B.H. Dinner Recommendations for L.A.

I am often asked for dinner recommendations in L.A. because I've lived here 7 years and have a food blog. The problem is that I cook more than I eat out and rarely like the new hot restaurants in town that most people would recommend. For example every foodie in the country loses their tits over Mozza. However, I thought Mozza's pizza crust was dry to the point of chipping a tooth and mine tasted little burnt. I also felt like the toppings were trying too hard and at times seemed like gross combos. I could go on, but publicly disparaging Mozza in Los Angeles is akin to throwing rocks at the Vatican. Here are some of the places I do like to eat dinner in L.A.. If you're looking for a more specific atmosphere or genre of food drop me a line (bloghungry@yahoo.com) and I'll try to help you out.

Angeli:
Atmosphere: A comfortable hole in the wall on Melrose by Chef Evan Klieman (the host of KCRW’s Good Food). There are 2 small rooms inside and a table is usually available.
Food: Fresh clean and simple Italian. Everything is good, but I live for her Beet and Ricotta Gnocchi. I also recommend the croquettes and the seasonal menu.
Bloghungry Rating: A

Umami Burger:
Atmosphere: Casual burger joint for the discerning palate. A perfect first date for hipsters, young chefs, and art students.
Food: The best burgers I have ever had. They are elevated to a higher class that is almost unfair to classify as burgers. The sides and homemade ketchup are fine but forgettable and they offer an assortment of fancy bottled sodas and snacky desserts from Cake Monkey.
Bloghungry Rating: A+

Street: (PopMuse's Favorite Restaurant)
Atmosphere: The vibe is Keith Haring-ish art installation meets boutique hotel. There is a small and tight Indoor area and a more roomy outdoor eating area.
Food: Upscale versions of global street foods. It's recommended that you order a few things for the table and share.
Bloghungry Rating: A-

Taste:
Atmosphere: Smallish comfortably upscale restaurant that feels like the home of a gay that shops exclusively at Banana Republic. It's good place to meet a mixed group of people for dinner.
Food: New American clone. The kind of place that has braised short ribs and a fennel and grapefruit salad. Good food and less pricey and fussy than most.
Bloghungry Rating: B+

Father's Office:
Atmosphere: A casual but sophisticated gastropub with a legendary burger and 100's of beers.
Food: Upscale and delicious bar eats with a huge selection of beers that even non-beer drinkers would love.
Bloghungry Rating: A+

Nyala:
Atmosphere: Strip mallish joint with big booths and the slight feel of a kitschy Ethiopian museum.
Food: Ethiopian food. You choose combos of incredibly seasoned meat and/or veggie dishes that you share as a table by scooping up bites with a soft crepe-like bread. It’s so flavorful you can’t believe it. I tend to like the veggie dishes the best so you may want to order extra.
Bloghungry Rating: A-

Mastros
Atmosphere: A very upscale steakhouse for old school Beverly Hills peeps.
Food: The best steak and bread basket I’ve had in L.A. The sides range from just fine to decent, and everything is crazy pricey.
Bloghungry Rating: A-

Electric Lotus:
Atmosphere: hipster casual with an occasional Bollywood film on at the bar or D.J. creating mood music.
Food: Good Indian food for pretty reasonable prices. We used to get one of their dinners for two to share and always went home with enough leftovers for lunch the next day.
Bloghungry Rating: A

Comments

[Garret]

I love Umami and Electric Lotus!

[wehoguy]

I've never had Ethiopian food before. What's it like?

[Bloghungry]

Ethiopian food has similar flavors to Indian food but you tear off pieces of this spongy crepe-like bread to scoop it up and eat it. I think it's genius, but it's not for everyone.

[Micah]

Went to Umami tonight because of you. LOVED IT! However the location on La Brea DOES NOT SERVE ALCOHOL. Tell a friend.