Food: Ethnic Markets on Westside Offer Specialties

I enjoyed your cover story “World’s Fare” (April 4). Sampling different people’s food makes life in our multicultural city more interesting and pleasant. It would have been nice if you would have mentioned more of the ethnic markets on the Westside proper.

I was very disappointed that you failed to mention my favorite Japanese American market, Aloha, on Centinela and Short Avenue in Mar Vista. This is a friendly family market with the only Southern Californian Tofu Atelier on the premises--the freshness of the product makes a distinct difference. The owners are friendly and helpful. There is a large counter of beautiful fresh fish and seafood as well as Japanese, Chinese and Hawaiian specialties. You mention the flashy Yaohan, but there is also Nijiya on Sawtelle, another excellent Japanese market.

On the European side, Schatzi in Santa Monica comes to mind. It features excellent European sausages and bakery products. ANNELISE SPIRA Culver City