Eater LA, the restaurant sibling to Curbed LA’s real estate blog, has cleverly nabbed Lesley Balla as foodie-in-chief. FBLA grilled her, pun gleefully intended.

Doing something called Eater is a perfect fit for me, since that’s what I am. I’m an eater, I love food, I love to cook, I love restaurants. Although I’m not a restaurant critic, I will critique every damn thing about a restaurant. I was in that business for more than 10 years, so I think I learned a thing or two. I just love the business, but I’m glad not to be standing on my feet 14 hours a day.

Balla was the dining editor for LA.com and the restaurant editor for Citysearch. She regularly contributes to Los Angeles magazine, Diablo, Variety, and 944. Currently, Balla’s writing a guidebook on Las Vegas for Countryman Press/W.W. Norton, due out in fall 2007.

FBLA feels the need for a little snack just thinking about all that work.