The Best Foodie Spots In Los Angeles's Little Armenia
Tucked between the ever-so-hip Los Feliz and Silverlake neighborhoods, East Hollywood’s Little Armenia doesn’t often receive much notice. But Little Armenia is home to a number of excellent restaurants located within its trapezoid shape. Here are some establishments worth trying in one of Los Angeles’s most diverse and interesting areas.
It may seem odd to head to the south end of Little Armenia for Thai food when Thai Town sits just to the north, but Spicy BBQ is worth the trip. A tiny restaurant tucked along the edge of a strip mall at the corner of Santa Monica and Normandie, Spicy BBQ serves the Thai food standards you know and love, but what makes it especially appealing is the Northern Thai menu; it’s the specialty of the house, and clearly cooked and served with pride. Try the Khao Soi, the Khanom Chin Nam Ngiao, or the Tum Kanoon.
Sabor y Cultura is an unassuming but spacious little haven just a hop from the Hollywood/Western Metro stop. The decor here is simple and unpretentious and Sabor offers a selection of espresso-based drinks, from the classic Americano to their most popular drink, the Mexican Mocha, a delicious concoction spiced with Mexican chocolate and cinnamon. While you’re there, make sure to order some of their famous Belgian waffles. Stop by in the evening and you may be treated to one of the regular events; Sabor y Cultura features monthly acoustic nights, Friday night comedy shows, and ‘Freedom of Speech Thursdays’, a weekly presentation of cross-discipline performances.
Anna’s Cuisine is a comfortable little restaurant that serves predominantly Middle Eastern/Mediterranean fare, with some nods to traditional American cuisine. Located on Fountain Avenue, across the street from the Big Blue Fortress of Scientology and in the considerable shadow of the hugely popular Square One Dining, it can be easy to overlook Anna’s quaint charm. But charm it has; Anna’s Cuisine uses only fresh meats procured from local Halal markets; the Persian kebabs arrive hot and juicy, and the falafel is some of the best in the city.
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It’s officially open from 8 pm to 2 am every night, but the Blue Goose Lounge rarely seems to adhere to those hours. Sometimes, the door (a dark, unassuming entrance along the west side of Kingsley Drive, just north of Sunset Blvd) remains closed and locked during those hours. At other times, it stands wide open, mirth and merriment pouring out onto the neighboring street, the sound of drunken revelry and karaoke. Whether or not you find the fluid schedule of the Blue Goose Lounge maddening, rest assured that upon entry (whenever that may be), you will have a great time. The Blue Goose Lounge is one of the hidden gems of the LA bar scene: fun, friendly, decidedly unpretentious and accommodating, with large leather couches and a nice, inviting room at the south end that’s great for getting cozy with a date before hitting the stage. It’s the perfect hole in the wall.
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church
So you’ve eaten, you’ve drunk, you’ve sung, and you wake up the next day realizing that not all sustenance need be physical, that perhaps you could use a soothing of the spirit. If it happens to be Sunday, Little Armenia is also home to an absolutely gorgeous Ukranian Catholic Church, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. If you’re interested in religious rites in general, or if you’ve only ever experienced Latin Rite Catholicism, you owe it to yourself to try the Eastern variety. Step inside, remain quiet, and appreciate the beauty around you. Divine Liturgy starts at 10 am sharp on Sunday morning. Wear something nice.
