Angelic Eating

WARNING….. WARNING…. If you proceed, you will become very hungry.

The reason for today’s post; Angelic Eating.  I bet your wondering what that is?  Well it is not enjoying a nice meal with one of the Victoria Secret Angels, sadly.  Angelic Eating is about some of my favorite restaurants in the City of Angels, Los Angeles, California.  I spend roughly 6-12 days in Los Angeles every month and well, a boy’s gotta eat.  And this boy enjoys good food.  I suppose if you asked a room full of people if they enjoy Los Angeles, you’ll get a room full of very different answers from it’s an awesome place to its sucks big time.  But if you were to ask that same room how they feel about Los Angeles’s Culinary experience, most will say it’s amazing.  I will go one better and say that it is one of the most diverse, creative, fresh culinary cities in the U.S., along with New York, Chicago, San Francisco and a few others.

Although I certainly have not been to every restaurant in Los Angeles, I have been to my fair share of some of the best, and I want to share those with you.  If you find yourself in Los Angeles and are looking for a place to experience, then this short list is a good place to start.

Paparazzi Places or the TMZ (Three Mile Zone)

That’s right, what you see on TMZ really exists in Los Angeles.  There are dozens of restaurants that will have the paparazzi camped out nightly just waiting to get that one photograph of Lindsey Lohan or Kim Kardashian falling on their ass, and single handedly making the photographer famous.  If this is what your looking for, then look no further than these hangouts.

Koi Restaurant and Lounge

730 N. La Cienega Blvd

310-659-9449

Koi has been around for ever, which is a testament to it’s ability to adapt, change and create outstanding food in a creative space that draws you in.  This is considered to the original Asian Fusion restaurant and sushi bar in Los Angeles.  Because of the success of Koi here in Los Angeles, additional branches have been opened in New York, Las Vegas and Bangkok.

So, when you have a taste for the best sushi call ahead and alert the Paparazzi that your coming and don’t forget to dress up, nobody wants a bad picture.  When you arrive, do try the Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna, you won’t be disappointed.   You probably don’t carry enough cash, so bring a credit card.

The Bazaar at the SLS Hotel 

465 S. La Cienega Blvd

310-246-5555

Not only is this an outstanding restaurant, it is THE place to see and be seen, all  the beautiful people of Los Angeles are here.  Celebrity Chef Jose’ Andres collaboration with Philippe Starck is nothing short of spectacular.  The restaurant is broken up into sections that flow beautifully together, Bar Centro, Rojo Y Blanca, Patisserie, SAAM and the reason it’s called The Bazaar, the famous Regalo.  This place is not just a restaurant, it’s an experience.  Consisting of fine food, deserts and shopping all in one place

The Regalo is “shop without walls” within the restaurant.  Filled with bazaar things you can purchase, from luxury brands such as Assouline, Baccarat, Kiki De Montparnasse and so many more.  It is a totally unique retail shopping experience intertwined within the restaurant, glass and chrome display cases filled with the bazaar.  After dinner don’t forget to stop at the Patisserie for some of the fantastic sweets, box them up and away you go.  This restaurant will set you back some, but going to The Bazaar is not just going to a restaurant for dinner or lunch, it is an experience.  This is an event place, dress up, everyone’s watching.

Spago Beverly Hills 

176 N. Canon Drive

310-385-0880

One of the Original Paparazzi Hot Spots in Los Angeles, is still a hot spot.    Athough Wolfgang Puck is not in the kitchen every night, you won’t be disappointed by the fantastic food.  Unlike the flashy Bazaar, Spago is where business gets done.  It is not uncommon to find today’s most famous Producers, Directors and Stars noshing their way to the next big movie.

This isn’t just any restaurant, it’s a James Beard and Michelin Guide winning restaurant.  Reservations will be needed, call now!

Although the 3 restaurants above, are just a sampling of the paparrazi hangouts, they certainly don’t represent them all.  If your a Brittany Spears or Jennifer Anniston fan, try Il Sole Italian Restaurant, The Ivy for lunch or The Grove for breakfast.  You can’t go wrong.

For those of you who are simply looking for a nice place to have a fantastic meal without all the flashing camera’s here’s a few places I recommend.

Animal 

435 N. Fairfax Avenue

323-782-9225

This restaurant is small, tiny actually, and doesn’t even have a sign out front, but it has been one the best restaurants in Los Angeles for years.  Owned and operated by former reality tv stars, Vinny Dotolo and John Shook of 2 Dudes Catering.  You have probably figured out by it’s name, this is not a restaurant for Vegan’s, because everything you eat here has been made from some animal, including desert.  This has become one of my favorites partly because of the spare, bare bones approach they take.

Try the Pig Ear with Chili, Lime and Fried Egg or the Veal Brains with vadouvan, apple sauce and carrot.  The menu changes daily and reservations are definitely recommended.  I’ve seen several tv stars here, but that is not the reason to go, it’s the food baby.

A.O.C.

8022 W. 3rd. Street

323-653-6359

To me A.O.C. is what I call a Clean, Light Restaurant meaning the food is crisp, fresh, simple yet complex.  Simply designed, flawless executed by the Chef of the Year Suzanne Goin, you’ve probably seen her on Top Chef or other cooking shows.  This restaurant is a Wine, Tapas and Cheese bonanza showcasing some of the best wines in California along with the most imaginative Tapa’s menu originating from a fantastic wood burning oven.  This is the type of place for a small group of friends out late at night who enjoy’s tasting menus and trying small bites of outstanding food.

Elegant, simple and clean A.O.C.

Brioche with Prosciutto, Gruyere and Egg

Leek Tart

Soft Shell Crab Po’ Boy w/ Slaw

Moderately priced and very warm and welcoming.

Lucques

8474 Melrose Avenue

323-655-6277