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The Chinese American community in Los Angeles dates to the 1850s, but it wasn’t until 1938 that the Downtown L.A. neighborhood that once held Little Italy officially became known as Chinatown. Now, eight decades later, Chinatown is experiencing a revival. Restaurants like Eastside Market Italian Deli, Nick’s Café, Philippe the Original, Phoenix Inn and Sam Woo are still going strong. Discover 17 top picks from an increasingly diverse crop.
Grand Central Market (GCM) has been a Downtown L.A. staple since 1917. A few years back, the owners started gathering a new generation of food and drink vendors, and it wasn’t long before the market started earning national acclaim, including a collective appearance on Bon Appetit’s 2014 list of America’s Best New Restaurants. Grand Central Market recently celebrated 100 years with their strongest line-up ever. Yes, GCM institutions like China Café, Roast To Go, Sarita’s Pupuseria, and Tacos Tumbras A Tomas are still going strong, but here’s a chance to discover 18 of the best new food and drink options.
In recent years, Angelenos have followed acclaimed chefs to their latest restaurant openings in Downtown L.A. and other hot foodie neighborhoods around town. But the Mid-City area, the heart of L.A., is still full of vitality. Mid-City encompasses part of Koreatown, one of the principal Oaxacan neighborhoods, and the multicultural Byzantine-Latino Quarter, among other international enclaves. Today, in addition to its edgy chef-driven restaurant scene, Los Angeles is recognized all over the world for its multicultural dining experiences. Here are 10 reasons why Mid-City is one of the most important dining neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
GQ Magazine has called Downtown Los Angeles “America’s Next Great City” and “the coolest new downtown in America.” Downtown L.A. has certainly come a long way in recent years. There were great places to eat in Downtown before its current renaissance, but the choices were limited. That's no longer the case, as acclaimed chefs and visionary restaurateurs have created a thriving dining scene in Downtown L.A. With so many restaurants opening in Downtown, deciding where to eat can be a tough choice. Read on for a guide to Downtown L.A.’s newer restaurants and classic dining spots.
The sizzle and smoke of the tabletop Korean barbecue is one of the definitive features of the L.A. dining scene. The abundance of well-priced American protein and a rabid following of diners has created a critical mass of restaurants specializing in grilled meats, nearly overshadowing the love of barbecue in the motherland itself. Through the years, barbecue restaurants have segmented into various categories – premium, all-you-can-eat, and middle-ranged a la carte, with each place trumpeting a particular specialty or stand-out side dish. Still other places emphasize the grilling devices and methods, where some employ charcoal for a smokier experience and others rely on special grates for more direct heat.
Barbecue is best enjoyed with a glass of ice cold Hite, a simple Korean lager, or a chilled shot of soju, the national spirit of choice. Think of Korean barbecues almost like more affordable steakhouses, where it's easy to get together with friends and family for a casual lunch or evening to celebrate the variety and quality of great beef, pork, and banchan. It's hard to go wrong with that formula.
Ilan Hall takes dineLA for a spin in the kitchen at The Gorbals and cooks up one of his Scottish favorites.
Kerry Simon talks about the creative process behind LA Market—the stunner at the JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE.
dineLA tastes its way through the menu at Cook's Tortas in Monterey Park, where the bread is actually as spectacular as the goodies they fill it with.
Get to know this hidden gem in Downtown LA, located in the lobby of the O Hotel.
The chef behind The Oinkster has opened an Old School Italian restaurant in Highland Park.
