This place is everything an old fashioned diner should be–and more! The Nickel Diner takes traditional greasy spoon fare and vamps it up to a whole new level. They’ve re-imagined burgers, sandwiches, cupcakes, and sodas to beat the band.

While they serve incredible breakfast dishes up until 3 pm (see photo below if you don’t believe me),

I opted for one of their amazing cheeseburgers, served with avocado and bacon on a fresh and light bun. This baby really hit the spot. (And for 10 bucks, it was more than enough to fill me up.)

Another thing I really love about this homey place is their sodas. They have an impressive selection of fun, all-natural sodas ranging from rootbeer and creme soda to apple soda. I only wish they sold beer and wine, but if you are nice to your server, you could probably BYOB. It’s that laid back.

The atmosphere here is rich with that old diner feel, featuring wood walls covered in diner signs and comfy upholstered booths. It can get somewhat crowded and lively during weekend brunch time and also in the evenings when the hipsters come to Downtown to take over the bar scene.  No matter what though, this meal is worth the wait.

And to finish up that delightfully cheesy dish of Smac ‘n Cheese or Mama’s Spaghetti and Meatballs? Yup. They have bacon and maple syrup donuts. These succulent delicacies will have you tossing in your sleep for more.

If you try only one thing at The Nickel Diner, be sure to indulge in one of their creative desserts. Not into bacon? That’s okay, try the Cher cupcake (sprinkled on top with strawberry poprocks) or the luscious red velvet cake or the s’mores cake, which your server will actually LIGHT ON FIRE next to your table. You know, just to make sure the marshmallows are nicely toasted.

I am so lucky to have this spot in my neighborhood. The restaurant is entirely run by a team of women chefs who support women in small local businesses. And if my post isn’t enough to compel you to make the trip, check out the review of The Nickel Diner at 10PM Monday, October 19^th on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives“ with Guy Fieri. But don’t worry–no matter how big The Nickel gets, it will always have that humble, down-home feel.

The Nickel Diner

524 S. Main St.

Los Angeles, CA 90012

213-623-8301

www.nickeldiner.com

Hours:

Breakfast and Lunch:

Tues-Sun: 8 am-3:30 pm

Dinner:

Tues-Sat: 6 pm-11 pm

Closed Mondays

I met my mom at The Flamingo and we both agreed that we desperately needed some authentic Italian food to get the ball rolling. Now, while my memories of the walk to Battista’s Hole in the Wall Restaurant are still a little blurry, the beacon of Battista’s glory is not.

photo by Sylvia H. via Yelp

Where to begin? The inside is dark and romantic and mysterious, with separate nooks and candlelit corners, perfect for a couple in love. Or a birthday dinner date with my mom.

photo by Heather D. via Yelp

A very lovely and obsequious gentleman took us to our seats and we voraciously studied the menu. At Battista’s, every entree comes with a mind blowing list of sides and treats. For starters, you have a choice between minestrone soup or Italian salad with homemade dressing, and your meal comes with a carafe of red or white house wine (surprisingly tasty and full bodied!), a side of Italian pasta or zesty garlic bread, and a rich and sweet homemade cappuccino to help you digest your giant dinner.

The prices are more than reasonable ($20-$40) considering how much food you’re getting and taking into account the long and almost legendary history of Battista’s.  (It’s been family owned and operated for over 30 years.) While we munched on our crispy, fresh salad, Mom and I took a look around, admiring all the Las Vegas memorabilia–they have collections of everything (including adorable, tiny, tiny bottles of booze!). Photos of celebrities with the owners and famous movie posters abound.

photo by Heather D. via Yelp

There was almost as much to feast your eyes on as there was to feast your tummy on.

photo by Heather D. via Yelp

Then it came time to choose the main course. Mom opted for the unbelievably cheesy lasagna, which turned out to be a towering monument of Italian good home cookin’. She let me have a bite and the cheese melted my heart. I felt brave (and needing something to sop up all those Las Vegas margaritas) so I ordered the Italian sausage cacciatore, served with a zingy marinara sauce and plump ziti. Man oh, man, was that good. But be warned. The plate is GIANT and PILED with sausage. They are not skimpy here on the meat. I could only finish about 2/3 of the plate and cursed the gods that I forgot to get a room with a fridge.

chicken and veal marsala, garlic bread, meatballs, and linguine with clam sauce (photo by Sylvia H. via Yelp)

But what about dessert, you may ask? Well, while they offer their sinfully sweet cappuccinos on the house, the real treat turns out to be Mr. Battista himself.

photo by Keith Y. via Yelp

The 90+ legend and grandfather of Battista’s lives to serenade his patrons with their favorite songs until about 8 pm every night. When he asked us where we were from and my Mom answered “Indiana”, he immediately burst into an Italian-style rendition of “Back Home Again in Indiana”. Don’t let the wrinkles fool you, this man is a charmer.

So if you’re ever stumbling around the strip (or even if you’re walking with great poise…<yeah, right…>) and you need to be wined, dined, serenaded, and seduced by Vegas’ history, please do yourself a favor and check out Battista’s.

THANKS, MOM, FOR AN AWESOME BIRTHDAY TRIP!

Battista’s Hole in the Wall

4041 Audrie St. (behind the Flamingo)

Las Vegas, NV 89109

(702) 732-1424

Open Daily

Cocktails: 4:30 pm-10:30 pm

Dinner: 5 pm-10:30 pm

http://www.battistaslasvegas.com

Masa.

croissant bread pudding, photo by Yulree C. via yelp.com

Masa, a gem in Echo Park, also doubles as a bakery (which explains why they call themselves “dough” in Spanish) and their pastries are definitely delicate and delightful, but the PIZZA, man, the PIZZA, is where it’s at.

When I went to Masa regularly, it was because I was working at a gallery in Echo Park, just down the street, and it was a great place to go relax with a glass (or four) of wine after work. I only use public transportation (paired with my trusty bike, Charlie), so I don’t have to worry about parking. But for those of you drivers out there, you should know that it’s street parking only, but it’s not usually difficult to find a spot before dark. (Unless, of course, there’s a game at Dodger Stadium…) If there are no metered spots on Sunset, head south at Lemoyne St., where there’s a big city lot, two buildings down, on the left.

Now, on to the food:

photo by Jane M. via yelp.com

Rob, the owner and chef, wasn’t lying when he said that he was born and raised in Chicago, or that he grew up making pizza. (As you will see with the first bite.) You can certainly get creative and build your own pizza, picking and choosing toppings, but there’s no risk in going with one of their menu items. I highly recommend the sumptuous “Alvarado Pizza” (blackened chicken, cherry tomatoes, green pepper, onion, homemade marinara, and freshly grated mozzarella and Parmesan), the rich “McDuff Pizza” (pepperoni, roasted shallots, onion, crispy leeks, marinara, mozzarella and Parmesan), or the “Quintero Pizza” (spicy buffalo sauce, buffalo chicken, bleu cheese, celery and mozzarella). My mouth is watering just typing this.

Two things to know: If you are AT ALL in a hurry, call your order in, because these massive pizza miracles take at least 40 minutes to bake. (If you’re from Chicago, you know it’s worth it.) AND, just in case you need to earn some brownie points with a pizza lover, they also make heart shaped pies, so be sure to mention that when you call, if you need to add even more love to these pizzas.

Also, if you want to booze it up (like me), the wine and beer selection is more than decent and very refreshing. On tap, you can find Masa’s Honey Blonde Ale, Firestone Double Barrel Ale, Masa’s India Pale Ale, and naturally, Guinness Stout. And wines of all varieties are sold by the glass and by the bottle; ask your server for pairing ideas and they’ll gladly help you out. (I recommend the house Grüner Veltliner if they have it in stock.)

photo by Chad A. via yelp.com

As for the scene, it’s really just a few tables outdoors and a cozy café indoors with various sized tables to fit all groups. Sit at the bar for faster service, but you’ll probably want to draw out the dining experience when you see how welcoming the staff is; they really are incredibly nice people and not your typical hipsters/servers/wannabe-actors. In all actuality, they probably love pizza even more than you do, and that’s why they work there.

photo by Chad A. via yelp.com

The vibe is really trendy without being pretentious. A few small televisions play old black and white movies and the decor is reminiscent of your grandmother’s kitchen nook–lots of bright colors and kitschy knickknacks. The servers and cooks are young and energetic, and the Mom and Pop-condoned, lively atmosphere inspires long thoughtful conversations and creative brainstorming. (Though if you just want to focus on the amazing pizza and the unique microbrews, that’s cool too.)

photo by Ron B. via yelp.com

Masa

1800 West Sunset Blvd., Echo Park 90026
(at Lemoyne St.)

(213) 989-1558

Mon-Thurs: 11 am-10 pm
Fri: 11 am-11 pm
Sat: 8 am-11 pm

]]> http://www.hungrycityblog.com/los-angeles/toppings-so-thick-you-better-wear-boots/feed 0 http://www.hungrycityblog.com/los-angeles/here-fishy-fishy-fishy http://www.hungrycityblog.com/los-angeles/here-fishy-fishy-fishy#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:07:26 +0000 Heather John http://www.hungrycityblog.com/?p=1284 Walking around Los Feliz one day, waiting to see a movie at the beloved Vista Theatre, I stumbled upon the most glorious, hole-in-the-wall taco dive you can imagine. We’re talking about a place that is entirely family run, by people who might not speak a word of English, but who know how to make a juicy dream of a taco in their sleep. That’s right. I discovered The Best Fish Taco in Ensenada. (The name is not a hyberbole, I promise you.)

There is street parking only, but on the spacious streets of Little Armenia (a mini universe within Los Feliz), it won’t be hard to find a spot. Just make sure you bring cash, since they don’t believe in those fancy schmancy little magic cards here…

If you’re wondering what the most popular dish at this joint is…it’s, yup, you guessed it: FISH TACOS!!!!

Seriously, this place is amazing. As you can see, there are only two food items on the menu. Fish tacos and shrimp tacos. Both are excellent, but go for the fish. (After all, it’s not called The Best Shrimp Taco in Ensenada, now is it?) The fish is fresh and perfectly fried, crispy but not greasy, and nestled in a soft, doughy tortilla. Small enough you can eat four or five and not feel guilty, but large enough you know you got your money’s worth.

The add-as-much-as-you-want-for-free Sessy’s Sauces are really the icing on the cake. Unique and insanely flavorful, the sauce bar includes “radish relish”, “mad mango”, “la crema magica”, “mild mexican”, “hot guac”, and “pineapple kiss”. Mix and match to create some unbelievable flavor combinations. Live a little, why doncha?

The drink selection is pretty limited here, but all drinks are sold for a mere dolla apiece. Really, you should probably just order water so you can cram yourself with tacos, but there is also lemonade and Coca-Cola available to satisfy a sweet tooth in a pinch.

Scattered seating inside accommodates about 20, and outside, the breezy patio (decorated in cheesy Christmas tree lights and glowing fish signs) seats about 10 or 15 comfortably.

While stuffing my face, I eavesdropped on multiple conversations, and everyone who visits this place seems to be in high spirits, if only because they are astounded by how delicious (and CHEAP!) the tacos really are. The owner is a gregarious and amiable old fellow, as quick to crack a joke as he is to make sure every customer is a satisfied one. The decor is bright and garish, and adds to the lively atmosphere and the loud (but not deafening) music which makes this spot a fun favorite for locals in the know. (And now, gratefully, I am one of those locals.)

The Best Fish Taco in Ensenada

1650 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz 90027
(at Camero Ave.)

(323) 466-5552

www.bestfishtacoinensenada.com

Open Daily, 11 am-8 pm

P.S. Don’t tell, but they’ve also just opened a new location in Glendale at 604 W. Glenoaks, and if you mention that you read their yelp reviews before visiting (http://www.yelp.com/biz/best-fish-taco-in-ensenada-los-angeles), they’ll give you a free taco at the new location! But go to the one in Los Feliz first–everyone here will win your heart (even the old lady with the weird, hairy mole who rings you up at the register).

I am happy to announce the addition of Miami to our city blogs! Look here in the future for brilliant and witty reviews by our talented and HUNGRY bloggers. I live in Los Angeles and unfortunately know very little about Miami foodie feasting (all I know about Miami I learned from religiously watching reruns of The Golden Girls…) but I am certain that our writers will have lots of gems of wisdom to offer!

Unfortunately I’m not the only one that adores Gardens of Taxco, so parking can be a bit messy. There is a small lot in front of the restaurant that is almost always full and street parking can be tricky in this neighborhood. Your best bet is to go ahead and pay the $4 for valet parking. I promise, it’s worth it.

Gardens of Taxco serves up the most incredible and filling five-course traditional Mexican meal you’ll ever have. The flavors are so delicate and unusual, it’s nothing like the watered down greasy nonsense you find at popular and flavorless chains. Even before your main course, they bring out appetizers of spicy pickled veggies and fresh tortilla chips with homemade salsa, a quesadilla with Oaxacan cheese and homemade guac, an enticing enchilada, and a spicy soup. And the dessert (banana creme pudding with cherries and a complimentary glass of sherry) is so rich that, even though you’ll be stuffed, you’ll make room for it.

While every offering at Gardens of Taxco is marvelously seasoned and authentically flavored, what you shouldn’t miss out on is any dish with mole. The mole served at this fine restaurant is like nothing you’ve ever even dreamed of, and, as the human menu narrates, is “the best mole in town.”

Gardens of Taxco offers a variety of wines and beers to pair with a Mexican palette, and sangria daiquiris by the carafe to keep the party lively.

The atmosphere here is hard to define. Small tables and booths spread throughout the low-lit restaurant, seating both large parties and intimate dates.

You will feel transported to a strange, glowing land with a fusion of Spanish and Mexican decor. The ambiance is lively
without being too loud or rambunctious and the roaming mariachi singer who softly strums his guitar makes Gardens of Taxco a romantic place to bring a date. There are no menus, there is simply one man, who has been there since the opening day, who recites the menu as an epic poem and designs your evening’s dining delights around your personal tastes.

You won’t know what to expect when you walk through the door—the atmosphere is whimsical and yet somber, lively and yet refined. Just know that you will be treated like a VIP and savor every bite of the delicate and unique cuisine.

Gardens of Taxco

1113 North Harper Ave.

West Hollywood, Ca 90046

(323) 654-1746

Tues-Thurs, Sun: 4:30 pm-11 pm

Fri/Sat: 4:30 pm-Midnight (reservations are recommended on the weekends)

P.S. Since I’m always one for a discount, I feel no shame in promoting Garden’s version of  an “Early Bird” special. If you go Tues-Fri before 7 pm, you can have this amazing five course meal half off. Check out their website for details on the coupons they offer.

All the ingredients Babycakes uses are organic, and the luscious cookies, pies, and cakes come in a variety of vegan and gluten-free options. They never use refined sugar and most of the desserts are even sweetened with agave nectar, a low-glycemic syrup or coconut oil. So dive right in to that red velvet cupcake—the sinfully sweet “sour cream” icing will make you smile, guilt-free guaranteed.

If red velvet isn’t your thing, they have a plethora of rich chocolate brownies, carrot cakes, chocolate chip cookie sandwiches with mouthwateringly gooey filling, soft macaroons, glorious apple pies…the list of options just keeps going. They even make loaves of bread and biscuits if you’re looking for something less-dessert-ish.

I must confess, I am not the healthiest foodie…I’m not vegan, I’m not a raw-ist, I eat gluten, sugar, eggs, nuts…all that stuff. Maybe it’s just because I could never belong to any club that would have me as a member. But even with my carnivorous, glutenivorous, occasionally non-organic status, I can honestly say that I don’t feel a bit out of the loop when I take a trip to Babycakes. You don’t have to read up on the latest diet craze to enjoy biting into one of these beauties. (The baked goods, not the girls. They don’t like to be bitten.)

You just have to love cupcakes that taste amazing.

Babycakes

130 E. 6th St. (between S. Main St. and S. Los Angeles St.)

213-623-5555

Email la@babycakesnyc.com

Monday is “Day-Old Day” (All stock 50%-off) Open from noon to 6pm, or until they sell out.
Tuesday and Wednesday: 10 am-10 pm
Thursday through Saturday: 10 am-12 am
Sunday: 10 am-6 pm

This eco-friendly shop provides an extensive offering of organic, sustainably-farmed, and locally-produced munchies, teas, wines, beers, desserts, and juices, as well as eco-oriented household products like natural toothpaste, compostable diapers, and electricity/water saving devices. Also check out Locali’s deli—the creative sandwiches, hearty soups, fair trade chocolates, vegan cheeses, gluten-free pastries, agave-sweetened ginger fruit slushies will certainly hit the spot.

Order a freshly made sandwich like the Franklin Phenomenon and your tastebuds will never stop thanking you. A grilled panini with pepper turkey, baby spinach, red onions, fresh tomatoes, gooey Monterrey jack cheese, and chipotle vegan mayo, this hefty baby will fill you to the brim.

Also, Locali sells amazing coffee roasted by a local artisan and imported from South America, Africa, and Mexico. All coffee is certified fair trade, brewed fresh, and organic. And it packs a punch to keep you buzzing all day long!

The space is small but cozy. The bar (made from reclaimed Douglas Fir wood) seats about four and the benches outside seat about four as well.

Small but sleek, Locali is stocked with items as eclectic and comforting as the friendly and attentive staff. This more personalized version of a 7-11 is a relaxing place to meet up with friends, grab an organic yerba mate on your way to work, fill up at the free reverse-osmosis water tap, and learn about going green without feeling the pressure of holier-than-thou eco-snobs.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions here! The owners and staff are totally enthusiastic about the unique products
Locali has to offer and are always interested in making a new friend (not just a new customer).