Restaurants in Los Angeles
Going out to eat in Los Angeles is as much about the scene as it is about the food. There are must-eat hot spots, and along with the buzz usually comes a line or hard-to-get reservations. The good news is that the food in L.A., which is eclectic and creative, usually stands up to the hype.
Pricey Plates: If it’s a special occasion meal you’re looking for, or if you just want to splurge while feeling like one of the Hollywood elite, Los Angeles has no shortage of super-exclusive, ultra-stylish eateries to quench your cravings. The most talked-about restaurants in L.A. almost always require a reservation, and be sure to dress in your best pricey-casual outfit.
Sushi in Los Angeles is more than a genre — it’s a culture. Raw-fish aficionados constantly trade tips and compete over whose sushi chef is the reigning champion of the time being. There are several big-hitters in the L.A. area, but the most famous is Nobu, with locations in West Hollywood and Malibu and a sister restaurant called Matsuhisa in Beverly Hills. This is sushi as art; Nobu is not meant for those who are content only in the safety of the California roll and a cup of miso soup. The rolls are mostly unadorned in order to appreciate the high quality of the fish. Regulars also stray away from the sushi menu into their cooked dishes, like the black cod with miso and wagyu beef at $25 a pound. The ambience is as you’d expect, with lounge-worthy music and slashy waitstaff (that’s actor-slash-model-slash-waiter at Nobu).
For a change of pace a bit off the beaten path, try Craft, newly opened in Century City among the high-rise buildings of entertainment law firms and talent agencies. The famous steak house, run by chef Tom Colicchio of “Top Chef” fame, joins its sibling restaurants in New York and Las Vegas and does not disappoint those in dire need of a great steak. The menu is loaded with gourmet takes on American classics as well as a whimsical dessert assortment.
When your craving isn’t so much for a meal as it is for a heft dose of star-gazing, the Ivy is the place to be. Located on Robertson Blvd, the center of all that is paparazzi-infested, the Ivy is, hands-down, the most celebrity infested site of any given meal. While most would agree that the prices reflect the location and scene more than the food, the menu is light, simple and delicious — the perfect food for a warm day out on the patio.
Reasonable Restaurants: Even rich and fabulous need a break from the haute cuisine scene, so there are plenty of restaurants in L.A. that offer great food and a casual atmosphere at a reasonable price. For a new take on pizza, Mozza Pizzeria on Melrose Ave. is a must-try. Co-owned by celebrity chef Mario Batali, Mozza provides a cozy, warm atmosphere and the best pizza crust you will ever taste. Reservations are still difficult to come by, but the staff leaves some seats open every evening for those who come early or late enough to grab them. Getting a seat at the bar is the best because you can watch the chefs as they do their magic on the dough, sliding your order in front of you straight from the blazing pizza oven.
It would be a shame to visit Los Angeles without venturing into its bustling Koreatown and trying some Korean barbecue. A popular spot is Chosun Galbee on Olympic Blvd. because of its spacious, airy interior and large outdoor seating areas. The prices for dishes like barbecued short ribs and clay pot stew are a bit higher than some of the smaller spots in the area, but the large menu and spacious, clean atmosphere make it worthwhile.
Bargain Bites: A smaller ethnic enclave is Little Tokyo, in downtown Los Angeles. There you’ll find delicious Japanese bakeries and sushi spots, but the place to try is Daikokuya, recognizable by its bright yellow awning and line winding out the door. The small, steamy restaurant specializes in huge, hot bowls of ramen, but they do other things well, like the gyoza and fried rice.
And if you’re used to waiting in lines anyway, you may as well try the Los Angeles phenomenon that is Pink’s Hot Dogs, one of the city’s most famous establishments. Beware, you may have to stand in line literally for hours for a bite of their juicy franks, but the upside is that the place stays open late, and after a late night out the payoff may very well be worth it. This is the kind of place where a chili cheese dog is considered boring, so you’ll want to go out on a limb and try varieties like the “Poli Bacon Burrito Dog” or the “Today Show Dog” (it comes with guacamole, chili, and an extra sausage)!