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Los Angeles may be known for its beach living and celebrity-infused backdrop, but it was once a farm town. The hillsides were covered in citrus orchards and dairy farms, and agriculture was a major industry. Today, even as L.A. is urbanized, the city's culinary landscape has re-embraced a local, sustainable, and seasonal philoso
Los Angeles may be known for its beach living and celebrity-infused backdrop, but it was once a farm town. The hillsides were covered in citrus orchards and dairy farms, and agriculture was a major industry. Today, even as L.A. is urbanized, the city's culinary landscap
Los Angeles may be known for its beach living and celebrity-infused backdrop, but it was once a farm town. The hillsides
Los Angeles may be known for its beach living and celebrity-infused backdrop, but it was once a farm town. The hillsides were covered in citrus orchards and dairy farms, and agriculture was a major industry. Today, even as L.A. is urbanized, the city's culinary landscape has re-embraced a local, sustainable, and seasonal philosophy at many levels—from fine dining to street snacks.
With a growing interest in farm-to-fork, the city's farmers' market scene has exploded, becoming popular at big-name restaurants and small eateries alike. In Hollywood and Santa Monica you can often find high-profile chefs scouring farm stands for fresh produce.
Yet the status of the celebrity chef continues to carry weight around this town. People follow the culinary zeitgeist with the same fervor as celebrity gossip. You can queue up with the hungry hordes at Mozza or try and snag a reservation to the ever-popular Trois Mec that’s much like getting a golden ticket these days. Elsewhere, the seasonally driven bakery and insanely popular Huckleberry in Santa Monica has been given a Brentwood counterpart with the rustically sweet Milo & Olive created by the same owners. In Culver City, a run-down International House of Pancakes has been turned into the ski chalet–inspired A-Frame Tavern. The Ace Hotel opened an L.A. chapter Downtown, creating a hip haven when you can enjoy cocktails and locally sourced menu items poolside or in the restaurant.
Ethnic eats continue to be a backbone to the L.A. dining scene. People head to the San Gabriel Valley for dim sum, ramen, and unassuming taco lounges; Koreatown for epic Korean cooking and late-night coffeehouses; and West L.A. and "the Valley" for phenomenal sushi. Latin food is well represented in the city, making it tough to choose between Guatemalan eateries, Peruvian restaurants, nouveau Mexican bistros, and Tijuana-style taco trucks. With so many dining options, sometimes the best strategy is simply to drive and explore.
It's a lot, from the mouthful of a restaurant name, and the caters-to-everyone extensive menu, to the oversized steampunk-style decor (think: airship mural and nearly 100-foot-high smokestacks), and the characters who interact with diners. But set in Universal CityWalk, it is the perfect amount of "a lot" to meet your fanciful, over-the-top mood after visiting theme parks. There's a bar, multilevel dining rooms, and a retail shop to purchase house-made chocolates. Start with pork belly sliders and nachos and then work your way through the robust burger menu, pastas, salads, pizzas, and more, or just swerve to crepes, sundaes, puddings, and over-the-top milkshakes if sweets are preferred. And don't forget that retail store to hit up on the way out.
100 Universal City Plaza, Los Angeles, California, 91608, USA
The ultratrendy Urth Caffé is full of beautiful people refueling on organic coffee and tea with a range of health-conscious sandwiches, salads, and juices. The outdoor patio is a great place to take in the scene or spot celebrities.
8565 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90069, USA
This beachfront bar has been the local watering hole for musicians like the Beatles, the Doors, and the Beach Boys since 1944. It boasts an amazing view and serves tasty California pub food like fish tacos, pulled-pork sliders, and avocado toast with a basic selection of beers. The Whaler Double Burger is an institution in itself. Be prepared for rowdy crowds of sports fans and beachgoers at happy hour and on weekends. Ongoing special events include Cards Against Humanity on Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, karaoke on Thursdays, and more. They also serve a great brunch.
10 W. Washington Blvd., Venice, California, 90292, USA
Co-owned by trumpeter Herb Albert, Vibrato takes a high-road approach to a jazz club: this is a stylish, acoustically perfect venue where every table has a view of the stage. The kitchen is as notable as the music; it turns out contemporary American fare such as pan-roasted sea bass with a fennel-leek ragu, macaroni and cheese with bacon-parmesean crust, and USDA Prime steaks. Art on the walls was painted by the Grammy-winning owner himself.
2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Los Angeles, California, 90077, USA
This ice-cream shop showcases the flavors of the globe in artisanal frozen delights. Every single ice cream is light, creamy, and made with 100% organic milk. Vegans will also appreciate their vegan offerings.
3134 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90039, USA
For years, the diner at the Beverly Garland Hotel was sadly overlooked. No longer. Led by Executive Chef Warren Schwartz, the menu at Warren's Blackboard is simple, seasonal and approachable. A comfortable dining area that's great for families is on one side of the room, and a bar area with television screens playing classic movies can be found on the other. Start with a buratta and pear salad and a spectacularly savory mushroom and bacon popover. Dinner entrées include grilled salmon with yams, treviso, and tangerines, or seared scallops with carrot risotto, grapefruit, and tarragon.
Beverly Garland Hotel, 4222 Vineland Ave., Los Angeles, California, 91602, USA
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