2 posts tagged “silver lake”
What's your favorite restaurant?
It's too much pressure to decide on one favorite restaurant. There are so many great places in my neighborhood, Los Feliz (and adjoining Silver Lake):
The Alcove – Were we to judge by sheer frequency of visits, The Alcove would win hands-down. Set back from Hillhurst Ave. by a charming patio, it's part café, part American cuisine restaurant. You order at the counter, take a number, and are served your food at one of the patio tables. The most prominent feature is their display case full of scrumptious-looking cakes. I've sampled many of them and can vouch for each. The staff is also exceptionally cheerful.
Vinoteca – A block up Hillhurst and across the street is Vinoteca, technically a wine bar begun by block neighbor Farfalla, they serve food prepared at Tropicalia, the Brazilian restaurant next door. Vinoteca gets the nod for their excellent wine selection, severe lack of seating (there are 4 two-person tables, several 4 person tables, and the bar), and general ambiance—it's darker and more candle-lit than Tropicalia. We frequently stumble from a light meal at Vinoteca to the aforementioned Alcove for a slice of cake.
Malo – It's name means 'bad', but it's so good. The nouveau taqueria just east of Fountain on Sunset has two parts: a dining room (with outdoor patio), and the bar. The bar is where it's at, and you can eat from the full dinner menu there. Any of the carnitas dishes are amazing. It's also worth trying the four varieties of gourmet salsa they serve with freshly-made tortilla chips: the habañero & creme fraiche and tomatillo and hass avocado are my favorites. They don't mess around with girly blended margaritas. It's on the rocks or nothing here. And the jukebox kicks ass.
Blair's – Probably the overall best restaurant in the area, Blair's is a little unassuming place on Rowena that houses some of the best dishes available in Los Angeles. I believe the chef came from downtown's Water Grill, which is L.A.'s best seafood place. Every dish here (that I've had) is a winner. I've overcome my negative associations with this place (having had a bad argument here), but my girlfriend and I still call it "Blaine's", as in Ducky from Pretty in Pink's "BLAINE?!?! That's not a name, that's a kitchen appliance!" But it really is a phenomenal place. I highly recommend the blue lake beans with sausage.
Edendale Grill – A steak and American fare place built in an old firehouse. Good ambiance. The adjoining bar, Mixville, is also great, because they serve Blue Moon beer with orange slices, something I hadn't seen since visiting the midwest.
And that's just for starters. I haven't even mentioned the restaurants on Vermont, or some of the other good ones on Hillhurst (Home, Mexico City, Purans), nor have I gotten into the heart of Silver Lake (Cliff's Edge, Cafe Stella, Koda Sushi).
By the way, this weekend is the Taste of Los Feliz, where a number of these restaurants will be presenting their food. Yum!
Dear Silverlake Lounge Management,
You suck. Okay, maybe it's not you. Maybe it's whoever is running The Fold these days, coordinating the live music performances (you do provide cheap drinks, so I have to give you the benefit of the doubt.)
So then dear whomever, you suck. A large portion of the crowd had forked over their $8 apiece to see Patrick Park's set tonight. This guy headlines at bigger venues than your [admittedly iconic] neighborhood bar. But you limit him to...what, five songs before coming on the speakers to announce he has 5 minutes left in his set. And when he goodnaturedly responds that he'll sing one and a half songs, you kick up the music after the very next one, all but forcing him offstage. Not cool.
By the way, he's a guy with a guitar and harmonica...it's not going to take him any time to break down his equipment before the next band. And did you notice how there were three additional waves of applause as people were filtering out? That's because everyone felt bad. Did you notice how many people left?
I can't say for sure how many, because we were right at the front of them all, appalled at your treatment of Mr. Park. By the way, for what I paid to get in, I could have downloaded more of his songs off iTunes Music Store than he was allowed to play tonight.
Sincerely, you should stick it.
Gregg.
