Luv2eat Express

Noree Pla and Fern Kaewtathip, the chefs behind one of L.A.’s best restaurants, have pulled off another feat of Thai gastronomy in the form of this cafeteria-style steam table concept located a few doors down from their original, critically acclaimed Hollywood restaurant. Look beyond the no-frills interior for flavorful curries, meat dishes and hard-to-find specialties you aren’t likely to find at your average Thai restaurant. To keep things interesting, the exact selection rotates on a weekly basis, though certain items like Phuket-style soy-braised pork belly and an excellent Thai-style iced tea, sold by the bottle, are always available. On our visit, I particularly enjoyed the fried hard-boiled eggs in tamarind sauce and yellow sour bamboo and fish curry.  Just be aware Luv2eat Express doesn’t play around with spice levels, so grab some napkins before you dig in; you’ll very likely need to blow your nose after your meal.