The March Hit List, Lunch Edition: Larry’s Smashburgers, Superba, Gamboge, and More

Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo’s West Third Street restaurant has again reopened for outdoor dining, including daytime hours that allow for lunching on the fried chicken sandwich, lobster roll, smoked mahi dip, and more.

More crucially, there’s a special pop-up takeout menu for Larry’s Smashburgers, a new concept from the duo. Those cheeseburgers, curly fries, and pints of ice cream (bourbon crunch!) are available for pickup via a takeout window and delivery.

Dining status: Outdoor dining is open and reservations are recommended; takeout and delivery menus can be found here.

While the Santa Monica stalwart reopened its back patio for nightly dinners — reservations are helpful for those — there are now four small first-come, first-served tables on the front sidewalk for daily breakfast and lunch. That means weekday mornings and afternoons can once again be filled with creamy polenta with poached eggs and crispy braised bacon, breakfast pizza, fresh seasonal salads, and of course excellent pastries and coffee. 

Dining status: The back patio is open for dinner only for now; takeout and delivery are still available. Find menus here.

With this Lincoln Heights newcomer, you’ll find things like grilled beef short ribs, Cambodian style; tomato-braised sardines; and corn with coconut glaze and green onions. The real specialty is num pang, sandwiches stuffed with pork shoulder, pâté, chili jam, and fresh and pickled vegetables, that are similar to Vietnamese banh mi. When the restaurant opens fully — the pandemic put the kibosh on for now — look for a fuller menu, including an eclectic beer and wine list. Some of that is already available, like bottles of Fossil & Fawn pinot noir from Oregon, and Korean rice beer. For dining in, it’s counter service only and a small semi-covered patio for outdoor seating. 

Dining status: Open for outdoor dining at seat-yourself tables; order takeout and delivery here.

Silver Lake’s favorite family-run Cuban spot has changed things up a bit for outdoor dining. There are four tables available at the fenced-in parklet in front of the restaurant, reservable for lunch and dinner; ordering from the electronic kiosk or via QR code is encouraged. The lack of direct table service (at least for now) will not take away from the deliciousness that is that award-winning Cubano or arroz con pollo, lechón asado, maduros, and flan. The wine list is fun and eclectic, and beers are all made by brewers of color.  

Dining status: Outdoor dining is open for lunch and dinner (the restaurant closes from 3 to 5 p.m.); takeout and delivery are still available. Order here.

Keith Corbin and Daniel Patterson’s West Adams restaurant remains closed for outdoor dining (for now), but the takeaway menu, including the High Road Kitchens sliding-scale family meals, is available all day Thursday through Sunday. This is important info when cravings for cornbread, deviled eggs, fried chicken, and greens strike in the early part of the day. Pick up wines curated by Coi’s former sommelier, and so much more, at the wine shop.

Dining status: Takeout and delivery only; order ahead of time or in person at the Alta Adams wine shop. No phone orders.

With a newly expanded patio, the Venice staple is equal parts bakery, cafe, marketplace, and now urban park. The all-day menu features toasts topped with anything your heart desires (kale, mushrooms, or of course avocado), great pastries, whole grain pancakes, and even oysters, burgers, and one fantastic roast chicken. Low-ABV cocktails and a slew of wines round things out.

Dining status: Outdoor seating is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; reservations are highly recommended. Order takeout and delivery here.

This cheery cafe feels like it was lifted from the French countryside and plopped right in the heart of Los Feliz. Lunch at one of the tables, with their red-checked tablecloths and mismatched chairs, is a delight. The daytime menu veers from omelets to salads and a quality burger. Dinner is more for grazing and sharing things like mussels, roast chicken and frites, and cheese and charcuterie. 

Dining status: Small patio for outdoor seating is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner; tables are first come, first serve during the day. Reservations are helpful for dinner. Takeout is also available; order here.

Find uniquely Japanese-inspired experiences at this diminutive spot (and sibling to Tsubaki next door) like online “sake school” tastings and the newish aozora menu. In Japanese, aozora means ‘blue sky’, but can also mean ‘open air.’ For Ototo, it’s a small daytime-only menu of things like kurobuta pork sausages with potato salad made with Kewpie mayo and whole grain mustard; fried chicken sandwiches; and chef Charles Namba’s take on a Filet-O-Fish. Plus, intriguing sweets like chocolate salami, and Courtney Kaplan’s excellently curated sakes. The marketplace the two have created is pretty stellar, too.

Dining status: Takeout and delivery only, Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Order here.

With its tree-lined streets and residential vibe, Larchmont already feels like a little neighborhood oasis in the grand scheme of L.A. This Italian spot capitalizes on that with its newly constructed outdoor dining deck, which is located right in front of the restaurant. Sit outside for a plate of burrata and tomatoes, or baked ricotta with baked apples and honey. Pastas, panini, and more composed dishes round things out. 

Dining status: Outdoor dining is available, including for lunch; order takeout or delivery here.

Practically an institution on the Venice boardwalk, this family-owned cafe has been reinvented for a new generation. With the Pacific Ocean and bougainvillea as a backdrop, it doesn’t get any more L.A.  The menu is more focused on the family’s Latin and South American roots, so you’ll find things like guava and cheese pastillos, chorizo and potato omelets, and pepita butter and jam toast. There’s a strong focus on naturally minded wines, and plenty of margaritas, which will make any beach day brighter.

Dining status: Patio dining is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Make reservations here.

The Smorgasburg L.A. star is now running a pop-up inside Boyle Heights’ Milpa Grille — at least for the time being. Why you’re going: Giant breakfast burritos stuffed with things like fluffy scrambled eggs, Swiss cheese, spice-dusted tater tots, and beef birria with chipotle aioli, pork belly with avocado green salsa, longanisa with salsa macha, and more. There are tacos, but the burritos travel better if you can’t eat right away.

Dining status: Available for pickup, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. There is a small streetside self-seating patio for outdoor face-stuffing. Find more info here.