Category Archives: Downtown

July 28, 2011 · 4:13 pm

The Incan Road to Culinary Greatness

Mo Chica Prawns

Mo-Chica is one of my favorite restaurants to open in LA in the past couple of years. I love everything about it. For starters, it’s in a really cool space. A stone’s throw away from the USC campus (don’t worry; parking is in a fenced in and guarded parking lot), Mo-Chica resides in Mercado La Paloma Community Marketplace, a large converted warehouse, which has been transformed into a funky, vibrant, multi-cultural food court of sorts with several restaurants, a couple shops and an occasional art exhibition. The tables designated for Mo-Chica in the open air space are covered with plastic tablecloths. But do not be misled by the ultra-relaxed and casual atmosphere. The food at Mo-Chica is just as refined and sophisticated as any of the fanciest restaurants in Los Angeles.

Mo-Chica describes its cuisine as “Modern Peruvian” and its brilliant chef, Ricardo Zarate, has taken traditional Peruvian dishes to a whole new level. In terms of appetizers, I love the Causa (Peruvian Potato Salad) of the Day, especially when it’s Blue Crab Causa. Mo-Chica also has amazing Ceviche, which in the Peruvian fashion includes both giant kernels of white Peruvian corn as well as crispy toasted “corn nuts.” Both the Causa and Ceviche are must-haves when dining at Mo-Chica. My favorites main courses include Braised Oxtail with Barley-Huancaina Risotto, Lamb Shank with Canario Beans, Cilantro and Beer Sauce, and Mo-Chica’s take on Arroz con Pollo (chicken and rice). The food at Mo-Chica is very reasonably priced and when I go with friends, I usually wind up ordering all of these things plus more. Given the food court locale, there is no alcohol, but they serve great exotic non-alcoholic drinks including a barley iced tea with herbs and ginger root, a passion fruit drink and my favorite, purple corn tea. Save room for dessert, especially the Tres Leches Cake, which is out of this world.

I am not alone in my love of Mo-Chica as Chef Zarate was recently named one of the ten best new chefs in America by Food and Wine Magazine. If you haven’t been yet, you are missing out. Mo-Chica is located at 3655 S Grand Ave. in Los Angeles.

UPDATE: Mo-Chica has moved to fancier digs (and an actual stand-alone restaurant space) Downtown, a couple doors down from Bottega Louie. The new address is 514 W 7th St, Los Angeles. In a nutshell: the food is still excellent, the menu is more extensive (they have Alpaca Stew!), it’s pricer of course, they can serve alcohol now and have awesome cocktails, and the decor is very cool. I do miss the little inexpensive place at Mercado La Paloma, but I love the new Mo-Chica and still highly recommend it. I’ve added photos below of the new location a few of the new dishes, including my favorite addition, Anticucho de Pulpo (Grilled Octopus with Roasted Potatoes and Jalapeno Sauce). FURTHER UPDATE Mo-Chica has unfortunately closed. If you’re looking for upscale modern Peruvian food, I recommend Mo-Chica’s sister restaurant, Picca Peru.

Sea Bass Ceviche with white Peruvian corn and "corn nuts"

Sea Bass Ceviche with white Peruvian corn and “corn nuts”

Chilled Peruvian Potato Salad with Crab

Chilled Peruvian Potato Salad with Crab

Lamb Shank with Canario Beans, Cilantro and Beer Sauce

Lamb Shank with Canario Beans, Cilantro and Beer Sauce

Chicken with Rice

Chicken with Rice

Old Digs

Old Digs

Anticucho de Pulpo (Grilled Octopus with Roasted Potatoes and Jalapeno Sauce)

Anticucho de Pulpo (Grilled Octopus with Roasted Potatoes and Jalapeno Sauce)

PIcarones -- Spiced sweet Potato & Kabocha Peruvian Beignets with Chancaca Reduction

Picarones — Spiced sweet Potato & Kabocha Peruvian Beignets with Chancaca Reduction

New Digs: Front Room

New Digs: Front Room

New Digs: Back Room

New Digs: Back Room

Mo-Chica on Urbanspoon

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June 22, 2011 · 11:00 am

French Dip Fracas!


Philippe’s vs. Cole’s. The rivalry rages on. These two faux Frenchmen (and no, I don’t mean French Canadians) have been duking it out for almost a century. Both claim to have invented the French Dip, a sandwich of thinly sliced meat on a French roll, served au jus (“with [its own] juice”). Both restaurants opened in downtown LA in 1908 and each are the subject of different versions of the French Dip origin story. Is it true that Philippe’s invented the French Dip in 1918 when a hungry patron offered to eat a sandwich with a roll that had been accidentally dropped in jus left in a hot roasting pan? Or is it true that Cole’s was the first to dip in order to soften a sandwich for a customer with sore gums? We will never know the answer to these questions. But we can decide who currently makes a better French Dip. And with this in mind, my friend Josh and I did a back-to-back taste test at the two legendary restaurants.

We started at Philippe’s and had the roast beef French Dip. Philippe’s is a fun atmosphere. There is sawdust on the floor, cool vintage decor and communal tables. You order at a counter and the server prepares and dips your sandwich for you. Just tell them what kind of meat you want (beef, lamb, pork, turkey or ham), what kind of cheese you want, if any (I like the tangy bleu cheese) and whether you want a single or a double dip. You can add Philippe’s special spicy mustard at your table; it’s really great but super-hot. They also have great pickles, coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni salad, purple pickled eggs and pickled pig’s feet!

We then moved on to Cole’s. At Cole’s, there are waiters and waitresses and you order at your table. While Philippe’s has a bright, chaotic atmosphere and is great for people watching, Cole’s is a cooler, hipper scene. The decor is very old school; antique lights, dark wood and red leather booths. At the back of Cole’s is a door leading to The Varnish, a very hip speakeasy. Since we wanted to compare apples to apples, we also ordered a roast beef French Dip at Cole’s (they also have lamb, turkey and pastrami). Instead of dipping the sandwich for you, Cole’s gives you a cup of jus for you to dip as much as you want. Cole’s sides include fries, bacon potato salad and awesome spicy pickles. Cole’s also has mixed drinks (Philippe’s only has wine and beer). If you have room for dessert, the Bourbon Pecan Pie is amazing!

Which French Dip did we prefer? We both thought Cole’s was slightly better. Plus I liked the fact that you can do your own dipping at Cole’s. Also the desserts are better at Cole’s. However, I preferred the atmosphere at Philippe’s. It was a lot more fun. Plus parking at Cole’s is a challenge. Philippe’s is located at 1001 N Alameda Street in downtown Los Angeles. Cole’s is located at 118 E 6th Street in downtown Los Angeles.

Cole's sign proudly asserts they are the "originators"


Cole's contender


Cole's Dining Room


Philippe's bustling counter


Philippe's contender


Philippe's has pickled eggs!


Philippe, The Original on Urbanspoon
Cole's on Urbanspoon

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June 1, 2011 · 11:00 am

Sausage Fest

Wurstkuche (pronounced verst-koo-shah) is one of my favorite restaurants in all of LA.  It’s basically gourmet sausages and great beer in one of the coolest spaces in the city.  Here’s how it works:  you place your order at a counter for one or more of their awesome homemade sausages.  My favorites are the spicy and buttery Rattlesnake & Rabbit, the sweet and spicy Mango Jalapeno, the sweet Apricot & Ginger and the juicy Duck & Bacon.   They have 21 different kinds of sausages including several vegan, chicken and turkey options.  Next you pick two of the following toppings for each sausage: carmelized onions, sauteed hot peppers, sauteed sweet peppers or saurkraut.  Don’t forget the Belgian fries (and make sure you order them doused in truffle oil!) plus your choice of one of their ten dipping sauces (I recommend either the Curry Ketchup, the Chipotle Aioli or the Bleu Cheese Walnut & Bacon).  Then you select your drink from dozens of mostly Belgian and German draft beers, each served in a special beer-specific glass.  I love dark beer and there are  many nice ones to choose from here.  They also have a great selection of unusual sodas including Cucumber Soda, Ginger Beer and Elderflower Soda.

After you’ve ordered, they will give you a number to take to the adjoining dining room, which is one of the coolest restaurant spaces in the whole city; it’s brick and industrial; a modern indoor German Biergarten.  It’s also in a really interesting and beautiful part of downtown, the historic Arts District, very close to Little Tokyo and the Toy District.   Once you’ve found a place to sit in the bustling dining room, start collecting your mustards, which are scattered around the room.  They have five different varieties: Whole Grain, Dijon, Spicy Brown, Honey Mustard and American Yellow.  Before long, they will bring you your food.  Enjoy, meine Freunde!  It’s like celebrating Oktoberfest (with a cool LA gourmet twist) all year long!

Wurstkuche is located at 800 E. 3rd Street in Los Angeles (Downtown). They are opening a second location soon in Venice.

UPDATE (November 20, 2011): Westsiders rejoice! Wurstkuche has opened a second location in Venice (at 623 Lincoln Blvd; see map below) and it’s just like the downtown location.

A great selection of unusual sodas

The Belgian Fries are awesome! Get them with Truffle Oil.

It's a modern German Biergarten!



Wurstküche on Urbanspoon
Wurstküche on Urbanspoon

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April 18, 2011 · 10:10 am

Macarons, Not the Manischewitz Kind

For a very long time, I thought that macaroons were cookies made of shredded coconut that you ate only on Passover after the matzo ball soup and brisket. Although also made without wheat flour, the French macaron (the second “o” in “macaroon” is dropped) is an entirely different animal. ‘Lette Macarons, a cute little bakery in Beverly Hills (and a brand new location Downtown in Little Tokyo), sells only one thing to eat: French macarons, and they are pure perfection. Made primarily from almonds, sugar and egg whites and filled with ganache, buttercream, jam or caramel, these soft and chewy confections are works of art. As far as baked goods go, they are also great works of labor. According to ‘Lette’s baker, these little treats take 24 hours and 37 steps to make. ‘Lette sells over a dozen different classic and seasonal varieties including Sweet Wedding Almond, Raspberry, Rose, Madagascar Vanilla, Lemon, Earl Grey Tea and Caribbean Chocolate. My favorites are Salted Caramel and Peanut Butter and Jelly. A box with a colorful assortment makes a great gift for any occasion. Maybe I will shake things up and bring a box of these French beauties to our family Seder!

‘Lette Macarons is located at 9466 Charleville Boulevard (at Beverly Drive) in Beverly Hills and 333 S Alameda Street (Little Tokyo Shopping Center) in Los Angeles.

UPDATE: ‘Lette Macarons has a new location in Pasadena at 14 S. Fairoaks Ave. (see map below).

Peanut Butter & Jelly Macaron

A nice gift!

New Downtown location in Little Tokyo




'Lette Macarons on Urbanspoon
'Lette Macarons on Urbanspoon
'Lette Macarons on Urbanspoon

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April 15, 2011 · 10:38 am

Gastropub Greatness

Gastropubs (bars that serves high quality fresh and seasonal cuisine) are popping up all over LA.  The best Gastropub, and one of my favorite restaurants in the City overall, is Lazy Ox Canteen.  It’s located downtown in Little Tokyo and if you don’t live there, it’s definitely worth the drive.  The atmosphere is dark, boisterous and urban.  Minimal and cozy at the same time.  The bar is stocked with great craft beers and esoteric wines.  The food, which is mostly small plates, is across-the-board excellent and some dishes I would say are perfection.

Like most Gastropubs, Lazy Ox Canteen has a nice selection of gourmet fried foods.  The Pig Ear “Chicharon” (sliced and fried pig ears) with Radish Salad and Yuzu Aioli is a must-have.  The Crispy Surf Clams with Caper and Pickle Aioli, which is seasoned to perfection, is also a dish you want to make sure to order.  The many non-fried items on the menu are equally delicious and inventive.  If available, definitely order the Poblano Soup with Grapes & Crispy Pork Belly and either the Dashi Marinated Yellowtail with Avocado, Hash Brown & Tonburi or Yellowtail Crudo with Szechuan, Mint & Celeriac.  I also love the Caramelized Cauliflower with Pine Nuts, Chile Flake & Mint.  The menu (much of which are blackboard specials) changes often so there is always something new to try.  Don’t forget to order their excellent Rice Pudding for dessert.

Lazy Ox Canteen is located at 241 South San Pedro Street in Los Angeles (Downtown/Little Tokyo). UPDATE: Lazy Ox Canteen has unfortunately closed. It will be missed.

Pig Ear "Chicharon"

Yellow Tail Crudo with Szechuan, Mint & Celeriac

They play great music too!



Lazy Ox Canteen on Urbanspoon

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