Let's do this...the 2007 roundup

Before I get into the listings I just wanted to say that some of the places on here I haven't posted about and there's reason for that (sometimes too lazy or just that it's not really appropriate for the sites standards).

This has been quite a year and I myself am suprised with how much I've written considering in school I was totally one of those people that used any possible ruse to make it appear I was writing more than I was (double spacing and thesauruses helped me through those hard times indeed).

With that being said:

Burger for 2007 goes to The Burger Stand I know that's highly controversial but check it out before you condemn me.

Best all around pub goes to Father's Office. Not a big shocker here really as I love his take on the American Pub concept though in second place would be The York.

Best all around coffee shop (read cafe) for 2007 goes to to King's Road Cafe. Killer coffee, excellent food, great place to see stars looking groggy eyed.

Best grease spoon diner goes to Rae's. Cheap (and I do mean cheap) healthy sized servings of breakfast standards.

Pizza. Ha. Here goes: NY style goes to Joe's Pizza (of Santa Monica) while I give the Los Angeles take on NY style to Damiano's. Pizza Couture I give to Pizza Mozza.

BBQ was a tough choice but i the end it came down to JR's BBQ and in a close second was Phillip's.

Going to mention a weird one cause I am still impressed with it...best nonfat iced chai latte goes to Groundworks Coffee. I figure I'd thrown that one in there for those specific lovers of chai.

Hot dog/polish dog goes to Carney's but right behind them for polish dog would have to be Molly's. Molly's has a pretty intense polish dog.

For Ethiopian, Merkato's is still kicking everyone else's butt.

Best hidden spot for sunday brunch on 3rd goes to Alfredo's. I send everyone there cause you can always get a seat and the food is pretty dynamite.

Philly Cheese steak spot goes to The Great Western Steak and Hoagie. I've been to a bunch and still this one reigns supreme.

Best way to blow a bucket o' cash...Sona. David really knows how to throw down when it comes artistic cuisine and for this you will pay dearly (especially with his Decouverte which never fails).

Best newcomer on the block goes to Osteria Mozza. I LOVE THIS PLACE.

Dessert spot goes to Susina's Bakery followed by MILK.

Still my favorite Italian spot rolls out to be Caffe Carrera...Armando has it all together when it comes to Sicilian home cooking but right behind it goes to Osteria Mozza.

Best 24 hour spot goes to Fred 62.

Personal best find for this year goes to Tara's Himalayan...food that is painfully good and "lock you up in an asylum" cheap.

Cuban spot still goes to Rincon Criollo in Culver City. I take everyone there.

Top 3 letdowns for the year go to Tanzore (boring food with a notoriously bad wait staff), Dolce (I wanted to like this place but in the end it was just over priced food inside of a place that had much more class than quality) and Red Pearl Kitchen BUT I will say this about Red Pearl, is that they have a new chef that I haven't ate from and so I'm optimistic but I need to hear some good things before I shell out more money for some overpriced food in a fancy looking empty restaurant.

Hands down the worst experience in years go to La Belle Creole. Avoid it like the plague. Bad food, uphauling service and just made me and my wife feel like idiots for not leaving a lot sooner.

And that's all I'm writing on this matter. If you don't see a category on here it's because I might not have considered it worthy of a best from the places I've been to. I think I might be able to hit a couple of places this year still even in my current situation. So still keep an eye out for more from What's to Eat LA.

Westwood Burgers and Falafel...or should that be Westwood Falafel and Burgers

1945 1/2 Westwood Blvd.
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310)475-4070
Mon-Sat 11AM-9PM

This may be one of my stranger posts. Don't let this deter you. Westwood Burger has been one of those locations that can't seem to survive and therefore changes owners and menus every couple years. My wife used to work directly in front of them for Monster.com in 2001 and ate there at least a couple times each week, and we had gone back to see if we'd be able to include it as a part of last week's "Tribute to the LA Burger Stand". Now, if my memory serves me correctly, Westwood Burger has morphed 3 times since she worked there. The new owner has had his version open for about a year now and though it's called Westwood Burgers and Falafel, I would highly push to call it Westwood Falafel and Burger.

We ordered up a lamb pita, a couple of cones of falafel (we started with one, which lead to another), and of course a burger. The lamb pita was pretty rocking with good sized chunks of tender juicy lamb of surprisingly high quality in a very fresh pita. The lettuce and tomato were equally as fresh. The overall eating experience was, to say the least, more than pleasant.

As stated just words ago we got a couple of cones of falafel. We originally ordered just one cone, ate those, and realized "Wow...these are pretty good...pretty darn good" (not to mention the killer sauces they served with them) . With that, we bought a second cone and devoured those as well. They weren't overly hardened and bland the way many many falafel are in LA. These things kicked serious butt, and heck, with their barely crisped exterior and flavorful well textured interior, they could possibly just sell these and do quite well for themselves.

How can you come to a place that says burger in the title and not get a burger? The burger, while done well and tasted pretty solid, didn't have much to it. Yeah, it was fresh, but the meat flavors didn't jump out at you. Don't get me wrong, it was still a good burger, just not up to the standards we held for last week's burger stands. And that's ok, because where they really shine is in their Mediterranean dishes.

Parking is street parking but there's also a parking lot connected to it that they give validation for, so you're completely covered no matter how you want to do it. The owner, who by the way is a totally sweet guy, was really enthusiastic about everyone who came in, and really, why shouldn't he be? He seems to be doing what he loves, making people great food that reflects his culture. I love LA.

Free Refills: No
Entree Price Range:$2.75 (those amazing falafels), $4 (those tasty pitas), to $8 (plate combos)

Lala's Argentine Grill...party of 20 please.

7229 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323)934-6838
Sun-Thu 11AM-11PM
Sat-Sun 11AM-12AM

It's odd... when summertime comes around, I find myself compelled to buy more clothes and spend more than I'm actually worth. Maybe it's seeing all the beautiful people we have in LA and going wow... I need to dress better. Not that I'm a slouch, but I just feel the need to step up my apparel. This will often bring me (and of course my lovely wife) over to Melrose which is where the "I'm not rich but I want to dress like I am" people go to. Melrose has great shopping and some great spots for food such as my pick today, Lala's Argentine Grill.

Located at the La Brea end of the trendy Melrose bazarre, this corner establishment has been blessing me and my friends for years now. Let me back up and say that is because off and on for the past couple of years I've gone there with sometimes 20+ people for lunch on Sunday and they have never had any qualms about it (they have a great size outside patio area that is perfect). This is a super rarity in LA...heck maybe even in the US.

Argentinean food is wonderful for people who are bashful about trying new foods, and yet want to get their feet wet. It has familiar enough plates, but the twist of the Argentinean spices makes it a refreshing change of pace from the standard Central American or Carribean flavors we've grown accustomed to here in the States(or at least in SoCal). What many people don't know is that Argentine cuisine is more heavily influenced by European countries than the surrounding flavors of South American countries, which really brings in a whole new concept of how food can be done. You taste and see a great deal of French and Italian in their dishes with an emphasis on meat.

If you haven't been introduced to chimichurri sauce here it is. The four big flavors consist of garlic, olive oil, parsley and red pepper(though it's generally not spicy). It is absolutely addicting. Now, I know I've said this before, but the tendency when you're really hungry is to put this stuff on the bread that they bring out and keep on doing that until your food has shown up. This unfortunately has the nasty side effect of ruining your meal by stuffing yourself on bread and chimichurri sauce. I kid you not, you have to consciously make an effort to not do it. But, it doesn't stop there, because it's perfect on almost any meat or chicken they serve. I feel like they should just leave me a vat of this stuff so I can put it on everything. For the adventurous, or for those wanting to see what it's typically made of, here's a link to peruse the typlical contents.

We grabbed one of their beef empanadas, as we always get at LEAST one. You may recall when I wrote about Empanadas Place a while back and the extreme love I have for the pastry meat pockets. This is no different. A fine example of ground beef, olives, egg whites and savory spices in a light dough pocket. Not too spice heavy, but it's good that way as it doesn't hinder the true flavor of the meat interacting with the olive .

While I could go on and on about the many meat plates that they have, I'll be brief. Their chorizo rocks, their chicken is tender and quite juicy, but their beef especially kicks butt. Shown below is their milanesa plate, my standard when I can't decide out of all their goodness what to get. Think of a spanish version of chicken fried steak in appearance, but make it a thinner steak and not as breaded. The meat even peers through the breading sometimes cause it's so light. The breading, with it's egg, parsley and flour, makes this a standout simple plate. Add to effect the fresh pico de gallo and it's a no brainer. Hence why I get it when my brain is fighting about what to get.

The also do a particularly good job on the few seafood based entrees they have. I believe the popular phase to describe their fish is "grilled to perfection". The salmon specifically is a favorite of Celeste's, never dry and always flavorful. And, though you can't fully see it in the picture, the fillet of salmon spans the entire length of the oblong plate they served this salad on. Again, a very simple.... grilled salmon covered with a creamy mustard sauce served over greens, tomato and red onion with their light as air house dressing... but balanced with each detail just right.

The beauty about this place is it's simplicity and attention to those simplicities. I congratulate them on their second location that opened in Studio City. While you shop and decide whether you really want to go to Pinkberry, just go here and fill up on a huge hunk of beef. There's nothing like it on a Sunday afternoon, especially if you want 15 to 20 of your closest friends to break bread with you.

Free Drink Refills: Yes
Entree Price Range: $8 to $17

Anarkali

7013 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 934-6488
Everyday 11AM-11PM

Last night I returned to a favorite spot of mine called Anarkali for some Indian food. This traditonal restaurant has FANTASTIC Chicken Tikka Masala (thanks Jax for sharing) and mouth watering lamb biryani. Anarkali is not on the cheap side but more on the average price for a plate in LA.

This place has the hominess I've come to associate with Indian dining. Slightly dim place with hanging fabric that separates the booths, good waiters who smile when you don't pronounce the plate correctly, a flicker from the chandelier, and just loads of flavor in the air. When I show up here I just feel like "Yeah...this is right".

Like I said, the place is not 100% cheap like I normally post but here are two plusses. One, is that if you get the entertainment book (with all the restaurant coupons in it) Anarkali is in there and has a great discount that is reusable! Two, is that on there website (which you can link to up above) they have a coupon that you can print out to get $10 off your meal total which is yet another great hookup.

I also love this area cause it's right at the end of the shopping area of Melrose. So go shopping on Saturday and when you've spent yourself shopping, go spend some more on some darn good Indian food. Another great thing is they have really great deals on lunch specials.

Free Drink Refills: No (but I would recommend the Yeti or the King beer) Entree Price Range: $10 to $13 (but I would recommend the dinner plates to get more bang for your buck)

El Cochinito

3508 W. Sunset Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90026

(323)668-0737

Sun-Wed 11AM-8:30PM

Thur-Sat 11AM-9PM

Being that I'm half Puerto Rican and half black (I'm full of surprises I know) I take pride in the foods of my cultures. This past weekend, while hanging with my very good friend Ashley, we wanted to hit some affordable food. We passed by this place called El Cochinito that her roommate recommended. Now her roommate is Finnish with a hyper valley style of talking. Was I skeptical? Only a little.

We popped ourselves down at this cozy little place that didn't say much except for that they were concerned with making food, and that only. This is Cuban food like my gramma used to make. I had some Ropa Vieja that came with rice & beans and a side of platanos (not to mention a bottle of malta to wash it down). So perfect. Ashley had the chicken fricasie and it was the picture of perfection. Service was fast and friendly. Parking is a little tight as there are two restaurants in the tiny strip mall that houses El Cochinito but there's also street parking for days.

Order a plate and close your eyes...you can almost feel the Carribean hurricane coming.

Free Drink Refills: No

Entree Price Range: $8 to $12

Venue Food: Leela Thai

1737 Silverlake Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90026

(323) 660-6100

Mon-Thurs 11:30AM-10PM

Fri-Sun 11:30-11PM

(Press play on the youtube above so you can get in the mood for this post.)

A new section for you lovers of music in LA...where to eat that's close to music venues. Last night I went to go see the gentleman up there on the youtube (that you're hopefully listening to) who's name is Ferraby Lionheart. He was playing in Silverlake at Spaceland for there second slot of the night. Great show and it was nice to hear some new songs from his next album due out later this year. With that being said, a great place to try when you want to eat before popping into Spaceland is literally steps from the place. And I mean steps. It couldn't have been more than 100 steps from the entrance of Spaceland to the restaurant entrace. Leela's Thai is beloved by many a "Silverlakian". Great "healthier" Thai at great prices. I say healthier cause they have vegetarian conscious plates for those who would rather murder plants then animals...I'm more of a strict carnivore though I'm learning to stab carrots and corn as of late. Just kidding but not really.

We had the Pad Thai (which was super yummy), the "Secret Spice" which had a sort of coconut based chili sauce, some soup and the appetizer sampler (the shrimp and spring rolls stood out above the rest of the appetizer items). If you enjoy Thai Iced Tea, there's is pretty tasty (of course there will always be those that argue that they taste like wind instrument reeds). The entire meal was perfect for a pre-show dinner. A small word of warning and it really is small...it's a cash only place. Also I'd like to share with you the unique fact that they have a one dollar per person corkage fee in case you'd like to bring your own wine...which we love doing! We'll be back...with a bottle of wine...or maybe even two.

Free Drink Refills: Only on Iced Tea and Lemonade (can you say Arnold Palmer?)

Entree Price Range: $6 to $8

Sultani Restaurant

1535 N. La Brea Blvd.

Hollywood, CA 90028

(323)876-3389

Mon-Sat 11-11PM

Sun 12-10PM

I was going to a study last night when I decided that we should go to a new place all together. We happened upon this little hidden treasure that is tucked away in a little strip mall just North of Sunset on La Brea. Sultani Restaurant has been in the same location since the mid 70's and must be doing something right for being there that long! The place is a humble little spot tucked away so that you could blink and miss it but if you do miss it you'll be missing a great deal on some down home Persian food (for those shying away from Middle Eastern cuisine, please don't...you'll thank me later). The menu had tasty perfect size plates that satisfied that spot in your mouth for something a little off the beaten path. We had the Mini Koobideh plate and the Chicken Shawerma plate and both were just delightful. The Koobideh meat was absolutely to die for. Let's not forget the prices which were aimed at people who don't spend more than $35 for a pair of jeans.

The guy running the place who gave me some background on the restaurant seemed happy to see new people in there who weren't ummm...Middle Eastern. Great service and by the way they deliver (mini. $10.00 order for free deliver)! While dining, we heard more to go orders than in store orders which just goes to show you that you can't judge an empty restaurant by it's in-house customer volume.

This is the kind of place that you can walk to after taking a stroll down Hollywood Blvd. and don't desire all the chain restaurants that litter the area.

Free Drink Refills: No

Entree Price Range: $7 to $8

Buddha's Belly

7475 Beverly Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90036

ph: 323-931-8588

M-Th 12-10pm

Fri-Sat 12-11pm

Sun 3pm-10pm

This is precisely what I'm talking about! Last night I drove around for about an hour and a half in LA looking for a place to eat! I have driven by this place countless times in search of food and thought..."hmmm, looks a little pricey for me right now. For this part of town and having valet...yeah has to be expensive. Maybe I'll catch it some other time." I WAS WRONG!

Let me start by saying the prices are shockingly affordable! The food, which is glorious Pan-Asian, was dynamite! The service was exceptional! This place is deceptively excellent. We had these Albacore andAvocado Spring Rolls that were crafted by masters!

(Had to take a pic with the camera phone)

The Har Gow (steamed dumplings with chinese hot mustard soy dipping sauce) was large and well balanced. Celeste had the Wok tossed vegetables and I had the Ahi Tuna Burger with Sweet Potato Fries. Everything was just great. We'll DEFINITELY be returning there for more of there amazing food.

The staff was friendly and the cooks looked like they love what they were doing:

By the way, we parked on the street and didn't do valet though valet is cheap enough if you want to use it (as can be seen by the top picture).

Free Drink Refills: Yes

Entree Prince Range: $8 to $16 (only one dish was $16 most were way less)

I'm here to ease the pain

In a vast sea of affordable delicasies I am here to act as your guide to keep you from fighting with others on the decision of what to eat in the battlefield we call L.A. I'll be covering a plethora of eateries designed to not break your bank, plus a FEW that will (but are worth it on those special occasions or evenings that you wish to appear richer than you are).

What is my expertise you may ask? I eat out...a lot, not to mention I recommend places to eat...a lot. No cuisine is too daring for me but let's be honest I won't be recommending a lovely cow tongue sandwich cause I'm sure I can't sway you towards something that exotic. I am a young, married musician with a dayjob (this will tell you the kind of money I make and also the price ranges I'll be covering). Please don't disclude anything about me due to anything I've told you about myself as I eat inexpensive but on a regular basis I also eat on the pricier.

I'll be updating this page regularly as I'm sure you'll be hanging on the edge of your seat to see where I'm saying is a place that you should salivate over. Just remember everything will be fine.

I think of what people settle on and this bit of painfulness comes to mind.