New on Resy: Gigi’s, Destroyer, Damian, Angler, and More

Although service has moved outside for now — in the former entryway area at the Beverly Center — the menu hasn’t changed much at Joshua Skenes’ seafood-focused spot. There’s still caviar and banana pancakes, cold briny oysters, antelope tartare, and whole California lobster grilled over embers. No matter how you drink it, the wine list hits lots of sweet spots, and a perfect old fashioned just tastes right here.

Like something you’d find tucked away in a Parisian alley, Gigi’s is a stunner behind a plain facade. The team here includes familiar faces — chef Matt Bollinger (Trois Familia), beverage director Courtney Rose (Jon & Vinny’s), wine director Kristin Olszewski (Mozza) — and all that experience really shows, especially when the highlights include potato chips and caviar dip, extravagant seafood towers, steak frites, and gnocchi with chanterelles and Parmesan broth. Olszewski’s mostly French wine list is excellent, but don’t shy away from drinks like The Carlyle, made with light rum and chamomile. A lovely outdoor space and Hollywood glam interior, it almost feels like the kind of place you’d see in a classic movie — of the sort made nearby ages ago.

Enrique Olvera and Daniela Soto-Innes bring their Cosme and Atla magic from New York to the Arts District with this mostly outdoor stunner. Draped in greenery, the restaurant has as much California sensibility as it does Mexico City soul; Japanese and Korean influences meld with farmers market produce and Mexican traditions. And in true West Coast fashion, the no-waste beverage program means sipping margaritas with a clean (living) conscience.

Vespertine chef Jordan Kahn’s lauded and beloved daytime cafe is now taking reservations for the first time ever. Don’t delay in reserving your spot to try Kahn’s comforting takes on classic baked goods, sandwiches, soba noodles, fried chicken, beef tartare, and much more.

Named for its star ingredient, this sibling to Santa Monica’s bustling spot is a cheese-lover’s dream. Like the original, the Main Street location straddles the line of rustic and modern, with its clean lines and pops of color. The beauty is in the expansive outdoor patio, complete with built-in heaters and cozy banquettes. It’s hard to deny the appeal of the most popular dish — pasta and risotto tossed directly in giant wheels of Pecorino and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese — but don’t overlook things like grilled Spanish octopus, prosciutto with creamy burrata on toasted bread, and roasted cauliflower with Taleggio fondue.

It’s impossible to decide between the baked goods and pastries at this Culver City bakery and cafe. The breads are spot-on perfection, the chocolate croissants are some of the best in town, and the alfajores, Argentine shortbread cookies, are sheer delight. Sandwiches, salads, pastas, and even chicken Parm round out the menu, and a breezy patio filled with plants and citrus trees is just the place to peruse it.

A simple and beautiful day-to-night spot with everything, from grain bowls, salads, burgers, chicken schnitzel, matzo pho, and even prime rib. For breakfast, get the Instagram-worthy housemade yogurt feathered with chlorophyll. At night, sipping wine at sidewalk tables feels almost European. 

One of Long Beach’s most beloved bistros is where chef Jason Witzl’s menu is where Southern Italy meets Southern California. Dictated by the seasons, the pastas are made daily, salads are fresh and shareable, and things like chicken alla diavola are worth repeat visits. Locals love the joint, but it’s worthy of a special trip from other parts of L.A.

Italian American classics are on full display at this Culver City pop-up. The kind of food that hugs your soul — and deserves extra stretchy pants. Think: antipasti and Caesar salad, red-sauce favorites like baked ziti and the namesake chicken or eggplant Parmesan, plus bone-in veal chops, spaghetti, and tiramisu, all served family-style. Cocktails and wine don’t come with the tasting menu, but options are abundant.

In a perfect East-West mashup — quite literally since Sawtelle borders West L.A. — you can just as easily get a flight of mezcal or cocktails made with Japanese gin, have carnitas bao buns, or straight-up tacos on Sonoran-style tortillas. The indoor-outdoor space makes a quick bite easy, especially when traffic gets you down. Wednesday through Saturday happy hour is pretty stellar, if only for the chorizo burger and $8 cocktails.

There’s no reason it can’t feel like a hot Hollywood summer all year round. The Sunset Strip hotel has gone full poolside party mode: Tables strewn about blue Astroturf, table tennis, fresh cocktails, lots of people watching. Serving everything from breakfast sandwiches and grain bowls in the morning to crudités, Cobb salads, and steak frites at night, any time of day works.

This weekly pop-up from chef Craig Strong, who spent years creating Michelin-worthy menus at tony hotels like The Montage Laguna Beach and The Langham in Pasadena, makes everything feel like a party. Themes change for the evening tasting menus, and brunch comes with bubbly mimosas and live music. Known more as a wedding venue, Seven7Seven’s gorgeous Laguna Canyon setting offers some of the loveliest outdoor seating in the O.C.