Every Friday, our editors compile a trusty list of recommendations to answer the most pressing of questions: “Where should I eat?“ Here are four places to check out this weekend in Los Angeles. And if you need some ideas on where to drink, here’s our list of the hottest places to get cocktails in town.
For a modern Filipino meal good enough for the parents: Manila Inasal in Silver Lake
A spread from Manila Inasal. Matthew Kang
When it comes to finding a modern Filipino restaurant, it can be difficult to please older generations who are typically more attuned to home cooking or “the way mom made it.” Filipino cuisine has made inroads in Los Angeles in recent years with Lasita, Kuya Lord, the now-closed Ma’am Sir, and Big Boi, but this newish restaurant in Silver Lake was the first one that took me straight back to Manila. The wide, grill-centric menu reminds me a lot of Manam, a chain of comfort food restaurants with prime placements in Metro Manila malls that manages to balance classic preparations with nice presentation. Manila Inasal in Silver Lake nails this aesthetic with a bright, ample-sized dining room where Christmas decorations exist year-round. There’s a small stage for live music on weekends and a huge communal table in the middle for family gatherings.
The food might bring some sticker shock to the titos and titas who won’t pay more than $15 for chicken adobo, but I promise it’s worth it. Calamansi aioli-topped crab tortang talong displays finesse with the roasted eggplant omelette, fried crab floss, and bright orange cod roe bringing layers of texture. Bangus inasal — grilled milkfish — comes butterflied and juicy; brushed with a garlicky, peppery sauce; and shows a proper blackened sear on the edges. Dipped in a spicy green chile sauce, it’s near impossible to stop eating. The lechon sisig sizzles on the plate, a raw egg in the middle to soak up the pork fat. It’s quite possibly the best version I’ve had on this side of the Pacific with crispy, browned chunks of pork belly begging for a dip into white vinegar to counter its extreme richness. The only thing maybe worth skipping is the chicken inasal, surely a popular menu pick but just straightforward. Manila Inasal has instantly become our family pick for that balance between new- and old-school Filipino. 240 Virgil Avenue, Los Angeles, 90004. — Matthew Kang, correspondent
For an easy retro breakfast: Rae’s Restaurant in Santa Monica
Rae’s Restaurant in Santa Monica. Nicole Adlman
After a long medical visit on Monday, I felt depleted. The remedy: a nourishing diner breakfast. We landed at Rae’s Restaurant on Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica, a vivid 1950s-style diner that has been in operation for nearly eight decades. Here, I ordered a simple breakfast plate: an over-easy egg, glistening turkey sausage rounds, and a small dune of steaming griddled potatoes (as well as a side of sautéed spinach, but who needs to know about that). Somehow, this plate, a mug of black coffee, and a glass of orange juice felt like it could heal me more than medicine. It probably did. 2901 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405 — Nicole Fellah, Eater editorial manager
For easy daytime fare from a family-run restaurant: Highland Cafe in Glassel Park
Chilaquiles at the Highland Cafe. Mona Holmes
There comes a time when sitting at a cafe solo with coffee and a heaping bowl of chilaquiles turns into sacred routine. Earlier this week, I enjoyed such an outing at Highland Cafe’s second location over in Glassell Park. Owner Arnie Miller took over the former Polka space to accommodate the mostly residential neighborhood and main travel artery for those driving in or out of the area. Everything is classic and well-made, with both rojo and verde options for chilaquiles; the reliable menu and relative unfussiness is what keeps the place busy after 13 years. Highland Cafe’s line moves quickly, but if you don’t have time to linger, grab an albacore tuna melt or a breakfast sandwich for the road. 4112 Verdugo Road, Glassell Park, CA 90065. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For jianbing in the heart of Pasadena: Me + Crepe
Jianbing at Me + Crepe restaurant in Pasadena. Euno Lee
Right in the heart of Old Town Pasadena, Me + Crepe serves jianbing, a traditional Chinese street food consisting of a thin crepe packed with a choice of filling such as Beijing duck, braised pork, or cumin lamb. The crepes are cooked to order on a circular flat top before being brushed with a salty and sweet tianmian jiang sauce. During peak hours, Me + Crepe can get a bit busy, so it’s best to order ahead if planning to take the jianbing to go. 89 E. Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91105. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest