Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
107
makes some of the best at
Loteria Grill
(p. 156), 6627 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
(
&
323/465-2500
). For amazing mole, seek out
Guelaguetza,
3014 W. Olympic
Blvd. (
&
213/427-0608
), which draws a large S
panish-speaking clientele ev en
thought it's in Koreatown.
•
Best Afternoon Tea:
Surrounded by botanical gardens, the tearoom at the
Hunting-
ton Library,
1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino (
&
626/683-8131
), is truly an oasis. The
Huntington, located in a wealthy residential area near Pasadena, has the added appeal
of pr e- and post-tea activities, such as str olling the theme gar dens, vie wing the ar t
gallery or librar y, and visiting the bookstor e/gift shop . The moderately priced tea
($13) is buffet-style, so y ou can stuff y ourself with fr esh-baked scones, finger sand-
wiches, and strawberries with thick D evonshire cream.
•
Best Value:
Former mayor Richard Riordan's the
Original Pantry,
877 S. F igueroa
St., Downtown (
&
213/972-9279
), stays open 24 hours a day, serving up large plates
of traditional American comfort food (meatloaf, coleslaw, ham 'n' eggs) that won't win
any culinary awards but offers some of the best values in town (you won't leave hungry,
that's for sure). See p. 145. Far more upscale but equally v alue-oriented is
Joe's Res-
taurant,
1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice (
&
310/399-5811
). See p. 114.
•
Best Noshing (While Standing):
Open since 1917,
Grand Central Market,
317 S.
Broadway, Downtown (
&
213/624-2378
), is L.A.'s largest and oldest food hall, sell-
ing ev erything fr om fr esh br ead, local and ex otic pr oduce, and fr esh fr uit juice, to
smoked meats, Chinese noodles, and chili.
•
Best for Late-Night Dining:
On the theor y that later is better , our vote goes to
Toi
on Sunset,
7505
1
/
2
Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles (
&
323/874-8062
). You'll never feel
like the last patron at this place—they're open until 4am—and the terrific Thai food
will give your fading brain a spicy kick. S ee p. 137.
6
2
SANTA MONICA & THE BEACHES
EXPENSIVE
Anisette
BRASSERIE With its soaring ceilings, mirr ored columns, and tiled
floors, this brasserie just off the Third Street Promenade—smack dab in the middle of
the popular Wednesday farmers' market—looks like it's been here forever, but it opened
in early 2008. O ne of L.A. 's most heralded chefs, Alain G iraud, goes back to F rench
classics on the menu: duck l 'orange; fantastic steak tar tare; creamy, addictive foie gras
mousse to spread on crisp bread; and steak and moules frites. One of our favorite things
to do, however, is just sit at the long bar, order a nice glass of wine, and get the towering
fruits de mer
from the raw bar—crab legs, giant shrimp , clams and o ysters on the half
shell, all perfectly chilled. At breakfast and lunch, the croque monsieur is one of the best
in town.
225 Santa Monica Blvd. (btw. 2nd and 3rd sts.), Santa Monica.
&
310/395-3200.
www.anisettebrasserie.
com. Reservations recommended. Main courses $25-$33. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Tues 11:30am-10pm;
Wed-Sat 8am-10pm; Sun 9am-10pm. Valet parking $7.
Boa Steakhouse
STEAK The sophisticated decor eschews the traditional dim
steakhouse ambience in fav or of a warm, sleek interior highlighted with floor-to-ceiling
windows that allo w natural light to filter in. Tough decisions abound on the menu:
Should y ou or der the bone-in filet mignon, petite filet mignon, K
obe filet mignon,
