From vegan delights to savory steaks and everything in between, L.A.’s most exciting new restaurants are serving up memorable mouthfuls this fall.
Best Bet Pizzeria brings pizza-focused California-Italian cuisine to a neighborhood joint in Culver City. From Jason Neroni, former chef at The Rose, the menu masterfully executes innovative takes on pasta and pizza, offering the likes of sweet corn raviolo with basil butter and corn nuts and The Drunken Clam pizza with clams, mozzarella, chili flake and lemon zest. Culver City, bestbetpizzeria.la
From the food to the restaurant design, Eataly’s newest restaurant nods to its island namesake. In a bright space accented with blue, white and gold, diners feast on a Southern-Italian menu of fresh seafood and traditional pastas, which is complemented by the limoncello-focused beverage program and lineup of regional Italian wines. Westfield Century City, eataly.com
Capri brings coastal Italian fare to Eataly PHOTO: COURTESY OF EATALY LOS ANGELES
Led by Michelin-starred chef Josiah Citrin, Charcoal Sunset serves up refined neighborhood barbecue-inspired dishes in a sleek Sunset Strip setting. Steak is the name of the game here, but because Charcoal Sunset promises that everything from its seasonal menu is cooked over a live fire, you’ll also delight in dishes like grilled artichoke and coal-roasted carrots. West Hollywood, charcoalsunset.com
A partnership between The H.Wood Group and chef/TikTok star Tue Nguyen, Di Di invigorates the La Cienega restaurant row with inventive Vietnamese fare in a dim-lit space enlivened by tasteful greenery and vibrant wallpaper. Be sure to order the crispy egg rolls, fried rice, Kevin’s Pho and charcoal-grilled ribeye. West Hollywood, didiletsgo.com
Di Di offers creative Vietnamese dishes PHOTO: BY WONHO FRANK LEE
Taking over the space that was formerly Jean-Georges, Espelette offers Mediterranean dishes with European touches and California flavors by chef Steve Benjamin and the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills team. The elevated, seasonally driven menu is made to share, making for a special, communal feast. Beverly Hills, waldorfastoriabeverlyhills.com
Espelette presents seasonal Mediterranean cuisine. PHOTO: BY VANESSA TIERN
Located in Beverly Hills, chef Evan Funke immerses guests in his and the Funke team’s craftsmanship first-hand through the pasta lab. After peering into the process via screens showing off the action in the kitchen, unwind in the chic, warm-toned setting over plates of tagliatelle Bolognese and agnolotti dal plin. Be sure to give yourself time for a pre-dinner drink at the walk-in-only rooftop, Bar Funke. Beverly Hills, funkela.com
Funke’s side dishes are as impressive as its handcrafted pastas PHOTO: BY ERIC WOLFINGER
Meaning “my friend” in French, Mon Ami in Santa Monica embraces this affable spirit in an intimate space with yellow and peach flourishes and excellent service. What’s more, the menu transports taste buds to the Mediterranean through dishes you’d find in Greece, France and Spain, such as the Calabrian chili prawns, seven-spice chicken and lobster alla catalana pasta. Santa Monica, monamism.com
Refreshing cocktails complement the food at Mon Ami PHOTO: BY JAKOB LAYMAN
Following last year’s debut of Pizzeria Bianco downtown, James Beard Award-winning pizzaiolo Chris Bianco added to the neighborhood lineup with the opening of Pane Bianco. The walkup counter establishment simplifies the dining experience when you’re in need of a quick, solid slice of New York pizza, but don’t count out the hearty sandwiches and salads. DTLA, pizzeriabianco.com
Chef Matthew Kenney's newest location of Plant Food + Wine impresses palates with vegan fine dining incorporating seasonal California produce. Located at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, the menu showcases the variation of vegan cuisine with dishes like brioche French toast with coconut whip and hibiscus syrup, and chipotle-glazed maitake mushrooms with charred sweet corn and sesame mole. Beverly Hills, fourseasons.com/losangeles
Plant Food & Wine dishes are vibrant with California produce. PHOTO: COURTESY OF FOUR SEASONS HOTEL LOS ANGELES AT BEVERLY HILLS
Teaming with Ravi DeRossi’s Overthrow Hospitality, chef Shenarri Freeman’s first West Coast restaurant brings West African-inspired vegan fare to Melrose Avenue. Here, you have the chance to dine on local produce and seasonal ingredients sourced from Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana and across West Africa. Menu highlights include the jollof arancini, fonio grits and lion’s mane pie. Fairfax District, ubuntula.com
Ubuntu comes alive through jewel tones PHOTO: BY WONHO FRANK LEE
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