The Resy Hit List: Everywhere In L.A. You’ll Want to Eat in Aug. 2024
There’s no question we hear more often: Where should I go eat? And while we at Resy know it’s an honor to be the friend who everyone asks for restaurant advice, we also know it’s a complicated task. That’s where the Resy Hit List comes in.
We’ve designed it to be your essential resource for dining in Los Angeles: a monthly-updated (and now expanded!) guide to the restaurants that you won’t want to miss — tonight or any night.
Four Things In Los Angeles Not to Miss This Month
- Easy-Breezy Dining. Being in Southern California has its perks: a plethora of sunny beaches to visit, and stellar dining options along the way. From a “Top Chef” star’s culinary complex to a landmark seafood destination, here are some of our favorite spots to grab a coastal meal throughout the summer months. Check out more Resy Guides here.
- A New-Style Pizzeria. Leopardo has quickly become one of L.A.’s buzziest restaurants thanks to acclaimed chef Joshua Skenes (formerly of Saison and Angler), who’s been diligently working to perfect his “neo-mochiko” pizza crust. The restaurant itself is a wild experience that manages to marry casual energy with major indulgence (read: tons of caviar) and shine in a city full of pizza options. Read about more new openings here.
- A Tucked-Away Rustic Lodge. For those looking for an adventure after a Malibu beach day, travel less than 10 miles north into the Santa Monica Mountains to Saddle Peak Lodge. Writer Hillary Eaton takes a deep dive into the restaurant’s storied history and its meaty menu, which runs the gamut from wagyu beef rib eye to elk tenderloin. Pore over more stories on classic L.A. institutions here.
- L.A.’s Culinary Milestones. With Resy hitting its 10-year anniversary, we’ve put together a list of 10 moments that defined L.A. dining over the last decade. In a vibrant city that’s like no other, these events shaped the trajectory of our culinary scene, from the rebirth of a beloved Korean restaurant to the loss of one of the greatest food critics, and the strikes that affected the city as a whole.
New to the Hit List (August 2024)
Anajak Thai, Azizam, Linden, Lee-Ga, Villa’s Tacos.
1. Tsubaki Echo Park
In a city brimming with salads, Tsubaki’s Japanese Caesar — laced with bonito threads, nori, panko, and miso-parmesan dressing — is a strong contender for the best. Their charcoal-grilled chicken oyster skewers, dabbed with yuzu kosho, are a bona fide signature L.A. dish. Simply put, chef Charles Namba’s food at this compact Echo Park izakaya is consistently dynamite. But the sake list adds a whole new dimension: Namba’s partner is Courtney Kaplan, whose sake expertise and dedication to craft breweries is showcased here and at next-door sake bar, Ototo — whose sake program was the first to win a James Beard award. Take your time reading Kaplan’s descriptions; “sake whisperer” doesn’t even begin to describe her work.
2. N/Soto Mid-City
Think of this as the little sister to N/Naka, the Michelin-starred Japanese kaiseki restaurant that“Chef’s Table” propelled to fame nearly a decade ago. N/Soto, which got its start as a pop-up before finding a permanent home in Mid City in April of 2022, is much more casual than its zen-like counterpart. Similarly helmed by chef-owners Niki Nakayama and Carole Iida-Nakayama, it focuses on upscale izakaya fare that runs the gamut from sushi to grilled meats to comforting rice bowls. Its stalwart dishes include a miso-baked bone marrow paired with a pan-fried umeboshi onigiri, and agedashi mochi punctuated by tempura-battered shiso. The inventive cocktail program incorporates Japanese ingredients and spirits, and includes a robust non-alcoholic drinks menu that shouldn’t be missed.
3. Lee-Ga Koreatown
Nestled in the corner of a Koreatown strip mall is Lee-Ga, a stand-out purveyor of mul naengmyeon in a sea of restaurants that serve this beloved chilled buckwheat noodle soup, a summertime favorite. Chef-owner Woosuk Lee expertly makes the noodles fresh in-house, a rarity compared to other spots that rely on the pre-packaged variety, resulting in chewy strings that swim in a perfectly balanced broth that’s acidic, sweet, and savory. It would be a mistake to not also order some of the casual restaurant’s equally distinctive dishes, like its hefty mandu (the vibrant red kimchi dumplings are a must) and seolleongtang (ox bone soup). For being a newer Korean restaurant (it opened in 2022), Lee Ga has already made a name for itself in the community as one of the best.
No reservations. Find more info here.
4. Dudley Market Venice
Fisherman-owned and operated is not a distinction you’ll find often in Los Angeles, perhaps anywhere besides Dudley Market. Situated mere steps from the Pacific, this beachy Venice restaurant is known for its seafood, of course, which changes based on what’s freshly caught (and, oftentimes, aged on-site). Expect oysters, sashimi and crudo, steamed shellfish, fish tacos, and, because Dudley is for the people, a burger. The wine program is a major focus here as well, functioning as an additional draw for Westside scenesters. Do note, that from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday through Sunday, the restaurant plays host to Hooked—champion barista Nicely Abel’s overperforming coffee shop—and serves as a lovely setting to enjoy a cup.
5. baroo Arts District
6. Kuya Lord Melrose Hill
Even though Kuya Lord occupies a tiny 28-seat restaurant along a bustling section of Melrose Avenue, its presence is anything but small. Chef-owner Lord Maynard Llera (previously of Bestia) turned his Filipino pop-up, featuring regional Southern Tagalog cuisine, into a celebrated brick-and mortar that recently earned him a 2024 James Beard award. Here, humble rice bowls are transformed into culinary artworks, especially when paired with his signature dishes like lucenachon, an impossibly crisp-skinned Duroc pork belly that’s a marriage between Filipino lechon kawali and Italian porchetta. It’s a labor of love that takes a week to make from start to finish. While you’re there, complete the meal with grilled blue prawns swimming in an addictive garlic-crab sauce, and calamansi pie topped with a swirl of whipped pandan cream.
No reservations. Find more info here.
7. Aunt Yvette’s Kitchen Eagle Rock
Prior to the arrival of Aunt Yvette’s Kitchen in Eagle Rock last fall, one had to travel to Little Ethiopia to satisfy a craving for tibs, wat, and injera. Now, Yvette and Russell Platoff, career chefs who have long dreamed of opening their own spot, have Eastsiders lining up to eat with their hands. Despite the restaurant’s small footprint, the interior is thoughtfully put together, with details like zebra-print chairs, tree trunk tables, and a green-tiled bar. As for what to eat, heed your server’s advice and spring for a vegtable combo, plus a protein of choice. Finish with a scoop of berbere ice cream, which highlights Ethiopia’s distinctive spice blend in surprising and delicious fashion.
8. Boston Lobster Rosemead
For the past decade, Boston Lobster has attracted long lines in the San Gabriel Valley, for good reason. The Chinese-Vietnamese seafood restaurant, which moved into bigger and more upscale digs in 2022, is most popular for its signature dish: lobster (actually shipped in from Boston) that’s stir fried with sliced scallions and jalapeños, resting over a bed of noodles. It’s a family-style meal that’s complemented by other worthy dishes, like shaking beef and clams with basil. The lively vibes, lazy Susans, and fish tanks filled with live geoduck and king crab make this the kind of place you’ll want to bookmark for your next celebratory meal out with a group.
No reservations except for a private room. Call (626) 288-4388 for more info.
9. The Lonely Oyster Echo Park
While The Lonely Oyster is nearly 20 miles away from the beach, there’s a slice of coastal life nestled in this Echo Park gem. Ever since late 2022 when executive chef Dominique Crisp (formerly of Pasadena’s now-closed Saso) took the helm, the sustainably and responsibly-sourced seafood restaurant has stepped up its game. It’s the little touches that make it shine, like lobster rolls drenched in a miso brown butter, and a wonton chip topped with fresh uni and a dollop of caviar. Sous chef Chris Stagliano (who also runs his personal pasta project Los Boludos on the side) expertly crafts the restaurant’s noodles, even using a vintage guitar-strung instrument to make his signature chitarra. Extra perks: The lively spot has a solid list of martinis and is open until 2 a.m.
10. Quarter Sheets Echo Park
11. Villa’s Tacos Highland Park
There’s a 2024 trophy on the counter of Villa’s Tacos in Highland Park that serves as a tip cup and gleaming reminder that the taqueria was recently crowned as the three-peat winner of L.A. Taco’s annual “Taco Madness” competition. Chef-owner Victor Villa turned his pop-up and street stand into a brick-and-mortar that’s not only earned him critical praise (including a Michelin Bib Gourmand nod and a feature on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles), but also a growing business, with a second location at the historic Grand Central Market in Downtown L.A. At the heart of Villa’s achievements is his signature queso taco, a lacy, cheese-griddled blue corn tortilla folded around mesquite-grilled meats and topped with hibiscus-pickled onions and a heap of guacamole. It’s a hefty taco worth waiting in line for with all the other hungry acolytes.
No reservations. Find more info here.
12. Anajak Thai Sherman Oaks
When Justin Pichetrungsi took the reins of Anajak Thai in 2019, he propelled his family’s longstanding restaurant into a new era of cooking, snagging him a James Beard Award for Best Chef: California, among a bevy of other accolades. The transformation bridged old-school Thai cuisine with his modern interpretations (think slices of raw kanpachi in a nam jim seafood sauce, or southern-Thai fried chicken topped with caviar). Combined with an extensive wine list, the bustling party vibes of his walk-in-only Thai Taco Tuesdays, and upscale monthly omakase meals, Anajak 2.0 is nothing short of sensational. It’s become so popular that reservations can be hard to come by, but we have some tips from Pichetrungsi himself on how to score a table here.
13. Budonoki Silver Lake
Stepping into Budonoki feels like you’ve been transported to an underground nightclub, complete with ‘90s R&B jams and glowing purple lights. This playful izakaya, from Thai chef Dan Rabilwongse (whose impressive resume includes Bouchon, Hayato, and Tsubaki) melds Japanese, French, and Southeast Asian flavors in a buzzy space perfect for a night out. Shochu-forward cocktails laced with ingredients like cherry blossom bitters come in adorable mugs shaped like penguins and octopi. Small plates like naem highlight sour Thai pork sausage paired with arancini-like crispy rice balls, and the crudo that makes Hokkaido scallops its star is dressed in an addictive citrus vinaigrette. The best part? The menu is tight enough that a group of four our six can try it all in one go.
14. Joseon Silver Lake
At the Silver Lake pop-up Joseon, chef Debbie Lee (who’s made a name for herself on TV cooking competition shows like “The Next Food Network Star”) has dreamt up imaginative tasting menus showcasing her reinterpretation of the royal court dining of Joseon, the last dynasty of Korea. Even though Lee’s breadth of work spans from French restaurants to food trucks, she goes back to her roots here, drawing inspiration from her North Korean background. The first course, a seemingly simple bowl of lotus root porridge, packs an umami punch and sets a dazzling tone for the rest of the meal, which also includes galbi jjim, or braised short ribs over a bed of wasabi cauliflower puree. Elegant, yet casual, and in a minimalist space, Joseon is a unique experience unlike any other in L.A. at the moment.
15. Poltergeist at Button Mash Echo Park
Poltergeist is so singular that it’s impossible to pigeonhole it into any culinary category. The unrestrained Echo Park restaurant led by chef Diego Argoti, who also runs the Estrano pop-up and has worked in the kitchens of Bestia and Bavel, offers an amalgamation of global flavors, including Southeast Asian, Italian, and Latin American. The green curry bucatini, kicked up with the flavors of a pistachio muhammara and apple chutney, and the Thai Caesar salad—a frisée dressed with lemongrass and plated with a towering green-speckled puffed rice—exemplify the familiar-yet-surprising flavors Argoti plays with. And the fact that the restaurant sits inside of Button Mash barcade, where guests dine amid the dings and clacks of vintage pinball machines and blaring punk rock, is nothing short of a perfect pairing.
16. Sirena Santa Monica
For over 90 years, The Georgian hotel has been a mainstay along the Santa Monica waterfront with its striking turquoise Art Deco facade. When BLVD Hospitality gave the landmark a makeover in 2023, it also brought on an impressive culinary team. Its newest restaurant, Sirena — with its stunning ocean-view patio — is led by executive chef (and Osteria Mozza alum) David Almany, with former All Day Baby and Here’s Looking at You pastry chef Theresa Diadem (who was among Food & Wine‘s best new chefs of 2021). Its Californian-Italian fare is equally splendid, with highlights like a kanpachi crudo in a chili-lime vinaigrette, freshly made pasta like a celery root cappelacci, and a not-too-be-missed warm apple crostata.
17. La Dolce Vita- LA Beverly Hills
La Dolce Vita is as sweet as its storied history. The old-school Italian restaurant (that even Frank Sinatra once backed as an investor) has been around since 1966 and reopened last year to much fanfare under new owners, the team behind Genghis Cohen. The space hearkens back to Old Hollywood, done right with the perfect combination of glitz and glamor. Its exuberant energy, sexy red leather booths, and cheetah print carpet are complemented by dishes like bone-in veal Parmesan and bucatini al limone. A table-side Caesar salad is never a bad idea, and don’t skip on the inventive cocktails from bar lead Blake Antrobus (previously of Bicyclette). Tables can be hard to come by (as it’s incredibly packed even on weeknights), but we have tips on how to snag one here.
18. Azizam Silver Lake
Soon after Azizam owners Cody Ma and Misha Sesar turned their homestyle pop-up into a permanent Silver Lake location in February, Los Angeles Times food critic Bill Addison deemed it “L.A.’s best new Persian restaurant in years.” At their casual counter-service spot, popular dishes like kofteh tabrizi, a baseball-sized beef and rice meatball studded with dried stone fruit and walnuts, have become a mainstay. The kuku sandevich involves a seasonal vegetable frittata (the latest iteration is herb and leek) stuffed into house-baked barbari flatbread dotted with sesame and nigella seeds. While the cozy sage green patio, surrounded by hanging plants, is a welcome spot for solo diners, it’s worth getting a group together for a chance to sample all the winning dishes, including a flaky and creamy Shirini Napeloni dessert layered with seasonal jam.
No reservations. Find more info here.
19. Angelini Osteria Beverly Grove
Angelini is tried and true, a Beverly Grove staple by Italians, for Italians. It’s also for all lovers of Italian cuisine, which, who isn’t? Humming on Beverly Boulevard since 2001, this classically-styled osteria, overseen by chef Gino Angelini and his wife Elizabeth, is known for its lasagna verde and tagliolini limone. Other very nice dishes include the warm swordfish carpaccio, chopped salad, and fried zucchini flowers in tomato sauce. The atmosphere is charmingly weathered and European-feeling, both inside and out, and the regulars are manifest. It’s ideal for date night, dinner with in-laws, a business lunch, or even a chic solo vibe. Do note, portions are small, so order more, then share it all.
20. Linden Hollywood
Linden is full of surprises. The minimalist beige building on Sunset Boulevard isn’t much to look at, but walk inside and you’re quickly transported — lush green plants dangle from the ceiling and an impressive art collection adorns the walls. Third-generation chef Jonathan Harris channels his African American and Costa Rican roots, sprinkling in Jewish, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian influences — flavors he remembered from growing up in New York — into his menu. One of the most notable dishes is his wagyu pie, which reimagines the Jamaican beef patty in pot pie form, punched up with a drizzle of plantain chutney. For a nightcap, pop in to adjoining speakeasy Dot.Dot through a back entrance for cocktails and DJs.
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