LaLa Loves L.A.

I love my hometown of Los Angeles!  As you prepare to travel to my hometown for this year's Expo Comida Latina Los Angeles, September 10-11, many of you have written me to ask about great new restaurants to try while you are here in the City of Angels.  I find that one of the greatest things about traveling is trying out the new restaurants or shop at other retail outlets.   It is a fun way to get new ideas for your own restaurant or retail operation. 

If you have not yet registered for Expo Comida Latina Los Angeles, then click here.

Truth is that there are hundreds of great places in and around the downtown L.A. area.  Here are just a few of my favorite markets and restaurants:

For Dinner:

El Paseo Inn @ Olvera Street
11 Olvera St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-626-1361
Don't let the mariachis fool you--this is not your average Tex-Mex joint. The usual offerings of tamales and enchiladas can be found, but they are served with a unique blend of spices and fresh cheeses. Other menu items include: rare Mexican cuisine like the fluffy sopes, piping hot pastries filled with pork, beans and cheeses. If you're out for a night on the town, order a killer margarita, or from the long list of Mexican imports.
 
Teresitas
3826 E. 1st St.
Los Angeles, CA 90063
Phone: 323-266 6045
Everything I have eaten here has been top-notch, even the beans and rice. In Mexican restaurants, if these are good, it's a sign that the rest of the food is likely to be superior.
 
La Parilla
2126 Cesar Chavez Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Phone: 323-262-3434
Start with an order from the guacamole cart, fresh-made and served in a giant stone bowl. The rest of the menu prompts salivation with impressive meat and seafood sections. Try the Filete Yucateco for a tropically spiced steak. The tortillas are handmade on a slightly imposing grill in the middle of the dining area, but its presence just adds to the authenticity of the place. The portions are hearty.
 
Gardens of Taxco
1113 N Harper Ave.
West Hollywood, CA 90046
Phone: 323-654-1746
There's nothing a la carte and no written menu, as all items are described daily by your server, like the house specialty, pollo ala crema, that's been touted as tasting "like the chicken was born in the sauce." The five-course meal includes a quesadilla appetizer topped with guacamole, albondigas soup, baked chicken enchilada or agustina (resembling a beef taquito). Main courses -- chosen from 14 items -- come with rice and beans, dessert (bananas in sweet sour cream) and an after-dinner cream sherry.
 
Yang Chow Chinese
819 N. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-625-0811

Arnie Morton's the Steakhouse-Beverly Hills
735 South Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: 213-553-4566
 
Palm Restaurant
1100 South Flower St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Phone: 213-763-4600
 
Water Grill
544 South Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Phone: 213-891-0900
 
Engine Company
644 South Figueroa
Los Angeles, CA  90017
Phone: 213-624-6996
 
Mastro's Steakhouse
246 N Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: 310-888-8782
 
For Drinks:
 
The Edison
108 W. 2nd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-613-0000
 
The Standard
550 S. Flower St.
Los Angles, CA 90071
Phone: 213-892-8080
 
Weiland Brewery – great appetizers and drinks
400 E. 1st St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-680-2881
 
For Breakfast: 

The Pantry
877 S Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90017-2507
Phone: 213-972-9279
 
Nazo's Croissant Etc
810 W 8TH St.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: 213-689-4833

For Celebrities:

The Ivy
113 N. Robertson Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA.
Phone: 310-274-8303
The Ivy is one of L.A.'s leading celebrity hangouts, attracting a virtual Who's Who of Hollywood stars and moguls. Since it is an open, patio restaurant, there are often paparazzi camped out across the street, hoping for photos of arriving celebs.

For Shopping:

California Market Center on Ninth Street

Safe Travels & See you in L.A.

Provecho!

Chef LaLa
Contributing Editor, Comida News