January 2026 Rundown

scalliongirl · January 14, 2026, 5:59pm

Visited Meat and Essentials in San Marino after seeing it in Vic and Jeff’s 2025 favorites video. Sausage roll and meat pie were both good, but the seasoning of the sausage roll was better than the meat pie (needed more acid/kick). Quite spendy at $26 together, so probably not a regular purchase, but I’m excited to come back to try their sandwiches and/or buy a fancy condiment! They have a nice selection of fun drinks in the fridge and a huge variety of meats in the freezer.

Really wish the Huntington allowed outside food in – this would be the perfect spot to grab coffee/pastries/sandwiches/snacks beforehand.

hungryhungryhippos · January 14, 2026, 7:02pm

Damn a meat pie and sausage roll at 13 dollars a piece! Australians and Kiwis are rolling over in their graves lol.

They do look delicious btw

paranoidgarliclover · January 14, 2026, 7:52pm

I think that (or the place next door) used to be the local ice cream parlor, back in the day…

Is the item that’s been cut in half the sausage roll?

scalliongirl · January 15, 2026, 3:51am

I think you’re referring to Cal Oaks 3 Pharmacy? We stepped in briefly because we saw an old school ice cream/soda bar counter, but it seemed to be more of an actual pharmacy now.

Yes, cut is the sausage roll! Didn’t get a pic of the meat pie cross section, but it was full of braised (?) lamb.

Grog · January 15, 2026, 4:12am

Ozzy’s Apizza work lunch today. Fantastic pies. Toppings are first rate and the crust is crispy and tasty. We wanted one white and one red. The Milty Rabbit and a Pepperoni with a basic salad. Both pies rocked. They have some decent can/btl beers (El Segundo BS IPA). It’s an interesting setup, basically in what appears to be a cemented parking lot next to a large, brick 2-story. Park in the lot across the street. They set up canopies and tables for what seems to be 100 pp. Two massive ovens and a separate bar area. The entire restaurant could be packed into a 22 footer. I kinda love this place.

J_L · January 15, 2026, 8:15am

Yes, and it’s a damn good pharmacy.

avantbored · January 15, 2026, 4:35pm

Eagle & his partner got a great thing going on Huntington. The price of the meats raise my eyebrows but you cannot deny the quality. Additionally, perusing the used book store at the Crowley library down the street is not to be missed!

A little background about Eagle here: Jered Standing, owner of ethically minded butcher shop Standing's, dies at 44

J_L · January 15, 2026, 5:31pm

The newest, coolest coffee house in Echo Park is in a private residence. Granada sits at the end of a residential driveway. The vibe resonates L.A. Wonderful cortado, and a slice of delicious blood orange ricotta cake. I am hooked…

@granada_echopark

hungryhungryhippos · January 15, 2026, 11:57pm

Great to hear looked like a super interesting concept.

paranoidgarliclover · January 16, 2026, 4:57am

Jade Rabbit:

They had a jazz night (!) tonight, and one of the musicians is also an employee at the restaurant. They are possibly thinking of making this jazz night a recurring event.

B/f the music started, Kim quoted MLK and talked about the kind of inclusive community they are hoping to create at Jade Rabbit.

Moomin · January 16, 2026, 4:59am

I walked past and was wondering what had drawn such a crowd!

set0312 · January 17, 2026, 6:56am

I went to Soban tonight. First time having that crab dish. Really darn good, so sweet and delicate.

doublestuffedpierogi · January 19, 2026, 4:34am

Started the new year right back where I ended 2025, in Echo Park, this time chowing down at Quarter Sheets.

Pepperoni and Sicilian corner (their slice of the week) - big fan of the sauce here, the dough is light, and the texture and flavor of the crisped cheese crust is very nice.

Princess Cake and a daily special maple pie - I heard great things about Hannah’s cakes, but I did not expect to come out of Quarter Sheets thinking wow the desserts may have been better than the pizza. The flavors are balanced wonderfully on the princess cake.

Slice of the month from Little Dynamite - parmesan cream, mozz, provolone, ricotta, fresh garlic and thyme

A1 Burger - great burger and fries combo. Hard to find a burger, fries, and a drink for less than $10 and have the end result be so enjoyable. Cash only.

Amor y Tacos - had to go to Downey for an errand and we decided to check out a nearby bib gourmand, Amor y Tacos. The signature pork belly dish in a coca-cola sauce, that added a nice balance of sweetness to dish, was pretty good. The pork belly was more dry and tough rather than succulent from high heat or prolonged cooking beyond tenderness, making some bites were cracker like meat. Tacos were just okay. All in all, don’t think I would recommend.

Mae Malai Thai House of Noodles

This place is a gem. I really enjoyed it and I can see why folks are so fond of it, and as a result, there may be a wait to get in. Small size plates giving you the opportunity to try several dishes.

Classic boat noodle soup w/ beef and egg noodles, asked for spicy and the broth was super delicious.

and dry boat noodle w/ pork and thin rice noodles

and some delicious kanom thay (steamed coconut milk made from rice flour, tapioca flour, coconut milk, salt, and pandan leaves) dessert to end a very satisfying meal. Also, their Thai iced tea and coffee is super good!

JeetKuneBao · January 19, 2026, 6:49am

You did your homework. A1 is a hood spot classic

avantbored · January 23, 2026, 8:48pm

1.5 bang bang Perilla and Baker’s Bench.

No pic of gimbap from Perilla, but the rice was a little under and the carrots cut a little too thick. A little bummed! Hot mustard was great though.

Feeling a bit disappointed, I went across the courtyard to Baker’s Bench and came away with a bounty.

Tomato sandwich w/roasted cabbage & sesame (1/2 consumed). I want to have roasted cabbage sandwiches every day now.

Various pastries:

Egg roll croissant (x2)
caramelized onion & miso danish
black sesame & banana danish

JeetKuneBao · January 23, 2026, 9:55pm

I love Bakers Bench. All bangers. Don’t think I tried that miso onion danish.

mzonelli · January 24, 2026, 10:00pm

New York rundown on the LA thread sorrrrrryyyy folks.

few days in the city for work.

double header at Penny for a drink + few raw bar items before a late ass dinner at Torrisi. Penny excellent as always. Torrisi…really blew me away. Expensive as all fuck but more interesting and delicious than anything I’ve had in the same vein in LA in a while. Jamaican Beef cavatelli, chicken liver agnolotti, an Italian twist on a bao bun, perfect tortellini. Sweet and sour sardines a reaaaaal banger. Normally not a secondi guy at Italian spots but the chicken alla Griglia / beef and broccoli dishes I was glad to be talked into. Desserts and complimentary Italian cookies both excellent. A very very fun time in a crazy buzzing room for a Monday night.

Tuesday night Corima and Contra collab. Great old school dishes from contra brought back with a little Corima twist. I still think best restaurant for the price point in NY rn.

revisited Smithereens Wednesday night and they redeemed themselves from my previous eh meal. Everything front to back great. Particularly the whole BBQ mackerel and the abalone skewers. Insane apple cider donut and wonderful cocktails.

also hit and enjoyed Elbow Bread, Hani’s, santo Taco and a few slices at Stretch always hit.

oh and a thin n crispy pie pre smithereens at the new Ops in the east village was a winner too