Ludo Lefebvre Takes Us On a Tour of His 5 Favorite L.A. Bites
We asked Trois Mec chef Ludo Lefebvre, one of the country’s hottest culinary figures, to show us his favorite food bites in L.A.— from the crispiest and crunchiest to the sweetest and spiciest. Needless to say, the results had us instantly enticed. Follow along to see exactly what makes each bite so special, and why Ludo was so excited to take us on a culinary tour of the vibrant city he calls home, in the S.Pellegrino® Taste Guide featuring Ludo Lefebvre.
Tanveer Badal1/16Your Favorite Song
Night + Market Song in Silver Lake is known for its addictively funky take on Thai street food, as well as its eye-catching decor.
Tanveer Badal2/16Bold Colors, Bold Flavors
Night + Market Song’s neon interior matches the bright flavors of Chef Kris Yenbamroong’s Thai cooking, and both the tablecloths and plateware are imported from Northern Thailand.
Tanveer Badal3/16Green with Envy
Pounded in a clay mortar to order, Night + Market Song’s version of Thai green papaya salad is tangy, crunchy and vibrant in all the right ways. Ludo recommends pairing it with some of the restaurant’s spicier curries to balance out the heat.
Tanveer Badal4/16The Sweet Life
After stepping into Chaumont Bakery, patrons are immediately transported into a slice of traditional café life.
Tanveer Badal5/16Baked From Scratch
The secret to making Chaumont’s swoon-worthy chocolate croissants is all in the timing. The dough is painstakingly laminated, proofed, and then baked in the wee hours of the morning—delivering golden brown pastries with devilishly crispy layers.
Tanveer Badal6/16Hot Chocolate
Traditional pain au chocolat, with a molten core of Nöel dark chocolate at the center, are a perennial favorite at Chaumont — it’s no wonder Ludo considers them the best croissants in L.A.
Tanveer Badal7/16Hello, Thai Town
Located in the heart of Hollywood, L.A.’s famous Thai Town is home to Jitlada, a strip mall legend among chefs and celebs alike.
Tanveer Badal8/16Make Yourself at Home
Jitlada’s traditional dining room is lined with awards and five-star reviews from over the years.
Tanveer Badal9/16Some Like It Hot
The dynamite curry at Jitlada is so spicy, chef Suthiporn "Tui" Sungkamee wears a paper mask while cooking it in the wok, to avoid intense chile fumes.
Tanveer Badal10/16Dyn-o-mite!
Jitlada’s Dynamite Spicy Challenge is made with fresh sautéed prawns and green peppercorn strands. Ludo tells us it’s spicy enough to make it feel like your ears are ringing (we’ll take his word for it).
Tanveer Badal11/16Under the Sycamore Tree
Housed in what was once a printing press, The Sycamore Kitchen boasts a spacious brick dining room—the ideal place to linger over a late brunch.
Tanveer Badal12/16Fresh From the Oven
Every morning Sycamore Kitchen chef Karen Hatfield’s superb sweet and savory pastries—anything from salted caramel pecan rolls to bacon-cheddar tarts—fill the case next to the register.
Tanveer Badal13/16The Quiche to Success
As Ludo puts it, no one makes a better quiche in the city than The Sycamore Kitchen. Flaky, house-made piecrust is filled with a creamy blend of egg and cheese, and strewn with fillings that rotate throughout the seasons (in this one, it’s roasted green chiles). Make sure to visit Thursday through Sunday to snag a slice.
Tanveer Badal14/16Beverly Chic
Outside The Honor Bar in downtown Beverly Hills the after-work crowd comes bustling through, drawn in by the dark, moody, yet inviting interiors.
15/16The Right Cut
At The Honor Bar, Ding’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich (named after the founder’s grandmother, a legendary cook) gets neatly sliced into 3 perfect pieces before serving. Ludo considers it one of his favorite post-workout treats when he visits Beverly Hills.
Tanveer Badal16/16Ding-Ding!
With buttermilk fried chicken, baby Swiss cheese, spicy kale slaw and tomato, Ding’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich hits all the right notes.
For more of the best places to dine in Los Angeles and other U.S. cities, see the complete S.Pellegrino® Taste Guide.
