Little Beast EAGLE ROCK » American $$
The twinkly patio and front porch alone ensure a steady stream of neighborhood date nights. The menu, executed by a Chateau Marmont alum, includes pan-roasted chicken with squash hash, a perfectly cooked flat-iron steak with cipollini, and a dreamy combo of burrata and beets. 1496 Colorado Blvd., (323-341-5899 or littlebeastrestaurant.com). D nightly. Beer and wine.
Ma’am Sir
SILVER LAKE
» Filipino $$
Charles Olalia has transformed the erstwhile Bar Angeles space into a lush tropical hangout bristling with energy. The Manila native refines Pinoy classics like sizzling pork sisig and adobo fried rice withoutdampening the cuisine’s spirit. Crunchy cigar-length egg rolls called lumpia arrive draped with sea urchin, and there’s a pandan-leaf old-fashioned. Who could ask for more? 4330 W. Sunset Blvd. (323-7418371 or maamsirla.com). D Wed.-Mon. Full bar.
Mh Zh
» Middle Eastern $
tion of Thai regional cooking. A spread of nam prik might contain tiny eggplants dressed with shrimp paste or a pork ragout that you heap onto pork rinds. Jungle curry bubbles in a metal hot pot, its surface brimming with peppercorn strands, chicken thigh, and wilting herbs. There’s always the som tum-topped chicken sandwich with ranch dressing. 3322 W. Sunset Blvd. (323-665-5899 or nightmarket song.com). L Mon.-Fri.; D Mon.-Sat. Beer and wine.
Taiwanese counter-service venture with smart sincerity. Quick orders of pickled daikon, pig’s ear slivers, and stewed bamboo shoots can be ordered from the deli case. Neighborhood denizens drop by for seared scallion pancakes or pot stickers stuffed with spicy shrimp. 1521 Griffith Park Blvd. (323-668-1128 or pineandcrane.com). L-D Wed.Mon. Beer and wine.
Ostrich Farm ECHO PARK » New American $$
HISTORIC FILIPINOTOWN
A minimalist white storefront along Echo Park’s main drag, Jaime Turrey and Brooke Fruchtman’s neighborhood spot offers a comfortingly familiar menu with enough twists to stand out (think salt cod croquettes with red pepper rouille). Mushroom risotto with leeks and grilled salmon with succotash pair well with a globe-spanning wine list and bright, refreshing cocktails. 525 W. Sunset Blvd. (213-537-0657 or ostrichfarmla.com
Otoño
HIGHLAND PARK » Spanish $$
The arty crowds spilling onto Sunset Junction are in line for Conor Shemtov’s plucky Israeli cooking at Mh Zh, a minuscule corner space where milk crates double as furniture and menus are scrawled on paper bags. Soulful small plates are worth the quirks: Lamb ragù with pickled beet stems sits atop a bed of tahini, while roasted potatoes need only a squeeze of charred lemon. 3536 W. Sunset Blvd. (323-636-7598). D Tue.-Sun. No alcohol.
Teresa Montaño’s narrow Spanish place feels like a slice of San Sebastián wedged into the old Frank’s Camera building. Tapas and pintxos range from golden fritters flecked with jamón to green olives with orange peel; chilly gin tónicas and stubby glasses of vermouth lubricate the bar. The cozy tables in back offer space to huddle over crisp-edged squid ink paella and a bottle of tintofino. 5715 N. Figueroa St. (323-474-6624 or otono restaurant.com). D Tue.-Sun. Full bar.
Night + Market Song SILVER LAKE » Thai $$
Pine & Crane SILVER LAKE » Taiwanese $
SILVER LAKE
Song means “two” in Thai, and with this Silver Lake outpost, Kris Yenbamroong continues his explora-
An alum of Chez Panisse, Vivian Ku—together with her partner, Moonlynn Tsai—has infused the
Porridge + Puffs
» Pan-Asian $
After an intermittent run as a pop-up, Minh Phan’s porridge concept has found a home inside a cheery brick building west of downtown. Heirloom rice from Koda Farms serves as a base for creative and complex toppings like spicy pork sausage with ginger and nectarines. And the side of puffs? They’re fine for dipping, but it’s the brownbutter mochi with caramel you’ll be running back for. 2801 Beverly Blvd. (213-908-5313 or porridge andpuffs.com. L Tue.-Sat.; D Thu.-Sat.; brunch Sun. No alcohol.
The Royce Wood-Fired Steak House PASADENA » Steak House $$$
The hotel’s dining room remains stunning, and it has a masterful wine program run by Simone Chakir. Marbled meat offerings include all-natural California beef and Australia’s answer to Wagyu, kissed on the grill with the perfect amount of smoke and sear. Sides achieve novelty, such as the summer bean fricassee with almond brown butter. The Langham Huntington, 1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., (626-585-6410 or roycela.com). D Tue.-Sat. Full bar.
Salazar
ELYSIAN VALLEY » Mexican $$ This auto mechanic shop turned taqueria in Frogtown showcases the Mexican-style grilling skills of
The Dudes’ Brewing Company is a local brewery with multiple tasting rooms in SoCal, and in some locations, custom menu items like scratch made pizza, salads, and small bites including homemade dips and hummus. Every location has at least 24 taps pouring creative local brews you won’t find anywhere else. Hollywood, Santa Monica, Santa Clarita, Torrance, Thousand Oaks and Huntington Beach
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