New on Resy: The Chestnut Club, The Milky Way, Vitello’s

If Dama, Scopa, and Black Market Liquor Bar are any proof, pairing cocktail mavens Pablo Moix and Steve Livigni with chef extraordinaire Antonia Lofaso almost guarantees a surefire hit. And that’s the dream team behind The Chestnut Club, a cozy nook of a tavern where 400 hand-picked spirits, liqueurs, and fortified wines line the shelves. Snack on Lofaso’s tasty small plates, and raise a glass.

There’s something exquisitely homey about The Milky Way. It could be the family pictures lining the walls. Or maybe it’s the decidedly Kosher food, featuring Jewish staples that have stood the test of time. Either way, this beloved Pico-Robertson spot—also known as Steven Spielberg’s mother’s restaurant—is taking reservations, so you can get your fill of blintzes and latkes without a wait.

With a name like Vitello’s, this spot evokes an old-timey joint where the red sauce flies. No doubt, it excels at saucy staples in every variety—think Marsalas, Parmigianas, Piccatas. But Vitello’s is also sleek, with a noted Californian twist, and boasts an upstairs supper club where live sets—from jazz to comedy—fire up the crowds.

Fine-dining chef Vartan Abgaryan is sprucing up the classics. At his newly-minted and casual Yours Truly, Abgaryan shows off his mixing and matching techniques to offer a whimsical menu: cacio e pepe goes pasta-less, with flash-fried fingerling potatoes taking the lead; avocado is churned into hummus; and carbonara makes a layover in Japan, with uni and trout roe on top.

This Atwater Village charmer isn’t trying to showcase the regional specialties of Tuscany or Abruzzo. Rather, All’Acqua tries only to be the best neighborhood restaurant around. The menu veers Italian with the usual suspects of house-made pasta and wood-fired pizzas. But take a bite, and you’ll be unusually delighted: this might be one of the best Margherita pies around.

If you feel like you’ve uncovered every gem in Hollywood’s Thai Town, Si Laa might be a surprise. This Pico-Robertson secret is a bona fide, family-operated standout, where three generations of women extol the flavors of their homeland. Start with the “Hidden Treasure,” before delving into short rib curry and an outstanding whole branzino — all in a subtly chic setting.

With its stylish wood furnishing and plant-lined décor, Pikoh beckons you to linger—which works out just fine as it’s an all-day café, helmed by none other than the godfather of Peruvian cuisine (that’d be Ricardo Zarate). Everyday dining in West LA is what this charming locale aspires to, so help yourself to briny crudo, zippy salads, and Asian-influenced entrées.

Westwood’s Hammer Museum gets a striking new restaurant in the shape of Audrey at the Hammer. Helmed by fine-dining vet Lisa Giffen, Audrey blends elevated and soulful cuisine with Southern California flair. Settle into one of the seashell-shaped velour banquettes inside, or opt for the dramatic courtyard seating, and dig into fresh salads and toothsome mains.

Studio City isn’t short on dazzling eateries, yet this gastropub stands out. And that’s because Gray Tavern, helmed by Comme Ça alum Jason Francisco, wows with its elevated pub grub that tastes like Spain. Order a whiskey and delve into some tasty and stunning plates—we’d recommend patata bravas, bone marrow, and wild mushroom risotto.

You know what’s better than regular tapas? Venetian-style tapas. Cicchetti, as they’re known in Italy, adorn the plates at this seductive little wine bar, where delicate bites (like the salted cod over squid ink polenta) are the preamble to luscious homemade pasta and stellar Italian wines.

Health-minded eats have never been tastier than at Zinc. Housed in a 1914 barn, the café has all the pleasing aesthetics of an Arts District hotspot (read: exposed beams, natural light, sprawling courtyard). Come for the grain bowls and vegetable lasagna; stay for the curated wines and cocktails next door at Bar Mateo.

Wines by the glass and local drafts await at this Laguna Beach wine bar. Curated with good taste, Wine Gallery wows, with bottles of both Old World and New. So happily sip something delightful, and munch on everything from charcuterie plates to wood-fired pies.

Homey Sicilian fare warms the soul (and belly) at this family-operated Los Feliz eatery. At The Sit Down, everything is made from scratch the Italian way, using fresh and local ingredients. The wood-fired Neapolitan pies and fresh pasta are best devoured out on the charming patio.

If you think Italian aperitivo is all about carpaccio and salumi, think again. Pura Vita is the nation’s very first 100% plant-based and organic Italian wine bar, and has a few tricks up its sleeve: shiitake bacon is woven into carbonara, macadamia Parmigiano peppers antipasti, and house-made cashew mozzarella is as creamy and decadent as the real thing.

A jewel box of a bar located above the ever-dazzling Nerano, BG Lounge stuns upon arrival. With its museum-quality artwork and intimate allure, this hidden cocktail den proffers delectable small bites and an ever-changing cocktail menu.

Exclusive doesn’t even explain it. Notorious for its lack of signage and blacked out windows (don’t even try just walking in) this Fairfax lounge is where creative industry types munch on tasty New American plates and perfectly-shaken cocktails in a buzzy-chic atmosphere.

This West Hollywood institution doesn’t do things halfway. With its dramatic dining room (read: roaring fireplace, massive statues, dripping chandeliers, handsome booths), La Boheme is rightfully billed as one of the most romantic backdrops in LA. Bring a lover, and tuck into a filet mignon.

A neighborhood restaurant, bar, and marketplace all in one, Le Petit Marché offers all things French to the Larchmont crowds. Come for lunch or dinner to get a glimpse of chef Stephane Liot’s seasonal menu, where French classics get a dose of Cali sunshine.