Gold Dig #57 I think Salazar might be the only spot on Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants list that he specifically notes for its website, which might seem odd until you check it out for yourself. I won’t even try to describe it, as it’s best if you just experience the awesomeness yourself. My first…
Category: Gold Digging
Osteria Mozza Restaurant Review
Gold Dig #56 Grouped together as “Mozzaplex” on Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants list are these four Italian eateries – Pizzeria Mozza (pizza as you might have guessed), Osteria Mozza (more formal restaurant), Chi Spacca (meat-focused), and Mozza2Go (takeout counter). We tried Osteria Mozza, which was packed even on a weeknight, with every seat at…
Bludso’s Restaurant Review
Gold Dig #55 When I saw that Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants list included a BBQ place in Compton called Bludso’s, I tried several times to convince my vegetarian friend who lives in Compton to go with me. Unsuccessfully. I don’t suppose I can really blame her, given the meat-heavy BBQ menu, but I was…
Redbird Restaurant Review
Gold Dig #54 A regular on Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants list, I have been wanting to try Redbird for a long time. So when dineLA time came around and Redbird was offering a brunch menu, I jumped on a reservation. It’s located downtown in what was formerly a cathedral, so the space is unique…
Kobee Factory and Syrian Kitchen Restaurant Review
Gold Dig #53 I’m always looking for delicious food at a great price, so one of the things I like about Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants list is that there are some $$$$ places on it. Kobee Factory and Syrian Kitchen is one such spot. It is in the middle of nowhere Van Nuys, where…
Pizzana Restaurant Review
Gold Dig #52 Pizzana is the current LA pizza craze. If you go for dinner or during the weekend, it’s an hours long wait. The Sprinkles Cupcakes folks and Chris O’Donnell and his wife have ownership stake in Pizzana. I have to admit that the celebrity involvement and the insane line made me skeptical, but…
Little Sister Restaurant Review
Gold Dig #51 Little Sister is one of the few south bay establishments to make Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants list. It is on one of the main Manhattan Beach streets filled with beachy chic spots overlooking the ocean and catering to crowds of relaxed, sun-kissed folks who all look like they’ve just come from…
Howlin’ Rays Restaurant Review
Gold Dig #50 In the past, Jonathan Gold has included the multitude of eateries that make up Far East Plaza as a single unit on his 101 list. At the moment however, the big draw to Far East Plaza is Howlin’ Ray’s, so in his most recent release it got its own spot on Jonathan…
Shunji Restaurant Review
Gold Dig #49 Shunji is a Japanese restaurant on the west side. I had driven past it dozens of times, always thinking it was an odd-looking building but never feeling inclined to think that the squat silo in a not particularly welcoming area on Pico might have even decent sushi. So I was stunned to…
Gjelina Restaurant Review
Gold Dig #48 Gjelina is one of the west side spots on Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants list. It is one of those super trendy places on Abbot Kinney where pretty and famous people go to see and be seen. At dinner time it gets so loud you can barely carry on a conversation, and…
Shibumi Restaurant Review
Gold Dig #47 Shibumi is a Japanese restaurant whose menu is driven by local, organic, sustainable ingredients. It is located downtown, with a sign for the parking garage but not the restaurant itself, so look out for the uniquely shaped window. That tinted window lets in the only natural light in the place, so it’s…
Manhattan Beach Post Restaurant Review
Gold Dig #46 Manhattan Beach Post is one of the only South Bay restaurants on Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants list. It is located in the lovely beach town of… you guessed it… Manhattan Beach, which in my mind is the CA town of movies and TV. Palm tree-lined streets with ocean views, with tan, tank…