I generally keep a mental list of restaurants I want to try but thought it’d be fun to post about these potential new favorites. And if you have suggestions, I’ll consider them! I am mostly concentrating on places that have been around forever but I have never been. I also want to explore more Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, Middle Eastern, South American and Latin restaurants. It is fortunate I live in a city where there is a high concentration of these cuisines.
I also am planning a Minty-approved guide to LA’s Chinatown. This project is going to take a bit of time but it’ll be delicious.
In no particular order…
Bazaar at the SLS- yes, I know…you don’t have to say it
Urasawa- LA’s best sushi?
Nozawa- the other LA’s best sushi?
Totoraku- Secret beef restaurant
Mastro’s – never been, is it really a great steakhouse?
CUT- should do a proper comparison, no?
n/naka- I have been waiting for a kaiseki restaurant forever!
La Cevicheria- blood clams
Guisados – tacos!
Lawry’s Prime Rib- as a native Angeleno, I’m slightly ashamed I’ve never been
Ciro’s- another LA must do
Park’s BBQ – heard this was the best KBBQ
SooWon Galbi - okay, heard THIS was the best KBBQ
Kobawoo House – pork
Legendary Ramen Festival at Mitsuwa
KTCHN 105 (been for pig butchering but not for restaurant)
Cru (Vegan)
Cinnamon Vegetarian (veg Mexi food?)
Wako- for tonkatsu
List to be revised, surely!
January 4, 2012 at 5:41 PM
Would you like to set up an organic tequila tasting with the maker?
January 4, 2012 at 5:46 PM
big thumbs up on stella rossa – and i’m going to sage tomorrow night!
January 5, 2012 at 10:28 AM
Let me know what you think of Sage. Been hearing such great things!
January 4, 2012 at 5:54 PM
Mercato di Vetro just barely squeaked into my best meals of 2011 list (because I ate there December 13th). Would love to go back. Not a bad dish was had.
January 5, 2012 at 10:28 AM
I heard from so many people they enjoyed Mercato so I added it to my list! I still want to do Bazaar with you as well as Mercato.
January 4, 2012 at 6:07 PM
Sherbourne on 3rd for the mashed potato cart. Just sounds like fun.
January 5, 2012 at 10:29 AM
Oooh, never heard of that…will have to check it out!
January 4, 2012 at 10:13 PM
I’m in for the Artisan Cheese Gallery. Add Son of a Gun to your list. And Red O. Then don’t forget to invite me to all three! PS: Bazaar is amazing. Worth every f*cking penny.
January 5, 2012 at 10:29 AM
I’ve been to Son of a Gun but will go back. Have you gone to Animal? I like them just a tad more but SoaG has cocktails!
Ah…Red O. It’s not on my official list but I should check it out…eventually.
January 5, 2012 at 11:16 AM
Ooo. Thanks for the list! Being new to LA, I love coming across these handy lists of places to try. Park’s BBQ really was amazing. I’ve had kalbi all over the country and globe and this was my favorite. Although I haven’t tried SooWon or Chosun yet. I didn’t love Cook’s County, but it wasn’t bad.
On my super short list of places I want to try Don dae Gam, Mo-Chica, Langer’s, Son of a Gun (just went to Animal and it lived up to the hype), and Church & State. Also looking for the best Korean-Chinese place (i.e. jja jang myun). I’ve heard Dragon?
Cheers to lots of yummy feasting in 2012!
January 5, 2012 at 12:19 PM
Welcome to LA! It’s a great place for culinary treats! Good to know about Park’s BBQ. To be fair, I’ve have had their food and SooWoon at the first KBBQ Cookoff years ago but it’s not the same as going to the restaurant. I definitely want to try Don Dae Gam at some point.
Ah, you are the first I’ve heard that didn’t love Cook’s County. Hm!
You’ll love Mo-Chica, Langer’s (may do a super short post about it though I’ve written about them before). I am slightly curious about Church & State under the new chef but not curious enough to rush over any time soon. I went when it was headed by Walter Manzke and wasn’t that impressed.
I will check around for best Korean-Chinese places for you. I heard Dragon is not the best. Midtown Lunch may know.
January 5, 2012 at 12:12 PM
Approve of this list. I’ve been to Kiyokawa – my first tasting menu! Loved it.
I want to go to Bazaar – half for the food, half to shameless ogle Joshua Whigham ’cause he’s so magically hot.
Would love to also try Urusawa and those Korean BBQs & Lawry’s.
Can’t wait for more Minty posts in 2012!
January 5, 2012 at 12:20 PM
Hot chefs…can’t say no to that!
Urusawa has been on my list since I think I started eating sushi. Gotta save for that meal. But I keep going out to eat at other places!
I really need to go to Lawry’s. It’s like WHY haven’t I gone before? I’m not expecting it to be spectacular but I want to know why it lasted this long.
January 24, 2012 at 3:59 PM
Guisados IS AWESOME!!! I get the sampler because its too hard to choose from all the great options
Dinos is also great and it’s been sooooo long since I’ve had some, I just learned by clicking on the link that there are several locations… I had NO idea, so thanks
January 30, 2012 at 7:42 PM
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February 16, 2012 at 9:50 AM
La Cevicheria and Guisados are both out of this world… you will love them!! I agree you must get the sampler platter at Guisados and I think you may get a special something if you check in on Foursquare!!
February 17, 2012 at 1:31 PM
I will def have to check ‘em out soon! Thank you!