Grub galore

As foreshadowed in the previous post, culinary escapades abounded the past couple of weeks in the chummy company of out of town globetrotters at my choicest epicurean establishments in the City of Angels. LA truly is a mecca of delectable edibles so do grant one, a couple, or all a shot via this photoblog tour.

My predilection for health-conscious fare steered us to M Cafe for macrobiotic cuisine in a sunbeam prolific European café style setting. I guarantee you shan't miss the absence of refined sugars, dairy, eggs, poultry, and red meat, especially whence sampling all of the distinctively delicious deli salads that consistently bequeath upon me a spurt of giddy energy. Must samples include the kale with spicy peanut dressing, curried cauliflower, and kabocha squash.Urth Caffe, though oft spotlit for their organic, sustainably grown, fair-trade coffees and teas, serve up top notch savories
and sweet treats to complement their libations.Their strategic spots on Melrose in WeHo and Main Street in SaMo allow for prime people-watching, too.Or, better yet, thorough investment in a cozy meal with friendly folks.
Clementine was a luxurious luncheon getaway during the former nine to six days as its charming red-bricked facade was merely blocks away.My heart and tastebuds tend to cultivate a soft spot for mom and pop bakery-cafés, and Clementine racks up another thumbs up for employing produce from local farmers markets to whip up from scratch and by hand, fresh and tasty entrées, sandwiches, desserts, and salads.Bottega Louie is an Angeleno institution, and 'tis not befuddling to ascertain why. Positioned in the heartthrob of downtown, its gleaming marble edifice magnetizes all inquisitive eyes to peer withinto gawk at its gargantuan dining room made glitzy by lofty pillared ceilings and streamlined black faux-leather seating
to add a dramatically posh flair

to their pristine menu. I fancy their small plates (of gourmet veggies) most, for they prod the memory of Spanish tapas,
though the sister-cousin enjoyed mightily their tender and terrifically seasoned pork chop fillets.
Porto's, though a smidgen of a commute to the Valley, is utterly worth the trek. And the extensive queue within the jam-packed monstrosity of a bakery, even if 'tis the most colossal one I've ever called upon.Their Cuban style sandwiches are quite palatable (pan con bistec pictured below),

but the quintessential Porto's experience comprises of a parade of their potato balls, a curious fried mashed potato concoction brimming with beefy bits and gravy,
and, incontestably, their flaky, mind-bogglingly divine pastries.
Oh, dear señor, more cheese rolls, por favor.Nook, a hidden (literally) gem of a nifty neighborhood bistro
charms the senses with a chic yet mellow ambiance
paired with contemporary comfort foodie goodies.
Shamshiri, one amidst the plethora of Persian restaurants along Tehrangeles' Westwood Boulevard, stands out not only for their ginormous portions at agreeable lunch special prices,but also for their impeccably soft and freshly baked naan (bread),
refreshing shirazi salad (one of my most preferred Persian eats),
and the tastiest kabob koobideh the sister-cousin has encountered thus far.
Chego, the spankin'-newest one-of-a-kind hotspot of the trendiest sort, attributes its flashy fame to its owner, who also claims on his resume, the notorious Kogi tacos parading around in the meandering food trucks.
I am not an enthused proponent of Kogi, but Chego's won my heart for the instances I'm inclined towards gorging on creatively revolutionized rice bowls featuring Korean staples embellished with Mexican flare. Brace thyself for the flavor overload in your mouth upon indulging in a spoonful of the [prime rib plate].
The casual, intimate, and hoppin' dining territorial grounds garnered the cousins' approval, too.
Although Westside patrons proceed to Father's Office for their widespread beer selection,
we dilly dally there for the best burgers in town. Which is quite a lofty claim since I tend to shun burgers. Partaking in one occurs once in a blue moon, with such occasions reserved for the sporadic jaunt to Father's Office.No culinary tour is exhaustive without sweets stops, namely, invariably bustling Diddy Riese
for their fresh baked cookies sandwiched around a generous dollop of ice creaminess, all for $1.50 (though they were a mere buckaroo in my early college years, which clearly illustrates how ancient I am).
Sprinkles, the original haute cupcakerythat spawned a slew of off-shoots modeled after their gourmet cupcake phenomenon,
such as Buttercake Bakery, whose peppy exterior,mini babycakes,
and catchphrase I unabashedly endorse,
and SusieCakes, whose whimsical 50s all-American decor,
and maddeningly moist and homemade style frosting-injected cupcakes arrest my tastebuds every single time.
However, the desserty decadance I cannot get enough of, ever,
is the delicate and multi-flavored French macaron, irresistibly diverse and appetizing at Bottega Louie,
and at Jin Patisserie,
whose outdoor patio seating provides the spiffiest environs to enjoy
a handful of mini macarons beneath sun rays waltzing between towering palm trees.
These are by no means an exhaustive list of the most favored eateries, but, rather, a condensed one for the time allotted these couple of weeks past. Feel free to gimme suggestions of your must-try grubbing locales! Nonetheless, YUM-OH to the maximo, no?