Now on Resy: Rossoblu, LA Cha Cha Cha, Blair’s, and More Local Favorites

This stunner from chef Steve Samson and wife Dina Samson stands out in a crowded downtown scene. It’s part location (City Market South), part the buzzy space, a perfect mashup of L.A. energy and Bologna soul. The grill is always fiery, the handmade pastas are ethereal, and the meatballs are some of the best anywhere.

The Arts District newcomer hails from Mexico City, but it feels more like Palm Springs circa 1950s. That’s to say, it feels like a vacation no matter what. The lush urban oasis decor is full of desert pastels, terracotta tiles, and lots of greenery. Try the guacamole, ceviche, tacos, and especially the blackberry-hibiscus swizzle that goes with everything.

Everything about this Michael Mina restaurant feels expansive, from the beautifully designed dining room with panoramic views of Hollywood to the globe-trotting menu. And yet, a cocktail at the bar, a spread of dips and warm flatbread with crisp farmers market veg, and soul-affirming tortellini en brodo all seem meant just for you.

This is how Silver Lake does hotel dining. The breezy boutique all-day hotel spot packs a lot in its diminutive space, both in vibes and flavor. A platter of baked clams and an Aperol spritz next to the pool feels like an escape.

A spinoff (of sorts) from “Vanderpump Rules” cast members Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval, the eclectic cocktail lounge adds a bit of TV whimsy to Franklin Village. And by whimsy we mean dramatic lighting, colorful cocktails, selfie nooks, and lobster corn dogs. 

A local’s local since the early aughts, this Silver Lake mainstay is still the spot for a friendly meal whether you’re solo or on a date (even if your date has four legs). Get the meatballs with polenta, a fresh green salad, and maybe the roast chicken for old time’s sake.

Like the Silver Lake original, this cozy spot has all the trappings of a perfect neighborhood restaurant. You can’t go wrong with any of the handmade pastas, and the meatballs and polenta or roast chicken make you feel right at home.

The perfect neighborhood spot for an understated date night or brunch with friends, Little Prince has the Santa Monica lifestyle vibe on lock. The sleek little dining room and outdoor parklet patio are usually buzzing, with things like a patty melt with brown butter béarnaise, or anything seasonal and kissed by the wood burning oven on every table. Peruse the bottle shop before or after your meal; you’re sure to find something natty and eclectic to take home.

The scene on Santa Monica’s Main Street ebbs and flows, but this stalwart remains a beacon for honest Italian fare. There may be a few famous faces around the room — it’s that kind of place — but the real stars are classics like soulful ribollita, purple potato gnocchi, and veal saltimbocca.

Exactly what you’d expect to find along the Venice boardwalk — a colorful plant-filled patio, skate and surf details everywhere, loungers for day-drinking locals and tourists alike, and a beachy menu that covers all the bases. Fish tacos, a burger or fried chicken sandwich, and a pitcher of beer or frozé hit the spot.

Known for its effortlessly cool space, beautiful crowd, and food that never disappoints, Gjelina pretty much set the barometer for what Abbot Kinney came to be. Quintessentially Californian and forever partnering with local farms, it’s not unusual to see plates overflowing on small tables no matter the time of day. Always find room for the pork meatballs in tomato sauce and a slab of toasted sourdough.

In the shadow of the Beverly Center and Cedars-Sinai, Granville is one of the most consistent lunch stops. It’s a massive space, both indoor and out, with a menu to match, but that’s the beauty of it — it’s there for everyone, any time. Dinner, however, is the secret: Thick pork chops big enough for two, ultra-creamy mac and cheese, great burgers, and a very good martini is where it’s at.

If the millennial pink walls aren’t the first giveaway that this is a Tuk Tuk for today, it might be the menu full of street food dishes mixed with classic Thai favorites. Relocating to Sawtelle after two decades in Pico-Robertson — everseen by a second-generation team of sisters — there’s still pad Thai, that unskippable pineapple fried rice, and tom yum soup. But don’t miss the lemongrass-scented Isaan sausages, khao soi noodles in curry coconut broth, or anything from the pork belly section of the menu.

A little greenhouse around every table on the tree-shaded patio; breads and pastries from Suzanne Goin’s Larder Baking Co.; a menu of irresistible breakfast fare (do not sleep on the lemon poppy seed pancakes with housemade jam), salads, and sandwiches … And did we mention there’s lots to love on the dinner menu, too?

As lavish as the outdoor Palisades Village complex itself, The Draycott is all gleaming brass and marble, gorgeous velvet, and leather furniture in lush colors, with lots of sunlight and big leafy plants to make the place seem endlessly breezy. Think of it as a California brasserie, with a few nods to French classics (see the delightful twist on a Niçoise salad), but don’t skip the fish and chips (the owners are English) with locally sourced rockfish. Locals, even the more famous ones, are fans of the bar for a near perfect Bloody Mary.

Stephen Kalt’s Spartina is the place where everyone can find something, whether it’s a couple out for a quick market salad and pizza from the wood-burning oven, or a group sprawled out on the plant-filled patio wanting to share all the antipasti and handmade pastas. The black garlic spaghettini, pacheri with pork ragu, and Calabrian chili pizza are popular for a reason. Don’t skimp on dessert, especially when the walnut pie is involved.

Much like its Academy Museum home, Fanny’s (named after legendary movie and vaudeville star Fanny Brice) is the Golden Age of Hollywood reinterpreted for a new generation, with clamshell booths and servers in tailored jackets filling the sweeping two-story space. While the restaurant is walk-in only during the day, evenings are for dressing up, ordering cocktails named for classic films, and watching the showmanship of amped-up Caesar salads, wood-fired steaks, and cheese courses — all of which are must-haves — served tableside.

One of the oldest Thai restaurants in L.A., the Fairfax staple may have a refreshed look — its only renovation since opening in 1969 —  but the family-run spot hasn’t lost its footing with its curries. Run by the next generation (sisters Katy Noochlaor and Amanda Maneesilasan also oversee Tuk Tuk Thai), you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better red duck curry with pineapple or stir fry with triple pork, and a really solid pad Thai.

What’s different about this K-Town steakhouse is, well, everything: The music, the black minimalist decor, the special filtration system that won’t leave you smelling like your delicious dinner. The menu is also a bit more whimsical than others in the neighborhood, from the beef tartare bibimbap to kimchi pancakes stuffed with cheese. The best way to go is with a group, for combo meals filled with things like flat-iron steak, short ribs for the grill, and all of the banchan.

Every neighborhood needs a chill spot for quality sushi, bento-box lunches, and happy hour specials, and Kombu delivers all that and more for the Arts District downtown. You can’t go wrong with any of the rolls (including a good assortment of vegan options) or a plate of pristine sashimi like the classic yellowtail with jalapeño.

In a part of town devoid of many Thai restaurants, Emporium is well known (especially by Bruins) for its group-friendly dining room and spicy Southern specialties. The house curry, a family recipe brought from the Nakhon Si Thammarat province in southern Thailand, is a winner. Other favorites include crying beef salad and green curry mussels, plus the classic sticky rice with mango, apparently a Cardi B favorite.