The Flavors of Belize

Last week Larry and I ventured out to a new-ish restaurant on La Brea, Mid-City called Flavors of Belize. There was a write-up in the L.A. Times a few weeks ago and it sounded promising.

I've driven by the The Relax Inn (fka The Algiers Motel) on this southern strip of La Brea, just north of San Vicente for years and years. Most recently there was a Creole style restaurant here. The motel and attached restaurant looks like it was built in the late 1950's or early 1960's. Judging from the set-up inside the restaurant, I'm betting that this was a cocktail lounge for the original motel.

After watching people in the parking lot of the motel during dinner, I'd also venture to say that this is more of a residence motel than one for tourists.

When we sat down at the table, the waitress brought us home-fried flour tortilla chips with a delicious red bean dip and some hot sauce. They cook lots of the dishes here with coconut milk, giving everything a very creamy texture. We ordered drinks and perused the menu. One of the specials that night was Pigtails w/split peas and rice. That's what Larry ordered. I ordered the ducunu, a sweet corn cake/log type of dish with roasted chicken. Both dishes were flavorful, but there wasn't a green vegetable in sight! I know that Belize is in the Caribbean and quite tropical. Do they NOT eat vegies there? Hmm?

Pigtails with Split Peas and Rice

Chicken and Ducunu

A couple near us ordered the Conch soup and a whole broiled white fish...they both looked amazing! We're definitely going back to check out the tamales and other delicacies.

Flavors of Belize - 1271 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 931-4840. Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. No alcohol, credit cards accepted, lot and street parking.