The Kindest Cuts/Best of 2007: Taste-Buzz

Cactus Taqueria. Credit: Ron Dollete.

Ron Dollete, otherwise known as Taste-Buzz, hearts him some Hollywood:

I live in Hollywood and I love it. The foodie and alkie in me makes me a regular at the Hungry Cat and the Bowery. Late at night, I’ll go to 25 Degrees or Bossa Nova. I get caffeinated at Groundwork. Star Shoes was fine and Beauty Bar is good, but for me it’s all about Boardners.  And Selma is the new Fountain.

Sometimes, though, I just want to feel like I’m nowhere near the 323.

My favorite places in Hollywood (the place) to escape Hollywood (the idea):

CeFiore. This yogurt shop is almost always empty and it’s so amusing to stare out toward the Chinese Theater at the huddled masses. 

Cactus Taqueria. I love the al-pastor rig, but my favorite here is the chorizo. The stewed pork-skin taco is a close second. I don’t know why, but the tables that face Barton Avenue have a totally different feel from the tables that face Vine Street.

Sapp Coffee Shop. Jitlada is the current darling and the Ruen Pair/Red Corner Asia mini-mall gets all the crowds, but my favorite is Sapp and not for their famous boat noodles, but for the (noodle-less) beef tendon soup.

Doughboys. There’s nothing pretty about ordering a breakfast burrito known as the Fat Boy. Nor is there anything trendy about the grilled cheese sandwich in the After School Special. And yes, it’s BYOB, and you’ll be sipping out of a plastic cup.

Sushi Ike. Kabuki is mass-produced. Katsuya is over-produced. Sushi Ike is at the opposite end of the spectrum, where a minimalist approach lets the sushi run the show. I especially like to go at lunch, where I might be the only one there.

CeFiore 6922 Hollywood Blvd., #107. (323) 465-9097
Cactus Taqueria 950 Vine St.  (323) 464-5865
Sapp Coffee Shop 5183 Hollywood Blvd. (323) 665-1035
Doughboys1156 Highland Ave. (323) 467-9117
Sushi Ike 6051 Hollywood Blvd #105 (323) 856-9972

Comments

[Brian Aldrich]

"Selma is the new Fountain." - I like that, deserves to be a new bumper sticker! I've been going to Boardners since it was a true dive bar. Once I had to lift a drunk off the trunk of my car while parked in front of Boardners in the "old days."