EASTSIDE
There’s old money in Los Feliz, and art school kids and Hispanics everywhere else. Plus some industry people are in Glendale, since it’s close to Burbank.
 CAFÉ BEAUJOLAIS
Le hot waiters! They make the slow service so much easier to bear. We suggest the creamy halibut, silky potatoes, and shell-less escargot swimming in clarified butter and garlic. Tip: Guys, do not bring your girlfriend here if you’re the uptight, jealous type. The waiters will flirt shamelessly and boldly, and they’re probably better looking than you, too. 1712 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock, 323-255-5111.
CASITA DEL CAMPO
Little House of Camp? Why, yes indeedy. It’s pretty typical Mexican, but that’s not why you go. You go because there are fresh fruit margaritas: mango, strawberry, melon, even cucumber. You also go because the happy hour is even sweeter than the margaritas, the salsa is some of the best on the Eastside, and because, well, it’s literally a gay Mexican restaurant. There’s a friggin’ mural of unicorns and rainbows for fuck’s sake, and the waiters are gay in the happy sense. Everything’s so colorful and festive it makes you feel like jumping on that unicorn and screaming, “Wheeeeeeeee!” 1920 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake, 323-662-4255.
CHIBCHA COLOMBIAN
We randomly found this place years ago when we pulled into the mini-mall parking lot to turn our car around or something. We don’t really remember. Anyway, this Colombian joint serves up the tastiest little empanadas, packed to the gills with spiced beef and raisins. You don’t want to miss the lomo saltadas, fried platanos, and arepas. 2619 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, 213-483-8072.
CLIFF’S EDGE
If you happen to be cheating on your girlfriend and she’s out of town and you want to take the other girl out to dinner, go here. There’s a small back patio up against a hill, and it’s dark and private and you won’t have to deal with the “Fuck you” phone call in the morning. Also, it has good food like french fries with gorgonzola sauce and Kobe burgers. 3626 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, 323-666-6116.
ELECTRIC LOTUS
This is the place to go for good, solid Indian food. They don’t pull any punches, the servers are super-friendly, and you always know what you’re getting. The cheese naan is just mmmmm. There’s also a private back room with a low table and cushions to sit on. Definitely not a place to take the parents, since the music gets so loud it could blow out what little hearing they have left. 4656 Franklin Ave., Los Feliz, 323-953-0040.
FOXY’S RESTAURANT
Craving basic, old-school diner food, but you live in Glendale and don’t wanna drive to Pann’s? Go to Foxy’s, a little slice of chalet/ski-lodge heaven. They even light the fireplace when it gets cold enough out, which is practically never. There are always lots of old, regular people eating here, so you know it’s a good diner. T-bone steak ’n’ eggs, fresh cinnamon rolls, and your own personal toaster on your table. 206 W. Colorado St, Glendale, 818-246-0244.
GINGERGRASS
Get here early! If you arrive any time after 7:30 PM, you’re due for a nice long wait along with the rest of the scruffy screenwriter crowd (although you can run to Silverlake Wine across the street and get a screw-cap to chug in a paper bag while you warm the bench outside). Gingergrass is Vietnamese food for American tastes, which means everyone loves it—you can’t argue with the fresh, clean ingredients. Skip the somewhat bland summer rolls and go for the lemongrass-y steamed tilapia (Banana Leaf Fish), spicy, tender filet mignon (Shaking Beef), or a noodle bowl or pho. Wash it down with some ginger limeade or sangria. 2396 Glendale Blvd., Silver Lake, 323-644-1600.
LAMILL COFFEE BOUTIQUE
On Saturday mornings, graphic designers from across the land of Silver Lake put on their best Japanese denim and make their way to Lamill, a high-end coffee shop with a menu from the chef who runs Providence. They order their coffee black, pure, and simple, dripped slowly from the spout of the Clover machine, then settle in for table service and a helping of eggs and chai-spiced duck breast as they put the finishing touches on La Dolce Shitteé and watch the minorities drift by. 1636 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake, 323-663-4441.
LITTLE DOM’S
Remember that 80s gum with the liquid center, Fresh’n Up? You bit into it and all this oozy sweet goodness came squirting out. Well, Little Dom’s rice balls are sort of like that with a surprise center of melted ricotta. They also serve burata caprese salad—if you know your cheese, you know that burata mozzarella is a combination of mozzarella and cream served at room temperature. Breakfast is outstanding; the French-toast soufflé and ricotta blueberry pancakes will weigh you down like an anchor—if that anchor were solid gold and coated in sweet, sweet batter. 2128 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz, 323-661-0055.
PHO CAFÉ
Pho to die for—delicate, tasty, and with perfectly fatty little cuts of pork. The lighting sucks, though, so don’t go here with someone you want to impress. It’s like sitting in an interrogation room. 2841 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, 213-413-0888.
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Red Lion Tavern
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RED LION TAVERN
Primarily known as a drinking spot across from the horrific Cha Cha, the Red Lion Tavern, or gasthaus, actually has a very authentic and tasty German menu. They boast a “European breakfast” and have schnitzel, spaetzle, brats, Jägermeister on tap, and a gigantic beer garden in which to devour all of it. Don’t miss the piano guy downstairs though. 2366 Glendale Blvd., Silver Lake, 323-662-5337.
RESTAURANT ECUATORIANO EL CASERIO
Hey, buddy, what do you feel like for dinner tonight? Italian? Well, fuck you, I want Peruvian. What’s that? We can get both at Ecuatoriano El Caserio? Who DOES that? Fine, fine, I’ll trust you. I’ll get the Ecuadorian ceviche, those fat shrimp with lime juice and onion, and the chicken cooked in beer and tomatoes, and you can have the fettuccine Alfredo. Done and done! 309 N. Virgil Ave., on the border of Silver Lake, 323-664-9266.
CARRIE TUCKER
Taeil, on Dec 2, 2008 wrote:
Honestly, should Los Feliz and Silverlake even count as Eastside anymore? | | Anonymous, on Nov 25, 2008 wrote:
You are all terrible people. | | Anonymous, on Nov 25, 2008 wrote:
ok, so who ever wrote this article:
1.does NOT live in LA
2.does NOT understand LA
3.Is a MORON
4. IS a Coc’ed OUT VICE moron
5. Is a robot
6. Is from Canada
7. Do i need to continue ? | | wondertwinpowers, on Nov 25, 2008 wrote:
Pho is good! Red lion is super fun! Silver lake was better ten years ago without the hipsters! Bring back the leather daddies | | taro, on Nov 24, 2008 wrote:
No, that would involve talking to people. Can’t you tell by my cynical prose that I’m a recluse with pent up animosity?
I just go to restaurants for food.
And I always tip well because only an idiot would think that waiters/waitresses don’t still spit on your food. | | Anonymous, on Nov 24, 2008 wrote:
Wow dude, you sure know where all the "authentic" digs are (windows covered in graffiti? I am already scared just THINKING about that place). Something (your profile picture, condescending tone, and sputtering vitriol at "trends") tells me your the kind of prick who goes into a locals’ restaurant, acts all buddy-buddy with the owner or his wife, then leaves a tiny tip and a huge mess all over your table when you’re done. What you may never have realized is the second you’re out the door, the owner and his wife make eye contact with everybody else in the place while they angrily bus up your shit. | | taro, on Nov 24, 2008 wrote:
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that you’ve listed the most trendy, uninteresting, unaffordable places imaginable.
But that’s cool.
You guys obviously aren’t from here so you don’t know.
Unlike everyone else, I’m not just gonna bitch about it.
Here’s a restaurant guide to some actually good places on the east side:
La Esquinita
N. Sunset west of Beaudry
By far the best mexican food this side of Mexico. Everything here is just fucking amazing. I can’t even think of anything witty. And! They’re waaaaay cheap. Look for the small building with really shitty aztec-ish paintings. You’d think I’m being specific, but considering the area this is horribly vague.
Pizza Buona
Sunset and Alverado
I’m not sure how they’d compare to New York’s italian subs, but in L.A you’d be hard pressed to find better. Their windows are completely covered in graffiti (unless they’ve cleaned them...which I don’t think they have) which I find very comforting and homely.
The pizza is...eh. Not that amazing. Vito’s on Vermont across from LACC used to have the best pizza...but I heard Vito lost the place due to coke addiction. C’est la vie.
Andiamo
Sunset, south of Benton wy.
Yeah...I really don’t feel like looking up the actual addresses. That’s what search engines are for. Anyway, they just opened up. They’re all about being "green" and shit, (surprise, surprise) but their food is pretty fucking good. This is the place to go for pizza.
Oh, and here’s a tip if you’re in L.A. and you need -something- or are looking to go to a -someplace-;
You can find whatever you’re looking on Sunset. Just keep driving. You’ll find it eventually.
India Sweets and Spices
On Los Feliz as you enter Asswater...I mean Atwater.
Fuck yeah. I hope you trendy fucks go here. THIS PLACE has good indian food. I mean, they’re part restaurant, part Indian market. They already have everything they need! I honestly can’t tell how trendy this place is...I don’t think trendsters even know. On the one hand it’s Indian...on the other hand...it’s really Indian. There’s a giant TV in the eating area that’s always playing hardcore like...Indian...technorapbluesrandb...whatever it’s considered.
Anyway. Good food. Cheap. Go.
Pho Cafe
I just want to say, this place IS actually good. I don’t know much about Vietnamese cuisine but I gather that it’s all rather simple. Boiling water with some vegetables. Not a lot of spices...but there doesn’t need to be much. It’s a nice change of pace if you want to go that route. However, this place is so fucking trendy you don’t want to get within five feet of it without full hazmat gear. And you should still check your balls for lumps after you leave.
The Tropical Cafe
Across from ’Pho’. Look for the mass of thousand dollar bikes and v-neck shirts. You can’t miss it.
I’m really shocked. Really, really shocked, that The Tropical wasn’t listed. I mean, it’s so fucking trendy and "urban", self-gratification is actually listed on the Menu. Anyway, to completely throw you off balance, I still love this place. I’ve been going to the tropical since I was in middle school...and their menu hasn’t really changed...nor the quality of their food. I try and hurry my way through, though, as the place is normally inhabited by A.A dregs (both American Apparel and Alcoholics Anonymous. Actually, they’re the same thing now). The coffee is so strong that I’d like to think that when they drink it it’ll give them incentive to relapse. Is that evil of me?
That’s all I care to conjure up right now. So go forth! And ruin my favorite restaurants.
Welcome to L.A. Get the fuck out. | | Anonymous, on Nov 23, 2008 wrote:
Guess what? A guide to a city is never made for said city’s inhabitants. It is made for people who have never been there, and therefore need a GUIDE to where all is good or bad. If you’ve lived in LA for however many years and are suddenly going to change your eating habits on the basis of a tiny magazine made for tourists, that is sad. | | burgerdog, on Nov 23, 2008 wrote:
I guess I’m sad because instead of reading this and going "I gotta find that place!" It reads like Yelp or a Zagat book of places we all already know. | | Anonymous, on Nov 23, 2008 wrote:
There are some great pho places in LA but none of them are outside of the San Gabriel Valley. Gingergrass and Pho Cafe serve watered-down, Americanized versions of Vietnamese food. | | Anonymous, on Nov 22, 2008 wrote:
i mean don’t want to be in glendale, jesus | | Anonymous, on Nov 22, 2008 wrote:
Look the persian and armenian girls are hot but even they want to be in Glendale | | Anonymous, on Nov 22, 2008 wrote:
FAIL! | | Anonymous, on Nov 21, 2008 wrote:
LAME! STAY AWAY! | | Anonymous, on Nov 21, 2008 wrote:
Yeah. This shit sucks. There are hella Thai restaurants everywhere with totally good menus, Vegan Express off of the 101 freeway if you’re with some girl that won’t even eat chicken, Zankou chicken which fucking rocks, decent hangover food like Astro diner, thousands of decent, mildly inexpensive and date-worthy spots like Hurry Curry in Pasadena, decent hipster coffee / california cuisine spots like the Coffee Table and Say Cheese in Silverlake, kick ass Pupusas in off-the-track neighborhoods like Highland Park and Lincoln Heights... I don’t know. Do I really need to do all your HW for you?
This is a pretty lame coverage, reminiscent of some commercial weekly mag like Metromix or LA Weekly.
Poor form. | | Anonymous, on Nov 21, 2008 wrote:
Now my dining experiences will improve and I will be able to impress my new friends. Thanks Vice. | | Anonymous, on Nov 19, 2008 wrote:
I’VE GOT ANGRY OPINIONS ABOUT WHICH RESTAURANTS ARE GOOD! I’M ON THE INTERNET! | | Anonymous, on Nov 19, 2008 wrote:
soo many "must" gems in LA...none mentioned. back to ny vice | | Peels, on Nov 19, 2008 wrote:
Vice...stop coming to Los Angeles | | Anonymous, on Nov 19, 2008 wrote:
seriously, did a 3rd grade intern write this shit?
"They order their coffee black, pure, and simple, dripped slowly from the spout of the Clover machine" - this shit is gay.. please keep to Brooklyn and stay out of our city..
Fuck off,
Carlos
| | Alfie, on Nov 18, 2008 wrote:
Electric Lotus and Gingergrass? Are you shitting me? Could you possibly have more generic tastes? You can find equally authentic asian food in Cleveland. Seriously, LA has some of the best Asian food in the world (I’m talking to you London and Tokyo), and those two shit trend, pasteurized midwest palate dumps are on your "Must" list for the eastside? Fuck you.
So true about Cha Cha, though. | | Anonymous, on Nov 18, 2008 wrote:
I LIKE TO EAT AT JUMBO’S AFTER THEY CLOSE THE PLACE UP | | Anonymous, on Nov 18, 2008 wrote:
good call on the cha cha lounge, which does indeed suck more dicks than five dollar guy. | | Anonymous, on Nov 18, 2008 wrote:
You know how many great bars there are east of the 110 that you never mentioned. There better be a downtown section coming up or you can smell my dick! | | Anonymous, on Nov 18, 2008 wrote:
eastside means eastlos not "east hollywood." i mean if you’re just going to go east down sunset what happened to all the places in little tokyo, chinatown, echo park, downtown, and then over the bridge for the best taco trucks. do you even live in LA?? | | Anonymous, on Nov 18, 2008 wrote:
I love how the east side is nothing south of Sunset | | Anonymous, on Nov 18, 2008 wrote:
another symptom of why it’s becoming nearly impossible to find anything other than a studio with no kitchen for less than 1300 in echo park. fuck off. also, electric lotus? worst indian food ever. | | Anonymous, on Nov 18, 2008 wrote:
haha on "vice is on to glendale comment"...uhaul. | | Anonymous, on Nov 18, 2008 wrote:
the red lion is full of bros and it smells. i go there to take a dump when im drinking at the cha cha so i call it the brown lion. | | Anonymous, on Nov 18, 2008 wrote:
Shit, Vice is on to Glendale now, it’s time to move. | | |
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