Los Feliz Ledger [restaurant review]
Alegria Keeps the Spice in Silver Lake By Pat Saperstein, Ledger Restaurant Critic Alegria was a breath of fresh air when it opened in 1995. Since then, Silver Lake has been transformed with more dining choices, but Alegria still fills a need for creative Mexican comfort food. There’s often a wait in the evening; hanging out with actors, filmmakers and families on the mini-mall sidewalk is part of the charm. After being seated in the warm, bustling restaurant, servers bring a paper sack of freshly made tortilla chips; order some chunky, spicy guacamole to go with them. Settle in with the menu and watch the Silver Lake scene. You’ll have plenty of time, as service has forever been on the leisurely side. Several new items have recently been added to the menu, and now, Alegria ac-
cepts credit cards. There’s still no beer or wine, but a selection of fruity aguas, basil mint lemonade, and cafe de la olla should quench most thirsts. Alegria makes plenty of well-executed standard Mexican dishes like enchiladas suizas and carnitas, but try something unusual to taste where the family-run restaurant shines. Camarones chipotles include several enormous shrimp in a fiery chile sauce. Their bed of both cooked green beans and raw spinach is a tad incongruous, but with a side of chipotlemashed sweet potatoes, the dish feels healthy, spicy and indulgent. There’s lots of seafoodbased choices—salmon tortitas are basically salmon patties like your grandma might
have made, but with a jolt of attitude and a side of mashed potatoes. Crab chimichangas or smoked salmon quesadillas also depart from the usual. For vegetarians there’s tacos a la crema filled with potatoes and topped with a trio of salsas and mole; or satisfying Budin Moctezuma, a layered casserole of cheese, chilis and vegetables. For dessert, a chocolate chimichanga will please the young at heart; there’s also homemade flan and chocolate chip bread pudding. Open weekdays at 11 a.m. and 10 a.m. Saturdays (closed Sundays). Most entrees are $14 to $17, but tacos and smaller plates are less. Alegria, 3510 Sunset Blvd., 323-913-1422.
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indochinevien Enjoy authentic Vietnamese comfort food in a hip space
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By Marilyn Tower Oliver, Ledger Theater Critic
Atwater Village 3110 Glendale Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90039 Tel: 323.667.9591 www.indochinevien.com
ZAGAT RATED
The timemost instantaneous attraction. Peitor Angell and clever lightless themes of love, friendship Stewart resents the young man ing by Francois-Pierre Couand the need to connect are and becomes suspicious of ture make seamless transitions themes are explored in “DadTee’s motivations. from scene to scene. dy,” at the Hudson MainGay marriage provides a The play runs close to stage Theatre in Hollywood. subplot, but it mostly remains two hours without intermisThis is a poignant, proin the background as this is sion. Because of adult content vocative play with clever twists more a drama about relationit is not suitable for children. keeping the audience on the ships. edge of their seats. Director Rick Sparks “Daddy” through March Written by Ian Verdun keeps the drama on track. I 13th, Fridays, Saturdays who also stars in the show, particularly liked the clever and Sundays. Hudson Open 7 days a week the play features Gerald Mctwo level set designed by Mainstage, 6539 Santa Sun - Thurs 11:30am -10pm Cullouch, best known for his Adam Fleming that takes the Monica Blvd., HollyFri - Sat 11:30am -11pm acting on the television drama action from gay bar to newswood. Tickets $30, CSI and Dan Via, a young acpaper office to Colin’s apart(323) 960-7738 or tor who is new to the Los Anment. Original music by www.plays411/daddy. geles theater. While the characters are all gay men, some of the probBill Gotti presents... lems they face are universal. Colin McCormack, portrayed by McCullouch, is a popular newspaper columnist who is also a middle-aged hunk. His best friend from Yale is the intellectual but insecure from the Original Victors Famous Deli law professor Stewart, played by Verdun. Although the two Beginning Jan. 10, HAPPY HOUR 4-7 had a brief fling while in college, they are now best friends Tapas size hor d’oeuvres $2-2.95 who enjoy watching baseball House Red or White Wine $3.50/1st glass, 50¢/2nd glass together while eating Chinese take-out and making shopping forays to Ikea. The two have never explored their relationship. CoBreakfast served all day lin who is sure of his sex apWe deliver - 7 days a week peal has had affairs with the Corner of Franklin Ave. bisexual members of his soccer team, but facing middle-aged by Gelson’s angst, he now wants a deeper 1917 Bronson Ave. relationship. When he meets (323) 464-0276 Tee, a much younger intern at www.VictorsSquare.com his newspaper, he feels an al-
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