SGLA About Town: New Posts on LA Magazine's Digest and Dine LA Plus Club Tengo Hambre in Sunset Magazine

The hall of carnes asadas at the Tlacolula Market in Tlacolula, Oaxaca.


Los Angeles has the third largest Oaxacan restaurant scene in the world, and the Oaxacan carne asada tradition--yes, they do grilled meats, too--is alive and kindling at the tables of your local Oaxacan restaurants. Check out La Parrillada Oaxaquena in my latest Essential T for Los Angeles Magazine's Digest.    

Head down to the Pico Rivera Sports Arena this Sunday for the Festival Colombiano and find out where to get the best Colombian cuisine in L.A., also on Los Angeles Magazine's Digest.


My Roving Supper Club, Club Tengo Hambre, a partnership with Jason Fritz, and Antonio and Kristin Diaz de Sandi was mentioned in a Sunset Magazine article as one of the 8 best things to do in Tijuana. Take a food adventure with us to Baja California and with our new branch in Mexico City.    


It's Restaurant Week at Dine LA, so I hope you're out there supporting Los Angeles restaurants; while you're at it, here's my guide to the best lobster rolls in Los Angeles, and here's an oldie but a goodie for this hot weather, my Dine LA Ceviche Lover's Guide.

Dine LA Restaurant Week, Summer 2014, July 14th-27th--Ready.Set. Dine!

The biggest and most delicious Dine LA began last night, so if you haven't made your reservations get on it! My last year's recommendations still stand for D=Date Night; I=Indulge; N=New; and E=Ethnic Dining, except for Spice Table which is closed until chef Bryant Ng relocates to his new restaurant--can't wait for that. And of course Paiche is no longer new but I still suggest a trip out to Marina del Rey to experience Peruvian cuisine from the leading Peruvian chef in the United States, or at chef Ricardo Zarate's other restaurants--Picca and Mo Chica.

This year, lunch and dinner menus range from $15-$45 for 3 course meals.

For Date Night, I'd strongly suggest the patio at chef Suzanne Goin's newly renovated A.O.C, an evening of the fresh seafood and creative plays on classic at the Hungry Cat, or some of the best Italian cuisine in town at Sotto.

Another place to Indulge?--the inspired cooking at Scratch Bar by chef Phillip Frankland Lee.

What's New? Faith and Flower in DTLA--it's beautiful and romantic with a smart menu that's attracting a young, and beautiful business crowd.

For Ethnic Dining, Night and Market is a must, matter-of-fact, their Dine LA menu was so successful last time around that they extended the menu beyond their Dine LA run.

Dine L.A. is a chance to try something new, or to dine somewhere true--most of all this is about promoting Los Angeles as the number one dine destination in the U.S.A. It already is, but the rest of the country is slowing catching on. Dine L.A. is your way to send a message, while doing what you love to do--og out on the town and save a few bucks. Ready.Set. Dine LA!

Dine L.A. Restaurant Week, Summer 2014, July 14th-July 27th

Dine LA, Summer 2013 Edition is Better Than Ever: Date Night, Indulge, New, and Ethnic Dining

Braised veal and bone marrow agnolotti at Scarpetta

Dine LA's Restaurant Week(July 15-26) began yesterday--it's on right this minute--and it's better than ever. I'm a writer for Dine LA, but have been a Dine LAer years before I ever wrote a story for the current administrator, Stacey Sun. Under her watch Dine LA has grown by leaps and bounds.

Dine LA is about supporting our city, and getting to know its flavors and charms on a dime--its about promoting Los Angeles cuisine to the world--L.A. is the undisputed king of global dining. We have a wealth of international enclaves that have cuisines that are as authentic--in many cases--as can be found abroad. We have fine dining, and we have a rising number of world class chefs opening casual restaurants that feature bold, inventive plates in a more inclusive setting.


Lots of fine dining in NYC, and San Francisco?--Tired! We have it all-- dining luxury for all walks and all pocket books.


Restaurant Week has it all--all that is great about dining in Los Angeles. Here are some suggestions from my own tried and true experiences in the town that never sleeps? No--in L.A. we get our beauty sleep so we can get up and do it again, and again.

My First Story For Dine LA--A Ceviche Lover's Guide to Los Angeles

Aguachile at Coniseafood


I have been on a ceviche terror this past summer from, devouring raw seafood from Ensenada's finest practitioners,  to the stands at Popotla; to the trucks, carts, and gastronomic palaces of Tijuana, to the streets and casual restaurants right here in Los Angeles. While we don't have the access to the fine seafood products of Baja California--especially at those prices--but LA has the most diverse Latino dining scene in the US, and that is good news for fans of ceviche.


Check out a recent story I did for Dine LA--it's a 10-stop pan-Latino tour through the tasty world of ceviches, aguachiles, and seafood cocktails. Here are 10 cool and refreshing reasons to come and visit Los Angeles.

Dine LA Restaurant Week Fall 2011,January 23-28 and January 30-February 4

Tuesday night was the kick off party for this Fall's Dine LA Restaurant Week. Starting this Sunday, January 23rd, participating restaurants will be offering three-course lunches and dinners at bargain prices. Lunches are available for $16, $22, and $28, and dinners for $26, $34, and $44.

This is a chance to fall in love again with that restaurant you haven't been to in years, try a place that's been lingering on your list of places to go for some time, or to take the plunge into the latest hotspots.

Evan Kleiman(pictured left) was present at the Sofitel Tuesday night to meet and greet. Her Los Angeles institution, Angeli Caffe will be serving lunch and dinner at $16 and $26 respectively.

The Two Hotter than Ever Tamales, Mary Sue Millikin and Susan Feniger(middle L-R), were also on hand with three restaurants in Dine LA, Border Grill Santa Monica and the new Border Grill Downtown between the pair, and Susan's solo act, Susan Feniger's Street. Both Border Grills are in the $16/$26 slot, and Street's Dine LA menu falls in the middle price category, $22 for lunch and $34 for dinner.

Haru Kishi(pictured right), the new executive chef for Chaya Brasserie in Beverly Hills was all smiles at the star chef-studded event, eager to show off his newly revamped Euro-Asian menu. Chaya Brasserie also will be plating three courses in the middle ground, $22 for lunch and $34 for dinner.

Other tips!
Recommended in the $16/$26 category are Starry Kitchen, Loteria Grill, and the new Mas Malo restaurant.

Recommended in the $22/$34 category are Eva Restaurant, Ford's Filling Station, Geisha House, Fraiche in Culver City, Il Fornaio in Beverly Hills, Waterloo and City, and Zucca.

Recommended in the $28/$44 category are Fogo de Chao!!Oh, do this. Also, Drago Centro, Spago, The Foundry on Melrose, and the Bazaar. Why not hit one of the steakhouses like Morton's or Ruth's Criss?

Dine LA is about celebrating the greatest restaurant city in the US. If you haven't been out lately, know's the time.

For more information and reservations, click here.

Dine LA Restaurant Week
January 23-28, and January 30-February 4, 2011