Empanadas

Empanadas make a perfect appetizer, party snack or picnic food. Here are a few places to eat them in or get them to go. They can be served hot or at room temperature.

* Catalina’s Market: Authentic Argentine empanadas, nicely seasoned, are available at this market in four flavors: chicken, beef, spinach, and ham and cheese. You can buy them baked or fried. (Empanadas, 75 cents each.) Catalina’s Market, 1070 N. Western Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 461-2535.

* Cafe Boriquen: This coffee bar sells gourmet Puerto Rican empanadas that are baked, never fried and (surprise) not spicy. Vegetarians have five choices: four-cheese, broccoli, corn, spinach and the cheeseless vegetable empanadas. Meat eaters can get ham and cheese, ground beef, chicken or turkey models. Each is distinctively garnished. (Empanadas, $2.25 apiece, $25 a dozen.) Cafe Boriquen, 417 W. Main St., Alhambra, (626) 299-1232.

* Ciudad: The new downtown Pan-American restaurant from the Border Grill team sells Argentine empanadas. One is filled with wild mushrooms (and served with chipotle crema), the other with Swiss chard (tomatillo sauce). At happy hour, there are sausage empanadas among the cuchifritos (little snacks) in the bar. (Empanadas, $3 cuchifrito; $7 appetizer.) Ciudad, 445 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, (213) 486-5171.

* Monte Alban: The Oaxacan-style empanadas at this little cafe consist of a thick tortilla folded over chicken or beef in either yellow or green mole sauce--both are quite spicy. (Empanadas, $3.75.) Monte Alban, 11927 Santa Monica Blvd., West Los Angeles, (310) 444-7736.

* Carniceria Argentina: This Argentine market sells two styles of baked empanadas: chicken with onion and bell peppers, and beef with olives. Chimichurri sauce available on the side. (Empanadas, 80 cents each.) Carniceria Argentina, 11740 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, (818) 506-9772.

* La Serenata de Garibaldi: The empanada de pescado, a cornmeal turnover filled with cheese, herbs and fish, is one of the most popular hot appetizers at this busy Mexican seafood restaurant. There is also a tasty empanada de pollo--the same pastry filled with diced chicken breast and cheese. (Empanadas, $2.95 to $3.95.) La Serenata de Garibaldi, 1416 4th St., Santa Monica, (310) 656-7017.

* Carlito’s Gardel: This Argentine-Italian restaurant is well known for its empanadas--chicken, beef and spinach, all fried and served with a good chimichurri sauce. A slight variation is the tarta de queso, a baked cheese empanada. (Empanadas, $2.50; tarta de queso, $4.) Carlito’s Gardel Restaurant, 7963 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 655-0891.