Eat Out. Din Tai Fung.

I don't eat Chinese food a lot, mainly because I just don't have any great go-to spots. This changed completely this past weekend, when on New Year's Day (after a party that went well into the wee hours of 2011's first morning) our friends Graham and Jenny took us to Din Tai Fung. They discovered it years ago in China, and then found out there's one here in Arcadia, Calif. Genius.

The line was really long, and the wait ended up being close to an hour, but was so worth it.

The juicy pork dumplings (which we had five orders of) are absolutely delicious. They're so fresh and flavorful, you could really just eat them all day. Luckily to-go orders are easy to place, many people take full bags home with them.

We also had vegetable fried rice, hot and sour soup, green beans, bok choy, and egg noodles. Everything was fantastic. I'm already planning when we can next go.

If Arcadia sounds like a long drive for dumplings, make a day of it and visit the race track or the arboretum--both nearby.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: jonasapproved.com

Eat Out. Wat Dong Moon Lek.

Wat Dong Moon Lek is a great Thai restaurant in Silver Lake. A coworker told me about it, and I've been hooked ever since! The Panang curry (with tofu) is my favorite, but I recently started getting the Pad Thai (with chicken) and it's definitely as good. My guess it that everything on the menu is worth a try, really. I've brought a couple friends here and they loved it too.

The service is prompt and friendly when you eat in, and picking up take-away is convenient. It's located in a small strip mall which usually has at least a couple free parking spaces. Inside, it's comfortable and clean with interesting American pop culture sketches on the walls.

They make a fantastic Thai iced tea, and decent sticky rice too (better there than if you get it take-away, when the sitting time can make it clump together). Most menu items are very reasonably priced, at about $8. Cash only.

Wat Dong Moon Lek is located at 4356 Fountain Ave. in Silver Lake. (323) 666-5993

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: watdongmoonlek.com

Eat Out. Chameau on Fairfax.

A lot of really delicious restaurants in LA are named after very unappetizing things in French (La Poubelle on Franklin comes to mind), and Chameau is no exception.

Recognizing its Moroccan roots, this delibar's name means "camel" in the language of love although it is no reflection of the quality of food in the deli.

I hate cooking Moroccan-style couscous, it requires a lot of watching and expensive spices. At Chameau you can get the real deal, infused with different flavors and peppered with nuts and raisins at a reasonable rate.

Recently converted from a posh restaurant to quick deli, Chameau is still serving up their Middle Eastern eggplant dip, couscous, and marinated olives while also making paninis, wraps, and DIY sandwiches.

Prices range from $6-$11.

Chameau Restaurant & Catering is located at 339 N. Fairfax Ave.

-- Lauren Williams