ASA L.A. 2014 | SRC Events + Recommendations

A handy guide to ASA (American Studies Association) L.A. events, and local recommendations brought to you by your 2014 Site Resources Committee: Jennifer Doyle, Josh Kun and Karen Tongson

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This is  what Human Resources Los Angeles (HRLA) looks like (HRLA is hosting 3 events this weekend). HRLA is right next to Pho 87, which is much easier to spot from North Broadway. That big sign that says "cottage home"—that sign isn't there. It's bare bulbs. It looks like an old Kung Fu movie theater, which is exactly what this space once was!

A trick for driving from the hotel: you can go straight down N. Figueroa (heading towards Dodger Stadium, away from downtown). Turn right on Alpine (just before entrance to 110 N), turn left on N. Broadway, left on Cottage Home. 

410 Cottage Home St. 

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THE READ: at UC Riverside

COMING OUT BLACK & QUEER WITH KID FURY & CRISSLE WEST OF THE READ 

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014

1:00PM TO 2:30PM @ HUB 355

Join media personalities from the The Read Kid Fury and Crissle West in conversation with professors Alisha Gaines, Assistant Professor of English at Florida State University and Dennis Tyler, Assistant Professor of English at Fordham University, for a discussion about what it means to “come out” black and queer.

Often, black communities have been considered to be the most homophobic and most in the way of the rights of the LGBTQ community. For example, with the passing of Prop 8 in California, 2008, The Advocate claimed unabashedly that “gay is the new black,” and that it wasblack people that upheld the proposition. Black people were blamed for the obstruction of justice for queer folks, in other words. In this roundtable discussion, participants will trouble such an easy distinction between black on the one hand and queer on the other. How does one exist as both black and queer, and how do we negotiate such varied identities?

Since first debuting in January 2013, The Read skyrocketed in popularity with a listenership boasting nearly 115,000 weekly subscribers. Now both a podcast and a touring live show, The Read is most often described as “brash” and “unapologetic,” a tone effortlessly cultivated through the unscripted chemistry between Crissle and Kid Fury. We invite them to the conversation with scholar-activists Alisha Gaines and Dennis Tyler to discuss the multiple negotiations black and queer require.

The panel will be moderated by Ashon Crawley, Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies, UCR. Presented by Ethnic Studies, Queer Lab, & the LGBT Resource Center.

(The HUB is the UCR student center at the center of campus, next to the bell tower.)

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Properties of Silence

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Encountro, a national Latina/o theater festival is on this weekend—this play is being staged within walking distance of the convention hotel!

Poetry, science, and history spiral out of control as a contemporary Phoenix realtor, her pool contractor husband, and the famed 17th C. poet Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz meet in a multi-layered dreamscape. Written by Theresa Chavez, Alan Pulner, and Rose Portillo. Directed by Theresa Chavez.

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One of many great off site events organised by ASA caucuses.

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18th St Art Center in Santa Monica is a collection of art galleries, artist studios, plus Highways (a VERY important space for experimental theater, dance and performance), and the Santa Monica Museum of Art—a small, dynamic museum with its own pathfinding history. If you skip over to the west side this weekend, this opening is worth checking out! These kinds of projects, which consider Latin American migratory flows, are very much on the Angelino mind—always, but now for particular reasons: The Getty Center is sponsoring the development of a massive 2017 festival, "Latin America/Los Angeles" (LA/LA)—this is the subject of a Sunday afternoon SRC panel at MOCA. And yes, the Getty folks did name the festival "lala." (!) 

Traveling Dust is a collaborative project by 18th Street Art Center’s Visiting Artists in Residence Javier Tapia and Camilo Ontiveros. Concerned particularly with economic and cultural exchanges between Latin America and the United States, Traveling Dust unveils and rearticulates assumptions about trade, geography, nature, and the people of three communities of the Americas: Chile, Mexico, and Los Angeles.

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late night at The Lash

Check out events at The Lash, "a concept club/bar/performance and social space." - e.g. SNATCHED on Nov. 6 9pm-2am - head there after Dorian Wood's performance, which should wind up by 11pm. 

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This series of dinners organized by artists and scholars in LA will be amazing — two will be held during the convention weekend. Clockshop is a great organization. Explore their website to learn more about the projects they support. 

November 1st & 2nd, 8th & 9th, 15th & 16th

elysian/clockshop

2806 Clearwater St.

Los Angeles, CA 90039

Kan Ya Ma Kan is three weekends featuring the culinary traditions, music and culture of the Arab-Jewish diaspora of Iraq, Syria, and North Africa. Each weekend will offer a Saturday night and Sunday afternoon program featuring chefs, writers and scholars. Saturday’s dinner will prepared by a guest chef, followed by live music. Sunday afternoon will feature tea, sweets and conversation with an invited writer, scholar or artist.

The phrase “Kan Ya Ma Kan” is usually translated as "once upon a time, there were..." In Arabic literature, these words are often the opening line of a story about the past. In Arab countries in the Middle East, there were once Jewish communities, and now there are almost none. Before the formation of the state of Israel in 1948, Jews played an integral role in social and cultural life throughout the Middle East and Iran. In places like Baghdad, Aleppo, Casablanca, Tehran, and Tunis, Jews were writers, musicians, merchants and scholars who lived with Muslims, Christians, Druze, Assyrians, and Turks. After 1948, the numbers in these communities dwindled, and cultural traditions and objects were packed away and carried elsewhere by foot, boat, and train. This rich history of the Jewish role within these ethnically diverse societies can be preserved. Kan Ya Ma Kan is an effort to do just that.

Curated by Julia Meltzer, Director of Clockshop in collaboration with Regine Basha of Basha Projects. Presented in collaboration with elysian.

With additional support from UCLA's Comparative Literature Department, the Maurice Amado Program in Sephardic Studies, the UCLA Center for Jewish Studies, and UCLA's Near Eastern Languages and Culture Department.

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Plan Check Scores a Three-Peat with Downtown Location

The celebrated burger somewhat-chain brings their version of American classics, craft beer, and cocktails downtown.

JUST ADDED to KT's RESTAURANT GUIDE BELOW: Take Figueroa to Wilshire and hang a right to find this brand, spanking new gem. Plan Check, one of my favorite brunch places on the Westside, has opened up a new location on Wilshire (between 6th and 7th), just west of Figueroa, so under (across, on the other side of) the 110 FWY.  Quite close to the Bonaventure. They're open late, they serve cocktails, they have a scrumptious lunch/brunch, and their smoky fried chicken and pastrami burgers are delovely and delicious.

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Pete's, Josef Centeno's Gorgeous Ode to American Cooking, Now Open in Downtown's Historic Core

Pete's joins the ranks of the the Centeno sovereignty on 4th and Main in downtown's Old Bank District,

I always liked Pete's on 4th and Main, even before Josef Centeno applied his Midas touch to the menu. A great spot for a working lunch or dinner, and just around the corner from all sorts of culinary goodness (including Centeno's Bar Ama, Baco Mercat and Orsa & Winston, as well as Kazu Nori and Blossom, which are also on my list). - KT

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This exhibit launches the night before the conference begins (Wednesday, November 5), and features a roundtable discussion with Karen Tongson (from your host city committee), and artists Valerie Tevere and Angel Nevarez, Jibade Khalil Huffman, Amy Von Harrington, and Lynne Chan and Bobby Abate (aka New Sound Karaoke), who will be KJ'ing the Friday night SRC event, "Fun + Fury with the Empty Orchestra: An ASA Karaoke Happening @HRLA" on November 7 at 10pm.

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Properties of Silence

Poetry, science, and history spiral out of control as a contemporary Phoenix realtor, her pool contractor husband, and the famed 17th C. poet Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz meet in a multi-layered dreamscape. Written by Theresa Chavez, Alan Pulner, and Rose Portillo. Directed by Theresa Chavez.

One of the plays featured at the festival, Encuentro—a national gathering of Latina/o theater artists, centered right in the convention's neighborhood at the Los Angeles Theater Center. This play is on during ASA—the theater is a fifteen minute walk from the convention hotel.

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Another great off-site event — this one is very close to downtown. It's also fully accessible. 

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Wednesday, November 5, 2014, 7:30pm at ONE Archives

On the eve of ASA, a great panel at the ONE institute! Easy bus ride from the Bonaventure. 

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Not that we recommend playing hooky from the convention.... But this High Desert Test Site art/performance/water tour of the Mojave desert intrigues! 

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Utopias of SoCal, Available Free Now

Free Guide #4 Available Now- Utopias of So.Cal. Also Related events at Santa Monica Museum through July As the present moment appears  fixed in the destructive-ideology of hyper-capitalism this gui...

We should have these free guides to the Utopias of Southern California at the small/local press table at the book fair, which will be staffed by representatives from local presses, PhD students from UC Riverside, and by Skylight Books—a much loved independent bookstore in Los Feliz. Sadly, the Llano Del Rio collective is out of An Antagonist's Guide to the Assholes of Los Angeles. Maybe they'll have an archival copy that folks can peruse. 

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KT’s Downtown L.A. Dining Recommendations:

As you’ll come to find, there’s no shortage of restaurants in Downtown Los Angeles (lately referred to in shorthand, for better or worse, as DTLA). Though it’s still not the best food neighborhood in L.A., it’s come a long way in the last seven years, and has actually become a dining destination for Angelinos from other parts of town. Below is a practical list with some of my personal favorites listed in order of distance—closest to furthest away—from the Bonaventure Hotel. You’ll notice the food gets better the further you get from the hotel. Most of these are within walking distance, especially if you’re wearing comfortable shoes. The places at the end of each list require more of a schlep, though they’re definitely still walkable. However, some of you may require a bus, metro, cab or one of your preferred car-service and rideshare providers, to get to the places at the end of each list, especially to Little Tokyo and Chinatown (which is included here, because of the nighttime SRC programming at Human Resources). I excluded the Downtown Arts District restaurants east of Little Tokyo, and the very expensive, super-trendy, impossible-to-get-into places like Alma and Bestia, mostly because I haven’t eaten at those places myself and I only wanted to recommend things I’ve actually tried. I also excluded restaurants closer to L.A. Live, the L.A. Convention Center, and the Staples Center further south. You won’t really have any reason to head that way, since--with the exception of the original Pantry Cafe-- there are mostly only chain restaurants and rather touristy “concept” places on that end of downtown (i.e. Trader Vic's, Fleming's Steakhouse, a branch of the Palm steakhouse). But if you have questions about restaurants in other parts of downtown, or in other neighborhoods adjacent to downtown (like Echo Park, Silver Lake, Highland Park, Los Feliz, Koreatown, or in the San Gabriel Valley), just send me a tweet @inlandemperor, and I’ll do my best to answer them!

The Bonaventure and its Environs (on Figueroa and Flower b/t 3rd and 7th Streets)

Mr. Baguette (http://www.yelp.com/biz/mr-baguette-los-angeles) - Mr. Baguette is actually INSIDE the Bonaventure!!! This is an excellent, fast option for Vietnamese banh mi (sandwiches). They also occasionally have pho specials. Mr. Baguette is based in the San Gabriel Valley (aka “the SGV”), and it’s a legit Vietnamese chain, though I haven’t personally tried the new-ish location inside the Bon. They’re only open from 8am-3pm. I suggest stocking up on a couple of sandwiches to hoard in your room for the rest of the day. Or to bring with you to the afternoon SRC events at the Autry Museum. My favorite item on the menu is the Pate Meatloaf banh mi, though you can’t really go wrong with any of the grilled varieties as well. Yelpers complain this new branch is more expensive than the SGV original, but a buck more than $3.99 for a tasty, fast lunch is still a great deal in my book.

Mendocino Farms (http://www.yelp.com/biz/mendocino-farms-los-angeles-5) - Yes, this is a chain, but if you know anything about me or my work, you know I really don’t mind that sort of thing. Mendocino Farms is directly across Flower Street from the Bonaventure and thus an excellent option for a FAST lunch (or early dinner) of sandwiches, soups and/or salads comprised of fresh, mostly organic ingredients. I believe they also have pressed juices. Plus, it’s CHEAP.

Border Grill (http://www.yelp.com/biz/border-grill-los-angeles) – a classic L.A. joint, if a tad ‘90s (from chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, aka the “Too Hot Tamales). BG features reinvented Mexican/Latin American cuisine. It’s just behind the Bonaventure and they take reservations. They’re also open for breakfast and lunch. An appropriate spot for a “working dinner” or lunch.

Café Pinot (http://www.yelp.com/biz/caf%C3%A9-pinot-los-angeles-5)– Pricey, but atmospheric and lovely. You can’t really find quality al fresco dining any closer to the Bonaventure (across the street on the grounds of the beautiful L.A. Public Library’s main branch). True, there is better food to be had in Los Angeles, even downtown. But Pinot truly is charming, convenient, and better than any of the upscale dining the Bonaventure has to offer.

Drago Centro (http://www.yelp.com/biz/drago-centro-los-angeles) - The name sounds a bit sinister, and aesthetically, Drago Centro fits the bill: it’s sleek, dark and corporate, just across the pedestrian bridge over 5th street from the Bonaventure (525 S Flower, between 5th and 6th), and tucked into the ground floor of some finance building with a giant DNA-like sculpture on the plaza that was featured in a crucial scene of the series, Heroes. The food is fantastic—California-inspired Italian—and it can be pricey for a sit-down dinner. BUT the secret to this spot is the AMAZING happy hour menu at the bar from 5-10pm weekdays, and 5-9pm Saturdays. As the L.A. Times explains: “Happy hour gets all-day crazy at Drago Centro, the hidden Italian respite in a boxy office building off Flower Street in downtown Los Angeles. When you order from the special bar menu from 11 a.m. to close on weekdays, and from 5 p.m. to close on weekends, you won't get baby bites of anything. Calamari with spicy herb aioli ($5) comes in an ample bowl; the charcuterie comes on a chunky cutting board with three types of tender meat and cheese ($7); and the salmon crostini is thick and salty — a meal unto itself. A selection of four cocktails by affable mixologist Jaymee Mandeville, including an effervescent caipiroska, pack a life-sized punch for the puny price of $5.”

Water Grill (http://www.yelp.com/biz/water-grill-los-angeles) - A great place for seafood, oysters, great cocktails. Also on the pricier side, but worth it if you want to have a nice meal nearby. Otherwise, I recommend popping in for martinis and oysters before dinner, during lunch, or in between sessions…

Food Court at FIGat7th (http://www.figat7th.com/taste/) – Yes, it’s a mall (to be more exact, an indoor/outdoor “lifestyle center” with a couple of gyms and a City Target), but the “chef-driven” food court here boasts outposts of some local favorites with sit-down restaurants in other parts of town, like Loteria Grill (in the original L.A. Farmer’s Market on Fairfax and in Hollywood), City Tavern (in Culver City), Oleega by Park’s Barbecue (in Koreatown), Pazzo Gelato (in Silver Lake and Echo Park) and Sprinkles Cupcakes (in Beverly Hills). If you don’t have to watch your carb intake, have some potato taquitos and a beer at Loteria. I also recommend the dae gee bulgogi (spicy, marinated BBQ pork belly) at Oleega. I’ve also had a satisfying chicken Tikka Masala from Indus by Saffron and sampled a well-assembled, melt-in-your-mouth pork bun from Flying Pig. The Melt, a former food truck with multiple variations on the grilled cheese sandwich, also sports a brick-and-mortar stand in this food court of wonders.

Newly added: Plan Check Kitchen + Bar (http://la.eater.com/2014/10/16/6990635/plan-check-third-location-downtown-city-west-district-ernesto-uchimura): Take Figueroa to Wilshire and hang a right to find this brand, spanking new gem. Plan Check, one of my favorite brunch places on the Westside, has just opened up a new location on Wilshire (between 6th and 7th), just west of Figueroa, so under/past the 110 FWY.  Quite close to the Bonaventure. They're open late, they serve cocktails, they have a scrumptious lunch/brunch, and their smoky fried chicken and pastrami burgers are delovely and delicious.

Trucks and Stalls in the Heart of Downtown (between Olive and Broadway, and 3rd and 5th)

 Food Truck Fridays at Pershing Square (http://www.laparks.org/pershingsquare/; Fridays 11am-2pm; no official FTF website, but peep pics here: https://twitter.com/PSDowntownLA) - You’ve heard about the L.A. food truck scene. Maybe you've even seen Jon Favreau’s Chef. You know good things can be found on food trucks, particularly L.A.’s fusion-fueled trucks (think Pinoy adobo burritos, and Roy Choi’s original Kogi Korean taco truck). I can’t vouch for which trucks will appear on the Friday of ASA, but if you want to grab something quick, and sit in a park while eating it, come here. There are also, often food trucks parked a couple of blocks away from the Bonaventure on Grand Avenue just south of MOCA (the Museum of Contemporary Art, and site of several SRC events, including a screening of Wu Tsang’s Wildness), as well as in Grand Park L.A. (http://grandparkla.org/), the long, terraced city park that crawls down the hill from the Courthouse/L.A. Music Center all the way down to City Hall (aka the Dragnet building).

Grand Central Market (http://www.grandcentralmarket.com/) - the closest thing downtown L.A. has to a hawker center, or Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market, GCM has undergone a transformation in recent years to appeal to downtown’s changing demographics—i.e. younger, hipper, wealthier, whiter. That said, for every Egg Slut, Horse Thief BBQ, Wexler’s Deli, Berlin Currywurst and G&B Coffee Roasters, longtime residents like Sarita’s Pupuseria, Las Morelianas, Roast to Go, and the classic mid-century Orientalist China Café (which, as Jonathan Gold explained to me, modified its fast, Chinese cuisine to appeal to the palates of Mexican laborers who used to be the market’s main patrons), are holding it down for the old businesses who kept this place bustling and special, even in a pre-gentrified downtown. My favorite things at GCM can be found at the old Bel Campo Meats (a butcher shop that sells burgers, delicious brisket and meatball sandwiches), and Sticky Rice, a Thai-street food joint with only 3-4 simple, well-executed dishes on its daily menu. My personal favorite at Sticky Rice is the grilled Thai BBQ chicken (a skin-on, boneless thigh) served with papaya salad and—you guessed it—sticky rice.  Also, the pastrami at Wexler’s is legit: my favorite sandwich is the Macarthur Park, which is Wexler’s nod to Langer’s Delicatessen, an L.A. treasure right next to (you’re right again), Macarthur Park. GCM is now open until 9pm, so this is a great place for a cheap dinner, or a group dinner, especially in situations when everyone can’t agree on what kind of food to have. There is also a BAR and LIQUOR STORE on the Broadway side of the GCM, so no worries about having to go dry. If you’re feeling brave, and if it’s back up and running after an unfortunate derailment last year, try taking the Angel’s Flight funicular from Grand Ave near the Bonaventure to the mouth of GCM's Hill Street entrance (http://angelsflight.com/).

  The 7th Street Corridor between Hope and Broadway

Note: This is not an official designation; it’s just my effort to demarcate a little section of downtown with a concentration of good restaurants.

Sugarfish (http://sugarfishsushi.com/our-locations/downtown-la) - One of my favorite spots in all of L.A., Sugarfish was conceptualized by sushi master Kazunori Nozawa (http://sugarfishsushi.com/our-story-2/about-us). Sugarfish is a fresh sushi restaurant offering only omakase (or set menu options at fixed prices). If memory serves, the most expensive option is $30-$35, a steal for excellent sushi. I usually get the “medium” Nozawa priced at around $25. All prices are inclusive, and your service charge is included with each bill, which eliminates that awkward moment at the end of dinner when everyone scrambles to figure out their share with tax and tip. NO RESERVATIONS. Open for lunch and dinner. There's also a casual sushi hand roll place run by the same folks just a few blocks away—KazuNori, which is listed below. 

Bottega Louie (http://www.yelp.com/biz/bottega-louie-los-angeles) - Bottega Louie is a bustling, glorious tourist trap in a former car dealership showroom, with a “contemporary baroque” aesthetic. BL’s scale and grandeur is more Vegas than L.A., but the food is actually quite good, and at a reasonable price point for the quality and quantity. All of my out of town guests LOVE this place. You can’t go wrong with the wood-fired pizzas, small Italian plates (think meatballs, roasted veg, grilled octopus), substantial, delicious salads, and colorful macaroons for desert. The spaghetti with meatballs is a winner.  Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. NO RESERVATIONS. Tip: Eat in the bar/deli area if you’re pressed for time. The service is quicker and it’s easier to grab a table.

Mas Malo (http://masmalorestaurant.com/home/) - Mas Malo is the downtown outpost of a popular Silver Lake spot called (you guessed it) Malo. And while it isn’t going to be the most earth-shattering Mexican food you’ll have every tasted (go to Guisado’s further down the list for some life-changing tacos), the food at Mas Malo is actually quite good, and reasonably priced with plenty of vegetarian options, and a la carte taco options (my favorite is the beef and pickle hard shell taco: think cheeseburger in a taco). The shrimp and avocado spinach salad is also a winner. Tip: This place is EXCELLENT FOR GROUPS, and they ACCEPT RESERVATIONS. The bar is good, too. And they always have happy hour food and drink specials.

St. Vincent Court (http://www.yelp.com/biz/st-vincent-court-los-angeles) Tucked away on 7th Street between Hill and Broadway, this little alleyway is a magical, cobblestoned respite from the downtown bustle, complete with faux-French facades and lots of little middle-eastern restaurants (Sevan Kebab was my go-to, mostly for its ample outdoor seating). Sadly, our mayor has mysteriously cracked down on the outdoor seating in St. Vincent Court, which has hurt the businesses there (http://articles.latimes.com/2013/apr/07/local/la-me-st-vincent-20130407). So I implore you to go patronize these restaurants, ogle at the old Hollywood charm, and grab your falafel to go, if need be, before walking a couple of blocks over to Pershing Square if you really want to eat outside.  

Colori Kitchen (http://www.colorikitchen.com/) - is a cute, homey little family-run Italian joint with hearty pastas, salads, pizzas. It’s a bit tucked away from the scenier bustle of 7th Street (only one block over at 8th near Olive), but it’s still upbeat and cheery, and a great option for lunch (11:30am-2pm) or dinner (TH, 6-9pm, FRI and SAT 6-10pm, CLOSED SUNDAYS).

Umami Burger (http://www.yelp.com/biz/umami-burger-los-angeles-14) - The Umami empire has spread all the way to the other coast. This particular location at 825 Broadway (between 8th and 9th across the street, and 1 block north of the ACE Hotel) was once the “Umamicatessen”--a failed effort to expand the brand with house-cured charcuterie, and weird bacon-infused bourbons. But the original umami burgers (my favorite is the Manly Burger with beer cheddar, bacon lardons and onion strings) are worth—nay they require—the longer walk from the Bonaventure. This location is HUGE and has a full bar, so this would be the right place to bring one of those amorphously expanding groups for dinner: they don’t take reservations, but at least you can drink and snack while you wait.

The “Main Line” (Spring and Main between 4th and 6th streets)

Once again, this nickname is not an official designation; it’s just my effort to orient you geographically, by designating a specific section of downtown.

Guisados (http://www.guisados.co/menu/) - on Spring between 5th and 6th, this is the same Guisados that began in Boyle Heights before taking Echo Park by storm. Widely acknowledged as some of the best tacos in Los Angeles, Guisados specializes in savory braised meats (and veg), and they make my favorite handmade tortillas in all the land. Everyone from out of town who’s never had a real taco beyond Baja Fresh, Taco Bell or some east coast excuse for a taco joint HAS TO COME HERE IMMEDIATELY. It’s vegetarian friendly. And you can get a sampler platter with 7 glorious mini-tacos of your choosing (go for at least 2 in each category: pollo, carne, puerca, etc.). My personal favorites are the Cochinita Pibil, Chorizo, Tinga de Pollo, Pescado and Chuleta con Chile Verde. Warning: the Chiles Torreados will make your head explode. For vegetarians (which I am obviously not), I hear the Calabacitas are the best. They’re only open from 10:30am to 5pm so go for lunch or what we Pin@ys call  merienda (a late afternoon snack).

Bar Ama (http://www.yelp.com/biz/bar-ama-los-angeles) - Chef Josef Centeno has built a mini-restaurant empire in downtown Los Angeles all around 4th and Main Street, with his signature, highfalutin’ Tex-Mex inspired cuisine, e.g. “Nana’s Frito Pie” with lengua chile con carne and crema. Bar Ama has delicious food with plates small, large, and totally shareable. It is also very vegetarian-friendly (regardless of that Frito Pie description). RESERVATIONS ACCEPTED, good for groups. They also have a full bar, specializing in tequila, with an excellent happy hour—aka the SNH: SUPER NACHO HOUR—between 5:30-7pm, with $5 super nachos, $26 margarita pitchers, and other booze-absorbing bar bites like shortrib taquitos, squid chalupas, and fried kielbasa soft tacos. 

Ledlow (http://www.ledlowla.com/) Formerly Pete’s, Ledlow is still run by the king of the corner, Josef Centeno, who tweaked the French bistro menu to offer a more adventurous menu of late night eats and cocktails. It’s a great spot for a working lunch or dinner, with a bustling patio, just around the corner from all sorts of culinary goodness (including Centeno’s Bar Ama, Baco Mercat and Orsa & Winston, as well as Kazu Nori and Blossom, which are also featured below).

Baco Mercat (http://bacomercat.com/home.html) - Centeno’s original joint, BM is, in the website’s words, “the home of the 'bäco,' the signature flatbread sandwich that was developed by chef Josef Centeno. The original bäco was the crispy pork belly and beef carnitas with caraway pepper. Since then, the bäco bread has taken center stage and works as a vessel for all things delicious: pork, beef, poultry, seafood and vegetables.” All the pros that apply to Bar Ama—RESERVATIONS ACCEPTED, full bar, good for groups—apply to Baco Mercat as well. Plus it’s just around the corner from BA in an old bank building on Main Street between 4th and 5th. TIP: If you arrive before Thursday and want to have a group dinner, Baco Mercat offers a special set menu for parties of 7-10, Monday-Thursday. Also, parties larger than 6 for Fri-Sun have to make reservations a week in advance.

Kazu Nori (http://www.kazunorisushi.com/) - I am absolutely bonkers about this place. A fast, casual, but really pleasant place with the same sushi set-menu concept as Sugarfish above, except cheaper and focused exclusively on hand rolls: 3 for $10.50, 4 for $13.00 and 5 for $17.50 (the tip is included with your check and you pay at the register, not at the counter). This place has the added bonus of being OPEN LATE (until 11pm on Thursday, and until MIDNIGHT on Fri and Sat), and they serve beer, wine and sake. You will probably see me there at least once during the conference and the days leading up to it. NOTE: KazuNori is not a great place for groups, since all service takes place at a large sushi bar, and you will all be forced to sit in a row. It’s really best for an intimate lunch between 2 or 3 people at most, and perfect for a solo outing.

Blossom Vietnamese (http://www.yelp.com/biz/blossom-restaurant-los-angeles-2) - So this is not going to be the very best, most authentic Vietnamese food you’ve ever had in southern California (go to Fountain Valley for that), but it is solid, satisfying, and relatively healthy fare in a pleasant moderne setting. As one Yelper aptly described it, it belongs to a genre of restaurant in L.A. called “hipster pho.” But it’s CHEAP, tasty, and a good place to have a nice, quiet conversation with folks. They serve beer, wine and sake, but they don’t accept reservations.

Nickel Diner (http://www.yelp.com/biz/nickel-diner-los-angeles-2) - Home of the infamous bacon maple donut, the Nickel Diner has its lovers and haters. Pros: the maple bacon donut, delicious diner food with a twist, BISCUITS AND GRAVY, quaint atmosphere, and queer owners. Cons: you will probably have to wait, people get really cranky, and it can get really crowded. I like the place, and they serve good, hearty breakfast food. I’ve never tried dinner at the Diner, but I’ve heard it’s also tasty. You’ll notice that the loudest haters on Yelp say things like, “I should’ve gone to IHOP” without any hint of irony. That should tell you something, i.e. it’s quirky and a little idiosyncratic. If you’re up for that, you’ll enjoy this joint.

Cole’s (http://www.yelp.com/biz/coles-los-angeles-2) - Open all day from 11am-2am, Thurs-Sat and until midnight on every other day of the week, Cole’s is a stylish, classic L.A. joint, with a full bar, and old fashioned cocktails (like Old Fashioneds) which will stir noir-ish (or at least L.A. Confidential-style) feelings. Cole’s is supposedly the OTHER inventor of the French dip sandwich. Philippe in Chinatown, which is also on this list, is the other “original.” RESERVATIONS ACCEPTED. The bar can get a little sceney on weekend nights (think lots of Tinder daters), but the food is good, and the cocktails are even better. It’s a no-brainer: have the French dip (with lamb!) and fries. The pastrami is great too. TIP: There’s a hidden, secret (but not so secret) speakeasy in the back of Cole’s called The Varnish, which is a good place to actually have a conversation over drinks (http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-varnish-los-angeles-2)

Little Tokyo (between Los Angeles and Alameda and 1st and 3rd streets)

Yes, Little Tokyo is much larger than this, and I could spend the rest of my days generating a long document revealing its secrets and praising all of its virtues, but I’ve opted to keep this list lean to leave room for you to discover all the lovely places tucked away in its various pedestrian malls.

Daikokuya (http://www.yelp.com/biz/daikokuya-los-angeles) - disputably the best ramen in all of Los Angeles, though many prefer Tsujita on the Westside, and Santouka in the south bay. (I also like Hakata Ramen Shinsengumi, which is on this list below, and Silver Lake ramen, aka “hipster ramen.”) WARNING: I have never been able to just breeze in and out of this place, so be prepared for a wait, even right when it opens at 11am (the line forms around 10:45am). If you aren’t there during prime lunch or dinner hours, the line moves at a decent pace. OPEN LATE (until 11pm); serves beer, wine and sake. CASH ONLY.

Lazy Ox Canteen (http://www.yelp.com/biz/lazy-ox-canteen-los-angeles) - Lazy Ox is what foodie folks call a “gastropub”: casual, American fare, elevated by “global influences.” I once had dinner with L.A.’s patron saint of food criticism, Jonathan Gold at LOC, so I got to try everything on the menu, and it was all delicious. Then again, I’m pretty sure they knew they were serving Jonathan Gold, so they didn’t want to serve anything under par. On the other occasions I’ve been to LOC, I was most impressed by some of their little bites, like their crispy pig ears, pan-seared octopus and the ever-so trendy blistered shishito peppers. RESERVATIONS ACCEPTED, so it’s a good place for a group dinner with colleagues and friends. Beer and wine only.

Shin-sen-gumi Hakata Ramen (http://www.yelp.com/biz/hakata-ramen-shin-sen-gumi-los-angeles) - One of my go-to ramen spots, especially when Daikokuya is too crowded (though the lines are getting longer here). You can adorn your ramen with whatever toppings and extras you like, and they offer a “half size” for those of you (like me) who have to manage your sodium and carb intake. The other little bites they offer are also delicious. No reservations. TIP: if you like spicy stuff, get the green chili butter to stir into your ramen.

In Honda Plaza:

Sushi Gen (http://www.yelp.com/biz/sushi-gen-los-angeles) - One of the best sushi places in Los Angeles, at one of the best price points. And like many wonderful L.A. restaurants, it’s tucked away in a little strip mall. There isn’t really more to say than EAT HERE. Also, they’ve started taking reservations for larger parties, so now is your chance to skip the long line and get in there for some fantastic, fresh sushi. Eat it all.

Aloha Café (http://www.yelp.com/biz/aloha-caf%C3%A9-los-angeles-2) - If you’re craving a CHEAP, delicious Hawaiian lunchplate-style breakfast, or lunch with huge portions, get thee to Aloha Café, which is in the same strip mall as Sushi Gen. Open between 8am-4pm, you can get all the classics like LOCO MOCO (burger patties over rice, smothered with gravy and topped with fried eggs), SPAM MUSUBI, Kalua Pork, macaroni salad, etc. The portions are so ample, that I suggest coming here for breakfast and taking the rest home for lunch (and perhaps even dinner). PERFECT for starving [meat-eating] graduate students.

Chinatown (a short cab ride from the Bonaventure)

I’m including a short list of Chinatown restaurants because all of the SRC’s nighttime events—the Dorian Wood concert, the Fun and Furious Karaoke Party, and #not1more, featuring the music of Los Jornaleros—will be taking place at Human Resources Los Angeles, an art-space in Chinatown at 410 Cottage Home between Hill and Broadway. All places are listed based on their proximity to Human Resources, from closest to furthest. All of these places are under a mile walking distance, or a very short bus ride down Broadway or Hill).

Pho 87 (http://www.yelp.com/biz/pho-87-los-angeles) - Right next door to Human Resources, Pho 87 offers good pho, and decent variations on things like bun (cold vermicelli noodle bowls), spring rolls and rice plates. As with Blossom, this is NOT the best Vietnamese food in L.A., but it is the most convenient for nights out at the SRC events. Note: They CLOSE EARLY at 9pm. CASH ONLY.

FAR EAST PLAZA Nestled between Hill and Broadway, right as you enter Chinatown from downtown is a magical mini-mall with some of the hottest food destinations in L.A., including new tenants, Ramen Champ (http://www.ramenchamp.com/) by Alvin Cailan of Egg Slut fame,  and Pok Pok Phat Thai (http://www.pokpokphatthaila.com/) Andy Ricker of Portland’s first L.A. Chinatown venture and part of his expanding empire. It’s original trend anchor was and still is Chego (http://eatchego.com/), Roy Choi's Korean-Mexican-Hawaiian-all-sorts-of-fusion rice bowl stand, which is open until 11pm Tues through Saturday. This is definitely an L.A. "destination." The food is fast, and you're meant to eat it hawker-style in the mall.  More than anyone else on the national scene, Choi is probably the most emblematic (and certainly most hyped) L.A. chef working today. His Kogi taco trucks have been hailed for launching L.A's maverick "food revolution." Choi's Chego works with similar flavor combinations in vibrant, flavor-packed rice bowls with sundry meats, and intense and savory sauces--with a fried-egg on top. Yum. If the lines at these trendy spots are too much to handle, pop into the unassuming, but in my opinion, tastiest place in the whole mall, Qin Western Chinese Cuisine (www.qinwestchinesecuisine.com/). Known for their scrumptious roast duck platters, Qin also serves the best damn broccoli beef I have ever tasted, practically anywhere: firm, fresh broccoli, well-seasoned, real beef. I’m not generally someone who orders broccoli beef as I always believe there are more interesting choices to be made. But after a friend ordered it and I had a bite, I’m now hooked on Qin’s version.

The Little Jewel of New Orleans (http://littlejewel.la/) - If you’re in Chinatown, but want a little something different, Little Jewel is the place to be. Marcus Christiana-Beniger and his wife, Euna Kang sling beastly, ample po’ boys, muffuletta, crawfish mac and cheese, and other signature New Orleans fare. Note: the sandwiches are HUGE, so you may want to purchase the half sizes, or bring a pal to share with. And if you’re itching to buy some housemade sausages (boudin, hot links) and Tasso ham, there is no place better in all of L.A. 

Hop Woo (http://www.hopwoo.com/) - A short, 4-block walk from Human Resources, Yelpers hate Hop Woo for some rather obvious, somewhat racist reasons: it is a “greasy” Chinatown spot and the food has “weird textures”; there are sundry, roasted brown meats, like Peking Duck and slabs of pork hanging in the window; their “Secret Menu” boasts items like “Beef Testicles,” “Deer Meat Stir Fried with Fresh Leeks and Bitter Melon,” “Rooster Testicles” and “Soy Sauce Pigeon.” (http://www.yelp.com/biz/hop-woo-los-angeles-3) But here are the facts: Hop Woo is not dirty, but a pretty typical, bustling Chinese restaurant with nicer than average booths and tables. Secret Menu aside, they serve all the “American Chinese food” favorites, like Mongolian beef, egg foo yung, egg drop soup, walnut prawns, chow mein, fried rice of all varieties, fried chicken wings, various things with black bean sauce, snow peas, and some less “exotic,” authentic Chinese dishes as well. The portions are generous, the food is tasty, the price point is great, especially for people sharing. They’re OPEN LATE from 10am-1am daily. I recommend the chow fun with beef and black bean sauce gravy, the roasted Peking duck, and their Thursday night lobster special.

Won Kok (http://www.yelp.com/biz/won-kok-restaurant-los-angeles) –Yes, this place is really named Won Kok. And they’re OPEN VERY LATE from 8am-3am daily. It’s a 10 minute, half-mile, 5 ½ block walk from this place to Human Resources. WK slings greasy Chinese food in a Lynchian atmosphere. While I chafe at Yelpers’ complaints about how dirty Hop Woo is, I have to concur that Won Kok is not the cleanest place—think sticky vinyl chairs, large round tables with cracked glass and wobbly lazy-Susans, and the pervasive scent of deep fried things. BUT they do have an “A” public health rating. This place serves up some of the best, CHEAPEST, tawdriest mop-up food (aka “Hangover Helper”) imaginable. All the “American Chinese food” favorites are on the menu, and they have a grotesquely huge, yet strangely alluring egg roll. And it is GREAT FOR GROUPS on a BUDGET.  I believe they serve beer, and wine of the “Chablis” variety.

Philippe the Original (http://www.philippes.com/) - As I mentioned above, Philippe (like Cole’s) claims to have originated the French Dip sandwich (generous heaps of thinly sliced beef, pork, lamb or turkey crammed into a French roll, made for the sole purpose of dipping in jus). Unlike Cole’s, Philippe is not a sceney, atmospheric bar, but a casual, sawdust-on-the-floor sort of joint, open from 8am-10pm daily. In my opinion, Philippe comes closer to the Platonic ideal of the French Dip than Cole’s (though generally, I’d have to say the food is tastier at Cole’s). Regardless, it’s worth dipping into—hardeeharhar—if you are on your way to Human Resources from the Bonaventure. It’s about ¾ of a mile walk to Human Resources, so exactly in between the two. CASH ONLY

Spring Street Smokehouse (http://www.yelp.com/biz/spring-street-smoke-house-los-angeles-2) - For some delicious BBQ in a festive, but casual sit-down setting, visit the Spring Street Smokehouse on the cusp of Chinatown and Olvera Street, and a little less than a mile walk from Human Resources (you can also take the bus). The baby back pork ribs and rib tips are my preferred menu items, though you have to admire a place that will also serve a huge plate of brontosaurus-sized beef ribs. Those were pretty good, though not as tender as I would like. An assortment of sauces, mostly vinegar-based, are on the table. Good for a casual group dinner.

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The 10 Best Taco Trucks in L.A.

Gwyneth Paltrow's magazine has its list of the best food trucks in L.A., and I have mine.

A good short list of taco trucks worth a visit.