have been around for a while, and for good reason. These spiral noodles in spicy vodka sauce are mouth-wateringly sensational.

Lechon Kawali Rice Bowl with Twice-cooked Pork Belly, Java Garlic Rice, Tomato Cucumber Salad, Pickled Green Papaya and Vinegar

4. Lechon Kawali from Kuya Lord. Chef Maynard Llera just won a prestigious James Beard Award for his exceptional Filipino cuisine, no doubt due in part to this juicy, crispy-skinned magnificence.

3. Sushi from Sushi Gen. People often ask me what my favorite sushi bar is in LA. This is it. Make sure to order the Albacore and Fatty Tuna. You’re welcome.

2. Pork Hui Tou Dumplings from Hui Tou Xiang. These are my favorite Chinese dumplings in the city. And if you don’t want to drive to San Gabriel for them, a second location of this incredible dumpling and noodle joint recently opened in Hollywood.

Wagyu Cheesesteak with Grilled Onions and Roasted Long Hot Pepper on a House-baked Sesame Roll

1. Wagyu Cheesesteak from Matū. At night, it’s a posh Japanese steakhouse. But at lunchtime (and only at lunchtime), at the bar, they serve a ridiculously amazing version of a cheesesteak on a fresh-out-of-the-oven sesame seed roll. It’s the best thing I consumed and posted about in 2024.

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Filed under Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Downtown, Glassell Park, Highland Park, Hollywood, Koreatown, Mid-City, San Gabriel, Santa Monica, Silver Lake, Studio City

Tagged as best dumplings in LA, best dumplings Los Angeles, best Filipino food in LA, best Filipino food Los Angeles, Best Los Angeles Restaurants, best onion rights LA, best onion rings los angeles, Best Restaurants in LA, best restaurants los angeles, best sushi in LA, Best Sushi Los Angeles, Cheesesteaks in LA, Cheesesteaks in Los Angeles, los angeles food blogs, must try food in LA, must try food los angeles, Oaxacan food in LA, Oaxacan food Los Angeles

December 30, 2022 · 12:46 am

The 10 Best Things I Consumed in 2022

My New Year’s resolution is to post more in 2023, but for now please enjoy my annual year-end list. Here are the 10 best things I consumed and posted about this year. Have a happy, healthy and delicious New Year!

10. Pretzel Bread with Mustard Butter at Catch LA in West Hollywood. These incredible rolls are served hot-out-of-the-oven with a sweet mustard butter, and prove that sometimes the best things in life really are free (or, at least, complimentary with your meal).

Assorted Bourekas, Hard Boiled Eggs, Pickles and Tomato Dipping Sauces

9. Borekas at Bo-re-kas in Sherman Oaks. These savory Sephardic Israeli pastries with fillings such as potato & brown butter and cultured cheese & za’atar are one of the best things you can nosh on in the Valley.

8. Bahn Mi at Bahn Mi My-Dung in Chinatown. This perfect version of the classic Vietnamese sandwich is made and sold in a tiny, unassuming grocery store.

Brisket, Pork Ribs, Pulled Pork, Korean Sticky Glazed Pork Belly Burnt Ends, Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage, Mac n Cheese, Slaw, Red Potato Salad, Pickles, Onions and Tres Leches Strawberry Bread Pudding

7. Barbecue at Moo’s Craft Barbecue in Lincoln Heights. It’s hard to pick just one menu item for this list from my new favorite Texas-style barbecue joint in town, so I’m just going to recommend all of them.

Green Slice with Caciocavallo, Spinach-Cream Sauce and Parmigiano Reggiano

6. Green Slice at Pizzeria Bianco in Downton. Believe the hype.

5. Double Cheeseburger at The Win-Dow in Venice and Silver Lake. Smashingly delicious!

4. Prime Beef Bulgogi at Woo Hyang Woo in Koreatown. This Korean BBQ staple is elevated to a whole new level at a great, new-ish, high-end eatery in the heart of K-town.

3. Cacio e Pepe Bagel at Belle’s Bagels in Highland Park. Jewish meets Italian and the result is possibly the best bagel ever.

2. Lobster Hand Roll at Kazunori in Westwood, Studio City, Downtown, Mid-City, Santa Monica, Downton and Marina del Rey. Shello, uber-delicious hand roll. You are clawsome!

Banana Leaf Flan with Sesame and Caramel

1. Banana Leaf Flan at Damian in Downton. Upscale Mexican restaurant Damian is one of my favorite new places and this dessert is flan-tastic! It’s the best thing that I consumed and posted about this year!

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Filed under Chinatown, Downtown, Highland Park, Koreatown, Lincoln Heights, Marina del Rey, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake, Studio City, Venice, West Hollywood, Westwood

Tagged as best la restaurants, Best Los Angeles Restaurants, Best Restaurants in LA, best restaurants los angeles, best things to eat in downtown los angeles, best things to eat in dtla, best things to eat in la, best things to eat in los angeles, bet things to eat in downtown los angeles

December 31, 2021 · 10:29 pm

The 10 Best Things I Consumed in 2021

What can I say about 2021? In many respects, it was a little better than 2020. If this pandemic has taught me anything, it’s to not take anything for granted and to not forget to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. And on the subject of simple pleasure, here is my annual list of the ten best things I consumed and posted about this year. I hope you enjoy. Happy New Year!

10. Crispy Ramen Egg from Afuri Ramen. This is egg-ceptional.

“The Danny Boy” Porkstrami Sandwich from The Bad Jew stall at Smorgasburg

9. “The Danny Boy” Porkstrami Sandwich from The Bad Jew (at Smorgasburg). Some may say “oy vey” but I say “hooray” to this delicious pork pastrami that is certainly not kosher.

8. Chocolate Chess Pie from Goldburger. Checkmate!

Parmesan Crusted Halibut with Grilled Asparagus and Beurre Blanc from Porta Via

7. Parmesan Crusted Halibut from Porta Via. The math doesn’t always work, but in this case fish plus cheese equals awesome.

“The William Mae” Fried Chicken Tender Sandwich with HiHo Pickles, Organic Honey & Slaw Sauce and Purple Cabbage from HiHo Cheeseburger

6. “The Willie Mae” Fried Chicken Tender Sandwich from HiHo Cheeseburger. Who knew a chicken sandwich at one of LA’s top burger joints would be this amazing. HiHo is certainly no one trick pony.

Sticky Glazed Pork Shank with Shitake, Honeynut Squash, Hoison Mayo, Hot Mustard, Naan and Lettuce Cups from Girl & the Goat

5. Sticky Glazed Pork Shank from Girl & the Goat. Girl & the Goat is the best Chicago import since Cracker Jack, and this delectable take on on a Korean Ssam is my favorite dish on the menu.

4. Bacon-wrapped Dates stuffed with Parmesan from AOC. Chef Suzanne Goin has been serving these incredibly addictive, salty and sweet morsels for almost two decades and I have been consuming them for just as long.

3. Zucchini Chips with Herbed Yogurt from Greekman’s. Q: What is a zucchini’s favorite sport? A: Squash. The Zucchini Chips at Greekman’s are significantly better than that joke. In fact, they’re pretty f-ing amazing! Easily the best vegetable dish I consumed this year.

2. Trout Almondine from Petit Trois. I’m nuts about this dish!

1. Strawberry Donut from The Donut Man. These are slightly tart, wonderfully sweet and perfectly glazed. And the good news is you don’t have to drive all the way to Glendora anymore as they are now also made and sold downtown in Grand Central Market. It’s my favorite thing that I consumed and posted about this year.

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The 10 Best Things I Consumed in 2019

As 2019 draws to a close, it’s time to wax poetic on my 10 favorite things that I ate and wrote about this year. Here are the winners:

Mashed Avocado with Watermelon Radish, Sprouts, Grape Seed Oil, Red Pepper Flakes and Lemon on Pumpernickel from Alfred Coffee (it’s only served in the Silver Lake location)

10. Avocado Toast from Alfred Coffee. Although usually referred to as a vegetable, an avocado is actually a fruit. This fruit and bread combo is the best in the City.

Brown Butter Mochi from Porridge + Puffs

9. Brown Butter Mochi from Porridge and Puffs. “Aloha” is Hawaiian for hello, goodbye and love. I aloha this dessert.

Focaccia from Triple Beam Pizza (and served at Hippo)

8. Focaccia from Triple Beam Pizza. Saying that a delicious, can’t-get-enough-of-it food is “like crack” is the most overused expression in food bloggerdom. This focaccia bread is like heroin.

Sweet Corn Cappellacci with Funghi Misti and Fresh Thyme from Hippo

7. Sweet Corn Cappellacci from Hippo. Q: What does corn say when it receives a compliment? A: Aw, shucks. The Corn Cappellacci at Hippo is much better than this joke.

Iceberg Salad with Grilled Thick Cut Smoke Bacon and Danish Blue Cheese from APL

6. Iceberg Salad from APL. This is the first time a salad has made my annual list. But in all fairness, it’s basically a giant, thick slice of smoked bacon and gobs of incredible Danish blue cheese, accompanied by some lettuce.

4 (tie). Fried Chicken from Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken. Three words: Finger. Lickin’. Great.

Smokey Frid Chicken from Plan Check Kitchen + Bar

4. (tie). Smokey Fried Chicken from Plan Check Kitchen + Bar. Also finger lickin’ great.

3. Morning Bun from Tartine Sycamore. I agree with Ellen Degeneres who said “I don’t think I really need buns of steel; I’d be happy with buns of cinnamon.” While Tartine Manufactory closed this month, these awesome buns of cinnamon, caramelized sugar and orange zest can still be found in LA at sister restaurant Tartine Sycamore.

2. Pastrami Rueben from Freedman’s. I love Ruebens so much that I married one (although technically my wife’s maiden name is spelled Rubin). This Pastrami Rueben is not as good as my wife, but is pretty awesome nonetheless.

1 . Dry Aged Tomahawk Chop from APL. Smells like foie gras. Tastes like truffles. Costs a fortune but worth every penny. It’s the best thing that I consumed and wrote about in 2019.

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Filed under Downtown, Echo Park, Highland Park, HIstoric Filipino Town, Hollywood, Mid-City, Santa Monica, Silver Lake, West LA

Tagged as 10 best things to eat in LA, best 10 things to eat in LA, Best Restaurants in LA, LA's best restaurants

December 11, 2019 · 8:09 am

My Spirit Animal

In a calorie-counting city like LA, I'm not sure that "Hippo" is the best name for a restaurant, especially one where you want to ravenously eat every single thing on the menu. But I have no doubt that flocks of famished foodies and hordes of hungry hipsters will be migrating to this wondrous watering hole for many years to come.

Hippo is a small plate joint and the cuisine is largely Italian with a bunch of other things thrown in. I recommend you start your savory safari with the Wax Bean Salad and the incredible Burrata flown in from Lazio, Italy. The complimentary Foccacia imported from sister restaurant Triple Beam Pizza is wildly good.

For mains, I recommend the Sweet Corn Cappellaci Pasta and the very un-Italian Barbecued Pork Country Ribs with Bok Choy, Scallion Salad and Sesame. The Custard Tart with Poached Peaches, Candied Lemon Zest and Crème Fraîche is a great way to end your fabulous adventure.

Hippo is located at 5916 1/2 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles (in Highland Park).