Saveur magazine on Los Angeles

[Jenise]

If you are familiar with Los Angeles or read the article, you just might enjoy this delightful bit of criticism that was sent me by a friend: Ten Reasons Saveur Magazine is Wrong About Los Angeles.

http://www.jewishjournal.com/foodaism/item/10_reasons_saveur_magazine_is_wrong_20100221/

I only have one criticism of the criticism: Langers? Really?

The main problem with LA is distances between everything and lack of public transportation. But that's the geography. Langers??? the author of the article has lost all credibility with that remark. New York deli would the French Laundry compared to Langers. Let's face it the only decent Jewish food is deli and Langers isn't IT!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jenise]

New York deli would the French Laundry compared to Langers. Let's face it the only decent Jewish food is deli and Langers isn't IT!!!!!!!!!!!

We are so in agreement! Canters, or is it spelled Cantor's, Jerry's, Nate 'n Al's, and what's the place over in Studio City, Arthur's? They're all better than Langers. A LOT better than Langers.

New York deli would the French Laundry compared to Langers. Let's face it the only decent Jewish food is deli and Langers isn't IT!!!!!!!!!!!

We are so in agreement! Canters, or is it spelled Cantor's, Jerry's, Nate 'n Al's, and what's the place over in Studio City, Arthur's? They're all better than Langers. A LOT better than Langers.

Agreed, and you can throw Juniors in with the ones you mentioned if it is still in business. But they are all minor leaguers when compared to a NY deli. Ate in the 2nd Ave Deli last October when in NY had among other things a pastrami sandwich that was to die for. A step up from the Carnegie.

New York deli would the French Laundry compared to Langers. Let's face it the only decent Jewish food is deli and Langers isn't IT!!!!!!!!!!!

We are so in agreement! Canters, or is it spelled Cantor's, Jerry's, Nate 'n Al's, and what's the place over in Studio City, Arthur's? They're all better than Langers. A LOT better than Langers.

You're close Jenise, the Studio City deli is "Art's"!
And some random comments, there are several other good delis and whether or not they live up to the Stage or Carnegie's is as usual, individual taste.
There are lots of restos that close late, including Canter's Deli that's open all night and also which has a terrif adjoining room called the 'Kibitz room' that has rock and blues bands playing until about 1 AM. And the very upmarket Pacific Dining Car is also open all night, along with many others that run the gamut between these two extremes.
With L.A. and surrounding cities filling up so much area, you almost always have to drive to get anywhere and nothing's changed.
But there are more 'clusters' of restos than ever before, now including the "born again" downtown area.
I have no illusions about L.A., it's a good not great restaurant town, IMO New Orleans, NYC and SF and maybe a couple others are better. But you can still find practically any kind of dining experience you want including expensive so-called great restaurants, most of which I've found disappointing. The latest in that category was Keller's new place, Bouchon.
Always fun to talk about restaurants as everybody has a different opinion.

Speaking of delis we're in the Palm Springs area this month and have been twice to the local Jewish deli Shermans which people here rave about and compare to a NY deli. My wife who has no early background in deli food but like Jenise is a gourmet cook said after the meals at Shermans our friends here wouldn't know a good corn beef sandwich if it hit them over the head. Katz's, 2nd ave, Carnegie all use "housemade" smoked meats which makes a big difference. I agree with Shel that there's no paucity of good restaurants in the LA area but from Monterrey Park, for Chinese to west LA is a journey not a short trip. Westminister area for other great oriental restaurants etc. Certain parts of LA great Mexican also.