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Los Angeles may be known for its beach living and celebrity-infused backdrop, but it was once a farm town. The hillsides were covered in citrus orchards and dairy farms, and agriculture was a major industry. Today, even as L.A. is urbanized, the city's culinary landscape has re-embraced a local, sustainable, and seasonal philoso
Los Angeles may be known for its beach living and celebrity-infused backdrop, but it was once a farm town. The hillsides were covered in citrus orchards and dairy farms, and agriculture was a major industry. Today, even as L.A. is urbanized, the city's culinary landscap
Los Angeles may be known for its beach living and celebrity-infused backdrop, but it was once a farm town. The hillsides
Los Angeles may be known for its beach living and celebrity-infused backdrop, but it was once a farm town. The hillsides were covered in citrus orchards and dairy farms, and agriculture was a major industry. Today, even as L.A. is urbanized, the city's culinary landscape has re-embraced a local, sustainable, and seasonal philosophy at many levels—from fine dining to street snacks.
With a growing interest in farm-to-fork, the city's farmers' market scene has exploded, becoming popular at big-name restaurants and small eateries alike. In Hollywood and Santa Monica you can often find high-profile chefs scouring farm stands for fresh produce.
Yet the status of the celebrity chef continues to carry weight around this town. People follow the culinary zeitgeist with the same fervor as celebrity gossip. You can queue up with the hungry hordes at Mozza or try and snag a reservation to the ever-popular Trois Mec that’s much like getting a golden ticket these days. Elsewhere, the seasonally driven bakery and insanely popular Huckleberry in Santa Monica has been given a Brentwood counterpart with the rustically sweet Milo & Olive created by the same owners. In Culver City, a run-down International House of Pancakes has been turned into the ski chalet–inspired A-Frame Tavern. The Ace Hotel opened an L.A. chapter Downtown, creating a hip haven when you can enjoy cocktails and locally sourced menu items poolside or in the restaurant.
Ethnic eats continue to be a backbone to the L.A. dining scene. People head to the San Gabriel Valley for dim sum, ramen, and unassuming taco lounges; Koreatown for epic Korean cooking and late-night coffeehouses; and West L.A. and "the Valley" for phenomenal sushi. Latin food is well represented in the city, making it tough to choose between Guatemalan eateries, Peruvian restaurants, nouveau Mexican bistros, and Tijuana-style taco trucks. With so many dining options, sometimes the best strategy is simply to drive and explore.
This gem of a restaurant, tucked into an unassuming strip mall, has taken Hermosa Beach and L.A. at large by storm; even the focaccia bread has a cult following. Diners love the revolving seasonal menu, with its eclectic mix of European, Mexican, and Asian influences reminiscent of the city's own diverse makeup. While many dishes come and go, the most-beloved classics stay. The decor—with its rustic-yet-industrial touches and black Chesterfield-inspired banquettes—is effortlessly hip. The menu can range from gnocchi nero with king crab to banh mi toast with steak tartare, and the owners have hosted guest chefs for short residencies. Some items like pasta, sausage, and breads are made fully in-house by executive chef Tyler Gugliotta's team, while many ingredients come from his own family farm. More than 40 craft beers are available, along with a good wine list. On weekends, Baran's offers killer "secret" breakfast burritos to take to the beach.
502 Pacific Coast Hwy., Los Angeles, California, 90254, USA
If your vacation dreams run more British hunting lodge than SoCal beach scene, Fox and Farrow might be your place. Run by longtime South Bay chef Darren Weiss, this gastropub features classic fare like hunter's pie with wild boar alongside more creative concepts inspired by the Pacific Rim, all in a clubby ambience: think British-racing-green velvet Chesterfields and paneled wood walls. Order from an inspired list of craft cocktails to add to your experience. Then finish your night at the adjacent Underground pub, which also benefits from Weiss' influence.
1332 Hermosa Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90254, USA
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