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 Mike, a former New Yorker who loves meatballs (natch), pizza (natch), and eggs benedict (slighly less natch.)

Name: Mike

Age: 37

Occupation: Artist Manager / A&R Consultant / Co-Blogger at Eggs Benny Tour

Where in L.A. do you Work?: Mike Savage Artist Management, Hollywood.

Favorite Kind of Food: I’m an Italian / Pizza kind of guy (you can take the kid outta NY…), but living in L.A. for the past 13 years has given me a fondness for Asian cuisine as well. And of course Eggs
Benny!

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Anything with (Vegan Version) attached to the end of the name.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch: Most of my lunches are business-related with music industry jerks, spread out all over the city. In Beverly Hills I like Frida on Beverly Drive (their tacos de camaron are fantastic), and the fish & chips at Kate Mantilini on Wilshire Blvd. are actually pretty awesome. If it’s my call, and we’re anywhere near an Umami Burger, we’re going there and I’ll probably order the standard Umami Burger, possibly their Port & Stilton Burger if I’m feeling fancy. One of the artists I manage, Meiko, is of Japanese descent – if we’re having a lunch meeting together it’ll usually be someplace downtown – more than likely Daikokuya in Little Tokyo (she’s got me addicted to their Daikoku Raumen).

“Go-To” Lunch Place You and Your Coworkers Eat at Too Often? I’m pretty much a regular at the Tamarind Ave. Deli (147 Tamarind Ave, Hollywood). They’re known for their slow-cooked brisket sandwich, which is great, but I like their #5 (Capocollo, salami, pepperoni, provolone, lettuce, tomato, peperoncini, Italian dressing). They slice the meat thin and they put just enough on their amazing Italian bread without it being obnoxious. They’ve also got a really big selection of specialty sodas (remember Jolt? They’ve got it there!)

Lunches you have discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch: Dude, I heard about Bay Cities before reading your review, but I always folded my arms in disbelief that a place like that existed in SoCal. Since I trust you inherently, I finally gave it a shot and I thank you every time I go back!

The farthest place you’ll drive for lunch on a normal day? OK – here’s my little secret to all you east coasters who bitch about not being able to find REAL, good, NY-style pizza in SoCal. You’ve gotta drive to Hermosa Beach for it though. And I make that drive from Hollywood at least once a month. Gladly. It’s at Paisano’s (1132 Hermosa Ave.). It’s not fancy, it’s not ‘brick oven’, they don’t use burrata or any of that nonsense. Good greasy slices – give it a try and thank me later.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Rome, Italy, sir. Less for the actual lunch, more for the outdoor seating where I can watch beautiful Italian women walk by. Sometimes it’s about the scenery!

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers in L.A.? There’s this
new craze in NY for meatballs. I personally believe that I make the best in the world, second only to my Grandma. Where can I get some good Italian meatballs in Los Angeles?

Well… obviously, Bay Cities makes a great meatball sub. And I kind of liked the one at All About the Bread as well. Got your own recommendation for Mike? 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.