Neighborhood Eats: Five Casual Bites in Noho

The holiday movie season is here, and one of the best theatres in the 818 to catch a flick is at the Noho Laemmle. Although seats can’t be reserved, tickets may […]

The holiday movie season is here, and one of the best theatres in the 818 to catch a flick is at the Noho Laemmle. Although seats can’t be reserved, tickets may be purchased online. With convenience, budget and good atmosphere in mind, here are five unique eateries for a quick bite (depending on time of day) within walking distance of the theatre.

District Pub

Exotic sausages (including alligator, lamb and duck), burgers and craft beer are the draw at this small, open-air, woody pub. For non-meat eaters, there is grilled cheese, a vegan burger and a vegan chipotle “sausage.” Burgers can be custom-built with a choice of toppings or ordered off the menu. All are served on brioche buns, but if carbs are an issue, protein-style is an option. The drink menu includes 24 beers on tap, bottled beers, a select wine list by the glass/bottle, as well as Champagne and Champagne cocktails. Happy hour specials daily, 2 to 7 p.m. District Pub5349 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, 818-732-7391

EAT  

If a restaurant is named EAT, it had better live up to its name—and EAT does just that. Stepping into this small café/diner on Magnolia, you instantly feel a kind of straight-up, no-frills, New York edge mixed with a bit of San Francisco "boho." Sleek and simple with friendly service, there’s an open kitchen and counter seating with about a dozen small tables filling the floor. There’s also patio seating in front and on the outside alley. Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily with an extensive menu that includes omelets, scrambles, Benedicts, breakfast pastas, salads, sandwiches and burgers. Not to miss are decadent concoctions of French toast and pancakes. They also fry up house-made zucchini “shreds” in addition to traditional hash browns. EAT, 11108 Magnolia Ave., North Hollywood, 818-760-4787

Pitfire Artisan Pizza

This fast-casual eatery with its extensive patio has occupied the corner of Lankershim and Magnolia since 1997 and is open until midnight during the week and 1 a.m. on weekends. The artisan, wood-fired pizza is among the best in town with handcrafted dough and gourmet toppings with such names as green eggs and ham (broccolini, eggs and prosciutto) and sausage party (fennel sausage, salumi, bacon and fresh mozzarella). A seasonal must is the pumpkin pizza with sage and pumpkins seeds (above). The fall farmer’s plate is a hit with roasted mushrooms, herbed citrus breadcrumbs, ginger tomato jam, ricotta, grilled rustic bread, roasted brussels sprouts and chili-roasted pumpkin. Freshly made salads, paninis and soup round out the menu. Pitfire Artisan Pizza, 5211 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, 818-980-2949

Republic of Pie 

With its tall, open-beamed ceilings and generous seating that includes shabby-chic couches and chairs mixed with straight-edge tables, Republic of Pie has the feel of a rustic, kick-back coffeehouse—with a big plus: sweet and savory pies, quiches and outstanding coffee drinks (Stumptown). Standouts include strawberry rhubarb and chocolate banana bread pudding. And of course the must-haves for Thanksgiving: pecan, pumpkin and apple. Single-serving pot pies are baked in mugs with such flavors as mac 'n’ cheese, chicken, Australian meat and black bean chili. They also offer a select breakfast and lunch menu that includes omelets, sandwiches, wraps, French toast, bagels and pastries. There’s live entertainment (music or comedy) nightly and coffee happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m. daily, plus free Wi-Fi. Republic of Pie, 11118 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, 818-308-7990

Vicious Dogs

This small shop features more than 40 specialty hot dog and sausage sandwiches, as well as choices of beef, pork, chicken, chicken apple, turkey, and soy hot dogs, sausages and bratwursts. Popular dogs include: The Mac Daddy—a bacon-wrapped beef dog with either BBQ sauce or mustard and mac 'n’ cheese; The Hot Chick—bacon-wrapped beef dog with melted mozzarella cheese, a chopped chicken tender and topped with Frank's hot sauce and ranch dressing; Chicken/Apple Mediterranean—chicken apple sausage topped with house-made hummus and cucumber salad. How about a bacon-wrapped beef dog with peanut butter—and add strawberry jelly, chocolate candy pieces or bananas and honey. Don’t worry, there are plenty of simple dogs—but the point is that there is no limit on creativity here. The Thanksgiving Dog (topped with cranberry sauce, gravy and stuffing), available through the end of November, is pictured above. Vicious Dogs, 5231Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, 818-985-3647

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