KTâs Downtown L.A. Dining Recommendations:
As youâll come to find, thereâs no shortage of restaurants in Downtown Los Angeles (lately referred to in shorthand, for better or worse, as DTLA). Though itâs still not the best food neighborhood in L.A., itâs 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 distanceâclosest to furthest awayâfrom the Bonaventure Hotel. Youâll notice the food gets better the further you get from the hotel. Most of these are within walking distance, especially if youâre wearing comfortable shoes. The places at the end of each list require more of a schlep, though theyâre 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 havenât eaten at those places myself and I only wanted to recommend things Iâve actually tried. I also excluded restaurants closer to L.A. Live, the L.A. Convention Center, and the Staples Center further south. You wonât 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 âconceptâ 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 Iâll 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 âthe SGVâ), and itâs a legit Vietnamese chain, though I havenât personally tried the new-ish location inside the Bon. Theyâre 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 canât 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 donât 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, itâs CHEAP.
Border Grill (http://www.yelp.com/biz/border-grill-los-angeles) â a classic L.A. joint, if a tad â90s (from chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, aka the âToo Hot Tamales). BG features reinvented Mexican/Latin American cuisine. Itâs just behind the Bonaventure and they take reservations. Theyâre also open for breakfast and lunch. An appropriate spot for a âworking dinnerâ or lunch.
CafĂ© Pinot (http://www.yelp.com/biz/caf%C3%A9-pinot-los-angeles-5)â Pricey, but atmospheric and lovely. You canât really find quality al fresco dining any closer to the Bonaventure (across the street on the grounds of the beautiful L.A. Public Libraryâs 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: itâs 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 fantasticâCalifornia-inspired Italianâand 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: âHappy 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 â 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.â
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 sessionsâŠ
Food Court at FIGat7th (http://www.figat7th.com/taste/) â Yes, itâs a mall (to be more exact, an indoor/outdoor âlifestyle centerâ with a couple of gyms and a City Target), but the âchef-drivenâ 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. Farmerâs Market on Fairfax and in Hollywood), City Tavern (in Culver City), Oleega by Parkâs Barbecue (in Koreatown), Pazzo Gelato (in Silver Lake and Echo Park) and Sprinkles Cupcakes (in Beverly Hills). If you donât 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. Iâve 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) - Youâve heard about the L.A. food truck scene. Maybe you've even seen Jon Favreauâs Chef. You know good things can be found on food trucks, particularly L.A.âs fusion-fueled trucks (think Pinoy adobo burritos, and Roy Choiâs original Kogi Korean taco truck). I canât 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 Tsangâs 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 Philadelphiaâs Reading Terminal Market, GCM has undergone a transformation in recent years to appeal to downtownâs changing demographicsâi.e. younger, hipper, wealthier, whiter. That said, for every Egg Slut, Horse Thief BBQ, Wexlerâs Deli, Berlin Currywurst and G&B Coffee Roasters, longtime residents like Saritaâs Pupuseria, Las Morelianas, Roast to Go, and the classic mid-century Orientalist China CafĂ© (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 marketâs 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 andâyou guessed itâsticky rice. Also, the pastrami at Wexlerâs is legit: my favorite sandwich is the Macarthur Park, which is Wexlerâs nod to Langerâs Delicatessen, an L.A. treasure right next to (youâre 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 canât 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 youâre feeling brave, and if itâs back up and running after an unfortunate derailment last year, try taking the Angelâs 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; itâs 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 âmediumâ 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 awayâKazuNori, which is listed below.Â
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 âcontemporary baroqueâ aesthetic. BLâs 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 canât 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 youâre pressed for time. The service is quicker and itâs 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 isnât going to be the most earth-shattering Mexican food youâll have every tasted (go to Guisadoâs 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. Â
Colori Kitchen (http://www.colorikitchen.com/) - is a cute, homey little family-run Italian joint with hearty pastas, salads, pizzas. Itâs a bit tucked away from the scenier bustle of 7th Street (only one block over at 8th near Olive), but itâs 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 âUmamicatessenâ--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 worthânay they requireâthe 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 donât take reservations, but at least you can drink and snack while you wait.
The âMain Lineâ (Spring and Main between 4th and 6th streets)
Once again, this nickname is not an official designation; itâs 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 whoâs never had a real taco beyond Baja Fresh, Taco Bell or some east coast excuse for a taco joint HAS TO COME HERE IMMEDIATELY. Itâs 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. Theyâre 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, highfalutinâ Tex-Mex inspired cuisine, e.g. âNanaâs Frito Pieâ 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 hourâaka the SNH: SUPER NACHO HOURâbetween 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.Â
Ledlow (http://www.ledlowla.com/) Formerly Peteâs, 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. Itâs a great spot for a working lunch or dinner, with a bustling patio, just around the corner from all sorts of culinary goodness (including Centenoâs 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) - Centenoâs original joint, BM is, in the websiteâs words, âthe home of the 'bĂ€co,' the signature flatbread sandwich that was developed by chef Josef Centeno. The original bĂ€co was the crispy pork belly and beef carnitas with caraway pepper. Since then, the bĂ€co bread has taken center stage and works as a vessel for all things delicious: pork, beef, poultry, seafood and vegetables.â All the pros that apply to Bar AmaâRESERVATIONS ACCEPTED, full bar, good for groupsâapply to Baco Mercat as well. Plus itâs 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. Itâs 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 youâve 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 âhipster pho.â But itâs CHEAP, tasty, and a good place to have a nice, quiet conversation with folks. They serve beer, wine and sake, but they donât 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. Iâve never tried dinner at the Diner, but Iâve heard itâs also tasty. Youâll notice that the loudest haters on Yelp say things like, âI shouldâve gone to IHOPâ without any hint of irony. That should tell you something, i.e. itâs quirky and a little idiosyncratic. If youâre up for that, youâll enjoy this joint.
Coleâs (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, Coleâs 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. Coleâs is supposedly the OTHER inventor of the French dip sandwich. Philippe in Chinatown, which is also on this list, is the other âoriginal.â 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. Itâs a no-brainer: have the French dip (with lamb!) and fries. The pastrami is great too. TIP: Thereâs a hidden, secret (but not so secret) speakeasy in the back of Coleâs 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 Iâve 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 âhipster ramen.â) 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 arenât 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 âgastropubâ: casual, American fare, elevated by âglobal influences.â I once had dinner with L.A.âs 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, Iâm pretty sure they knew they were serving Jonathan Gold, so they didnât want to serve anything under par. On the other occasions Iâve 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 itâs 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 âhalf sizeâ 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.
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, itâs tucked away in a little strip mall. There isnât really more to say than EAT HERE. Also, theyâve 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 CafĂ© (http://www.yelp.com/biz/aloha-caf%C3%A9-los-angeles-2) - If youâre craving a CHEAP, delicious Hawaiian lunchplate-style breakfast, or lunch with huge portions, get thee to Aloha CafĂ©, 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)
Iâm including a short list of Chinatown restaurants because all of the SRCâs nighttime eventsâthe Dorian Wood concert, the Fun and Furious Karaoke Party, and #not1more, featuring the music of Los Jornalerosâwill 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 Portlandâs first L.A. Chinatown venture and part of his expanding empire. Itâs 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. Iâm 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, Iâm now hooked on Qinâs version.
The Little Jewel of New Orleans (http://littlejewel.la/) - If youâre 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 poâ 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 youâre itching to buy some housemade sausages (boudin, hot links) and Tasso ham, there is no place better in all of L.A.Â
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 âgreasyâ Chinatown spot and the food has âweird texturesâ; there are sundry, roasted brown meats, like Peking Duck and slabs of pork hanging in the window; their âSecret Menuâ boasts items like âBeef Testicles,â âDeer Meat Stir Fried with Fresh Leeks and Bitter Melon,â âRooster Testiclesâ and âSoy Sauce Pigeon.â (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 âAmerican Chinese foodâ 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 âexotic,â authentic Chinese dishes as well. The portions are generous, the food is tasty, the price point is great, especially for people sharing. Theyâre 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) âYes, this place is really named Won Kok. And theyâre OPEN VERY LATE from 8am-3am daily. Itâs a 10 minute, half-mile, 5 œ block walk from this place to Human Resources. WK slings greasy Chinese food in a Lynchian atmosphere. While I chafe at Yelpersâ complaints about how dirty Hop Woo is, I have to concur that Won Kok is not the cleanest placeâthink 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 âAâ public health rating. This place serves up some of the best, CHEAPEST, tawdriest mop-up food (aka âHangover Helperâ) imaginable. All the âAmerican Chinese foodâ 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 âChablisâ variety.
Philippe the Original (http://www.philippes.com/) - As I mentioned above, Philippe (like Coleâs) 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 Coleâs, 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 Coleâs (though generally, Iâd have to say the food is tastier at Coleâs). Regardless, itâs worth dipping intoâhardeeharharâif you are on your way to Human Resources from the Bonaventure. Itâs about Ÿ 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.