Foodie Faves: Los Angeles

One would need a year to dine at every restaurant establishment and adequately cover the LA restaurant scene. (Hmmm…future sabbatical?) But in this post, I’ll fill you in on the dining aspect of a weekend trip with my eldest daughter, Ava. I did my best to hit up as many eateries as I could in such a short time span. Here is my take on some of the best spots, dishes and drinks to try if you find yourself on the Left Coast.

1. Cast & Plow (at The Ritz Carlton), Marina del Rey

The homey feel of this place is immediately what draws you in. Inside, large banquettes and couches welcome you to sit near the fire or massive TV screens as you peruse the menu of organic and locally sourced food. Outside, the marina view is serene and calming, and on chilly days, fire pit tables, heaters and blankets keep you cozy and content.

For breakfast, I ordered the egg white frittata with wild mushrooms, goat cheese, spinach and green salsa. The quality and freshness of the ingredients was a true farm-to-table experience. Ava had the brioche French toast, with vanilla cream and housemade strawberry jam. While I didn’t taste it, I had both visual and verbal confirmation from Ava that the brioche made for the fluffiest toast inside a perfectly browned outer crust. I also ordered a mimosa - loved the option of OJ on the side to control the juice level.

Brioche French Toast & Egg White Fritatta

2. Villa Blanca, Beverly Hills

To be honest, I was a tad skeptical to try Lisa Vanderpump’s Beverly Hills restaurant after a disappointing meal at SUR in West Hollywood last year. However, I had heard that this venue was quite different - and boy was that true. The ambiance is among the best I have ever experienced. Airy, open, romantic, chic - each white clothed table adorned with roses and wildflowers and candles. Brunch: I decided to try the Vanderpump rosé and I was impressed. Not too dry, not too sweet. For an appetizer, the Ahi Tuna Tartare appealed to us both. The tuna was fresh and plump and the accompanying sauce, with its hint of jalapeño, added the perfect kick of flavor. For entreés, I decided on the Beverly Hills Cobb Salad and Ava chose the Maine Lobster Ravioli. Both were delicious and solid choices.

3. Wally’s, Beverly Hills

We popped into this well-known wine store/restaurant for a light late afternoon bite (Even at 2 PM, there was a lengthy wait. But the hostess kindly takes your cell number, so we were able to amble about Beverly Hills while waiting). This would be a great locale for any wine aficionado who has the time to peruse the encyclopedia length wine menu and take time to discuss the unique selections. We were on a tight time schedule, so I opted for a basic, yet satisfying, Ramey Chardonnay (Russian River Valley). Ava wasn’t too hungry (I’m sure this had nothing to do with my dragging her from eatery to eatery) but had a beautiful fruit salad. We never got a chance to ask about the mystery fruit (pictured, all the way to left of fruit salad) - if anyone knows, comment below! I got my truffle fix with a mouthwatering flatbread consisting of porcini truffle purée, truffle oil, buffalo mozzarella, wild arugula and mushrooms. Insanely delicious. Wally’s is a must-try.

Glass of Ramey Chardonnay & Wally’s Menu

4. TomTom, West Hollywood

The latest of Lisa Vanderpump’s visions is a bar/restaurant opened in tandem with SUR alums Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz. True to Vanderpump form, the atmosphere is striking. The front bar room, open to Santa Monica Boulevard, can best be described as industrial chic. Think copper clocks and metallic, mechanical fixtures. The rear dining area is both lush and luxurious, with rich fabrics and tablescapes reminiscent of medieval dining. Our energetic and adorable server, Lucas, gave us his menu suggestions. I opted for the Madame Butterfly: vodka, Butterfly pea tea, fresh lemon and champagne. It was a tad sweet for me, as I like more of a kick to my cocktails over a sweetness. That being said, it is one of their most popular drinks and I witnessed many fellow patrons enjoying them. With a dinner reservation later in the evening, we decided upon two appetizers, as per Lucas’ suggestion: portobello & zucchini fries with fresh herb tzatziki and spicy tuna on crispy rice with chili sesame, jalapeño, soy and scallions. Both were surprisingly delicious (I add surprisingly, as I was sorely disappointed with Vanderpump’s raved-about goat cheese balls at SUR). I would definitely come back here next visit to taste more from the menu and hopefully have one of the Toms personally craft me a spicy cocktail.

5. Catch LA, West Hollywood

I’m not even going to beat around the bush. Catch was my hands down favorite. The ambiance, the food, the service - all TOP notch.

Similar to its counterpart in New York, an elevator ride is required to reach the main entrance. It feels fairytale-like as you walk among hanging greenery and florals to the hostess stand. We were fortunate enough to score a table on the outdoor patio which provided the ideal view of both LA and the debonair clientele. If you haven’t caught on yet, here’s a spoiler alert: Ava is passionate about lobster, and I, truffles. For appetizers, we ordered the Lobster Avocado Roll with king crab, cucumber and mango salsa. Generous portion, fresh and bursting with flavor. Next up, Ava had the lobster rolls (“amazing” in her words) and I ordered the sautéed wild caught local snapper with lobster mash, truffle and lemon brown-butter. The fish was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside and the truffle and lemon brown-butter were sinfully indulgent. Oh, and lobster mash? Need I really say anything about this genius combination? Slightly embarrassed to admit it, but we also ordered a side of parmesan-truffle fries (with a side of vegan truffle aioli). Actually, as I reminisce on the flavor of these gems, my embarrassment fades pretty quickly. They were to die for. A genuinely outstanding meal, in every capacity and even with an overpacked restaurant, the service did not falter in any aspect. Live in, or visiting L.A.? Run, don’t walk here.

On my list, but never made it. Please GO for me!

Il Pastaio - They make homemade pasta daily, and the lines are forever wrapped around the block. Make reservations early.

Gjelina - Hip locale in Venice on Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Rustic decor, communal tables and seasonal small plates.

Cecconi’s - Posh West Hollywood staple, serving up classic Italian fare. Well known for a killer brunch and happy hour.

In closing, it’s pretty hard to go wrong with dining out in L.A. if you just ask around. Whether you are a visitor, or a local, there are likely great establishments within walking distance. And, if you eat like me, you’ll need to do that walking. ;)

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A Letter to Our Daughter

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