Five Restaurants to Try This Weekend in Los Angeles

Every week, Eater editors offer spots to eat at over the weekend.

October 23, 2015:

To witness the return of Downtown’s best coffee: G&B

The wrapping is off at G&B, Grand Central Market’s high-end walk up counter dedicated to the craft of coffee. When the original iteration of the space debuted years ago it was little more than a one-way option that looked out over Hill Street and completely blocked access from within the market itself. Now owners Kyle Glanville and Charles Babinski have turned the ambitious shop-within-a-market into a 360-degree playground for coffee lovers, more than doubling the total space while making the whole thing a heck of a lot spiffier in the process. Walk up (from any direction) for a weekend cup to see what all the fuss is about. 317 S. Broadway, Downtown. — FE

When you really need meat: Corazon y Mie

Bell’s best-kept secret is verging on the three year mark, yet there’s just about always room at the bar to grab a plate of chef Eduardo Ruiz’s meaty modern Mexican food. Though the place is known for its heftier options like the pan con chompipe, an $18 two pound open-faced turkey leg sandwich, there are subtler, more nuanced flavors at work here. Ruiz is one of the best young Alta California chefs cooking right now, and you’d be remiss to not make the trip down to Corazon soon. Even if it’s just for the turkey leg. 6626 Atlantic Ave., Bell. — FE

For any and all diner breakfast cravings: Cindy’s Restaurant

Head to Eagle Rock to witness the rebirth of the American diner in real time. This cozy corner location, parking lot included, gets busy on the weekend but there’s almost always a swiveling counter seat ready for those in need. The recently redone interior keeps the true diner experience in place, while elevating the feel (and the food) to new heights. Sit down, grab a thick morning mug of black coffee, and plow into a plate of hash browns and eggs — cage free, of course. 1500 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock. — FE

For great cocktails in a classy room: The Fiscal Agent

Julian Cox has been running drink programs at restaurants all across town. His most realized menu might have been at the late Brilliantshine, in which he and Josh Goldman made some of the best cocktails on the Westside. But The Fiscal Agent is Cox’s home run, the kind of setup that just might get national, and even international accolades. The team is insanely good here, and drinks are both wildly inventive and familiar, using only the best product and techniques. But what really separates a good cocktail set from a great one? That extra attention to detail, from the ice to the glassware to the service. Head to this hideaway before everyone else finds out, just be sure to make reservations.11801 Ventura Blvd, Studio City. —MK

For burger simplicity at its finest: Burgerlords

Chinatown is about to get a landmark place in Andy Ricker’s Pok Pok when it opens next week, but just across the street, Oinkster founders Fred and Max Guerrero have put together to perfect antidote to burger maximalism. Dubbed Burgerlords for their whimsical (and ultra-popular) Tumblr account, this walk-up window in Chinatown has super simple burgers at a very reasonable price. For just $7 buck you can get a massive double cheeseburger with griddle patties and cheese melted to perfection. Onion lovers will enjoy the thick cut circle of allium. 943 N. Broadway #102 —MK

October 16, 2015

For Aussie coffee with a creative twist: Paramount Coffee Project

Fairfax’s morning game is on point thanks to Jon & Vinny’s, Cofax, and newcomer Paramount Coffee Project, but only at the latter can you get a true flat white. That’s to say nothing of the more inventive offerings from these Australian expats, who routinely put on high-level pop-ups and play host to some of the world’s most interesting baristas. Go see what the fuss is about. 456 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. —FE [Wonho Frank Lee]

For handmade pasta heaven in Redondo Beach: Bettolino Kitchen

This casual South Bay stunner has been hand-rolling their pastas since earlier this spring, and the busy weekend rooms show the work is paying off. Step in for easygoing eats from Michelin star-winning chef Fabio Ugoletti in an unassuming strip mall location that makes sure to not take itself too seriously. A stroll on the beach afterwards is all but guaranteed. 211 Palos Verdes Blvd., Redondo Beach. —FE [Photo: Wonho Frank Lee]

For Tex-Mex fare and friendly vibes: Bar Ama

You don’t see much in the way of Tex-Mex cooking in LA. Thankfully, Bar Ama takes the idea of Tex-Mex and elevates it far beyond platters of sizzling fajitas. Here a long list of small plates go down easy with nicely crafted cocktails that create a convivial atmosphere. When roaming the streets of Downtown during the Art Walk or otherwise, it’s a nice place to pop in for a drink or two. 118 W 4th St, Los Angeles —CC [Photo: Elizabeth Daniels]

For a cozy seat at the bar with a nice cocktail: Republique

Times haven’t changed Republique much; the La Brea stunner is still as packed as ever, thanks to Walter Manzke’s French-inspired casual bistro cooking. Luckily nabbing a seat at the bar ain’t so hard, which means you can sidle up next to a stranger and down a simple cocktail while stuffing our face with some charcuterie, pasta, or a perfectly executed pork chop. 624 S. La Brea, Los Angeles – FE [Elizabeth Daniels]

For speakeasy vibes and date night potential: Osso

This latest Arts District stunner has been working wonders for the neighborhood, transforming the former One Eyed Gypsy into something much classier. Locals and commuters alike stop in for simple dinner options and cocktails from the long bar — especially when it’s chilly and overcast outside. 901 E. 1st St., Arts District  – FE [Wonho Frank Lee]

October 2, 2015:

For a more casual sort of Oktoberfest: BierBeisl Imbiss

Bernhard Mairinger’s Spring Street Arcade spot BierBeisl Imbiss is ready for Oktoberfest just about year-round. Their platters of housemade Austrian sausages, pretzels, and strudel guarantee a full belly, while a strong selection of beer keeps the drinkers happy. The place is smaller than your local beer hall but also more cozy, meaning you and a few friends can enjoy all the spaetzle, Erdinger, and sausages you’d like, without fighting the October crowds. 541 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles. — FE

For some rainy Sunday birria near Downtown: El Parian

El Parian is Pico-Union’s worst kept secret; locals have been digging into the small restaurant’s delicious bowls of birria weekend after weekend for years. But for most folks beyond that stretch the place is still relatively unknown. So why not give one of L.A.’s most satisfying, hearty Mexican meals a shot on this likely-to-be-rainy Sunday. The orders come out fast, but you can always bide your time watching the women in the back hand-pat your tortillas. 1528 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. — FE

For a different kind of mall food court experience: Koreatown Galleria

For most of us, our perception of Korean food comes at the smoke-filled tabletop barbecue or the classic home-style spot with various kinds of banchan. But food courts are just as authentically Korean, with a slew of high-volume vendors that specialize in certain aspects of Korean cuisine you wouldn’t see at a typical restaurant. Consider Koreatown Galleria, whose upstairs food court has everything from donkatsu and kimbap to snack foods and naeng myun. Everything’s affordable and comes out pretty quickly, making it a great casual weekend meal, either lunch or dinner. 3250 W Olympic Blvd —MK

For some quality paella in Century City: Hinoki & the Bird

Perfecto Rocher decamped from Smoke.Oil.Salt. to spend a few weeks traveling around his homeland of Spain. He’s still probably the single best paella cook in Los Angeles, and he’s hawking a trio of terrific ones at a new travel-inspired pop-up at Hinoki & the Bird. The Sunday night dinner clocks in at $55 and comes with a few other courses. Plus barman Jeremy Lake is assembling some fine cocktails. You have the next four Sundays to get Rocher’s fantastic paella, which come studded with duck and chicken, or squid ink fideos. 10 W Century Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90067 —MK

For sushi lover heaven: Sushi Ippo

The problem with sushi bars is the likelihood of leaving hungry, even after having spent half a paycheck on your meal. Enter Sushi Ippo, Koreatown’s shiny new all-raw fish specialist. While the Korean-owned Japanese restaurant offers a hefty a la carte menu, you’re really here for the all-you-can-eat specials that run for only $19.95 at lunch and $28.95 at dinner. The special includes dinner entrees, a wide variety of rolls, and all premium nigiri with the exception of toro and any order of uni beyond the first. And while the quality certainly isn’t up to par with that of the essential sushi restaurants in town, it’s not a bad way to get your sushi fix. Just be sure to watch what you order, or you’ll need a wheelbarrow to roll you out. 3800 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles —CC

Source: LA Eater