ILLUSTRATIONS BY FRANCESCO ZORZI
This Eastside LA neighborhood was cut off from Silver Lake and Echo Park in the 1950s by the construction of the 101 freeway. Now, Historic Filipinotown—America’s first officially designated Filipino neighborhood—is becoming a drive-to (rather than a drive-through) destination, thanks to a slew of new restaurants and bars, many of them from young Asian-Americans. Here, six locals give us the lowdown on HiFi.
Genever co-owner Roselma Samala recommends…
“The Pilipino Workers Center, a nonprofit organization focusing on local labor issues, offers by-appointment tours in an authentic Jeepney. You get to learn about Historic Filipinotown and local retailers—and also get honks of encouragement from cars passing by.”
Pilipino Workers Center executive director Aquilina Soriano Versoza recommends…
“The Park’s Finest uses family recipes that developed in [HiFi]. You really can’t get dishes like Mama Leah’s coconut beef or Ann’s cornbread bibingka [a baked rice cake] anywhere else. It’s not just the food here that’s special; it’s also the family’s philanthropic works. They feed the community in so many ways.”
The Park’s Finest co-owner Christine Araquel-Concordia recommends…
“A visit to Valerie Confections is a must for anyone craving a treat. Whether it’s a smooth pour-over coffee, a chocolate truffle, or a cake adorned with the freshest of fruits, this boutique gives a pleasant morning or midday boost.”
Valerie Confections owner Valerie Gordon recommends…
“Crawford’s has the feel of a neighborhood dive bar that has been around forever. Out of their tiny kitchen they create some of the most delicious fried chicken in LA, with a great beer list.”
Crawford’s co-owner Dave Abrams recommends…
“The pork-belly bao at Woon is amazing, but you have to have more than good food for a standout place. Keegan and Mama Fong are really good people, and HiFi is lucky to have them.”
Woon owner Keegan Fong recommends…
“Genever is a Filipina-owned bar located inside a very unassuming building on Beverly. From the outside, you’d never guess that these ladies are making some of the best gin cocktails in the city, using locally sourced and housemade syrups and shrubs.”
