Little Fatty

"Just off Venice Blvd. in Mar Vista, Little Fatty is a casual Taiwanese spot that also doubles as a neighborhood hangout. Everything about the place is relaxed, especially during the week. The restaurant is attached to Accomplice, an excellent cocktail bar, so not only can you get Accomplice cocktails at Little Fatty (and vice versa). But the combination of the two places also means you can come here in sweatpants or bring someone for a casual date. Little Fatty’s menu is made up of modern takes on Taiwanese-American classics. Most of the dishes taste pretty much exactly as you’d hope, although they often involve an ingredient you wouldn’t expect. The kung pao chicken comes with squash, the xiao long bao are made with squid ink wrappers, and goji berries come on top of the long beans someone at the table will order because “we need a vegetable.” Nothing is going to win awards for innovation, but everything tastes good in a comforting sort of way. If you’re usually the kind of person who makes restaurant decisions using 20 open tabs and/or a spreadsheet with color-coded annotations like “good for when you’re probably going to cry in public,” we respect and support you. But you also need those back-pocket spots where you can eat dinner without having to think too hard about it. If you live in Mar Vista, Little Fatty is about to become your version of the black turtleneck. Steve would probably approve. Food Rundown Scallion Pancake Very fried, very oniony, very doughy, and something we’re always going to order. photo credit: Jakob Layman Squid Ink Xiao Long Bao The squid ink is really for show, but these pork-filled black soup dumplings are excellent anyway. Wontons Good dumplings, not out-of-this-world dumplings. The xiao long bao are better. photo credit: Jakob Layman Kung Pao Chicken This is like most other kung pao chicken dishes you’ve eaten in your life, but with the addition of squash. So yeah, it’s good. photo credit: Jakob Layman General Tso’s Cauliflower You probably thought you didn’t need more fried cauliflower in your life, but this sweet sauce-glazed one is better than most. Don’t skip it. Dan Dan Mian We do wish it was spicier, but this is still a very good bowl of dan dan noodles. The thick mafalde pasta slowly absorbs the chili oil as eat, making each bite better than the last." - Jess Basser Sanders

"Status Kuo specializes in rotisserie meats cooked in-house. These guys serve up somewhat familiar items that will blow your taste buds when you start to chow down and notice the Asian twist on each dish. Some crowd favorites are the Taiwanese Philly Cheesesteak, the Rotisserie Chicken Plate and the Chicken Melt. The truffle fries are seriously dangerous!" - Italic Studio

"This Chinese spot in Mar Vista has a $100 holiday meal for four, with walnut shrimp, orange chicken, mapo tofu, zha jiang noodles, sesame balls, and more. Order online starting 12/22 for pick-up 12/24 or 12/25." - brett keating

"Every day from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the always-bustling Taiwanese spot in Mar Vista, folks can score $4 beers, $9 wines by the glass, $10 updates on classic 90s cocktails, and a $10 Japanese highball. Snack on (or make a meal of) $4 egg rolls, $5 fried dumplings, and fried chicken bao." - Eater Staff

"The Mar Vista Market is a full-blown destination with tons of prepared food vendors, the usual tables of beautiful produce, and events like salsa dance lessons and workshops on pasta-making. Expect to see vendors selling fresh crepes, Afghan baked goods, and French pastries, as well as live music acts, including water glass performers, folk duos, and the occasional 21-piece jazz bands. Open Sunday, 9am-2pm. " - Sylvio Martins, Garrett Snyder