may cali trip for this east coaster.

It's been awhile since my last visit to Boot…but I don't recall them having a great tasting room. I thought it was average.
And yes, I had to take a few seconds in my thought and try to remember the name Bootleggers.

 

if you're serious about mexican tacos (as I am) this is a good resource

http://www.greattacohunt.com

this is a good list too for your carnitas

http://www.laweekly.com/restaurants/10-best-places-to-eat-carnitas-in-los-angeles-2897618


kogi is overrated

 

Well that was quite some years ago that people were saying that. I think it just had a good amount of space. If you think about the old bruery's tasting room, compared to that, bootleggers was massive.

 

If you are going to Dodger Stadium, you should stop by Sunset Beer, which is not very far away. Wonderful bottle shop.

Also, I would plan El Segundo around your flight if possible. It is right next to LAX and that would be the most convenient way to hit ESBC

 

Kogi is worth it if nearby and minimal/no line.

Appreciate the taco links - didn't know that was a thing!

 

Taco Hunter is legend. Unfortunately he doesn't update much any more, but his legacy, and blog, live on

Politely disagree about Kogi. I agree its not bad but talk about overhyped. Give me an al pastor taco any day of the week. Roy Choi is overrated in general

 

I've eaten at a few of choi's restaurants, always left happy with the exception of commissary. while the decor and ambiance is great, the menu was a real roll of the dice. no food descriptions, just a hand drawing of a fish, or cow, or noodle. so it was impossible to know if they styles of food were the same until the plate arrived.

that said, love me some kogi.

 

Bottle & Pint in Newbury Park seems to have good stuff. Draft & bottle shop, haven't been but they post good stuff on instagram.

Wades Wines by Thousand Oaks is the same - draft & bottle shop. I hate them but sometimes they have good stuff. Highly recommend Beachwood. Depending on your route North, Green Jug in Woodland Hills, any Vendome (esp Beverly Hills), & Valley Beverage are all worth a stop. Enegren brewing is in Moorpark but I haven't been yet...

I second the IP trade request. Bring me some Sea Hag!

 

ive gotta ask... why are you excited about evolution food? after being so excited for a meat place then a vegan place...

 

forgot to add, if you stop at Smog City, you HAVE to stop at Monkish, they are a block from each other, so if you don't hit both, it is a wasted opportunity. Both are excellent.

 

While your in Thousand Oaks you NEED to head north to Buellton and hit Firestone Walker Barrelworks...Telegraph and Figueroa Mountain in Santa Barbara are nice to...on the way back.

 

You can go to fig mountain in Buellton too, but, and as I learned the hard way, make sure you go to fig mountain first otherwise you'll come away with a less than stellar impression due to the high abv and sour offerings from BW making everything else seem bland.

 

Before you go to Barell Works check their hours. Right now their hours are limited. I wouldn't make the drive if they aren't open, the regular restaurant may be open but you can get almost all those options locally. Enegren is good if you have extra time but I would vote the local places to visit in this order.
1. ladyface (great food and drink)
2. Institution
3. Poseidon (Oxnard, so it may be a little far)
4. Bottle & pint
5. Wades wines (overpriced, but great selection, may be able to get an over priced Pliny bottle to drink there)
6. Enegren (they have been getting good food trucks on Wednesday)
7. Surf (about a mile from Poseidon)

 

If you go to Buellton there is a place on the same street as Figueroa Mountain called Industrial Eats. It is a foodie paradise. I go there whenever I go to Barrelworks.