15 Best Dishes in Los Angeles

As we hit the road for foreign lands, it's time for us to take a look back at our LA faves.  Los Angeles has become such a great foodie town and we did our best to search high and low for the greatest LA has to offer. This is our list...

1.    Birch – Pork Shank – There is melt in your mouth pork, and then there is Chef Brendan Collins’ other level pork shank. The za’atar flat bread is the perfect vessel for delivering tender mouthfuls of robust Middle Eastern spiced pork. Do yourself and your closest dining cohorts a favor, go to Birch, order the pork shank, and let Chef Collins’ big flavors win you over.

Photo/Jayme Burrows

2.   Church Key – Brioche Donuts – It takes three days to make these highly addicting donuts. It could be the noticeable care and attention put into the making of these little marvels, or the brown butter and cinnamon caramel glaze that sets these donuts apart. Either way, go to The Church Key in West Hollywood and get one! On second thought, get a dozen.

Photo/Hungry in LA

4.   Bludsos – Beef Brisket – When you have the #1 and the #3 barbeque joints in LA, you’re doing something right. Actually, Bludsos does it all right. From collard greens to ribs, mac ‘n cheese to pull pork, it really is all good. However, the beef brisket literally melts in your mouth. If Kevin Bludso wanted to call it smoked meat butter, he could get away with it. 

Photo/Jayme Burrows

6.   Papilles – Chicken Liver Mousse – A sultry and sexy little starter that has the perfect touch of salty and sweet.  It is our guarantee that it will set off the entire night. Papilles was our go to for a never disappointing date night. A house-made brioche baguette generously smeared with a silky salty mousse. Sweet golden raisins scintillate your taste buds, as drizzled honey will get you one step closer to a climax of food euphoria. Oooh-La-La.

Photo/Anne Fishbein/LA Weekly

8.   Sqirl – Sorel Pesto Rice Bowl – Kokuko brown rice for breakfast doesn’t often make an appearance in most of our morning rituals.  But Sqirl is reinventing when we eat rice, and it’s worth checking out. The rice is tossed in a slightly floral and bright sorrel pesto then topped with a poached egg. If you’re thinking, “Not that appealing.” Give it a try; you will be a convert too.

Photo/Jayme Burrows

10.  Szechuan Impressions – Impressive Cold Noodles -I’m often skeptical of dishes with overly congratulatory names, but the ‘Impressive Cold Noodles’ from Szechuan Impressions far exceeds their back patting. A perfect and addictive, amount of heat balances with the colder than expected temperature of the noodles. Be prepared to crave these at 2am. 

Photo/Jayme Burrows

12.  Leona – Red Snapper Ceviche – GQ calls this the sexiest dish in  America. I call it an elevated take on a Latin American fresh classic. Crispy black quinoa provides a rounded contrast to the chew of the marinated Red Snapper. Purple sweet potato chips give a generous nod to Peru’s contribution to this dish. The ceviche at Leona is without boarders. Thankfully though, we find it in ours own.

Photo/Jayme Burrows

14.   Baco Mercat – Brussel Sprout Caesar – We’ve all had those modern takes on the classic ceasar salad. Kale Caesars or even a brussel sprout Caesar that is usually served raw and is just a bit underwhelming. Baco Mercat ups the game by first caramelizing the sprouts, then give it a quick rustic chop and toss it in their creamy dressing. Every nuance that you crave from a traditional Caesar is here. The salty anchovies, the nutty pecorino, and the perfect bite of garlic rounds out this exceptional warm take on a classic.

Photo/Tummy Diaries

*16. Hong Galbi – Pork Galbi Ribs – The reason that Hong Galbi is #16 with an asterix is because this family owned and operated restaurant closed its doors. Be it with friends, family, or a random Thursday together, Hong Galbi was the destination for Korean spiced ribs that satisfied with big flavor. Marinated in Gochujang, then BBQed under a super hot charcoal flame left the fat beautifully caramelized made these ribs addictive. Rest In Peace Hong Galbi. You will be missed. Fear not Angelinos… the city is filled with great Korean food and there are many other great BBQ places in town to explore. 

3.   Din Tai Fong – Crab and Pork Soup Dumplings – Heavenly bite size baskets of flavor explode in your mouth. Rich warm broth envelops your taste buds as the buttery richness of the crab dances with tender pork on your palette. All the pleasures of Taiwanese classics are waiting for you at DTF.

Photo/DTF

5.   Republique – Croque Madam – Just to be clear, you can close your eyes at Republique, point to the menu, and a superb dish will come your way. We especially liked heading over for breakfast and lunch. This croque madame will satisfy for either of those meals. The house-cured ham, sunny side up egg, and béchamel, will leave you eating only half, and treasuring the second half for dinner. 

Photo/Jayme Burrows

7.   Luv2Eat Thai – Cashew Chicken – Probably the single dish that we ate most frequently during our time in LA. It is a staple and one of our own comfort foods. Go for spicy (and be warned they are notorious for their liberal hand with the Thai chilies), get extra cashews, and repeat several times a week.

Photo/Creme de la Crumb

9.  Animal – Hamachi Tostada – The menu at Animal changes all of the time, but luckily this dish typically makes the cut. There are few perfect dishes out there that couldn’t use a touch more of this, or a dash of that, but Animal’s Hamachi tostada is one of the truly perfect plates. You’re treated to freshness from the cabbage and cilantro, salty, crunchy peanuts and onion strings, richness from the Hamachi, and umami courtesy of the fish sauce that it’s all tossed in.  Like I said, perfect.

Photo/Jayme Burrows

11.  Cheng Du – Toothpick Lamb – The first thing you will notice about this dish is all the care and attention devoted to skewering each bite. The hardworking kitchen sculpts each tiny piece with Szechuan spice forward tender lamb, and herbaceous splendor. Definitely worth the drive to the SGV.

Photo/Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Weekly

13.  Sushi Gen – Monk Fish Liver – Monk Fish liver is what is says on their menu, but what you’re actually getting is more like a tataki with soy/yuzu broth ladled on generous slices of a Monk Fish liver terrine. The foie gras of the ocean lends an approachable brininess to a silky yet rich mouth feel. A saltwater tango delivers everything you ever wanted from this, the food lovers’ choice in a well-rounded sushi experience.

Photo/Jayme Burrows

15.  Chevron Gas Station Tacos, corner of Fallbrook and Vanowen in West Hills – Al Pastor Tacos – Surprised that great food can come from a gas station? So were we until we took our first bite of what we affectionately call simply, “gas station tacos.” Be ready for take your head off heat inside a perfectly grilled tortilla. Onions, cilantro, radishes, and pickled carrots? Yes please. Oh, and perhaps get a drive thru car wash while you’re at it. 

Photo/Jayme Burrows

Let us know your favorite dishes!  What did we miss?  What should we be sure to try our next time in town?