Los Angeles
Places to Eat
Hollywood/Beverly Hills/Centry City/Central LA
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)
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
Santa Monica/Venice
Rustic Canyon - they have 1 Michelin star but it's pretty casual (and relatively kid-friendly), delicious, innovative California cuisine
Gjelina - cute little spot in Venice, well-prepared comfort food / California cuisine rec’d Michelin
try later:
Gjusta - highly rec'd pastries
Great White - looks like a nice, popular brunch-y place?
Papille Gustative - French place with organic ingredients, biodynamic wines, tries to do "zero waste"
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,
Pasadena area
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 vegan ice cream in downtown Pasadena
try later?
Carmela Ice Cream
Sage Plant Based Bistro