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The Year in Eater LA Part 4: Biggest Surprise of '06

We're rounding the bend... only two more two go, and one you definitely don't want to miss.

2006_12_Oinkster%20sign.jpg
Image via optionthis' Flickr stream.

(4) BIGGEST DINING SURPRISE?

Lonny Pugh, editor in chief and dining guru, LA.com: After so many high-profile closures in fall 2005, the number of mega-restaurants opening every week continues to amaze me.

Anne Alderete, Tuna Toast, or as some might know her, Tokyoastrogirl: Roy's in downtown Los Angeles. We went one night on a whim and wow- the food, presentation and service were fabulous.

Dana Harris, Variety film editor and editrix of The Knife: E. Baldi was better than it has to be; nothing seems to kill Italian restaurants in Beverly Hills.

Rosie O'Neill, Colleen Cuisine: Good surprise: a dessert trend that is actually "good for you" (or at least, won't make you fat). Bad surprise: hearing that David Myers and Kazunori Nozawa were no longer opening Sokyo.

Pat Saperstein, Eating L.A.: Upscale fast food, like Eagle Rock's Oinkster and Spitz, and gourmet fast cafes, like Cafe Surfas. Although the Oinkster gets mixed reviews, all these places have realized there's a place for really good quality ingredients, fun shakes and sodas and good desserts to go alongside well-thought out sandwiches and salads.

LB: That you need a reservation for a pizza place, and that the only one that's available is 11pm. Oh, and that in a land of fusion cuisine, nobody "got" Caribbean, Floribbean, New American, whatever you want to call it, at Norman's, and it had to close.

· The Year in Eater LA Part 1: Top Newcomers [Eater LA]
· The Year in Eater LA Part 2: Top Standbys for '06 [Eater LA]
· The Year in Eater LA Part 3: Favorite Meal [Eater LA]