Tuna Toast

Tuna Toast Ten

This week we've put a gun to the head of LA's own Lesley Balla, Editor of Eater LA, to answer the ten questions on the minds of hungry people everywhere (or just here). If you haven't checked Eater LA, you should- it's the best place to hear about restaurant openings, restaurant closings, chef news, sightings of celebrities noshing (proof that some of them actually DO eat!) and other Los Angeles food-related happenings.

Name: Lesley Balla

Occupation: Editor, Eater LA; freelance writer
City, State of residence: Pasadena, CA
Website/blog/thing you'd like to pimp: Eater LA of course


1. The best restaurant meal I've had recently is:

I feel like I've been to more events/parties than actual dinners lately, so I have to say the spontaneous lunch at Pizzeria Mozza is a standout. Not only did we get a great seat at the pizza bar (and not too long of a wait), the clam pizza, meatballs, burrata with pesto, and budino rocks it every time. [Ed note: the budino is, IMHO, hands down, the best dessert in Los Angeles. It really does rock it in a way nothing else can.]

2. If money wasn't an issue, I would want to eat at:

El Bulli first, Urasawa second.

3. The food I eat most often is:

Coffee, some version of pizza, sushi. Pretty much in that order.

4. No great meal is complete without:

A great martini, fine wine, good company.

5. The best cheap eats in my neighborhood:

I don't eat in my neighborhood as much as I should. When I do, it's usually for lunch because I'm off galavanting all over town for dinners. If I don't just whip up something easy at my office (home), I probably grab a sandwich (chicken salad on rosemary currant bread) or pastry from
Europane. Cheap eats, considering. [Ed note: I love this place myself....the turkey sandwich is insane as is their bread pudding....wow]

6. There's no way in hell I'd ever eat:

I hate saying that I'll never try anything, but tripe stands out. I don't know if I can handle any of those nasty soups Zimmern and Bourdain eat on their shows, but who knows.

7. My go-to dish I'd cook for guests is:

I honestly don't have one go-to. I cook whatever inspires me. I make a mean cornmeal-crusted fried chicken, damn good short ribs, and anything with pasta. I love to bake. [Ed note: Mmmm fried chicken......]

8. Man can't live on food alone, so my favorite libation is:

You'll most likely see me drinking a gin martini (love the Hendricks) or a glass of wine. I love beer, too, though. Can you tell I'm indecisive today?

9. My favorite guilty food pleasure is (c'mon....be HONEST!):

There's this roasted artichoke dip from Trader Joe's that I just love. But it's dangerous: I can polish it off with some crackers in one sitting, so I try not to buy it.

10. My favorite food-related website/blog is (no obligation to list
TT, we're completely objective over here!):

I could say Eater LA, but that's cheap. I really scan way too many on a daily basis to pick just one. Let's just say this: I'm addicted to my Bloglines feeds.