Ricardo Zarate Cooks at Los Balcones, Sidecar's Pastry Chef, More A.M. Intel

Ricardo Zarate pops up in Hollywood

Los Balcones, still one of the better options for Peruvian cuisine in Los Angeles, will land a five day pop-up from November 18 to 22. San Francisco-based chef Danny Kou and LA's own Ricardo Zarate are preparing two dishes each (with a trio from Los Balcones's menu), with 50% of the proceeds going to Fundación Pachacútec, a center that trains chefs in Peru. The a la carte menu boasts everything from lomo saltado and salmon tiradito to eggplant or morcilla crostini.

The Chinese chicken salad is cool again

Thrillist runs down some of the best places in town to get the iconic Chinese chicken salad, which was purportedly invented at West LA's Feast from the East. Hits include Chin Chin (seriously) and Take a Bao, plus a few sleeper Jewish deli selections (who knew they made them at Canter's?).

More on Sidecar's excellent fritters

FoodGPS talks with Sidecar Doughnuts pastry chef Brooke Desprez, who might be preparing some of the country's best donuts at their new Santa Monica location. Asked what the criteria for a great donut was, she responded with: "If it's ginger, I want it to taste like ginger. Some people might say, 'It's too flavorful,' but I prefer that. I like tasting what it's supposed to be."

Boba on the way to Hawthorne

Westside rover Toddrickallen spots an upcoming Honey Boba outlet coming to Hawthorne, touting the "best boba alive," which is a bit of a strange statement. West LA is slated for a Honey Boba spot some time as well, but development seems to be going very slowly.

Santa Monica goes local

Local Table, which Eater wrote about back in June, has quietly been serving Ocean Park denizens for a few weeks now. They're making wood-fired pizzas, pastas, and other Italian-inflected dishes in a part of the Westside that sorely needs better places to eat. Hours run 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with weekend brunch starting at 9 a.m.

N/Naka on top

The new Zagat guide for L.A. has come out and Palms sushi spot N/Naka taken the top spot. Angelini Osteria lands at number two.