BEST DISHES EATER EDITORS ATE THIS WEEK: MAY 6

The editors at Eater LA dine out several times a week, if not per day, which means we’re always encountering standout dishes that deserve time in the limelight. Here’s the very best of everything the team has eaten this week.

Caesar wrap at Ggiata in Melrose Hill

I want to thank whoever thought of putting a Caesar salad into a wrap. Though Ggiata has served Caesar salad for a while, in March the Italian sandwich shop introduced “the perfect Caesar wrap.” Meant to just be a month-long special, it now has a permanent home on the menu. The wrap starts with a flour tortilla from Burritos La Palma, is stuffed with dressed romaine, Parmesan, crispy croutons, pepperoncini, and a chicken cutlet, and served with a side of Caesar dressing for dipping. The first bite is everything I could want as someone who grew up eating chicken Caesar wraps from California Chicken Cafe. The dressing is tangy without being overpowering, while the croutons maintain some of their crispiness even after being folded into the rest of the salad. The portion of the chicken cutlet is generous, and the chewy tortilla ties it all together. 5009 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038. — Rebecca Roland, associate editor

Mole blanco at Maizano in Costa Mesa

Mercado González in Costa Mesa deserves every bit of praise it receives — it truly is a wonderland of Mexican food and groceries — but don’t overlook the only full-service restaurant inside the emporium. Maizano’s Mexico City vibes are laid-back and casually cool, while service is as warm as its freshly griddled tortillas. Start with a round of cocktails and the complimentary queso fresco- and salsa-topped tlayuda before ordering whatever catches your eye, but don’t miss the mole blanco. Made from nearly two dozen ingredients, including hazelnuts, pine nuts, green apple, and cauliflower, the mole boasts a velvety texture and subtle sweetness with a lingering heat. Spooned into corn tortillas with some broccolini, nixtamalized chayote, and “Mexican furikake” (which contains grasshoppers), it’s the kind of stellar bite that makes one forget the hour-long commute that preceded the meal. 2300 Harbor Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. — Cathy Chaplin, senior editor

Bulgogi at Seung Buk Dong in Koreatown

It’s Saturday night in Koreatown, and dozens of people are waiting for a seat at Dan Sung Sa, the first-ever bona fide pocha in LA. Just across the way at Seung Buk Dong, there are plenty of tables available at 7 p.m. While Dan Sung Sa works better as a drinking spot, Seung Buk Dong is ideal for a proper dinner and ought to be busier every night of the week. This is my unabashed love letter to one of Koreatown’s enduring mom-and-pop restaurants where the bulgogi is the dish to get. Most of the time, this entry-level offering gets overlooked for still-alive chopped octopus, chicken gizzards, or cow’s intestines as markers of “hardcore” Korean dishes. Yet, some places go the extra mile to make a great version. Seung Buk Dong’s features melt-in-your-mouth tender beef that manages to sport edges of maillard crisp. The onions beneath wilt from the cast iron pan's heat and the beef's juices. I’ve been ordering bulgogi lately because my son loves it with rice and banchan. My mom used to tell me I also loved bulgogi, so it’s good to know the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree. 3303 West Sixth Street, Los Angeles, CA. 90020. — Matthew Kang, lead editor

Shrimp enchiladas at EK Valley in Culver City

Culver City’s EK Valley uses just about every shade on the color wheel. The bright orange building is impossible to miss on the north side of Washington just east of La Cienega, with a multi-colored patio and indoor dining room filled with Oaxacan artwork. As the servers drop platters at adjacent tables, you’ll also notice that EK Valley boasts an even more vibrant menu. Every dish brought from the kitchen is bursting with hues and flavors. And though the specialty of the house is a hearty mole burrito, try the shrimp enchiladas. This saucy, flavorful dish comes with a side of excellent black beans, rice, and enchiladas that could be a piece of art. The sauteed shrimp is wonderfully garlicky with a citrusy sauce that’s balanced with minimal heat. Admire this thing of beauty while watching cars and pedestrians go by. Then, dig right in. 6121 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232. — Mona Holmes, reporter

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