Highland Park
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Highland Park/Hermon: They’re Only Monterey Donuts, but I Like Them
Jan 30 2012
A decent donut is a fairly easy find, but a stellar one? That can be an enigma unless you’re willing to drive to Inglewood or Glendora, which is quite a commitment to quench one little donut craving.
It’s not like there’s a shortage of donut shops on this side of town. They’re as ubiquitous in this corner as any other in Los Angeles—just pull into any strip mall, and you can probably emerge with a bearclaw or cruller in seconds. No sweat.
But, let’s be honest: it will most likely be just so-so, all kinds of ho-hum, a little waxy, on the dry side, too dense, or just plain eh.
You deserve better.
That’s why I’m letting you in on the best kept donut secret in Highland Park/Hermon (it’s right on the cusp, so I’m not sure which neighborhood it’s actually in). If you passed by it, you wouldn’t even give it a second glance. There’s no gigantic, beacon-like donut sign to reel you in, no buzz to spark your curiosity….nothing.
Wet Burrito Diaries: El Huarache Azteca in Highland Park
Jan 10 2012
I’ve had a three prevalent/overwhelming cravings throughout my pregnancy: peanut butter, shredded wheat cereal and wet burritos. Of the food-obsessed trinity, the wet burrito urge is my favorite as it plays right into my blogging schemes, allowing me to “research” various versions around town. My latest and greatest discovery is the adobada burrito at Highland Park’s El Huarache Azteca Restaurante.
El Huarache is one of the most prized restaurants on York Boulevard—it’s always packed, and it’s hard to find many who will deny its superiority. As the name implies, they’re most famous for their huarache, an oblong-shaped slab of fried masa covered with cojita cheese, meat (avocado in this case because we ordered it veggie), crema, lettuce and onions. And, yes, their huaraches are good, but to me, their adobada burrito shines even brighter.
Highland Park: Maximiliano Brings “Kinda Old School Italian” to York Blvd.
Nov 14 2011
If you revile “the hipster”, don’t worry. You aren’t doomed to confront swarms of them at Maximiliano. Even though Highland Park’s new Italian restaurant, with its modern decor and valet stand, sits a little conspicuously on the 99-Cent-Store end of York Boulevard, it still manages to attract a mixed-bag crowd and not look (or feel) ridiculous.
Attribute that to the fact that owner Andre Guerrero, also responsible for The Oinkster in Eagle Rock, isn’t some carpetbagger restaurateur—he grew up in Glassell Park and seems to have nothing but love and keen understanding for LA’s northeast corner. Consequently, Maximiliano, from menu to waiter, brims with authenticity.
The tagline for the menu at Maximiliano is “kinda old school Italian”. Translation: Guerrero is doing here what he’s known to do best, which is take accessible (Italian-American, in this case) favorites and give them upgraded oomph. For instance, the Meatballs Pomodoro starter looks like your basic meatballs in red sauce, but these are made with a mix of veal, beef, pork and pancetta for juicy, fork-slides-through-like-butter results.
This extra effort also comes to play with the pasta. According to our waiter, all but one of the pastas is made in house, which was evident with the spaghetti and mussels special we tried. Cooked al dente, the spaghetti was able to stand up to spicy chorizo and a smoky tomato broth that we made sure to soak up with our pizza crust.
Highland Park: Galcos Introduces White Rose Cream Soda
Aug 09 2011
If you remember, a while back I encouraged you all to attend the Soda Pop Tasting at Galco’s to support the Friends of the Southwest Museum. At the event, which was attended by about 600 people and super fun, Galco’s owner John Nese unveiled White Rose, a new cream soda bottled especially for the Highland Park “Soda Pop Stop.”
White Rose is a limited edition release (2,500) and the first to come in the “Highland Park’s Own” line, which plans to release it’s next flavor in 2012. Clad in a re-created vintage label, the cream soda pays homage to the history of Highland Park—The White Rose Springs Water Company and White Rose Soda were bottled on Figueroa Street until the late 1960s.
Save the Date: Soda Pop Tasting at Galco’s
Jun 08 2011
Summmmertime.
It’s sort of here, but just like last year, it’s proving to be mild. In my heat-hating mind that’s a good thing, but I know all you summer lovers get disappointed by this sweater weather. But I offer you a reprieve— here’s something fun, summer-y and community-boosting for you to do in July.
Galco’s, Highland Park’s soda pop mecca, is hosting a Summer Soda Tasting event with Galco’s owner John Nese. According to The Eastsider, you’ll be tasting new products and flavors from Hanks, Fentimans, Bundaberg, Waialua Soda Works and Red Ribbon.
Proceeds from this event go to benefit The Friends of the Southwest Museum, a very dedicated community group with a mission to save the Southwest Museum, which has been more or less closed to the public for a couple of years. Plus, it’s a good excuse to take your friends to Galco’s if they’ve never been. The old-timey candy and shelves and shelves of soda are pretty fun to behold.
You can buy your $12 ticket online through Paypal with this link.
-Valentina
Highland Park:Tuesday Night Food Truck Feast at Din Din A Go Go
Mar 28 2011
There’s something going on in the 99 Cents Store parking lot in Highland Park. And it involves food. Every Tuesday night from 5:30 to 9, Figueroa Produce hosts Din Din A Go Go, billed as a “weekly food truck feast” with vegan-friendly options. A little more than a month old, the event has become an event, attracting a wide variety of local Highland Park residents—young folks, old folks, hipsters, families and more than a few dog owners.
I made my way over last Tuesday and, after finagling a parking space, I found a good selection of quality food trucks, including Ahn-Joo, the popular Korean snack bar on wheels, Lomo Arigato, serving Peruvian-Japanese fusion, The Dim Sum Truck and the Filipino Tapa Boy. Also present was a really friendly vibe aided by the most popular conversation starter of the night: “where’d you get that?”
First Look: Schodorf’s Luncheonette Opens in Highland Park
Feb 11 2011 “Every time I want a sandwich, I have to drive to Eagle Rock.” That’s a common chorus for many Highland Park and Mt. Washington residents. And while it’s not entirely accurate—they actually make great custom sandwiches at the deli counter at Figueroa Produce—there aren’t too many alluring options. Unless you like Subway.
Café de Leche owners Matthew and Anya Schodorf have heeded the call with their new York Blvd. lunch spot Schodorf’s Luncheonette. Rather ecstatically, I joined the steady stream of customers taking advantage of Schodorf’s soft opening this week. Without signage, the dinky blue store front is easy to miss, but after one visit, I can tell you it’s definitely worth finding.
Highland Park: A Pork Confit. A Change of Heart.
Feb 03 2011
I always really wanted to like Good Girl Dinette. The look of the Vietnamese diner, complete with its red formica counter, is perfection. The location is everything I could ask for. The ingredients are seasonal, local and sustainable. The staff is friendly. Really, what’s not to love?
Well, for me, the food. I tried GGD on three separate occasions, but I just wasn’t feeling it. It’s not that I hated any of the dishes, but for the longest time, I really didn’t get why so many people (whose food tastes I trust) were going bonkers for this place. And yes, I even tried the chicken pot pie.
I’m happy to announce that I’ve had a change of heart.
Highland Park: Good Goat from Tacos El Pariente
Dec 17 2010My father despises birria de chivo (roasted goat meat). He won’t even consider taking a bite. “It’s too gamey,” he says with a look of disgust any time he’s confronted with the offending meat. He can’t tolerate the texture or the taste.
He always made it sound so god awful that I didn’t try it for years and years and years. When I finally did, I was surprised at how much I actually liked it. Turns out, gamey meat is my thing, and when you add a tortilla, sparks fly. I do understand the aversion, though. No matter how goat is prepared, it can be a tough-to-acquire taste and as harsh as liver to some people. However, it should be noted that my dad enjoys liver.
With a tall glass of milk no less.
Highland Park: Cinnamon’s Hopelessly Addictive Vegan Pies
Aug 27 2010
In a neighborhood known for its meat-centric cuisine, Highland Park’s Cinnamon definitely stands out. The vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurant offers a large menu of Mexican favorites, including their much-celebrated “chicken” mole, burritos, pozole, sopes and homemade tamales. They also serve a bevy of salads, sandwiches and even a “shrimp” cocktail—all soy-, wheat-, or vegetable-based and completely meat free.
I’ve been a fan of this friendly little place for a while, and more often than is respectable, I find myself craving their delicious vegan pies. On my first visit, they gave me a sliver each of all four flavors: blueberry, keylime, chocolate and pumpkin. They knew what they were doing because ever since, I’ve been hopelessly addicted to these unbelievably creamy desserts.
Made in-house daily by Cinnamon’s chef Esperanza Cano (she runs the restaurant with her brother), these impeccable pies are sweet, but not too sweet, with a crumbly crust. The flavors are so authentic, without a hint of artificial flavor that plagues so many of even the most famous pies in town. I recommend taking a friend and sharing a slice of the rich, chocolate pie along with any of the others because the contrast is pretty spectacular.
All pies are $3.50 a slice or $25-30 for an entire pie (order a day in advance). A little pricey, but so worth it.
-Valentina
Cinnamon
5511 N. Figueroa St
Los Angeles
