Cajun Christmas Tradition

My family has a an unusual yet awsome Christmas Eve tradition: Cajun Gumbo.

Although we only lived there a few years, my family has a feisty connection to America's creole capital, New Orleans. Already a family that lives largely through cooking and good food, we (mostly my dad who is the household chef) were shaped by the unique, powerful, spicy, and historic flavors of Cajun and creole cooking.

Having moved to Portland we still keep the Southern spirit alive through frequent Cajun meals like jambalaya, red beans and rice, fried catfish, crawfish etouffee, and of course gumbo. Every Christmas Eve we have friends and stragglers over for a laid back gumbo party, which tends to be a hit (occasionally more so than the Christmas day ham).

Now that I am based in L.A. I have serious cravings for the flavors of New Orleans, and after a little searching I have found perhaps one of the most authentic Cajun joints in town. Maybe it won't become your Christmas favorite, but it may still become an L.A. favorite.

The Original Farmer's Market

6333 West Third Street #312

Los Angeles, CA 90036

http://www.thegumbopotla.com/index1.html

The Gumbo Pot is located at the Los Angeles Farmer's Market, one of my favorite eating spots in the city (more to come on that). It is a hoppin' stall connected to courtyard seating with a vibrant and simple Cajun menu. Although pretty much everything they whip out of the kitchen boasts authenticity, some standouts are the variety of Po' Boy sandwiches, Muffelata, red beans and rice, and of course the gumbo. I'm a personal fan of the traditional seafood gumbo, but the gumbo ya ya with andouille sausage and chicken is killer as well. The dishes come with the must have cornbread and your choice of side including salad, sweet potato chips and collard greens. If you have room after your hearty meal stick around for a warm beignet (french bread doughnut with powdered sugar), you won't regret it.

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Living Like a Los Feliz Local

One of my favorite neighborhoods in all of L.A. is the east-side hipster haven, Los Feliz Village. This neighborhood0d has an abundance of hip boutiques, eateries of all types, and independently owned galleries, and the best part is it's all located within a few walking friendly blocks. It's situated directly East of Hollywood, North of Silverlake, the other happening East-Side neighborhood, and just South of Griffith Park. It is located off of the 101 and I-5, and is conveniently positioned off of the Metro Red Line Stop at Vermont and Sunset.

A couple of weeks ago I dragged a few friends from Whittier out of our little hide-away and into Los Feliz. We had an awsome day, starting with a stop at Frank Lloyd Wright's famous Ennis House, off to The Griffith Observatory for a killer sunset, then ending on Hillhurst in Los Feliz for a highly anticipated bar hopping happy hour.

Ennis House

by Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright, renowned architect, built the Ennis house in his signature textile block style for Mabel and Charles Ennis in 1924. Unfortunately you can't go inside because it is currently under rehabilitation, but the building itself is worth the visit, and the view from on top of the hill, adjacent to Griffith Park, doesn't hurt either.

by Frank Lloyd Wright

2655 Glendower Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90027

323-660-0607

http://www.ennishouse.org/

Griffith Observatory

We next ventured off to the nearby Griffith Observatory, in Griffith Park off of Vermont Ave., to take in the view of those burning L.A. sunsets. There is no admission cost to enter the observatory and take in its stately views.

2800 East Observatory Road

Los Angeles, CA 90027

213-473-0800

http://www.griffithobservatory.org/

Vinoteca Farfalla

After watching the sun go down my friends and I decided to head to Vinoteca Farfalla a hidden boutique wine bar on Hillhurst to enjoy some half-off Italian and Brazilian inspired appetizers and discounted wines and beer on tap. Although not in the wine mood we all opted for the discounted Stellas and dug into some killer food including and assortment of well prepared empanadas, crispy Parmesan cheese, and a creative take on bruschetta...yum.

Happy hour is 5pm-7pm daily.

1968 Hillhurst Avenue,

Los Angeles, CA 90027

323.661.8070

http://www.vinotecafarfalla.com/

Tangier Restaurant and Lounge

After some serious food and wine bliss at Vinoteca we continued our happy hour fun up the street at Tangier Restaurant and Lounge. This Saharan inspired venue sports some seriously discounted cocktails ($3 cosmopolitans!), and although we left a little early if you go also consider sticking around for the nightly entertainment.

Happy hour is served 5:30pm-7pm daily.

2138 Hillhurst Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90027

323-660-1033

http://www.tangierrestaurant.net/