Midtown Lunch

As is customary on Midtown Lunch, every Tuesday we’ll profile a random reader to get their recommendations for the best spots to lunch near their work. This week it’s Lynn, an actress who hates small portions and is saddled with a vegetarian husband.

Name: Lynn

Age: 30

Occupation: Actress and blogger

Where in L.A. do you Work?: Everywhere! With my acting career I’m all over town auditioning, having meetings, filming on location, etc. and with the food blog I like to travel around to discover new restaurants. That said, I find that I eat mostly in the Larchmont Village/Hollywood area.

Favorite Kind of Food: Hmm….that’s a tricky question for an actor. My age range is 25-35.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Teeny tiny expensive portions. So I don’t eat at “fancy” places very often.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch: In Culver City, I like the cheap and fresh salad bar at Govinda’s (3764 Watseka Avenue); Bella Vista (10826 Venice Blvd.) for all-you-can-eat Brazilian pizza with crazy toppings like corn and tuna. Downtown, I’m over the moon about Starry Kitchen (350 S. Grand) – there’s nothing I’ve eaten there that isn’t spectacular; I was once lucky enough to film a movie there (the upcoming “Surrogate Valentine”) – best prop food ever. In the Valley, I like Sunpower Natural in Studio City (3711 Cahuenga Blvd) for the portabello sandwich and raw cookie dough pie. Capriotti’s in Beverly Hills (9683 Wilshire Blvd) is fun for take-out sandwiches – try “The Bobbie” (a.k.a. Thanksgiving on a bun) or their “Veggie Cole Turkey” (the most unbelievable “fake meat”). Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop, also in 90210 (9671 Wilshire Blvd), is great for quick, organic salads and sandwiches (their veggie Panini is one of the best I’ve ever eaten). Other yummy to-go sandwiches include the Burata Cheese and the Pastrami at All About the Bread in West Hollywood (7111 Melrose Ave), the award-winning “DaVinCheese” at Locali in Hollywood (5825 Franklin Ave.), and every single thing at Larchmont Village Wine & Cheese (223 N. Larchmont Blvd.)

“Go-To” Lunch Place You and Your Coworkers Eat at Too Often? I often go to Umami Burger (they have the best turkey burgers) or M Café (9433 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills). Everything is good, but I always get the Kale with Spicy Peanut Sauce as a side. Veggie Grill (8000 W Sunset Blvd, WeHo) , is another place I go to a lot for vegetarian food – you can’t go wrong with an “All Hail Kale” salad and “Sante Fe Crispy Chickin Sandwich.’” For dessert, I swing by Scoops (712 N Heliotrope Dr, Hollywood) for amazing vegan gelato under $3.

The farthest place you’ll drive for lunch on a normal day? I’ve driven 1.5 hours out to Little Saigon for Vietnamese sandwiches (3 for $5 at Banh Mi Che Cali Bakery) and I’ll do it again.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? The best meals I’ve eaten in my life were in Tuscany, Italy – even the stuff at the gas stations. All homemade, fresh, nothing processed.

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers in L.A.? I’m currently compiling a list of the Best Vegetarian Sandwiches in LA for my blog – any suggestions?

Got a recommendation for Lynn? Put it in the comments. And if you’d like to be next week’s Profiled: L.A. Lunch’er (or know somebody you’d want to nominate), email me- zach@midtownlunch.com.