AND THE WINNER FOR BEST ISRAELI HUMMUS IN LA IS... CHAPA

A friend took me to Chapa, a new place a few months ago in a small strip mall on Crescent Heights and Wilshire.

For those not familiar with LA, Wilshire is one of the hubs of the business area in Los Angeles and so finding a small Israeli place there is kind of wierd.
That said, the Israeli consulate, the Jewish federation and Nu Image, the Israeli owned production company that has already produced hundreds of successful features with many Hollywood stars are all located there so it's an area that has a lot of Israelis that will appreciate a great hummus place.

The place looks uninspiring. I went back there with an American friend to see how a local will react to the food and ecor and he didn't understand it.  But for Israeli's this place reminds them of many famous Hummus places in Israel that have that grundgy run down atmosphere.  It's like for a New Yorker to come to Los Angeles and enter Canters or Jerry's deli... and be reminded of Carnegie Deli or 2nd Avenue deli.
It feels authentic and real. For others it might just look run down and greasy...

The food is really tasty. Try their Falafel, it's superb. The Hummus is very Israeli style.
They give large portions and are very generous with all their food. The pitas were fresh.
The chicken Shawarma, according to some is a little too greasy.  I didn't try it - but an Israeli friend who tried it claimed it's just like in Israel in any Shawarma Joint.

Prices were great and unlike many of the other places I've reviewed - were logical and made me want to come back.

If I have one complaint about the place it was that because it's so packed during lunch- you have to stand in a long line and wait and also it takes awhile to get the food.
Guess, I'm not the only one that discovered how good the food is here.

Since in past reviews of new places, after the initial newness of the place faded and the owner started serving small portions of unfresh food - this time I waited and visited the place three times before writing this review and it was always great - only the lines to buy the Hummus got longer and longer - proving that some people can be suckered some of the time- but most people- especially middle eastern food lovers can't be suckered all the time.
A lot of people are fed up with the expensive price of mediocre food they get in other places and so the rumor of Chapa's wonderful food and cheap prices has spread fast and people are going there to curb their Hummus craving.

This place isn't meant for a romantic middle eastern place for a date. But if you already have love and want to treat her to good food or ...
If you're on a love break and just want great Hummus in the meantime -
This Hummus place will do the job perfectly.

I wish Chapa a lot of success and hope they won't be influenced by their competitors and raise prices and lower the quality and quantity of the food once they get a little more established.

In the meantime - all I can say for lunch: CHAPA IS FIVE FALAFEL BALLS in my blog!

6256 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Neighborhood: Mid-City West

(323) 936-2460

www.chapagrill.net

Two more restaurants to avoid in Los Angeles

In the last few month's I've eaten in mostly horrible LA restaurants and so preferred not to write any new review cause it annoyed me.


PITA BAR AND GRILL
Fairfax Avenue. Fairfax district. Los Angeles. California


A new restaurant that opened strong and got a half decent review in this blog. They had a special deal where one could get a pita with Falafel and a soft drink for $5.
The first 3 month were a dream. Fresh Falafel, Fresh pita and pretty good hummus.
But all that changed.
No more special deal.
Now for $5 one gets onlythe Pita without the soft drink.
The Pita's are no longer fresh - but a day old.
The amount of Falafel's has been reduced by about 30% in each Pita.
I gave them a second chance before writing this review and the same thing happened so I guess it's no longer just a one time thing.

Sadly PITA BAR and Grill have joined my AVOID LIST


HABAYIT RESTAURANT
Phone 310-479-5444
11921 West Pico Blvd
LA CA 90064

Another new place I tasted was HABAYIT RESTAURANT.
They're pretty good.
The Hummus isn't Lebanese but rather a Polish Israeli take on the classic dish - but for an Israeli Glatt Kosher restaurant it's pretty good.
But the prices of everything else is so ridiculous that I can only give it an AVOID rating.
I hate it when restaurants that have a GLATT KOSHER rating believe they can overprice cause they think that religous Jews are dumb.
But the place was full for lunch so I don't know what to say.
Here's the lunch menu they gave me:
Entrees:
Meetballs $15.95
Kebab $15.95
Schnitzel $15.95

Falafel Plate (with 2 pitas) $10.95
Shakshuka $9.95

Falafel Sandwhich $7.95
Hummus Sandwich $6.45

Hummus plate $6.45

Salads to go (Per Lb) $9.95

The place looks like a super cheap diner. It's not located in the easiest to find place. It's mainly looks like a place to grab a quick and fast lunch.
but these prices puts a meal with a Hummus opener plate and a soft drink and a coffee at $25-$30 per person. FOR LUNCH.
So I don't know who's their clientele.
It's neither for those wanting a fast and cheap lunch - cause it's too expensive.
The place looks too cheap for a business lunch - so it's not a place to invite a person to discuss business.

I guess it's a place for Israeli's wanting a Glatt Kosher place and a little bit of Hummus but nothing else.

Their minimum delivery policy is $40 so they're not fit for a single person craving a fast one either.

A pity- the place could have been so much more successful if they would lower prices and have a real lunch menu with decent pricing.

Anyways, for now it's an avoid.
Big time!

USA: California Los Angeles Hummus

Los Angeles has a lot of various Hummus serving restuarants. Lebanese, Middle Eastern, Armenian and Israeli among others.
There is something in the Hummus served in many of these places that just doesn't taste like the authentic Hummus that can be eaten in the middle east.

BEST: GYPSY CAFE
Rating: *****
This used to be my favorite spot.They are easier to get to and more centrally located than Zahle but they're also more expensive. They're located in the middle of Westwood which means a parking nightmare and it's taken me just as much time to find parking in the area as it would have taken me to drive all the way to Zahle.

That said they give larger portions than Zahle so it's a close call between the current champ and the runner up.
Still a Hummus plate costs $7 which some feel is highway robbery for the white gold.

Their Hummus is simply divine. One of the best Hummus restaurants in th US.
They also have amazing Falafel.
They're mostly a Hukkah place so be prepared to inhale a lot of smoke while eating your Hummus. Their Falafel and all their other foods are also great. But the Hummus- is their cherry topping.
Their website is:
http://www.gypsycafe.com/

Across the street there's a much more popular Hookah place that also serves food. While the crowd in the place across the street is younger and hipper. For Hookah smoking and for crowd viewing go there. But for Hummus go to the Gypsy cafe.

Hours of operation based on their website:

"Gypsy Cafe opens at 9am Monday thru Friday and 10am Sat and Sun serving breakfast and coffee our full menu is available from 10am daily.
We are open 365 days a year
We are open daily until 2am
Sunday thru Wednesday
Open until 4am Thursday thru Saturday
For parties & catering please call 310 824-2119 before 11.30am."

Their address:
940 Broxton Avenue,
Westwood Village, 90024


ADDITIONAL PLACES:

LEBANESE HUMMUS

SUNNIN
Rating ***

Wonderful Hummus. Tastes authentic and fresh.
The problem with this place is that it's a fast food place rather than a regular restaurant.
It's relatively inexpensive. Hummus is $3.65 for a small sized Hummus (Which is tiny) and $4.65 for a larger dish - which is still small but can serve one adult (assuming he's not too hungry)
Falafel is about $8 a plate and a meet dish is about $10
They serve on ugly disposable plastic plates and seating is uncomfortable. It feels very authentic.
They're now renovating a large space across the street. I wonder if once they move to the more upscale place if they'll raise their prices and like other middle eastern restaurants and lose the charm this place had.
It's seems it's always full. It's a little gem.
Sunnin Lebanese Cafe
1779 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Tel:(310) 477-2358


CAYANNE CAFE
Rating ** 1/2

Cayane on Beverly Blvd is a wonderful and intimate Lebanese restaurant.
Their Hummus is good. It's not in the same league as Gypsy cafe, but there's a quiet nice vibe at this place and so we recommend it even thought their Hummus still leaves much to be desired.
Their Hummus is priced decently, but the rest of the meal is expensive. Maybe too expensive.
Their Shukshuka sometimes is great- when served in a pan and sometimes mediocre if served in a plate. Try to get Sam the owner to make the Shukshuka and serve it in the pan- then it comes divine. The best Shukshuka in LA.
Their website:
http://www.cayennecafe.net
They are located on Beverly Blvd. between Formosa and Detroit.

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday-Sunday 9:00am-10:00pm
Friday-Saturday 9:00am-11:00pm
Monday Closed

Parking:
Street parking available on Formosa Ave.
2-hour restriction before 4pm, No restriction after 4pm

ISRAELI HUMMUS

BEST FOR PARTIES:

Hummus Bar
Rating ***

18743 Ventura Blvd
Tarzana, CA 91356
(818) 344-6606


Good Hummus but the highlight is the Laffa pita which is fresh and hot. Try their Laffa Pita with Zaatar it's heavenly.
This place is ideal for parties as they can combine tables to form a huge long table that can seat nearly 50 people. their prices are not cheap but also not expensive.

ZAHLE
RATING ** 1/2

I used to love this place cause they have divine Hummus- Some would even argue the best hummus in LA. But recently they've hiked their prices and they're too expensive to recommend.
I'm very dissapointed with their pricing for food- but the chef gets an A++ especially for their Hummus.
This place has an identity crisis.
It's too run down to invite anyone for a fancy meal or a date- and it's too expensive to go out with a friend to eat out at a fast friendly local joint. It's also not in most people's way- it's in North Hollywood about 30 minute drive (without traffic) from Hollywood.
They serve tiny portions of everything so expect to pay around $50-$100 per person for a full middle eastern meal.
I repeat $50 - as in FIFTY DOLLARS is what an average meal will cost you.
Maybe it's just me, but for that price- it'll be cheaper and more satisfactory to go to an upscale Sushi restaurant in Beverly Hills and not to a run down place in North Hollywood.

But back to their Hummus.
Their Hummus is $4 a plate.
But everything else is in too expensive.
They don't have a mixed plate with Hummus, Falafel and Salad. You have to buy them as separate dishes and it'll run you $25 without drinks. JUST FOR FALAFEL...

So for now, until they return to their senses- and to normal pricing- I suggest to avoid.

Lebanese Restaurant. North Hollywood.
12916 Victory Blvd. (Coldwater Canyon Ave.) North Hollywood, CA 91606
Phone:
818-769-1936

Aroma
Rating: AVOID!
THIS IS THE ULTIMATE SUCKER MAGNET. EXPENSIVE. NOISY. AWFUL SERVICE. UGLY BEHAVIOR BOTH OF THE STAFF AND THE PEOPLE COMING THERE AND ENJOYING TO ARGUE AND SHOUT AT THE MEAN AND UNHELPFUL STAFF.
PERSONALLY I ALWAYS TRY TO AVOID THIS PLACE THAT MAKES ME CRINGE AND FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE FROM THE MOMENT I ENTER TILL THE MOMENT I LEAVE.

Many Israeli's know Aroma Cafe which has two branches one in the valley and one in Los Angeles. They are popular places and the perfect place to see a lot of Israelis sitting together. But in terms of their Hummus, it's a two thumbs down. Their hummus is mediocre at best and it's way overpriced. Expect to pay between $50-$100 minimum for a very light meal that will leave you craving for more.
The place has slow and horrible service and not all their other dishes tasted fresh.

Haifa
Rating: **
Haifa restaurant has mediocre Hummus as well, but it's the place many Jewish Angelenos think about when they think about a Hummus restaurant.
It's located in the Jewish area of Pico-Roberton.
8717 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90035-2205
Phone: (310) 550-2704

Pita Bar
Rating: **
This very down to earth place is located in the old Jewish neighborhood of Fairfax street which is now changing and becoming a hipsters paradise. This restaurant reminds the visitors to this street of its glorious past before becaming the new center for Skateboard fans.
It replaced the famed restaurant Shula and Esther and it's food is very similar to Haifa. The place feels very authentic but the Hummus is mediocre at best. Still it will satisfy most people with an urgent need for some decent Hummus and it's Kosher.
* Middle Eastern, Kosher
* 519 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles 90036
* (Btwn Clinton St & Rosewood Ave)
* Phone: (323) 653-9024
Mon-Thu: 11am-11pm Fri: 11am-4pm Sun: 10am-11pm


NANA
RATING: AVOID! AVOID! AVOID!

Located in the Pico Robertson Area- It's competing with Aroma for the ultimate sucker magnet.
It's expensive, awful and I recommend to avoid.
That said a lot of Israeli's sit there- which proves that indeed a sucker's born every minute.

ITZIK HAGADOL

Another place for suckers.
RATING: AWFUL. AVOID!


Middle Eastern Fast Food Chains

ARMENIAN HUMMUS:

Zankou Chicken
Rating: *
Some love it some hate it. It's an Armenian chain and so perhaps they're flavoring is more specific. It's a bit more expensive fast food chain - Chipotle style if you wish to compare- so don't expect a lot from the decor. It's mostly for fast and ultra cheap meals. Their website for various locations:
http://www.zankouchicken.com/

FROM THE EXPERTS:

CHOWHOUND LINK:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/328259

YELP:
CAROUSEL
Rating **

Many reviewers on this popular website think the two Carousel restaurants are the best.
CAROUSEL
AnArmenian/Lebanese restaurant that's quite popular. It's located in little Armenia close to Thai town - quite east for many Angelenos.
Their Hummus is mediocre and they give small portions as well.
That said, they give much larger portions of meat. So just for Hummus go elsewhere, but for an overall meal and if you like Armenian spicing it's a place to consider.

Here's the link:
http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=best+hummus&find_loc=Los+Angeles%2C+CA&ns=1&rpp=10#mapCenterLat:34.0524876261/mapCenterLng:-118.243103027/mapZoom:10/cats:mideastern/sortby:composite_rating/mapsize:small/show_more_search_options:true