WHY Because you’re tired of the same old, same old. WHAT Wine enthusiast Jill Bernheimer started selling wine online, then dove into retailing with this small shop, which has become a cult favorite. Her low-key friendliness has endeared her to many who find wine shopping intimidating, and she loves to seek out esoterica; on a [...]
WHY To try Rick Bayless’s famed Mexican cooking without having to fly to Chicago. WHAT It’s hard to know why überchef Rick Bayless thought he should bring his upscale Mexican cooking to L.A., where Mexican food from every region is plentiful, but he did, and mobs of people have flocked to this great-looking place since [...]
WHY For handmade pasta made by a real Italian mamma. WHAT When Filippo Cortiva split with his partner at nearby Osteria La Buca to open his own place, he brought his mother, Loredana, with him, and now she’s a partner and chef. When she’s not making fresh pasta, she cruises the relaxed, high-ceilinged trattoria to [...]
WHY A fairly deep and thoughtful tap-beer selection, excellent fish ‘n chips and spinach pie, and a pretty normal crowd for Melrose, especially midweek. WHAT The crush is too much for us on weekend nights, but otherwise we’re always happy to stop into this brick-walled pub and restaurant for a Guinness and a steak sandwich [...]
WHY All the things you love about Pizzeria Mozza, without having to fight for a table. Great for Bowl picnics and office lunches. WHAT If you want to make your friends think you’re a great cook, just call up this takeout offshoot of the Mozza restaurants and order a tricolore salad, white-bean bruschetta, Mario’s lasagne [...]
WHY For its fresh and dried housemade pastas, along with an array of high-end olives, cheeses, salumi, sauces, olive oils and vinegars. WHAT Originally called the Divine Pasta Company, this place is now a high-end café and marketplace that stocks more than 85 varieties of cheese; salumi from Salumi Salame, the Fatted Calf and Pio [...]
WHY For the complimentary Prosecco and cheese to ‘toast’ your arrival, as well as the In-the-know staff, eager to pair the perfect Barbera with your tagliatelle with Fatted Calf sausage rag. Oh, and for the spiffy upscale market. WHAT This intimate neighborhood café, cheese bar and marketplace serves a pricey Italian-driven menu rich with farmers’ [...]
WHY For its celebration of street foods from around the world, it’s L.A.-hip patio and the skill and enthusiasm of owner/chef Susan Feniger. WHAT Celebrity chef Susan Feniger (Border Grill, Ciudad, Too Hot Tamales) is a warm-hearted Midwestern gal whose culinary passions are truly global, and at her solo venture she shares all those passions, [...]
WHY First-rate Argentinean wine and food: beef empanadas, matambre, sausages, remarkable french fries and, of course, the baked garlic to squish over your bread. WHAT Less showy than the Brazilian churrascarias that are currently the rage but every bit as devoted to delicious grilled meat, Gardel’s has been L.A.’s go-to Argentinean restaurant for years. Good [...]
WHY Truly delicious vegan Thai cooking, served by nice people in a homey setting—and free delivery, too! WHAT Bulan serves good Thai food first—the vegan part seems almost secondary. Faux chicken and shrimp dishes are specialties; try the satay, the green curry and the pad kee mao noodles. WHO Vegans bringing their carnivorous mates, who [...]
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