June 2010
1 post
4 tags
Where Can I Eat Ingredients Fresh From the Farm?
THE QUESTION: To celebrate her birthday, Melissa of San Francisco is eschewing NoCal for SoCal. She’d prefer to eat foods sourced directly from farms and drink drinks concocted of fresh fruits from said farms. Moreover, Melissa isn’t interested in a “scene” — unless the scene is simply diners just like herself relishing each bite of made-with-love food. So, where to?...
May 2010
1 post
7 tags
Girls Wanna See Live Music That Doesn't Suck. What...
THE QUESTION: Francesca of Santa Monica is your average busy gal but will MAKE time for bars and pubs — providing they’ve got the best live music on the Westside. Please, where? THE ANSWER: It seems there are five Westside spots that have got the proper ears ‘n’ eyes (and butts — for wiggling purposes) stimulation, plus, libations:
Photo: Zanzibar 1. Zanzibar offers...
April 2010
7 posts
5 tags
Where Is the Best Fried Chicken in L.A.? Because...
THE QUESTION: Josh of Culver City (born and bred) kind of hates the fried chicken coming out of his neighborhood. Honey’s Kettle is greasy, he says. Ain’t no spice neither. That cannot be L.A.’s best fried chicken spot — can it?
Photo: The Eaten Path THE ANSWER: Well … FAQ-LA happens to LOVE Honey’s Kettle Fried Chicken something addictive. But! I do...
3 tags
Where's the Steak at, Y'all?
THE QUESTION: Lien of FAQ-LA (that’s me!) loves steak. Like, ever since she could meet her steak at eye level at a French restaurant and chew rare meat (age: four). But steak is a funny thing to hunt down in L.A. because there is the issue of the price tag (unless someone else is paying) and the old-folks “scene.” So, where will it not be a snore and WORTH the pay?
Photo:...
5 tags
I'm a F-cking New Yorker, and I'm Demanding Two...
THE QUESTION: Justin of NYC, admittedly, has high standards. That said, he better than deserves two great meals in his requested Venice Beach. His traveling partner has already dined at Gjelina and Shima — so something new, please?
Photo: KevinEats THE ANSWER: 1. The Tasting Kitchen has received an obscene amount of gushing since it took over (in five minutes) the former still-breathtaking...
4 tags
What are the "Right Now" Hot Spots for...
THE QUESTION: An editor of a travel guide publication is desperate to find out where the famous folks are spending their nights drinking. The top three bars/clubs would be … ?
Photo: Thrillist THE ANSWER: As I’ve humbly pointed out, I’m not hip to the (literal) Hollywood scene — but it isn’t to say I don’t employ a Hollywood Desk to provide such burning...
4 tags
I'm Staying at the Ritz in the Marina -- Where Can...
THE QUESTION: Erin of Santa Monica is tempted by a weekend rendezvous at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina Del Rey (great bathrobes). Yet she’s a lover of burgers and is craving one for Sunday brunch. What’s nearby?
Photo: A Hamburger Today THE ANSWER: Two wonderful options exist nearby. One is an authentic bar burger served with Doritos. The other is semi-upscale diner with endless burger...
7 tags
How Can I Eat My Way Through L.A. the Cheapest?
THE QUESTION: Amanda of Atlanta, GA is visiting her big brother in L.A. for the first time — and she and her husband would like to experience the Left Coast culinary cuisine the cheapest possible way. Where to?
Photo: eastsidescene THE ANSWER: 1. The Edison Cocktails are a form of nourishment, and therefore, Downtown’s Edison, the most elegant, cavernous former-power-plant watering...
5 tags
I Need a Beach Day and I Want to Eat Food Out of...
THE QUESTION: Darrell of NYC is treating himself to an L.A. getaway and in addition to warm weather, he wishes to (a.) ride a bike alongside Venice Beach and (b.) eat at roach coaches taco trucks. Where are the good ones parked?
Photo: LA Taco THE ANSWER: La Isla Bonita Truck is parked on Rose Ave. (between 3rd and 4th Street), and it’s the ONLY instance when it’s right to order fish...
March 2010
6 posts
7 tags
My Parents Are Coming to Visit and Want to Absorb...
THE QUESTION: Dave of Culver City wants to show off where he lives now to his Georgia parents. How will he get a few tourist sights in, but not get stuck on a tour bus?
Photo: auctiontrackingsystem THE ANSWER: The great thing about living in Culver City is, you’re right in the middle of it. Why not go west one day (i.e. to the coast) and go east the other day (i.e. Hollywood)? A packed-in...
4 tags
We've Never Gone on a Double Date With This Couple...
THE QUESTION: Finally — Micha of Beverly Hills has met another similar-in-taste couple willing to get adventurous with food. She and her fiance would like to suggest a DTLA restaurant — ‘cause isn’t that the cool part of L.A.? Oh, Micha just moved here from New York.
Photo: LA Weekly THE ANSWER: The Lazy Ox Canteen ought to do the trick. A terribly playful menu with a...
5 tags
Where in Hollywood Should I Host a Casual, Mature...
THE QUESTION: Heather of the Hollywood Hills/Cahuenga Pass is turning 33, and she and her close friends need a stiff drink to celebrate (preferably tequila-based). She and her husband prefer to stick close their ‘hood — so where in Hollywood wouldn’t be a huge, dumb scene?
Photo: Curbed LA THE ANSWER: The Mission Cantina on Sunset Blvd. and Tamarind Ave. is the closest quality...
4 tags
My Girlfriend Drinks Lemon Martinis, and It's Her...
THE QUESTION: Andrew of Santa Monica adores his girlfriend and wants to plan a special post-birthday Saturday night drinks with friends — preferably, close to home. Who’s serving chic drinks on the West?
Photo: Eater LA THE ANSWER: Bar Chloe is intimate, luxe and kind-of-French-boudoir-y — and employs bartenders specifically to concoct fancy drinks in fancy glasses all night...
4 tags
What Are the Cool/Funky/Nice Hotels on the...
THE QUESTION: Ted of New York City is visiting L.A. in early May and needs a tasteful, slightly ritzy, hotel. He’d prefer to be close to his best friend in Venice, and be able to continue to marathon-train, i.e. running alongside the ocean would suffice. Which hotels then?
Photo: bizbash
THE ANSWER:
1. Hotel Erwin, Venice — “cool/funky” It’s no dump —...
4 tags
It's Friday Night in Hollywood -- Where Do I Get...
THE QUESTION: Evan of Santa Monica is responsible for feeding out-of-town friends of a friend, in town working the Independent Spirit Awards (go, Precious!). They’re staying on the Sunset Strip, and want to eat somewhere cool in Hollywood, but not so cool that they can’t get in on a Friday night sans a reservation. So, where?
Photo: A Hamburger Today
THE ANSWER: Bowery, with a...