Messob
There’s so much to love in Little Ethiopia, from Lalibela to Meals by Genet, but Messob has a homey feel that doesn’t compare. This family-run restaurant gets its name from all the messobs around the room, i.e. handwoven Ethiopian tables....
Open on Sundays
Oriel
From Bar Covell and Augustine owner Dustin Lancaster comes Oriel, a neony French wine bar and bistro in the heart of Chinatown. Chef Evan Algorri (Union Square Cafe, Bouley NYC) appears to have created the menu to complement the extensive...
Carousel
Carousel is not necessarily the best Middle-Eastern food in town, but the warm atmosphere certainly makes up for it. Their mezza platter could be enough on its own, with cheese borek, muhammara and hummus sojouk, while their yogurt lula kebab...
Bavel
What do you get when you take the husband and wife team behind the essential LA hotspot Bestia and give them full reign to cook up the food they always seemed inclined to make? The answer is the best new...
The Old Place
The Old Place feels like a frontier saloon, with the bustling noise of patrons ordering beer and a live music band outside — which comes in handy when you have to wait, although everyone here needs a reservation to get...
La Cevicheria
La Cevicheria has its own Guatemalan interpretation of the staple South American seafood: ceviche. Julio and Carolina Arellano make a chapin-style preparation with briny bloody clams, also called pata de mula, which gives it an oyster-like aftertaste. Choose between shrimp,...
Taste of Tehran
Taste of Tehran is a hole-in-the-wall, but it’s such a good hole-in-the-wall. Come here for a variety of kabobs, also with the traditional fluffy Persian rice with saffron butter. It’s not always available, but try try the Cornish hen kabob...
Rahel
Rahel is a tiny haven in Little Ethiopia: a charming outdoor terrace, an entire family managing the front and back of house, and a lack of liquor license that allows you to BYOB with no corkage fee: and if you...
Bulgarini Gelato
Ever since the Chef’s Table episode featuring Corrado Assenza was released, we’ve been having restless dreams about Sicilian pistachio gelato and large bowls of almond granita. After a bit of searching, and a lot of tasting, we found the best...
Holbox
In a city as large as LA, hidden gems abound. Everyone has their secret go-to spots and fears that revealing them will unleash hordes akin to those at Gjusta and Sqirl. We’re a bit different here and are going to...