Visiting Los Angeles for Frieze LA and the other fairs happening this week? Pay a visit to some of Whitewaller‘s favorite places to eat and sip throughout the city—you won’t be sorry.
Manuela
Located inside the Hauser & Wirth gallery, Manuela offers Downtown Los Angeles a stimulating combination of art, food, sustainability, and community. Created by Iwan and Manuela Wirth, the 5,000-square-foot restaurant welcomes visitors to California-inspired cuisine and a program of culinary and cultural events. Inside, the founders’ love for art continues on the restaurant’s walls, as they’re adorned with commissioned works by artists like Mark Bradford, Paul McCarthy, and Dieter Roth. And in the private 14-seat dining room, diners enjoy a mural by Raymond Pettibon.
Courtesy of Apotheke.
Whitewaller recommends: Savoring the Gulf Pink Shrimp Aguachile.
Jean-Georges Beverly Hills
Famed French Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten made his West Coast debut with this opulent outpost. Located in the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills and designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR), the restaurant quickly established itself as a dining destination with a casual, elegant atmosphere and a relaxed flow of indoor and outdoor spaces. Guests are treated to an upscale experience with an unforgettable California vibe.
Photo by Jakob Layman Courtesy of Chateau Hanare.
Whitewaller recommends: Booking a private room for 25 people.
A.O.C. Beverly Grove
In 2002, a.o.c. launched a unique concept—only small plates and wine by the glass. Owners Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne enhance a farmers’ market–inspired menu with a cocktail program to remember. Regulars note the lively cocktail hour from 5 to 7 p.m., and don’t miss the dishes baked in a wood-burning oven.
Courtesy of Here’s Looking at You.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering the grilled whole fish.
Kismet Los Feliz
Known as a casual all-day restaurant from chefs Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson, Kismet serves reimagined Mideast flavors for today’s California. The natural wine list complements a family-style menu, welcoming guests to its comforting location on Hollywood Boulevard.
Courtesy of Manuela.
Whitewaller recommends: Splitting a few dishes.
The Rose Venice Venice
Since 1979, the iconic restaurant The Rose Venice, located in the heart of Venice, has been serving locals and travelers alike with seasonal, globally influenced cuisine. Chef Jason Neroni offers a local Southern California cuisine inspired by his travels and reconceptualized with innovative techniques. The sprawling space includes indoor and outdoor dining, a beer garden, a full market and bakery, Verve Coffee bar, and a 40-foot cocktail bar.
Photo by Zen SekizawaCourtesy of n/naka.
Whitewaller recommends: Checking out Craig Stecyk’s art on-site.
E.P. & L.P. West Hollywood
E.P. is a multilevel modern Asian restaurant, featuring Filipino-California food led by new Head Chef Sabel Braganza. L.P. is the venue’s large-format rooftop deck, which boasts breathtaking views of Hollywood Hills, alongside Melrose Rooftop Theatre. And adjacent to L.P. is Frankie’s—a private bar welcoming guests to a bespoke handcrafted cocktail program.
Whitewaller recommends: Enjoying a new dish—the Grilled Pork Belly Liempo.
Alimento Silver Lake
Zach Pollack opened Alimento, his first solo project, in 2014. Drawing inspiration from Italy’s regional traditions, the cuisine features thoughtfully sourced ingredients from local artisans and growers and includes a selection of small plates, pastas, and large platters for sharing.
Whitewaller recommends: Savoring the Mackerel Conserva.
Cecconi’s West Hollywood
In 2009, Cecconi’s opened in West Hollywood to bring L.A. the Italian food it craves. Offering extensive Italian wine and cocktail menus, the restaurant is elevated by its outdoor terrace with retractable roof, as well as its indoor bar and dining room.
Whitewaller recommends: Enjoying the private dining space, the Butterfly Room.
Trois Mec Hollywood
Since April 2013, Trois Mec—loosely translated from French to “three guys” for its three founders—has been serving Los Angeles with an elaborate French tasting menu of seasonal, elegant dishes. Outside, the previous Raffallo’s Pizza sign still hangs above the door, reminding guests that it started as, and still is, an unpretentious fine dining destination. A small, reservations-only spot with an open kitchen, Trois Mec is a must.
Whitewaller recommends: Opting for the Reserve wine pairing.
Bavel Downtown
In April 2018, husband and wife chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis opened Bavel to showcase their Middle Eastern roots in Israel, Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt. Utilizing slow cooking techniques with aromatic woods, spices, and pickling, the restaurant offers a new perspective on the complex cuisines, joining the owners’ first restaurant, Bestia.
Whitewaller recommends: Dining on the patio.
Broken Spanish Downtown
Chef Ray Garcia’s combined Los Angeles roots and Latin upbringing flourish within Broken Spanish—a restaurant boasting bold flavors and a modern appeal with sophisticated Mexican dishes and cocktails. “I didn’t choose food,” said Garcia. “It chose me.”
Whitewaller recommends: Getting the Chicharron or the Carne Asada.
Harlowe West Hollywood
The cool, sophisticated restaurant Harlowe illuminates the elegance and decadence of the Golden Age of Hollywood. With a playful list of classic and original cocktails, fountain and bottled drinks, homemade libations, small bites, and more, the menu is
rounded out by a selection of old-meets-new dishes.
Whitewaller recommends: Sipping the Accidental Wes Anderson cocktail.
Bestia Downtown
In 2012, husband and wife chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis opened Bestia—their first restaurant focused on a multi-regional Italian cuisine with a “from scratch” approach. With pizzas made in an Acunto oven, handmade pastas, and pastries, the restaurant also welcomes guests to an unforgettable atmosphere of contemporary designs inside a building made of industrial materials.
Whitewaller recommends: Enjoying the Spaghetti Rustichella.
Majordomo Chinatown
Opened in January 2018, Majordomo hit Los Angeles with large-format dishes, table-side components, and plenty of noodles. By Momofuku creator David Chang, Majordomo takes a different approach compared to his other restaurants, with a series of instant classics like the boneless short rib and the boiled whole chicken.
Whitewaller recommends: Trying the chickpea hozon pasta.
Chateau Hanare West Hollywood
From restaurateur Reika Alexander, the creator of EN Japanese Brasserie in New York, Chateau Hanare presents a unique Japanese concept to Los Angeles dining. With a name that means “cottage set apart,” the restaurant is a collaboration between Alexander and the Chateau Marmont Hotel and Bungalows.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering the Nasu Agedashi.
Here’s Looking at You Koreatown
In 2016, friends Lien Ta and Jonathan Whitener opened their dream restaurant to focus on Southern California cuisine. Here’s Looking at You welcomes visitors to a natural light–flooded space with a dining room and a wood-top bar, accented with delicious dishes of seafood, meat, and veggies.
Whitewaller recommends: Also checking out the duo’s second restaurant, All Day Baby.
Apotheke Chinatown
At Apotheke, cocktails take on a new form, crafted from a combination of apothecary and mixology to create high-quality medicinal sips. Visitors can relax in opulent interiors, while choosing from a menu of “prescriptions,” made from fresh, organic ingredients and house-made elixirs, divided into categories like stress relievers and aphrodisiacs.
Whitewaller recommends: Ordering the Kale in Comparison.
n/naka Palms
Opened by Chef Niki Nakayama to celebrate the art of cooking, n/naka serves dishes that highlight natural flavors. Building on the traditional Japanese dining philosophy kaiseki, Nakayama’s thoughtfully curated seasonal plates with a California twist have recently been awarded two Michelin stars.
Whitewaller recommends: Looking forward to the Japan Miyazaki Wagyu Beef A5.
République Mid-City
Walter and Margarita Manzke opened République in a unique building built by Charlie Chaplin and designed by architect Roy Sheldon Price. Merging Walter’s love of French and California cuisines with Margarita’s expertise in pastries, the restaurant is a treat, offering delicious flavors and dynamic dishes.
Whitewaller recommends: Stopping by for brunch on the weekend.
