» Neal Fraser: Chef Owner, BLD & Grace

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Neal Fraser: Chef Owner, BLD & Grace

The "YES LIST" Of Local Restaurants, By A Pro Who is Most Definitely In The Know

ELAINE SAYS: Most everyone knows and loves at least one of Neal Fraser's restaurants. When he agreed to be a lister, I couldn't help but ask for some of HIS favorite meals in LA. Special bonus....Neal's Fave Dessert: The cherries baked in the wood burning oven at Mozza. He described them as, "Amazing...Smokey but subtle. A real interesting flavor". For me, I'll take a plate of those delicious, Grace donuts!

Posted on June 28th, 2011

Eat/Drink + Celebrate

MID CITY

Hirozen Gourmet Sushi, Beverly Boulevard VISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: 8385 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles [Beverly Blvd] I go as often as I can to my local Sushi Bar. They have a selection of fish that most sushi bars don’t. I think that is why I love this place so much. Tasmanian Salmon, East Coast Bass, Sea Bream, a great Thai style fish soup and an amazing kabocha squash pudding served in the skin.
Gen Wa Korean BBQ, Korea Town VISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: 5115 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles [Mid Wilshire] By far my favorite Korean BBQ Restaurant. It is close to my house and it is as good or better than any of the places in Korea Town. The Bibimbap and the Prime Galbi are what we usually get. It is amazing. Always.
Papa Cristos, Crenshaw VIEW WEBSITE | LOCATION: 2771 West Pico Boulevard [South LA/at Western] Best Greek food. I love it. I usually get the same thing – a Gyro. The place is amazing. The only drawback is that they are closed on Mondays.
Loteria, Farmers Market VISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: 6333 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles [Farmer's Market] I eat there at least 4 times a month. Huevos con Chorizo. Or, if you are really hungry and only want to eat once that day, Chiliquilles with mole, and carnitas. Truly one of the great dishes of Los Angeles....and only 2000 Calories!
Yai Thai, Hollywood LOCATION: 5757 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles [Hollywood] Yai Thai in Hollywood: Still my favorite. The duck with chili and garlic is the dish I love. I start salivating 4 blocks away.
Tender Greens, Hollywood (or Anywhere) VIEW WEBSITE | LOCATION: 6290 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood [Arclight] Dark Meat Chicken Sandwich with Ceasar salad. I have had it a hundred times. It’s always satisfying and for $10.50 you can’t beat it. Great product as well.

DOWNTOWN

Spice Table, Downtown VIEW WEBSITE | LOCATION: 114 Central, Los Angeles [Little Tokyo] A little spicy. Amazing flavors. I love the wood burning grill behind the bar. The lamb belly skewers are sublime. Fantastic Banh Mi at lunch.
Chin Ma Ya, Little Tokyo VIEW WEBSITE | LOCATION: 123 Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Street #202, Los Angeles [Little Tokyo] Noodles, spicy with ground beef and spinach. Really good. I need not say more.
Hama Sushi, Little Tokyo LOCATION: 347 East 2nd Street, Los Angeles [Little Tokyo] Always really good and not too expensive. They only serve sushi and sashimi and only at a sushi bar. We go there for lunch. Their fish is great. Ankimo and Albacore Sashimi are my favorite dishes.

WEST SIDE

Melisse Restaurant, Santa Monica VIEW WEBSITE | LOCATION: 1104 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica Although Josiah Citrin is a good friend, not all of my good friends are as good a cook as he is. I am always impressed with the food at Melisse. There are always one or two new things on the menu that I can never quite figure out how he’s made them and why they are so good.
Sotto, West LA VIEW WEBSITE | LOCATION: 9575 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles [West LA] Some of the best southern Italian cooking in America. Don't miss the 1st bite - fresh baked bread from their wood burning oven covered with shipped lardo. I could just eat that. The pizzas are amazing as are their pastas and everything else.
Asahi Ramen,West LA VIEW WEBSITE | LOCATION: 2027 Sawtelle Boulevard, Los Angeles Asahi Ramen is still one of the best ramen places. Mabo Ramen with ground pork, spices. Amazing. I get hungry just thinking about it.