Eat.Drink.Travel: The Los Angeles Hit List
FOLLY: Whenever EDL travels, exploring the cuisine of the new city is definitely a highlight. We've been thinking, for a while, about how best to curate this for our Lagos-focused blog and the idea of the Hit List was born.
NOSA: Each time EDL visits a new city, we'll try out as many spots as possible to create a Hit List for that city so that if you ever found yourself in that city, you'll have a few of our recommendations to start things off with. It's basically a one-post summary of what's hot in the city.
FOLLY: You're welcome.
NOSA: We'll still have the dedicated review posts for really special spots.
FOLLY: Our first Hit List is for Los Angeles. It was very interesting to visit LA in the weeks following the sad and untimely passing of Jonathan Gold - the LA Times' prolific and Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic. If we'd stayed a few days longer I'd probably have liked to attend the event organized to honor him held at Grand Park. It was a unique memorial in that a number of food trucks were parked around his favorite spots to grab lunch while selected speakers delivered remembrances - how fitting. While we couldn't hit up all of Gold's faves we made sure to have a fave of his, Korean fried chicken, at the very least
The Gangjung
Our Order
Original and Hot & Spicy Gangjung, Rice Cake, Sweet Potato, Shack Shack Fries.
Verdict
Two thumbs up. Although after a few bites, the Original Gangjung was sickeningly sweet. The Hot & Spicy is lovely, however.
Price Range
$$
Eggslut
Our Order
Bacon, Egg & Cheese and the Fairfax
Verdict
You should definitely add bacon to the Fairfax as without it the sandwich is completely homogeneous and it could definitely do with some texture. The Bacon, Egg, & Cheese is safer and if you like your eggs runny, it's the one.
Damage
$
In-N-Out
Our Order
Cheeseburger Single, Cheeseburger Double, and Animal Style Fries.
Verdict
We prefer Five Guys and so should you. Largely overrated, but you should try it once because it's the tourist thing to do. The locals love In and Out and rightfully so. We would never accept when Ghanaians say their Jollof is better and neither should they.
PS: Animal Style Fries are a heart attack waiting to happen.
Damage
$
SOCA
Our Order
Korean Beef Dumplings, Lobster & King Crab Bites, Colossal Tiger Shrimp, Ocean Trout, Peruvian Carne Asada, and 32 oz Prime Tomahawk
Verdict
The gin bar here puts the very best cocktails in Lagos to shame. The gin cocktails are named by numbers alone and the Number 28 was by certainly Folly's favorite. For the food, the dumplings and the shrimp were a favorites, but the mash that came with the carne asada was particularly lovely.
Damage
$$$
Rose Cafe
Our Order
Breakfast Burrito and Avocado & Egg Toast
Verdict
Absolutely perfect for brunch. You absolutely MUST do this one. Mimosas in the outdoor area are the ultimate mood. Rose Cafe is also prime for celeb spotting - if that's your thing.
Damage
$$
Salt & Straw
Our Order
Almond Brittle with Salted Caramel Ganache
Review
There was an avocado flavor and another with black olives, but we ordered the Almond Brittle with Salted Caramel Ganache. The Nigerian definitely jumped out. Still, it's very very worth it.
Damage
$