Novelty Lunches in Los Angeles
June 8, 2017 8:22 PM Subscribe
I am going into LA (from Ventura) twice a week around lunchtime for a few weeks and I'd like to mark the trips with lunches of the most novel, instagrammy, trendy, or gimmicky meals (or lunchable snacks) the city (north of the 10 or at last not far south) has to offer. What do you recommend for this?
I recently ate a sushi burrito at Goshen, which qualified. And the Rock and Roe Bowl at The Korean Market, which was also gorgeous. I should think the chicken tikka masala poutine I would have gotten today at BadMaash if I hadn't filled up at breakfast would be a good choice, too.
I recently ate a sushi burrito at Goshen, which qualified. And the Rock and Roe Bowl at The Korean Market, which was also gorgeous. I should think the chicken tikka masala poutine I would have gotten today at BadMaash if I hadn't filled up at breakfast would be a good choice, too.
Best answer: Unicorn melt / rainbow grilled cheese: I don't live in LA but I do watch a lot of buzzfeed...
posted by batter_my_heart at 10:31 PM on June 8, 2017
posted by batter_my_heart at 10:31 PM on June 8, 2017
Best answer: You need the help of greater forces: LA food junkie + LA foodie guy
Here are some desserts:
Taiyaki Ice cream at Somi Somi in Ktown
Anko Strawberry shaved Ice in Ktown
Red and Blue Velvet Pancakes at Larchmont Bungalow
Ice cream at Wanderlust in Atwater village
Funnel cakes at Quenelle (wednesdays, I think)
California Donuts on 3rd
Corn Flake French Toast at Blu Jam Cafe (pretty good reg food too)
Food:
Bestia--Roasted Bone Marrow with spinach gnocchetti
Food at Salazar in frogtown
food at Trois Familia
brussel sprouts at Osteria la buca
Popcorn Bacon at Black hogg
Rice Bowl at Sqirl
Sandwiches/charcuterie at Gwen LA
Mac and Cheese Pizza at Pizzanista
Pretty tacos/Mexican food at Cascabel, Guisados, Cacao
Republique food is always pretty
Baroo in hollywood
Howlin' rays fried chicken in chinatown
Same with food at Commissary, plus beautiful greenhouse ambience
The egg sandwiches and the "slut" (coddled egg with potato in jar) at Eggslut
posted by sprezzy at 10:33 PM on June 8, 2017 [2 favorites]
Here are some desserts:
Taiyaki Ice cream at Somi Somi in Ktown
Anko Strawberry shaved Ice in Ktown
Red and Blue Velvet Pancakes at Larchmont Bungalow
Ice cream at Wanderlust in Atwater village
Funnel cakes at Quenelle (wednesdays, I think)
California Donuts on 3rd
Corn Flake French Toast at Blu Jam Cafe (pretty good reg food too)
Food:
Bestia--Roasted Bone Marrow with spinach gnocchetti
Food at Salazar in frogtown
food at Trois Familia
brussel sprouts at Osteria la buca
Popcorn Bacon at Black hogg
Rice Bowl at Sqirl
Sandwiches/charcuterie at Gwen LA
Mac and Cheese Pizza at Pizzanista
Pretty tacos/Mexican food at Cascabel, Guisados, Cacao
Republique food is always pretty
Baroo in hollywood
Howlin' rays fried chicken in chinatown
Same with food at Commissary, plus beautiful greenhouse ambience
The egg sandwiches and the "slut" (coddled egg with potato in jar) at Eggslut
posted by sprezzy at 10:33 PM on June 8, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Browse the Food section of Los Angeles magazine for ideas. For starters:
Hamburger with a pizza for a bun at Meatzilla
Goth soft serve at Little Damage
14 insane boba creations in LA
posted by mogget at 10:46 PM on June 8, 2017 [1 favorite]
Hamburger with a pizza for a bun at Meatzilla
Goth soft serve at Little Damage
14 insane boba creations in LA
posted by mogget at 10:46 PM on June 8, 2017 [1 favorite]
Dude, you gotta hit Clifton's! You GOT to. It's like a 5-story steampunk Disneyland restaurant, in the heart of downtown. That description is inadequate. Just go.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 12:44 AM on June 9, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Ursula Hitler at 12:44 AM on June 9, 2017 [3 favorites]
I'd personally recommend Philippe's, home of the original french dip sandwich. It's novelty in the opposite way because it basically hasn't changed since 1951.
If you're not familiar, you should also track down the Kogi BBQ truck, as it's THE LA asian-fusion food truck that launched 1000 imitators.
posted by sleeping bear at 9:52 AM on June 9, 2017
If you're not familiar, you should also track down the Kogi BBQ truck, as it's THE LA asian-fusion food truck that launched 1000 imitators.
posted by sleeping bear at 9:52 AM on June 9, 2017
The unicorn sandwich at Chomp in Santa Monica is the best grilled cheese I've ever had. And it's really pretty, despite it being unicorny!
Cliftons is fun, but the food is notoriously bad. I'm not a foodie (see below) and their cafeteria-style, bland American food is up my alley, but not good. And kind of expensive. Other than the decor, I was so disappointed that I hate for others to follow suit.
If you have Bravo OnDemand (possibly on their website as well), watch "Going off the Menu" - it's all about LA's underground food scene. I'm definitely not a foodie, so I just watch for the novelty. But they also tell you how to get into and find the places. Shows are 10 minutes each, so it's not a huge undertaking.
posted by crankyrogalsky at 4:44 PM on June 9, 2017
Cliftons is fun, but the food is notoriously bad. I'm not a foodie (see below) and their cafeteria-style, bland American food is up my alley, but not good. And kind of expensive. Other than the decor, I was so disappointed that I hate for others to follow suit.
If you have Bravo OnDemand (possibly on their website as well), watch "Going off the Menu" - it's all about LA's underground food scene. I'm definitely not a foodie, so I just watch for the novelty. But they also tell you how to get into and find the places. Shows are 10 minutes each, so it's not a huge undertaking.
posted by crankyrogalsky at 4:44 PM on June 9, 2017
I think the food at Clifton's is pretty good! And even if they were serving pig slop, the place is such a trip that it'd be worth a trip just to see it.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 5:42 PM on June 9, 2017
posted by Ursula Hitler at 5:42 PM on June 9, 2017
Gimmicky you say? Cafe Gratitude where you order "Dazzling" and get a Caesar Salad. I like the Mole Abuelita Enchiladas aka "Elated."It's all 100% organic plant based. Pretty sure the one in Venice started it all but Larchmont and BH both have one now.
posted by Lil Bit of Pepper at 8:18 PM on June 10, 2017
posted by Lil Bit of Pepper at 8:18 PM on June 10, 2017
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posted by andreapandrea at 9:56 PM on June 8, 2017 [1 favorite]