Another week, another delicious round-up of our favorite restaurants around town. For the best places to dine this week, read below!
Los Angeles Favorite Restaurants of the Week
Soban
Location: 4001 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019
Soban offers a concise menu that includes a rare delicacy: ganjang gejang, which is raw marinated flower crab that represents the epitome of Korean cuisine with its rich, slightly fermented umami and buttery sweetness (particularly when paired with warm rice). For a complete culinary experience, we recommend trying our favorite dish, the spicy braised black cod and braised short ribs, which are flavorful accompaniments that perfectly complement the crab.
Antico Nuovo
Location: 4653 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Chad Colby’s Italian restaurant has become a staple in the Larchmont-adjacent strip mall, where it serves up some of the city’s most refined pasta dishes, grilled meats, and rustic Italian cuisine with a California twist. The menu features an extensive selection of focaccia (“pane”) with add-ons like burrata and scallion oil
Ruen Pair
Location: 5257 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Ruen Pair’s menu has broad appeal thanks to its bold spicing, quick service, and great value. Begin your meal with the papaya salad, which features raw crab legs, a satisfying crunch, and a perfectly balanced lime and fish sauce vinaigrette. The roasted duck red curry is another standout dish,and our favorite, with its combination of juicy pineapples, tangy tomatoes, and fresh Thai basil
Westside and Beach Communities Favorite Restaurants of the Week
Hatchett Hall
Location: 12517 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
At Hatchet Hall in Culver City, the dishes come out quickly and are a mix of elegance and old-fashioned charm. Although the restaurant is known for its Southern influence and lively atmosphere, Chef Wes Whitsell has added a modern California touch to the cuisine. The food is light with a balance of acidity and spice, and traditional favorites like cornbread and roasted meats remain on the menu. The presentation of the dishes is also impressive, served on beautiful plates that complement the flavors.
Felix Trattoria
Location: 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
If you’re looking for upscale Italian cuisine, Evan Funke’s pasta restaurant is one of the best places to go in Los Angeles. The stylish dining room gives off a nonna’s home vibe, while the menu offers a range of Italian classics, such as herb-infused gamberi in bagnetto verde, blistered pizzas, and crispy squash blossoms filled with ricotta. Of course, the freshly made pasta dishes, which are almost exclusively handmade (fatto a mano), are a must-try.
Sushi Chitose
Location: 402 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Chef Hirofumi “Gen” Sakamoto’s Sushi Chitose in Redondo Beach is a hidden gem that offers an exceptional omakase experience for less than $80 per person. Despite being under the radar, the sushi restaurant boasts a high price-to-quality ratio that’s hard to beat, featuring top-notch cuts of toro, hamachi, and mackerel expertly placed over perfectly cooked vinegared rice. Even the most discerning sushi lovers may not find a reason to spend more.
San Fernando Valley Favorite Restaurants of the Week
Anajak Thai Cuisine
Location: 14704 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Anajak Thai’s cozy and relaxed dining area exudes a lively party atmosphere every night, complete with shelves of natural European wines. The aroma of exquisitely crafted Thai cuisine, prepared by Justin Pichetrungsi and his family, fills the room. Diners can opt for a la carte options or the highly-coveted tasting menu, which is almost impossible to book. Anajak Thai’s menu caters to a variety of tastes with classic dishes like pad Thai and sticky fried wings, as well as their unique and creative Thai Taco Tuesdays, which take over the adjacent alley and parking lot for a lively wine-fueled celebration.
Gorilla Pies
Location: 12417 Burbank Blvd, Valley Village, CA 91607
At Gorilla, a new Valley Village establishment, pizzas are cooked with a heavily charred, seriously cheesy, and impossibly crispy crust, offering a Pittsburgh-style experience to the neighborhood one pie at a time.
Uncle Paulie’s
Location: 3990 Vantage Ave, Studio City, CA 91604
Uncle Paulie’s, the trendy sandwich joint, has established its popularity among the Valley community in Studio City. Patrons arrive in droves, often early, to indulge in breakfast sandwiches like bacon, egg, and cheese, as well as East Coast-inspired subs and other casual favorites served during the day.
Conejo Valley Favorite Restaurants of the Week
Moody Rooster
Location: Westlake Village
Collin Crannell delivers an upscale experience at his own local eatery situated in a shopping center in Westlake Village. Moody Rooster, one of Conejo Valley’s initial advocates of farm-to-table cuisine, serves a concise, seasonal selection made with sustainable components. Although the menu is dynamic, some of the customers’ preferred choices are the crispy gnocchi and the harissa carrots.
The Gallery Restaurant
Location: Westlake Village
Head over to The Gallery Restaurant in Westlake Village for a fine dining experience. The restaurant boasts stunning views of the lake and mountains, and the menu features seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. We suggest the pan-seared sea bass, which is perfectly cooked and served with a delicious citrus sauce.
Dong Ting Spring
Location: Newbury Park
Dong Ting Spring offers authentic Hunan cuisine to the area. Explore the Hunanese selection with dishes such as braised pork belly with preserved vegetables. Or indulge in lamb in golden soup and the more daring mashed eggplant with century egg.