Midtown Lunch

As is customary on Midtown Lunch, every Tuesday we profile a random reader to get their recommendations for the best spots to lunch near their work. This week it’s Maggie, the Founder and CEO of Blackboard Eats– which is kind of like Groupon… if Groupon only worked with good restaurants and you just had to pay $1 to get the discount.

Name: Maggie

Age: 31 and 1/2

Occupation: Founder/Editor-in-Chief of BlackboardEats

Where in L.A. do you Work?: Venice, CA

Favorite Kind of Food: Octopus

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Canned tuna. I won’t touch it and have a hard time being around it.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch: Akbar (3115 Washington Blvd) for their Bhindi Masala and Chicken Tikki Masala. Irori (4371 Glencoe Ave) for their Japanese Albacore, Japanese Snapper with Shiso, and “The Maggie Special”. Gjelina (1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd) for their Tuscan Kale, Bread Crumbs, Shaved Radish, Fennel, & Ricotta Salata, P.E.I mussels with Chorizo, Confit Tomato, White Wine & Grilled Bread, and their Mushroom, Goat Cheese & Truffle Oil Pizza. Lemonade for their Israeli Couscous and Broccoli w/ Ricotta and Champagne Vinaigrette.

“Go-To” Lunch Place You and Your Coworkers Eat at Too Often? Whole Foods

Places you have discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch: Samosa House!!!

The farthest place you’ll drive for lunch on a normal day? Car: As far as wheels can take me. Petros (Manhattan Beach) for their Grilled Octopus, Avgolemono, and Roast Chicken. Mo Chica for ceviche. Jar (West Hollywood) for their Signature Pot Roast! Bashan (Glendale) for their Snapper with artichokes. On foot I’ll walk to Venice for Sauce on Hampton’s greek salad with grilled chicken, Santa Monica for the Burrata Caprese Omelette at Cora, Culver City for the spiked Turkey Burger at Akasha, and to Marina Del Ray for Mauro’s Golden Nachos at Baja Cantina (only).

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Greece, octopus for lunch, daily.

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers in L.A.? Where is the best octopus in L.A. (or New York?)

The most memorable octopus I’ve had since moving back to L.A. is the mixed ceviche at Mariscos Chente (4532 S Centinela Ave). So tender, and fresh, and spicy, and goooooood. Got your own suggestion for Maggie? Put it in the comments. And as always if you want to be next week’s Profiled: L.A. Lunch’er (or know somebody you’d want to nominate), email me- zach@midtownlunch.com.