Best Broke-Girl-Friendly Restaurants of 2011

Though we know that the best thing to happen to you all year was the launch of Broke Girl's Guide, we're still obliged to give you at least one or two 'best of 2011' lists before the bell tolls at midnight on December 31st.  To help in this endeavor, we invited Eater LA Editor Kat Odell -- who also writes Cork & Rind -- to give us a list of the best Broke-Girl-friendly restaurants to open in LA this year.  They are as follows:  

The Tripel - Although it can be crowded more frequently than not, I would brave the mob any day for The Tripel's Red Curry Coconut Milk Biscuits served with orange blossom honey and clotted cream ($6). For a perfect pairing, order a bitter IPA alongside.

Short Order - The burgers at Short Order are, in one word, epic. They are served on the rare side of medium and achieve that umami-esque unctuousness, with juices that ooze down your arms. The seasonal cocktails mixed and muddled by barman Julian Cox are also not to be missed -- and as a starter, the bean salad is a pleasant, delicious surprise. 

Sunny Spot - Something different for LA. Sunny Spot is A-Frame on vacay -- dishes with flavor, power, and a tropical spike. I can't help but dip, dip, and dip (and dip again) my yuca fries in banana Thai basil ketchup.  The sweet and salty plantains are as one would expect -- sweet and salty -- and those with a hankering for squid can opt for RC's version, which comes in a shallow broth of coconut, chiles, and mint. 

Scuola di Pizza -  The best-kept secret in the Mozza family is Nancy Silverton's family-style, theme-ingredient dinners held in the private dining room at the Scuola di Pizza. Rather than drop $100+ on a dinner at Osteria Mozza or even Pizzeria Mozza (those pies do add up), for $75 you can score a 5-course feast prepared by chef Chad Colby.

photo by Elizabeth Daniels