100% better Pho in LA itself. As much as I enjoy going to SGV or Little Saigon, I yearn for better here in the city proper.
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I don’t know if these are considered “concepts,” but I’d like to see -
-Bakeries or empanadas places that do a large variety of empanadas from different places in Latin America and the Caribbean - baked, fried, cornmeal, sweet, savory. Like the places I see all over Miami.
-Venezuelan restaurants with a much larger variety of arepas than I’ve seen locally - ironic that the best arepas I’ve had have been in Las Vegas or Maui. And if I’ve missed a good place in LA, let me know.
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lol trolling?
If LA isn’t a food destination which city, aside from NY, in the US is?
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LA has one of, if not, the hottest dining scenes in the country along with large population concentrations of Asians and Hispanics and access to the best produce in the country.
If LA isn’t a food destination then I don’t really know what is.
I could concede that the average American probably associates LA more with entertainment over food. But I think if you ask any person that has some knowledge of food and dining LA would be a top destination in the US.
@John do you think LA is a dining destination?
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Chicago isn’t too bad…since you asked.
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Anyone who thinks LA isn’t one of the best food towns in the US either doesn’t know LA or isn’t very interested in food!
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Thoughts on Cariaco Para Llevar in Glendale? It’s competing against slim pickings but it scratches the itch.
I’m pretty familiar with Chicago and imo doesn’t hold a candle to LA
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LA is one of the best food towns. Opining as somebody who was born and raised here and knows something about food.
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There are 2 cities in the US that is exceptional with food (as well as cultural, and entertainment amenities….things to do). It’s LA and NYC. Probably will always be for a long ass time.
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LA has better produce.
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OK there were two places in Glendale. Armenian/Georgian but Georgian
Havlabar restaurant on Broadway in Glendale has some Georgian specialties
Khinkali house near the americana has the dumplings
And many Russian places serve some Georgian dishes. Even Traktir in West Hollywood has a few things
There’s a bunch down in orange county/fountain Valley. I have a very good bakery, I HRAM fresh Simit.
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No idea about the quality. I’ve enjoyed it but would be curious as to your take on café Bolivar in Ocean Park. They have a variety of Arepas
http://www.cafebolivar.com/
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Moscow Deli in Costa Mesa
Has soups, sandwiches, and appetizers. Also a lot of imported Russian and Eastern European items that are beyond my understanding.
There are tons of Russian/Former Soviet Bloc delis throughout the southland, but Georgian food, which basically is to Russia as Mexican food is to LA, just isn’t here outside of a couple of the above mentioned khinkhali and khachapuri specialists.
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Resident Georgian person (on both sides of my family) here.
We don’t have the same Georgian food representation as NY/brooklyn.
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Definitely Armenian.
The closest real Georgian restaurant I’ve found is in San Diego.
My wife did a medical mission years ago to Georgia. She really wants Georgian food, and especially an authentic GEORGIAN khachapuri.
She has a place in NYC she goes to, but is desperate for something out here. Any recommendations?
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Mate I wish I had one for ya. As far as khachapuri there are so many varieties, and there are a few places that do the intersection of Armenian/Georgian like Sipan in Glendale. For the most common kind you’ll find in America, the ones at Oui on melrose are pretty good despite using a different cheese blend.
Otherwise, other georgian dishes that aren’t kchapuri and khinkali are very hard to come by here. If anyone wants to invest in bringing my grandmother to the west coast with me, I’m sure we can start a place…
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