La Parrilla, Silver Lake

It took me quite a while to find Mexican food in West LA that I thought was half-way decent. So I was thrilled to find La Parrilla a few years ago, not least for the homemade guacamole that, if you're lucky, will be made on a cart right at your table. If not, it's still made to order and pairs well with the fresh tortillas and grilled meats that are the restaurant's specialty. On my most recent visit it was scorching hot outside so something light was in order. Buddy and I dug our chips into a big bowl of the fresh guac and I ordered some fish ceviche. Turns out they were out of the fish on this day so I opted for the shrimp ceviche instead. The waiter returned with an enormous dish of diced shrimp mixed with fresh tomato and onion served on a bed of shredded lettuce. Fresh leaves of lettuce were sticking up from the platter providing a green backdrop to the ceviche and crisp tostadas that sat at the side. I've had the fish ceviche at La Parrilla before and think I prefer it to the shrimp variety. But it was light and not a bad snack at all on a languid afternoon, especially when piled on a tostada with some of the piquant fresh pico de gallo and guacamole.

Buddy had the shrimp fajitas which he seemed to enjoy. Even though it was mid-afternoon, the mariachi with the Elvis-style pompadour was already working the room with his sidekick. For $6 the duo sang a rousing version of the classic "El Rey" and it was worth the money just to see Buddy fidget uncomfortably while they serenaded us. Our bowl of guacamole now empty, we stumbled back out into the blinding light of day and the cars whizzing by on Sunset fully satisfied with our meal.

La Parrilla
3129 W Sunset Blvd (Silver Lake Blvd)
323 661-8055

Chosun Galbee, Koreatown

I've been searching for a new restaurant to try in Koreatown and had read several posts about this one on Chowhound so this seemed like a good night to try it. Greg and Sara had never had the Korean and there isn't much of it in Austin so they were game. We had one order each of Bulgoki and Tiger Shrimp for the grill as well as the cold spicy Bibim NengMyun noodles and Galbee Dolsot Bibimbob, the rice and vegetable dish cooked in a sizzling hot stone bowl until the rice is crispy. All of the food including the kimchee and assorted other pickled vegetables (bean sprouts, zuchini, julienned Japanese radish, etc.) they brought out were fantastic and we also were thrilled to each be served a green salad with a tasty light dressing at the start of our meal. Greg and I shared a giant Hite lager. We grilled up the bulgoki and the shrimp and ate them wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves and topped with the firey orange paste which I wish I knew the name of. We all agreed this was one of the best meals of the weekend and a great introduction to Korean food. My favorites were the bulgoki and the bibimbob. I might try another noodle dish next time since the NengMyun tasted so similar to the kimchee but it was all so good and the bill very reasonable at around $30 per person. Service was also excellent except for the surly host with earpiece who balked when when we asked for a better table. 'What do you mean by a better table?" he asked. "One that's not in the back corner of the restaurant next to the kitchen door and server station perhaps?" I replied. He found us a booth in the middle of restaurant which was perfect.

Chosun Galbee
3330 W. Olympic Blvd
(323)734-3330

Ciudad, Downtown

By the time we made it from Malibu down to Venice for a walkabout through the canals and along the boardwalk and then all the way back to my house, it was already getting late. The original plan was to head to MOCA for a late-night viewing of the Rauschenburg exhibit but eating dinner was agreed to be the first order of business. Ciudad seemed a good choice as I hadn't eaten there in a few years but figured it would be a hopping spot what with all the people downtown for the MOCA and Kinky/Sidestepper show. It was indeed hopping and we were lucky enough to snag a seat on the outdoor patio with a view of the lights of the neighboring skyscrapers all around. We started with the "Chicarones" Nachos which were a special. We had a hard time getting out of our drink-server whether or not the nachos were actually chicharones (fried pig intestines) but then learned that they were in fact a facsimile made of flour so we ordered them. They were definitely interesting and a pretty amazing technical feat--a hollow puffy chip with the same heft and crunch of traditional fried pig guts--but we would have settled for some corn chips. Not only would corn tortilla chips have been easier to eat, but they would have been more flavorful than the flour "chicarones" too. Pomegranate margaritas were a hit as were our entrees. I had a special of Copper River Salmon served on a bed of minty barley and topped with a tomato jam. Copper River salmon is my favorite and I look forward to eating it whenever possible this time every year. This preparation was delicious though perhaps a bit salty. I'd love to figure out how they made that barley though. Greg and Sara both ordered the Stuffed Tomato and Chile Relleno which they managed to polish off with no trouble. For dessert we shared a piece of chocolate cake. We lingered over coffee till we were the last ones in the restaurant and never did make it to MOCA.

Ciudad
445 S. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles
(213) 486-5171

Malibu Seafood, Malibu

We set out for Malibu on Saturday around 11:30 and made great time heading out the 101 and over the brilliant Kanan Dune Rd with amazing views of the Pacific as we sped down towards PCH. We wanted to eat before hitting the beach and I knew Greg would love Malibu Seafood so we parked across the street and dodged traffic as we ran across the street to wait in line. I ordered the Seafood Combo which is a fried basket of the greatest hits: fish, scallops, oysters, shrimp and fries. All were excellent but I thought the best was the fish which was perfectly moist and flakey. Sara had a fried fish and a fish taco which she loved; Greg had the fried shrimp which he also loved. We had a nice view of the Pacific from our covered picnic table on one of the lower dining patios. I hope to make it out to the 'bu again soon and next time I'm ordering the two-piece fish basket and calling it a day. Oh, the beach was amazing too and I even got in the water for the first time this year. Lovely afternoon.

25653 Pacific Coast Hwy
(one and a half miles north of Pepperdine U.)
310 456 3430