Best bars in Los Angeles

[Duvel]

thanks for your replies.

i'll check them out on the interwebs...

[PlayaDelWes]

Duvel you going to the game on the 9th?

[spiggums]

It's a bit far too walk, imo. But yes it is a cool place. Upstairs from Mas Malo on 7th.

For places within walking distance of Staples, I like Cork Bar fine. Spent plenty of money there that's for sure! They have small but decent beer selection, lots of CA wine and a good burger. My fave hang before a Kings game

http://www.corkbar.com/

After last week's pub crawl with Drinkey, I am down with Villain's Tavern as one of the coolest haunts to drink at in LA. The drinks there are really good and it has a unique and laid back atmosphere (although supposed to get pretty jam packed at night with live bands). Not within walking distance of Staples but whatever. Awesome place

http://www.villainstavern.com/Home/VT.html

It's like five blocks. I used to live a block away from Seven Grand and walked down to the Staples Center/LA Live on many occasions. It's only too far to walk if you're incredibly lazy!

But yeah... Seven Grand is great... Their whiskey society meetings can be pretty amazing too!

[Duvel]

Duvel you going to the game on the 9th?

I think it's the 16th but I've got to check tickets.

You going??

[Duvel]

Next question.

Anybody been to Boardners on a Monday night. The 80's night, Blue Monday?

Any good?

Worth incorporating a visit (remember we're staying in Santa Monica / Venice Beach area)?

[TallGuyCM]

So I ate at Bestia before going to Disney Hall tonight. Holy shit. Incredible, incredible meal. I got there right at 6 and was able to sit at the bar, no problem.

I got the Young Broccoli to start, which was amazing. Roasted to perfection. For the main course I got the Cavatelli alla Norcina, which was heavily recommended to me by ThomThom. It was fucking FANTASTIC.

He had also said to get the "coffee and donuts" for dessert, but I was told they wouldn't be able to make it for a half hour so I opted for the Chocolate Budino Tart. Which was, predictably by this point, absolutely delectable.

One of the all-time great meals I've had.

[PlayaDelWes]

El Tapatio - 22806 Victory Blvd, Woodland Hills

This place wins! Others may be as good, but none are better. Today was my first visit and I tried the al pastor taco, carne asada taco, and a bean and cheese burrito. I rate them all a 10. I also rate the salsa verde and the salsa roja a 10.

If you want the best burrito in LA, go to El Taurino.

Today I finally took you up on the El Taurino challenge Mr. Mills. It was a worthy recommendation and certainly in that upper echellon of taquerias we all crave. Using El Tapatio #2 as my benchmark, I put the Asada and Al Pastor tacos and Bean and Cheese burrito up for the test. But like any true prize fight, a true contender must lose with 9s and not 10s. In all categories, El Tapatio came out on top.

The tender mushy feel of the al pastor was probably the second best al pastor I've had, but it didn't compare to the tender, yet slightly carmelized pork El Tapitio serves up with a hint of el carbon crunch. The carne asada was a push. The plate to get looked like the on the bone Asada plate with Onions and the works. (Maybe next time). At $3.25, the bean and cheese burrito did not live up to expectations. At twice the price of El Tapitio, it was small, loose, and sloppy with uninteresting beans.

For a Hoover location, I was surprised the meal cost several dollars more than I expected. They also nickel and dime you on everything from salsa to limes to napkins. Half the walls were plastered with 'extras' signs. Free chips, salsa bar, fresh poco de gallo and quicker friendlier service are the icing on El Tapatio's cake. Not so at El Taurino and that's why I'm giving them, an A- instead of an A vs. El Tapatio's A+

[bmack86]

El Taurino is definitely tasty, but they take SO long, their nachos are made with crappy cheese sauce and they don't give you enough food for what you pay. I lived within walking distance for four years and would regularly drive a little bit extra to go to King Taco instead. I prefer their beans, and they really have a lock on a good lengua burrito.

[Spooks]

Has anyone tried tacos at one of these places listed here? Any recommendations when I go back to LA for FYF?

http://firstwefeast.com/eat/10-essential-l-a-tacos/

[spiggums]

Has anyone tried tacos at one of these places listed here? Any recommendations when I go back to LA for FYF?

http://firstwefeast.com/eat/10-essential-l-a-tacos/

Can't say anything about the rest of the list, but Guisado's is a must.

[bmack86]

Has anyone tried tacos at one of these places listed here? Any recommendations when I go back to LA for FYF?

http://firstwefeast.com/eat/10-essential-l-a-tacos/

That list is particularly useful for FYF because most of the shops are located fairly close to the festival. Guisados makes the best tacos in LA in my book (although, yeah, Ricky's does the best fish taco by far.) El Parian is a classic taco shop with huge, flavorful creations, and it's always a blast to go there and get transported to a sleepy shop in Mexico for an hour. They recommend the birria, but all three tacos they serve are fantastic. I'd also highly recommend Cactus Taco for their slow-cooked Al Pastor. On a good day it's super crispy, flavorful and just a bit sweet. Also, if you go to the one on Vine, you can hit Amoeba beforehand and then eat at the shop, which has one of the best and most incorrect murals depicting LA that you'll ever see.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

Wow, I am shocked that I have eaten at none of those places! They all look divine. Cactus is fucking amazing though - I have had many late night post-bar jaunts there.

[bmack86]

Jonathan Gold can probably sell you on El Parian at least as well as I can. I've been going there for years. Nothing ever changes, and that's a great thing. There's a parking lot behind the restaurant too, which is fantastic.

[Spooks]

Thank you everyone for their input! I guess I'll check out Guisados and Cactus Taco next time I'm in LA Since we're talking about food, I'm assuming these places make pretty damn good burritos as well?

[bmack86]

Guisados doesn't make burritos, and usually you'd go to a different place if you're looking for a burrito instead of a taco. Cactus does have decent burritos though. Despite my comments in here, I am a fan of the burritos at El Taurino. I also think King Taco does some pretty great burritos. El Tepeyac is the legend in LA for burritos though, but that'd put you in a food coma for a few days.

[SepaGroove]

El Tepeyac is my favorite place for Mexican food in LA.

Like you said, the burritos are ridiculous.

[Spooks]

Guisados doesn't make burritos, and usually you'd go to a different place if you're looking for a burrito instead of a taco. Cactus does have decent burritos though. Despite my comments in here, I am a fan of the burritos at El Taurino. I also think King Taco does some pretty great burritos. El Tepeyac is the legend in LA for burritos though, but that'd put you in a food coma for a few days.

Ok just made a note to myself. I'll try the burritos there! Thanks again

[bmack86]

There was a good 2-3 years when myself and my roommates would take weekly trips all around LA trying random mexican restaurants and taco trucks. We found so much great food.