The Foodie Diaries: Nicolas Rabinovitch
By Nicolas Rabinovitch, Citysearch Contributor
Living in a metropolitan city like Los Angeles, there is no excuse for bad food. As a born-and-raised Angeleno, I find the eclectic palate of the city to be far more than just upscale bistros and self-promoting, too-chic-for-their-own-good sushi spots. It's about fusion, creativity, and good taste. Here are some of my favorites ...
Carne Asada Tacos
I often get a craving for some good grub after leaving the disco club. Thankfully this Sunset Strip one-stop taco heaven is open till 3am on weekends. For about $3, you can get a gourmet carne asada taco made from a handmade corn tortilla, grilled Angus beef, spicy tomato sauce and chopped white onion with a dash of cilantro.
Pinches Tacos
8200 W. Sunset Blvd.,
West Hollywood,
CA
Kobe Bacon Bleu Burger
Still my favorite Kobe beef burger in L.A., this Hollywood fast-food haunt rivals the Kobe at the Viceroy for half the cost. Swiss Gruyere & Maytag blue cheeses spill over the beef patty topped with double smoked bacon and carmelized onions. Don't expect any mustard on this bun--a garlic aioli spread serves to spice up and add color to the dish. Of course, the package would not be complete without a side of extra crispy fries.
Lucky Devils
6613 Hollywood Blvd,
Hollywood,
CA
Nigiri Sushi
With chic sushi spots like Katsuya recreating sushi rolls, its nice to get back to classic nigiri sushi. The no fuss, no frill sushi at this neighborhood favorite relies on amazing fish quality to give the tuna that true red shine hipper places try to cover up with tempura batter.
Hide Sushi
2040 Sawtelle Blvd,
Los Angeles,
CA
Huevos Rancheros
A bit overpriced and sassy, the top floor of this upscale hotel offers great comfort food with a panoramic view of Santa Monica. The huevos rancheros offer bold flavor with sunny side up eggs, a crispy corn tortillas, black beans, guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo, while the white serving dish accentuates the bold colors. If the spicy salsa doesn't give you a kick first thing in the morning, the $15 price tag will.
The Penthouse
| Website
1111 Second St,
Santa Monica,
CA
Pan Seared Salmon
My favorite thing about this charming Channel Road eatery is how it offers fresh, colorful and often unusual ingredients in unique ways. The pan seared salmon is delicate yet crispy, served with a green lemon, dill and yogurt sauce. Artfully surrounding the fish are fried potatoes cooked in peanut oil and a slaw with chives and tabbouleh. Absolutely delish.
Sam's by the Beach
108 W Channel Rd,
Santa Monica,
CA
Yellowtail Carpaccio
I love it when food resembles art. This special yellowtail carpaccio served in the heart of Japantown offers thick and tasty cuts of fish dipped in very light olive oil and soy sauce dressing. Served with a jalepeno on top, the dish has a real bite and looks beautiful displayed on the wide cracked-glass dish with a colorful side salad. Best of all, it tastes as good as it looks.
Takumi Restaurant
| Website
333 E 2nd St,
Los Angeles,
CA
Roasted Almond-Crusted Lamb Rack
Quite possibly my favorite dish in L.A., the almond-roasted rack of lamb at this tiny Fairfax spot is also the restaurant's most popular dish. After being rubbed down with a special almond coating and left to marinate overnight, the rack of lamb is roasted rare and served with vegetable couscous with onion, raisins, chickpeas and other vegetables picked from farmers' markets. The dish often sells out before the night is over leaving late-night customers with long sad faces. I make sure to call ahead and reserve.
Chameau
339 N Fairfax Ave,
Los Angeles,
CA
Triple Berry Cake
Dessert is by far my favorite part of a meal. This cute Melrose cake shop has perfected the perfect cake: light, not too sweet and irresistibly fluffy. The triple berry cake with blueberries, blackberries and raspberries is perfect for special events or an after-dinner slice.
Sweet Lady Jane Bakery
| Website
8360 Melrose Ave,
Los Angeles,
CA
Sweet Potato Fries
If you are like me, you get bored with normal potato fries and crave the more exciting taste of sweet potato. The tropical, upscale W Hotel poolside terrace offers the perfect sweet potato fries, rich in color and flavor. The crispy delights go perfect with that Sunday hangover brunch or as a snack before swigging a shot of tequila.
The Backyard at The W Hotel
930 Hilgard Ave,
Los Angeles,
CA
Mango Chicken
The mango chicken at this tiki hut-style Caribbean standard truly transports me to a warm tropical island. The boneless breast of chicken spiced with Brazilian spices is covered in fresh cooked mango. Fried bananas and spiced rice complete the journey to paradise.
Cha Cha Cha
656 N Virgil Ave,
Los Angeles,
CA
