E3 - Preparation and Anticipation: the food edition

For some of us heading down to Los Angeles for E3, the excitement and anticipation transcends the games that are going to be shown. We're also excited about the LA eateries we're going to visit during those precious few times we can sneak away from our work. Wanna know about the games we're anticipating? Then look at our most-anticipated games of E3 feature this Saturday.

The event planning staff at GameSpot has always done a fabulous job keeping all of us editors fed and watered during the show, ensuring that we have the energy to continue banging out stories, as well as posting and editing all the videos from the show. Each day we can count on a nice pile of sandwiches, some pasta, tacos and burritos, or similar fare at lunch and dinner time. There are also pallets and pallets of water, gatorade, and energy drinks, as well as snacks kept within easy reach. This is all fine and dandy, but for true foodies like who live and breathe Food Network, Alton Brown, Racheal Ray, and the Iron Chef, Togos and convention center food for an entire week just won't cut it. Being in LA for a week and not sampling the local fare is like making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and forgetting to pray at the Wailing Wall or Temple Mount. It's sacrilege!

Each year at E3, I make a point of visiting a couple of favorite joints and also bringing a new one into the mix. The prospective list for this year includes some true LA landmarks and runs the gamut from greasy burger joint in a shady, crime-ridden area, to fine dining in Beverly Hills, to a late night Korean joint.

Tommy's World Famous Hamburgers -- easily the world's greatest chili burgers. There are lots of locations, but the original one on Rampart and Beverly tastes the best. Just try not to get shot while you're standing there.

Fogo de Chao -- swanky Brazilian BBQ in Beverly Hills. This ain't no small plates, shi-shi food though. Think all you can eat meats, with gauchos running around with giant FFVII-like swords carrying skewered cuts of meat from point to hilt. I haven't tried it yet, but if it's anything close to what I'm imagining, this is better than the PS3, Wii, and 360 put together.

Versailles -- best Cuban food ever. Don't be intimidated by the gimongous menu. Just say you want the roast chicken.

Hodori -- this is where all the trendy club kids in K-town end up after the bars and clubs all close up at night. This is fabulous quality late-night eats for when you need a little energy to bang out a few more previews.

So there you have it. My most anticipated food joints list for E3 2006. Every year, my editorial entourage grows as the tales of my impeccable taste in dining spread through the department. This year, we might need to roll deep in two cars to hit up some of these places for dinner.