Roy's LA Food Guide
updated 4/15/07

If you know me at all, you know I love to eat out.
Here are my favorites.

THE BEST (insert word in bold):

OF THE BEST Sushi Nozawa. 11288 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604 Hands down, the best food in LA. The sushi nazi Nozawa-san can pick and slice a piece of fish like no other. Why is it the best? The secret is his talent for picking fish, but also his restaurant seats 20 people and is open only 5-10 on weekdays. Therefore he only needs to pick the best fish, not like Matsuhisa or Nobu, who have talent but have to feed five to six times the volume and will need to compromise on fish quality somedays.

CEVICHE : La Playita (GET THE FISH CEVICHE ON TOSTADA and CARNE ASADA)
3601 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica. This tiny tex mex shack on Lincoln north of Rose has the best tex mex seafood in LA, with fresh seafood (the Pescado Ceviche is ridiculous) and freaking awesome carne asada to boot. The fact that a filling meal can be had for under five bones is just ridiculous. What is the most comforting is that the employees of the other tex mex places in the area come here to eat! If you can't find it, look for the Foot Locker and just park.

DESSERT: Babalu. 1002 Montana, 90403. This carribbean restaurant has the best dessert I've had since I've been in LA, a mixed berry crumble pie (ask a la mode).

KOREAN: Sa Rit Gol. Ahh....Korean food. The very best pan chan you can buy. Located conveniently in Koreantown on Olympic, just east of Western in the "Olympic Serrano" Plaza..

GRILLED MEATLOAF: The Lamplighter. Van Nuys between Riverside and Magnolia. The best I've ever had. I like meatloaf anyhow, but this meatloaf is grilled after being oven baked. Nice. And Cheap. Don't ask where the name comes from, because no one there seems to know.

MEATBALLS : Alejo's Presto Trattoria. The best Italian food under fifteen dollars per person. 4002 Lincoln Blvd (Cross Street: Washington Boulevard) Marina Del Rey, CA 90292-5614 There are two locations, but this one is the best! It also has a 7-11 next door to buy a cheap bottle that you can walk right in. Legend has it the husband (Alejo) and his wife divorced and she got the restuarant. The husband opened The Italian Village down the street on Washington with the same menu, and for some reason it's not good at all.

NOODLES: RAMENYA. Awesome ramen with great "chashu" pork, soft and boiled with a great soup base. The best. Believe me.
11555 W. Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90064
http://www.ramenya-usa.com/ramenenglish.htm

OSSO BUCCO: Girasole. 225 1/2 N Larchmont Blvd (Cross Street: Beverly Boulevard) Italian for Sunflower, Located in Larchmont Village, this small BYOB has the best Osso Bucco in Los Angeles, hands down. It is served bone in on a bed of risotto and melts in your mouth, like osso bucco was meant to. If you've ever had tough osso bucco, which should be an oxymoron, you will appreciate this place!

SALAD DRESSING: Amici Presto Trattoria. Lincoln and Hollister. Whoa, the best vinegary salad dressing I've had in LA. Dinner special comes complete with a pasta, meat, salad, and really good garlic bread for $8.99. Yes it sometimes smells like Windex because that's what they use every hour to clean the tables. At least you know you can use the five second rule there for table drops.

THAI FOOD: Thai town. Hey, I'm Thai, so this section is large. I seriously considered moving to Hollywood to live near here so I could go everyday. It's located on Hollywood next to Little Armenia. My favorites are Kruang Tedd restaurant and Ganda. Ironically, everyone goes to Palms but the place across the plaza is cheaper, more authentic, and just plain better (Ruen Pair).
THAI BOAT NOODLES Kruang Tedd. I drive forty five minutes for this bowl of Thai boat noodles. Located on Hollywood Boulevard in the heart of Thaitown. Look for the green awning on the right as you drive east from the 101, saying "best noodles in town". Go across the street from that sign and go into Kruang Tedd. Again, as my boy Flava Flav says, don't believe the hype.Kruang Tedd, 5151 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 667-9800 Get the Boat Noodles only!
THAI CURRY Ganda 5269 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027
THAI HOME COOKIN' Ruen Pair 5257 hollywood boulevard, hollywood 90027
THAI SATAY Sanamluang Cafe Sherman Way and Coldwater Canyon. Also open really freakin late.