It’s not hard to spend a serious chunk of change on a quality steak in LA—Chowhound don took doesn’t mind racking up a big tab every now and then for a fantastic cut. But on Chowhound recently, carnivores shared a few go-to restaurants capable of satisfying a craving for less than $50 per person. READ MORE
Baklava is an ancient layered pastry with roots in Central Asia. From Turkey to Mongolia, cooks use varying ingredients, but one thing is constant: Baklava is a celebration dessert, traditionally so labor-intensive and pricey that only royalty had the privilege of eating it. But you don't have to be king or queen to eat the best baklava in the San Fernando Valley. Chowhound liu recently found a divine Turkish version at Gulluoglu Pastry in Granada Hills. “I have never had any baklava like this...fresh, crispy, creamy, oozing with honey and delicious!” READ MORE
Sri Lankan restaurants in the San Fernando Valley come and go, but Chowhounds have an ongoing thing for Apey Kade, a year-old place in a Tarzana strip mall. Apey Kade took over the space from long-gone Curry Bowl, another Sri Lankan spot. The interior has seen better days, but the menu is great, and the heat, says Moomin, isn't watered down for Western palates. Thora malu curry (pictured), made with king mackerel, is delicious. READ MORE
Most people head to Hollywood to stroll star-paved sidewalks or visit old movie palaces like El Capitan and the Egyptian. Chowhound lil mikey has another destination for those willing to leave the glitz behind: Western Chicken, a Middle Eastern hole in the wall just south of Hollywood Boulevard. The family-run shop serves good falafel, creamy hummus, and tasty arayes (pictured)—lamb-and-beef-stuffed pitas that look like quesadillas, served with hummus and turnip pickles. “The food is consistently well made,” says lil mikey, who’s awarded Western Chicken a gold star for Middle Eastern fast food. READ MORE
We all know how a serious coffee habit can take a toll on your bank account. Even if you opt to make your own at home, LA bean suppliers like Handsome Coffee Roasters and Klatch Roasting sell 12-ounce bags for $15 or more. In recent talk on Chowhound, fame da lupo begged for advice about where to go for great beans without the buzz-killing price.
• Fresh Roast is a family-owned business in San Gabriel that sells pound bags for about $10, cfylong says. The beans are roasted so frequently they’re often warm when you pick up a bag, and the coffee tastes great. READ MORE
The Burns family has been a part of the LA food scene for generations. Their newest venture: Bedford & Burns, a comfort-food bistro that opened in Beverly Hills last month. Burns siblings Bonnie, Beth, and Bobby (he was an owner of the Marmalade Café chain) preside over food that's just like Mom used to make—pretty much. At lunch, grilled cheese and chicken salad sandwiches, giving way to bouillabaisse and meaty entrées at night. A Bob Burns Caesar—that's a nod to their dad, who once owned upscale steakhouses all over town—is available all day. So are oysters and a selection of soups, salads, appetizers, and wood-fired pizzas. READ MORE
Verbal wars have raged over whether New York or LA has the nation's best pastrami. Tourists from every corner of the planet may flock to Manhattan landmarks Katz’s and Carnegie Deli, but LA has the blessing of Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold, who once called Langer's pastrami America's best. We'll leave it to others to make definitive pronouncements. In the meantime, check out these five LA pastramis (including Langer's) that local Chowhounds love. READ MORE
Hawaiian food is a prime example of culinary fusion, with European and Asian flavors combining in mashup plates that still manage to be distinct. In LA’s South Bay, versions of favorite dishes like moco-loco, spam masubi, and poke are numerous. Here’s where Chowhounds say to go for a comfy, island meal that will get you into the aloha spirit: READ MORE
Chowhounds have long loved the fried chicken at Flossie’s Southern Cuisine in Torrance. Rich in flavor and perfectly crispy, it's mstinawu’s favorite; Ogawak thinks that nobody comes close to making sides as good as Flossie's mac 'n' cheese, red beans, and peach cobbler. Recent updates have stirred new Chowhound buzz. READ MORE
When lovesfood11 asked Chowhound for breakfast suggestions in Santa Monica, lots of hands went up for Cora’s Coffee Shoppe. Fans say Cora's bougianvillea-covered patio is charming, but the real charm is the “well executed and creative comfort food.” READ MORE
