2022 Los Angeles Restaurants - The Food Enthusiast’s Long Weekend Guide

By Andrew Delaplaine

There are many people who are enthusiastic about food—the cooking of it, the preparation of it, the serving of it, and let's not forget the eating of it.

But Andrew Delaplaine is the ultimate Food Enthusiast.

 

"This concise guidebook was exactly what I needed to make the most of my limited time in town."

= Tanner Davis, Milwaukee

 

This is another of his books with spot-on reviews of the most exciting restaurants in town. Some will merit only a line or two, just to bring them to your attention. Others deserve a half page or more. 

 

"The fact that he doesn't accept free meals in exchange for a good review makes all the difference in his something brutally accurate reviews."

= Jerry Adams, El Paso

 

"Exciting" does not necessarily mean expensive. The area's top spots get the recognition they so richly deserve (and that they so loudly demand), but there are plenty of "sensible alternatives" for those looking for good food handsomely prepared by cooks and chefs who really care what they "plate up" in the kitchen.

For those with a touch of Guy Fieri, Delaplaine ferrets out the best food for those on a budget. That dingy looking dive bar around the corner may serve up one of the juiciest burgers in town, perfect to wash down with a locally brewed craft beer.

 

Whatever your predilection or taste, cuisine of choice or your budget, you may rely on Andrew Delaplaine not to disappoint.

 

"Unlike the 'honest' reviews on site like Yelp, this writer knows what he's talking about. He's a professional,  with decades in the business, not an amateur."

= Holly Titler, Los Angeles

 

Delaplaine dines anonymously at the Publisher's expense. No restaurant listed in this series has paid a penny or given so much as a free meal to be included.

 

Bon Appétit!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gramercy Park Press
• Release date: Oct 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201541675

Andrew Delaplaine

Delaplaine lives on South Beach, Miami’s Billion Dollar Sandbar. He writes in widely varied fields: screenplays, novels (adult and juvenile) and journalism. He also has a series of Long Weekend Guides covering some 50 cities around the world. Email: [e-mail] He writes several series: The “JACK HOUSTON ST. CLAIR” political thriller novels. “THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES IV,” a series of novels starring the great-great-grandson of the famous consulting detective. “THE ANNALS OF SANTOPIA” series, an epic that follows a Santa born in 1900 through to his death 82 years later. The AMOS FREEMAN police thrillers. Other novels: “The Trap Door” follows a boy who is taken back in time to 1594 and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. “The Meter Maid Murders,” a comic look at a detective trying to nab a serial killer on South Beach who only murders meter maids. Has written and directed three features (one doc, two narrative features), as well as several short films and won several awards for his film work. (See imdb.com for details).  His latest film, “Meeting Spencer,” starring Jeffrey Tambor, won the prestigious Milan International Film Festival Award for Best Screenplay.  DELAPLAINE’S “LONG WEEKEND” GUIDES These no-nonsense guides contain Delaplaine’s recommendations and advice for travelers visiting these places for 3 or 4 days. As "The Food Enthusiast," he writes a series of restaurants guides, updated annually. He has no hobbies.

Book preview

2022

LOS ANGELES

Restaurants

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The Food Enthusiast’s

Long Weekend Guide

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Andrew Delaplaine

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Andrew Delaplaine is the Food Enthusiast.

When he’s not playing tennis,

he dines anonymously

at the Publisher’s expense.

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Copyright © by Gramercy Park Press - All rights reserved.

Los Angeles

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The Food Enthusiast’s

Long Weekend Guide

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

BEVERLY HILLS

Westwood – Culver City – Century City – Brentwood

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Chapter 2

WEST HOLLYWOOD  & HOLLYWOOD

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Chapter 3

DOWNTOWN

Koreatown – Chinatown – Wilshire – Little Tokyo – La Brea – East Hollywood

Silver Lake

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Chapter 4

SANTA MONICA & VENICE

Chapter 1

BEVERLY HILLS

Westwood – Culver City – Century City – Brentwood

FoodStrip_4C copyPhoto of Animal - Los Angeles, CA, United States

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ANIMAL RESTAURANT

435 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, 323-782-9225

www.animalrestaurant.com

CUISINE: American (New)

DRINKS: Beer & Wine Only

SERVING: Dinner, Brunch on Sat & Sun

PRICE RANGE: $$$

NEIGHBORHOOD: Beverly Grove

Trendy eatery situated in a rather severe long narrow room with nothing on the walls and plain wooden tables filling the apace. (I’m thankful to a reader named Jim Bryant from Laguna Beach who told me about this place.) A harsh white light radiates from above, but at night they turn this off and it’s more subdued and less Spartan. A little wine bar is at the back of the space. They serve up excellent meat delicacies with interesting twists. I am not a fan of the space—it looks like it was designed by, well, no one. What I DO like, however, is the slightly daring food. Favorites: Boner Burger (bone marrow mixed with ground chuck/short rib—this thing is wonderfully, dangerously rich) and Braised rabbit legs. Basically, small plates meant to share.

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CLEMENTINE

1751 Ensley Ave, Los Angeles, 310-552-1080

www.clementineonline.com

CUISINE: Bakery, Cafe

DRINKS: No Booze

SERVING: Breakfast, Lunch

PRICE RANGE: $$

NEIGHBORHOOD: Westwood

Chef Annie Miller owns this neighborhood bakery-café that offers a nice menu of soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees. Great breakfast menu and selection of pre-made entrees to go. There’s also a nice selection of pastries and gift baskets.

Croft Alley | It-makes | Archinect

CROFT ALLEY

9433 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills, 310-382-4931

https://www.croftalley.com/

CUISINE: Breakfast/Sandwiches

DRINKS: Beer & Wine

SERVING: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner; No Dinner on Sun & Mon

PRICE RANGE: $$

NEIGHBORHOOD: Beverly Hills

Comfortable eatery offering a menu of sandwiches and salads. Has nice high windows that look out onto the street.  Favorites: Chicken Katsu Salad and Rice Quinoa Salad. Vegetarian options. Great spot for breakfast.

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CULINA

300 S Doheny Dr, Los Angeles, 310-860-4000

www.culinarestaurant.com

CUISINE: Italian

DRINKS: Full Bar

SERVING: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

PRICE RANGE: $$$

NEIGHBORHOOD: Beverly Grove

Located in the Four Seasons Hotel, this Italian restaurant adds a modern twist to the classic dishes and has been lauded for their efforts. A great choice for lunch as its comfortable and there’s free valet parking (a plus in L.A.). The menu features a variety of crudos, sandwiches, handmade pastas and pizzas. Menu favorites include: Ricciola made with Hawaiian yellow tail with persimmon, pear and chive and Salmon with Venetian black rice, basil, shallots and tomatoes. Delicious foccacia is served while you’re ordering. Great spot for Sunday brunch.

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CUT

9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills: 310-276-8500

www.wolfgangpuck.com

CUISINE: Steakhouse

DRINKS: Full Bar

SERVING: Dinner

PRICE RANGE: $$$$

CUT restaurant, the newest addition to the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons, has created a sense of chic within the hotel’s former classically modeled dining room. Designed by architect