Now on Resy: Cabra, Bodega Malbec, Otoño, and More Local Favorites

Like Girl & the Goat, Stephanie Izard brings her Peruvian-inspired concept to the rooftop of the Hoxton downtown. While the menu full of small plates and snacks is more conducive to groups willing to pass and share everything, you can easily enjoy a dinner for two (or solo) with things like ceviche with sweet potato and leche de tigre, crab causa, and salmon skewers with sweet soy mayo. Cocktails are always a yes.

Otoño goes beyond tradition, reinventing tapas and paellas through a local, modern lens. It marries the best of Spanish technique with a Californian sensibility, so yes, there is a vegan paella. And it’s delicious.

You can’t miss the mural of an oversized steak and a glass of red wine that sprawls across one wall at this warm, comfortable Toluca Lake tribute to Argentinian cuisine, and both are available in profusion here — but you’ll be tempted, too, by the empanadas, homemade pastas, and array of tapas South American style.

Nossa Caipirinha Bar is a non-traditional Brazilian steakhouse in the heart of Los Feliz. Yes, there’s beef, but also Brazilian favorites like pão de queijo, coxinhas, ceviche, and whole grilled branzino. And of course, plenty of caipirinhas.

Foxhall is when you want all the big steakhouse offerings without going to a big steakhouse. The clubby little spot with its jewel-toned walls and leather banquettes is the perfect hideaway for wasabi shrimp cocktail, aged steaks, potato gratin, chilled martinis, and chocolate soufflé. Ok, maybe a slice of key lime pie, too.

Fried chicken and waffles, gooey mac and cheese, and Purple Drank (gin, grape juice, and lime) is why we go. The chill vibe, comfy booths, and Fairfax scene is why we keep going back.

It’s hard to say what’s better at this Koreatown favorite, the raw soy-marinated crab (ganjang gejang) or the braised black cod, but get them both, along with fantastic braised short ribs, an amazing array of banchan, and other soulful dishes. The space is tight and rarely empty, and the service swift yet friendly.

A horse sporting a hot pink feather boa, flower walls, neon signs, and gleaming swan-shaped punch bowls — this place screams party. Thai specialties are as vibrant and bold as the decor, and heaps of fun to share, from the giant short rib and stir-fry noodles tumbling out of Cup Noodles to whole crispy branzino. And yes, don’t miss the blue rice.

For more than 20 years, Gino Angelini’s osteria has been a mainstay on Beverly Boulevard, and there’s still rarely a night that it isn’t hopping. Reaching almost iconic status, you can taste the generations of family love in some of the recipes, from the soul-warming lasagna verde — perfectly layered spinach pasta with beef and veal ragu and creamy béchamel — to the veal chop alla Milanese. It takes artful jockeying for the best seat in the small, bustling room. 

The Mahendros (brothers Nakul and Arjun, and father Pawan) had a bonafide hit when they opened Badmaash in DTLA, and it rolls along here at the Fairfax outpost. Mashups like butter chicken sandwiches and chicken tikka poutine, and any classics like saag paneer and fluffy naan, fit this ultra-cool strip to a T (for tandoori).

Top Chef star Stephanie Izard’s West Coast outpost of her wildly successful Chicago restaurant blends boldly flavored dishes in a bright, garden-like space in the Arts District. Expect staples like goat liver mousse; grape and tomato salad with pecan quinoa crunch; and whole grilled branzino. There’s an entire vegan menu, and a slew of great cocktail options, including non-alcoholic drinks.

It’s one thing to pick up fresh seafood from this long-standing Santa Monica market. It’s another to pop in to the full-service café for grilled specialties, chowder, sandwiches, oysters, cooked crab, and more. That there’s beer and wine to complete the package makes it almost too good to be true. 

The funny thing about this always-packed Beverly Boulevard trattoria is that every time we go, it’s better than the last time. From the cut-your-own pizzas to the handmade pastas — like rigatoni with burrata and fresh tomato — it’s simplicity at its best. Negronis are the power move here. 

The breezy patio at the Arts District spot has always been a welcome respite from the buzzing city surrounding it. Come for the grain bowls and vegetable lasagna; stay for the curated wines and cocktails. Sit outside among the olive trees for brunch or dinner, or shop the marketplace for prepared foods, wine, and gifts — it’s the kind of place that’s whatever you want or need at the moment. 

This super laid-back bar is practically a Westside (and UCLA coed) institution. Thousands of games have been watched on the myriad TVs; loads of burgers, mozzarella sticks, nachos, and beers have been consumed; and many late nights playing pool have been had since the late 80s.

This Mexico City import couldn’t be more unlike its sibling in terms of vibe — the former is a hot spot that just happens to serve sushi, the L.A. location puts sushi front and center — but they both have a handle on the hand roll. You’ll find those along with sashimi, nigiri, and other Japanese specialties, with a subtle Mexican influence. Sake cocktails and natural wines are a highlight.

This is exactly the kind of great neighborhood restaurant that fuels locals and residents outside of the Golden Triangle. After all, everyone needs kale salads and carne asada tacos (in handmade blue corn tortillas, no less), truffle mac and cheese, and a good American burger when the craving strikes.

This jewel box of a wine bar is perfect for a sip and a snack (or to pick up a bottle or two of something on the way to the party). Filled with leafy plants, an emerald green backdrop, and black-and-white checkered floors, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better casual date spot or hangout for friends when all you want is some kampachi crudo, a few pastas to pass around, and low-intervention wines.

The SBE-owned Katsuya is a party, from the dramatic Philippe Starck décor to the Brentwood scene (yes, celebrities are most likely involved). While the vibe might be different from the Valley original, chef Katsuya Uechi’s famed spicy tuna on crispy rice, yellowtail with jalapeño, and creamy fried rock shrimp remain.

The storytelling, both through chef Tolu “Eros” Erogbogbo’s food and his words, make this pop-up experience one worth seeking out. The celebration of Nigerian cuisine — from jollof rice to pepper soup with snapper — is a culmination of ingredients personally sourced from the chef’s homeland and the local farmers markets. It’s BYOB, too, which also makes for a great night.

The warm desert colors and cool murals set the stage for some delicious Mexican offerings, from tlayuadas and taquitos to crudos and more. It’s tapas style, so sharing is key to the experience — order a lot. No matter what you choose, make sure a smoky mezcal paloma is in the picture.

Offering the best of both worlds, a high-end omakase experience and easy-eating à la carte handrolls, chef Damon Cho (Izakaya Osen) has Silver Lake sushi on lock. Get the best multi-course experience at the bar, but you can sit anywhere. Hand rolls range from everyday to fancy (uni, caviar, and the like).

You can find amazing Thai food in just about every corner of L.A., and this Pico-Robertson family-run secret is one to seek out. Three generations of women run this gem, celebrating flavors of their homeland in every dish, from the house favorite shrimp and blue crab in chili coconut sauce to whole fried branzino. The space is subtle and welcoming, exactly what a neighborhood restaurant should be.