The April Hit List: The Griddle at Yamashiro, Daybird, and More

While evening outdoor is ramping up again at the iconic Hollywood restaurant, daytime hours are left to the Griddle Cafe brunch experts, currently popping up here. Those plate-size red-velvet pancakes, massive omelets, mimosas, and Bloody Marys the local institution is known for are available Wednesday through Sunday mornings, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. All that and a view? L.A. perfection.

Dining status: Walk-ins only are available for the daytime Griddle Cafe residency; reservations are mandatory for Yamashiro at night. Delivery and pickup are still available. Find more info here.

David Kuo’s Mar Vista kitchen is back with in-person dining, both inside and on an all-new outdoor patio. The menu features his take on Chinese American restaurant classics like orange chicken, braised pork belly, and walnut shrimp, along with Taiwanese staples like lu rou fan (think of it as Taiwan’s Sunday gravy) and scallion pancakes. There are really great cocktails to go from the Accomplice bar, too. 

Dining status: Reservations are available for indoor and outdoor dining here; order pickup or delivery via the restaurant.

Leave it to jazz icon Herb Albert and daughter Eden to pull out all the stops for an outdoor dining experience. Although the usually music-filled dining room remains closed, there’s plenty of pizzazz under the big tent outside. With dining on an actual stage, including lights, music, cocktails, and a newly curated menu — everything from hamachi crudo to lamb tagine — this is L.A. swagger on full display. 

Dining status: Open for dinner and Sunday brunch by reservation. Takeout and delivery are still available; more info here.

Just in time for bars to reopen, award-winning barman Julian Cox teamed up with Portland winemaker Alex Marchesini to debut this new Hollywood spot. The main focus is on drinks: Cox’s magic lies in things like the Taraji Pea Henson, made with English pea, tequila, basil, and almond tonic; and Marchesini curates the rotating list of natural wines. But there are also Spanish-inspired snacks — boquerones, pintxos, charcuterie, and more. You’ll find some indoor seating but also plenty of space to spread out in the courtyard it shares with Tartine.

Dining status: Walk-ins only for now; more info here.

The Downtown Latin-inspired lounge is getting back into the swing of things with its gorgeous tropical terrace and expanded patio. With the weather in full spring mode, eating things like aguachiles, chicken croquettes, and empanadas while sipping amazing rum and tequila cocktails feels just right. Feel like exploring some mezcal? This is the place.

Dining status: Indoor and outdoor dining by reservation. Takeout is still available; order online here.

Silver Lake’s favorite seafood shack returns with sidewalk seating and an array of coastal snacks, from smoked fish dip and clam chowder to freshly shucked oysters, po’ boys, lobster rolls, and more. The clincher is the balcony table — only one, upstairs, in a window overlooking busy Silver Lake Boulevard — which is most definitely reservation only. Otherwise, first-come, first-served for the patio. 

Dining status: Outdoor seating available; one indoor table by reservation only. Delivery and takeout also available.

While Mei Lin keeps her stunning Downtown restaurant Nightshade temporarily closed, her newly opened fried chicken shop has been turning heads and setting tongues ablaze. The small storefront offers an equally tight menu: Nothing but fried chicken tenders, an overloaded sandwich that practically has its own account by now, fries, pickles, and a few drinks. Her spices lean heavily on Sichuan flavors, but the sauces combine favorite things like habañero ranch and hot honey. Whenever you go, expect a line.

Dining status: Takeout only; find hours and info here.

The indoor-outdoor West Hollywood party spot has gone through a few changes since the pandemic started, including ushering in a new chef and menu. The rooftop LP is still the place for snacks and cocktails — the menu leans more global now instead of strictly Southeast Asian — with a view, which is all first-come, first-served. But the Las Palmas pop-up, held on the adjacent Melrose Theatre rooftop, takes on the tastes and warm vibes of Tulum. Think ceviche and lobster quesadillas, while enjoying margaritas, and sitting among potted palms and rattan furniture. 

Dining status: Outdoor seating for the Las Palmas pop-up by reservation only. LP’s regular menu is available for walk-ins only. Indoor dining at EP remains closed for now.

In normal times, this equal-parts bistro, marketplace, and cooking school, would add a bit of rustic French flair to Westwood. For now, the historic 1930s building and lovely courtyard lends the perfect setting for dinners of onion soup with a melted-cheese cap, salade Niçoise, steak frites, and a glass of Chablis. Order whole desserts in advance for pickup, too.

Dining status: Dinner in the courtyard by reservation; delivery and takeout area also available.

The historic Firestone tire shop at the corner of La Brea and has become a taproom, bar, and taqueria, thanks to the combined efforts of the Pouring With Heart group (Seven Grand, Casey’s, etc.) and Chicas Tacos. Inside, the space is filled with murals, Skee-Ball, and even a car, plus lots of communal seating, which isn’t available yet. But there’s plenty of outdoor space for draft cocktails and wine, lots of beer made on site, and tacos, burritos, and bowls. COVID rules are taken seriously here, so have fun, but safely.

Dining status: First-come, first-serve tables only. Get more info here.