Obama '08 Jamie Hilao » Food

Food


For some reason, friends always ask me for restaurant recommendations. After going on the 21 Day Detox Diet, my diet has changed considerably, and I have been cooking at home more often.

Nevertheless, I thought I’d post some of my top picks since I do consider myself to be a foodie.

So, here it is… my version of the Zagat guide in cities I consider my home. Restaurants marked with a * indicates TOP picks!
Chicago
Los Angeles
Ventura

Disclaimer: Several of the restaurants below are picks prior to my veggie conversion.

Chicago

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Los Angeles

    A Votre Sante
    Akasha - Organic. Green. Healthy / veggie friendly options. A bakery. A bar. What more could one want? The quinoa entree and the hempseed crusted tofu salad are delish.
    Amandine Patissiere
    Angelini Osteria* - Spinach Lasagna.
    Aroma Cafe - FINALLY found a great coffee shop in LA! Food is pretty good too… if you need to relax with a good book and a great cup of coffee, come here!
    Asanebo - If you know of a better sashimi joint in L.A., please share! Many of the choices are flown in fresh from Japan daily, and the cooked entrees (the Grilled Mackerel) are delish.
    Back on the Beach
    BCD Tofu House
    Bimi Restaurant - Yummy Japanese tapas.
    Border Grill
    Bossa Nova - Open until 2 a.m. - good for late night eats.
    Brix @ 1601* - Restaurant in the South Bay with a vast selection of domestic and international wines paired with delicious entrees. Dessert is so-so, so finish off with some dessert wine instead. Like the bottle of wine you tried? You can even purchase it at the Brix wine store next door.
    C & O Trattoria
    Cafe Laurent - A slice of Paris right in Culver City.
    California Vegan* - Veggie chicken strip meal.
    Capo* - My all around-fave restaurant in Hell-A. Be prepared to dish out some mulah.
    Casa Bianca* - Basil Tomato Garlic Pizza. YUM!
    Casa del Mar
    Chao Krung - Spicy Basil Fried Rice is YUMMY!
    Chosun Galbee - Awesome Korean BBQ (so I’ve heard), but since I don’t eat meat, go for the Bi-Bim-Bap.
    City Wok - If you’re feeling up for authentic Asian, this isn’t the place for you, but the service is great, the food is yummy, and I’m a regular here for lunch. My usual: the Spicy Chili Bean Shrimp.
    Cooks Double Dutch* - AMAZING Tempeh BLT and Vegan Burger. Great lunch Spot by the Sony lot near all of the wonderful restaurants in Culver City.
    Corner Place Restaurant - Terrible service & long waits, but the Cold Noodle Dish ROCKS.
    Cobras and Matadors
    Coral Tree Cafe
    Crustacean
    Cynthia’s - Blackberry cobbler.
    Didio’s Italian Ice
    Doughboy’s Cafe
    Empress Pavilion - Dim Sum Chinatown style.
    Enterprise Fish Company
    Farfalla Trattoria
    Fatty’s* - All veggie, all the time. The BLT is the Best EVER.
    Figtree’s Cafe
    Firefly
    Fraiche* - Rated best new restaurant in the Jan ‘08 issue of the Los Angeles magazine and my new fave restaurant… to which I recently ventured since it’s right by the Sony lot.
    Gardens of Taxco
    Grace
    Go’s Mart Sushi* - The BEST SUSHI I’ve EVER HAD! Who knew a hole in the wall in the SF Valley could turn out to be the most amazing sushi restaurant in LA? VERY pricey, but the fish is flown in from Japan and the sushi chef Go-San is very talented. Don’t expect “cowboy sushi” here!
    Griddle Cafe - HUGE, yummy pancakes at this WeHo breakfast joint.
    Gyu Kaku - This Japanese / Korean BBQ is so-so compared to K-town restaurants, but definitely worth a few visits, particularly for the ambiance and customer service.
    Hipcooks - If you’re looking to take fun cooking classes with yummy dishes paired with good wine, Hip Cooks is IT! Great gift idea too.
    Il Capriccio - Definitely try any of the homemade pastas… amazing Italian Restaurant in Hollywood!
    Il Ristorante di Giorgio Baldi* - Unbelievable, authentic, discreet Italian restaurant in the Palisades. The seafood is amazing, and the price is well worth it.
    India Sweets & Spices - Apparently there are several locations of this fine Indian dive-y spot, but the only legit one is right here in the West Valley.
    Inn of the Seventh Ray* - Best healthy restaurant in Hell-A with beautiful scenery. Believe it or not, the raw food tasting menu is wonderful.
    Iroha
    Jack n’ Jill’s
    Jumpin’ Java Kitchen
    Katsuya* - The special crispy rice with tuna and jalapeno roll is yummy! The Brentwood branch has a great selection of mixed cocktails and a wonderful ambiance but the sushi is much pricier and not nearly as good as Studio City.
    L’Orangerie* - Sadly, this beautiful French restaurant closed in 2007, but I was lucky to have enjoyed a meal there several times. I will certainly miss it, and it will always remain on my list of fave LA restaurants!
    La Boheme
    La Bottega Marino* - Amazing quaint neighborhood Italian restaurant on the Westside. The Penne Arriabiata and Artichoke Ravioli are to die for.
    La Loggia
    Lala’s
    Le Pain Quotidien* - Awesome bakery / brunch / gourmet sandwich joint. Reasonable prices too.
    Lola’s
    Los Toros - huge, hidden gem of a Mexican Restaurant in the heart of the Valley. Margaritas by the pitcher are a must have!
    M Cafe - Healthy macrobiotic goodies. Check out the Tofu Teriyaki Bowl.
    Malo
    Mama D’s Italian
    Matsuda - $12 Sushi & Tempura Lunch Specials.
    Maroo - OK, so as far as Korean food goes, you are WAY better off in K-town; but I had to put this in here since a decent Korean restaurant has FINALLY opened up nearby!
    Michelia
    Moonshadows
    Morels
    Mulberry Street Pizzeria - Pizza is so-so, but the chocolate cake is SCRUMPTIOUS!!! I can (and have) eaten one of their cakes in ONE sitting.
    Nanbankan - Cute Japanese tapas. The mushrooms, eggplant, and king crab claws are YUMMY!
    Noura Cafe
    Oak Tree Inn - Tasty, inexpensive Chinese food. The crab here is pretty good too.
    Pane e Vino
    Porto’s Bakery
    Prado
    Primitivo Wine Bistro
    Providence
    Red Moon Cafe* - The Garlic Butter Dungeness Crab here was AMAZING, but I found out it recently closed down :( Does anyone know of any good replacements? I need my crab fix!!
    Riviera - First fine dining experience in the SF Valley. Not too shabby.
    Red Ribbon
    Sawtelle Kitchen
    Sprinkles Cupcakes
    Simon - Hip, romantic restaurant with a great drinks menu. Cool hangout at the adjacent bar, Stone Rose Lounge.
    Sona* - Classy French restaurant in WeHo. A bit stuffy and pricey, but delightful, tasty entrees. Save it for a special night out with that special someone.
    Sonora Cafe
    Spanish Kitchen
    Sushi House
    Stone Fire Pizza - The crust is a bit on the hard side (I prefer mine more flakey), but this is THE best substitute for Chicago style deep dish pizza I’ve found in Hell-A. Mmmmm…..
    Sushi Zo* - Though I was initially turned off by the Sushi Nazi approach at this restaurant with its ban of cell phones and Sushi Rules listed on each table, the fish is so fresh it melts in your mouth… The butterfish and blue crab rolls are incredible. Must try for sushi lovers!
    Sweet Lady Jane
    Tasca Wine Bar
    Tender Greens - It may be cafeteria style, but this is YUMMY healthy restaurant, also by the Sony lot.
    Tengu
    Ugo Cafe
    Vegetable Delight Restaurant
    Velvet Margarita Cantina - Mexican food is so-so, but great ambiance and even better margaritas! The pomegranite is my fave.
    Vermont
    Versailles
    Vert
    Wilshire Restaurant
    Woo Lae Oak
    Yabu
    Yu Restaurant and Lounge
    Zach’s Italian Cafe - Don’t eat too many of those marvelous hot garlic rolls cuz you may not be able to finish your meal! The Cheese Ravioli is my fave lunch special.

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Ventura

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