62762 Thu Sep 02 14:20:40 -0700 2004 20 2 Los Angeles Area 0 335528 Hi all: I'm a wine critic recently moved to LA from SF and am positively overwhelmed by the place for food choices so far. Can anyone narrow down the choices near to my neighborhood, which is basically La Brea/Beverly? I'm looking for honest food, not necessarily fancy (though I'll certainly take fancy). What are your top three or four benchmarks for honest food in LA, in any language? patcisco Thu Sep 02 14:20:40 -0700 2004 0 patcisco 1 335539 Honest food in that area? How about Pink's. Those signed comments from the celebrity photos plastered on the walls there say it all. Thu Sep 02 14:59:04 -0700 2004 335528 0 Sam D. 2 336109 I've been warned against Pink's, but I really must go there and experience it myself, even if it's just indigestion. Tue Sep 07 12:40:12 -0700 2004 335539 0 patcisco 3 336111 The one consistantly good dog at Pink's, if you don't mind spicy, is the spicy Polish. I like it California style with chili, cheese and raw onions, but you can get it any style they offer. Tue Sep 07 12:50:00 -0700 2004 336109 0 WLA 3 336166 But it's good, honest indigestion. Tue Sep 07 15:38:01 -0700 2004 336109 0 mc michael 1 335546 Hit Eat-A-Pita Link: http://home.pacbell.net/dagravy/html/eap.html Thu Sep 02 15:51:15 -0700 2004 335528 0 Curt 1 335572 It seems the first two posters are not taking you at all seriously. However, I was a little confused about what your term "honest" food meant, so I looked it up on Google. It seems I should have come across that term sooner as I seek it out without knowing that term. Anyway, Many fine restaurants rely on "honest" food qualities even though not advertised as such. They may not be listed in Calvin Trillon's "Feeding a Yen" but are just as good and "honest." Freshness, organic, free-range, etc. just makes for a better flavor and why fool with great quality food. As for wine, it described "honest" as "that not known as a great wine, but is flawless and straightforward." But, you can get great food and wine that is "honest" in LA. Try the Grill on The Alley (expensive) 9560 Dayton Way Los Angeles, CA 90210 and The Daily Grill (more casual) its a small chain, but good. Try the halibut with broccoli dinner. For a location nearest you, see http://www.dailygrill.com/dglocations.html Try also the pastrami on rye at Langer's. 704 S Alvarado St Los Angeles, CA 90057-4020 (213) 483-8050 And, though I haven't been there myself, it seems Il Grano would also fit that description as the owner/chef goes himself to market for the freshest fish and produce. Il Grano 11359 Santa Monica Blvd. West Los Angeles, 90025 (310) 477-7886 There are many heart healthy meals to be found in LA. I live in Orange County, so am able to recommend many places in my region. Thu Sep 02 18:32:19 -0700 2004 335528 0 kc girl 2 335772 Sorry, Curt (second poster). Eat-a-Pita is a serious and appropriate response. I'm going too fast. Again, sorry. Fri Sep 03 18:38:14 -0700 2004 335572 0 kc girl 1 335580 Honest food? Sounds good, but what is it? Thu Sep 02 18:50:09 -0700 2004 335528 0 Jerome 1 335586 i don't know what "honest food" is, either, but - if you're from SF, the LA branch of luna park is right down the road from you, at la brea/wilshire. there's a bunch of restaurants on beverly between la cienega and la brea. just head west on beverly. if you head east on beverly, there are a nice street called larchmont where you'll find toney places. LA is known for ethnic establishments, especially hispanic/korean/japanese. search this board, and you'll find many hidden gems nearby. Thu Sep 02 19:16:41 -0700 2004 335528 0 smssms 2 335794 Keep driving past this garrish place "El Coyote" on Beverly that always seems to be pretty busy, what's the skinny on them? Fri Sep 03 20:14:17 -0700 2004 335586 0 bernardo 1 335597 As to honest food, all concepts are probably honest to the standards set by the ownership, yet might not meet your standards. Go to Grace no later than Saturday night, meet Matt the wine director before he leaves LA, and talk wine, have some good/very good chow, and get to know the local scene from a very knowledgable source. As to your definition, give SF examples of what qualifies up there and we might understand your perspective. Thu Sep 02 19:36:23 -0700 2004 335528 0 carter 1 335700 To be honest, the term "honest food" sounds like highfalutin food critic-speak. My gut take on "honest food" is simple food, well-prepared. Does this come close? Philippes French Dip sandwiches downtown (meat and bread (and au jus) - pretty honest) Dino's on Pico in Koreatown (meat and fire- and fries!) Soot Bull Jeep in Koreatown (meat and fire- and banchan!) Mr. Taster Fri Sep 03 12:12:54 -0700 2004 335528 0 Mr. Taster 2 335723 While I have not yet heard an exact definition of "honest foods" from patcisco, the original poster, from what I read, the term "honest food" was originated in 1999, by the Countryside Alliance. (It kind of coordinates with my recent discovery of "Nourishing Traditions" and some of the co-ops and restaurants I saw in the Eureka/Arcata area.) It has to do with food production and also states, "At the same time Honest Food has started a separate campaign to encourage pubs, restaurants, supermarkets and consumers to source and buy, as far as possible, food that is produced locally and seasonally." (See, http://www.countryside-alliance.org/honestfood/ ) But, it also includes "honest labelling" (See, more at http://www.co-op.co.uk/ext_1/Development.nsf/0/8811122ca36f334a00256aa0003d41f5?OpenDocument ) and another source says it is "simple ingredients - nothing artificial" (from http://www.nancysyogurt.com/making_our_products/index.php ) As well, (and I know some of you may squint at this and debunk its overemphasis) Phillipe's may have an unadorned French Dip sandwich, but is the meat from a cow that has been raised free-range and chomping on grass or was it fed manufactured feed or even chicken litter, leftover restaurant food, or out-of-date pet food? Or, is the salmon wild or farm-raised and dyed? The term may cover a varied range of definition with some. Here's a quote: "HONEST FOOD "I detest...anything over-cooked, over-herbed, over-sauced, over elaborate. Nothing can go very far wrong at table as long as there is honest bread, butter, olive oil, a generous spirit, lively appetites and attention to what we are eating." Sybille Bedford, English author (1911-?) So, is that "honest food" also? even though not said after the "honest food" initiation date of 1999? And, some BEER is an honest food. ( See, http://www.johnharvards.com/menu.html ) Is this the gist, patcisco? Fri Sep 03 14:09:22 -0700 2004 335700 0 kc girl 3 335898 KC girl---that was fabulous! Entertaining and educational! Sun Sep 05 10:46:26 -0700 2004 335723 0 Cat'sChow 3 336106 sure, though I'd suspect that if you overanalyze honest, you tend to run into trouble. But thanks for your thoughtful response. Tue Sep 07 12:33:50 -0700 2004 335723 0 patcisco 3 336107 Sure, that's all in the ballpark; though I'd suspect that if you overanalyze honest, you tend to run into trouble. But thanks for your thoughtful and detailed response. Tue Sep 07 12:35:55 -0700 2004 335723 0 patcisco 2 336104 Honest food as in not hifalutin and not showy but more as you say; simple, well prepared, not trying to be something it's not. where the food does the talking. Thanks to all respondents! pjc Tue Sep 07 12:31:03 -0700 2004 335700 0 patcisco 1 335750 Maybe you would enjoy this place for grocery in Santa Monica. See link. Also, there is are certified Farmer's Markets around there. See, http://acwm.co.la.ca.us/scripts/cfm.htm and http://www.farmernet.com/events/cfms If you go early first thing in the morning, you may run in to some restaurant owners, chefs, or staff that can lead you to the restaurants. Link: http://www.coopportunity.com/pages/home.html Fri Sep 03 16:08:22 -0700 2004 335528 0 kc girl 1 335804 I'm pretty much as clueless as the rest of the gang here about what honest food means. But on reflection, if I were you I'd start at Evan Kleiman's Angeli Caffe on Melrose. Between her restaurant and her radio show on Saturdays on KCRW, you should get some ideas. Fri Sep 03 21:40:33 -0700 2004 335528 0 mc michael 2 335820 Welcome to L.A. AGREE with this suggestion. Evan Kleiman's Angeli Caffe and her philosphy on food would come close to what you may be looking for. She is the SLOWFOOD-LA convivium leader for one of the Slow Food groups here in LA. She also does a Family Style dinner every Thursday night - themes change from Paris Bistro, Tuscan, All American, Indian, Persian etc. Other suggestions in your area that you may want to start with. Susina Bakery on Beverly - based on Emporio Rulli (one of the original partners worked for Gary Rulli in Larkspur) Joan's on Third - prepared foods etc. AOC - 50 wines by the glass and small plates etc. Lucques - same owners as AOC but more emphasis on Farm Fresh Fine dining. Ita-Cho on Beverly Japanese Campanile - intesting promotes lesser known wine varietals and wine makers. Some folks have high praise for Angelini Osteria BUT I find it somewhat cramped and too loud and that gets in the way of enjoying the food. Outside of your immediate area- Beverly Hills Cheese Store - fantastic cheese selections Hollywood Farmers Market on Sunday Fri Sep 03 23:27:43 -0700 2004 335804 0 EAO