The Foodie Diaries: Matthew Allard
By Matthew Allard, Citysearch Editor
Born and raised in the Midwest, I know a thing or two about a menu that's cozy with its carbs. I like cheese on almost everything. Sugar is my friend. And frilly fine dining? Reserved only for special occasions. So if you've got a high metabolism like me, or you're just lookin' to flip your diet the finger for one night only, roll up your sleeves and look no further than my L.A. comfort food favorites.
Big bird ...fried
I rave about this laid back and unpretentious Silver Lake restaurant more than I change my underwear. And you can blame it on the bird. Beside a mound of mashed potatoes and a healthy vegetable medley, their boneless fried chicken looms. How it's so crispy yet also so juicy is a mystery. Now you see it ... now you don't.
The Kitchen
4348 Fountain Ave,
Los Angeles,
CA
I'm a slab for you
We've all had pizza. But perhaps you haven't had it made on a wooden slab in a brick oven. That's how they do it here in the orange and yellow confines of this Sunset Blvd staple. The slab makes the doughy crust like a cracker in some places. I'm a pepperoni kind of guy, but I hear the sausage and fennel is fantastic, too.
Cheebo
7533 W Sunset Blvd,
Los Angeles,
CA
Give Boyardee the boot
Here's where I like to get my homemade raviolis. The location is romantic, dim and charming; wine lovers will fall for the maximum rackage all around the dining room. Oh, but you're here for the ravioli, right? Okay: Spinaci e ricotta it is. It's a hearty helping of taut pasta pillows sitting pretty in a sea of sweet house marinara. Viva Italia!
Vivoli Cafe & Trattoria
| Website
7994 Sunset Blvd,
West Hollywood,
CA
It means "The Flower"
There are a million of these frozen yogurt places to choose from, so let me break 'er down for you: Go here. The reason is in a hyphenate: Raspberry-pomegranate. It rolls off your tongue and it tastes good there too, sweet and tart and too good to be true. Also too good to be true: It's supposedly full of all those healthy active cultures that all those other places have only "pretended" to include.
Cefiore
7988 W Sunset Blvd,
West Hollywood,
CA
Panini, por favor?
Many view this gourmet market as just that--a market. But behind those billowing green awnings is also an outstanding deli, one that I frequent at least once (okay, twice) a week. My regular is the Sopressata panini. It's layer upon layer of salami and provolone on a seeded demi baguette. Get it grilled, of course, and ask for napkins.
Bristol Farms
7880 Sunset Blvd,
Hollywood,
CA
Not your average joe
If you're going to offer up a swimming pool-sized cup of coffee, it better be good. Thankfully, this fresh and health-conscious WeHo corner restaurant and coffeehouse delivers when it comes to the java. Made from an "heirloom recipe", each cup is brewed to order from Arabica beans. And don't for a second let that subtle caramel-colored foam fool you--this is some of the most potent, I-should've-worn-suspenders stuff in town. Goooood morning!
Kings Road Cafe
8361 Beverly Blvd,
Los Angeles,
CA
Return of the mac
In my humble opinion, macaroni and cheese is a dish best served morning, noon and night. I could eat it all day long, baby. Especially if it's from a New York-style pub like this. They bake their elbow noodles in a rich two-cheese Mornay sauce and then garnish it with a crispy, crunchy brioche breadcrumb top. I've been known to order a side of sweet potato fries to go with it. Atkins who?
The Bowery
6268 Sunset Blvd,
Hollywood,
CA
Their malt-shake brings ...
I like to watch as the shopgirls test their brute upper body strength while scooping lump after lump of ice cream into the blender for the Milkie Way Malt. Then comes ladles of sweet chocolate chips, chocolate-caramel syrup and a drop of actual milk (maybe). They mix it all up and return the thickest, richest sugar shock this side of 1955. The operation of heavy machinery is not recommended while under the influence.
Milk
7290 Beverly Blvd,
Los Angeles,
CA
Pancake'd
Roll off of that fluffy pillow-topped mattress and stroll into a patio seat at a place serving up something even more plush. The pancakes at this popular brunch destination are easily the size of a dinner plate and bounce back if you press 'em. Yummy!
Basix Cafe
8333 Santa Monica Blvd,
Los Angeles,
CA
