Top chefs tell us where to eat now in Los Angeles

A chef's hand hovers over a tray of oysters, clams and prawns on ice.
Chef Ari Kolender prepares a tray of oysters, clams and prawns at Discovered Oyster.
(Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Occasions)

Once you spend most nights cooking for others, going out to eat could be a luxurious. So that you select your eating places rigorously. And as a well-connected chef you have a tendency to listen to about a few of the most attention-grabbing latest openings. This is the reason we requested six Los Angeles cooks — Natalie Pereira of Woodspoon, Jon Yao from Kato, Nicole Rucker from Fats + Flour,Ludo Lefebvre of Petit Trois and the presently closed Trois Mec, Grandmaster Recorders’ Monty Koludrovic and Justin Pichetrungsi from L.A. Occasions Restaurant of the Yr Anajak Thai Delicacies — all cooking on the 2022 Meals Bowl launch occasion — to share their favourite locations to eat now.

The cooks will assist us kick off our monthlong Meals Bowl pageant with a occasion on Sept. 1 at Grandmaster Recorders. You'll find extra particulars and ticket info at lafoodbowl.com.

Justin Pichetrungsi’s picks

Chef and co-owner of Anajak Thai Delicacies

A man in white plates food cooked on a portable cooktop in an alley.
Chef-owner Justin Pichetrungsi prepares clear sea prawns within the alley subsequent to his restaurant, Anajak Thai in Sherman Oaks.
(Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Occasions)

KINJIRO

Eight slices of meat on a black ceramic plate, with a spiky green garnish and chopsticks.
Thick-cut prime beef tongue at Kinjiro in Little Tokyo in 2015.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Occasions)

“Actually, you received’t ever be capable of stroll in right here: [It’s] e mail reservations solely, don’t name, and same-day is inconceivable — and if you wish to come again, you greatest present Jun [Isogai], the proprietor, which you could eat and drink properly too. In case you move the take a look at, you’ll be rewarded with a few of the greatest well-crafted izakaya delicacies that’s equally comforting. Strive the nice and cozy mushroom spinach salad, the grilled beef tongue and the entire soy-mirin-braised Madai fish head. Additionally, the soba is pleasant. Jun’s information of nice sake will get you to overstay your welcome. Belief me.”

424 E. 2nd St., Los Angeles, (213) 229-8200, kinjiro-la.com

KUYA LORD

A foil pan contains noodles, prawns, rice, greens and more on a banana leaf.
Filipino-style bounty from Kuya Lord.
(Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Occasions)

“Filipino meals at its greatest. Arms down, the tastiest meals I’ve had outdoors of Asia. Chef Maynard [Llera] is the extremely gifted large brother of the culinary scene right here. His complete household will probably be there too. Go along with quite a lot of associates who prefer to crush meals as a result of it would be best to order the entire menu. The grilled prawns are [the] transfer to start out; break your tooth with the kawali tray — crispiest pork stomach identified to man. And end with tocino, grilled candy prime brief rib, assured to make you lick your lips for the next week.”

5003 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, kuyalord.com

ANTICO NUOVO

A bowl of pasta from Antico Nuovo
Antico Nuovo’s agnolotti-style pasta specialty plin dell’ alta langa.
(Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Occasions)

“That is my secret: Stroll in for a late seating, go sit on the bar — as a result of A-listers like Meryl Streep are sitting at a desk — however you truly need a front-row seat to gawk on the fireside and chef Chad [Colby] plate up lovely pastas. I maintain it modest: I'm going get a pair glasses of wine and order a pasta and the ribs, and I’m the happiest particular person ever. Go eat all the ice lotions as a result of I can’t. (Thanks, lactose intolerance.)”

4653 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 510-3093, anticonuovo-la.com

Nicole Rucker’s picks

Co-owner and baker of Fats + Flour

A woman working on pieces of cookie dough on a tray
Pastry chef Nicole Rucker makes cookies at Fats + Flour inside Grand Central Market in Los Angeles.
(Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Occasions)

HOUSTON’S

“All the time an excellent place for a date night time. I do know it’s a little bit of a chef cliché to decide on this, however when it really works it really works, and I really like the reliability of the meals, service and ambiance — to be trustworthy, the perfect people-watching too.”

320 S. Arroyo Pkwy., Pasadena, (626) 577-6001, houstons.com

FOUND OYSTER

Scallop tostada from Found Oyster
Scallop tostada from Discovered Oyster.
(Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Occasions)

“For once we wish to really feel youthful and have enjoyable! Finest vibe on the town. I don’t drink wine however [my husband], Blaine [Rucker], loves the picks and I really like the tostadas. Sure, they serve Fats + Flour Key lime [pie] for dessert, which I imply, 5 stars only for that.”

4880 Fountain Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 522-6239, foundoyster.com

SUN NONG DAN

A large round dish of galbi jjim surrounded by five smaller banchan dishes.
Galbi jjim with banchan at Solar Nong Dan restaurant in Koreatown.
(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Occasions)

“For breakfast particularly, they've an excellent deal. I’ll most likely be right here all winter lengthy as a result of the wealthy broth soothes my achy joints.”

3470 W. sixth St., Ste. 7, Los Angeles, (213) 365-0303; 710 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 365-0303; 18902-A E. Gale Ave., Rowland Heights, (626) 581-2233; 927 E. Las Tunas Drive, Ste. J&Okay, San Gabriel, (626) 286-1234; sunnongdan.internet

Jon Yao’s picks

Chef/founding father of Kato

A person dressed in black shirt and chef's apron leans against a black wall.
Kato’s Jon Yao at Kato in 2019.
(Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Occasions)

LU’S GARDEN

The sweet potato porridge with other specialties from Lu's Garden.
The candy potato porridge from Lu’s Backyard, surrounded by, clockwise from backside left, simmered roast pork, eggplant with chef sauce, Taiwanese sausage, braised string beans, braised bamboo shoot, pan-fried squid, tofu, a dish of pepper known as spicy with spicy and fried belt fish.
(Kate Kuo / Los Angeles Occasions)

“Lu’s backyard jogs my memory of my mother’s cooking and it’s tremendous handy so I at all times have it.”

Lu’s Backyard, 534E Valley Blvd., #12, San Gabriel, (626) 280-5883, lusgardensg.com

WAGYU HOUSE BY X POT

“I typically have scorching pot at Haidilao so I needed to strive one thing else and X Pot was the perfect I’ve had thus far. “

Wagyu Home by X Pot, 18558 Gale Ave., Ste. 122-128, Rowland Heights, (866) 610-0609, thexpot.com/los-angeles-location

AVENUE 26

Adults and children wait to be served at an outdoor taco stand at night.
Avenue 26 Tacos in Lincoln Heights at all times attracts a crowd.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Occasions)

“Avenue 26 is correct subsequent to the restaurant so that you’ll see me and quite a lot of the workers there typically.”

Avenue 26 Tacos, 353 S. Alameda St., Los Angeles, (213) 375-3300, avenue26tacos.com

Natalia Pereira’s picks

Chef-owner of Woodspoon

A smiling woman in a restaurant kitchen holds up a chicken pot pie on a plate.
Woodspoon owner-chef Natalia Pereira in 2015 with the restaurant’s well-liked rooster pot pie.
(Lawrence Okay. Ho / Los Angeles Occasions)

PONCHO’S TLAYUDAS

A flat Mixta tlayuda with three meats, cabbage and cheese on the grill.
The Mixta (three meats) tlayuda is grilled over fireplace at Poncho’s Tlayudas.
(Paul Argumedo / For The Occasions)

“I like to see our associates at Poncho’s Tlayudas southeast of Exposition Park for an ideal meal that seems like residence for everybody.”

4318 S. Important St, Los Angeles, (213) 359-0264, ponchostlayudas.com

OTOMISAN and PINE & CRANE

Savory soy milk, center, and other Taiwanese breakfast dishes
Savory soy milk, middle, and different Taiwanese breakfast dishes on the new downtown L.A. location of Pine & Crane.
(Invoice Addison / Los Angeles Occasions)

"Otomisan in Boyle Heights for the stunning house owners and the brand new lovely Pine & Crane house in downtown L.A.”

Pork katsu, tempura vegetables and salad on a combination plate.
Pork katsu and tempura mixture plate from Otomisan in Boyle Heights.
(Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Occasions)

Otomisan, 2506½ E. 1st St., Los Angeles, (323) 526-1150

Pine & Crane, 1120 S. Grand Ave., Unit 101, Los Angeles, (213) 536-5292, pineandcrane.com/dtla

Ludo Lefebvre’s picks

Chef-owner at Petit Trois and Trois Mec

A smiling man in chef's whites and a blue apron leans on a marble counter.
Petit Trois and Trois Mec chef-owner Ludo Lefebvre.
(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Occasions)

CAPRI CLUB

A cocktail with a napkin and matchbooks from the Capri Club.
The Capri, which opened in 1963, is now Capri Membership, a retro-inspired aperitivo bar specializing in Italian bar bites and amari.
(Torre Catalano / Capri Membership)

“We find it irresistible as a result of the design of the restaurant is ’60s and you're feeling such as you’re in Italy. I really like a great spritz and so they have quite a lot of them. My favourite drink is the Negroni and so they have an incredible frozen Negroni. The meals is small plates, arancini, pâtés. It’s informal, straightforward, and I find it irresistible. You’re actually transported to a different nation there.”

4604 Eagle Rock Blvd., Los Angeles, (707) 337-0170, capriclublosangeles.com

PIZZANA

Two pizzas side by side
Pizzana’s cacio e pepe pizza, left, and pignatiello pizza.
(Christina Home / Los Angeles Occasions)

“My youngsters love Pizzana. They only opened a location throughout the road from Petit Trois in Sherman Oaks. I'm going and purchase meals for the workers typically. I really like their pizza and particularly their idea of precooked pizza. You purchase the pizza and heat it up at residence. It’s so good.”

13826 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, (818) 698-1009, pizzana.com

THE BROTHERS SUSHI

“They don't seem to be removed from our home. I really like sushi and I’ve identified Mark [Okuda] for a very long time, even earlier than when he was at Asanebo. He opened this lovely restaurant. In case you order his chef’s menu, you eat some uncommon issues and the flavors are wonderful. He's actually artistic and the mixtures are excellent. I really like their sake listing too. I prefer to go along with my youngsters as a result of I would like them to study actual Japanese meals.”

21418 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, (818) 456-4509, thebrotherssushi.com

Monty Koludrovic’s picks

Culinary director for Botanical Hospitality Group (Grandmaster Recorders)

Several men in dark chef's clothing stand at a metal counter discussing a list.
Head chef Nick Russo, middle, and culinary director Monty Koludrovic, proper, speak within the kitchen of West Hollywood’s E.P. & L.P. in 2021.
(Francine Orr / Los Angeles Occasions)

ANAJAK THAI CUISINE

An overhead photo of whole dry-aged fish on a plate, with a set of hands holding a dish of fish curry "custard."
Anajak’s complete dry-aged fish and Haw Mok, a fish curry “custard.”
(Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Occasions)

"[After moving to Los Angeles from Australia] I used to be fortunate sufficient to fulfill Liwei [Liao, owner of] the Joint [seafood market]; it was by means of Liwei and his workforce I heard about Justin and Anajak. As a Valley native I used to be so pumped to listen to of some thrilling Thai restaurant power across the nook. I wasn’t anticipating all of the goodness that Anajak is; to today Anajak and the Joint are the benchmark of how good getting by means of the COVID years could be. The meals is nice — it isn’t the identical as Sydney Thai that I really like, however nor ought to or not it's. It's a product of a time, on this place. However, most of all, the individuals of Anajak are the actual treasure; I'm going to have a great time however when persons are so f— lovely it leaves a mark.”

14704 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, (818) 501-4201, anajakthai.com

FOUND OYSTER

“In a manner, that is additionally a COVID story, however on this case I met and related with Ari [Kolender] pre-COVID on a visit in 2019 earlier than I moved right here, simply after they opened. I got here and had dinner right here; it was such a great time and the primary place in L.A. that basically made me really feel that I had [made] the correct choice in shifting right here. I wish to stay in a spot that has Discovered/Ari/his workforce. The uncooked seafood doesn’t get overworked; it’s simply actually f— good, served with confidence. We see Ari’s journey in his meals. I really like these guys and their power.”

4880 Fountain Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 522-6239, foundoyster.com

AWAN

Two cups of vanilla gelato topped with shaved sugar at the ledge of an ordering window at Awan.
Inda chef Zen Ong and Dayglow Espresso proprietor Tohm Ifergan teamed up for Awan, an Indonesia-inspired gelato firm that operates out of a walk-up window connected to Dayglow West Hollywood.
(Ja Tecson)

“You is perhaps seeing a theme right here: I like meals individuals. It’s why I do what I do, actually. Zen [Ong] at Awan is somebody I knew lengthy earlier than shifting right here — Zen and I related instantly and there should not sufficient good phrases within the dictionary to explain him. Even when the gelato and the venue have been horrible I'd nonetheless find it irresistible, but it surely isn’t. As is anticipated from him, it's unbelievable. Zen is at the beginning of a journey, [of] which I really feel I [have a] entrance seat proper now. I reckon I will probably be telling the story down the monitor [about] how I used to hang around with this man Zen, slinging scoops, tackling this wild meals metropolis manner earlier than he was a family identify.”

866 Huntley Drive, West Hollywood, (424) 283-1053, enjoyawan.com

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