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Where to eat in downtown LA?

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I stayed downtown a couple times for work. The sushi at Wokcano was pretty good. It's about two blocks up the street from Bottega Louie on West 7th. The food was good and the bartender was cute and friendly. Not a bad way to go.
 
Whoa, I didn't expect to see this! LOL.

Anyway, I'm staying at the Westin so I walked over to Main and 4th yesterday for Baco Mercat - it had good ratings on Yelp and still served food at 11PM. The food was better than I expected and the whole area was quite surprising...I don't remember the Old Bank District looking like that 5 years ago.

As for driving - I can't! No car. 🙁 We're going out to West Hollywood as we always do...bunch of pretty girls need to get some attention. I used to be all gung-ho about going out and partying with them but I'm pretty jaded after years of doing auto shows so I'm looking forward to it but not like before.

Anyway, thanks for the help guys, I really didn't expect this thread to get so much help. I'll look up what I can and see what's around. There is a shuttle service that'll take me within 3 miles though, so maybe I'll splurge one night if I decide that one of the restaurants is worth it. (Also, I went to The Pantry years ago...I'll definitely go back if I have time. 🙂)
 
Don't discount using the metro. 1.50 fare and can get you just about all over the place. Taking the red line from downtown up to hollywood is pretty simple and relaxing.
 
Public transit in LA is pretty terrible. I am from LA and never bothered to learn it. It's nothing like other large cities like Chicago, DC, NY.

EvilYoda - even though you "stumbled" across Baco Mercat, it's one of the hottest places to eat in LA right now. Good job.
 
sygyzy said:
Public transit in LA is pretty terrible. I am from LA and never bothered to learn it. It's nothing like other large cities like Chicago, DC, NY.

EvilYoda - even though you "stumbled" across Baco Mercat, it's one of the hottest places to eat in LA right now. Good job.
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Nothing like the big cities, I agree, but if you're going somewhere within a half mile or so of one of the metro rail stops its very convenient. I really only know the blue line that goes to long beach.
 
andylawcc said:
sorry NB, but fuck that place man.
Bottega Louie is very definitive LA - upscale, all show no go, hipster-douche lounge, overpriced. This is all fine and dandy, but the food isn't really all that, the wait is long, and while I am not one that usually complain about service, but their service sucks. Probably because our party didn't dress like we belong.

what I can add to the list is, if you are really hungry at night: The Pantry (i think their steak are so-so though)

J-town has plenty to offer.
Philippe for french dip in China town.
skip the chinese restaurants in china town
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BL is okay once for the experience but yes its very expensive for what it is.
 
sygyzy said:
Public transit in LA is pretty terrible. I am from LA and never bothered to learn it. It's nothing like other large cities like Chicago, DC, NY.

EvilYoda - even though you "stumbled" across Baco Mercat, it's one of the hottest places to eat in LA right now. Good job.
Click to expand...

Whoo hoo!

As for Bottega Louie, does it just say "Louie" on the marble on the side of the building? I think I walked past it today...7th and Flower or something?
 
Bottega Louie is 7th and Grand.. it does have Louie on it. It's good but bring earplugs.

I've lived here 7 years, here's what I suggest:

Baco Mercat - Their toron baco is probably the best meal in DT. So fucking good. Everything else is amazing there too.

Daikokuya - arguably the best noodles in socal

Shinsengumi - second best noodles?

The Parish - Try the fried chicken

Umamicatessan if you've never had an umami burger

For sushi either sugarfish or that one place in LT that has a one hour line all the time. CHAYA is good too but more upscale/expensive.

Urbano has some pretty great pizzas

The Perch for the views. Food is ok.

Wood Spoon for their amazing chicken pot pie and brazilian appetizers (coxhina and pastel portuguese YUM)

That's all I can think of right now.
 
Awesome! Thanks abaez...simple list but good coverage. I'll look those places up and see where they are in accordance to me. I know that Sugarfish is only a few blocks away. Wood Spoon sounds right up my alley after a good night at the gym...
 
Sugar fish is like chain sushi man

Daiko was the best ramen shop 10 years ago. Now there's 4x as many ramen shops (at least) and daiko isn't even the best ramen shop in LT anymore
 
Hit up Daiko tonight despite the naysayers...best ramen I've had since NYC a few years ago. Took a teammate and she loved it as well. I'm thinking I might head back to Little Tokyo this week as it's only a $5 cab drive over - tiny little karaoke bar on the second floor of the Miyako hotel, might be perfect for a drunken team outing!
 
Ns1 said:
Sugar fish is like chain sushi man

Daiko was the best ramen shop 10 years ago. Now there's 4x as many ramen shops (at least) and daiko isn't even the best ramen shop in LT anymore
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Why don't you post your suggestions then?

Yoda how long are you here? We could hang out/try something if you are up for it.
 
abaez said:
Why don't you post your suggestions then?

Yoda how long are you here? We could hang out/try something if you are up for it.
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I already did.

here's some more:

New ramen contenders are Men Oh/Yamadaya/Tsujita/Ikemen/Jinya. Saying SSG/Daiko/Santouka is the best ramen is like saying your reebok pumps are the shit.

sushi = sushi gen (for cheap sushi dinners, don't do omakase here), kiyokawa, mori, shunji. zo/sasabune/nozawa = GTFO

I didn't restrict my choices to LT above. If I were to restrict my choices to LT, my dining options would be...

Meh Oh, Spice Table, Kagaya (shabu), Kokekoko (yakitori), wurstkuche, mochi shop in japanese village plaza, hama sushi for cheap sushi, sushi gen for cheap sushi

the "far east" bar aka the far bar is pretty dope too. COSMOS bar right next to daiko is also a trip. Finally, there's a booking club next to Sushi Gen (not sure if it's still there).
 
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Whooa relax man! I know people get crazy about their ramen but I'm not trying to be combative. I haven't tried the places you mentioned except Tsujita (great), but none of them are in DT, which makes it difficult to get to.

I forgot about sushi gen, good place. There's also this pretty good place in the LT mall on the second floor, forget what it's called.

Forgot also about Spice Table, that bahn mi is heavenly. Kagaya is good if you like shabu shabu (also that shabu shabu place on Grand? in South Park sucks).

Mochi shop is great. I like getting some macarons from Paullette and putting a scoop or two of mochi on top. Yum. Also Fugetsu Do has delicious Japanese bakery items made by old ladies who have some great stories.
 
Road to Seoul?

In LT I like Sushi-Gen. Daiko is good, but there is probably better places that I haven't tried.
 
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