Jonathan Gold

I can't stop reading this guy lately.

A sample:

GOLD 'MEDAL WINNERS'

Here's a small sampling of Jonathan Gold's favorite Los Angeles area restaurants.

Providence: Gold raves about this high-end eatery's fish, saying it “befits Los Angeles as a major international port city.” 5955 Melrose Ave., Hancock Park; (323) 460-4170.

Europane: This bakery specializes in European pastries, including “croissants (that) could be mistaken for France's best in a police lineup,” Gold wrote. 950 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; (626) 577-1828.

Mozza: Gold recommends showing up at about 3:30 p.m. to get a table at this tiny pizzeria with celebrity chefs who have “completely reinvented what a pizza is.” 641 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 297-0101.

Chung King: This authentic Sichuan restaurant serves food so spicy that Gold wrote, “Some of the dishes here may challenge your threshold of pain.” 1000 S. San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel; ***(626) 286-0298.

La Casita Mexicana: Chefs Jaime Martin del Campo and Ramiro Arvizu are celebrities in the local Spanish-language media. Gold says “their pan-Mexican food is absolutely delicious.” 4030 E. Gage Ave., Bell, (323) 773-1898.

Lou: Gold wrote that this “tiny, wonderful wine bar” also features artisanal cheeses, specialized meats and an elusive snack known as “pig candy.” 724 N. Vine Street, Hollywood; (323) 962-6369.