LA’s been getting a little sticky. A little hot. A little humid. If you’ve been resorting to Ben & Jerry’s ice cream or leftover cold pasta for dinner, maybe it’s time to check out one of these three stellar dining experiences.
Head to the Beach and Go Fishing with Dynamite
Small, sleek, and stunning cuisine more or less sums up this Manhattan Beach eatery from David LeFevre, who also owns the inventive restaurant next door, Manhattan Beach Post. Slip inside this light, bright, welcoming space and cool off with the tastes and textures of the sea just steps from the Pacific Ocean.
On the menu: perfectly presented raw bar offerings, “old school,” “new school,” and “after school” dishes, plus exceptional craft cocktails. In short: it’s the ultimate in pescatarian delights.
Highlights: The Raw Bar, bar none. Beautifully presented platters feature options like chilled Littleneck clams, Peruvian scallops, PEI mussels, jumbo shrimp, Atlantic lobster, and a variety of oysters on the half shell. Try the revelatory scallops accompanied by dabs of grapefruit, citrus pesto, and sea salt. Other must tries: Go old school with crisp Maryland crab cake, or the hearty Po Boy with breaded soft shell crab, Cajun remoulade, and house-made pickles. New school menu highlights include delicate Hamachi served sashimi style, a sweet, fresh yellow tail plus avocado, thin-sliced red radish, chilies, and apple ponzo.
Extras: Try the Key Lime Pie, a light, individual tart, resting on a bed of thinly sliced limes for dessert. Cooling cocktails like The Sub Rosa – a Collins in a sunset pink shade, made with lemon balm, kumquats, lemon, and oola, or the Moor of St. Petersburg, a fresh twist on a Black Russian made with cacao nibs.
Check out the Downtown Scene at Faith and Flower
A stunning setting from opulent chandelier to a romantic bar scene is just half the story here – the other is Chef Michael Hung’s mind-expanding global fusion. He’s woven together just about every part of LA’s vast cultural mix of cuisine, seamlessly in an elegant space in the heart of the city.
On the menu: Brilliant multi-cultural flavors from a delicate spring pea salad to hand made pastas. Experience a multi-course meal or innovative appetizers and cocktails including the restaurant’s renowned Milk Punch, which takes over 24 hours to craft.
Highlights: Kanpachi ceviche, diced, served with house-made potato chips. Daily oyster selection. The signature spring pea salad with fresh ricotta that’s light as a cloud. Thick Cavatelli with roasted shitake musthrooms in a rich Parmesean broth, that’s worth the indulgence. Warm new potatoes with trout roe and creamy grain mustard; seared petrale sole with radishes and fava beans.
Extras: Dessert looks like an artist’s palette with a board of house-made chocolates including delicate hazlenut chocolate feulleitine. Don’t forget that Milk Punch: Bacardi 8 rum, Bulliet bourbon, Pernod absinthe, sencha green tea, and clarified milk.
Here Comes the Summer Sun: Sun Cafe
Vegan delights abound in Studio City’s Sun Cafe, where a pleasant patio and lovely craftsman interior never fail to charm, and the food is so good even the most hardcore carnivore will drool for more. Confession: this may just be my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles.
On the Menu: Quintessentially SoCal treats like tacos are redesigned with lettuce leaves instead of a heavy tortilla shell, the perfect wrap for a mix of cashew cheese, pico de gallo, avocado, and raw basil Ranch dressing, along with “chorizo,” made from sunflower seeds; mushroom quinoa risotto with spinach, and house macaroni and cheese crafted from a sunflower seed based nacho cheese are completely fulfilling without weighing you down, credit the no-dairy recipes so good you won’t remember it’s vegan.
Extras: Vegan cheesecake that’s mouth wateringly rich yet fluffy. Mint chocolate cheesecake may be the winner, but try any of co-owner Rebecca Smith’s fab and amazingly light deserts. Of course there’s a great bar program too: awesome beer and wine cocktails include the Carosello Cooler made from Cynar, lemon, and refreshing spearmint; or try the perfect-for-summer Zurra Blanca Sangria, featuring wine infused with coriander, peach, orange, and lemon.
- Genie Davis, Photos: Jack Burke