Restaurants & Bars
Food Bloggers Adam Merrin And Ryan Alvarez's Guide To Los Angeles
When it comes to vegetarian delicacies in Los Angeles, this culinary couple knows the most mouthwatering spots. Check out their favorites.
Couples who cook together, stay together! This statement rings abundantly true for Adam Merrin and Ryan Alvarez, the dynamic married duo behind the popular cooking and recipe blog Husbands That Cook. The pair whips up delicious, quick meals in their small Eagle Rock kitchen, sharing each mouthwatering recipe (and flawless photos!) with their loyal fans.
As if their blog didn't keep the pair busy enough, they'll also be releasing their first cookbook, "Husbands That Cook," next March (it is now available for preorder). Its pages will showcase 120 brand-new vegetarian recipes, along with inspiration from their worldly travels and their 17 years together as a couple.
Merrin and Alvarez's favorite part about LA is its diversity. "Surrounded by cultures from all over the world, we are exposed to global cuisines on every corner and people from every walk of life," they said.
On the off chance that they’re not cooking or immersing themselves into LA's beautiful nature scene, you might find them indulging in sweet treats from Donut Friend or visiting Hollywood's The Magic Castle. Check out the rest of their must-visit destinations around Los Angeles:
What neighborhood do you live in? We have lived in Eagle Rock for the past eight years, and have seen it dramatically change since we first moved in, with new restaurants and trendy shops popping up so quickly we can barely keep up with them all.
What’s your occupation? Our main occupation is running our blog, Husbands That Cook which has become a full-time job for both of us. We share recipes on our website one to two times per week and just finished writing our first cookbook "Husbands That Cook."
Ryan also acts in television shows and commercials — his most recent gig was playing a cult member on an episode of "American Horror Story" — while Adam is also a musician and one of the founding members of the indie rock band The 88 — you might recognize their music from commercials, movies and television shows (including the opening theme song for the NBC sitcom "Community").
Describe Los Angeles in three words: Diverse. Expansive. Artistic.
What’s your favorite overall Los Angeles restaurant? Meals By Genet, a family-owned Ethiopian restaurant in the heart of Little Ethiopia. Their vegetarian combo — with over a dozen flavorful dishes — is a dream come true for anyone (whether you’re vegetarian or not), and the service is always above and beyond.
Best Sushi: We’re both vegetarians, but we enjoy vegetable sushi rolls. There’s a Japanese restaurant in Eagle Rock called Mia Sushi that is fresh and authentic with delicious vegetable rolls, hot noodle dishes, seaweed salad, edamame and hot miso soup.
Best Italian food: Maximiliano in Highland Park serves modern Italian food inspired by California cuisine. If you like a little heat, they have a spicy version of pasta Puttanesca with chopped jalapeño peppers. Be sure to order the bread platter — the crusty loaves are shipped uncooked from a bakery in Quebec and baked on-site so they are still warm when they arrive at the table.
Best dessert: It is quite dangerous for us, living one mile from the sought-after Donut Friend, where you can build your own custom donut creations. Located on York Boulevard in Highland Park, their entire menu happens to be vegan, although no one would ever guess after trying one.
Best pizza: Hands down, Town Pizza in Highland Park has the best pizza in Los Angeles. They serve thin, New York-style pizza with a flavorful crispy crust with a fresh and tangy red sauce and offer plenty of vegan and gluten-free options for everyone. Plus, they are next door to Donut Friend, if you want to make an evening of it.
Best spot for a quick lunch: Bay Cities Italian Deli in Santa Monica is our favorite place for sandwiches. Sometimes we will order a few and bring them to the beach, which is right around the corner. Their crusty bread is legendary and is worth the drive for us even though it is located on the other side of town. Whichever sandwich you choose, be sure to get it with The Works on an Italian roll for the full Bay Cities experience.
Best food truck: Head to the Kogi BBQ Truck website to find out when and where they will be appearing in your neighborhood. They offer a delicious menu filled with Korean-Mexican fusion cuisine, like their Kogi kimchi quesadillas filled with melted cheese, caramelized kimchi and topped with a spicy red salsa. We also love their tofu burritos and always order them with extra kimchi.
Best spot for a romantic date: In the heart of Topanga Canyon is a restaurant called Inn of the Seventh Ray. With outdoor seating amongst lush plants, beautifully manicured gardens, a babbling brook and twinkling lights, it is the perfect setting for a romantic evening surrounded by nature.
Best glass of wine: There is a new bar that recently opened in Highland Park called Block Party on York Blvd. They serve wine and craft beers on tap and won bonus points when we learned they carried our favorite Spanish white wine, Txakoli. There is a spacious outdoor patio in the back with wooden picnic tables and shuffle board for those feeling playful.
Best Sunday brunch: In Silverlake, Mi Corazon offers a delicious Mexican-inspired brunch menu in a bright, colorful setting with artwork filling the space. We were lucky to meet the owners on our first visit and loved learning that the selections on the menu were all family recipes with the chef’s personal twist. Not only are there Mexican entrees, but they also offer classic brunch dishes like French toast and have a full bar for all the mid-morning cocktails your heart desires.
Best spot for a power business meeting: Malo on Sunset Blvd. in Silverlake is a modern California-inspired take on Mexican cuisine with refreshing cocktails, a chic interior and a tasty trio of salsas that accompany the fresh tortilla chips on every table.
Best cup of coffee: We are fortunate to live within walking distance of a coffee shop called Cafe de Leche. They offer Stumptown Coffee, a popular Oregon-based company, and we've recently been enjoying their Horchata latte with hemp milk while we get some work done. It’s also located right across the street from the new York Park.
Best steak: Since we are both vegetarians, we’ll tell you a place that makes the best veggie burger. At Umami Burger, there is a vegan patty called The Impossible Burger which is the closest thing to a burger that we have tried. It can be kept vegan or loaded with cheese, and is so juicy and meaty, it could easily fool someone into thinking it was the real thing.
Best craft cocktail: Tonga Hut in North Hollywood is the oldest Tiki bar in Los Angeles (it opened in 1958). It is known for its classic Tiki cocktails and festive South pacific-themed decor, complete with bubbling fountains, pagan idols and Polynesian artwork on the walls. Every bartender creates their own menu, making it a new experience each time you visit.
What hotel would you recommend for your out of town guests? If you’re looking for something classy, stay at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. This historic landmark is where they filmed "Pretty Woman" and is less than a block from Rodeo Drive.
Favorite shopping venue or boutique: Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica has several blocks of shopping along a pedestrian boulevard, with plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from. Plus, it’s just a few steps from the Santa Monica Pier and beach!
Best gym or fitness studio: Although we aren’t members of a gym, Los Angeles has hundreds of hiking trails available. One of our favorite destinations is Monrovia Canyon, a shaded trail that winds through the forest along a year-round babbling stream, ending at a cascading waterfall. It feels more like Hawaii than LA.
Best spa: The Burke Williams day spa in Old Town Pasadena is the perfect place to spend a day relaxing. Their spa facilities feature steam rooms, hot tubs and saunas, and their massage and body treatments will leave you feeling like a million bucks.
Favorite charity event or organization: The Los Angeles LGBT Center provides services for everything from medical and mental heath care to finding housing for homeless LGBT youth, to education and advocacy. They are a large organization with multiple offices helping people throughout the LA metropolitan area.
Favorite cultural event: The LA Choral Lab is a new choir of young professional musicians performing several concerts a year throughout the city. They feature music by living composers and push the boundaries of classical music — like when they transformed a downtown warehouse into a dreamscape of sound and color.
Favorite cultural institution: The Magic Castle is a Hollywood landmark. The sprawling gothic mansion is filled with talented magicians around every corner and is like nowhere else on earth. You must be a member or know someone to get in, and there is a strict suit-and-tie dress code, but if you get the chance, it will be an evening you will never forget.
What’s the best museum or current exhibit in Los Angeles? We love visiting the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens in Pasadena. There is a beautiful art collection, but the main attraction is the expansive botanical gardens — the highlight of which is the cactus and succulent garden that feels like you’re exploring another world.
Best historic or iconic Los Angeles landmark to see or explore: The Griffith Observatory offers breathtaking panoramic vistas of the city, as well as a clear view of the Hollywood sign. The exhibits inside are interesting, the planetarium shows are entertaining, and after sunset, visitors can peer through the powerful telescope on the roof.
What’s your all-time favorite spot in Los Angeles? The Ray Miller trail in Point Dume State Park is just outside of Malibu. The hiking trails have picturesque views overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and the landscape changes throughout the year depending on what season it is. It is the most beautiful escape from the city, and you can wander for hours among native California wildflowers while hardly seeing anyone else on the trails.
The best aspect of Los Angeles is: We love the diversity in this city. Surrounded by cultures from all over the world, we are exposed to global cuisines on every corner and people from every walk of life. Los Angeles is more than just Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the beach: Every neighborhood has its own personality and sense of community, and there is art and creativity everywhere you look.
See more city guides from notable Los Angelenos:
- 'What's Gaby Cooking' Blogger Gaby Dalkin's Guide To Los Angeles
- 'Brunchographers' Bloggers Veronica and Johnna's Guide To LA
- 'Vegan Ballerina' Agnes Muljadi's Guide To Los Angeles
Main Image Credit: Emma K. Morris
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