WHY To sip sake and nibble on gorgeous small plates and sushi on the patio, next to the romantic fire pit. WHAT The current star of the Sawtelle Japanese scene, Hayama is winner for its bamboo-lined patio, its two sake bars and the excellent small-plates-and-sushi food of Toshi Sugiura: scallop sashimi, grilled yellowtail collar, soft-shell [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY High-quality fresh fish, Italian style; try the crudos, the squid-ink pasta with sea urchin and the salt-baked sea bass. The three-course business lunch is a good value. WHAT Sal Marino grew up in the restaurant business (at Marino’s), and now, in his own modern, elegant place, he’s exploring his own culinary passions: ultra-fresh seafood [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY For the deeply romantic atmosphere and lovely patio, and the we’re-so-cool L.A. scene. WHAT The food’s not the point at this sign-less hidden restaurant, although it’s just fine. It’s all about the décor, the atmosphere, the patio and the scene, all of which are memorable. Service meanders, but there’s good wine to drink, so [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY One of L.A.’s better chicken tikka masalas. WHAT An offshoot of the more elegant Suriya on Third Street, Holy Cow serves lightened up Indian dishes that are still full of flavor. There are a few tables in the mini-mall storefront, and they also deliver in the area. 8474 W. 3rd St., Beverly/Third, 323.852.8900 L [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY AOC has an NYC bistro feel with excellent wines by the glass and perfectly ripe cheeses—and staff members who know more than just their name. The Cal-Mediterranean food is always reliable, if a smidge less so than at sister restaurant Lucques. WHAT Anything vegetable (or animal, for that matter) is coddled by the cooks [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY For Mark Peel’s mastery of simple grilled meats, for the desserts, for Thursday grilled cheese night and for the handsome, old-L.A. setting that makes everyone happy. WHAT Lucques may be the Campanile of the new millennium, but that doesn’t mean Campanile peaked in the ’90s. It remains the perfect L.A. restaurant, the sort of [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY For the farm-fresh ingredients that shine with just the right amount of chef behind them. The beloved family-style Sunday Supper brings gorgeous home-style cooking for $45 per person. WHAT Relaxed and beautiful, homey yet elegant, with just-attentive-enough service that’s never pretentious, Lucques is the reigning Chez Panisse of Los Angeles. It’s one of the [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Macrobiotic, organic, vegetarian and/or vegan cooking that’s better than you might think is possible. WHAT Shigefumi Tachibe, founding chef of the late lamented La Petite Chaya and executive chef of Chaya Venice and Chaya Brasserie, became an avid student of macrobiotic cooking years ago, and his studies finally paid off with this chic little [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY A hip scene with respectable noodles and a fun communal table for solo diners. WHAT This minimalist modern setting offers communal tables (for groups and singles) and a shelf of intellectual tomes to peruse while eating. The menu’s also minimalist, with vegetarian and fish noodle dishes hailing from southern Vietnam, Vietnamese coffee and restorative [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Organic eggs are used in breakfast dishes like poached eggs with goat cheese and smoked bacon. There are plenty of vegetarian choices, and lunches include grass-fed beef burgers and free-range chicken and apple salad. WHAT This zippy, modern café on an up-and-coming stretch of Pico draws neighborhood faithfuls for breakfasts with a healthy touch. [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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