Because every Angeleno loves to eat, even if he has to valet, we bring you Table Stakes: a series that answers man’s eternally recurring question (“Uh, what’s new?”), and recurs once every lunar cycle or so. Bon appétit.
Commerson
Miracle Mile
You’re here for: Straight-ahead food, value-driven vino and a great spot to post up for a game.
You’re dining on: The succulent free-range chicken or the cheeseburger. Make sure to ask the sommelier to select a bottle of wine, as he’s got small-plot wines on lock.
788 S. La Brea Ave (map)
Website
The Venue
Koreatown
You’re here for: A very wild night (there’s no such thing as sober karaoke) that includes a meal from a seasoned local chef (STK, BOA).
You’re dining on: Yellowtail crudo followed by a prime rib and a punch bowl full of liquor-laced ice cream.
3470 Wilshire Blvd #B1 (map)
Website
The Mar Vista
Mar Vista
You’re here for: A casual dinner with a group of friends.
You’re dining on: Lots to choose from. Go with the black barley hot pot if you’re thinking vegetarian, a lamb churrasco if you’re thinking something meaty, or a bit of cod and fried oysters if you an in-betweener … the menu alone may require a drool bib.
12249 Venice Blvd. (map)
Website
The Fat Dragon
Silver Lake
You’re here for: Applying a base layer ahead of a night out, take-out or hangover food.
You’re dining on: They use Mary’s Chicken, so the wings, orange chicken and fried bird are all legit. On the lighter side, the orange tofu and the eggplant are also worth an order.
3500 Sunset Blvd. (map)
Website
Wild Living Foods
DTLA
You’re here for: Keeping yourself healthy. You’ll leave feeling pretty damn good.
You’re dining on: You have to be a scientist to make raw vegan food taste this good. Come for the gelato (made with coconut cream) and stay for either the burger or the tuna salad (made out of cashews but tastes strangely like tuna). Also, the jalapeño poppers.
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