Co-owners of the award-winning Border Grill in Santa Monica (restaurant and food truck) and the Mud Hen Tavern restaurant in Downtown LA as well as Border Grill at LAX and Border Grill Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay and Forum Shops, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger are seen on TV in the cooking shows Too Hot Tamales as well as Top Chef Masters and Tamales' World Tour.
Together, they have written four cookbooks: Cooking with Too Hot Tamales, Cantina, Mesa Mexicana and City Cuisine and Feniger has also authored the cookbook, Street Food. See discoverla.com; bordergrill.com
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE TABLE IN LA?
There's a cool, hidden booth at K-Zo sushi restaurant in Culver City with a stainless steel, beaded curtain, which gives off a retro yet relaxed vibe. Add to that mouth-watering, fresh sushi and you have yourself the perfect evening. See k-zo.com
THE LOCAL FOOD DISCOVERY OF THE PAST YEAR?
Sheeps milk yoghurt from Aris Natural Food. It's mainly available from local farmers' markets (Downtown LA, San Pedro and Sherman Oaks, among others) in delicious flavours like plum and fig. See stores.arisnaturalfood.com
PLACE TO GO ON A DAY OFF?
If you haven't tried the "Godmother" sub at Bay Cities Italian in Santa Monica (one of LA's most famous sandwiches) then you haven't lived. They're best enjoyed down at the beach where you can spend the day playing in the waves and working off those irresistible calories. See baycitiesitaliandeli.com
WHAT'S HOT IN THE AREA RIGHT NOW?
Grand Central Market in Downtown LA where the food scene is booming. It has amazing choices from falafel at Marcapra and a super-high-quality butcher, Bel Campo, to yummy, traditional pupusas at Sarita's (a vendor which has been in the marketplace for decades) and cheeses from DTLA Cheese. See grandcentralmarket.com
WHAT IS LA'S BEST-KEPT FOOD SECRET?
Los Angeles has such great pockets for cuisine among the diverse mix of neighbourhoods. Though it's not so much of a secret any more, Sawtelle in West LA has turned into Little Osaka with Japanese food just as good as Downtown's Little Tokyo. Also, Little Ethiopia on Fairfax has so many delicious vegetarian restaurants to choose from.
BEST TIME TO VISIT LA AND WHY?
Winter in LA is wonderful. It's cool enough to wear a light sweater and sometimes the weather will produce a little rainstorm, then it clears up with a spectacular rainbow. We still have amazing farmers' markets in the winter and you can even go ice-skating outside in Downtown LA.
FAVOURITE INDULGENCE IN LA?
With all of LA's interesting food neighbourhoods, try the Super King Markets. Think great Armenian food and ingredients. See superkingmarkets.com
PLACE FOR A BIG NIGHT OUT?
With the abundance of new places constantly popping up in LA, try somewhere new. It's not fancy but for yummy food you also must try Veronica's Kitchen, an amazing Nigerian restaurant in Inglewood (528 W Manchester Boulevard, Inglewood phone +1 310-673-4890). For soul food and a night of intimate jazz, head to Industry Cafe (6039 W Washington Boulevard, Culver City; phone +1 310 202 6633)
or Dear John's, both in Culver City. See www.dearjohns.net
WHAT SHOULD A VISITOR AVOID, FOOD-WISE IN LA?
Fast food and chain restaurants; there are so many cool new places to eat healthy and delicious offerings. It's a thrill to try all the new things.
