New on Resy: Cassia, Felix, Tallula’s, Pizzana, and More

Barbecue runs in the Bludso family blood. Born and raised in Compton, Kevin Bludso represents the fifth generation of dedicated meat-smokers rooted in Corsicana, Texas. As a result, the meat here — which is seasoned with custom dry rubs and smoked slow and low for up to 14 hours — is lauded as some of the best in town.

Cassia hails from the Rustic Canyon Family of Restaurants, so you know you’re in good hands. The fare is contemporary Southeast Asian cuisine with a strong French influence and a market-driven sensibility. The bustling brasserie-style restaurant features a lengthy menu of raw bar offerings, house-cured charcuterie platters, clay oven bread and spreads, and a whole range of dishes ideal for sharing — from a Vietnamese pot au feau to laksa noodles in a spicy coconut-seafood soup. Trust us: you’ll want to come with a group.

Italian by way of California is a cuisine that Los Angeles excels in, and Felix is a premiere example of so. The menu reads like one you’d find in Italy, starting with antipasti and ending with contorni. With a lively floral interior, highlighted by natural light, Felix boasts a delightfully relaxed setting. Order a Negroni Bianco or a regal spitz and a focaccia and you’re off to a good start.

Pizzana is LA’s newest Neapolitan pizzeria, where Naples-born pizzaiolo Daniele Uditi is in charge of the pies. Uditi — who learned his craft growing up in Italy, and honed it at the famed Pizza San Michele — offers a fresh redux on the Naples staple, reimagined for Southern California. The signature “slow dough” is fermented for 48 hours and results in a crust that is light yet sturdy, topped off with a selection of toppings that cue the flavor profiles. The dessert menu, crafted by owner and Sprinkles Cupcakes founder Candace Nelson, features Sprinkles ice cream and fresh takes on classic Italian sweets.

Located just steps away from the beach in Santa Monica, Tallula’s is an ingredient-driven, neighborhood Mexican restaurant from the team behind Rustic Canyon, Cassia, and Huckleberry. Enjoy a tequila-based cocktail on the patio and sample updated Mexican classics like local yellowtail ceviche, duck chilaquiles, and hanger steak carne asada from chefs Jeremy Fox and Mario Alberto. After a moment spent in the airy, colorful dining room, you may want to stay a while.

Wurstküche Venice is a spirited and casual meeting space for a diverse crowd; the stellar bierhall environment is dominated by long tables, which are designed to accommodate big groups (televisions are notably absent). The German fare of grilled sausages ranging from classic to exotic is reason enough to visit (think bratwurst; chicken apple & spices; and rattlesnake & rabbit with jalapeño peppers).