***Pizzana - probably the best pizza I've had outside Naples, these folks really know what they're doing! ...their GF pizza leaves a bit to be desired, though; rec’d Time Out, La Times (which compares to Pepe in Grani), Infatuation, CN Traveler, Michelin Bib Gourmand, locations in WeHo and Brentwood
***Sqirl - nice East Hollywood place for casual eats (breakfast/lunch/brunch), the famed ricotta toast is amazing but pretty much everything else we tried was delicious too; has been written up by almost everyone (including for controversies, now settled, about working conditions and moldy jam...and some other controversies about founder Jessica Koslow taking credit for others' inventions which seems to me at least partially a double standard compared to what many male chefs do)
Night + Market - nice Thai food, especially crispy rice salad, rec'd Eater and Michelin
ecco un pocco - small-batch, homemade gelato with interesting flavors
***Bacio di Latte - great gelato in Westfield Century City (which is near Eataly if you want even more Italian stuff), also a branch in Newport Beach (Fashion Island)
Eataly - in Century City, sells some good stuff including pretty decent gelato
try later:
République Café - highly rec'd French/pastries
Pasta Sisters - fast-casual pasta
Sushi Tama - Eater says “one of LA’s most exciting new sushi spots”, not too expensive
recommended with reservations:
Fatamorgana gelato - a branch of one of our favorite Roman gelaterie...but the texture was all wrong, and it seems like they're trying to replicate too many flavors at once
Gelato Festival - not bad, but we liked Bacio di Latte better
***Rustic Canyon - they have 1 Michelin star but it's pretty casual (and relatively kid-friendly), delicious, innovative California cuisine
***Gjusta - pastries, sandwiches, casual dishes and more, with a beautiful courtyard in the back...similar to Tartine Manufactory in San Francisco. Across the street from the original Gold's Gym where Arnold Schwarzenegger got his start.
Gjelina - cute little spot in Venice, well-prepared comfort food / California cuisine rec’d Michelin, same team as Gjusta
***Wanderlust Creamery - branch of the ice cream place in Pasadena
want to try or recommended with reservations:
Great White - nice spot not far from the beach; we went for dinner which wasn't bad but it seems more popular for brunch...reasonably kid friendly but they don't have a "kid's menu" (so we ended up getting our son a relatively expensive adult-sized hamburger)
Papille Gustative - has some good stuff but many of the dishes didn't seem to quite work;
? Ospi - gorgeous dishes, male & female chef team in Venice, pizza/pasta Southern Italian with California ingredients and some fusion, rec’d Eater, Infatuation, Time Out... menu includes GF pasta and malloreddus (??)
? Pasjoli - French place in Santa Monica; looks nice, rec’d Eater for “California-inspired takes on classic French fare” including souffle au chocolat; dinner only
***Perle - wonderful French place, probably our favorite French food outside of France! Kid-friendly too (they have crayons & kids menus), and known for their famous tarte tatin (although other desserts were delicious too!)
***Wanderlust Creamery - nice ice cream in downtown Pasadena
try later?
Carmela Ice Cream
Sage Plant Based Bistro