Los Angeles’ Newest Restaurant Openings, Now on Resy

Chef Mei Lin has a knack for turning classic dishes from her upbringing into something revelatory. You’ll find it at her swanky Beverly Hills spot in every bite of char siu pork, glistening nam yu-roasted chicken, and sesame prawn toast. It’s all familiar, yet nothing like you’ve had before. The space is gorgeous and full of good-luck symbolism, from tiger paintings to jade-colored walls.

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When you get a classically trained chef dishing out things like country-fried chongqing chicken, egg custard, and roast duck, there’s only one place that feels right for it: The Mandarin Plaza in Chinatown. Firstborn’s menu changes seasonally, which means you’ll want to stop in for highlights on the regular.

Nestled among the many restaurants on Canon Drive, this spot stands out with its dramatic space and a menu that features modern takes on dishes from the Caucasus: things like Wagyu-stuffed dolma, khachapuri with truffle, and khorovats (aka Armenian barbecue).

You can trust the sibling restaurant to Lasung House with soul-affirming Korean food. Case in point: Lasung’s sotbap, a rice dish cooked in a stone pot with a crackling-crisp bottom, and their soondubu, the soft tofu stew made with a long-simmered broth. Don’t overlook the extras (all standouts), from clams, pollack roe, and grilled eel you can get with the sotbap, to lobster for the stew.

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.

Now open in Santa Monica is Cosetta, the beautiful new Cal-Italian star from chef Zach Pollack, whose work you may remember from bygone beloved spots like Alimento and Cosa Buona. His newest restaurant blends Italy and Southern California with a menu full of crudos, salads, pizza, and even wings.

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.

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.