It doesn't get any better than local ingredients, artistic preparation, and low prices. That's the philosophy behind the Lazy Ox Canteen, owned by Michael Hide Cartenas. This new restaurant on South San Pedro in Little Tokyo, L. A. is one of the latest culinary hot spots in the thriving downtown area.
On one visit to the Lazy Ox, the Spoons made the mistake of trying to celebrate a birthday on the same day L. A. Magazine declared it the best new restaurant of the year (though we still give the award to Canelé). The hostess told us our wait would be twenty minutes, but we waited at the bar for over ninety minutes before heading over to sushi in Little Tokyo (more on that some other time).
Nevertheless, our two other visits to Lazy Ox both before and after the big news were memorable. Big Spoon likes the euro-cali-asian-mexi-mashup of dishes, all suspended above a safety net of small servings (read tapas) that can be shared or passed along if the going gets too rough. He also likes the craft beers and the casual-cool atmosphere of the place. Little Spoon likes the fact that words like "neck", "lengua", "quinoa" and "za'atar" dot the menu, providing a palette for the imagination even before the actual tasting commences. The food is delicious, and the service is friendly.
Inside tip: The lunch menu is different (and a bit more tame) than the dinner menu, making noontime dining a more mellow experience. Big Spoon had a gourmet grilled cheese (top photo) while Little Spoon had a pork and beef ragu (middle photo), both good. An ricotta fritter appetizer (bottom photo) was also delish.
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