The September Hit List: Botanica, Everson Royce Bar, Nueva, Pukinico, and More

With the reopening of indoor dining on pause, chef Dave Beran and Co. moved a few tables to a balcony overlooking the Third Street Promenade for Tidbits, a more casual offering of à la carte shareable plates. The changing menu takes cues from the weekly farmers market that takes place right outside the restaurant’s door, and features eye-catching wines (1990 Gaja Barbaresco by the bottle) and cocktails to match. Think: lobster and peach tart; pork belly panzanella; herb-roasted cauliflower and shishito; hanger steak with sunflower petals; Basque cheesecake. And did we mention frosé? 

Dining Status: Reservations are required, and you’ll be charged a $25 fee if you cancel with less than two hours notice. Takeout is also available.

Chef Vartan Abgaryan (Yours Truly) teams up with chef Mesraim Llanez (Cliff’s Edge, Everson Royce Bar) at this new Venice spot. With dusty hues and plenty of open-air space, it makes a stylish backdrop for weekend brunch and breezy low-lit dinners. Each chef puts his spin on Mexican-inspired dishes, things like classic or vegan ceviche, chicken tinga or black-bean falafel tacos, golden corn mole or roasted chicken with garlic sauce. Cocktails, like a spruced up Tequila Sunrise or watermelon shrub margarita, should hit the spot while summer temps stick around.

Dining status: The patio opens for dinner daily with extended daytime hours on Saturdays and Sundays. No takeout or delivery at this time.

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 near Historic Filipinotown, Grá, which means “love” in Gaelic, focuses on everything fermented, from sourdough pizzas to pickles and natural wines. With the very communal dining room closed for now, there’s patio seating for anyone who wants to stay for a bite. Socially distanced takeout is also available.

Dining status: Open for dinner on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Order here for takeout.

One of the best patios in the Arts District, if not all of downtown Los Angeles, has finally reopened. Bocce might be cancelled for now, but there’s still chef Matt Molina’s excellent burger and fries, flaky biscuits, loaded nachos, and one-off specials (if we’re lucky). Drinks, including cocktails like prickly pear margaritas, are served in eco-friendly disposables, so it really feels like a backyard party that you’re not tasked with throwing. 

Dining status: Patio open for dinner, Wednesday through Friday, with extended hours on Saturday and Sunday. Takeout and delivery are still available.

After a short hiatus, chef Brandon Go is back with his lunch-only bento, a gorgeous jewel box filled with seasonal sushi, Japanese side dishes, rice and more. Orders mush be placed ahead of time and picked up at the Row DTLA restaurant. Get in early, however; Go consistently sells out, and quickly.

Dining status: Bento box reservations for the month open on the first of every month. at 10 a.m.; make them here. Email for orders larger than six boxes.

This teensy Manhattan Beach spot is making waves for specialties from Trinidad and Tabago, things like curry crab and dumplings, oxtail stew, goat curry roti, and pholourie, little split-pea fritters that are a popular street food on the twin islands. Owner Lisa Salinas credits her mom, Mia, for the recipes, each dish filled with love and cross-cultural Caribbean flair. 

Dining status: Call ahead for pickup or delivery. Check out the menu here. 312 Rosecrans Ave., Manhattan Beach, 310-546-1044.

Even if dine-in options remain on hold at the Silver Lake Cal-Med spot, there’s plenty to get for takeaway and delivery. As always, locally grown produce is used for everything, and the summer-friendly kabob menu has been a hit: lamb or fish kefta, yogurt-marinated chicken thighs, or seared mushrooms all served on a bed of rice with laffa bread or small salad. Don’t forget natural wines, market goods, and other provisions from the marketplace.

Dining status: Order ahead for pickup and delivery.

Chef Kuniko Yagi’s Japanese fried chicken experience is back on track at the Row complex in DTLA. Her karaage chicken, perfect sides, picnic sandwiches, plus beer and wine, are all available for pickup or delivery. Grab it in person and hang around the newly revamped public space with tons of outdoor seating.

Dining status: No dining on premises, but lots of outdoor space at the Row. Order ahead for pickup, or via the myriad apps for delivery. 767 S. Alameda St., at the far end of Dock St., 213-278-0407.

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, including slushy watermelon and Aperol cocktails, beer and wine. 

Dining status: Open for dinner nightly, with later hours on weekend nights.

High up at Yamashiro in Hollywood, this minimalist spot is equal parts Euro-Japanese market, natural wine-and-sake bar, and outdoor izakaya. There’s an online store for wines, fresh Clark Street breads, ceramics, and fresh produce boxes from County Line Harvest. The patio is open for dinner, including yakitori nights which start on September 12. Check out more about Kensho in Resy’s new On the Line docuseries.

Dining status: Reservations available for patio dining here. Order for pickup and delivery here.