first time in LA, but only for 24 hours
My husband and I will be in LA for 24 hours and are looking for suggestions for a lunch and a brunch, and maybe a delicious snack (a donut perhaps?). It is our first time in LA (unless you count my trip as a 2 year old when I picked a mushroom, ate some, and stuck up the rest up my nose).
This is sort of what we are looking for:
Saturday lunch somewhere between LAX and downtown LA (we are staying at the Omni)
Sunday brunch that is good for hangovers somewhere between downtown and roads that point north (We are driving to Carmel that afternoon, so something convenient to the 5 might be good) )
Sunday snack (donut?) north of brunch also on the 5?
We are poor, and are the kind of lax vegetarians that don't ask if the beans were cooked with pork or the soup with chicken stock. Places that are excellent people watching are a plus. maybe vietnamese or latin american?
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Emme
Sep 22, 2007 07:18 PM
For Sat. lunch, I might also offer Newsroom Cafe on Robertson for good reasonable veggie options as well as people watching.
Guelaguetza as a Mexican option, or even Los Balcones de Peru on Vine for Peruvian fare.
Thai at Jitlada or Sanam Luang.
Second the recs for Rahel.
Good hangover breakfast at
Bay Cities if you head up the 1
The Griddle Cafe
Fred 62
Hugo's [WeHo or NoHo]
Pho So 1
Roscoe'sFor the snack--
second the rec for Nata's
Love the donuts and apple fritters at K's Donut Emporium in Sherman Oaks›3 Replies-
re: Emme
Oh this is so exciting. Thank you everybody for the tips (and by all means, please keep them coming!)
To clarify things somewhat:
We are in town for a wedding- Saturday night- and have wedding block prices at the Omni.
I'm a New Yorker, and have plenty of Pinkberry, hot dogs, diners, etc. Until recently, we were living in London so we had plenty of Indian food and, oddly enough, Portuguese egg pastries. While in London, I would listen to the KCRW (?) food podcast and be drooling with what was in season in the middle of the cold wet dark winters, so I think a trip to a farmer's market is a must.Generally, I prefer places that are not specifically vegetarian and definitely not vegan, but places that have some meatless items because it has been an integral part of their cuisine for centuries.
This will be my husband's first time in California. (He is German, but has been living in London for several years, and will be moving to NYC in 12 days).
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re: relizabeth
If you have time, go to the Saturday Farmer's Market in Santa Monica .
http://www.cafarmersmarkets.com/showMarket?marketid=107
or
http://www.cafarmersmarkets.com/showMarket?marketid=105
Only from about 9 to 2 in the afternoon or so. Most Farmer's Markets are on Sunday.I really stress you want to drive up the 101 and not the 5 to get to Carmel. On the way, if you miss Santa Monica, you can stop either at the Sunday Studio City Farmer's Market:
http://www.cafarmersmarkets.com/showMarket?marketid=386
Park in the Von's parking lot.You can get a good snack or brunch from the food vendors and some great fruit to take with you. Artisan Cheese Gallery, a fabulous cheese sop, is right next to it. Ask someone where it is and they'll point where to walk..literally 10 seconds.
Encino Farmer's Market is also on Sunday, but a little bit farther from the freeway.
http://www.cafarmersmarkets.com/showM...
not as good snacky wise as Studio city, but great chicken, boiled peanuts, sometimes pupusas and tamales. Good produce as well!
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re: relizabeth
Just so you know, Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax is eating and shopping, not a KCRW fresh market. The real fresh markets aren't open daily.
Agreed, the Santa Monica market is a really good one and would fit the KCRW descriptions. Hollywood has one now too and it's good people watching:
http://www.farmernet.com/events/one-c...
Really good pupusas can be had there.
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If you're heading down the 101, I would suggest stopping by Natas Pastries in Sherman Oaks. I just tried five of their Portugese-style pastries for the first time and am already planning to go back next week to try some of their other pastries and cakes. Just their natas are worth going for - nice egg-custardy flavor in a flakey puff pastry cup. A little cinnamon and powdered sugar goes well with it along with an espresso. You can get one of their "Portugese" specialty combinations where you can get any combination of natas, queijadas, pasteis de coco, pasteis de feijao, or malasadas for a discounted price. I picked up the 16-piece for $25 - a very good bang for the buck - that's about $1.50 per.
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Best donuts hands down are found at Frattelli's in Beverly Hills - Italian coffee and donut shop - out of this world. http://www.frittelli.com/index.html - it's worth the trip
Question - why are you staying downtown?
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re: prainer
ChinoWayne
Sep 22, 2007 10:32 AM
No, the best donuts are at Primo's in L.A., and you don't need a bank loan to buy them.
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The Farmers Market at Fairfax & 3rd (there is a popular new outdoor mall attached to it; "The Grove" or as we call it "The Growth", like a tumor). People watching, some bits & pieces of old LA still there and lots of food options. It's right in the middle and a great lunch spot. My vote would be for Singapore's Banana Leaf (with an obnoxious Pink Berry - if you must - in the stall next door). Cheap & delicious food. My vegetarian sister loves their gado gado, as do I.
http://www.farmersmarketla.com/
The 101 is the more interesting drive, but either way it's a longish drive and things close early up that way. Solvang is not kitsch enough to be fun. Andersen's Pea Soup Restaurant in Buellton is the most interesting thing in the area and it's not much more than a novelty with oyster crackers floating in it.
The 5 is a wasteland, save for long haul trucks and point to point commuters. If you take the 101, you'll want a map of some sort and you'll want to distinguish the 1 (PCH) from the 101 northwards of San Luis Obispo. I personally love the PCH and I would prefer to meander that way, through Big Sur, but it's very slow going, limited petrol and even less people watching.
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For Saturday lunch, I'd suggest checking into your hotel and walking a couple blocks away to the Grand Central Market. While definitions of excellent people watching vary - my idea of interesting people watching would take me here over the Ivy any day of the week.
http://www.grandcentralsquare.com/
It's one of the oldest markets in Los Angeles with a wide variety of food stalls. Lots of options, most of them cheap and vegetarians can do fine (altho' maybe you'll change your mind visiting Roast-to-go or Ana Maria's when you see their carnivorous offerings.). In addition to great Mexican options, for more Latin American there's also Sarita's pupusas and an empanada place (is this still there?). And juice bars and fresh produce.
Then take a wander around the neighborhood and visit the Bradbury building, the Central Library, and all the other downtown sights.
Then you can splurge on a nice Sunday brunch somewhere else!
Enjoy your trip!
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Grand Central Market
317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013›2 Replies-
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re: ks in la
DiveFan
Sep 22, 2007 02:02 PM
Chinatown (just north of 101 Fwy) is a fun place to wander around, people watch and has quite a few Vietnamese places as well. Philippe serves a great bowl of beans :-).
Since driving and parking in LA can be a pain, may I suggest doing an MTA Red or Gold line trip. Look at these topics for suggestions:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/436632 - Red/Purple Line
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/436841 - Gold Line-----
Philippe the Original
1001 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012Asian Noodles
643 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012Grand Central Market
317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
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For a Latin American suggestion, why not try Versailles? It's a Cuban restaurant, and their signature dish is the garlic chicken. I've had it, but I'm more partial to their chicken and yellow rice. I also love their black beans and plaintains. There are several of them around town, but the two most convenient locations for your trip would be the one in Culver City at 10319 Venice Blvd., or the Los Angeles location at 1415 S. La Cienega. You can find out more at their website www.versaillescuban.com
Edited to add: unfortunately, the only vegetarian dishes they offer are the rice, beans, plaintains that can also come with a salad. Sorry, I'm a carnivore by nature and keep forgetting the vegetarian requirement of your request!
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Since you're only going to be in LA for 24 hours, if you want to visit a place that is legendary for many reasons, you can try Pink's Hotdogs in Hollywood. They have a vegan hot dog on the menu. Their address is 709 N. La Brea Blvd., L.A., which is near the corner of Melrose and LaBrea.
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re: BRIANTHEFOODUDE
wutzizname
Sep 21, 2007 08:44 PM
Um...they have 24 hours in town and you want them to spend 2 of them waiting in line for a VEGAN hotdog? I like Pink's and I think it definitely has it's place and purpose, but the wait to reward ratio is so blown out of whack. Drive by if you need to check it off your sightseeing list but DO NOT waist hours in line for it.
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re: wutzizname
tatertotsrock
Sep 21, 2007 09:03 PM
NO NO NO NO NO!!!
on PINKS.
Why waste your time in LA trying to eat a friggin hot dog when you could probably get a better one in your own hometown at a ball game!!!
Travel for REAL food.
Pinks is for people who saw it on TV and think it's a great place.
Why wait in line for a dog with a bunch of people from out of town?
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LAX and downtown LA is s huge spread.
Sunday Brunch near highway 1 (Joes on Abbot Kinney in Venice, BLD)
Saturday lunch, BLD in mid-city west.
Near LAX, north end caffe in manhattan beach. Its own rosecrans, about 4 miles south of LAX.Joes, North End Caffe, and BLD are some of LA's finest neighorhood cafe/brunch/bistros. You cant go wrong with them.
if you are veggie, elf cafe is always good but it is in a less than tourist friendly area. Another great innovative neighorhood spot. Its right off the 5 in slighty seedy echo park off of sunset blvd.
if you must stick to the I-5, got to Portos Bakery in north hollywood on magnolia blvd. Another great neighorhood ethnic cafe.
All of the plaecs I have mentioned are interesting and great for people watching. If you want the quintessential people watching SCENE, try Ivy on Roberston blvd in los angeles. Great street, decent brunch, frequented by celebrities, nice patio.
As someone suggested the farmers market at 3rd st and fairfax is also good.
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wutzizname
Sep 21, 2007 06:26 PM
relizabeth, if it's your first time in LA and it's only for 24 hours and price is a factor, I highly recommend making your Saturday lunch stop at the original Farmers Market at Fairfax & 3rd. It's an LA institution, ideal for people watching, with a ton of great, inexpensive eating options, many of which should be lax-Veggie-friendly.
You'll find plenty of threads debating which are the best places to eat there, but in general, just for the experience, you can't go wrong.
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Totally OT, but you really need to take the 101 instead of the 5. To get to Carmel, it's better to stay towards the coast and the 5 goes WAY inland. Plus, the 5 is boring and ugly. ;)
If you take the 101 N, you get to pass my neck of the woods, and we have some FABU restaurants in the Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo areas. Diner's paradise ... and SB/SLO are just off the freeway. In Santa Barbara, the infamous La Super Rica Taqueria (Julia Child's fave Mexican) comes to mind off Milpas.
But while in LA, I would say it would be fun to do sushi (so huge in LA) and Pinkberry.
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Bob Brooks
Sep 21, 2007 02:22 PM
You could have dim sum for Sunday Brunch at Ocean Seafood, in Chinatown, which is both close to the Omni and the 5 fwy.
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re: hpcat
Bob Brooks
Sep 21, 2007 02:48 PM
I used to favor Empress Pavilion but quit it completely after the last two visits were characterized by items that were cold and greasy. Much hotter and fresher at Ocean Seafood.
FWIW, I think you need to be at Empress before 10 if you don't want a ridiculous wait.
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ChinoWayne
Sep 21, 2007 02:08 PM
Beware, I-5 is bereft of dining opportunities other than fast food, or Denny's, a quicker drive than U.S. 101, but in my book not chowish and more stressful than 101. Post a query on the California board for recco's north of L.A. county up to and including Carmel.
If you take the 101, you could jog over about four miles east at the Buellton exit and pay a visit to Solvang, an ersatz Danish village, and OD on Danish pastries (that and other opportunities can be found on the California board).
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you're poor but are staying at the OMni?
I second Rahel...really yummy and a good buffet.
To get to Carmel from LA, you're better off going up the 101 and having a prettier, more scenic drive up the coast through Santa Barbara.
pasadena really isn't on the way-you'll take either the 405 or the 5 to the 101.If you are on the 101 in the San Fernando Valley, you can get brunch at:
Universal Hilton's Buffet (on weekends)
Le Pain Quotidean in Studio CityDupar's in Studio City
Panera Bread in Studio City
Belwood Bakery Studio City
El Torito (yeeecch Sherman oaks)
The Studio City Farmer's market on Ventura Place in Studio city (great fruit, veg, cheese, crepes, pastries, tamales, breakfast burritos, grilled corn and more!
Gelson's Hot Bar in North Hollywood
Jinkey's Sherman oaks
Leda's bake Shop Sherman oaks
Marmalade Cafe Sherman Oaks
La Frite Sherman oaks
More than Waffles in encino
Gelson's in encino
Sona's in Encino
Cici's cafe in Tarzana
Bea's Bakery/and the attached deli in Tarzana
they're all good places for a snack, too.
I know there's more, but I forget.
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re: Servorg
Servorg
Sep 21, 2007 01:42 PM
For brunch on the way out of town on Sunday I am recommending Twin Palms in Pasadena. Ordinarily I wouldn't say dinner at this place but I think the brunch is an excellent value and the setting is very nice:
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