Native Foodie Finds: The Citysearch LA Scavenger Hunt

6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038 (map)

'HOOD FIND: It's a little crowded and it's a little fancy (as far as pizzerias go) but the cozy bar and dining room are perfect for a neighborhood bite. The Pizza Bianca with fontina, mozzarella, sottocenere & sage ($18) is amazing all by itself but add the house-made fennel sausage to it and you might declare your undying love for Nancy Silverton (of La Brea Bakery) and celebrity chef Mario Batali. The combination of those crispy sage leaves with the delicate fennel of the sausage is an unusual but addictive and unforgettable combination. Wrap up your meal with the butterscotch budino; it's the richest creamiest Italian pudding and not at all cloying. The budino pairs beautifully with the 2006 Moscato d'Asti ($8). Delicioso!

742 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038 (map)

BRUNCH FIND: Susan Feninger's place is urban casual with a welcoming community feel. While you're brunching, your neighbor may ask what you've ordered because it looks so amazing. You're answer should be two words: Kaya Toast ($10). It's toasted bread spread thick with a not-too-sweet coconut jam and served with a soft-fried egg sprinkled with white pepper and drizzled with dark soy. Break open that yolk and sop it up with the toast. It's a little slice of salty-sweet heaven from Singapore. The Korean Rice Salad ($16) is also amazing with roasted black cod and fried egg over chopped lettuce, brown rice, bean sprouts, mushrooms, nori, daikon, tofu and sunflower seeds tossed in spicy sweet sesame dressing. Too... umm... international for you? Don't worry; they also have an American Breakfast ($11) with eggs your way, bacon and crispy country potatoes.

850 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036 (map)

BURGER FIND: When you walk into this cool contemporary Asian-influenced eatery you may feel a little confused. Is this a burger joint? Or is it a day spa? Get over it because the burgers are world class. Try the No. 5 burger which is a triple pork patty with Chinese 5 spice, aged Manchengo and tomato marmelade ($9). I know, I know, some of you love beef so much you can't fathom a pork burger! Well, the Manly Burger is for you: the beef patty is topped with beer-cheddar cheese, smoked salt onion strings, and bacon lardons. It's a gourmet bacon-cheeseburger but you manly men will just think it's delicious. Oh! And you can wash it all down with Mexican Coke! It's got cane sugar in it which makes it taste like the Coca Cola of your childhood. Errr ... assuming you were a child in the 1970s, that is.

145 N Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754 (map)

ASIAN FIND: It's Sunday morning and you feel like having some Chinese food! What to do? Get over to Ocean Star posthaste. As soon as you walk into this bustling supersized Chinese banquet hall you'll feel like you stumbled into Hong Kong. Plan to wait a bit for your number to be called and to be escorted back to your table. But it's worth the wait when those dim sum carts start rolling by. A little barbeque pork, a few shrimp shu mei, and then take the leap: get some chicken feet! There's no chance you'll end up with chicken feet on accident; they look EXACTLY like chicken feet. You name it, they've got it, and the prices are very reasonable. It's an adventure in your own backyard for the novice and a diverse selection of high quality morsels for the veteran. Don't miss the egg custards or red bean buns for dessert.

933 South Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204 (map)

DATE FIND: The last thing you want on date night is a food coma. What you want is some fine wine and some perfectly-paired little bites to share and coo over. Palate Food & Wine fits the bill. It's in an unlikely spot in Glendale (think: "Mile of Cars") which makes you look very savvy for knowing it was there at all. But you'll forget all about Brand Boulevard once you enter the warmly-lit modern dining room and are greeted by the charming staff (who more often than not have a French accent). The menu changes weekly but it always features a variety of house-pickeled vegetables ($3 - $6) that are to die for and the perfect thing to whet your appetite. When you are ready for something a little more substantial try the potted meats ($6). I know that some of you hear potted meat and immediately think of "Sling Blade" but shake that off because these are some of the most flavorful and pleasing preparations you could imagine. Still hungry? Why not split an entree or just finish off the evening with a cheese plate. Palate offers more than 50 artisanal cheeses from around the world.

16450 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91436 (map)

SWEET FIND: Gelson's may not the place that you'd expect to find authentic Italian gelato. And, frankly, you won't find it if you look in the freezer section. Nope, you have to look in the bakery! That's right. Viktor Benes (purveyor of the famous pecan Alligator) makes the most authentic gelato this side of the Atlantic. Their gelato is the creamiest with the purest most natural tasting flavors. Go old school with the pistachio or the fig &honey. But if you want something a little lighter, try their sorbets. You'll be hard pressed to find cantaloupe, pear, or pink grapefruit sorbet in Los Angeles and you won't find a better-tasting smoother-textured sorbet anywhere.

5065 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 (map)

CHEAP FIND: You aren't coming here for the atmosphere; it's a strip mall shop with acoustic tile ceilings and fluorescent lighting. No, you're coming here for the best spit-roasted chicken around. The roasted chicken wrap is simple and elegant and it will change your world. They start with a fluffy, chewy, pita slightly crisped by toasting. The pita is wrapped around slices of roasted chicken, chopped fresh tomatoes, and a creamy garlic sauce that should be patented. Do you like hummus? Prepare yourself for hummus perfection. It's whipped (so light!) and topped with olive oil and paprika. Or try the mutabal. It's basically the hummas but the garbanzo beans have been replaced with grilled (organic!) eggplant giving the dip a delicious smokey flavor. The best part? You can get out of here for under $10 per person.

2575 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057 (map)

24 HOUR FIND: It's late. You're famished. Quick! Get thee to the classic California late night eatery: The Original Tommy's Burger. Order yourself a chili cheeseburger with the works and it'll cure what ails you. It's greasy. It's messy. It's the original. And it's moutwatering. Still hungry? Wash that burger down with an order of chili cheese fries. If you can't take the double dose of chili cheese (Rookie!), order the plain fries and shake their signature season salt all over 'em. The season salt gives the fries a sweet and salty barbeque flavor that you'll surely dream about.

1009 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291 (map)

HEALTHY FIND: The spare bright interior of Axe (pronounced Ah-shay') might remnd you of your yoga studio. And your yogi would surely approve of the stuff served here. The basic rice bowl is legendary. It's brown rice with bean sprouts, carrots, cucumber + onion, cabbage, peanuts, basil, mint and sesame dressing. Oh, the dressing. You are pretty much using all those ingredients as a method of conveying the dressing to your mouth. Seriously, you will probably just pick up the bowl and slurp up whatever is left of that dressing. It's so good! You can add tofu, salmon, hard boiled eggs or chicken if you want a little more protein. But one thing is for sure, you will leave here satisfied and guilt free. Namaste.

8370 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048 (map)

MMM TASTE THE CALORIES! FIND: Chicken and shrimp dumplings? Mac and cheese? Corn fritters? Yes please! And that's just a warm up for the best darn southern fried chicken you'll ever taste. And it's boneless so you can eat it with a fork and knife like a lady. Somehow you have to save some space for the the berry cobbler. You've probably had berry cobbler before, but not like this. Here's the catch: you can't just come in and order the cobbler. Nope. Dinner first, cobbler second. That's the rule.