During my last few weeks of living in LA, I've become something of a "lady who lunches". I should move out of town more often! It's been a great way to catch up with friends before I leave town and also a way to cross off some more restaurants off the LA bucket list that resides in my head. Recently, I was able to dine at Baco Mercat. It's a newish restaurant in downtown LA helmed by chef Josef Centeno, formerly of Lazy Ox Canteen. Their signature dish is the baco which is a flatbread sandwich. The bread is really amazing here. It's kind of like a homemade pita, but a little thinner and slightly chewy. It compliments the ingredients inside rather than overpowers them.
To start, Ben and I shared the zataar and olive oil with lebni ($4). Both sauces are flavorful, but the lebni yogurt sauce was our favorite and we asked for more of the amazing flatbread to sop it up.
For this first visit, we both ordered the "Original" Baco ($8). It's stuffed with pork belly and beef carnitas, salbitxada (a tomato and almond sauce), and smoked aioli. At first glance, it's a bit overwhelming, but you just pick it up and eat like a sandwich. The carnitas are crisp, but tender. The sauce is fresh, and though it's meaty, you don't feel heavy after eating it.
Restaurants like this show the progress that Los Angeles has made in the ten years since I moved here. The food scene has improved so much and it will be interesting to see where it has yet to go after I leave.
Don't forget, you have through the weekend to enter my giveaway!!
Other bloggers enjoying Baco Mercat:
e*star LA
Amateur Gourmet
Consuming LA
Baco Mercat
403 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 687-8808
Website
13 comments:
That bread looks amazing
I'm going to miss you!!!! XO.
Esther, I will miss you too! Come visit me in Chicago :)
This spot is on my to-eat list too! I had a small taste of baco at Gold Standard. Need more.
hmm maybe I should consider moving so I can become a lady who lunches!
that flatbread sounds and looks so good.
think of all the good joints in chicago. that famous joint (in chicago) owned by charlie trotters is closing soon. he's getting out of the biz. maybe you, oprah and I should go there before it closes? you up for it? lol
love that bread - it's soft and yet crisp on the outside and then unlike a pita it folds over without cracking - can't wait to hear what you get up to in Chicago - your first stop MUST be Belly Shack followed by Longman and Eagle and then GT Oysters - enjoy and don't forget your friends back here in LA LA land. x
I love a great flatbread sandwich. Their menu looks like it has such a great variety of flavors! Will definitely have to check them out!
Thanks for the recommendation! I'll put it on my list!
Dawn, sure, let's do it! :)
Lucy, thanks for all the recommendations! I can't wait to explore the Chicago food scene.
i've only gone for a drink I can too late for lunch but have been dying to go back and actually try some food. it all looks amazing!
Your pics here are fantastic.
Thanks for the round up and have a great move!
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