Favorite Food in Los Angeles (Big Master List) (Patreon)

After I wrote the mega-column on The Bear, suddenly a lot of people were asking me for food recommendations in Los Angeles. Like any vibrant, constantly-changing mega city, there’s tons of places I haven’t been to yet (especially since the pandemic really shifted so much). Moreover, I don’t live on the westside so there’s just gonna be some natural bias (though I still list a lot of spots I love over there). Plus, I generally don’t like being in Beverly Hills because the clientele is… well, it is what it is. So know if I include spots from there the food is really good, too!

Either way, the following are my favorites in each respective food genre, with each little section that goes in my super vague order of preference (meaning first mentioned is my favorite). And like most things I start (this was originally a response to some comments), it has ballooned into a giant project and I have over 200 restaurants listed. But keep in mind this is far from a COMPLETE list. It’s just the ones that I have been to and really like. In that spirit, I’ll try to limit each subject to three or four options so that it’s not some crazy overwhelming thing. I will also probably keep updating this list over time.

With that, it’s important to remember what eating in this city is really about, so for that let’s go to some expert advice from the greatest food writer in the world. Here’s Jonathan Gold’s Five Rules for eating in Los Angeles:

1. If the restaurant you have been directed to lies between the 7-Eleven and the dry cleaners in a dusty strip mall, then you're probably at the right place.

2. The restaurants with the longest lines are either better than their competitors or fifty cents cheaper. Try and know the difference.

3. There is no shame in avocado toast.

4. The best choice is always the restaurant 15 minutes further than you are willing to go.

5. The taco honors the truck.

Lastly, I have some “not gonna blow up my spot” mentions on here. I’m not trying to be withholding! They’re just already slammed / in a good place and I just really don’t want to put them on the larger internet. If we’re friends / friendly enough / you just gotta know, just message me!

With that, let’s get into it.

Best But Very $$$$ Fine Dining: Providence (best restaurant in city, bar none), N/Naka (Kaiseki), Spago (for the history alone, but Hefter and Wolfgang always take care of it) and believe it or not, CUT in beverly hills  as well (an absurd scene cause it’s in the Wilshire Hotel, but the food is genuinely great).

Still $$$ Fine Dining, but Really Great: Here’s Looking At You (stellar work), Shibumi, Citrin, Lukshon (it’s going to be opening again soon!)

Same Thing, but Pretty Good: Rustic Canyon, Gjelina, Otium

High End Very $$$$ Sushi: Q, Shunji

Should Cost MORE Sushi: Asenobo (it’s Nobu good, but in an unassuming strip mall)

Delivery Bento Box Sushi That’s Not A Billion Dollars: Ootoro, Mrs. Fish

Hole in the Wall Sushi: Sushi Gen, Hama Sushi, Noshi Sushi, Nika Nika, and the last I will never say and blow up my spot.

Old School LA Institutions (Good Quality): Dear John’s (technically it’s a new retrofit of an old joint Sinatra liked, but the food is truly amazing and from a michelin starred chef), Musso N’ Franks (stick to the steaks / martinis / weird old school dishes), Smokehouse (like Musso’s, but in Burbank and a cheaper, get the prime rib), and throwing in Formosa Cafe as a bar (tho I heard they redid the menu?)

LA Institutions (Absurd Industry Scenes): Look, these places are ridiculous, but that’s the point and fun of it: Chateau Marmont (if you ever get a chance to go with people, absolutely take it), Yamashiro (a 1911 throwback that, well you have to just see it to believe it), Nobu Malibu (it’s funny to think of this as “old school” as it was basically new when I moved here, but it’s such a malibu scene), and, of course, the hollywood crap fest that is Soho House (I end up at these spots for work things sometimes and there is a certain circus-like quality to it. Do I like these places a lot? No. Is it a fun sometimes gawking exercise? Absolutely).

Holdover of 2000’s Gastronomy Scene: The Bazaar (also amazing crowd watching, I once saw Calvin Klein with like 10 hot guy models and it was like he was holding court)

French Bistro: Petit Trois (when i need the classics), Republique (best pastry selection in city)

Italian (Pasta): I’ve been told I have an “annoyingly high” standard for pasta. Which is definitely fair. It’s one of the first things I set out to get really good at cooking at home and I did. So it becomes that constant existential question of “do I go drop a lot of money on something that’s genuinely mediocre compared to what I do at home?” There’s only two places I’ve been to that excel. They are Osteria Mozza and Bestia. Still got a few new places to try though.

Italian (Grilled Fare): Chi Spacca (sometimes gets thought of as the weird third child in the Mozzaplex, but it’s incredible. I dream about the focaccia di recco, not that I need any more people competing for the five tables in the tiny restaurant)

Italian (Hole In The Wall): Jame Enotecta (westside strip mall perfection, delicious)

Seafood: Connie & Teds (whenever I miss the food back home, I go here), Broad Street Oyster in Malibu, Ceviche Project, Son of a Gun (my fave place from the Animal crew), Neptune’s Net (Vibes only, motorcycles and surfboards and views)

Now, one of the things you (hopefully) learn quickly living in LA is there’s no such thing as “mexican food.” It’s like saying “American food.” Regional specialities and cuisines dominate and it’s important to go and taste all the wonderful differences.

Mexican (Oaxacan): Guelaguetza (prob my fave in the city), Gish Bac (more low key), Comedor Tenchita, and honestly there’s incredible oaxaca food all over.

Mexican (Yucatecan): Chichen Itza, Yuca’s, Ka’teen (weird hollywood scene, but Avila is a great chef and the food is good. Advice if you in the area is go to the bar and get amazing drinks and few food things instead of full sit down)

Mexican (Sonora): Sonoratown, Salazar

Mexican (Guerrero): Tamales Elena y Antojitos

Mexican (Nayarit): Coni’Seafood (best spot in the marina del rey area)

Mexican (Old School Cali-Mex Joints): El Cholo, Casa Vega, El Coyote

Mexican (Nuevo School): Bar Ama (modern tex mex)

As part of new school places, I think Angry Egret Dinette is the most underrated spot in LA. Wes Avila’s Guerrilla Tacos felt revolutionary (he’s since parted ways with them). His new spot came in pandemic and shamefully hasn’t taken off the way it should (it’s kinda in a weird location  to hang / find - it seemed like there’d be more foot traffic but the area got hit hard by businesses going work from home). But the food is insanely good. Like constantly blowing my mind good. Plus it’s inventive and constantly changing. I put this on this list for everything from weekend dinners, to sandwiches, to tacos, to breakfast sammies, etc. And speaking of tacos…

Tacos: I feel like I could list a million, but if I have to choose: Mariscos Jaliscos, Los Originales Tacos Arabes De Puebla, Tacos 1986, Best Fish Tacos In Ensenada (RIP Rickys), Leo’s Taco Truck (get al Pastor), Tacos El Tamix, Taco Maria (fancy high end place down south), Angry Egret Dinette (when dinner avail, always a changing taco special) and yes, KOGI, because even after it changed the world’s food truck landscape and spawned a billion imitators / folks on the scene, it tastes delicious. Which is the reason it blew up in the first place.

Burritos: Al & Beas, Lupe’s, Burritos Las Palmas, La Azteca, aforementioned Angry Egret Dinette for break / lunch.

Tortas: Cemitas Don Adrian, Cook’s Tortas, Tortas Ahogados El Rey, and look, it’s a chain, but La Monarca Bakeries are good! And also Los Originales Tacos Arabes De Puebla makes great ones, but I’m always gonna be ordering those tacos when I’m there.

Pupusas / Salvadoran: Delmy’s Papusas, Sarita’s Papusas, Los Molcajetes, Mama’s International Tamales, and tons I haven’t tried!

Burgers: Los Angeles is a burger haven. Though I will say I’ve seen a million smashburger pop ups come into the picture and a few have kinda stuck the landing long-term, but it’s all about the institutions. My faves: The Apple Pan (Hickory Burger), Pie N Burger, Mo Better Burgers South Bay (miss the spot that was up here), Burgers Never Say Die, Father’s Office (pricey dinner spot these days but good), Everson Royce Bar, Original Tommy’s (best when drunk), Bill’s Burgers (best in valley), Lowboy (Good drinks program), The Oinkster (I always get the sandwiches, but they always do inventive burger specials), and sorry, I love Petit Trois so, so much, but I don’t like the “Big Mec.” It is a wet sludge heart attack! Burgers don’t count if you need a knife and fork! But I get it.

The Bagel Rant: Okay, the whole “new york / east coast makes the only good bagels” thing is inane and completely missing the point. There’s a LOT of good places anywhere that CAN make a damn good bagel. But here’s why everyone THINKS they can’t. Bagels are a WARM BREAD PRODUCT. And, like pizza slices, they are incredibly time-dependent. A bagel is best not immediately, but 20 minutes out of an oven. From there you have 40 minutes to an hour before it starts dropping in quality FAST. Which means, to constantly be serving good bagels you need a lot of turnover, which means you need lines, demand, and a lot of foot traffic. What does NYC have? Lines, demand, and a lot of foot traffic. And what does LA rarely have? Lines, demand, and a lot of foot traffic. That’s it. That’s what this whole dumb argument is really about. And that’s why a Montreal-style place like Courage Bagels can pop up in LA and use super fresh ingredients and kill it as long as there’s a line (and it’s funny that you no longer see the lines across the street at Sqrl). But the problem is they’re also charging, like, 20 bucks. I get it. Supply and demand. But it feels like a crime and you can go pay better prices at Maury’s, Belle’s, and Brooklyn Bagel, but you need to get there at the right time to hit the post-oven window. Remember, it’s usually not “the bagels,” it’s the timing / foot traffic. Anyway, rant over.

Similarly, there’s that thing about “no good pizza in LA” but they’re just talking about New York style pizza and that ALSO depends on foot traffic and timing in the exact same way. Besides, there’s a lot of great Neapolitan spots. To wit…

Pizza (Neapolitan Style): Pizzeria Mozza, Pizzeria Sei (Tokyo style), Brandoni Pepperoni (old Providence vet! Incredible toppings) Pizzeria Bianco, and Pizzana (largely heretical joint in a good way, but love The Corbarina - a hot tomato pizza with a plop of super cold burrata - it’s this WEIRD temperature differential thing, but it's delicious and I’m obsessed)

Pizza (Detroit-ish Style): Apollonia’s, probably the best pie you can order in the city.

Pizza (NY Style - Pie): Nowhere really good, but Vitos comes closest, Mulberry okay, and Tomato Pie is my closest joint near me that does okay enough.

Pizza (NY Style - Slice): Nowhere I can honestly recommend. And I’m rarely by Bianco enough to grab a slice and even then it’s not quite NY style. But again, that’s OKAY because…

I don’t know why anyone would move to this city and expect “what’s good about New York” to also be what’s good about it here? (Especially because it would deprive them of their time honored tradition of saying things are better in New York!) But look, yeah, I love New York so much and a lot of things are amazing there. But so many amazing things FUCKING AREN’T THERE, TOO. Like, there’s the entire array of regional Mexican cuisines mentioned above! Or moreover, LA’s Koreatown is the largest Korean population of Korea itself. So go and get eating!

Korean (Seafood): Soban (it’s beloved, but still somehow the most underrated restaurant in LA? If you want the qualifier, it’s where Bong Joon Ho went after he won his oscars. The Braised Black Cod is maybe my fave single dish in the city)

Korean (Stews): Sun Nong Dan, Seong Buk Dong, Olympic Restaurant

Korean (Small plates / Late Bar): Dan Sung Sa (small plates, best atmosphere ever)

Korean (Tofu House): Beverly Soon, Surawon Tofu House, and BCD Tofu House as the old late night dependable.

Korean (Fried Chicken): The Prince (great bar, killer atmosphere, and yes it's the new girl bar, plus i love that phones barely work inside), Pelicana Chicken, and RIP OB Bear. And OH NO in making this I just realized Dongdaemoon Dakhanmari closed and I’m inconsolable.

Korean (Grilled Chicken): Mapo Dak Galbi (it's kbbq like, but its own thing - they cook the chicken and veggies with this sauce then at the end ask for rice and it gets mixed up in the same cooking pit its so good)

Korean (Modern / Pan Asian): Majordomo is a whole thing, doesn’t quite make sense as a restaurant menu, but the food is really delicious and it helps if you have a lot of people..

Korean BBQ: Parks, Soowoon Galbi, Soot Bull Jeep (charcoal grills! amazing and you will smell like a cookout for days), Daedo Sikdang (high end fancy steak), Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong, and the cheap spot I will never blow up.

Japanese (Ramen): Tsujita, Daikokuya, Jidaiya (Chicken Ramen), Killer Noodle (for Tantanmen), Kazan (It’s bev hills but it good), and yes, Silverlake Ramen (the broth is just very dependable and solid. I order extra and do my own stuff with it a lot).

Japanese (Yakatori): Yakatoriya (He’s “the chicken genius” for a reason. Get the chicken oyster skewers eight times)

Japanese (Tempura): Hannosuke, Inaba, need more! Suggest!

Japanese (Izakaya): Kinjiro (high end), I used to go to Izaka-ya (but it closed). I just really still need to find a good Izakaya NEAR me. Still looking for MY SPOT.

Japanese (Katsu): Katsu Sando

Thai: An embarrassment of riches, but favorites are: Jitlada, Pa Ord, Night + Market Song (modern), Ruen Pair, Sapp Coffee Shop, Tuk Tuk Thai, Rad Nah Silom (street food), and haven’t done Anajak yet!

Chinese: Sorry to keep harping on the east coast assumptions about LA things, but it’s so important to understand how people SEE the city versus what it actually is. Jonathan Gold summed it up perfectly: “if you live in Los Angeles, you are used to having your city explained to you by people who come in for a couple weeks, stay in a hotel in Beverly Hills and take in what they can get to within 10 minutes in their rent-a-car. The thing that people find hard to understand is the magnitude of what’s here. The huge numbers of multiple cultures that live in the city and come together in this beautiful and haphazard fashion. And the fault lines between them are sometimes where you can find the most beautiful things.”

To wit, there was once an INSANE plot line on Curb Your Enthusiasm twenty years ago where a character from New York argued  “there’s no good chinese food in LA!” Which is completely insane for a number of reasons. For starters, they’re talking about a certain kind of east coast style food (which IS here, too). But more importantly, LA has the best Chinese food in the country, if not the world. You just have to drive to the SGV (San Gabriel Valley). Seriously, Alhambra and Monterey Park and other nearby towns have some of the most incredible cuisines imaginable. I knew someone from Hong Kong (who had eaten all over China) who argued it was even better because of the access to California produce. That debatable, of course, but what isn’t up for debate is that it isn’t “good.”

Chinese (Sichuan): Chengdu Taste (incredible).

Chinese (Dim Sum): Sea Harbour, Atlantic Seafood, NBC Seafood (these places aren’t even season seafood dominant, it’s just a naming convention, and they’re incredible).

Chinese (Cantonese): Auntie Kitchen

Chinese (Hainan Chicken): Savoy Kitchen

Chinese (Shangainese): Red 99 Grill Bistro

Chinese (Various): Newport Seafood, Tam’s Noodle House, Ji Rong Peking Duck (but please call it beijing duck in general)

Taiwanese: Corner Beef Noodle House, for new school: Pine N Crane, and Joy, then like nine places I wanna try out in Temple City.

Vietnamese: Golden Delight (classic), Little Sister (modern), more I want to try.

Vietnamese (Pho): Pho Filet, Pho 87,

Vietnamese (Bahn Mi): My Dung Sandwich Shop, Bahn Mi My Tho

Filipino: As far as new cool joints and pop ups go, this is the fastest exploding cuisine in the city. I’ve had Lasita (RIP Lasa), Kuya Lord (Fun New Stuff), Sari Sari Store, and lots I haven’t tried yet. The only old school mom and pop place 've had is Edna's Filipino Cuisine in Long Beach, which is tremendous.

Middle Eastern / Mediterranean

Lebanese: Marouche (my favorite spot and literally the spot Jonathan Gold was talking about in rule #1: If the restaurant you have been directed to lies between the 7-Eleven and the dry cleaners in a dusty strip mall, then you're probably at the right place - even as you’re sitting down you’ll be like, huh, really? But order all the meze and kabob and schwarma samplers for however big your group is. Also, order an Almaza Beer).

Armenian: Mini-Kabob (just unreal food), Proshyan Best Shawarma, Art’s Bakery

Iranian: Taste of Tehran, Attari Sandwich Shop

Greek: Papa Cristo’s, Good Greek Grill (modern, but surprisingly sharp)

Turkish: Nuka Cafe, Dolan’s Uyghur Cuisine

Mediterranean: Dune (my neighbor’s the chef!), Joe’s Falafel, Tabla by Sofie

Upscale Sit-Down Places: Kismet, The Little Door (beautiful interiors, expensive, but good date spot)

Spanish: I am somehow realizing I have never gone out for Paella in this city and never went down the rabbit hole of looking for good tapas spot, etc. Must rectify.

Indian: I feel only a quarter-versed in this because all the GREAT spots are in south bay and Artesia. I’ve only made it to the institutions of: Al-Noor, Zam Zam Market (Pakistani), Jay Bharat, Udupi Palace (Dosas) and so many more places I have yet to try. My favorite spot close to me, Paru’s, closed in 2019 and honestly I’m having trouble finding a local place I like as much. Badmaash is fun and modern and all, but I’m still looking closer for more mom and pop joints.

Brazilian: One of the things people don’t realize about Boston is there are so many amazing Portuguese / Brazilian places around and I miss having so many options. But I liked Moqueca and Pampas Grill Churascaria enough. RIP Woodspoon :(

Portuguese: Caldo Verde, Natas Pastries

Peruvian; Pollo a la Brasa, Natalie Peruvian Seafood, wanna try Rosty

Chilean: Rincon Chileno (looking for more)

CARIBBEAN

Jamaican: Also what I miss about boston. Soooo many spots growing up. But good places here: Kuraba’s Yard Kitchen, Little Kingston, A Beautiful life

Cuban: El Cochinito, and Portos Bakery is an institution of course, but need more.

Barbadian: Bridgetown Roti

Belizean: Tracey’s Belizean Restaurant

Panamanian: Caribbean Soul Kitchen

AFRICAN

It wasn’t written about much, but there was no arm of the industry hit harder in the pandemic than these spots. Mama D’s, Sweet Jollof, Cafe Chez Marie and so many others are all gone :(.

Ethiopian: Meals by Genet (an LA all-star), Rosalind (same)

Moroccan: Tagine (bev hills but tasty), Moun of Tunis

East African: Jollof Abeg, need more

Nigerian: A bunch of great places in Van Nuys! I’ve only done: Toto’s African Cuisine, The Peppered Goat, both wonderful.

Want to try: Revolutionario North African Tacos, Veronica’s, Azla, Nkechi, Aduke

EASTERN / NORTHERN EUROPE

Probably my biggest blind spot when it comes to LA cuisine? I think it’s just because it’s one of the cuisines I never had a nostalgic-experience-maker with - but if you grew up with it that would be so different. Thus, looking for more!

Russian: Robert’s, Kalinka, Traktir

Polish: Polka Polish

Scandinavian: Mikkeller, Gravlax

SANDWICHES

Jewish Deli: Langer’s Deli (the #19 sandwich all day), Art’s Deli, Canters (for late night vibes). Wexler’s is good, but it’s out in santa monica and I barely go there.

French Dip: Phillipes (Lunch) Coles (Dinner / atmosphere)

Italian Delis: Quick Italian sub rant! While so many east coasters talk about missing pizza / bagels / whatever else, I honestly can’t find the exact kind of Italian sub I love. I even did a whole tour of the damn city trying to find one I adored! But none just hit right. But there are WONDERFUL places to get other food / ingredients: Bay Cities (good turnover), plus The Godmother sandwich is pretty good, but it farrrrrrrrr away, Mario’s (sandwiches ok, good specialty items and lines not too bad), but I swear, the “Mr G” at Giamelas is the classic italian sub that works? Like, it’s the closest it comes to the flavors back home, but still looking!

Cuban Sando: El Cochinto (I literally go here all the time)

Hippy Bread Spots: Wax Paper (yes you have to say the name of an NPR host, but the food is good, what can I say)

Breakfast Sammies: All Day Baby, Bub and Grandma’s, Bodega Park (they also sell a chopped cheese but kinda afraid to blow that up because it’s the new “hot” sandwich)

Breakfast Burritos: Macheen at Milpa, Angry Egret Dinette, The Rooster, Cofax (over the top heart attack, but sometimes ppl want that), Coffee Commissary, and I haven’t been to Doubting Thomas but ppl love it.

Brisket Sandwich Thingy: Speaking of Coffee Commissary, I used to eat the brisket sandwich thingy over there when I was working in Burbank, like, once a week. The whole key is it is not over the top on any level. Just focused, savory, clean and delicious.

Fancy European Style: Joans on Third (always packed but actually good), Gjusta (technically italian, but more general), and I won’t blow up my spot because the line is already too long. You probably already know what I’m talking about.

BBQ: I know I need to go to Heritage / Moo’s Craft, but honestly every time I have a hankering I know I can depend on Bludso’s (miss the Compton location so bad) or if in the mood I make the trek over to Phillip’s on Crenshaw.

Fried Chicken: Dinahs, Dulan’s, Gus’s World Famous, Howlin’ Rays, and my spot I won’t blow up, but it rules.

No Fuss Diners: Du-Pars, Pann’s, Nick’s, Foxy’s (and bunch of other classic ones that are solid), RIP Cafe 101 (yes, clark street is “better” but it’s now a hip joint THAT FUCKING CLOSES AT 9PM. When I go to a diner I want 1) a genuine a family place that does breakfast / lunch or 2) an insane all night place that serves solid okay food til 4am and the chef might throw all the rest of the day’s dry bacon on your BLT because you’re the last one there and he has to start gettin the next batch ready for the breakfast crew. THAT’S what I want haha). Once again, RIP Cafe 101.

Fancy Breakfast / Pastry: Republique, All Day Baby, Friends and Family, and my spot I won’t blow up.

Brunch Spots: To quote The Bear, “Fuck Brunch.” Okay, I always have to explain everything and I know some people love Brunch. And look, I like mimosas. I like fancy egg dishes. I like being with my friends. But it’s not about the specifics, it’s the ecosystem. And the reason chefs think it sucks is basically because it fucks up every restaurants’ whole damn rhythm. Every week you have this specific-ass weekend menu for a wave of hungover / drunk clientele who are generally in chaotic groups / taking HOURS to eat, so you can’t do multiple covers / and demanding specialty items that wouldn’t be served any other times. This means those dishes are USELESS the rest of the week which leads to the obvious question: how the hell do you supply that? That’s why a brunch menu is usually figuring out “how the hell do we make brunch stuff with our usual batch of ingredients?” and it’s food the restaurant usually doesn’t WANT to be cooking anyway. Which is why most “serious” restaurants fucking hate it and refuse. It’s just unsustainable and why “the hot brunch place” will close in two years. Which is why you’ve seen a development away from “fun brunch spots” in the restaurant world and more towards bakery / cafes / daytime places edging into those brunch territories with breakfast sammiches and things where your hours of operation make actual sense. Feel me?

Coffee Shops: The best one is the best place that’s close to you. Also, we all have the different things we like. Like super sugary big ones? Enjoy! But I’m an espresso boy / yet also constantly like trying new espressos. And honestly, coffee culture has exploded to the point that there are so many places doing interesting things (these places also close down pretty quickly because coffee shop margins are so small and rent prices insane). I like Go Get Em Tiger, MARU (only iced coffee drinks I dig), kumquat, coffee commissary, found coffee, but even at places I like I can try a new espresso that doesn’t have enough acid or complexity and go “eh not for me today.” But that’s part of the fun. Which is why my general answer is “any decent place that’s close to you.”

Vegan: I used to be so much more plugged into this scene so most of mine are holdovers from a few years ago, but Gracias Madre (expensive bev hillsy but delicious), Nic’s On Beverly (brunchy but food really good), Monty’s for burgs, but a million spots have opened up I haven’t been to yet. Honestly, Tony’s Darts Away is an omnivore joint, but had a lot of vegan sausages and a great beer collection.

Vegetarian Focused: There’s a lot of upscale places in LA that have lots of veggie-focused dishes, but also some meat items, but those spots include Charcoal, and I had a great meal at Ardor a few months ago (which was delicious and I saw Ram Charan there and I’m still freaking out about it).

Bars could be its own article, but HWG. You’ll note some repeats!

Best Bars (Cocktail): Here’s Looking At You (less of a bar, more a great restaurant, but best drink program in the city), Death and Co. (lots of attention, but INSANELY good), Redbird (Hi Danny), The Varnish (go inside after eating at Coles if you want fancy speakeasy), for more mid-rangey, Powerhouse just got a remodel and splits the cocktail / dive balance so great. I love it / the bartenders there. Atrium is a good local spot with good happy hour.

Best Bars (Wine): Look, your wine bar is 100% dependent on whether the owner has the same taste in wine that you do (which is why there’s a ton of places people love that I don’t). Also, most of the reputable ones are westside and I haven’t been. But if you want a fancy restaurant place? AOC is an institution. Otherwise, Melody is fun and has great events, Bar Bandini is good, Holcomb is okay (but good if you are into chilled wine?), but I will not blow up my spot I actually love, it’s hard enough to get a seat!

Best Bars (Beer Selection): Again, Tony’s Darts Away (casual yet great lineup, good sausage regular, veggie and vegan alike), Father’s Office (great burger and food, not cheap), Glendale Tap, Little Bear (If you like Belgians) Red Lion (German), Wurstkuche (Czech / German selection / good sausages)

Best Bars (Spirit Lists): This used to be a much bigger thing, but restaurants have shied away from having massive spirt lists these days (which is probably smart). But Tam O’Shanters has a great scotch list and it’s so wonderfully old school and looks like scotland threw up inside (it’s also delightful at christmas)

Best Bars (LA History): The Dresden (RIP Marty), Frolic Room (classic dive), Cole’s (have I talked about this place enough?) Golden Gopher, Formosa Cafe, The Prince (again, the new girl bar), Boardeners, and my personal fave is a Tiki joint I wont blow up.

Best Bars (Sports): They’re all the worst because they fully depend on the sport / team affiliation of the crowds etc. So find where your crowd goes and then go there. The best dodgers bar is “anywhere in echo park where there’s 9,000 fans after a win.”

Best Bars (Dive): I will be the most coy with this subject, sorry. But The Blue Room in Burbank is such a perfect throwback, I like Oy Bar and Tony’s Saloon, too - but the spots that are definitely best and I will absolutely not talk about them on main.

Haven't Been And Wanting To Try: Hayato, Kato, N/Soto, Sushi Ginza Onodera, Morihiro, Phenakite, Ponchos’ Tlayudas, Gucci Osteria, Manzke, Gwen, Sushi Kaneyoshi, Pasjoli, Found Oyster, Holbox, Tsubaki, Bavel, Maude, Saffy’s, Camphor, Hatchet Hall, Kali, Manzke, Maude, Damien, Ortega120, 715 Sushi, Nozawa Bar, Pasta Box, Pasta Sisters... You’ll note that most of these places are expensive and that’s why the lack of rush.

I’m Just Not That Into Them (especially at certain prices): I was debating whether or not to even include this section. For starters, sometimes this stuff is just purely palette-based and some people like something that skews one way and I like another. But it’s also because a lot of the places I’m not into have the habit of closing anyway. For instance, a whole rant about Angler but just saw it closed. This doesn’t make me happy. I want every place to be amazing, But there’s a reason these “hot” flash in the pan things happen so much in LA (though it’s gotten a million times better, as everythings gotten better everywhere). But the whole idea is to help people save money if they’re thinking about X place instead of going to Y place. To that…

-The new Melisse - So I looooved the old Melisse and their whole classic white table cloth french institution thing, but I get that it was passe. Still, I wasn’t as crazy about the new remodel spot when I went? Josiah is a truly great chef, but the menu just didn’t land for me this time? Some really great things, but it’s kinda over-lit and in a weird blank room and just at that super high price point it doesn’t quite make sense as a “must go.” Besides all the old classic dishes, along with the new best dishes are at Citrin so really, just go there, it’s really great (again, Josiah is a really great chef). But I will probably try again at some point out of devotion and maybe just not jibing with that winter menu.

-Alimento / Uovo / Osteria La Buca / Jon & Vinnys / Angelini Osteria - Again, of all the things I’m hardest on it’s expensive pasta joints because I make a lot at home, but none of these spots landed for me. But I had some really great other dishes at these places, including this amazing tuna collar thingy at Alimento. Point being “mileage may vary.”

-Orso & Winston - On paper, it’s everything I SHOULD like. Cheap for a tasting menu. Focused fare with an aim and voice… But I’ve just never had a GREAT meal there? Like I think back and can’t even remember a single dish that sticks out and I just… I feel like that’s at the root of a lot of problems? It also feels like it’s always trying to figure something out, because it started with all these grand plans of 20 course, super inventive dinners and… I just don’t know, ya know?

-Lonely Oyster - I feel like a million Oyster joints in this style have popped up lately, but oofa doofa the organizational problems here. The rare “buyer beware” I’ll put out.

-Pijja Palace - This Indian Pizza Sports Bar is the hottest place in town and… I don’t get it? Like forget that it’s so packed that “the sports bar” part of the equation is basically gone and the viewing angles / setups / lighting is so weird anyway, but the food? I dunno, Indian cuisine is all about stark, bright, complex flavors and every single thing on this menu batters those flavors into submission by drowning them in mozzarella and overpower-ing carbs? Basically, I’m just terrified that’s the very reason people like it??? Like, its the whole “only chicken tikka masala and garlic naan” inclination. But the result is more like eating pizza with a little bit of a sour note or otherwise bland pasta with a little spice? But to me, it tastes like neutered Indian food and all the fun experiments at Badmaash are so much more vibrant - not that it’s a competition, it’s just a question of what works. But I fully get I may be the weird one.

-And lastly, Dan Tanas - hahahaha, look some old restaurants are like cults, where the charm pulls you in and people have just been a part of the tradition for a long time - but sometimes you walk in as a newbie and just go “what the hell is this?” But sometimes that’s the spirit of the red and white tablecloth and I hundred percent have my restaurants where I’m the same way. To speak on that, Gold’s review is one the funniest things he ever wrote.

Okay, I realize there’s soooo many things on this list, sometimes people don’t need a million options. Sometimes they need direction. SO, after all that, if you put a gun to my head and asked me to name the top 10 places I simply couldn’t live without? Here’s my best stab…

1. Providence
2. Langer’s
3. Soban
4. Here’s Looking At You
5. Connie and Teds
6. Mariscos Jaliscos
7. Sea Harbor
8. Marouche
9. Chi Spacca (Mozzaplex)
10. The Apple Pan / Cole’s (I get one tie)

Happy eating.

<3HULK