Animal
435 N. Fairfax Ave.
(323) 782-9225
L.A.’s most exciting restaurant opening of the past few years is Animal, where the meat-heavy menu—crispy pig head and even a bacon chocolate bar—attracts big crowds. Also try its sister restaurant—a fish spot—Son of a Gun.
Bazaar by José Andrés
465 S. La Cienega Blvd.
(310) 246-5555
A well-heeled crowd settles into Philippe Starck banquettes at this indoor piazza to try award-winning Spanish chef José Andrés’s inventive molecular gastronomy, including a Philly cheesesteak made on top of air bread and topped with Kobe beef.
Cole's
118 Sixth St.
(213) 622-4090
Since 1908, Cole’s has been serving its famed french dips—they claim to be the originator of the beef sandwich—in a dim lit space with original penny-tile floors, red banquettes, and a 40-foot mahogany bar. Sneak into the door marked with a cocktail glass and you’ll find The Varnish, a speakeasy-like back room.
Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
(310) 450-1429
Venice is L.A.’s definitive bohemian enclave, and Gjelina is its jewel. In the dim dining room, outfitted with wooden tables and bare light bulbs, a scruffy-sexy wait staff serves up a farm-to-table menu of heavenly housemade chorizo, tomato cream, fennel and chili pizza, and divine smashed English peas on toast. Leave room for the butterscotch pudding.
The Ivy
113 North Robertson Blvd.
(310) 274-8303
Hollywood power-lunchers convene inside The Ivy’s white picket fences for crab cakes and butterscotch sundaes, though with all the famous faces surrounding you (Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, and Tom Cruise, to name a few) it will be difficult to focus on the food.
Lucques
8474 Melrose Ave.
(323) 655-6277
lucques.comAt this West Hollywood classic, chef Suzanne Goin serves a fresh, market-driven Cal-Med (roasted fish and lots of vegetables) menu. On Sunday nights, she whips up a delicious family-style supper.
Nobu
903 North La Cienega Blvd.
(310 657-5711
Stylish celebrities choose this sushi temple for its “new-style sashimi” (thinly cut fish that’s flash-cooked in an oven), Wagyu beef tacos, and tempura. Look around the glamorous dining room and you may spot a celebrity or two.
Spago Beverly Hills
176 North Canon Dr.
(310) 385-0880
Wolfgang Puck’s seasonal restaurant is a Beverly Hills staple as well as the chef’s flagship restaurant. In the chic dining room, the star chef serves classic American dishes with a twist, including Maine lobster served “Hong Kong” style.
Umami Burger
Various locations.
umami.comUmami is known as the fifth flavor (after salty, sweet, bitter, and sour) and Umami Burger is known as one of L.A.’s best burgers, topped with topped with shiitake mushrooms, roasted tomato, a Parmesan crisp, and the chef’s special umami sauce. Grab one in between shopping marathons at Fred Segal or The Grove.
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