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 an excellent butcher shop that can cook the meat for you: Garni Meat Market in Pasadena
Garni is a Pasadena institution celebrating its 30th year of operation this year. This quiet butcher shop, run by a father-son duo, offers an array of marinated meats with an emphasis on Armenian flavors, like lamb kebabs, beef luleh, and sujuk — a fermented beef sausage made in house. The butchery doubles as a deli and market with side dishes such as hummus, whipped feta sprinkled with Aleppo peppers, and stuffed grape leaves that can be paired with lavash. In typical butcher fashion, you can order meat by the pound to cook at home (I recommend the fiery spicy chicken wings, marinated ribeye kebabs, and tender pork belly for backyard barbecues); you can also request the meat to be cooked for you — or order combination plates filled with buttery rice pilaf, roasted vegetables, and your choice of side. It’s a butcher shop I’m very grateful to live within walking distance of. 1715 East Washington Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91104. — Kat Thompson, audience editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For a weekend cookie box: Brady’s Bakery in Glendale
Headed to a party this weekend and not quite sure what to bring? Need a pick-me-up in the form of a dozen cookies? Brady’s Bakery, a bake-to-order operation founded by Reece Scelfo, has you covered. Born as an at-home bakery in 2015, Brady’s now runs a commissary kitchen out of Glendale that offers delivery or pick-up, and is working on its first storefront in Echo Park. Vegan and gluten-free peanut butter and jelly cookies or the double chocolate and peanut butter cookies from Brady can be ordered as single or bundled in a set of three, a half dozen, or a dozen. There is also croissant bread pudding crowned with whipped honey butter and a cinnamon roll bread pudding dolloped with cream cheese frosting. 6222 San Fernando Road, Suite 114, Glendale, CA 91201. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For the swan song of L.A.’s most ambitious Turkish restaurant: Sora Craft Kitchen
I’m a little embarrassed to say that I hadn’t gone into Sora Craft Kitchen until chef and owner (and usually its only employee) Okay Inak announced he would close at the end of this month. I snuck in for a late 9 p.m. reservation last night and enjoyed an astounding meal of grilled kebabs, eggplant dip, plush pita, and a mesmerizing kitel dumpling stuffed with ground meat. In each, Inak builds flavor with a blend of creamy, spice-tinted, and tangy elements that makes every forkful interesting. The tiny space, spanning just 16 seats, gives off early Baroo vibes but groovier and more dimly lit — and begs to be enjoyed with wine (unfortunately no license here). Inak sat down with me after the meal and explained why he was leaving: the building was falling apart. The blame was less on the surrounding area, certainly deserted and maybe even a little disarming for those unfamiliar with this southern industrialized stretch of Downtown. Getting a seat might be difficult in these last few days, but if you ask nicely and are willing to eat on the later side, you might get a chance to enjoy Inak’s evocative cooking until he finds a new location. 1109 East 12th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021. — Matthew Kang, correspondent, Eater
