August 7, 2015

For solid small plates and a cocktail program to match: The Wallace

Downtown Culver City’s sleeper hit The Wallace has been turning out exceptional small plates with international flair that come by way of executive chef Joel Miller. Here the hits include roasted sunchokes with labneh and sumac, short rib ravioli with vincotto, and an outrageously delicious seared foie gras with pistachio cornbread and foie maple butter. The cocktail program stands up to the kitchen, with innovative drinks to go alongside the meal. Go for the nicotine-infused Cowboy Killer with whiskey and tobacco if you’re in need of a rush, or the Snakebite Float with peanut butter stout ice cream and housemade Irish cream for a nice, boozy way to conclude your meal. 3833 Main Street, Culver City —CC

For a casual Orange County spot with an L.A. feel: Little Sparrow

Santa Ana’s Little Sparrow is an OC gem, having won accolades since basically the moment it opened. Now working the kind of casual bistro lunch menu you might find in a more prominent DTLA restaurant, Little Sparrow has become a perfect place for a great midday meal, should you find yourself in the area. And with nearby 4th Street Marketand the beach not far away, you really should. 300 N. Main St., Santa Ana — FE

When all you want is decadent guacamole and some mezcal: Petty Cash Taqueria

Forget $1 tacos and parking lot vibes; this is a taqueria as interpreted by Walter Manzke and his chef de cuisine Fabian Gallardo. Sure there’s still an al pastor spit and handmade tortillas, but every ingredient is top-notch — and so is the mezcal selection. Drop in for a loud evening with friends over uni guacamole and more than a few drinks. 7360 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles — FE

For a smorgasbord of great seafood: Connie & Ted’s

Connie & Ted’s has lived with solid crowds in West Hollywood for a few years now, but the fever pitch to land a table has slowed a bit. While that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy to get a seat at a prime hour, it means you can still ask for a nice four top on the patio with some friends earlier on in the evening. Start with a glass of Riesling or bright cocktail, and the obligatory dozen of oysters. A crab cake or fried clams (with bellies!) is an ideal middle course while the perfectly cooked seasonal fish comes herb-crusted or without very much adornment. The blondie is the hit dessert, but the chocolate chip cookies will be good enough that’ll you’ll beg them for the recipe. 8171 Santa Monica Blvd. —MK

For the downtown Italian staple you probably forgot about: The Factory Kitchen

With so many exceptional restaurants opening downtown these days, some of the original pioneers sometimes get overlooked. Located in an industrial warehouse in the Arts District, The Factory Kitchen feels very of the moment, but has been turning out top notch Northern Italian fare since 2013. Here the standout dishes include one of the best versions of porchetta in town, superbly crunchy focaccia di Recco filled with tart Stracchino cheese, and, of course, the iconic handkerchief pasta smothered in creamy almond pesto that verges on the sublime. 1300 Factory Pl, Los Angeles —CC [Photo: Elizabeth Daniels]

For a pasta-filled dinner in the neighborhood: Osteria La Buca

With new chef Cameron Slaugh at the helm (he’s from NYC’ Eleven Madison Park, no less), longtime neighborhood favorite Osteria La Buca has been reborn. Wonderful pastas and well-blistered pizzas emerge from the kitchen in a fury, while the hopping dining room only continues to amp up as late evening approaches. The now-classic brick and reclaimed wood look still feels timeless here, while Melrose whizzes past beyond the tall glass windows. 5210 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles — FE [Photo: Yelp]

For a weekend of old school LA decadence: The Peninsula Beverly Hills

Don’t let the bulky exterior and flashy valet’d cars turn you off — you can afford to splurge just a little bit this weekend at The Peninsula hotel in Beverly Hills. Yes, there’s afternoon tea — a highlight, in fact — but there’s also a rooftop garden and fancier downstairs dining room, complete with its own outdoor patio. The bar is now pouring Mad Fritz beer from Napa Valley, too, and occasional garden BBQ parties keep the place feeling surprisingly low-key. 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills — FE [Photo: Facebook]

For an easy breezy weekend lunch on the go: Moruno

Designed to be more of a destination versus a thematic component to the Farmer’s Market, Morunolaunched their take out window today offering Spanish and Moorish-inflected sandwiches and skewers. The skewers are better as a snack since they’re not very filling and run $11-13, but the sandwiches are more than filling as a lunch. Share some fries and house fermented veggies and you’ll have something that’ll taste even better after a hike in Runyon or a picnic somewhere in the city. Currently only serving from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Friday to Sunday, so this weekend is a good chance to try Moruno before anyone else. —MK

For a restaurant that South Venice didn’t know it needed: Leona

Sneaking in between Hinano burgers and greasy Baja tacos, chef Nyesha Arrington’s SoCal-flavored Leona is a welcome addition, and perhaps just what South Venice didn’t know it needed. As one would expect from the Wilshire vet, seasonal ingredients shine in a menu that pays homage to the cultural melting pot that defines Los Angeles. Wakame-cured halibut wading in dashi, a colorful medley of mixed seafood flavored by a chilled tomato-watermelon broth, and an excellent, shockingly light rendition of fish and chips (pus spicy vinegar) mark imperative orders. And don’t miss dessert. The sweet corn and turmeric ice cream with peach wedges and rose will taste startlingly like Lucky Charms in the best possible way. 123 Washington Blvd. Venice, CA —Kat Odell