A few food thoughts.

I ask everybody, everywhere I go ... except the hotel concierge (bring on those cards and letters) about food.
I ask people eating and working in restaurants where I eat (in places I like) where else they eat. I consult newspaper sites online. Every newspaper in every town, not just mainstream. I look for reviews from people who get paid to do it at newspapers I trust.
And I ask friends and friends of friends.

And I get lists and lists.
Here are a few from LA.

I love notes like this one I received from an LA pal before I arrived.

"OK, here are the best places to eat besides my house:
In Chinatown, Philippe's, which is a French dip place.
For burgers, there's Fat Burger, the original Tommy's and Pink's hot dogs. Of course, In 'n' Out Burger.
Olvera Street - La Golondrina
Better Mexican food: Across from Grand Central Market: Ye Olde Taco House (yes, that's right)
Better Mexican food: La Serenata de Garibaldi (East LA, Santa Monica, West LA)
OK Mexican food but with killer margarita's: El Coyote
Really great downtown food: Water Grill (fish) or Nick and Stef's (steak)
Fun food downtown: Ciudad
Comfort food downtown: Engine Co. No. 28
Chinese: Yang Chow for slippery shrimp (in Chinatown); Empress Pavilion on the weekend for dim sum (long lines); Yujean Kang in Pasadena
Best deli: Canter's in the Fairfax district; Langer's on South Alvarado (better take the Red LIne there and an armed guard, but the pastrami is worth it)
Best Armenian: Anything in my neighborhood
Best Filipino: Still looking for it.
Names everyone knows: Spago, Nobu, the Cut (good luck getting in)."

Not going to tell her that I did get into Cut, Wolfgang Puck's newest. I know I had supreme help

Another friend said she'd do anything in the world for me if, having eaten at the following, I could get the garlic sauce recipe for her.

"The cheap chicken joint of fame is Zankou. The garlic sauce remains one of the world's great mysteries. If you get there, bring me back a tub, or better yet, a nice Lebanese lady with the recipe."

I can tell you it's really good; I cannot tell you the recipe.
I would return to LA just for this. Even three different cab drivers (my sources of choice) talked about. Zankou chicken, Zankou chicken, Zankou chicken!

Another pal of mine at the LA Times told me to get to its Web site and read reviews. Her recs:

E. Baldi in Beverly Hills, Pizzeria Mozza - Melrose and Highland (owned in part by Maria Batali ... they say an osteria is to follow) and Al'Angelo on Melrose. All rave reviews. Good luck getting in at the moment. All Italian (she knows my tastes).

And those cab drivers? Hey ... ask. One lives in Glendale and said go there for great Armenian food; another lives in Korea Town and says guess what you'll find there; and the third in Little Ethiopia ... he raved.

Finally, on the way to the airport this morning, Francis Torres told me about his favorite El Salvadoran food, where to find it ... and I nearly asked him to turn the van around.