The L.A. Reservations You’ll Want to Access in Spring 2023

Since opening in 2021, Horses has yet to cool off and snagging a table can feel as lucky as spotting an A-lister at Erewhon. To the delight of L.A. diners, the Garden at Horses offers a chilled-out alfresco extension to the reimagined Hollywood haunt, right next door. The patio houses a wood-fire oven that cranks out an original menu of pizzettes all night long. Although a sister concept, don’t expect any sibling rivalry here — chefs Liz Johnson and Will Aghajanian made sure to include some of the menu items that are nearest and dearest to Horses regulars.

The Vibe

A chic, secret garden hideaway, anchored by a majestic peppercorn tree.

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Breathe easy: The signature Horses burger and Caesar salad are here, in addition to a unique roster of pizzettes such as bottarga, dandelion, and burrata.

By The Way

The chefs want to reiterate the pizz-ette of it all, which means your flavorful flatbreads can vary in size and shape. No need to get the pizza authorities involved.

Editor’s note: As of Jan. 24, 2024, Kinn has rebranded into a new concept, Jilli.

You might not think an intimate 20-seater with a refined tasting menu has the wiggle room for a dash of fun, but ever the innovator, chef Ki Kim finds a way. After pioneering the modern Korean movement at notable fine-dining establishments (Benu in San Francisco, Atomix and Junsik in New York), Kim teamed up with Hanchic operator Dustin Donghyuk to add Kinn to the rich culinary tapestry of Koreatown. His five-course prix fixe is a playful showcase of luxe ingredients, impeccable technique, and nostalgia — at a surprisingly approachable price point.

The Vibe

A cozy candlelit foray into Korean fine dining.

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The menu is a seasonally rotating yet always enticing smattering of small bites such as sea urchin pizza and winter squash with acorn jelly. Although featured as an optional add-on, the crispy octopus should find its way to your table.

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Breaking from the expectations of a Korean beverage program centered around soju, Kinn also offers a wine menu that boasts highly pairable European picks.

The typical sports bar experience is fraught with compromise, with food taking a back seat to flatscreen TV placement … until Pijja Palace stepped onto the scene. Patrons have been piling into the Echo Park newcomer since it debuted last year. The (wild) dreamchild of owner Avish Naran breathes life into lackluster bar food with vibrant Indian flavors he most associates with his L.A. upbringing. Pijja’s scene is one of perpetual revelry, even during the Lakers’ offseason. Come for the unexpected twists on apps, pastas, and chai-inspired cocktails. Stay for the charming personal touches of memorabilia that never cross over into kitsch.

The Vibe

A multi-sensory, immersive experience that makes us feel like we’re all rooting for the same team.

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There’s a welcomed Desi infusion at every turn on the menu — from the aloo tiki sliders to the tandoori spaghetti with smoked chile and lime to the green chutney pijja.

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To all  you Los Angeles iconography nerds turned turmeric-wings enthusiasts: Appreciate that the Pijja occupies the former podiatry center that featured the infamous Happy Foot/Sad Foot sign.

The seemingly inexhaustible chef Stephanie Izard (of Girl & the Goat notoriety) and longtime partners Rob Katz and Kevin Boehm of Boka Restaurant group bring another globally inspired dining concept. Perched atop the roof of the Hoxton in Downtown L.A., Cabra offers Peruvian essentials in the form of small plates with a complementary panoramic view. The pisco-forward cocktail program is also a sublime way to enjoy a sunset.

The Vibe

A sun-drenched rooftop that favors family style.

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With so much to share, you can easily take a trip around the succinctly divided menu: empanadas or hot chorizo and queso dip to start, a layered crab causa to cool down your palate, followed by a showstopping crispy pork shank — but that’s just one way to do it.

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If you find yourself on Izard’s home turf in Chicago, you can enjoy your GDA perks at the West Loop Cabra rooftop as well.

Amidst the recurring murmurs regarding the impending doom of fine dining, Camphor has managed to keep the allure alive. Co-executive chefs Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George (formerly of Alain Ducasse’s Blue in Bangkok) show reverence to the most comforting of French bistros, while also putting a global spin on the classic fare. The minimalistic Arts District gem has all the dazzling details to round out the experience, including marble tabletops, touches of gold, and of course, a bathroom that begs for a selfie.

The Vibe

A fine-tuned French-ish bistro that pampers every palate.

Don’t Miss

The duck-and-beef bar burger is beyond decadent — but isn’t that part of the fun of fine dining?

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In exciting seasoning news, the Camphor team now batches and sells their crowd-pleasing “gunpowder” spice blend online — and it sells out quick.

Inspired by fond childhood memories of New England days spent at sea, restaurateur Kathy Sidell charts new territory in for her Boston-born Saltie Girl concept. There are big, buzzy galoshes to fill in her Sunset Strip location, but her versatile menu accommodates oysters and martini pop-ins as well as celebratory seafood towers, so this spot is sure to be a port in any storm.

The Vibe

Subtle sea-inspired elements are given a glamorous treatment. The bespoke porthole windows and dark wood interiors blend swank with nautical sensibilities.

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No matter how close you grew up to the Atlantic, one bite of the lobster roll — warm or cold, dealer’s choice — will transport you.

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Don’t let the formidable list of 135+ varieties of tinned fish intimidate you. Your server will be delighted to help you narrow in on a selection.

Born from the necessity to innovate during COVID-era hospitality, chef/wife power duo Niki Nakayama and Carole Iida-Nakayama solidified their bento box takeout operation into a bona fide dine-in brick-and-mortar. Considering the wild success of N/Naka, their first kaiseki-based endeavor, N/Soto finds room in Mid-City to play with a shareable izakaya offering that showcases the pair’s mastery of Japanese technique and flavor, in a laid-back setting.

The Vibe

A space that somehow toes the line between subdued and celebratory.

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It’s best to roll up with a crew to enjoy the full scope. Who better to share a sampling of kushiyaki (skewers) or a miso-baked bone marrow than your closest friends?

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If you’re interested in taking a walk down low-ABV avenue, the N/Soto team has a carefully curated list of drink options that fuse traditional Japanese ingredients with global influences.

With its lofted, wood-frame ceilings and rich jewel-toned banquettes, the lodge-like dining room at Bacetti immediately gives off major dinner-party energy. After taking in the Echo Park trattoria’s century-old bone structure, you’ll quickly want to tuck into chef Joel Stovall’s menu of Roman-inspired fare.

The Vibe

Translated to “little kisses” in Italian, Bacetti incorporates affectionate design touches like warm woods, vintage dishware, and ’60s-era terrazzo to make you feel like you’re lovingly suspended in time and space.

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Do not hesitate. Summon (politely, of course) the focaccia ebraica to your table. From there, perhaps a housemade rigatoni all’amatriciana, or should larger ambitions prevail, the 15-ounce dry-aged rib eye.

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Bacetti shares its space with sister wine bar Tilda, which is always welcoming should you find yourself with some time to kill before mealtime.

Chef Steve Samson is unequivocal when it comes to inspiration influences: equal parts Bologna to Los Angeles. If Rossoblu gives any indication of how much culinary knowledge Samson absorbed from his childhood summers in Italy, it was time abroad well-spent. The restaurant’s industrial Fashion District digs has an ambiance that envelops you immediately — that maximized modern Italian mural is hard to miss — and a menu that feels like one big hug from Nonna.

The Vibe

A flashing reminder to put Bologna on the bucket list.

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The menu is created to choose your own destiny, whether that means delicate twirls of tagliatelle al ragu or rolling up your sleeves in preparation for the 20-ounce bone-in pork chop.

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If you made the wise decision to score the salumi board as an opening course, know that the bounty bestowed upon you is all butchered and cured in-house.

Located in the “Golden Triangle” of Beverly Hills, Avra is a large-scale homage to cofounder Nick Tsoulos’ Greek heritage. The massive 11,000-foot architectural pulls out all the stops to get you into a Mediterranean state of mind — like imported limestone columns and real (!!) indoor lemon trees.

The Vibe

A Beverly Hills-style grandiose Greek spectacle.

Don’t Miss

Seize your opportunity to enjoy some of the rarer whole fish options you won’t find elsewhere such as the “king of the agean” fagri or a mild and sweet wild branzino. Stop by the market-style ice display on your way in to select your catch.

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The Avra team takes sourcing seriously. Much of the seafood found on the menu is flown in daily from Greece, Spain, and Portugal.

We’ll get right to the point: there’s a lot going on at this Thai bistro, plenty to justify the steady stream of accolades. (L.A. Times restaurant of the year, anyone?) For a family-run restaurant that has graced Sherman Oaks for the last 40-plus years, the team at Anajak has created something transcendent. Chef Justin Pichetrungsi pays homage to his father’s recipes through a mind-bending array of options that include a la carte dining, Thai Taco Tuesday, and a limited-seating 14-course omakase experience. If you’re wondering what’s the best time to book: as soon as you can.

The Vibe

A high-octane expression of flavors and family that rejects any pre-conceived notions of what it should be.

Don’t Miss

If you’re electing the standard dinner service, it’s best to ensure that your table sees an epic plate of spicy drunken noodles before moving on to Anajak’s signature dry-aged grilled fish masterpiece. If passing through for the Taco Tuesday party, set your sights on the bluefin and uni tostada.

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Before taking over the family business, Pichetrungsi flexed a different set of creative muscles as an art director at Disney. It’s no wonder his menus always remain in motion.

At this point, anyone who’s been to Abbot Kinney Boulevard has been to Gjelina, or they’ve at least thought about it. Heck, the argument could be made that there wasn’t an Abbot Kinney Boulevard before Gjelina. Since opening in 2008, this longstanding institution has become synonymous with Californian cuisine, packing the house daily with beautiful people who appreciate the true value of a local purveyor.

The Vibe

A dark and moody “very L.A.” scene where the grilled veg still reigns supreme.

Don’t Miss

If it isn’t clear yet by now, the true aces of the menu are the ingredients pulled straight from the ground and thrown on to an open flame — such as the kabocha squash with pomegranate, hazelnut, and mint pesto. The pork meatballs in tomato sauce and toasted sourdough helps round things out heartily.

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As part of the latest round of California standbys popping up in New York City, Gjelina NOHO just opened its doors to a clamoring east coast crowd earlier this year.