Damian

One of the hottest restaurants in LA in the ever thriving Arts District. This sophisticated Mexican haunt focuses on beautiful fresh local ingredients and the deft touch of brilliant chefs. In the southland eating great Mexican is apart of everyday life, and these guys are taking our beloved “local” cuisine and amplifying it on a fine dining level. This stacks up with Californios up in San Fran, one of the only 2 Michelin star Mexican restaurants in America. If you can, you should!

Scopa Italian Roots

One of my favorite spots on the West side, and from the same group as DAMA, this gorgeous pasta haven should be at the top of your Venice wish list. Yes, there are a million Italian places to chose from, but this is up there with Osteria Mozza, it is a spiritual experience eating pasta this good. sopping up divine sauces and clinking vintage Barolo, it doesn’t get better than this.

Vespertine

This is one of those meals you will never forget, and frankly is much more than a meal. If you don’t appreciate art, this isn’t for you, because this is art. Even the building, loveable known as “The Waffle”, hits you with the drama before you’ve even sat down to eat. Whether you love over-the-top tasting menus or not, there is no denying that the hands in this kitchen are gifted. If you can afford the pricetag, there are few better meals in the city. And Michelin agreed by awarding 2 stars.

CaliChilli

I don’t get down to Lakewood or Long Beach very often, but that might have to change. Surprisingly fantastic? I hate to put it that way, but I just wasn’t sure what to expect and it turned into one of the great meals weve had in recent memory. An eclectic combination of flavors and cultures with the backbone of Indian cooking. The chef here does an incredible job of melding eastern asian flavors of all varieties and putting out simply mouth watering dishes. Expect big aggressive flavors and spice!

Jitlada

This famous Thai spot has be lauded by the most powerful food critics of our time. There really isnt much more I can say other then go hungry, and order as many dishes as possible! The heat burns so good, the sour puckers just right and the subtle sweet sings right through both, the food here is the stuff you dream about. If you are on the East side, or anywhere within an hour, you may as well make this your destination, you wont regret it!

Girl and the Goat

The Chicago transplant from chef Stephanie Izard has knocked it out of the park, as we all expected. This highly anticipated spot that straddles the line between little Tokyo and the arts district is equal parts inventive and classic. Having visiting the Chicago location there is something running through the blood within this restaurant group and its honest, and hard working, and crafted with care/thought/nuance and a splash of whimsy. Really great food and team here, always consistent, and always one of my top recommendations anywhere in the city.

DAMA

Chef Antonia Lofaso and friends head up this vibey Latin spot in the Arts District, just across the courtyard from another favorite, Rossoblu. The first thing you’ll notice as you arrive is the buzzing sound of samba drums and Latin horns ~ the music is always playing and the energy is infections! Order the lamb chops, squid ink calamari, and as many of the fabulous cocktails as you can manage.

Night + Market Song

This was the first Thai meal I ate in LA, and I can truthfully say it changed me. We waited about 35mins outside, they don’t take reservations, but my goodness it was magic. The tables are tight, the environment is a little loud, the smells are intoxicating and there are few faces without beaming smiles. Its a dining room you want to be in, even with a group of strangers it feels homey and welcoming, its special. Order the Larb, Som tum, Pad see ew, Grapow khai dao, and atleast 1 or 2 more!

Osteria Mozza

Nancy Silverton is a legend, and simply put, her food is unpretentious and also untouchable. Her mozzarella bar is the stuff of legend; the Bacon and Burrata is as good as it sounds, as is everything. Be sure to try her Raviolo with ricotta, egg, and sage brown butter; this eggy delight will live in your brain as one of the best pasta dishes you’ve ever eaten. If you have watched any of the numerous shows done on Nancy, you know she is meticulous, a bit neurotic and 100% a genius. PS Make eating her bread a priority!

Guerrilla Taco

A stalwart in our rotation, and the flavor bomb we all need. Though Wes Avilla has stepped away from his 8 year old Mexican mecca, the team he put in place is still cranking out some of the best flavors and food you can find! Whether it is my girlfriends favorite Potato Taquitos, or the ever changing selection of artisanal tacos (I order one of each) there are few restaurants so apart of my LA experience than this Arts District spot. They live up to everything you have heard, the menu is small so if you can only go once, order it all! :)

Little Sister

A self described East meets West restaurant; A perfect combination of South East Asian flavors, French technique and California ingredients. There are few places I go where the impact of flavor sticks in my mind for months to come. It is the sweet and sour, the spicy balanced by beautiful citrus’, it is the crunch and warmth of every bite that will leave you thinking about their mind blowing Lemon-grass Chicken, and the fresh Spring Rolls (my favorite in LA), and the currys and noodles and beef dishes…Oh how I dream of this meal. THIS is the food we need! (Also a location in Manhattan Beach)

Sonoratown

If you have never heard of a Chivichanga, it is a mini burrito with juicy shredded beef or chicken, and it is the thing to order here. So simple, and SO GOOD. The menu at this downtown spot mimics the style of a Sonora Mexico taco shop; It is all about the meat and fresh tortillas. Pick from Tacos, Chivis’, Caramelos, or Burritos but either way you will get a healthy serving of their perfectly marinated and cooked beef/chicken. The smell alone will get you salivating while you wait!

Pine and Crane

The Dan Dan noodles from Pine and Crane are enough. Enough for absolutely and completely satisfying any food lover, or hungry stomach that exists. House made noodles with the perfect bounce and chew, along with a perfectly creamy, spicy, sour, nutty sauce. They are divine and live in my mind rent free. Having said that, the other 3 dishes we frequently order are the Beef Noodle Soup, Scallion Pancake, and Beef Roll. Order everything though, it is affordable (unlike most of LA) and you really cannot go wrong at one of the best Taiwanese places in the country! (There is a new location in DTLA)

Road to Seoul

There are those restaurants that seem to define our love of food, that are the pulse of why food becomes more than just sustenance to us food lovers. This Korean BBQ spot is my favorite restaurant in LA, maybe ever. Every time I go, I have the best meal with the best service and I eat one of the most satisfying meals that exists. The value for money cannot be touched in LA. My favorite banchan are the pickled daikon, the seaweed salad, and the bean sprouts; make sure you ask for 2nds and 3rds. And then there is the meat; the quality is second to none and is a fraction of the price of a majority of the Koreatown hot spots $$$$. Trust me, you want this!

Republique Cafe

Some Restaurant locations were seemingly carved out of stone, or built to last with a character and charm you don’t see anymore. It is a beautiful space. These walls have seen decades of LA food history, once housing Nancy Silverton’s perennial powerhouse La Brea Bakery and restaurant Campanile. Both of which, in there day, were absolutely iconic food destinations. The menu at Republique eats like a classic French bakery with the mind of fine dining chef. All the baked goodies to take home, along with refined classics, Seemingly straight forward dishes like a lox breakfast, are transformed with a potato pancake from the heavens. Everything is made with impeccable ingredients and a delicate touch by the chefs. Best enjoyed with a glass from the wonderfully curated wine list.

Bestia

The forever darling of the LA food scene, and even if you don’t want to like what is fashionable and trendy, it is simply impossible to not like Bestia. The crowd is very LA, very beautiful and rich, and the food is the exact same. You’ll drop some money but the meal is as good as they come. Service is always perfect, dishes are familiar but always better then whatever you knew before. This pasta will become your new benchmark of what it should be. Order the famous Roasted Bone Marrow with spinach gnocchetti (baby gnochi. uhhmazing), squid ink Chitarra, the Chestnut & Mushroom Agnolotti and really anything else on the menu. I’ve never had a bad plate here in my 7 or 8 visits.

All Day Baby

To be honest, I have eaten 1 thing here, and it is truly all you need. Order the ADB Biscuit Sandwich and have your life changed. The perfectly flaky Buttermilk Biscuit with Scrambled Eggs, American Cheese, Bacon or Sausage (or both) with a healthy slather of Strawberry Jam!! One of the best combinations and executions of Salty and Sweet that you will ever eat. Go for the double meat, its gluttony in all the right ways. I’m sure everything else is delicious, I just cannot get myself to order anything else! Im not a huge breakfast person, but this is my ode to the breakfast sandwich, these guys do it so right.

Spoon & Pork

You cannot fully experience LA’s dining scene without eating Filipino food. Spoon & Pork plays by their own rules and combines the classics with the creatives! Taking all those spicy, sour staples and putting a modern spin. Expect your favorite Lechon, Adobe and Lumpia but with an LA flare, typically manifesting in unique textures, vibrant flavors and California farm fresh ingredients.

Majordomo

Dave Chang is one of my absolute favorite Chefs, so I am completely bias, and also completely correct in saying this is one of the great restaurants of the LA food scene. The dining room itself is a beautiful picture of wood, greenery and light accompanied by hand-thrown dishware that anyone can appreciate. (Especially me because I love that kind of shit ;) Daves team here are completely dialed in and really focus on the love affair between Asian ingredients and California cooking ~ its lovely here. Bright salads, large format meat dishes to share, gochujang and kimchi enhancing everything, and don’t forget the Crispy Rice, and the Bings (any flavor will do - these are my personal favorite!). Ive said it before, but make sure you go hungry, the menu is impossibly difficult to chose from because LITERALLY everything is next level.

Tsujita LA

This stretch up and down Sawtelle might be the most delicious mile of Japanese noodle shops outside of Tokyo. Tsujita makes legendary Tsukemen (dipped noodles), Ramen, and Rice Bowls (get the Charsiu, its otherworldly). These are famously humble items made with absolute perfection by a team that focuses on keeping it as authentic as possible. When you arrive 20 mins before they open, make sure you get into a jog up to the front door and put your name on the waitlist. Yes, I am serious, otherwise you might be waiting hours!

Mariscos Jalisco

Last but not least, my final prison meal, Mariscos Jalisco, the OG down on E Olympic. If you’ve never been, you’ve never eaten the taco in LA, and that means likely the you’re missing out on the best taco in the world! If you didnt know, LA’s taco scene is untouchable (other then a few distinct Mexican cities) but don’t be naïve, LA is a beautifully Mexican city in itself. The fried tacos here are stuffed with a shrimp and herb blend (maybe some other secret ingredients), and are accompanied by a large Styrofoam cup of salsa and a whole avocado. There is no better lunch, dinner, late night, early morning meal anywhere on earth. The crunch of the shell, the creaminess of the shrimp, its hard to explain something so simple, and yet so powerful. And the salsa, they should bottle it and sell it, so damn good. I dream of these tacos probably more then any other single bite of food on earth, no lie.