A Bit on CUSCO!

Food

Polleria Los Angeles- on Plaza San Francisco before the arch. Amazingly salty chicken with crispy skin. Large protions. Great French-fries and fabulous vinaigrette that I liken to pico de gallo. Put all over the mess of chicken and French fries is the best.

Justina- Pizza in San Blas. More than anything this place is very cute. The prices are very reasonable and the garlic bread they serve out is an awesome plus. Best Pizza around!

Paloma Imbis- In “Gringo Alley” right off the Plaza de Armas. Shwarma and Kabab hole in the wall. This place is always packed and for good reason. The rollo is fantastic. Rollo normal at 13soles isn’t the cheapest lunch you’ll find around but it may be the happiest. Damn good. There is a second location on Avenida de la Cultura just past the Mega Supermarket. It is tucked into a Quillabamba Polleria.

Sueno Azul- End of Gringo Alley right off the Plaza de Armas. This Israeli restaurant is very reasonably priced. Their baguette sandwiches are huge and only 10 soles. Get something with hummus.

La Chomba- Famous and very crowded chicharia/picanteria. Try the famous fruit infused Chicha called frutillo. Huge portions. Try the Lechon, fried trucha, cuy or other local specialities. Very fun atmosphere on the weekends with crowded long shred tables and a live ‘mariachi’ band. Very traditional Cusco!

Olas Bravas- Specializes in seafood and ceviche but all the food is great. Lomo Saltado, Ceviche mixta, arroz con mariscos, fried squid these are some of the best plates of food you can find in Cusco. Eat here! Two locations. The main restaurant is on a frontage road of Avenida Cultura with the second location just around the corner.

Don Lucho- Avendia Prado. This place is amazingly popular. It is extremely hard to get a table so prepare for take out. This is a non frills simple place with two options. Pollo y Salchipapas. The 1/4 chicken with Salchipapas is the thing to get. The chicken is great and sort of half way between broaster and a la brasas. The real reson everyone loves this place is their sauces (cremas).

Jacks- Always a favorite. Jacks is a great café and a great change of pace. Reasonably priced fantastic sandwiches and breakfast and other British/American food. Wonderful coffee as well.

Local Specialty Dishes Market- On Avenida de la Cultura behind the market that is just past the bridge after the roundabout. Fronts onto the Wanchaq Square. Great CHEAP local food, Trucha, Anticucho, Cuy, Lechon, etc.

Rodriguez- Avenida de la Cultura Salchipapas, pollipapas, broaster. This fry joint serves the purpose with every combination and large quantities of fried food.

Huancaro Mercado- This market is just a bit outside of town in the suburb of Huancaro। Come here for Trucha al horno। It is amazing and worth the trip। Also sold is lechon and other Andean specialties. The maket itself is enormous and extremely interesting selling anything from potatoes to various livestock.

Bendita Gula- Next to Canasta Market on Avenida de la Cultura. Fast food like Salchipapas, hamburgers, sandwiches, chicken. Amazing because of their huge selection of sauces. Their garlicy sauce makes anything taste good.

Anticucho Restaurant- Avenida de la Cultura past the bridge after the Supermercado Mega and next to an autobody shop. The anticuchos are amazing as is their stuffed peppers.

Lazy Town- near Cuesta Santa Ana- 24 hour delivery of pizzas and pizza empanadas. Order or try to find its ‘hidden’ location. Walk up the street on the right side and knock on the door with the most motos in front of it. That’s the place!

Juice Stands in Mercado San Pedro and Mercado Wanchaq- Awesome combinations of exotic fruit juices. Try fresh passion fruit juice

Bars

Garabatos- Peruvian club up on third floor through a restaurant. Between Plaza Armas and Plaza San Francisco

Don Diablo- Peruvian Club popular with the student population

Mithology- Normal run of the mill club on Plaza de Armas. Better music and atmosphere than Mama Africa or Inca Team

Paddys- On plaza de Armas. Paddy’s is overpriced but a very cool environment. Great for watching football or rugby matches

Cicciolina- above Plaza de Armas towards San Blas. Luxuriousbwine and tapas bar. Great for a date.

Loki Hostel Bar- If you feel like partying on a random night this is your best bet. This bar is crazy every night. Loki is like an island of British/American Home complete with Sheppards Pie and Beer Pong. So not very Peruvian and a bit sad. But yes a good party.

Drinking in Liquor stores is often permitted and there are plastic chairs and tables or you just sit on the crates. A popular alternative is having a ‘Callejon’, simply drinking in the street.

Markets

Baratillo- Saturday mornings. Black market buy anything from stolen ipods and phones to artisanal crafts and second hand clothing

Molino- This is the more streamlined ‘black market’ good for bootlegged DVDs and knock-off products. Lots of fake North Face and other outdoor brands sold here. Nearby is also an interesting foods market.

Breaking Down LA

The LA list

@- bar and within walking distance of other bars

Highland Park- Eagle Rock- York Blvd.

• Antojitos Guerrero- 5623 York Blvd. – barbacoa on weekends. Close 7 P.M.
• El Hurache Azteca- 5225 York blvd. – D.F style stand
• El Pique- York Blvd. + 53^rd- Truck with good al Pastor
• La Estrella- York + 54^th- Truck with killer carne asada
• Tacos el Michoacano- 5933 York Blvd.- good carnitas and licuados
• Villas Durango- 5672 York
• Mariscos Sinaloa- 5633 York Blvd.- Seafood and ceviche
• Casa Bianca Pizza Pie- 1650 Colorado Blvd. Eagle Rock- simple good pizza parlour pizza. WORTH the drive
• The Bucket- 4541 Eagle Rock Blvd. – college hangout- keep it classic LA
• @ Mr. T’s Bowl- Bar+ Live Music- 5621 ½ Figueroa- take Ave. 52 exit from 110 to Pasadena and then right onto N. Figueroa
• @ Little Cave- bar-5922 N. Figueroa. Across from mr. T’s and down the street from another La Estrella location
• @ Footsie’s- bar- 2640 N. Figueroa + W Avenue 26- unmarked/no sign- walking
• Polka- 4112 Verdugo Rd. – Polish Food FUNKY. Near York blvd. and Glendale fwy

Downtown

• Langers- 704 S. Alvarado- Mac Arthur park- get pastrami. LA’s best- closes at 4 P.M.
• * La Fonda- 2501 Wilshire blvd. Mac A Park- Mariachi- adventurous
• The Original Pantry- 24 Hours- 877 S Figueroa + James M. Word blvd.- overpriced but awesome old LA vibe. Get the Hamburger or be a cheap ass and just eat the toast
• Fisherman’s Seafood outlet- 529 S. Central Ave. + E 6^th St.- Cheapest fresh seafood in the West.- Closes at 5 P.M.
• Cole’s Pacific Electric Buffet+ Bar- 118 E. 6^th St. at Main St.- OLD LA
• ( Bloom’s General Store- Bar- 716 Traction Ave.- S Alameda to E. 3^rd St
• Pann’s- 6710 La Tijera Blvd.- diner food- closes at 11 P.M.
• ^ Hop Louie- Chinatown- 950 Mei Ling way + Hill St.- straight up film noir Chinatown
• 11 BBQ Dim Sum- 711 ½ New-High-Broadway North of Broadway. Chinatown
• Hank’s Bar- 840 S. Grand between 8th and 9^th- Near Staples center in Hotel Stillwell
• Original Texas BBQ King- 867 W Sunset Blvd near Cesar Chavez- 1 lb. Burger
• Eastside Market- 1013 Alpine St. OG Italian Deli- near Dodger Stadium
• @ Bar 107- 107 4th Street. The Best most entertaining bar downtown. CHEAP
• @ The Redwood- 316 West 2nd Street. Live Music. The Blues! check schedule. Cheap drink deals. Get the PBR. Kitchen open late with a very good Burger. Quieter place.
• @ La Cita- 336 S Hill St.- Old Mexican bar with new Hipster twist. Great for Dancing. Music varies from live salsa bands to electronic. Great Outdoor Patio.
• @ The Edison- 108 W 2nd St. Very Classy. Dress up and go for the sensual sexy circus show on Wednesday Night. Expensive in taste but good deals. Well Worth it.
• @ The Standard- 550 S Flower St. A hotel with pool parties and occasional DJ nights at the rooftop Bar.
• @ Seven Grand- 515 W 7th St. Classy Old bar with mounted deer heads. Ambience is great but you can dress casual and it is not too expensive.
• @ Broadway Bar- 830 S. Broadway. Great décor. Close to other bars
• @ The Golden Gopher- 417 W Eighth St. @ Hill St.- college crowd- old world
• @ Charlie O’s Cocktails- 501 S Spring St. May now be the below
• @ The Down and Out- 501 S Spring St. Alexandria Hotel. New great Old Bar
• @ Back Door Pub-813 S. Flower St in Milner Hotel-BAR- hard to find- strange hours- laid back, good bartender
• Bordello- 901 E 1st St. Out of the Way but very Funky. Burlesque show. Good Dancing
• Weiland Brewery- BAR+ food- 400 E. 1^st St.- Good happy hour 4-7 & 10-2 am

East LA- Boyle Heights

• El Tepeyac- 812 N. Evergreen Ave.- THE OG- huge burritos- the Hollenbecker is legendary take 1^st to N. Soto right on E Side Blvd.
• Outdoor Chicken/ carne asada market-
• Tacos Baja Ensenada- 5385 Whittier Blvd. Best Fish tacos in LA.
• Alameda Swap Meet- 4501 S. Alameda Street- very hood- adventurous- great food to eat and for cooking. Straight up Mexico
• Antojitos Denise’s- 4060 E. Olympic Blvd.- Al pastor- carnitas burritos
• King Taco- Multiple Locations. It is THE KING. Hot sauce is the key
• Al & Bea’s- 2025 E 1st St. Simple. The beauty of Simplicity just Bean and Cheese.
• El Mercadito de Los Angeles- 3425 E 1st Street. Welcome to Mexico. Stalls, food, cowboy hats, spices, and oh Ya Mariachi Bands up stairs. Join Mexican Families on Sunday evening

K-Town- Mid Wilshire- Pico- Union- Crenshaw

• La Flor de Yucatan- 1800 S. Hoover St. Near Venice Blvd. Closes 8 P.M.
• Mercado La Paloma- 3655 Grand. N of Jefferson. Near 110 take Exposition Blvd. exit
• El Parian- 1528 W. Pico Blvd. The Best. BEST Asada in the world. Good barria as well
• El Taurino- 2306 W 11th St at Hoover and Olympic- 24 Hours- The Old Standby- al pastor and asada are awesome. If you are hungry get the Costillas Rancheras plate. Damn!!
• Dino’s burgers- 2575 W. Pico Blvd. Get the CHICKEN. Hands down best in LA
• Papa Cristo’s- 2771 W Pico Blvd. Very legit simple Greek place. CHEAP
• Olympic Kalgoosksu- 4008 W. Olympic Blvd.- noodles- Korean
• Cassell’s- 3266 W. 6^th St. near Vermont- Best Burger in the World. Fuck Gourmet.
• @ The Prince-Bar w/ food- 3198 ½ W. Seventh St. in the Windsor Hotel. – mix of Old LA and Koreatown.- shows the levels of influences on LA. Truly unique
• @ HMS Bounty- Bar- 3357 Wilshire Blvd. near Ambassador- Old LA golden age
• Phillip’s BBQ- Crenshaw Blvd near the 10 on the left side. AWSOME BBQ. Other location in Leimert Park. Can be a long wait for food.
• Babe’s and Ricky’s Inn- 4339 Leimert Blvd. Off of Crenshaw in Leimert Park. THE BEST BLUES BAR in the WEST. Go Monday night for open mic and free soul food buffet

Hollywood

• El Super Taco- 11923 Santa Monica Blvd.
• St. Nicks Pub- 8450 W. Third St. W. Hollywood
• El Carmen- 8138 W 3rd St- kinda mid-city- Bar with Awsome mexican décor and vibe
• Arax Falafel- 5101 Santa Monica Blvd. Hard to find in a corner strip mall. Closes at 8 PM. Get the shwarma or the tongue sandwich
• ! Palm Thai- Thailand Plaza 2^nd floor in Thai town. Go for a joke to see Thai Elvis
• Yuca’s- 2056 Hillhurst Ave.- Awsome little shack. Get Cochinita Pibil Burrito
• Lowenbrau Keller- 3211 Beverly Blvd.- awesome, strange, dark German Pub
• Millie’s- 3524 Sunset Blvd @ Maltman Ave.
• Fred 62- 1850 N. Vermont Ave. near Franklin. 24 Hours Expensive Diner food
• Skoopy’s- 6654 Hollywood Blvd.- hotdogs- open LATE
• Café Tropical- 2900 Sunset Blvd.- Cuban Sandwich. Closes 10 PM
• Pizzeria Mozza- 641 N. Highland@ Melrose. Legit Naples style Pizza. Expensive
• El Gran Burrito- 4716 Santa Monica Blvd. Outdoor Bench skating. Awsome after a night of drinking. A great LA experience food is just Okay
• Tacos Al Pastor- 5179 Santa Monica. Across the street from above and MUch better
• Cactus Taqueria- 950 Vine St.
• Casa Diaz- 4666 Hollywood blvd.- closer to Los Feliz- get Carnitas
• Tiki- Ti- 4427Sunset Blvd. Cheasy funky Tiki Dive bar
• RB El Floridita- 1253 N. Vine St. @ Fountain Ave. Cuban Music. Restaurant & Club, Dancing and Live music. Tucked into a strip mall
• La Luz de Jesus- 4633 Hollywood blvd.- Art Gallery w/ shows
• Jumbo’s Clown Room- 5153 Hollywood Blvd.- Landmark legendary Strip Club. ( FYI Courtney Love danced here) in a dingy scary looking strip mall.
• @ The Room-1626 N. Cahuenga Blvd.- in The Corridor
• @The Hotel Café- 1623 1/2 N Cahuenga Blvd. live music venue
• Smog Cutter Bar- 864 N. Virgil Ave. between SM Blvd and Melrose- Dive bar
• Barney’s Beanery- 8447 Santa Monica Blvd. Good place for a night out. Lots of young people and fun games to play. Lots of history involving rock n roll and the likes of Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin
• Upright Citizens Brigade Theater- UCB- 5919 Franklin Ave. Cheap comedy shows. Free ASSS Cat show on Sunday evening

Silver Lake- Los Feliz

• # Red Lion Pub- 2366 Glendale Blvd. @ Briar. In Silverlake across from Cha Cha. Expensive but a great indoor/outdoor Octoberfest vibe. Good before a Dodgers game
• Burrito King- 2109 Sunset Blvd. @ Alvarado. Echo Park. Asada burrito. Open late
• % Spaceland- 1717 Silverlake Blvd.- Live music venue. Strange Acts- Go Monday Night
• ^ El Cid- 4212 W Sunset Blvd. Silverlake – Go for dinner and a flamenco show. Check schedule for DJ and comedy nights. Spanish themed Flamenco bar and restaurant. Indoor/Outdoor
• ^^ Silverlake Lounge- 2906 Sunset Blvd.- Wild scene rock and roll bar
• * The Roost- 3100 Los Feliz Blvd. @ Edenhurst Ave.
• B Little Joy Cocktails- 1477 Sunset blvd. near Portia St.- Cheap Stiff drinks. BAR
• B The Short Stop- 1455 Sunset Blvd.- near above- Cheap drinks
• _ Akbar- 4356 Sunset Blvd. @ Fountain- BAR
• Nicky D’s Pizza- 2764 Rowena Ave.- Old School Pizza joint

Westside- Santa Monica- Venice- Westwood

• Harvell’s- 1432 4^th St. between Broadway and SM Blvd. – Blues bar- romantic vibe
• Gas Lite- 2030 Wilshire Blvd.- awesome old LA bar w/ Kereaoke and grad students
• The Shack- 2518 Wilshire Blvd. – Dive Sports bar- get the hamburger
• Hinano Café- 15 Washington Blvd. Venice. Beachy dive bar. Great place to hang out and good burgers too.
• Red Garter- 2536 Lincoln Blvd. @ Grant Ave. Dingy Dive bar
• Town House- 52 Windward Ave. Venice Dive near the beach. Hard to find
• Zankou Chicken- 1716 S Sepulveda Blvd. @ Santa Monica Blvd- Awsome Shwarma and beef kabob. Try the garlic sauce. Various Locations
• San Francisco Saloon- 11501 W Pico Blvd- destination Happy Hour. Good beer Very good Hamburger
• The Counter- 2901 Ocean Park Blvd.- Huge good hamburgers. Expensive, ‘be seen’ spot
• Unurban Café- 3301 Pico Blvd @ 34^th St.- Café w/ special nights and live Music. CALL
• Rae’s Restaurant- 2901 Pico Blvd.- 29^th St.- SM- Awsome old school Diner place
• Irish Times- 3267 Motor Ave. low key fun Bar w/ Live Music
• Del’s Saloon- 12238 Santa Monica Blvd. @ Amherst Ave. Fun young crowd Dive bar
• La Playita( Guillen Mariscos)- Lincoln Blvd. Near marine. Little shack stand with awsome shrimp, fish, asada and al pastor tacos.
• Phillywest- 1870 Westwood Blvd. After SM Blvd.- low key sports bar w/ a very fine burger. Awesome for a beer and food or to watch sports
• The Apple Pan- 10801 W Pico Blvd-Overrated but OLD LA cute place to check out. Burger is fine
• Main St. Santa Monica Bar crawl: Self explanatory and centered around Circle Bar
• Maloneys (O’haras)- Gayley Blvd. at UCLA. The college bar. Crowded
• Lamonica’s Pizza- Gayley- best Pizza in Westwood. Cheap and good
• Sunnin Cafe- 1779 Westwood Blvd.- Lebanese food. Good pretty close to UCLA
• Shamashiri- 1712 Westwood Blvd. Expensive Persian food but a Great deal at Lunch
• Bela Pita- Gayley- awesome dress it yourself pita sandwiches. Get the Steak or Lamb
• Dolores Restaurant- 11407 Santa Monica- ugly awesome diner and late night spot
• McCabe’s Guitar Shop- 3101 Pico Blvd. SM. Live music. Check website for schedule. Famous intimate venue
• Museum of Jurassic Technology- 9341 Venice Blvd. FUNKY Funk. Try the free tea room upstairs. Its all lies, its all fake, or maybe its all real, all fact…

Inglewood- Culver City- Mid City

• Tacomiendo- Inglewood Blvd and Culver Blvd. Gateway near Barrington. Good Asada Burritos. RIGHT near El Abajeno and a few other great Mexican places
• El Abajeno- 4513 Inglewood Blvd
• Taqueria Sanchez- 4502 Inglewood Blvd
• Al Watan- 13611 Inglewood Ave. Hawthorne. Closes 10 PM. – awsome meat
• Al Noor- 15112 Inglewood Ave @ Marine Ave.- Indian/Pakistani. Closes 9:30 PM
• Petrelli’s- 5615 South Blvd. Steak House with awesome burger made from trimmings.
• Versailles- 10319 Venice Blvd.- Overpriced Cuban food. Other location at: 1415 S. La Cienega
• India’s Sweets &Spices- 9409 Venice Blvd. near Overland- cheap vegetarian lunches
• El Camaguey- 10975 Venice Blvd. Cuban/ South American market with good cheap Cuban Sandwich.
• Backstage Bar & Grill- 10400 Culver Blvd. @ Motor good young crowd Thurs to Sat
• The Mandrake- Bar w/ special nights of Art and DJ’s- not close to other bars but a destination and a solid night out. Closes at 12 some weeknights
• Dear John’s – 11208 Culver Blvd @Sepulveda- Culver City- Supper Club- big bar, cocktails, straight out of the Midwest or a gangster movie. Prolly see you grandma there. Hipsters will invade soon!

The Valley- NOHO

• M- Kulak’s Woodshed- 5230 ½ Laurel Canyon blvd. Small Singer Songwriter music venue. Call for details- 562-432-7463
• Skaf’s Grill- Laurel Canyon Blvd. and Oxnard. THE BEST Lebanese food in LA. Get the plate meals. In a strip mall with 7-11. CLOSES 8:00, 8:30ish
• B- Irelands 32- Burbank blvd. near Woodman- Van Nuys- legit Irish bar w/ live music
• Casey’s Pub- Sherman Way between Topanga and Shoup. – Live music
• Cozy’s- 14058 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks. AWESOME Blues Bar. Check Schedule
• Top Falafel- Victory and Cold Water Canyon Blvd. – get the spicy sauce
• Philadelphia Sandwich- 11112 Magnolia Blvd.
• B The Tonga Hut- 12808 Victory Blvd.- Funky Dive Tiki BAR.
• Swinging Door- 11018 Vanowen St. GREAT BBQ. Highly rated. CLOSED sun.
• Gary’s bric’s Ramp- 7730 North Hollywood Way.- weird dark BAR
• Tonny’s- Orange grove near Lake- 24 Hours
• NOHO Tandoori- 10855 Magnolia- Cheap Indian Food. Closes 10 PM
• Wat Thai- 8225 Coldwater Canyon Ave. @ Cantara near 120. Go Sat+ Sunday for a market with food and snacks. Go hang with the monks at the temple and school.

Look into: Film in the Cemetary. Love street up in the Hollywood Hills. Taco Trucks in Pico-Union. A trip in East LA down Whittier Blvd. The Museum of Jurrasic technology. Live music and events at Unurban Café. Bandbase is a good website.

The best thing ever is the Art Walk downtown. Check website but usually the first Thurs of every month.