FRANK'S FAVORITE RESTAURANTS
A SHORT DRIVE FROM WEST L.A.
The following restaurants are ones I can
highly recommend, and all are a short drive from West L.A. (45 min. or
less.) I wouldn't recommend them if they weren't worth the drive.
All are excellent, and I give the basic data for
all of them, but for some I have written a LONG
REVIEW, marked with a
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WHAT PLACES ARE OPEN LATE?
Pink's.
LIST OF RESTAURANTS:
J & J, SHANGHAI DUMPLINGS, IN SAN GABRIEL, CHEAP
($7/person)
WHAT TO GET:
- steamed bao (buns, with juicy chopped pork inside)
- "million layer" pancake w/onions
- steamed bao
- dumplings (potstickers)
- won ton soup
- did I mention steamed bao?
AMBIENCE: Small, popular, crowded hole-in-the-wall place
serving authentic Shanghai meat buns that explode with juice
and flavor when you bite them. Yum.
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MALIBU INN, AMERICAN DINER, IN MALIBU, MODERATE
(breakfast: $7/person)
WHAT TO GET:
- belgian waffles w/ raspberries
- french toast w/ thick raisin bread
- home fried potatoes
- omelettes
AMBIENCE: On PCH across from beach.
Sit in a booth by the window Sunday morning, look out at the ocean,
and stuff yourself with french toast & waffles. Menu almost unreadable
because dishes are named after movies;
and too many star photos on the walls; but food is enjoyable.
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KOREAN ORIGINAL, KOREAN B.B.Q., IN KOREATOWN, CHEAP
(lunch, less than $7/person)
WHAT TO GET:
- seasoned bar-b-q beef
- bar-b-q chicken
- bar-b-q beef ribs
- kimchee (ask for seconds!)
AMBIENCE: Delicious, cheap seasoned b.b.q. meat and
mild kimchee may this a good introduction to Korean b.b.q.; decor is
generic; formica dining tables; gas grills set in tables for dinner;
cheap lunch specials.
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PHILLIP'S, SOUTHERN BBQ, IN SOUTH-CENTRAL, MODERATE
(dinner, $6-$10/person)
NOTE: takeout only; calling ahead is recommended
WHAT TO GET:
- beef ribs w/ hot or mixed sauce (no mild!)
- BBQ sausage links
- sliced beef in BBQ sauce
AMBIENCE: hole-in-the-wall takeout joint w/ long lines;
very popular with locals, deservedly so; no frills; intensely flavored
hot ribs; in the opinion of many, the best Southern b.b.q. in L.A.
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UZBEKISTAN, UZBEKI (RUSSIAN/TURKIC), IN HOLLYWOOD, MODERATE
(dinner $8-$14/person)
WHAT TO GET:
- plov: spicy rice pilaf w/ big chunks of browned lamb & veggies
- shashlik: shishkabob (esp. sturgeon if you can get it)
- Uzbekistan combination (w/ plov & shashlik)
- kaurma lagman: thick homemade noodles w/ lamb
- samsa: meat turnovers
- chicken Kiev
AMBIENCE: suave, romantic, sensual environment w/
consistently good, exotic dishes, heavy on lamb; music Fri.-Sun. nights
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SOOT BULL JEEP, KOREAN BBQ, IN KOREATOWN, MODERATE
($11-16/person)
WHAT TO GET:
- spencer steak (most tasty but expensive)
- pork loin
- short ribs
- WARNING! ACQUIRED TASTE ALERT: eel.
AMBIENCE: dark and smoky Korean bbq; popular dinner
place for Korean families and businessmen; you grill for
yourself & friends on grill in each table; real wood charcoal and
deeply marinated meat create intense flavor
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INN OF THE 7TH. RAY, HEALTH FOOD, IN MALIBU, EXPENSIVE
(dinner, $20-$25/person; Sunday morning buffet, $15/person)
WHAT TO GET:
- Soups, esp. zucchini, mushroom & cashew
- Vegetarian dishes
- Breads & Muffins
- Fish entrees
AMBIENCE: Beautiful location in Malibu mountains, with
large patio beside running stream surrounded by trees; New Age cuisine
with many vegetarian dishes
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PINK'S, CHILI DOGS, IN HOLLYWOOD, CHEAP
($4-5/person)
WHAT TO GET:
- chili dog, w/ raw onions & mustard
- hot dog w/ hot sauerkraut
- terrific fries
AMBIENCE: Famous L.A. landmark, takeout & a few
tables in back; small place, but good dogs
OPEN LATE: Open till 2a.m. weekdays,
Fri. & Sat. till 3a.m.
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