The Escondite: Chill Out

The Escondite is the perfect place to hang with friends over a craft cocktail and a tasty bite to eat. The food menu partakes of fresh produce, meat and poultry from local farmers and producers. Tasty small plates include Boneless Chicken Wings, Buffalo Mushrooms, Chili Cheese Fries and Fried Pickles. Some fresh salads adorn the menu, as do burgers and sandwiches like the Hip Hop with BBQ roast beef, provolone, cheddar & red onions, and the Dilly Mac with turkey, swiss cheese, romaine & spicy peppers. Stop in for special events like Bluegrass Mondays. Live music is featured every night. Brunch is served on weekends. Open Monday through Sunday from 11a.m. until 2a.m.

The Escondite
410 Boyd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 626-1800
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-escondite-los-angeles

Colori Kitchen: Terrific Trattoria

Colori Kitchen is nestled discretely in downtown L.A.’s historic district. It features the authentic, country-style fare of chef Luigi Barducci Contessi served at affordable prices in a casual, open kitchen setting. Antipasti offerings include Melanzane Parmigiana with grilled eggplant topped with tomato sauce & mozzarella, Carpaccio de Carne – thinly sliced beef with wild arugula & grape tomatoes, and Antipasti Misto with prosciutto, mortadella salami, & marinated peppers. Ravioli with spinach & ricotta, Spaghetti ala Vongole – spaghetti with clams, and Cappellini Puttanesco – cappellini with capers, olives & tomatoes are among the pasta offerings. Fish and meat fare includes Chicken Parmigiana, Salmon with Lemon Sauce and New York Steak with red wine sauce. Bring your own bottle of wine – there’s no corkage fee.

Colori Kitchen
429 W 8th St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Neighborhood: Downtown
(213) 622-5950
http://www.yelp.com/biz/colori-kitchen-los-angeles

Pop’s Chicken: Best Chicken in Town

You'll be drawn to Pop's Chicken by the smell wafting off the mesquite grill. The restaurant has the feel of an outdoor BBQ, and staff makes you feel like part of the family. Regulars say this is some of the best chicken in the area. The chicken is juicy and tender in a delicious marinade. Ribs, tacos, and tortas as well as delicious sides are also available. The tacos are just $1! Make sure you try the carne asada. Pair your meal with a side of rice, cole slaw, refried beans, or homemade tortillas. The prices are great for the generous portions. Take out and delivery are also available.

Pop's Chicken
11721 Runnymede Street
North Hollywood, CA 91605
(818) 764-2144
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pops-chicken-north-hollywood

Vicious Dogs: Tasty Dogs

Hot dogs are on the menu at Vicious Dogs. Each meal starts with a char-broiled dog and is then topped with your choice of ingredients. Choose from all different styles like Slaw Dog with mustard, cole slaw, chili, and cheese, Sweet and Spicy with sweet chili glaze and grilled onion peppers, or Chicago Dog with mustard, neon green relish, onions, tomato, pickle, two sport peppers, and celery salt on a poppy seed bun. There is a flavor combination for just about anyone. You can also mix and match toppings to create your own dog. Make it a combo with an order of fries. Veggie dogs are available. The prices are very reasonable — most hot dogs are between $2 and $6. 

Vicious Dogs
5231 Lankershim Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 985-3647
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vicious-dogs-north-hollywood

Blue Cow Kitchen: Inspired Seasonal Cooking

Blue Cow Kitchen features an innovative take on sandwiches, small plates and entrees, plus seasonally inspired cocktails, wine and craft beer. The menu showcases local farms and artisan food producers. Stop in for lunch to feast on The BC “Blue Label” Burger with dry aged ground beef, bone marrow butter, bordeaux braised onions & aioli on a buttermilk bun or Country Fried Chicken Rolls with buttermilk fried chicken, mustard, pickle & slaw served on mini Hawaiian rolls. Dinner rolls out sumptuous fare like Curried Cauliflower with potatoes, garbanzo beans & roasted cauliflower, Steak & Smoked Spinach with grilled tenderloin, smoked cream of spinach & roasted fingerling potatoes, and Fish with Foraged Lemon, roasted sunchokes, spinach, meyer lemon & breadcrumbs. Open Mondays through Saturdays.

Blue Cow Kitchen
350 S. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 621-2249
http://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-cow-kitchen-los-angeles

Bäco Mercat: Inventive Sandwiches and More

Chef Josef Centen created bäco, a flatbread sandwich that was originally filled with beef and crispy pork belly, and is bringing it to Bäco Mercat along with a variety of unique menu dishes. Now the tasty bread is filled with seafood, pork, beef, chicken, and vegetables. The food here is not Spanish food but it does have Spanish and Mediterranean influences. Go with the original sandwiches or try the cocä, the same bread but served as a crispy, flatbread instead of sandwich. If you like fish order the Hamachi Crudo with abkhazian chile spice, avocado, and a hash brown which is more like a potato pancake. The Caramelized Cauliflower with pine nuts, mint, garlic, and lebni will make you want to eat your vegetables. The Japanese Eggplant Salad with cucumber, feta, and cioppolini vinaigrette is a popular menu item. Wine, beer, and cocktails are available or go with one of the homemade sodas like the Root Beer and Chocolate or Hibiscus Sweet and Sour. Reservations are recommended for dinner. 

Bäco Mercat
408 South Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 687-8808
http://www.yelp.com/biz/b%C3%A4co-mercat-los-angeles-2

Bestia: Divine Italian Cuisine

Bestia wins raves from its legion of fans. The setting features exposed brick walls, rustic wooden tables, architectural lighting fixtures, an open kitchen and a hip, casual ambiance. Settle in with a glass of wine and an antipasto like Midollo al Forno a Legna with roasted bone marrow & porcini breadcrumbs, or Grigliata di Polipo – grilled octopus with lentils and bacon. Wood-fired pizza is on the menu, as are some tasty pasta dishes like Spaghetti Bottarghe with squid ink, parsley & bread crumbs and Pappardelle di Castagne with hand-cut chestnut pasta, wild mushroom ragu & poached egg. Meat and poultry fare includes Cassoela Milanese – braised pork & veal ribs and Gallina ai Ferri – a grilled half hen with stewed cannellini and borlotti beans. Open for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Bestia
2121 E. 7th Place
Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 514-5724
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bestia-los-angeles

Sushi Go 55: Go Sushi

If you’re on the prowl for delectable sushi by the renowned Morishita family of sushi-masters, you won’t do better than Sushi Go 55, situated in a shopping mall in Little Tokyo. Settle in at the long sushi bar and treat yourself to the Nigiri Matsu with 10 pieces of nigiri sushi and 6 pieces of tuna roll, or the Sushi Sampler with 5 pieces of the chef’s choice with a blue crab hand roll. Order the Omekaze Chef’s Choice and your sushi chef will create a personalized selection tailored to your taste. Cooked fare features dishes like Vegetable Tempura with sweet potato, eggplant, lotus, shiitake mushroom, asparagus, onion, pumpkin, & carrot, and a Broiled Salmon dinner with miso sauce. Sake and beer are served. Open every day for lunch and dinner.
 

Sushi Go 55
333 S Alameda St
Ste 317
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 687-0777
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sushi-go-55-los-angeles

Nickel Diner: The Classic

Looking for a laid back spot to rustle up some tasty fare at a nice price? Nickel Diner is your go-to spot. Roll in for breakfast to get your day started with one of their decadently delicious Maple Bacon Donuts. There’s also the Homemade Pop Tart, complete with a warm crust and fruit filling, topped with icing and sprinkles. Cameron's Puppy Pile features fluffy buttermilk pancakes and chicken-apple sausage topped with a fried egg. Later in the day, you might choose something healthy and fresh, like the Stuffed Avocado Salad with quinoa, black beans, red peppers, squash, corn & cilantro. Also featured on the menu are Chicken Drummettes with maple bacon jam, served on a bed of polenta, and a Bacon Avocado Burger with homemade fries. Open Tuesday through Saturday.
 

Nickel Diner
524 S Main St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 623-8301
http://www.yelp.com/biz/nickel-diner-los-angeles-2

Mignon: A Superb Wine Bar

On the lookout for a great place to chill with a glass of wine and something tasty? Head to Mignon, a trendy little spot that specializes in small-production, artisan wines from around the world alongside seasonal, rustic French cuisine, fine artisanal cheeses and charcuterie. Stop in on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for Knackig, with authentic German sausages served with sauerkraut, German potato salad, German beer, and Central and Eastern European wines. Other times the changing seasonal menu might feature fare like Braised Short Ribs with carrots & turnips, Pork Shoulder Stew with cabbage, parsnips & leek, Ouefs en Cocotte – baked eggs with leeks & cream and Okame Spinach with pea tendrils, nasturtiums & lemon. Open Monday through Sunday from 6p.m until 12a.m.

Mignon
128 E 6th St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 489-0131
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mignon-wine-and-cheese-bar-los-angeles

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