Komal
A small bustling restaurant in South Los Angeles inspired by the street vendors, tianguis, and markets of Oaxaca and Mexico City. They nixtamalize an heirloom variety of corn each day and mill it into fresh masa. Authentic, memorable, and delightful plates. Very casual. Grab one of their daily agua frescas.
Scott's Shawarma
Where: Richmond, VA Atmosphere: 20-seat restaurant, cramped quarters, feels like hole-in-the wall city dining. Vibe: two guys behind the counter, slinging meat, moving fast. Order quickly and don't waste their time. Friendly but focused. Food: Fresh 🍅.
Shelly's Comida Latina
This small restaurant tucked into a strip mall just outside Richmond, VA, city limits isn't where the office goes for happy hour margaritas. It's where Latin locals grab food that tastes like home. Expect a busy lunch hour with abuelitas working the line and moderate to little English being spoken. So many items are delicious, but I'm impressed with how they get the basics right consistently: their beans and rice are always perfectly cooked and seasoned. If you're feeling adventurous, try the tacos de lengua (beef tongue), but order only one or two and balance out the richness with another flavor if you're hungry for more.
Lilac Everything (Emma Louise) (2018)
Emma Louise normally sings in an airy, feminine soprano, but for this album she finally embraced a voice she had been dreaming about using for years. Lilac Everything pitches down her voice to an androgynous baritone that pulls you into a dripping-honey mood. While disorienting at first, it's a work of art that takes chances and stands out as a jewel among the ordinary. Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify
