Los Angeles

9 New LA Restaurant Openings You Need To Know

Switch up your takeout routine.

Photo courtesy of Sestina
Photo courtesy of Sestina
Photo courtesy of Sestina

Remember back in March when we thought this would go on for like a month or two and then everything would be back to normal and by the end of the year Corona would just be a beer again? Yeah, well, here we are still battling a pandemic with 2021 mere days away. Of course, few industries have faced more of an uphill battle than the restaurant world. As we’ve watched many venues shutter for good, we’re truly thankful to have so many of our city’s restaurants large and small still hanging in there (which we know hasn’t been easy), expanding takeout options, getting creative with DIY kits, and offering special menus despite having to temporarily close all of their newly built al fresco dining patios. And, somehow, despite the seemingly impossible landscape, new dining destinations continue to open. From pandemic pop-ups to brand-new options to get in on some takeout and support a local restaurant.

Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Ave. Pizza Co.
Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Ave. Pizza Co.
Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Ave. Pizza Co.

Brooklyn Ave. Pizza Co. 

Boyle Heights 
Chef/owner and Boyle Heights native Mario Christerna is blending classic New York pizza with his Chicano roots at this bright new neighborhood joint on the ground floor of historic theater, The Paramount. Wood-fired pies include a móle pizza topped with queso Oaxaca and crema, and the Cherry Bomb, layered with sopressata and pickled cherry bomb peppers, as well as traditional Margherita and old-school pepperoni pies. Christerna has also come up with some whimsical wings-including a Flamin’ Hot Cheetos version drizzled with nacho cheese and another set tossed with sesame, cabbage relish, and pepitas, plus a handful of loaded fries. The bar program is up and running (even if the bar isn’t, sigh), so you can throw in a couple of bottled cocktails (the tequila-and-watermelon Negroni is pretty killer) with your meal. 
How to Order: Pick up via Toast; DoorDash, Caviar, and UberEats for delivery.

Photo courtesy of goodboybob
Photo courtesy of goodboybob
Photo courtesy of goodboybob

Citizen Public Market

Culver City 
After years in the works, this Downtown Culver food hall finally opened, albeit at an unideal time. The nearly century-old former Citizen Publishing Company building has been revamped into a stylish industrial-chic space that will someday fill its outdoor patio and big roof deck with actual diners. For now, you can grab a brew and some breakfast or lunch bites at goodboybob Coffee Roasters, brick-oven pizza at Nancy Silverton’s anticipated Pizzette, meaty concoctions from The WEHO Sausage Co., and raw bar galore from the first brick-and-mortar location for the Ventura-based The Jolly Oyster
How to Order: Order pickup online by choosing a restaurant from the market’s vendor page.

@ditroitdtla
@ditroitdtla
@ditroitdtla

Ditroit 

Downtown 
After temporarily closing his mere-months-old upscale Mexican venue, Damian, chef Enrique Olvera is taking on tacos at this takeout window in the back of the restaurant. Look for creative spins like mushroom barbacoa plus catch-of-the-day fish flautas and banana-leaf-steamed mole negra tamales. You can also pick up various salsas and fresh batches of heirloom corn masa ground daily. 
How to Order: Pickup via Tock or delivery through Postmates.

Photo by Josh Telles for Adrift
Photo by Josh Telles for Adrift
Photo by Josh Telles for Adrift

Adrift Burger Bar 

Venice  
Chef David Myers (previously of Comme Ca and Hinoki and the Bird) is bringing back his beloved burger at this new pop-up on Abbot Kinney. In addition to a classic version, there’s his fabled DM Burger on a brioche bun with cheddar, shaved onion, lettuce, and secret sauce, and the globally-inspired Adrift Burger topped with tomato-ajwain jam, pickled jalapeños, and Gruyère (vegans can swap the beef for an Impossible patty). You can also grab curry leaf fries, fried button mushrooms, and a treat from the milkshake menu with flavors like chocolate-miso caramel and matcha-white chocolate. 
How to Order: Pickup in person or through DoorDash; delivery via Grubhub.

Photo by Lindsey Huttrer for Grin & Bear It
Photo by Lindsey Huttrer for Grin & Bear It
Photo by Lindsey Huttrer for Grin & Bear It

Grin and Bear It 

Santa Monica 
After on-site dining suddenly shut down last month, Rustic Canyon pivoted to a takeout-and-delivery concept centered around executive chef Andy Doubrava’s love of Southern fare. The kitchen still relies heavily on local farms for ingredients it’s spinning into inventive comfort foods like beef brisket done with a smoked onion and coffee bean-miso red-eye gravy; a vegan rice, Oaxacan beans, and smoked veggie dish; and sour corn biscuits made with locally-milled flour and cornmeal. Expect twists on Southern cocktails–like hurricanes, Kentucky mules and a boozy sweet tea–as well. 
How to Order: Online through ChowNow or Tock for pickup or through most of the major delivery apps.

Photo courtesy of Sestina
Photo courtesy of Sestina
Photo courtesy of Sestina

Sestina

Culver City 
This new pasta-centric spot comes care of vegan restaurateur Matthew Kenney, who is expanding his empire by taking over the old Wildcraft pizzeria location, doling out veggie-focused plays on Italian fare like beet pappardelle in a mushroom ragout, butternut ravioli alfredo, crispy arancini and a baby gem Caesar, plus plenty of pizzas. And the Kenney crew wasted no time putting together a pop-up. LA-ZEN, which runs out of the same kitchen, has a Chinese-inspired menu of steamed buns, bowls, dumplings, and stir-fries. 
How to Order: Pickup via ChowNow; delivery via Grubhub or Postmates.

Photo courtesy of Love Boat Kitchen
Photo courtesy of Love Boat Kitchen
Photo courtesy of Love Boat Kitchen

Love Boat Kitchen

Hollywood 
Another pandemic pop-up coming at you, this one from Belinda Wei and Alice Cherng, the ladies behind vegan ice cream shop, Cocobella Creamery. The idea is to offer their favorite Taiwanese-American dishes in vegan form, focusing on a small-but-mighty menu with just a handful of items, including soy-marinated Impossible meatballs covered in sweet sticky rice, honey-walnut “shrimp,” a wood ear mushroom salad, and complimentary kimchi. 
How to order: On the restaurant’s website for pickup or DoorDash for delivery.

Teriyaki Madness
Teriyaki Madness
Teriyaki Madness

Teriyaki Madness 

Downtown 
This fast-casual teriyaki chain with shops scattered around the country has launched its first LA location (opened by a former Warner Bros exec), offering up customizable bowls of steak, salmon, chicken, and tofu teriyaki along with sides of rice, noodles, veggies, egg rolls and more. If you like it, you’re in luck: The chain plans to add around a dozen more locations to the LA area over the next few years. 
How to Order: Online for pickup or delivery.

Prince St. Pizza
Prince St. Pizza
Prince St. Pizza

Prince Street Pizza 

West Hollywood
It’s been a while since we’ve seen late-night long lines snaking out of clubs along Sunset, so it’s comforting to see another line-this one full of sober people looking for pizza-outside this new shop, an offshoot of the Manhattan original. Though its most famous for its “SOHO Square” pies topped with the likes of pepperoni, the shop also offers its thin-crust Neapolitan-style round pizzas including the pesto-sauced Green Machine, the Boozy Broome done with vodka sauce, and a plain old NY-style original. 
How to Order: In-person for pickup or delivery through DoorDash.Sign up here for our daily LA email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun Los Angeles has to offer.

Lizbeth Scordo is a food and lifestyle writer who holds the world record for most COVID-related story links sent by friends and family members. Follow her drowning in conflicting information on Instagram @modlizbeth and Twitter @lalizbeth.

Los Angeles

How to Spend a Weekend in Topanga Canyon

Nature and the arts collide in this beloved canyon community.

Hanan Isachar/Corbis Documentary/Getty Images
Hanan Isachar/Corbis Documentary/Getty Images
Hanan Isachar/Corbis Documentary/Getty Images

Situated in the Santa Monica Mountains and known for its vibrant creative community, Topanga is one of Los Angeles’s most prized destinations for art and outdoor enthusiasts alike. And while LA boasts its own sprawling landscape of fun to tap into, you’d be remiss to miss a chance to explore this tucked-away collection of state parks, and cafes, and restaurants-especially when it all rests just 20 minutes away from the city. From a quaint café with dazzling canyon views to a world-renowned, open-air theatre, here are the best ways to pass some time in Topanga now.

Photo courtesy of Inn of the Seventh Ray
Photo courtesy of Inn of the Seventh Ray
Photo courtesy of Inn of the Seventh Ray

Friday

Book dinner at Inn of the Seventh Ray
Owner Lucille Yaney opened this iconic restaurant in 1975 after spotting the property on a drive through the canyon with her late husband Ralph, and it’s safe to say she had a good eye. The land perfectly fits into Yaney’s vision of a romantic, alfresco dining space with tables tucked into cozy nooks and gazebos, all beneath canapes and fairy lights. Today, Yaney co-owns the venue with executive chef consultant Brad Miller. Together, they continue to fulfil the restaurant’s original mission to serve pure, natural foods reflective of the season’s best. That approach appears in dishes like 8-Hour Black Vinegar Braised Short Rib with creamy rosemary polenta, duck bacon Brussels sprouts, and caramelized onion and fig jam; Roasted Mushroom Toast with oyster mushrooms and sherry tarragon cream; and Beets & Whipped Black Pepper Creme Fraiche. Consider the carbs here. Pastas and sauces are made in-house and from scratch, as is the bread (available regular or gluten-free), an order of which you won’t want to miss. Check out the wine list, too, which offers a robust organic and biodynamic selection that has helped the restaurant garner some impressive accolades in recent years.

Check into Topanga Canyon Inn
In addition to plenty of excellent Airbnbs available to rent in the Canyon, there’s Topanga Canyon Inn, a charming bed and breakfast comprised of two Mediterranean-style buildings-Casa Blanca and Casa Rosa-both built by the owners. Guests can enjoy bespoke design details in each room, along with gorgeous mountain views from their own private balcony. Come morning, join other travellers for breakfast, served daily at Casa Rosa.

Saturday

Get coffee at Café on 27
Ready your camera for a coffee date at this AM eatery and café, where ample (and busy) outdoor seating offers some of the Canyon’s best views. A full breakfast and lunch menu is available (complete with hearty orders like eggs Benedicts, soups, and club sandwiches), but for lighter morning fare, spring for a pastry and any of their specialty drinks, such as the turmeric latte or Moroccan mocha.

Bradley Allen Murrell/Shutterstock
Bradley Allen Murrell/Shutterstock
Bradley Allen Murrell/Shutterstock

Hike Topanga State Park
Spanning 11,000 acres and 36 miles of trails, Topanga State Park is the largest state park within the Santa Monica Mountains and one of the world’s largest parks within city limits. Visitors can access the grounds via more than 60 entrances. Once on the trails, enjoy sweeping vistas while exploring the region’s range of plants, habitats, and wildlife, including several resident bird species.

Grab lunch at Topanga Living Café
Guided by their Topanga upbringing and need for a community gathering spot with great eats, sibling team Agustina Ferguson and Bayu Suryawan opened this daytime eatery in 2016. Ever since, locals and visitors have found refuge in the café’s warm, airy space and nourishing, hyper-fresh fare-all California-inspired with global influences. Check it out in plates like the Island Style, a breakfast salad with Balinese corn fritters, a poached egg, and house-made chilli jam, or the tacos (Baja Fish or Baja Shrimp, Carne Asada, or Kabocha Squash), made-to-order and served on handmade tortillas. If you’re seeking something shareable, try the Farmers Market Crudite, a seemingly humble order whose bright beet hummus reminds us that eating your vegetables is, indeed, very cool. And take a drink to-go. The team here takes great pride in their coffee (organic espresso, courtesy of their iconic pink La Marzocco machine) and a lineup of made-to-order smoothies, juices, and teas. Shop your way through town
Visitors can stroll through the town centre’s most popular shops for various fun finds, including Moona Star, Pebbles, and Topanga Homegrown. Be sure to stock up on specialty, local snacks at Canyon Gourmet and satiate your sweet tooth while you’re at it. The organic soft-serve there is a must. Pro tip: Top it with any of their artisanal syrups for a winning combo, namely, the vanilla with cardamom.

Photo courtesy of Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
Photo courtesy of Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
Photo courtesy of Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum

Catch a show at The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
This beloved open-air theatre has hosted productions for decades and is recognized worldwide for its Shakespeare interpretations. In addition to its annual summer season, which includes works like Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the venue hosts concerts, rehearsals, and classes throughout the year for budding actors and playwrights of all ages.

Snag a slice at Endless Colour
This family-run pizza joint specializes in from-scratch pies with clever topping combinations (think purple potatoes, fontina, and truffle oil in the Purple Molly Potato or spinach, leeks, and goat cheese in the Super Greens). Bring some friends, order a pie or two, and check out the drinks list, which includes offbeat options like orange wines and hard kombucha.

Photo courtesy of The Canyon Bakery
Photo courtesy of The Canyon Bakery
Photo courtesy of The Canyon Bakery

Sunday

Check out The Canyon Bakery’s “Sunday Funday”
Situated on the grounds of the aforementioned Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, this bakery specializes in naturally leavened breads, pastries, cakes, and cookies using locally sourced, whole grain flours. There’s a takeout window on Sundays, from 9:30 am until the bakery sells out. A strong following lines up for favourites, such as whole grain croissants and gluten-free pizza, so be sure to arrive early to get your fill.

Try tacos to-go at La Chingona
On your way out of town, grab some tacos at La Chingona, where a team puts forth fresh, organic, gluten- and dairy-free tacos. Orders range to include options like grass-fed beef (carne asada), shrimp (wild-caught), and soy chorizo and can be fashioned into plates beyond tacos, too (think tostadas, salads, and bowls). Open only on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays; this taco stand sees good demand. Plan accordingly, pending your travels, especially to savour an order or two of the churros.

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Nicole Schnitzler is a contributor for Thrillist.

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