While we’re all familiar with the LA County Restaurant rating system (you know, that big blue letter all restaurants post in their window?), our brethren down south in Orange County don’t have quite the same system.

In fact, they really don’t have much of  system at all, according to a new Grand Jury report, via the OC Register. Instead of using letters, they only need to have a sign that says they’re either “in substantial compliance,” or waiting for re-inspection. Very clear and straightforward, no? Inf act, the sign itself is so easy to overlook, most patrons in restaurants werecompletely unaware thy even existed.

So while the OC still conducts very stringent and regular inspections of restaurants, it’s the results that are pretty much kept under wraps, a move many see as favoring the businesses rather than the consumers.

So if you live in the OC, don’t you want to know just how clean that kitchen is?

Photo by johnkoetsier

I approached La Cabana, which is in Venice, with a few different wants; To enjoy the margaritas, to get drunk off the margaritas, and this may be pushing it, but to eat some decent Mexican food. That’s right, it was Friday night and I cared much more about the drinking than the eating. A fun and festive atmosphere wouldn’t hurt either. I was a bit cranky when we walked in because we were running late. They don’t take reservations so I knew we would have to wait. The restaurant was what I expected. The place was dimly lit and the dark booths were crowded. It was about 8:30 and they hostess told us the wait could be about an hour for six of us, so we high-tailed it to the bar. The minute we walked through the back door my mood was infinitely brighter; the party was on the patio. I wondered why anyone would even want to sit inside.

[ Read The Full Story -> ]

With Cinco de Mayo gone and done with, it’s now acceptable to be French once again (F- if you thought Cinco de Mayo was independence from Spain or *GASP* the US).

While it’s pretty much an accepted fact that the French made cooking into an art form, did you know our fair city has a large and vibrant French community?

And what better way to celebrate French culture than by delicious crêpes? Although traditionally from Brittany, crêpes are enjoyed as a street food throughout France, and have made a slow but steady inroad in the States for a while now.

Turns out Metromix has put together a fairly handy list of crêperies throughout the Southland. So treat yourself to a taste of France. And if I can offer one suggestion, it’s the crêpe complete: normally made with buckwheat flour, it’s an egg, a slice of ham and some GruyÚr… Yum!

Photo by Harris Graber

I am Japan-a-file.

I know, you barely know me and already I am gushing embarrassing secrets about my personal life. This particular secret, my love for Japanese things/people/foods/snacks, cannot be blamed on me. I come from a long line of Japan loving Latin-Americans.

Blame it on my Mom if you want, she was the one teaching ESL to Japanese exchange students during my impressionable years. Blame it on my long lasting friendships with several spicy Japanese girls and boys from my art school days. All this bashful fascination aside, I didn’t even like Japanese food until I was in college. To this day I fear Sashimi like falling down a long flight of concrete stairs.

[ Read The Full Story -> ]

Chef Erin Marroquin’s passion for herbs and spices is reflected not only in his superb cuisine but in the name he gave to his restaurant: Aroma.

Aroma opened its doors in 2005 in Silver Lake, a part of Los Angeles which was economically viable for a chef who admits to spending any money he earned. The same year the Los Angeles Times proclaimed it number one in the best new restaurants category. Since that article, according to Chef Edin, his restaurant has been packed on Fridays and Saturdays.

[ Read The Full Story -> ]

I’ve picked up sushi from nearly every strip mall within five miles of my apartment since moving to LA. Sometimes I am simply too lazy to trek to one of my favorites, so I settle for something nearby. I figure if I stick to basics then I can’t go wrong. This weekend I had one such night, and went no farther than across the street to grab dinner.

Miyako is small, with tables and chairs set up just inches apart from each other, and I was surprised to find the restaurant was pretty crowded. I scanned the menu and placed an order. For two miso soups, one dinner salad, and four sushi rolls our total was $40. This seems fine for a dinner for two, especially considering I could only finish half.

[ Read The Full Story -> ]

Winos, take notice - there’s a place in Venice you may want to check out (or stay away from, depending.) It’s Primitivo, a wine bistro/tapas bar on Abbot Kinney. With a wine list that is literally hundreds of wines long and a tempting array of hot and cold tapas and desserts, it is nearly impossible to leave Primitivo without a glassy-eyed, sleepy wino smile.

[ Read The Full Story -> ]

My family, especially my mom and step dad, love The Good Earth Cafe. This is the staple of the household. This is like oxygen, this place, as second nature as the kitchen table. When my mom suggested the Good Earth to review on Cityzine, she might have well said “hey, why don’t you blog about our backyard”. After taking off the rosy goggles of routine, I remembered that this is one tasty, satisfying little place that serves a healthy does of all the classics. Soup and salad, sandwiches, burgers, (and great, freshly made veggie versions), breakfast scrambles and hot cakes, fajitas and burritos, pasta, casseroles… the menu’s kind of like a healthy, used-to-be-a-hippie version of a late night diner.

[ Read The Full Story -> ]

El Cholo is a go-to restaurant for firsts. It was here that nachos were invented. Yes, I know what you are saying: “Doesn’t every Mexican restaurant stake their claim on the nachos and margaritas?” Well, here it happens to be true.

In 1959, staff member Carmen Rocha joined the El Cholo team and brought with her, from her hometown in San Antonio, the dish she named “nachos.” They also have a claim to margaritas. Not the actual invention of, but the world’s largest user of Cuervo 1800 Tequila, so they say.

[ Read The Full Story -> ]

Unceremoniously plopped at the corner of Bundy and Wilshire in West L.A., Literati Cafe (attached at the hip to its swanky big brother Literati 2) will have you coming back again and again for its fresh food and cozy vibe.

Literati is a cafe that serves up a wide variety of healthy sandwiches, salads, homemade soups, and (not so healthy) desserts. They also have a handful of entrees - the shrimp linguine and veggie lasagna are both delicious. They also serve breakfast all day and are open until 11, two things that always earns bonus points with me.

[ Read The Full Story -> ]

Times have changed and Angelenos have found new trends to chase. They always do, and that’s how things proudly work around here. Chalk it up to politics, fashion, or headline news, but these days its Middle Eastern cuisine at the center of all the rage. Enter the Pita Kitchen in the heart of Sherman Oaks.

Located right on the southwest corner of Ventura Blvd and Van Nuys Blvd, behind the giant newsstand with the huge blue awning, the Pita Kitchen delivers THE most authentic flavors of the Middle East this side of the Red Sea, at prices too low to imagine. If generous portions (re: wow!) of healthy meats, delicious Hummus, Babaganoush (try saying that five times fast!), and Salad dishes are your thing, then start salivating. This spot will appeal to food connoisseurs just as much as fashion conscious Beverly Blvd. Ladies with Chihuahuas in their purses (lest she favors patronizing the doggy bakery across the street). The Pita Kitchen is hearty, healthy, and can’t miss.

[ Read The Full Story -> ]

If your DVD player has been overheating lately with intense rounds of Bollywood movie viewing, like me, then you will be thrilled to know you can satisfy your hunger for all things Indian by paying a visit to Lal Mirch, the best new Indian restaurant in the valley. After discovering this unexpected gem, you can then take your new found lust for Indian culture out on a date to the 6th annual Los Angeles Indian Film Festival

Not bad when you want to immerse yourself in some culture and come up smelling like a hot earth mama, ready to watch some hot singing Indian men on the big screen. If you don’t yet have an obsession with hot Indian men (or women) consider yourself schooled.

Now, as for the food. I always thought the Valley’s had some really great Indian restaurants but it wasn’t until I ate at Bollywood Cafe that I realized how much better it could be. Then it wasn’t until they were total A-holes every time I ate there that I tried Lal Mirch and realized that I had found an even better Indian restaurant for miles and miles around. I guess there are some perks to lousy customer service - send them somewhere better! Thanks guys.

[ Read The Full Story -> ]