La Rose Cafe

"LA Rose is a real charmer—a sunny cafe in East Hollywood where you’ll eat homestyle Filipino foods and be told tales by the owner, like the time he catered the Playboy Mansion. In addition to a good halo halo, LA Rose Cafe also serves buko pandan, a mint green treat filled with every gelatinous thing under the sun. There are chewy tapioca balls, strips of pandan jelly, young coconut, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a cherry on top. It’s refreshing on a hot day and wonderful to slurp up while listening to the owner cheerfully describe Francis Ford Coppola’s favorite dish." - kat hong, garrett snyder, arden shore, sylvio martins

"This all-day cafe in East Hollywood has been operating in the same space on Fountain Avenue for more than 40 years. So naturally, it’s run by a man with some great stories—like the one the time he catered the Playboy Mansion. He’s also got a great taste in fine china, which lines the walls of the cozy dining room alongside framed photos of famous people. You can stop by for a classic American breakfast or a BLT at lunch, but most come here for the Filipino classics like chicken inasal and BBQ pork tocino. We especially love the pancit palabok topped with a mound of jumbo shrimp, juicy pork chunks, and crunchy saltfish chicharron. LA Rose Cafe also offers kamayan-style “Boodle Fight” dinners that can be reserved on their website for parties of six or more." - nikko duren, garrett snyder

"This all-day cafe in East Hollywood has been operating in the same space on Fountain Avenue for more than 40 years. So naturally, it’s run by a man with some great stories—like the one the time he catered the Playboy Mansion. He’s also got a great taste in fine china, which line the walls of the cozy dining room alongside framed photos of famous people. You can stop by for a classic American breakfast or a BLT at lunch, but most come here for the Filipino classics like chicken inasal and BBQ pork tocino. We especially love the pancit palabok topped with a mound of jumbo shrimp, juicy pork chunks, and crunchy saltfish chicharron. LA Rose Cafe also offers kamayan-style “Boodle Fight” dinners that can be reserved on their website for parties of six or more." - Nikko Duren

"LA Rose Cafe has served as a meeting space and celebration venue for LA’s Filipino community for almost 40 years. Their boodle menu is available for parties of six or more, is takeout-only, and the only one on this list that includes empanadas, which we highly recommend - they’re generously stuffed with chicken, pork, or vegetables. The feast also includes chicken inasal (grilled chicken), inihaw na bangus (grilled milkfish), pork tocino (Filipino cured pork), a large steamed shrimp, grilled beef tapa (dried cured beef), roasted vegetables, and pancit bihon (Filipino rice noodle). But maybe most importantly, it comes with a choice of dessert: a refreshing buko pandan (coconut and pandan custard) or cassava cake. Go with the buko pandan if it’s available." - kaila yu

"We hate to burst your bubble, Aries, but if you thought August was going to be some easy, breezy sail into the summer sunset, think again. This month is filled with so many ups and downs, it could  be a ride at the county fair. The stars are urging you to take a step back and cool off a bit… perhaps with a delicious frozen treat? The halo halo and buko pandan at long-running Filipino spot LA Rose Cafe are wonderfully chilly and topped with tons of ice cream, plus you’ll get to dine in a charming East Hollywood building and listen to the owner describe what it was like to cater a Francis Ford Coppola party.  " - kat hong