The Dining Guide to Far East Plaza in Chinatown

Built in 1976, the Far East Plaza food mall in Chinatown has become iconic for its mix of old school and new, creating a buzz among L.A.’s foodie crowd since local chef Roy Choi relocated his first brick-and-mortar there in 2013.

Since then, this unassuming two-story space has become a top L.A. culinary destination. Visitors come for authentic regional Asian bites, restaurant-hop for a taste of everything, or hunker down in line with coffee and ice cream, waiting for service at a trendy pop-up. Communal tables arranged between stands selling knick-knacks serve the many fast-casual options along the corridor. Positioned in the heart of Chinatown, the plaza is worth checking out whether you’re a fan of traditional Asian street food or seeking out the next big food thing. And for pro and amateur chefs alike, Now Serving is a hybrid cookbook store and pop-up space that opened in January 2017.

Parking is easily found at surrounding paid lots; street parking is also available, but hard to come by with busy weekend crowds.

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The Ultimate Guide to Breakfast in the Valley: Part One

The San Fernando Valley is one of the largest regions in L.A. County. So naturally, it deserves an epic dining guide to breakfast. If you have a morning meet-up in the Valley, the age-old question is “where should we meet”? Well, look no further. From classic diners to modern eateries, discover dozens of restaurants that serve the most important meal of the day!

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Ventura Boulevard Dining Guide: Studio City to Woodland Hills

Ventura Boulevard from Studio City to Woodland Hills runs about 13 miles—and in that space sits hundreds of restaurants—among them mom n’ pops, a plethora of ethnic cuisines, casual and fast food chains, gastropubs, and finer dining restaurants. The rundown here is by no means exhaustive, but rather a hit list of some of the best, and historically significant, on the boulevard for any dining occasion.

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Discover the New Wave of Modern Middle Eastern Restaurants In Los Angeles

Middle Eastern cuisine has recently expanded from "mom and pops" and into James Beard Award-winning mainstream restaurants. Hummus and pita were the first crossovers to appear on menus at large chains; kabobs and falafels are becoming as familiar as spaghetti and meatballs; and a popular Middle Eastern breakfast dish, shakshuka - eggs baked in a spicy tomato/pepper sauce - now appears on menus alongside pancakes and French toast.

Spices such as sumac, za’atar, dukkah and harissa are now listed in menus. Other notable ingredients include freekah, an ancient whole-wheat grain poised to be the new quinoa; labneh (yogurt cheese) is featured as a topping, creamy mix-in, or dessert base; and pomegranates are used for its seeds and molasses.

Middle Eastern restaurants have been part of the Los Angeles dining scene for decades. Some of the best eateries in L.A. are located in mini malls and owned by families from Israel, Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey, Armenia, Morocco, Greece, Iran and other countries in the eastern Mediterranean. Meet the chefs and learn about the restaurants at the forefront of the new wave of modern Middle Eastern cuisine in Los Angeles.

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