The place where Agora World Market used to be. Same owner(s), I think.
Speaking of Lovarra, are they planning another location SM Blvd? Partner and I saw signage for Lovarra next to BK (or whichever one it is) donuts.
Yeah, I think many people feel the same way. And some just find it a bit… dry. I read on either Yelp or /reddit that apparently dry is apparently “the” (or “a”) style.
If you’re ever there again, I thought the lahmacun was quite good (but I have very little basis for comparison).
Looks like the replacement for Happie’s Handmade, drawing from Leopardo as discussed here: Leopardo - Hancock Park - #767 by MaxShapiro
I do like Pollo a la Brasa, but that parking lot…never again. 
Been going since the early 90’s …couldn’t agree more.
You forgot the most important thing in the pic. The aji sauce. When we first moved to the OC we used to do a yearly bang bang Pollo à la Brassa with the sesame oil place down the street.
they have a slightly larger parking lot now in the new building, but best to do street parking (not too bad during the day)….
Last weekend I had an old friend visit after he gave a talk at Stanford. He lives off grid in the foothills of the La Sals and has a food budget of ~$3 per day. This is the third city we have been able to day-in-the-life with him and it is always such a treat.
Pine & Crane. A visit with a third friend who was in town for the fair. My first time, I was glad to see multiple loose leaf options. Less glad that the provided pots do not allow for easy removal of the leaves, I am not a fan of continuous steeping of oolong. I devoured my dumplings in broth and had such a happy belly after the meal. Looking forward to a return.
Komal. My most memorable bites from the weekend. Incredible flavor from corn, beans, cheese, and some heavy lifting from a little mole. The cucumber and cactus agua fresca was a fine antidote for the heat. If the only goal is to eat good food, why wait in line at Holbox?
Which quick aside, what the fuck is up with that line? Full bar and line to the door 20 minute before open. We left before noon and had to shoo tourists away from our bikes at the rack and the line kept going. I don’t think it’s worth it.
Granada. Easier on the soul than standing in line at Maru in Beverly Hills, but just. Espresso tonic with the addition of elderberry was too sweet. There is an undeniable magic in the air. I am looking forward to how the whole thing evolves and settles out.
Lulu. Is it underrated? Our favorite venue in the area for a snack.
Fiorelli Pizza. We had previously bookmarked Fiorelli as somewhere working out the kinks, they have since worked out the kinks. Pepperoni pie ate like Fiorelli actualizes his vision of a pizza and delivers it in a box. Excellent right out of the oven and almost as satisfying three hours later in the parking garage post symphony. Top notch night at the concert hall as well.
Baby Bistro. Wine only, a bottle of Bruno Schueller Pinot Blanc 2022. My friend had his aha moment, very excited to chase that dragon with him. Cassell’s has the best outdoor seating in that compound, IMHO.
Irv’s Burgers on Olympic. Never let me down.
Tama. We live in Los Angeles for many reasons, to live in a neighborhood within walking distance of quality sushi is one of them. As I slowly learn fish and seasonality, some highlights included kinmedai, sawara, nodoguro, and kinki. Around the reup my friend professed that it was one of the best meals of his life. What a joy to share these experiences with people we care for. The staff at Tama continue to be excellent towards my young son.
Malibu Farm. Cafe has been down since last year due to pier repairs, news to me. We scored on timing both a parking spot and table wait, another line I don’t have much patience for. The food was fine, the beans seasoned with vinegar on the taco plate were particularly memorable. The bird watching, surf watching, people watching are the real prize for sitting at the pier. Perfect lunch pace to catch low tide at El Matador.
Smoke Queen - Garden Grove
OMG those tallow fries, been back 3 times to get them 
Mia’s - Solana Beach
Pulpo and volcano tostadas
Mazeteno - Tijuana
Amazing enchilados and fish tacos and the shrimp broth they give you on the house is amazing
Amboy West Covina
Slim thicc
Woody’s BBQ - South LA
Rib tips
Yummy Bakery - Westminster
Banh mi dac biet
Deux - Santa Barbara
Cinnamon rolls
Taconazo - Tijuana
Saudero vampiros and crispy tripas tacos
Lotus of Siam - Las Vegas
Yeah it was amazing
Gabi - Las Vegas
Smoked salmon bagel sandwich
Lucino’s - Las Vegas
Goodfella sandwich is a spicy Italian and so delicious
Cheba Hut - Ontario
Really good sandwiches with amazing bread, always get the garlic bread.
Gardena Bowl - Gardena
Hawaiian Royale sub bacon fried rice
EE Nami - San Diego
Really awesome tonkatsu that might be better than any place in LA, yeah I said it. And the rice is amazing.
Damn eating good!
Jon & Vinny’s (Fairfax). Gets no love anymore but recent deliveries have been as tasty as ever. Anybody else love the olive oil polenta?
DK’s Donuts! (Ex)-home of the Donut King’s great-niece, Mayly Tao.
I go to the slauson one all the time because it’s SO baby friendly. It’s consistently good. Maybe my favorite calamari
How was the line at Smoke Queen?
Didn’t know Amboy had a location in West Covina. Good intel.
Line was kinda long but it moved fast, maybe twenty minutes.
Yes, it’s the Haven Food Court down there. The Bahn Mi place has amazing Cha Goi! Sometimes I just pop in for those.
Le Draq last night. Wacky ass menu - but delicious. Also shockingly inexpensive? Loved a lobster thermidor flauta. Shortrib baco, stinging nettle Gnudi. Good desserts too! My drink was quite bad but the rest made up for it. Service was also super pleasant and very accommodating to us with a lil baby in tow.
Had a really unpleasant chilaquiles burrito at Tacos Villa Corona in Atwater the other day, a place for which I have always caped despite clear downhill signs over the years. But this was a disaster: First bite was a mouthful of jagged, dry tortilla chips and it didn’t get better from there, with overcooked egg bits and half-melted shredded cheese. It wasn’t a chilaquiles burrito, it was a bad breakfast burrito with some stale chips thrown in. Huge bummer.
Pretty good cold brew from proof, fresh strings from the Racket Doctor, and an upside down mamba from LaSorted’s for dinner redeemed the day - I don’t know why but putting the sauce on top does something magical to that pizza? Lots of salt and oregano.
Los Chingones is open until early afternoon if you want a chilaquiles burrito redemption
Sad to hear about TVC.
I wish more places offered upside down slices/pie
