Silverlake Computer

Wood Spoon

2010-09-11T10:33:00.000-07:00

When I first moved to LA, I came to understand that Brazilian food is something that happens to you. It’s not something that you seek, like, “Hey, I could really go for some fried balls of meat and maybe half a chicken!” Instead it’s 1am, and some drunken gaggle of WeHo friends orders in from Bossa Nova simply because it is open late and isn’t Pizza Hut. Obviously, I want to like it. I’m drunk and hungry and there is suddenly a giant menu of food in front of me. Someone in the group is an expert and orders all the “authentic” menu items. Beans, rice, chicken, plantains and a dish of weird dust whose presence I am supposed to understand. After four or five misguided late-night Brazilian feasts, I gave up and started ordering their pizza (doy). Even then, it isn’t very good and somehow I just spent twenty bucks. Again.

That’s not to say I was ready to give up on Brazilian food as a concept. WoodSpoon is a charming and aesthetically pleasing spot in the Fashion District that is open for dinner. And now that I’m living downtown, I’m pretty excited by any business or restaurant that wants to acknowledge me as a patron. Not to say that the Corner Kafe won’t serve me, we all know they will, I just don’t want to eat any of those amorphous pig bits they’ve so lovingly documented in photographs.

Turns out WoodSpoon has been around since 2006, and as we pull up on our bikes, the “hostess” makes sure that we know it. She looks at us expectantly. “Um...table for 2?,” my boyfriend finally asks. She bites her lip and casts worried glances about the dining room. It’s a weeknight. At 9. There is one couple waiting outside. The dining room is bustling, but not full. “Let me see what I can do for you...just a minute.”

So we wait outside, though we can clearly see the ENTIRE inside, including an empty table for two with place mats and napkins. As there are no menus anywhere, we are left with no choice but to survey the clientele. Oh, man. These people are fucking cool. Asymmetrical Haircut sits on the same bench as her Motorcycle Jacket kind of nuzzling him and feeding him something fried off her fork. Once Modeled For Something Somewhere takes the table next to what I can only assume will be ours with her metrosexual arm candy. The entire right side of the place is overrun by some kind Med School Grad Explosion.

Once sitting down, I admit I’m hungry and annoyed by the Model’s story about New York and how it compares to LA. How about it doesn’t? The waiter stops by and we order right away. Coxina for an appetizer because the menu says it’s Brazil’s most popular street food. We both order from the Brazilian Grill: your choice of protein or vegetables served with rice, beans, plantains, and collard greens. He orders beef, I order chicken with bacon.

Service on the coxina was fast, and I’ll admit they were better than Bossa Nova. Maybe it’s my particular palate...but the insides taste the same as the outside and the best part is the “salsa” which is basically pico de gallo without anything spicy.

Our plates arrive and there is surprisingly little protein for $15. Two skewers each. And there’s that little bowl of yucca flour...I’m sorry but no amount of creative deployment can convince my mouth that it is food. The chicken was kind of greasy and tasted like a hot dog. My fault for ordering bacon. Collard greens always taste good to me and these were no different. Bottom line: rice and beans and meat is something anyone with five dollars and two brain cells can whip up in the kitchen themselves, so I think the ego and pricing of this place could stand for some serious deflation.

But...by the glory of flesh-eating deities everywhere...I was given a few bites of the beef skewer and my heart starting dripping with savory sunshine. It was really, really, show-stoppingly good. I am still thinking about that tender salty bit of cow-part. Yes, right now. It was that good. A week later I ordered a whole steak somewhere, which is entirely out of character, and I think maybe WoodSpoon is to blame.

So go there and eat cow. I bet all their cow is top-notch. Or don’t go. Stay home in the kitchen and learn to make beans yourself. You’ll save a lot of money and you’ll never have to watch Motorcycle Jacket drip white sauce from his pot-pie onto his lap.

Cole's

2009-10-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

I love me some Cole's. Not only are they one of the few bars in Los Angeles smart enough to keep Anchor Steam on tap but, as you've probably heard, have the best french dip in town. I like a good pint with my turkey dip. Delicious. Bar staff is friendly and attentive. There is an old, almost indescribable, rustic charm about this place. It was built in 1908 after all. The crowd is diverese, ranging from touristy joes, to fidm moms, to random hipsters with old ten-speed bicycles looking for the semi-secret Varnish in the back.

Pho Cafe

2009-09-01T10:05:00.000-07:00

Pho Cafe is located in a small strip mall in the heart of Silverlake. Nuzzled between Rambutan and the Silverlake Lounge, they really couldn't have found a better location for this kind of hipster bullshit deal. There is no sign, window label, address, or anything indicating the place is a restaurant. Really, the only that gives its location away are the bearded but reluctant adults huddled out front wearing sailing clothes they clearly found in the children's section of Ross.

Unless you are really into MSG, I would say their food is mediocre at best. The vegetarian pho is just a lot of salt, mushrooms, bland tofu, and maybe a little soda or something weird.

Pricing is decent. Atmosphere is hip as shit. Food is whatever. Basically if you're looking for a fucked-out place you could easily be seen at by your deformed peers, this is the place for you. If you want great pho, go downtown to Blossom.

Pho Cafe is located at: 2841 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026 Phone: (213) 413-0888

Wurstkuche

2009-09-01T09:55:00.000-07:00

Wurst Kuche Ever! No, seriously, this place has amazing sausage and zoinks-your-brains-out beer. Looks like a german beer hall, feels like an LA bar. Go for the food, stay for the fucked-out scene and picnic bench seating.

Tiara Cafe

2009-09-01T09:54:00.000-07:00

Seriously under-rated, under-visited, under-appreciated, this gem on 9th and Los Angeles St. is the best breakfast place I have found downtown. They have a vegetarian product called "seitan" that is as fun to say as it is to eat. Delicious! Food is amazing and service is awesome. Amazing atmosphere, music, decor. Aside from a confused mother and her FIDM brat daughter, there isn't much of a morning crowd. Yet. Outside of their pizettes, which are also outstanding, I have yet to fully explore their dinner menu but will report back soon.

Tiara Cafe is located at: 127 E 9th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Phone: 213.623.3663 Fax: 213.623.3040

The Nickel Diner

2009-09-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

The Nickel Diner is fun. I noticed that people who care a lot about food and health hate this place. But if you're into raw atmosphere, bacon donuts, or skinny people wearing American Apparel leotards, this is the place for you.

Update: I had a maple glazed bacon donut hole this morning before my breakfast came out. It was amazing. Followed by an amazingly hot cup of coffee and a spinach, feta omelet. I love this place.

Blossom

2009-06-03T09:46:00.000-07:00

Nestled between the Historic Core and the beginnings of Skid Row near 4th & Main, I found Blossom, easily one of the most amazing Vietnamese eateries in Los Angeles.

The vegetarian pho is a delicious array of fresh bok choy, green beans, carrots, mushrooms, and tofu. Broth is clean, simple, and free of msg. Really, their pho has a clean, almost cathartic value to it. I always feel much better after eating there. If you're really hungry, start with the crepe, a filling treat with plenty of tofu and bean sprouts.

Blossom's atmosphere is a little stark but modern and appropriate. There are two different places inside to sit plus a nice sidewalk patio in the thick of downtown. Which is kind of the best and worst part of the whole experience. Four or five hobos will wander past in any given dinner, and at least one is going to ask you for money. I found that a gentle but firm "fuck off" is most helpful for everyone.

Blossom is located at: 426 S. Main St., Los Angels, CA 90013 Phn: 213.623.1973

The Counter

2008-09-01T09:58:00.000-07:00

Admittedly, I was a skeptic when The Counter opened shop in my old Santa Monica neighborhood. I thought "custom built burgers" sounded gimmicky and mostly boring. It wasn't too long afterward, however, that I realized I couldn't be more wrong.

The quality of and selection of materials to build your burger with are outstanding, a lot of very creative but tasty possibilities. I'm a huge fan of the 1/3 turkey patty in a bowl with mixed greens, thai peanut sauce, black beans, and corn. Delicious!

The sweet fries with a little ketchup and mustard are absolutely wonderful.

The Counter is a real adventure for your mouth.

Silverlake Computer

2007-08-10T13:16:00.000-07:00

Do you love things? Do you love Silverlake? I do and plan on telling you a lot about what it is like to compute in Silverlake. I like food. Food taste good.