Lesley Balla

Lesley Balla writes about restaurants, travel, wine, and more. You’ll find her work in publications including Los Angeles Magazine, Angeleno, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Seattle Times. In a previous life, she was the L.A. editor for Zagat and Eater. Follow her on X and Instagram.


Great White Larchmont

InterviewsLos Angeles

How Great White Became the Quintessential Cafe for Los Angeles

By Australian standards, Great White is about as Southern Californian as it gets. Equal parts great food, airy design, and…

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Photo courtesy of Hanchic

Best of The Hit ListLos Angeles

Hanchic, Damian, Anajak Thai, and More: L.A. Dining’s Best in 2021

What a difference a year makes. This time last year, another COVID wave had restaurants going back to outdoors dining…

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Photo courtesy of Tokki

The Hit ListLos Angeles

The December Hit List: Lulu, Bridgetown Roti, Tokki, and More

It feels downright festive in L.A. right now. Dining rooms are packed, drinks are flowing, dishes are being shared, there’s…

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Photo courtesy of Cobi's

The Hit ListLos Angeles

The November Hit List: Horses, Cobi’s, Barbrix, Superba, and More

Who doesn’t love autumn in L.A.? The best produce — apples, squashes, and really the most delicious persimmons you’ll get…

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InterviewsLos Angeles

At Union, Being There for Pasadena Means Taking Care of People First

Some restaurants are so integral to a neighborhood, it’s hard to believe they haven’t been there for decades. Union is…

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Horses

The RundownLos Angeles

Everything You Need to Know About Horses, Now Open in Hollywood

Before you go to a restaurant, what do you need to know most? In our series The Rundown, we’re sharing…

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Hippo

The RundownLos Angeles

At Highland Park’s Hippo, It’s Like a Dinner Party Every Night

Before you go to a restaurant, what do you need to know most? In our series The Rundown, we’re sharing…

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Photo courtesy of Mohawk Bend

The Hit ListLos Angeles

The October Hit List: Mohawk Bend, Edobox, Berbere, and More

When summer winds down in the rest of the country, we’re still enjoying an endless string of sunny, warm days.…

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Photo courtesy of Petit Trois Le Valley

GuidesLos Angeles

The Resy Guide to Power Lunches Around Los Angeles

With the entertainment industry and all the business that feeds it, L.A. will always be the quintessential power-lunch town. Making…

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Photo courtesy Post & Beam

The Hit ListLos Angeles

The September Hit List: Issima, Antico Nuovo, Wise Sons, and More

It might be September, but it only feels like autumn because kids are back in school. The air is still…

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