One of my favorite things about living in the city is all the many places to eat. If you know me, you know that I love food!! Because of this love, I have decided to share some of my favorite places. I'm constantly on the look out for new places, new chefs, new pairings, etc. I just can't get enough.
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Baco Mercat is a newbie to the downtown scene. But certainly not struggling. With a laid back interior that's reminiscent of your elementary school room thanks to chairs that, owner/chef, Josef Centeno, bought at a school auction, the vibe makes for a playful and fun night. Our evening started with a bottle of the castello di meletto and the za'atar and sumac lebni (baco bread with a delicious spread of herbs, greek yogurt and honey). Dinner, which paired nicely with our wine, was plates of veal sweetbreads and pork rib toast with a side of caramelized cauliflower. (Unfortunately, my husband wasn't able to get a bite of the cauliflower. I ate it all!) We ended it with a chocolate banana cake that had just come out of the oven. It was certainly the "Happy Birthday" cake I was looking for! One of the best parts about the night was our waiter whose name I can't remember. But he is a far cry from the stuffed up snobs that LA is used to. We felt like old friends. Happy to assert his opinion when wanted but carefree and conversational during a busy Friday night to make us feel like they weren't pushing tables the whole evening.
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Bottega Louie. Another favorite in LA. It's been open for quite some time. Definitely upscale with a gorgeous marble pizza fireplace as the centerpiece of this pristine restaurant. The room is always usually full and with most of the surroundings marble, there's lots of buzz. Which just makes it a fun place to be on the weekend. The food is upscale. My husband and I usually order multiple small plates so that we can let our taste buds be delighted by what's concocted in back. Order the chocolate soufflé when you order dinner and the best dessert comes out when you've finished the main course. Paired with a warm creme anglaise, it is a rich sensation!
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Palate Food + Wine is amazing! Housed in a wine storage building, it's the perfect place for this restaurant. Set aside for special nights due to the price, this place is worth it! I've now been here several times and every time the menu selection has been mouth-watering. Because the menu changes weekly, there is always something new and the adventure of taste and delight greet me at the door. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about pairings, the menu and even the markets Chef Octavio goes to. I've not ever been disappointed! My favorite starter is the porkfolio. I could eat this selection of Italian meats all day! The restaurant has received rave reviews from all over town and if you have not yet checked out Palate, I strongly suggest you make it your next dining experience. Oh, and if you just want to enjoy the wine bar in the back of the restaurant, they offer small plates and cheese palettes. The bar area is much more relaxed than the dining room and also offers clients to buy from their wine merchants as well.
NOW CLOSED!!!! So sad. :(
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I have chosen for my first posting to be about a small hole in the wall in Glendale called Recess. I love that is it around the corner from where I live. It's one of two places in this part of town that supports local organic farming and I'm loving it! Simple, light and never too much but always enough. I've gone in and enjoyed the laid back atmosphere and also called in my order for pick up on the way to the park. Chef/Owner Sevan is warm and welcoming and if you happen to go in during a lull, he'll sit down and chat with you. Recess is a breath of fresh air to the breakfast/lunch eateries in town and I hope they stay around for a long time.
