The July Hit List: Anajak Thai, Juliet, Taverna Tony, and More

Big congrats to Justin Pichetrungsi, chef-owner of Anajak Thai, for clinching this year’s James Beard Award for Best Chef: West. The best way to celebrate his win is with a visit to the restaurant for expertly crispy fried chicken, sauteed soft-shell shrimp, and kumquat-laced papaya salad, of course. Although it’s not an easy reservation to nab, remember that Notify is your friend and that Thai Taco Tuesdays are first come, first serve, starting weekly at 6 p.m. Pro tip: arrive early (like, 5 p.m.) to secure a table.

Over in Culver City, Juliet was recently recognized by the Michelin Guide for its French fare and impossibly chic Parisian atmosphere. Come for breakfast (think crêpes Suzette and classic omelettes), during lunch for a Niçoise salade or croque madame, or at night for oysters, and roast chicken, followed by crème fraiche cheesecake for dessert. And do spring for a patio table. It’s summertime, after all.

Maybe your birthday, or your significant other’s birthday, or your best friend’s birthday is coming up. Or there’s a promotion to celebrate. Or, perhaps, you just want to treat yourself to a splurge meal that’s worth it. Celebrity chef Massimo Bottura’s Gucci Osteria, which is perched on top of the Gucci store in Beverly Hills, is an appropriately fancy, yet still delightfully playful fine-dining experience with the utmost hospitality baked in. The pizza-inspired risotto will blow your mind.

Another big winner at this year’s James Beard Awards was Ototo, rightfully crowned in the outstanding beverages category for Courtney Kaplan’s exceptionally curated, seasonally rotating sake program. Head to this always-popping, pint-sized Echo Park izakaya for a couple of glasses—or a bottle or two—off her list, plus delightful Japanese drinking snacks. Get the tebasaki (fried and glazed Jidori chicken wings), the tangy potato salad topped with trout roue, and the scallion and cheese okonomiyaki. Get it all.

No reservations. Find more info here.

Malibu is calling. And after a day at the beach, don’t taramosalata, moussaka, and lemony branzino sound nice? Plan ahead and make a dinner reservation at the bouganvilla-lined Taverna Tony, where you can drink cocktails and Greek wine, share everything, and wait out the traffic back to L.A. alongside an epic sunset.

We waited with bated breath, and now, our prayers have been answered: Dear John’s will live on. The once-ephemeral revamped Sinatra-era classic was just granted a generous lease extension, giving us five more years of ice-cold martinis and tableside Caesar salads. Celebrate over shrimp cocktail and pigs in a blanket made with Wagyu beef, New York strips, and chicken Parmesan that oozes sauce.

Baby Bistro is more of a pre-restaurant than a pop-up, helmed by buzzed-about chef Miles Thompson (Michael’s, Konbi) and sommelier Andy Schwartz (Lolo). As the duo gears up to open their own spot in coming months, they’re serving up seasonal menus (think tomato bread and anchovy miso) and fun wines inside Koreatown’s Hotel Normandie, with three seatings each night, from Thursday through Saturday. The experience is intimate, delicious, and somewhat fleeting, so get in while you can.

DM for reservations, or try walking in for the later seating at 11 p.m.

After an unusually long and wet winter, De Buena Planta’s transportive Silver Lake garden is back open for business. The margaritas and mezcalitas here are on-point (try the spicy Chingon), as are the nachos del jardin (with roasted zucchini, seared purple kale, cashew and carrot cheese, and lemon crema) and the barbacoa tacos, made with an uncanny steak replacement by the Israeli brand Chunks Foods. Also on-site is a speakeasy called Casita, which feels like a chic watering hole in a remote Mexican beach town.

Pane Bianco, a bakery and slice shop from pizzaiolo extraordinaire Chris Bianco, is now open in The Row. Just a few steps away from his wood-fired pizzeria (which is now serving lunch in addition to dinner), Pane Bianco is where Bianco and team serve focaccia sandwiches, market salads, and most notably, New York-style and alla palla (thin, crispy Roman-style) slices to enjoy on-site or take to go.

No reservations. Find more info here.

If you’ve yet to try the phenomenally flavorful seafood that Simón serves from its food truck parked on the Silver Lake stretch of Sunset Boulevard, what are you waiting for? Oaxacan taquero Francisco Aguilar’s menu contains multitudes, from grilled fish al pastor and crispy soft shell crab tacos to the stunningly smokey and tangy aguachile negro. A visit to Simón is a good idea any time, no matter the weather, but the food here is especially perfect on a hot summer day.

No reservations. Find more info here.

New Orleans-based sandwich legend Mason Hereford will be in L.A. this month collaborating with the Night+Market team on some exciting drinks and dishes. On Thursday, July 20 at the West Hollywood location, there will be chicken pot pie empanadas and hog’s head cheese tacos, plus canned Night+Market wines and frozen daiquiris. And on Friday the 21st during lunch, collard melts and bologna sandwiches are on at Night+Market Song in Silver Lake. (Do note: the latter event is walk-ins only.)

More info here.