Midtown Lunch

If you have ever been into a Japanese grocery store, or a semi-authentic take-out sushi/bento spot, than you have probably seen omusubi (or onigiri) before. They are those triangular shaped things, covered in seaweed, and wrapped in plastic (some of which require an instructional video for opening.) Traditionally, the standard pre-packaged versions usually come stuffed with cooked salmon, cod roe, or pickled plums, but just as popular are the less traditional fillings like shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, and spam (by way of Hawaii.) They are perfect for a snack on the go, but for rice obsessed lunch’ers they act as a perfect add on to any Japanese lunch. The best is when you find a omusubi specialist… and that’s when things can get fun. In NYC there was a place called Oms/b, that I loved, where you could get a lunch made up entirely of rice balls topped and filled with all sorts of fun stuff (think shrimp tempura with green sea salt, and bbq eel.)

So, when I heard that Sunny Blue had opened on Main Street in Santa Monica specializing in omusubi (exciting!) and froyo (less exciting) I had to go check it out.

Read more »

Photo courtesy of LAist/Julie Wolfson

• WEHO Must… have… Shaki Alibi ham & cheese waffle NOW! [LAist]
• WEHO “The Guru” loves the BLT at Salt’s Cure [Squid Ink]
• KOREATOWN New Boiling Crab outpost coming to Wilshire [Grub St.]
• COMPTON Bludso’s makes some of the best BBQ in L.A…. [Noms Not Bombs]
• COMPTON … just make sure you ask for the sauce on the side [Exile Kiss]
• MID CITY Black Dog Coffee has added new sandwiches [Eater]
• DOWNTOWN Just what DTLA needs… a Chipotle! [Blogdowntown]
• VENICE “New York Style Chinese Cusine” does sound wacky! [Grub St.]
• HOLLYWOOD Pailin Thai is good, but “Last Meal Ever” good?! [Citysearch]
• MOBILE Grill ‘Em All calls 8oz Burger underrated [AHT]

I’m starting to think that tacos in Los Angeles are like pizza in New York. They’re cheap. They’re everywhere. They can be a meal, or a snack, a lunch, or a super late night stomach filler. Quality varies wildly, but it’s hard to find a truly horrendous version of either. You’ll see some people order one, most lunch specials include 2, but 3 is the number most pros go for. And nobody is ever going to agree on who makes the best version. You can get satisfying $1 versions of both, and seeing either cost more than $2.50 kind of makes my blood boil. And yet, occasionally, we find it in our hearts to accept a version of each that costs more than it should. Whether it’s because of expensive ingredients, or expert craftsmanship, the lowly taco or lowly slice can occasionally be elevated to a level that is worthy of spending $3+.

I don’t know enough about regional Mexican food to really pass judgment on most places (I leave that to this guy), but I do know this: the newly open Tinga (on La Brea just north of 3rd) is one of those “worth it” places. And I can say that because it isn’t trying to be an “authentic” (whatever that means) divey taqueria, or a hipster fast casual place trying to make Mexican food palatable to white people. They’re just making food that tastes awesome.

Read more »

As much as I love the Asian food here in Los Angeles, there are two things that really bother me.  First… why have all the great dim sum places in the SGV started to favor menus over over carts!? (Carts is the best part of dim sum, damnit!)  And second, why is it that none of the all you can eat Korean food spots in K-Town are buffets?  What does a short fat Jewish guy have to do to get a proper Korean buffet in this town!?

Now, I know what many of you will say (on both counts).  “Wouldn’t you rather have food that’s made fresh?”  As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t.  I like the element of surprise in my dim sum, and the variety that you get on a great buffet.  So when I heard that Hansong, “Best Beef” winner at this year’s Korean BBQ Cook-Off, was a proper all you can eat buffet in Koreatown I got pretty excited.  And not even a $17 price tag could keep me from trying out this lunch.  (Desperate times call for desperate measures people!)

Read more »

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 Betty, an L.A. Times food writer who wishes she worked in Tokyo… but has found a ton of amazing lunches in Little Tokyo.

Name: Betty

Age: 39

Occupation: Editor

Where in L.A. do you Work?: The Los Angeles Times, Downtown

Favorite Kind of Food: Japanese (sushi in particular), Chinese, Italian, Eastern Mediterranean, Mexican

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Bad bread

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch: The Times building is at 2nd and Spring and if I go up the hill, I’ll take the Angel’s Flight funicular to Mendocino Farms for pork belly banh mi or a pork rib sandwich. Or to Starry Kitchen for any of its specials (Japanese meatball curry, “nom nom” pork, etc.) as a lunch plate with special rice (I like the coconut rice). If I walk to Little Tokyo, lately it’s for Koshiji (123 Onizuka St) for yakitori (the yakitori is juicy). Or Daikokuya for hiyashi-chuka (cold ramen salad), especially when it’s hot out (and if the line isn’t too long), or tsukemen (the broth comes separate from the noodles and you dip them into the bowl – I like the sort of DIY experience of it). Mr. Ramen (341 E 1st St) for the tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet) bento with cold tofu (also, their chashu roast pork is really good). Izayoi (132 S Central Ave) is on my list of lunch spots too (croquettes, grilled eggplant, black cod, matsutake soup when it’s in season). Lazy Ox (241 S. San Pedro) for yellowtail with crushed avocado and crispy hash brown. If I have a craving for Hawaiian, then I’ll go to Aloha Café (410 E 2nd St) in Honda Plaza (which is conveniently located a couple doors down from my favorite Little Tokyo bakery, Frances). I like that the breakfast menu (corned beef hash, Hawaiian bread French toast) is served all day. South on Spring Street, the Gorbals used to serve lunch (Persian cucumbers with za’atar and chickpeas, bacon-wrapped matzoh balls) -– sadly, it isn’t open for lunch anymore. And for afternoon coffee, Spring for Coffee (548 S Spring St). On special occasions, Drago Centro to sit at the bar and have some of their fresh pasta, or Water Grill’s raw bar for oysters.

Read more »

I’m beginning to learn that there is no shortage of good BBQ in Los Angeles, provided you know where to look and are willing to drive.  The Vendy Awards introduced me to Big Mista’s BBQ back in May (their pig candy is possibly the greatest use of bacon ever invented), last week Ed Levine from Serious Eats took me to Phillip’s in Jefferson Park (totally worth the ride south!), and Bludso’s in Compton is high on my list of places to try.  But what if you work… say… Downtown.  And don’t have two hours to trek over to Compton, or down to the Torrance Farmer’s Market on a Thursday.  What then?

Answer: The Original Texas BBQ King.  Located on 7th Street btw. Grand and Olive, the OTBBQ King is one of those places that you could drive by a million times and never notice (even if you were looking for it.)

Read more »