New on Resy: Sushi Tama, Post Script, Casa Vega and More

When COVID closed Vartan Abgaryan’s Yours Truly on Abbot Kinney, he took over the parking lot at the Brig across the street for one of the Westside’s best picnics. Only this one has grilled artichokes with tarragon aioli, giant tomahawk pork chops slicked with gochujang, and desserts like frozen strawberry pie with a pretzel crust. And s’mores, of course. The wine and beer list is short but expressive. Remember: 72-degree nights feel chilly in Venice, so dress accordingly.

In a sea of sushi options around L.A., it’s hard to make room for more on your favorites list. Here’s why Tama should rank. Hideyuki Yoshimoto spent years at the Tsukiji market, and every piece of uni, toro, and hamachi is treated with the same reverence as if he was still in Tokyo. Let the chef choose: The donburi features slivers of the best fish of the day in one bowl, and takeout is as serious as omakase ordered in person, especially the temaki set for DIY sushi cones at home.

There is barely enough room to breathe inside the Ludovic Lefebvre’s wonderful original bistro, which is why you could only get the Big Mec burger, French onion soup, and other staples for delivery and takeout. Until now. The parking lot has been transformed into a Parisian cafe with red umbrellas, garden greenery, and the grit of Hollywood that gives the place half its charm. The escargots, omelette, and baguette with butter are as good as ever.

The name harkens back to 17th-century taverns, the building is an Art Deco relic, and the menu is full-on modern comfort fare that traverses both coasts. Somehow that all equates to a perfect fit for the Long Beach Promenade. What you’ll get: flaky chicken pot pie bites, insanely rich mac and cheese, and heady cocktails, including one of George Washington’s favorites.

Back in the day, this West Hollywood stalwart was known as much for its Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian sightings (before everything was a  Kardashian sighting) as its spicy tuna on crispy rice. The sushi skews more Japanese fusion than elaborate omakase, and there’s always miso black cod and peppercorn filet mignon to round things out.

The patio is now open for dinner and weekend brunch at the Baldwin Hills restaurant, which means breezy nights or jazzy days are afoot. It might look a little different than the cozy confines indoors, but you’ll get the same excellent fried catfish, shrimp and grits, breakfast pizza, and vegan crab cakes, plus Hurricanes, mimosas, and sours that make the world taste right.

Felix chef Evan Funke turns his attention to the food of Rome for this semi-temporary restaurant (fingers crossed it works … get it?) adjacent to the Dream Hotel in Hollywood. Expect pizzas, pastas, ricotta and mortadella sandwiches, fritti and more on the menu, plus slushy watermelon-Aperol cocktails, beer and wine.

Serving a Cuban sandwich that would make your abuela cry — it’s been called the best in the world — Silver Lake’s teensy Cuban spot is everything a multi-generational, family-run spot should be. Classic dishes are inspired by matriarch Gladys Gutierrez, who opened the place in 1988 … especially the lechon asado. Maduros, excellent ropa vieja, naturalish wines, and spicy pineapple micheladas for Dodgers game nights: It’s all there.

Just when you think there’s enough pizza in this town, you realize there can never be too much pizza. Located in a newish development on the border of Echo Park and Historic Filipinotown, Grá, which means “love” in Gaelic, focuses on everything fermented, from sourdough pizzas to pickles and natural wines.

It doesn’t get much more classic than Casa Vega. Since 1956 the Sherman Oaks stalwart has been serving salt-rimmed margaritas, combo platters with chile relleno and enchiladas, salsa-doused burritos, and truckloads of chips and guacamole to a devoted audience. Look closely at your neighbors: If they look famous, they probably are.

From day one, this Italian arm of the Rustic Canyon Family was first-come, first-serve. And the wait, while long, was always worth it, especially for the buttery garlic knots, housemade pastas, wood-fired potato pizza, and all things salad. Things have changed. There’s now more outdoor seating, and reservations are accepted, although not required. But why wait when you don’t have to?

What started as an Aussie-owned coffee shop in Venice has expanded into a full-service cafe, complete with expansive patio, all-day menu, and wine and cocktails on tap. Morning fuel includes activated charcoal smoothies and blue-algae bowls, plus the requisite brekkie burritos and avocado toasts. Dinner ebbs into fashionable0wine territory, with pizzas, tacos and more to match.

Blending food, music, and art, Verse is the kind of place you’ll want to go for an albacore tostada and maybe duck Bolognese on handmade tagliatelle, sip a cognac, and take in the scene. Or it’s a happening, music-filled spot for light bites and cocktails or a glass of AM/FM pinot noir, The place is owned by an award-winning producer, so expect a Grammy kind of vibe — even on the newly minted sidewalk patio.

Everything about Conservatory screams West Hollywood: Lots of outdoor seating, vibrant decor, lots of chilled rosé, and the kind of food — crudo, roast chicken, mezze plates — that won’t weigh you down. The sidewalk cafe is open for both brunch and dinner, along with the upper level open-air space that feels like a perfect little hideaway.

A historic eastside bar that just happens to have an extensive patio, The Airliner is one of those cocktail spots you wish you heard about years before. The building has been around since 1923, and it’s seen a lot of life since then: dive bar, hip-hop shows, laid-back lounge for the adjacent steakhouse. Now it’s the place to go for tiny deviled eggs and Sicilian-style meatballs, along with something bold like the Tres Pajaritos, an Oro blanco grapefruit and mezcal number that goes down way too easy.

Santa Monica doesn’t have enough great taco joints, but downtown’s Lanea fills the void. It’s all thanks to East LA’s family-run Barbakush, known for insanely good barbacoa, who handles the food. The lamb, pit-roasted underground for a day and half, served on freshly pressed corn tortillas with simple guacamole, cilantro, and onions is legit. The extensive mezcal and tequila selection turns heads in this party stretch near the beach.