Cliff's Edge

Unless you know it's there, you won't know it's there. This place is great--one of the coolest dining spots in the LA. Not sceney, good food, incredible ambiance. Their menu is seasonal and always delicious.

Cicada

This place is fantastic if you've got a special occassion. You might recognize it from Pretty Woman. Apart from that, it's got great ambiance and fantastic food; much, much better than more sceney places that have similar prices. Go!

Masa-Echo Park Bakery & Cafe

Their Chicago style pizza is ridiculous. Never had anything bad here. Cool staff, nice vibe. It's also a good brunch spot on the weekends--never too crowded. Worth more than a trip, it's worth 2.

Lark Cake Shop

I ate three of their cupcakes at a friend's birthday on Saturday and fear that I may never be the same. It's a cool little shop, delicious pastries. . .check 'em out.

My Friends Place

Ok, so in the interest of full disclosure: I work at My Friend's Place.

That said, I've worked at a lot of places and this is one of the best. Amazing staff, great programs serving homeless youth, and they fill a huge need in Los Angeles.

If you're looking for a place to volunteer or support, check them out.

Los Angeles Free Clinic

If you're uninsured and need health care--like many folks out there right about now--the LA Free Clinic is fantastic. Great docs, good care (sometimes better than at an HMO), and completely free. If you're uninsured, check them out.

Mexico City

But the rest of the food is kind of so-so given the price. It's a bit sad, because it's in a great location. Alegria on Sunset is much better for the price.

Tub Tim Siam

Even though they've recently gone slightly upscale from the utter hole in the wall dive they once were, I still like the Tub Tim. Cheesy music goes well with basic, but delicious, Thai dishes. They used to have a dinner special, but even without it it's still a good value.

Madame Matisse

As a connosieur of the Brunchtime Meal, I wholeheartedly recommend this place. For some reason they, unlike other joints on the same stretch, rarely have a line out the door during the busy weekend hours. Price, good. Food, good. Go get 'em.

Pure Luck Restaurant

I'm not generally a fan of the Vegan type food, but this wee hole in the wall just off Melrose is delicious. And it has an extensive selection of beer to complement the jack-fruit intensive menu. As a bonus, it's right across from Scoops; really, you can't go wrong.