The June Hit List: E.P. & L.P., Everson Royce, Today Starts Here, and More

After six years, and a 419-day pandemic hiatus, the popular West Hollywood multi-floor spot has a new look, new chef Nicholas Russo (Nightshade, Ink, New York’s Bouley), and new menu. The second-floor indoor restaurant, E.P., is now California-centric, with things like dry-aged pickled tuna with kumquat vinaigrette, and spicy twice-cooked chicken with Meyer lemon kosho gravy. The new wine list from Richard Hargreave, former wine director at Majordomo, is a blast to explore. And diners still get access to the rooftop, L.P., for cocktails and sunsets or starry nights.

All of Kris Yenbamroong’s restaurants have reopened (along with a new Las Vegas outpost) but the WeHo original is still special. In a lot of ways it feels like the beating heart of the empire. And now, with a new post-pandemic outlook, there are new wines to enjoy, new dishes (i.e. vegan larb), and plenty of old favorites like crispy rice salad, fried chicken sandwich, and pad see ew.

The family behind the Guisados empire took over the former El Siete Mares in Silver Lake and turned it into their own mariscos spot. That means fresh ceviches, aguachiles, campechanas, shrimp tacos dorados, and more, all served at their streetside stand. Eating a few feet away from busy Sunset Boulevard might not feel like you’re at the beach, but at least it can taste like you are.

Editor’s note: As of April 18, 2024, Gran Blanco has rebranded into a new concept under the same name.

Stopping for a spritz or Negroni at this laidback bar should almost be required as we head into summer beach months. Parked right under the iconic VENICE sign on Windward Avenue, it’s full of beachy vibes and vinyl playlists. The menu leans Mediterranean, but there’s a double cheeseburger that places it firmly in SoCal.

This offshoot of the popular Manhattan Beach wine shop of the same name serves California-ized takes on North African staples: a soulfully spiced chicken stew, lamb meatballs with Tunisian couscous, harissa grilled prawns, and tabil-spiced salmon. The wine list is full of eclectic picks, like Goodfellow chardonnay from Oregon and Bründlmayer grüner veltliner from Austria. All in all, a globally minded spot hidden in the South Bay that’s worth seeking out.

Everyone knew Briana Valez was onto something when she opened the first HomeState in Los Feliz in 2013 — the lines for breakfast tacos and queso were omnipresent from day one. Now there are three open locations (the original, Highland Park, and West Adams), one on hiatus (Playa Vista), and one opening in Pasadena, in the former Lincoln spot near the border of Altadena, this month. If you’ve never had a Trinity taco — the perfect combination of bacon, eggs, potato and cheddar, dipped in a cup of melted cheese — get it. It’s life-affirming stuff.

A kind of catch-all for the O.C. set — à la carte restaurant during the week, a tasting menu-only spot on weekend nights, and a cafe and marketplace during the day — this standout features California cooking, accented with flavors from the Middle East, Mediterranean, and North Africa. Think: Focaccia with all the dips,  turmeric-rubbed cauliflower shawarma, octopus with pomegranate glaze, and za’atar fried chicken with harissa honey. The space is lovely, light, and airy, thanks to huge windows, plus a nice patio for perfect June weather.

After nearly a year of running a rooftop version of Olivetta at the neighboring La Peer Hotel, chef Michael Fiorelli and team finally reopen the original’s doors this month for in-person dining. All the favorites will be there:  handmade pastas, fresh burrata with aged balsamic vinegar, the grilled branzino, and tomahawk steaks. Meanwhile, keep an eye out for Issima, the group’s permanent concept at La Peer, set to open this month as well.

One of the best patios in the Arts District, if not all of downtown L.A., has finally reopened. Bocce might not yet be back, 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 don’t have to host.

The seafood-focused spot from San Franciscio’s team Saison has reopened at the Beverly Center. The dining room is back, so are the tableside carts, the banana pancakes and caviar, that amazing grilled radicchio with XO sauce, cold briny oysters, whole sea bream cooked over the grill, and the antelope tartare. Surely there are some new things in the mix, too.

Vivian Ku, owner of Silver Lake’s delightful Pine and Crane and Joy in Highland Park, is now serving Taiwanese breakfast at this mostly weekend (Thursday through Sunday) Chinatown popup. Based on street food she’d grab while living in Taipei, Today Starts Here features things like crepes filled with eggs and cabbage, you tiao donuts (with or without house-pressed soy milk), daikon rice cakes, and soft tofu pudding with ginger syrup. Not really a restaurant space — it’s located  in a paper lantern-filled atrium in one of the older Chinatown buildings — this is takeout and delivery only.