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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 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.
Fans of Bestia have been lining up for stellar Mediterranean cuisine at this Arts District hot spot, which is owned by the same restaurateurs. Rose-gold stools give way to marble tabletops as the open kitchen bangs out hummus and baba ghanoush spreads, along with flatbreads and lamb-neck shawarma. The vibe is lively, the staff is chill, the patio is a scene, and the food is out of this world. Reserve early, as this place gets filled fast.
For a grand savory adventure inside the Kimpton La Peer Hotel, chef Charbel Hayek prepares an array of winning Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-inspired menu items, such as a mezze platter to pair with a vibrant cocktail. Start with an array of dips, olives, and pita bread, before ordering one or more wood-grilled menu items. Popular dishes include dry-aged Rohan duck and olive-crusted rack of lamb, plus some satisfying vegetarian fare to enjoy with a glass of Old World, Ancient World, and New World wines.
Azizam is introducing Silver Lake to a casual way to enjoy comforting stews, punchy yogurt dips, and many other seasonal dishes that are often found in the comfort of an Iranian home. The all-day café is ideal for a quiet, leisurely lunch with a book or a friend. Standout items include Maman’s fried potatoes and the savory-and-sweet kofteh tabrizi, a beef and rice dish that socks up the savory tomato broth that collects at the bottom of the plate.
The perfect pairing of simplicity and complexity, Momed serves Mediterranean fare that feels comforting yet upscale. The welcoming atmosphere is just as perfect for a romantic date night as it is for a more convivial brunch with friends.
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