Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [135]
Sanamluang (Map; 323-660-8006; 5176 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood; mains $5-10; 9am-4am; ) In the wee hours, this strip-mall joint gets howling with night owls hoping to restore balance to the brain. The poison of choice seems to be a steamy bowl of garlicky General’s noodle soup, although anything with duck also gets a lots of takers. It’s cash only and no alcohol.
El Cochinito (Map; 323-668-0737; 3508 W Sunset Blvd, Silver Lake; dishes $8-13; 11am-8:30pm Mon-Wed & Sun, 11am-9pm Thu-Sat) This 12-table hole-in-the-wall ‘little pig’ is family run, neighborhood adored and serves traditional ‘pre-Castro’ Cuban at its finest. The tostones are thin and crispy and the roasted pork is melt-in-your-mouth tender, but really, you can’t order wrong.
Other pitstops on a budget:
Fred 62 (Map; 323-667-0062; 1850 N Vermont Ave, Los Feliz; mains $5-14; 24hr; ) Polyethnic sandwiches, salads and noodles for young guns on small budgets.
Pho Café (Map; 213-413-0888; 2841 W Sunset Blvd, Silver Lake; mains $6-8; 11am-midnight) Pho-nomenal Vietnamese soups at signless hipster hangout.
MIDRANGE
Palms Thai (Map; 323-462-5073; 5900 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood; mains $6-19; 11am-2am) It’s in a new location but the food’s as sharp as ever if the steady stream of Thai families, tattooed scenesters and cops is anything to go by. All the expected classics are accounted for, but adventurous eaters might like to try the wild-boar curry or the garlic-pepper frog. It ain’t easy bein’ green…
Red Pearl Kitchen (Map; 323-525-1415; 6703 Melrose Ave, Hollywood; dishes $8-19; 5:30pm-10pm Sun-Thu, to 11pm Fri & Sat, bar to 2am; ) Dark and draped in crimson red and bold gold, this Asian eatery is as sensuous, mysterious and kitschy as a 1940s Shanghai noir thriller. Sip a vodka-and-champagne-based Red Pearl while casually scanning the happy crowd and anticipating platters of such flavor bombs as wok-tossed Kobe beef and perky Thai green curry.
Lucy’s El Adobe (Map; 323-462-9421; 5536 Melrose Ave, Hollywood; mains $8-25; 11:30am-11pm Mon-Fri, noon-11pm Sat; ) The Mexican food is only so-so but the Old Hollywood vibe is priceless. It was in these dark booths where Raymond Chandler made movie deals, the Eagles got hammered and Jerry Brown trysted with Linda Ronstadt. With Paramount across the street and other studios nearby, it still often feels like a commissary.
Bowery (Map; 323-465-3400; 6268 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood; mains $8.50-18.50; noon-2am Mon-Fri, 6pm-2am Sat & Sun; ) It’s often standing-room only at this New York-ish gastropub with black-and-white subway tiles, a tin ceiling and a crowd that’s like a two-inch heel – chic but tasty. There’s Chimay ale on tap and sensible food on the menu. The roast chicken French dip sandwich puts an interesting twist on an old stand-by.
Hungry Cat (Map; 323-462-2155; 1535 Vine St, Hollywood; dishes $9-27; 11:30am-2:30pm Tue-Fri, 5:30pm-midnight Mon-Sat, 11am-3pm & 5-10pm Sun; ) This kitty is small and sleek and hides out near the ArcLight cinemas, making it a handy pre- or post-show stop. It fancies fresh seafood and will have you purring for hunky lobster roll, portly crab cakes and savory fish-du-jour specials. The Pug Burger – slathered with avocado, bacon and blue cheese – is a worthy meaty alternative.
Kung Pao Kitty (Map; 323-465-0110; 6445 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood; mains $10-14.50; noon-10pm Sun-Thu, noon-2am Fri & Sat) This funky Asian cantina gets busiest late at night when scenesters on a bar hop descend here for generous helpings of coconut curry, Mongolian beef, mu shu pork and other standards. If you still need to get a buzz on, go for the Black Kat, a blonde-and-black marriage of Belgian Chimay and Guinness.
El Conquistador (Map; 323-666-5136; 3701 W Sunset Blvd, Silver Lake; mains $10-17; 11am-10pm Sun-Thu, 11am-11pm Fri & Sat) Halloween meets Margaritaville at this campy cantina that’s a perfect launchpad for a night on the razzle. One cocktail may be all it takes to drown