Midtown Lunch

Over the weekend Adam Fleischman confirmed that Umami Burger would probably be expanding to NYC by 2012. But even more exciting is the news of what NYC might be sending back.  Xi’an Famous Foods (the NYC noodle shop famous for its lamb “burgers” and spicy noodle dishes) posed an L.A.-centric question on their Facebook page, causing Chowhound to wonder if they might considering an expansion into Los Angeles.  As pointed out by this rebuttal, it wouldn’t be a completely new thing for those familiar with the SGV- but if they opened somewhere between Downtown and Santa Monica it would be quite the godsend.

Related:
Xi’an Famous Foods Shows Us How It’s Done

Seafood pancake from Jun Won in Koreatown

• CULVER CITY 9021PHO is coming to Washington [Eater]
• DTLA Clifton’s Cafeteria is closed, but will reopen soon [Eater]
• HWOOD A new AYCE Chinese buffet has opened on Western [Eater]
• HWOOD LAMag says Arax is one of L.A.’s 10 best Armenian spots [Grub Street]
• KTOWN Jun Won is a comfort food lunchtime splurge [Mattatouille]
• MAR VISTA Check out this crepe pop up at Mitsuwa Market [Grub Street]
• MOBILE Ta Bom’s empanadas are great [Squid Ink]

If you work Downtown and saw the L.A. Times write up of Chimu last week (the new Peruvian place in the Grand Central Market) you must have run right out and tried it.  I know I did. Twice. Despite being a take out window just outside the Grand Central Marketplace, the menu of modern Peruvian cuisine is a bit out of my price range (“entrees” are $10-13) but I couldn’t help but splurge. The chef’s pedigree is top notch- he used to work Lazy Ox, another acceptable Midtown Lunch splurge, and Mo Chica, the Peruvian restaurant that was clearly used as a model for Chimu’s concept and menu style.  But the dishes themselves are mostly unique and changing every day.

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Is there a better part of Los Angeles for lunch specials than Koreatown? Driving up Western or Vermont the signs surround you, touting $5.99, $4.99, even $3.99 (!!!) deals to entice cheap bastards like myself to go here, not there. I’ve discovered some pretty amazing mid-day deals over the past year, including the $10 pork plates at Kobawoo and Jang Choong Dong, the $6 menu at Mapo, and the Korean/Chinese feast you get at Dragon.  Not all of them might be considered top of their class, but they’re all worthwhile based on price, variety or sheer volume.

One place I wish I had lunch specials, but doesn’t is Jeon Ju, the dolsot bibimbap specialist on Olympic just west of Vermont.  But thankfully So Kong Dong Kyo Ja, sister restaurant to So Kong Dong Soondubu and located in the same strip mall, stepped in to save the day.

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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 Jason, a writer who loves Chicago sandwiches.

Name: Jason

Age: 29

Occupation: Writer of things

Where in L.A. do you Work?: Bon Appetit Magazine, Sunset Magazine, FoodRepublic.com. I do all my work from the comforts of my MiniHouse in Culver City.

Favorite Kind of Food: Italian/Southern (including Cajun/Creole)/Steakhouse

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Indian

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch: Mezza (9901 Washington Blvd) for their gyros and fattoush salad. Sushi lunch special at K-Zo (9240 Culver Blvd).

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On the surface Curious Palate (on Venice Blvd in Mar Vista) isn’t a typical Midtown Lunch’ing spot. Everything is a dollar or two more than it should be, and if my NY self caught my L.A. self eating quinoa a good kick to the balls would be in order. But some of their sandwiches are pretty awesome, and kind of worth the splurge if you’re in the area- like their miso short rib wrap, and the Thai chicken satay sandwich. And if you like nuts and dried fruit in your chicken salad, their chicken salad is pretty awesome as well.

So when I saw that they were opening a second Curious Palate inside the new “Market” at Santa Monica Place, and it was going to have an expanded menu from the Venice location, I was intrigued. I’m a fan of the SaMo place food court, but even I crave a “quality” (read: more expensive) lunch every once in awhile.

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Bibim Naeng Myun from O Jang Dong

• DTLA Skip the nose tacos at Roast to Go [Deep End Dining]
• DTLA The tongue is the best thing at Chimu [LAT]
• HWOOD A guide to Thai sweets at Bhan Khanom [Serious Eats]
• KTOWN The cold noodles at O Jang Dong Naeng Myun are great [Mattatouille]
• KTOWN We are in the middle of a soondae renaissance! [LAW]
• MID CITY Tinga is really not that expensive! [Eating L.A.]
• WEST LA Ramen Jinya is coming to Sawtelle [Eater]
• MOBILE Saturday is Roaming Hunger’s Gourmet Food Truck Race! [Eventbrite]