this Years round-up: THE BEST OF 2016

"It was the best of times, and it was the worst of times" .... 

But it's the only time we've got so let's celebrate the BEST of 2016.  The L.A.gant way.  If you need a recap from last year's round up click here!   Here's how 2016 lit the year:(click the red titles for details on the location)

Best Bar

E.P. & L.P.

Combination vibes & views; L.P serves great drunks (Freudian slip?) with a rockin' DJ.  You'll see a line down LaCienega (off Melrose) that makes you think it's a club with a cover charge.  It's that good!

Best Restaurant (casual)

BROOKLYN DELI

This Leimert Park jewel will leave you wanting more.  Fresh ingredients and tasty flavor combination, not to mention the lunch sandwich special of the day for $5

Best Restaurant

PERCH

On a Friday night (with the right weather) this rooftop restaurant is euphoric.  The food is fantastic, the live band is killer; perfect for a date night and/or girls night!

Best Urban Food delivery concierge 

AFNG

A L L F L A V O R N O G R E A S E

see previous post...there's nothing more to say!!!!!!! 

Best Brunch 

COMMISSARY 

My mind was blown in the green house atrium, the buffet + a la carte that is also bottomless along with the mimosas. Through in the poppin' DJ and it's lit!

Best Happy Hour

TOCA MADERA

Weekends included, makes this place exception, the staff is incredible, mexican food is done in a unique way (with vegan options) and I love love love the photobooth!!!  Make this a stop after brunch or before dinner!!

celebrate NATIONAL TACO DAY!!! 16 OF THE BEST TACOS IN 2016

Let's consider National Taco day the unofficial Cinco de Mayo and nosh at some of L.A.'s BEST tacos spots.  Here are the 16 of 2016 that you should check out today!

 

1. Ramona's

3728 Crenshaw Blvd

classic deliciousness

 

2. Toca Madre

8450 E. 3rd St

good tacos and goodER vibes

 

3. SOL

12775 Millenium Ave

THE BEST short rib taco you'll have

 

4. Trejo's Tacos

1048 LaBrea Ave

vegetarian and vegan options that takes your taco to another level

 

5.  The Cork

4711 Adams Blvd

turkey tacos TDF (to die for)

 

6.  Bills Taco

3292 Slauson Ave

thinks burger and taco combined...but in the yummiest way possible

 

7.  World Wide Taco

2419 Martin Luther King Blvd

if you can stand the wait...it is worth E V E R Y BITE!!

 

 

8. Tito's

11222 Washington Place

*cues commercial song* I love Tito's Tacos.

 

9.  Lola's

2030 E. 4th St

Long beach's finest!!!

 

10.  Whole Foods

12746 Jefferson Blvd

who would've thought they had bomb tacos?!

 

11.  Cabo Cantina

30 Washington Blvd

keep em coming on Taco Tuesday!! switch it up from steak to chicken and back again

 

12.  Tequila Jacks

407 Shoreline Drive

I don't know what to love more: the Margs or the Tacos!!!

 

13.  Simply Wholesome

4508 Slauson Ave

have you not heard my rant on the Nubian Tacos!!??!! check it out here.  I'm Obsessed with them.  You will be too.

 

14.  Petty Cash

7360 Beverly Blvd

happiest HAPPY hour and happy tacos

 

15.  633 Café

633 Spring St

ssoooooo FLAVORFUL!!! soooooo sooo

 

16.  Sky's Taco

5408 Pico Blvd

one of L.A's faves!

 

honorable mention to Kogi truck and that bomb taco truck on the corner of Venice and LaCienega!!! (what is CALLED!?!?)

 

What's YOUR favorite taco in LA?! tell me below:

 

Foodie Frenzy: Food Festivals in Los Angeles to check out

Summer is over, and although the recent heat wave shows the contrary,   we bid it adeiu.  Here are three upcoming food festivals in Los Angeles to keep you in the Summer Fest mood.  In chronological order.

This weekend

Sunday October 3rd 

Eastside Food Fest

See what the eastside has to offer at the food festival festuring: TROIS FAMILIA, KNUCKLE AND CLAW and tons of others. ($65)

Mack Sennett Studios

Los Angeles

5:00pm-8:00pm

Next weekend

Sunday October 9th 

Brunch at the Races

get fancy and full or FANCIFUL at Santa Anita Park for a derby inspred brunch featuring reataurants such as: BRUS WIFFILE, Cool Haus, Dupars, Poppy Rose, Preux and Proper .....need I say more ($45)
Santa Anita Park
11am-2pm

 The weekend after that

Saturday October 15th 

THE TASTE OF SOUL

Leimert Park's most anticipated Festival returns for the 11th year featuring food and entertainment along Crenshaw Blvd (between MLK aall the way to Rodeo).  This free event is a MUST ATTEND.  Featuring: star studded performances and food from Bludso BBQ, Whole Food, Milk and Brookies and HUNDREDS MORE

Not only because it's Tuesday........$5 MARGARITAS ALL MONTH...at:

**THIS IS NOT A TACO TUESDAY POST.  I REPEAT.  THIS IS NOT A TACO TUESDAY POST**

 

BUT.....Since it is Tuesday, why not make it an excuse for $5 Margaritas.  And if you miss today, you have all month at Mexicano Restaurant.  Located at the MLK entrance of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.  Mexicano is home of renowned chef Jaime and Ramiro .

 

With there delicious cuisine, authentic ambiance and killer margaritas (I like traditional); this should be a local favorite.

go for Happy Hour MENU HERE or fall in throughout the month for $5 Margaritas. 

You will be MUY LIT!

 

Try there: Tequila infused guacamole, flautas, and Chomarro Adobado

 

3650 Martin Luther King Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90008

323-296-0798

www.mexicanola.com

 

 

this weekend in L.A (a lounge, a restey and an event)

Looking for something to do this weekend?  Maybe a Lounge? A Restaurant? A day party?? or all four!!  Here is what the L.A.gant girl recommends you to check out this weekend.  Try one or all!

 

Blue Moon Hookah Lounge

1053 S. Hill Street

Los Angeles, CA 90015 

 great music, cool crowd and open until 4am!

 

 

 

 

Perch

448 S. Hill Street

Los Angeles. CA 90013

 #views, a killer love band on Friday and great FOOD and drinks

 

 

 

 

 

RNB RHYTHM AND BRUNCH

@ Tiffany's on Vine

1718 Vine St.

Los Angeles CA 90028

 brought to you by the Supreme team.  A guaranteed fun time with food served by the infamous TRAP KITCHEN

 

 

So many places, so little time...

Where will you go?  Let me know below!!

 

have an event or venue tip?  email me at urbanLAgance@gmail.com I always troll my email!

Places to try the last week of DineLA Restaurant Week: the Restauant Week Road Map- LaCienega Blvd

As the last days of Restaurant Week comes to end and you haven't visited one of 300 participating restaurants, smack yourself!  Ok..........now that you are revived, don't fret, the L.A.gant girl has created a restaurant roadmap (for my visual learners and novice diners).

LaCienega Blvd/Restaurant Row is packed with restaurants that are participating in dineLA.  Use this guide to choose your last restaurant adventure.

Here's the key:
starting from the top of the page on the right (WEST) side of LaCienega:
1.  Stinking Rose
garlic mash potatoes to die for!
2.  Fogo de Ciao
bring on all that meat!
3.  Gyu-Kaku
grill your own Korean BBQ at your table.
4.  Tres by Jose Andres at SLS Hotel
tre' chic
5.  E.P & L.P *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED*
fantastic service, food and vibe

left (EAST) side of LaCienega:
1. Fig & Olive
Crostini-CITY...fresh and stylish


honorable mention to Sunset Blvd shown on your map:
1.  BOA Steakhouse
2.  The Church Key
3.  Katana

remember boys and girls: RESTAUARANT WEEK ENDS JULY 31ST!

L.A.gant girl recommends...Brooklyn Deli and Mini Market

 

Hello there L.A.gant boys and girls,

It has been a trying week in the country this past week, so the doll has been ghost for a week.  Let's just say a mental health vaca.  Most importantly, I'm back with and L.A.gant girl reco.  I have been insta-stalking this place for about two week before I decided to try it. 

Brooklyn Deli and Mini Market is located at 4308 Crenshaw Blvd. right next door to New Millennium Barber Shop.  I was both pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness and friendliness and also overwhelmed by the plethora of delicious sandwich choices.  The lovely young cashier helped me with her recommendation of the Remmi: it was fantastic.  If you want to beat the lunch rush, call ahead.  You wont regret it.  Here's a link to the menu.


Prices range from $7.25 sandwich a la cart, $9.25 lunch specials that include chips and a drink, or the daily $5 sandwich special. 

The owners hail from New York and they pride themselves on spreading love and friendship through the  community.  The forks are biodegradable, napkins are from post consumer recycled content

and they only use sea salt on their yummy sammies.  I absolutely recommend Brooklyn Deli
I am so happy to see them in Leimert Park, I will be returning  and wish them the absolute best!
follow them on Facebook and Instagram
-xo L.A.gant girl

Brooklyn Deli and Mini Market
4308 Crenshaw Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90008
347-981-8401
M-Th 10a-7p
Fr and Sa 10a-9p
Su 11a-5p

the Brunch Report #2: BLD

Welcome back students of the Los Angeles street. 

I hope you studied from last week's brunch report because I am back with a second installment.  Re-cap from last week's lesson, the criteria for the brunch report is as follows:

Location (is it scenic, is there alot of travel time)
Parking (valet only, street parking, metered parking)

Mimosas (I mean really, is this even a question.)
Music (is loud or background music, is nonexistent, do they play the hits)
Crowd (good for moms, good for turn ups, good for pick ups or hook ups)

Food (buffet, mediocre, to die for)
Price (how many dollar signs $=$10USD)

 

This week, we will be reporting:

BLD

7450 Beverly Blvd

Los Angeles CA 90036
323-930-9744

BLD is a perfect last minute brunch hideaway bordering Hancock Park and We-Ho.  When I say last minute it means you are able to be seated but that does come with a wait.  As opposed to being BOOKED or reservation only.  You know how brunch works.  And if you don't.  You soon will learn!  BLD is perfect for pretty delish food and people watching.  You are able to dine with your dog outdoors but beware: NO ALCOHOL can be consumed when siting outside.  So you know where I sit!  Service is great but there is no bottomless mimosas nor carafe's.  You would have to buy a glass of champs or a bottle (which actually comes out cheaper).

All in all, the L.A.gant girl gives BLD:

 

Location: 3.5 Parking: 4 Mimosas: 2

Music: 2 Crowd: 3 Food: 3.5

Price: 3

 

 

This isn't bad, just means.  There's opportunity for growth and I will be there for research purposes.

 

Until the next brunch report!

Au revoir

xo L.A.gant girl



the Brunch Report: Overland Cafe

 Greetings gals and gents,

If you follow and know the L.A.gant girl, you know I have an affinity for all things brunch.  I live for, I die for and I am reborn from it.  Since I specialize in this breakfast-lunch hybrid, I will be starting a recurring post called the brunch report.  I will be sharing one place each post and giving it the L.A.gant girl grade.  What's the criterion?  I'm glad you asked.

1-5 points for the following
Location (is it scenic, is there alot of travel time)
Parking (valet only, street parking, metered parking)
Mimosas (I mean really, is this even a question.)
Music (is loud or background music, is nonexistent, do they play the hits)
Crowd (good for moms, good for turn ups, good for pick ups or hook ups)
Food (buffet, mediocre, to die for)
Price (how many dollar signs $=$10USD)


 Now that you know the criterion.  Let's us grade.

First up is Overland Café:
3601 Sepulveda Blvd
Culver City, CA 90034
310-599-9999

Overland Café is a typical good time brunch.  Easy location that's not far away and parking is not a hassle.  Bottomless Mimosas flowith over but there is a 2-hour limit.  They just bring the whole bottle over and place it on the table as a free for all.  MAJOR PLUS!  Food is not fantastic but it solid.  The L.Agant girl rates them a solid C.  It's not one of my favorites but that doesn't mean you won't see me in there on any given Sunday.

 Location: 4 Parking: 4

Mimosas:4 Music: 2

Crowd: 3 Food: 3

Price: 4

24 points out of a possible 35

I'm a harsh critic. I know

 

Hopefully it will help you broaden you brunch horizon. 

Until the next brunch report! Au revoir.

xo L.A.gant girl

 

Cinco for Cinco de Mayo: 5 places to celebrate in LA

Hola muchachos,

There are a myriad of places that will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo.  Quite frankly, anywhere you go in Los Angeles will be a blast.  Cautionary tale:  Make sure you arrive early or on time, meaning right after work!  Last year we made it to El Compadre: home of the flaming margaritas and it was PACKED and lit (figuratively and literally).  This year try one of the following:

UNO:  Diablo
3129 Sunset Blvd
Silverlake, CA 90026
This is my new secret taco spot.  Urban tacos (fried chicken taco, brussel sprout and cauliflower tacos) to name a few ranging $2-$6













DOS:  Petty Cash Taqueria
7360 Beverly Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90036
the chef's of Republique and Church State bring you Petty Cash. 
*try the*

Rye, Felicia!

rye whiskey, mezcal, cacao, chipotle, orange flower water, charred chili de arbol

TRES:  Border Grill
445 S. Figueroa St.
Downtown Los Angeles, CA 90071
$30 all you can eat Mexican buffet, churro station, and complimentary margaritas!!!  DARE I SAY MORE


CUATRO: Casa Vega
13301 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
$0.60 tacos with boss margarita purchase, photo booth, tacos y tequila deals















CINCO:  Te'Kila
6541 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90028
try a big a$$ tequila shot or a tequila flight.