Authentic Thai, Eastside Market and Deli, Daily Grill, Taix and La Serenata de Garibaldi
by Kathryn Maese
Tucked near the corner of North Spring Street and Cesar Chavez, this Thai eatery is a lovely and affordable lunch or dinner jaunt. Across from Spring Street Smoke House and a few doors from the Filipino restaurant Asian Noodles, Authentic Thai holds its own. The surprisingly large and stylish interior is welcoming, with white tablecloths draped with jewel-colored runners and colorful painted floors. Order the light and crispy calamari appetizer, which is fried to perfection and served with a finger-licking sweet and sour sauce. The biggest bargains are the combo specials ($5.25 and $8.95), which make a nice presentation with a mound of fried rice, side salad and egg roll. The curry is lovely and fragrant, while the pad Thai is deliciously tender. Vegetarians will appreciate the sweet basil eggplant served with a chili and garlic kick. Skip the spicy crispy pork, which was too tough and dry. The Thai iced coffee is a refreshing accompaniment. At 637 N. Spring St., (213) 613-1115.
Most city workers, cops and firemen know this tucked-away deli just west of the 110 Freeway. From pastrami and ham sandwiches to freshly made minestrone soup, Eastside has been a favorite stop for more than seven decades. Operated by the Angiuli family, the deli’s Tuesday and Thursday special is legendary, both for its taste and size. For $7.95 customers can choose from either a brick-sized serving of lasagna or the pasta with sausage or meatball. For meat lovers, there’s the DA Special ($7.80), a hot sandwich stuffed with a hefty amount of sausage, meatballs, roast beef and pastrami. The deli cooks more than 700 pounds of roast beef a week. At 1013 Alpine St., (213) 250-2464.
The Downtown Daily Grill, which does a thriving business in the Pegasus Building at Sixth and Flower streets, is all about comfort. A flat-screen television sits on the bar, which features a wide selection of beer on tap. Among the most popular dishes are the generous portions of meatloaf ($14.50) and chicken potpie ($14.95). Lighter options include the popular blackened salmon Caesar salad ($16.50) or the fully loaded Cobb salad ($14.95). Don’t miss the luscious Key Lime pie ($7.75) or the fresh fruit cobbler ($8) - the peach and blackberry version is delicious, especially when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. At 612 S. Flower St., (213) 622-4500 or dailygrill.com.
Taix is a bit of an anomaly: affordable French country cuisine in the middle of Echo Park. At lunch the menu is salad-friendly, starting with the Ni�oise ($13.95), which is enough for two. The endive and Roquefort salad ($11.95) is a nice mix of flavors and textures, featuring Belgian endive lettuce, Roquefort cheese, garlic croutons and walnuts. The favorite non-green lunch is probably the French dip sandwich ($9.95) with a choice of roast beef or pork on a roll and the requisite au jus on the side. Classics include the steak and fries ($15.95) or the lovely chicken breast cooked with capers, Dijon and lemon-butter sauce ($13.95). At 1911 Sunset Blvd., (213) 484-1265 or taixfrench.com.
When Jose and Aurora Rodriguez started a small Mexican restaurant in Boyle Heights in 1985 with just $500, they couldn’t afford tablecloths, and diners were forced to eat with the silverware the couple brought from home. A lot has changed. The restaurant, which specializes in fresh seafood prepared in classic Mexican styles, is a regular haunt among City Hall players and business types. There are basic fish tacos ($11.50), burritos ($14.50), enchiladas ($13.50) and flautas ($13.95), but most diners choose an entree by mixing and matching fish with a sauce. On a recent visit, there was salmon, sea bass and halibut, while sauces included green chile, cilantro, a Oaxacan vegetable sauce featuring fresh spinach, zucchini, mushroom and tomato, and one of Serenata’s calling cards, the rich mole. At 1842 E. First St., (323) 265-2887.