Los Angeles’ Newest Restaurant Openings, Now on Resy

Leave it to Adam Leonti to build the Italian restaurant of your dreams. The stunning West Hollywood space (all curves and bright colors, with a playfulness to it all) sets the stage for what the Alba team is calling a “vacation Italian” menu — think spritzes, gorgeous pastas, and a “garden” section that shows off the season’s best. Pro tip: The house focaccia is required ordering — Leonti’s a wiz in the bread department, and you’re not going to want to miss this signature item.

This Chinatown wine bar is close enough to the Metro stop that you can hop for a glass of wine (or two) and be back on in no time. The small menu — flatbread pizzas, charcuterie, and salads with burrata or bresaola — go swimmingly with the Nebbiolos and orange wines by the glass.

At Vin Folk, the chefs are your servers, bringing plates from the kitchen, and explaining them, too — head cheese toast, mussels tart, and jowl with mackerel are but some of the enticing offerings at this cozy wine bistro. Sit back, watch the kitchen groove, and dive in for something a little different. 

One of the stars of the San Fernando Valley sushi scene brings its traditional nigiri and innovative spins on classic rolls to Calabasas. Don’t miss any of the soy-paper hand rolls, an assortment of crispy rice dishes, and Japanese-inspired cocktails.

This cozy spot has all the trappings of a perfect neighborhood hang: friendly servers, great cocktails, and food you crave when you just want to be yourself. Think juicy burgers and fresh-cut fries, roasted half chicken, pastas, and bright salads.

A Glendale gem for a bite and a glass of wine, Belvedere offers everything from special pours of the day to heavy-hitters from acclaimed vineyards. Check out some of the tasting events and plan ahead if you want to dig in a little more.

The Venice boho-chic steakhouse brings its dry-aged cuts, horseshoe bar, and famed burger window to the Grove — and you don’t even need to enter the mall to get them. Dirty martinis, stuffed hash browns, wood-grilled lobster tails, and seasonal sides complete any meal. Magic hour is the best time to check out the massive patio for dinner.

Beverly Grove locals hit this under-the-radar gem for its welcoming vibe, Turkish-leaning menu, and great people-watching from the sidewalk patio. Grab a cocktail and some grilled lamb-and-beef meatballs with tzatziki, dolmas, and mushroom-topped creamy hummus, and watch the world buzz by.

Bar Etoile has everything you’d expect from a Paris neighborhood bistro combined with the trappings of a perfect Los Angeles restaurant. Think trout rillettes studded with biquinho peppers, steak frites, and vibes for days. Co-owned by the team behind one of L.A.’s oldest (and best) natural wine shops, expect some fantastic sips on the smart list, plus cocktails, including a damn fine martini, too.

Chilled oysters, ricotta cavatelli with black truffle, a grilled steak with porcini bordelaise, and a night at L’Ermitage feels like a getaway without the hassle. Grab a martini in the hotel lounge just to see who you can see.

If you’ve never been to this sleepy suburb near Pasadena, this handsome New American spot helmed by two pedigreed chefs (from Sona and Daniel), who also owned one of L.A.’s best butcher shops, is the reason to go. Nori waffles with uni, expectedly beautiful seafood and steaks, seasonal sides, and elegant desserts — Backbone’s a winner all around.

With a fresh take on seasonal fare, Tomat is where to consider crisp, locally-grown vegetables with walnut beet dip, California welks with aioli, salmon with an herby tartar, and roasted potatoes with fenugreek. A fresh cocktail on this Westchester rooftop garden makes any stress melt away.

There’s a lot happening in this small space attached to the famed Sunset Sound recording studio in Hollywood. Crispy rice cake topped with slices of delicate fish and sea urchin, charcoal-kissed meat and seafood skewers, and bright green Midori margaritas contrast beautifully with the stark, minimalist décor.

If you loved what chef Travis Lett did at Gjelina, just wait until you taste his take on pork belly chashu ramen, gyoza with crispy, lacy bottoms, and karaage chicken with hot honey. This Californication of an izakaya fits buzzy Abbot Kinney right down to the ume highballs and hand rolls.

Upscale Korean barbecue and an unlimited banchan buffet might sound like an oxymoron, but this lively K-town spot pulls it off. Expect premium cuts, from pork belly to brisket, ribeye, and even A5 Wagyu for the grill, plus all the favorite AYCE sides. Soju cocktails, beer, and wine keep the party going.

To some, the ever-changing Silver Lake scene means a loss of beloved businesses. To others, a spate of newcomers is just the thing the neighborhood needs. Judging by the lines at this café-by-day, wine bar-by-night spot, Seco Silverlake’s Latin and Asian-inspired menus are a surefire hit. It’s giving low-key vibes, vegan tostadas, natural wines, and more.