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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.
Mofongo’s small storefront represents one of the best and only venues to get authentic Puerto Rican food in L.A. Stop by and try the namesake dish (a delectable mash of fried plantains), but stay for the pasteles (cakes) and rellenos de papa (stuffed potatoes). For those familiar with Puerto Rico, you'll find yourself lost in nostalgia here; for those who have not yet gone, you'll be ready to pack your bags before you even have time to digest.
5757 Lankershim Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 91601, USA
With antique wood hutches, copper moldings, and a fireplace, this establishment draws a diverse clientele in search of grilled octopus drizzled with a spicy limoncello vinaigrette, soulful spaghetti carbonara, pumpkin-filled mezzelune (half moon–shaped ravioli), and classic osso buco. The wine list is moderately priced and, weather permitting, you can sit on the walled patio that, despite its proximity to L.A. traffic, feels wonderfully escapist.
4100 Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 91602, USA
Sit down here to a table piled high with assorted hot and cold mezes, baba ghanoush, garlic fries, falafel, and kebabs piled on a bed of rice. Fresh, satisfying, and with excellent service, this reasonably priced hidden gem in the Valley is worth the trek over the hill.
11009 Burbank Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 91601, USA
Nestled in the heart of the NoHo Arts District amid newly minted high-rises, Rodini Park’s “build your own” concept and highly rated homemade pastries make it the place to go for a quick, fresh, and delicious take on Greek cuisine. Between the multiple protein, topping, and sauce offerings, it offers something for all palates.
11049 Magnolia Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 91601, USA
At first glance, TeaPop may seem to be doing too many things at once, but this tea-centric café, with its art gallery–slash–industrial modern interior and picturesque patio, is a perfect spot to not only study or take a breather, but also to catch pop-up events like comedy nights and workshops. Don’t let the hipster vibes turn you off—the service is fantastic and the drinks delicious.
5050 Vineland Ave., Los Angeles, California, 91601, USA
Big hotel restaurants are rarely ever good, let alone adventurous with their dishes, but the Front Yard is one of the very few exceptions. It has one of the best patios in the Valley, which like the hotel is furnished in that retro '70s style that makes you feel like you should linger all day. On that note, there is a rosé-all-day special with purchase of an entrée and a super popular brunch menu that includes hot chicken biscuits and shrimp and grits, as well as all the expected eggs and granolas. The menu changes regularly and might include short-rib pot pie and a variety of delicious vegan flatbreads. Order the Valley fried chicken with a sweet and spicy chili sauce and mac n’ cheese to share family-style.
4222 Vineland Ave., Los Angeles, California, 91602, USA
Los Angeles is not known for barbecue so when a place like the Swingin Door does it right, it’s worth taking note. Take a gander around and you'll see smokers slowly cooking all that meaty goodness, ready to be enjoyed on plastic-covered tables and doused with a variety of different hot sauces (which you can buy to take home). You might just think you'd died and gone to Texas.
11018 Vanowen St., Los Angeles, California, 91605, 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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