Bäco Mercat - Los Angeles, California

Address: 408 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Items Ordered:

• Warm potato salad with pickled vegetables
• Original bäco sandwich - pork belly, beef carnitas, salbitxada
• El Pesco bäco sandwich - crispy shrimp, sriracha, chive

There are some places that have been on my radar for so long that when I finally visit, I just want to order everything on the menu. Fortunately, I have smarter friends than myself, and we were able to narrow down our selections to just 3 options at Bäco Mercat. I have to say, the restaurant really lived up to the hype. The flatbread of the sandwich was somehow crispy yet soft at the same time, and the pork belly and shrimp were both seasoned well. The sauces weren't overwhelming, and one sandwich is definitely substantial enough for lunch or dinner. The warm potato salad was amazing! Crispy potatoes that were well-dressed, absolutely delicious! I would definitely order this again and probably a few more appetizers as well. Highly recommend this restaurant, and props to the chef. Try it for yourself!

--y

The Bazaar by José Andrés - Los Angeles, California

Address: 465 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Items Ordered:

• Tortilla de Patatas "New Way": potato foam, egg 63, caramalized onions (skip this)
  
• "Philly cheesesteak": air bread, cheddar, Wagyu beef
  
• Embutidos platter: chorizo, lomo, salchichon with tomato bread (SO GOOD!!)
  
• Papas canarias: salty wrinkled potatoes, mojo verdé
• Pisto: vegetable stew, tomato, egg 63
• The "ultimate" spanish tapa: potatoes, carrots, mayo, tuna belly (skip this)
• Sautéed shrimp: garlic, guindalla pepper
• Sea scallops with romesco sauce
• Beef hanger steak: Piquillo pepper confit
• Traditional Spanish flan: vanilla and fruit
  
• Greek yogurt panna cotta: apricots and muscat gelatin
  

Don't read this post! Why not? Because your time could be much better spent making a reservation for The Bazaar, and then enjoying one of your most delicious meals ever. Succulent shrimp and scallops, tasty potatoes, savory embutidos and creamy flan. I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu!!

--y

Alegria Cocina Latina - Long Beach, California

Address: 115 Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802

Items Ordered:

• Chicken Mole: roasted chicken in an Oaxacan mole sauce (over 100 years old!)
  
• Ropa Vieja: braised marinated beef Cuban style
  
• Pescado Negro: blackened butterfish over jalapeno mashed potatoes
  
• Paella Valenciana: saffron rice with beef, chicken, ham, mussels, clams & vegetables

This place was pretty empty for daytime happy hour on a Wednesday, but with only 1 waitress for our party of 8 and other tables, it was an advantage. We ordered 3 appetizers (appetizer tower) and 4 entrees to share, and that was plenty of food. The chicken, beef, and butterfish had distinctive flavors of Latin America, and I was glad this wasn't just another typical bar food type of happy hour. However, the paella was way too salty, and I would not order this again. We also tried the sangria, which was adequate, but not better than Cafe Sevilla across the street. Overall, it's hard for me to imagine coming back here when Cafe Sevilla is right across the street beating Alegria Cocina Latina in service, taste, price, and sangria.

--y