The Los Angeles Restaurants We Loved in June
If there’s one thing you must know about the people who work at Resy, it’s that we genuinely love restaurants.
This month, we found a perfect patio, took our mom out to dinner, and feasted on modern Korean, Thai, and Mexican food. One thing’s for sure: Summer’s here and Team Resy has the pro tips for enjoying it all.
As a first-generation Italian American…
… I’m particular about where I take my mom. Donna’s feels like a no-brainer, and I know Los Angeles has a love affair with a spicy vodka sauce, but their pork ragu rigatoni may be the best pasta in town. The team at Donna’s creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere where you’re not turning your head wondering if you’re out of place (something we need more of in L.A.). It’s safe to say I’ve been a few times and know there is no wrong direction when ordering, unless you skip the tiramisu, which would be a mistake.
— Catt Flanagan, Senior Regional Manager, L.A.
Ca-SEE-YA on the patio!
Summer is here and there’s no lovelier patio than the one at Cassia for dinner. My perfect check goes like this: medium seafood platter, chickpea curry, cold sesame noodles, papaya salad, grilled spicy lamb breast, vegetable fried rice, and a lime leaf custard for dessert.
Pro tip: Arrive early for a cocktail at the bar and ask for a wine rec to go with all of the food above.
— Nic Mercure, Senior Implementation Specialist, Global Dining Access
The place that’s for the people…
Friends in town, a pick-me-up lunch, dinner after the beach, or a relaxed date night? Great White has it all. The chatter surrounding the breakfast burrito is well deserved, and you have to order a banana bread (or two) for the table. The menu has something for everyone, and if you need a nightcap, their sister restaurant Gran Blanco is it.
— Catt Flanagan, Senior Regional Manager, L.A.
Thai Taco Tuesdays…
… are always a hot ticket at Anajak Thai, but getting a chance to be there for their special takeover from the folks at Unapologetic Foods — and for the special collab dinner they both hosted the following night — was all that I hoped it would be, and so much more.
Some examples: chicken tikka tinga tacos. Lamb seekh kebabs on chapati. Anajak’s famed grilled cabbage with a date and tamarind chutney (my favorite sleeper hit on the Anajak menu, by the way). An insanely refreshing crispy rice chaat with Thai basil and cooling yogurt. A delicately fried shrimp with a creamy curry sauce. I could go on and on.
Seeing both chefs — chef Justin Pichetrungsi of Anajak and chef Chintan Pandya of New York’s Dhamaka, Adda, and Masalawala & Sons — come together for this two-night event was so memorable. I loved how they showed the shared similarities of their cultures and cuisines together, and proved that American food is so much more than what we often define it as.
— Deanna Ting, New York & Philadelphia Editor, Resy Editorial
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Shout out to a great experience…
… at Baroo. You can really feel how intentional chef Kwang Uh is with his dishes. I did the regular tasting menu with the non-alcoholic beverage pairing that’s anchored by kombucha. (They offer a vegetarian and vegan tasting menu, but you have to let the restaurant know in advance.) My personal favorite was the soy-braised black cod — the flavors were outstanding! Overall, it’s a tasting menu experience that’s pretty affordable. Plus, the team is incredibly hospitable and takes you through the journey with every course they bring.
— Kayla Demma, Restaurant Success Manager
I will admit that I was initially skeptical…
… of this sister restaurant to the (now-shuttered) Mírame in Beverly Hills — I wasn’t sure that sleepy Los Feliz needed a glamorous Mexican restaurant. But after finally giving Mírate a fair shot, I happily stand corrected. Yes, the space is a looker — two stories tall, open-air in feel, with a lush Mexican treehouse aesthetic. But the food delivers, too — a sizzling skillet of queso fundido, loaded with braised leeks and chorizo verde; a smoked kampachi ceviche with an unexpected tomatillo nuoc cham; a showstopping bone-in short rib birria served with fluffy flour tortillas. The creative flavors, combined with agave cocktails and an all-Mexican wine list, will keep me coming back.
— Jamie Feldmar, Resy Los Angeles Editor
I’d heard a lot about…
… Horses and made it a priority to get a reservation during my recent trip to L.A. The dining room had the look of an old-fashioned saloon, but the dim lighting, eclectic playlist, and trendy clientèle reminded me and my friends that we were in the heart of Hollywood.
Our waiter steered us in the right direction and encouraged us all to share the burger, Caesar salad, steak tartare, and the off-menu spicy vodka pasta, all of which were delicious. The sarsaparilla, a bourbon-based root beer cocktail, was also a highlight.
— Shane Gilligan, Senior Strategic Partnerships Analyst
