The Los Angeles Restaurants We Loved in November

Nothing like having the full team in town…

… to experience Crustacean Beverly Hills’ power lunch, which they recently brought back — think a delicious $39 three-course prix-fixe offered Tuesday through Friday.

We started with a turmeric spice “shot” that consisted of turmeric, orange, and ginger, a.k.a. the perfect way to kickstart your day — they also have a great N/A drinks menu, with fresh juices that can’t be missed. Then, onto signature staples like AN’s famous garlic noodles, which I’m still dreaming about. All in all, I can’t wait to come back to this beautiful Beverly Hills gem.

— Kayla Demma, Trade and Industry Marketing Analyst

Forget the Pixar version that’ll come to mind…

… like many of the dishes at this cozy, rustic “wine cafe” (please don’t call it a bar) on Melrose Avenue, Stir Crazy’s ratatouille is a wholesome, hearty affair. The spirit of Sardinia embraces southeastern France in this lovely combination of fregola sarda pasta — tiny pearls made of semolina flour, thick and doughy, not unlike couscous — and a warm vegetable stew. Tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, and onion are sliced, sizably, and arrive with dark, leafy reams of opal basil, courtesy of Ojai’s Shear Rock Farms. It’s elegant and uncomplicated — exactly the kind of meal Los Angeles needs more of.

— Kat Hong, Los Angeles Writer, Resy Editorial

When I walked into Bun and Mi for the first time…

… I wondered, How good can a Vietnamese restaurant on Montana Ave actually be? As I slurped the delicate, fragrant, and soul-nourishing pho ga set before me, I felt embarrassed by my preconceived notions. I love being proven wrong. I opted for the perfectly poached dark meat chicken with skin on — some of the best chicken I’ve had, period, anywhere in the world.

Around me, in-the-know locals enjoyed rice bowls loaded with fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and proteins like braised pork belly, shaken beef, and garlic shrimp — each ingredient handled with immense care. “I never thought I’d find Vietnamese food this good on the Westside,” I admitted to the owner. “My wife and I are locals,” he replied. “That’s exactly why we opened it.” Build the world you want to live in, indeed.

— Erin Mosbaugh, Los Angeles Writer, Resy Editorial

When we walked in on a Sunday evening…

… we were immediately greeted by the full staff at Holy Basil in Atwater Village, all welcoming us as we were guided through the kitchen to our table. The menu’s a little different from their downtown location but, according to our server, always evolving.

We ordered the pad see ew, which had the most delicate vermicelli noodles, subtle spice from the XO sauce, and some added crunch from mung beans. We also had an eggplant dish, which was deliciously paired with delicata squash, and you’ll definitely want a side of rice to cut the heat. It was all delightful and I’m already looking forward to my next visit.

— Courtney Allen, Senior Support Operations Manager

Cruise to the bar…

… at Coucou in Venice — the bartenders will impress whether you order a house specialty or not (ask for the boulevardier). While the dining room’s lively and intimate, our group found the bar to be the perfect experience for the food: one steak frites, one l’haute dog, and one burger américaine. It’s great to have this spot so close by — we’ll be back soon!

— Nic Mercure, Senior Implementation Specialist, Global Dining Access

For a fun night out on the East Side…

… especially if still-hot Seco down the street is too packed, I recommend heading a mile or so down Sunset to check out Dada Echo Park, which has similarly cool-kid vibes and plenty of natural wine, plus a more robust wood-fired dinner menu and a tricked-out DJ setup that often leads to dancing in the wee hours. It’s a project born of collaboration between many creative types, and it shows.

— Jamie Feldmar, Resy Los Angeles Editor

L.A. has so many options when it comes to Italian food…

… from old-school hideouts, hip pasta bars, and of course, fine dining options — it really is tough to choose. But a few weeks ago, companion came on the scene in Venice, and I’m gearing up to become a regular.

The restaurant offers an intimate nook to enjoy delicious wines and even better food. The menu is relatively small with a few rotating items, which, for me, shows intention behind each option. Portions are to share and the obvious start is the Caesar salad with their homemade croutons. The rigatoni Bolognese, which has a rosemary butter sauce (as opposed to the traditional red), is what had me hooked. I’m still trying to process all the flavors, but wow, I need that again this week. You can’t skip the chicken parm or the olive oil cake, and if you want to just hang in the quaint space (like I often do), know that they serve as a coffee shop from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

— Catt Flanagan, Regional Manager, West Coast

I’m so glad I got to stop into this new gem…

… while in town for the Chef Conference Los Angeles. Travis Lett and his team at RVR have created a beautiful, moody, and fun space, with some really exciting food. I could have eaten a few plates of the duck meatball tsukune with hot mustard, and I loved the Monterey squid and their vegetable dishes, like the grilled sweet potato and grilled bok choy. The menu has been changing constantly and I’m really looking forward to getting back there.

— Aaron Ginsberg, VP of Strategic Partnerships & Industry Developments

During the Chef Conference Los Angeles…

… Hai Hai from Minneapolis came to town to do a collaboration with Cassia, and it was incredible. We, of course, indulged in some Cassia fan faves, like the cold sesame noodles, the clay oven bread with scallion-garlic butter, and beef rendang. From Hai Hai, we had to try the grilled Balinese chicken thigh and pineapple cheesecake with guava curd. Overall, it was an incredible collaboration and everything was delicious. I love seeing our restaurant partners from all over the country come together and create a unique experience for guests to enjoy.

— Kayla Demma, Trade and Industry Marketing Analyst

Santa Barbara is my favorite L.A. escape…

… and for my birthday this year, my partner and I spent a night up there with dinner on the terrace of The Lark under the stars. Their brick courtyard has a signature rustic elegance, and we enjoyed a meal of sea bass, oysters (with the addition of a zippy lemongrass and Thai chile granita that made this a standout), and Jidori chicken. Some local wine was in order, too, and, if you know me, you know we ended with the chocolate dessert — a pot de crème that was a reimagined PB&J with roasted grapes, whipped peanut butter mousse, dark chocolate, and peanut brittle. Whether you drive up for the night, or stay for a full getaway, this is a gorgeous place to treat yourself.

— Oren Peleg, Los Angeles Writer, Resy Editorial

If Malibu is more your vibe…

… head to Taverna Tony, where each visit delivers just as much on the food as it does on the people-watching (sit beneath the bougainvillea on the outdoor patio). Their classic Greek offerings are like visiting an old friend; you can expect the menu to be just as you remembered it, years later. On a recent visit, I discovered they’ve newly introduced a mezze hour, Monday through Friday, from 4 to 6 p.m., with $5 hummus and tzatziki, dolmades, and spanakopita — a deal so good I can’t stay away.

— Hillary Eaton, Los Angeles Writer, Resy Editorial

I’ve been perpetually searching for an answer…

… to the eternal question: “What’s a ‘fun’ dinner spot in L.A.?” And the most fun you’ll have in Highland Park is Checker Hall.

Set in a restored former masonic hall, the sprawling space is all vibes, and is attached to music venue Lodge Room next door. It’s great for entertaining a rowdy group, but the dining room is sectioned just so that there’s plenty of intimate booths and outdoor patio tables for a date. But the best part is the food. Chef Gabe Kennedy’s Cal-Med fare includes shareable can’t-miss starters like the whipped feta (served with fluffy za’atar pita) and kampachi crudo (tomato water, cucumber, yuzu, black olive). But definitely don’t sleep on the sticky sweet potato, which hits sweet, savory, and spicy all in one bite, or the famed chicken schnitzel with spiced honey.

— Kelly Dobkin, Los Angeles Writer, Resy Editorial