Los Angeles’ Newest Restaurant Openings, Now on Resy

The izakaya pop-up everyone followed around several Northeast neighborhoods finally landed its own permanent spot in Virgil Village. That means no more searching for chef Dan Rabilwongse’s pressed sushi specialties, plus other dishes with ties to Thai and French cuisine. Shochu swizzles and soft serve, too.

From strip mall gem to marketplace stall, Baroo has had many lives. But its latest reincarnation may just be its most exciting: a sleek Arts District tasting menu spot, where husband-and-wife duo Kwang Uh and Mina Park reimagine fermentation-driven Korean cuisine over the course of five dishes for $110.

If you thought Enrique Olvera’s Damian was an exciting addition to L.A.’s growing Mexican food scene, just wait until you hit his more casual concept on buzzy Abbot Kinney. It all sounds familiar — quesadillas, aguachiles, tacos, ceviches — but these are the kind you’ll run, not walk, for.

With influences as far reaching as China, Spain, French, and Africa, Panamanian cuisine is as diverse as Los Angeles itself. That’s why Si! Mon, chef José Olmedo Carles Rojas’ first U.S restaurant, fits right in the Venice neighborhood. Dishes sound familiar — ceviches, tostadas, fish cooked in banana leaf — but there are notable and delicious differences, which will be explained at every turn. Sit back in the earth-toned, sleek space for a spin through the Central American country, plate by plate.

Note: Stay on the lookout for reservations! With a grand opening set in October, Resys are about to drop very soon.

The all-day menu at this central Downtown diner has something for literally everyone. Hangover-relieving chilaquiles and French toast; brisket sandwiches and Cobb salads for the worker crowd; and familiar smash burgers and chicken pot pie for visitors looking for comfort food. Shakes and banana pudding for everyone!

Chef Ari Kolender (Found Oyster) pulls from his Charleston, South Carolina, roots for this seafood-focused menu. Now you can get anchovy and tomato bread pudding, barbecued Gulf shrimp, lots of oysters, and a delicious chocolate-pecan pie in Eagle Rock, with really smart wines to go along with all of it.

You can never go wrong with really good meatballs, garlic bread, chopped salads, and fried calamari. This red-sauce Italian joint brings all of that, plus a bit of ‘60s nostalgia, to Echo Park. It’s familial but lively, just the spot for cocktails and cannolis — and everything in between.

The West Village icon certainly knows how to get Beverly Hills’ attention: Beautiful custom cutlery, a gorgeous fresco featuring birds and plants of Southern California, expertly made martinis served on silver trays, and rooftop views around the city. The menu is similar to the NYC original (wood-fired specialties and the like), albeit with more attention to West Coast ingredients. 

It’s hard to stop at just a few plates at Sandra Cordero’s (Gasolina Cafe) Santa Monica tapas bar. You’ll love the jamón croquetas, pan con tomate, and patatas bravas, of course. But the saffron butter scallops will knock your socks off. It’s making Calimoxtos (red wine and Coca-Cola) a thing for the beach crowd, and we’re here for it.

This is a beautiful rendition of Josiah Citrin’s original Charcoal restaurant in Marina del Rey. The room is airy and gorgeous, with the bar centering the room and wrap-around patio filled with lush greenery. The menu follows the same ethos, mainly that everything is cooked either over coals or in them. The cabbage baked in embers with creamy sumac dressing is a must, the smoky chicken wings put all others to shame, and the chocolate cake is kind of diabolical. And we didn’t even get into the steaks or seafood yet.

For many years, this corner on Sunset Boulevard has always had New York vibes, and chef Jon Harris capitalizes on that with his melting pot of flavors that span Long Island to Brooklyn. His inspiration pulls from everything he knew growing up — his Caribbean roots, friend’s bar mitzvahs, Italian restaurants around the neighborhood — plus a hefty dose of California sun.

There are views aplenty from this Mid-Wilshire perch. A stone’s throw from LACMA and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, this is the perfect place to meet up for lunch or afternoon drinks, or dinner when the sun sets behind the skyline. The menu plays with a coastal Mediterranean theme, so there are lots of salads and veg-heavy dishes to share.

Whether you’re a sushi purist or someone who loves the more creative concoctions, Seabutter delivers on both counts. The omakase menu sort of skirts both schools, which leaves one less decision in life. Try a medley of tuna or salmon nigiri, or go for the rolls. Everything is gorgeously plated, the fish is fresh, and the sake selection is on point.

Dining at the Art Deco star of Santa Monica’s Ocean Avenue feels entirely removed from the pier and beach-going fray. It sits like an emerald jewel both inside and out, and with an Italian-leaning menu to match. Few things are better than a martini and plate of crudo on the terrace while the sun goes down, or grilled branzino and linguini with uni in the glow of the dining room.

This hideaway in the Georgian Hotel hasn’t been open since the 1960s, but you’d never know it. It’s a great Italian-inspired steakhouse with live music, and a glimmering retro vibe that just can’t be replicated.

The national and ever-expanding Planta group fixed itself a jaw-droppingly beautiful space at the Boardwalk Marina del Rey shopping center. Vegan dining is kind of turned on its head here, with everything from ahi watermelon nigiri to hearts of palm “crab” tostadas, noodle dishes, and robata specialties. It’s all so good, carnivores need not be worried.

Just when you think you’ve tried every restaurant in the Arts District, you stumble upon this French-influenced spot that’s as good for a slow-paced working lunch during the day as a night out with your pals. While this is a co-working space as well, the restaurant is open to the public.

Because Dina and Steve Samson have combined their Fashion District restaurants into one Italian osteria for the Silicon Beach crowd. You’re here for Superfine’s pies with perfectly cupped pepperoni and other traditional and seasonal toppings, as well as handmade pastas and grilled meats and fish that Rossoblu is known for. As always, cocktails aren’t an afterthought (even for happy hour).

From the Resy Tipline: Superfine Playa will be soft opening with limited seating starting Wednesday, March 22!

There’s no shortage of shellfish towers on the Sunset Strip, especially with this streamlined entry. Tuck into blue leather booths inside or shaded by greenery and leafy plants on the sidewalk patio for lobster rolls, clam chowder, and more.

We love a plant-based restaurant that doesn’t slap us in the head with the merits of eating a plant-based diet. Donna Jean is just that, a place with really good seasonal comfort food that happens to be vegan. You’ll find the same pizzas, cast-iron mac ‘n’ cheese, and Nashville-style fried mushrooms from the San Diego original, plus a great L.A. brunch that the Valley needed.

Like the original in Venice and the stunning Larchmont location, this breezy all-day café serves fresh, brightly flavored California fare, including one of the best breakfast burritos in town, from a pretty-in-pink building. Stop for late breakfasts, happy hour, dinner with a bottle of natural wines and cocktails — it’s a place for all, any time of day.

The “Make Tacos, Not War” group heads west with its slow-roasted meats, numerous plant-based options, housemade salsas, and red velvet churros. This is Mexican food amped up with flavors as diverse as L.A. itself: tacos, bowls, and burritos filled with KBBQ (bulgogi or mushroom), banh mi fixings, and fried chicken, along with more traditional carne asada and carnitas.

The sleek space and Italian-leaning menu make a fine addition to Pasadena’s South Lake District. Choose your adventure: burrata and beets, wood-oven pizzas, ricotta and squash tortellini, or a pork chop that easily feeds two. You can’t go wrong.