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 Steven, a writer who works in the lunch wasteland of Miracle Mile.

Name: Steven Armstrong

Age: 28

Occupation: Writer/Journalist

Where in L.A. do you Work?: Freelance for Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, MadeMan.com, Mutineer Magazine, among others. I work from home, in the Miracle Mile.

Favorite Kind of Food: Raw oysters; Pork; All things spicy, particularly Mexican, Indian, and Korean cuisines

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Peas (unless they’re stewed in curry)

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch: The food trucks on Wilshire. I usually stop by Bool for bibimbap or Phamish for pork banh mi. Miracle Mile’s tough because it mostly caters to non-foodie office workers who don’t know any better. So, as I’m sure you’ve noticed, there are a lot of chains (Baja Fresh, Chipotle, etc). But one of the better chains is The Counter (5779 Wilshire Boulevard). It’s not the best burger in L.A. Not by a long shot. But it’s pretty decent. They also have some tasty sides. The chili cheese fries are surprisingly delicious. And the fried pickles are delicious. The craft beer selection is also fairly decent — if you’re in the mood for a wet lunch.

The best option is probably Ray’s & Stark (5905 Wilshire Boulevard). It’s a little pricey, but — for the most part — you get what you pay for. The cocktails are also fantastic. And the beer bottle selection is pretty decent. Wine’s good, too. Otherwise, all the way down on the other side of Wilshire, as you approach La Brea, there’s also a little African joint called Ngoma (5358 Wilshire Blvd) that’s worth checking out. I’ve only been once, and didn’t have much to compare it with, but I enjoyed my meal. They also serve palm wine, which is something you might have a difficult time finding elsewhere (can you tell I’m a fine beverage writer?). There’s also a passable Indian restaurant called India’s Tandoori (5468 Wilshire Blvd). I’ve never been in for table service, but I order delivery now and then.

The “goto” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often? One of the above, or Golden State (426 N Fairfax Ave) on Fairfax

The farthest place you’ll drive for lunch on a normal day? Black Cat Cafe (519 S. Fairfax) is the farthest I’d walk. The Original Farmers Market for Singapore’s Banana Leaf or Loteria is the farthest I’ll bike. And the farthest I’ll drive: the Golden State

Dream job location (anywhere in the world), purely for lunch purposes, and why? That’s a tough one. I’d say San Sebastian for tapas, but that’s more of a dinner thing. Maybe Mexico City for all the amazing street food (and pork!). Or Rome, because everything tastes great in Rome. Or Manhattan, because there are so many options within walking/delivery distance. Or Honolulu, because the Hawai’ians do pork best. Or New Orleans, because the oysters are abundant and cheap, and because it’s New Orleans.

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers? How many people think it’s appropriate to have a drink with their lunch? Is it only OK some times and not others? Why or why not?

Got an answer for Steven, 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.