50under50

Stuck in a food rut? Think you’ve seen it all and tried it all? Think again. L.A.’s food scene changes about as quickly as, well, the recent stock markets. To help maneuver us through these volatile times, a new L.A. food book hits the bookstores. “EAT: Los Angeles” (as heard on local public radio channel KPCC) is a 320-page guide to Los Angeles County restaurants, wine shops, coffeehouses, ethnic markets, even taco trucks. Published by Prospect Park Books in Pasadena, it’s a collaborative effort by area writers and bloggers.

The glossy book is small enough to lug around, printed on sugarcane paper and has nifty chapter tabs (”Breakfast + Lunch,” “Food That’s Fast,” “Gourmet to Go,” “Shops,” etc.), as well as separate chapters delineating 10 “Good Food Neighborhoods,” such as Culver City, Boyle Heights and Koreatown. The book’s editor and contributor, Colleen Dunn Bates, says that she wanted to focus on sources as well as restaurants, local businesses instead of corporate chains. “It’s what I wanted to have in my car when I’m out in the world.” 

[Loteria Grill Hollywood]

Any Angeleno worth his or her salt knows not to trust a Chinese restaurant run by an Occidental, a Thai-fusion place run by young white Jewish guys with MBAs, or Mexican food cooked by a strapping, silver-haired Irish-American guy.

    

Loteria tiles at Loteria Grill Hollywood

But then you eat the food at Loteria, you see owner/chef Jimmy Shaw, and you rethink your assumptions. Or at least I did, the first time I had his food at Farmers Market. Turns out that although Jimmy looks as Irish as they come (we Colleens know these things), he in fact grew up in Mexico City, and this is his food.

The other day a friend and I had lunch at Loteria with Pat Saperstein, who just blogged about it here atEatingLA.com. Check it out to learn more about the terrific food and setting.

We don’t always have the luxury of having a local guide when ordering at a new restaurant. Knowing what to order is critical in defining the experience. Impress your friends and family by becoming the “expert” on local eateries.

Buy “EAT, Los Angeles” from Amazon.

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