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Summer is officially here and just like that, in the blink of an eye, we already entered the second half of 2018! There are still sooo many restaurants and places in LA that I have yet to discover. The city is so big that it would take me at least 25 years to try them all.
I’m rounding up a list of the restaurants I’ve been to lately that left a good taste in my mouth and that make good spots to hang out this summer.
Gabi James
I was with my dad in Palos Verdes and we really wanted to have dinner at the beautiful Terranea Resort and enjoy the magnificent views of the Palos Verdes cliffs, so I drove for one hour in rush-hour LA traffic. To our dismay, the place was closed for a private event. We walked up the hill and went to two other Asian-influenced restaurants inside the resort but they were fully booked with large parties of white middle-aged golfers from OC. I was soo grumpy! How dare they? I’m starving!! This is where mindfulness and paying attention to your feelings come into play. Out of nowhere, I had a lightbulb moment and I remembered a place I had bookmarked a few months ago called Gabi James in Redondo Beach. I was hesitant to go since often times, most so-called “Spanish” inspired restaurants are outrageously expensive, lackluster and don’t adhere to the authentic Spanish cuisine. You don’t get good Spanish ham out of Spain and if you do, it’s uber-expensive. It’s also very rare to find a place that makes a proper Spanish tortilla…get the picture?
We drove down the Palos Verdes hill for 15 minutes and we made it. Every time I doubt the saying “everything happens for a reason”, I remember this specific day, because we ended up having the most memorable dinner of my dad’s trip. Everything was top-notch and flavorful. My dad absolutely loved the morcilla and asked the waiter about it since it was so good. I’m not a big morcilla fan, but I was surprised when I saw his “this is really good” face as soon as he took the first bite. Everything is made in-house. I had the braised chicken with caramelized onion, yogurt and potatoes. I still remember the tenderness of the chicken and the splendid combination of flavors that just melted in my mouth with the sauce. Just mind-blowingly good. Take it from a couple of Spaniards. The waiters were super attentive and the vibe of the place was completely different from the loud, uninviting restaurants with large groups of families at Terranea Resorts.
Café Stella
3932 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029
I had this place on my must-visit restaurants in LA for MONTHS, so when my dad came to visit me, I thought it was the perfect dinner spot. It’s a French hipster bistro with a very cozy patio; this is the ideal spot if you want to have a low-key, cocktail night out. Everything on the menu was good. The food didn’t blow us away like the previous restaurant, but it was solid.
Since it’s a French-based restaurant, they stick to French portions, so the meal sizes are tiny. Definitely not recommended if you’re starving or you plan on sharing. Oddly, the brunch menu offers heartier portions, including super appetizing lemon pancakes! We had a lovely dinner, but I would recommend this place either for cocktails or brunch only. Speaking of French restaurants, Le Petit Trois is another place I’ve had bookmarked for a really long time.
Off Vine
6263 Leland Way, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Discovering new places in LA is such a thrilling experience. In the middle of the busy intersection of Hollywood and Vine, lies this beautiful 1920’s bungalow that will make you feel like you’re entering a country cottage. Funny enough, Off Vine is actually off of Vine street. The front porch is beautifully decked out with flowers and wooden chairs perfect to enjoy a nice summer dinner al fresco. This place reminded soo much of Grub restaurant.
The first thing you’ll be surprised by is at how quiet and the charming it is. You will get the most amazing banana bread before your meal comes over. If you’re a brunch fanatic, this place is perfect for a low-key, casual Sunday brunch with friends or family.
Suncafe Organic
10820 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604
I found this place through a Youtuber. Ever since I’ve started going there, I see at least one celebrity per visit. It’s tucked away at the beginning of Ventura Blvd, right across from the I-101. It’s not at secluded as Follow Your Heart in Canoga Park, which is deep deep in the valley, but it has a nice relaxed atmosphere, since this particular stretch of Ventura is not very pedestrian friendly. Suncafe Organic was named one of the top restaurants in LA by Open Table. Not only do they have a pretty extensive menu, but the overall décor of the place is super charming, similar to Off Vine. The servers are super prompt and accommodating, always with a smile on their faces. I love these kinds of restaurants, the ones that completely immerse you making you feel like you’re not in LA. The patio area is super relaxing, with strings of lights in the trees and a very comfy upholstered sofa alongside a fireplace. Very peaceful, perfect for a balmy summer night in the Valley!
You can’t go without ordering the vegan nachos, their most popular. Beware, you will be super full! The pile of nachos is, like, 3 feet tall. I’m not a huge fan of nachos or Mexican Food, but those nachos were something else. The quinoa mac and cheese is also a must, although the taste is more like a creamy pasta. Do not forget to order dessert and one of their scrumptious shakes!!
Even though I love this place, Follow Your Heart is still at the top of favorite vegan places in LA.
Joey Restaurant
6344 Topanga Canyon Blvd #1010, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Another place I can’t believe took me so long to find. I’ve driven by this place so many times! I came here on the 4thof July. This other Youtuber that I watch went there with her friends and raved about the pasta. The atmosphere of the place is very contemporary and sleek, super spacious with high ceilings and brick walls. There’s also a very ample outdoor seating area, which includes a cozy fireplace, and an outdoor bar.
Additionally, the indoor area has floor-to-ceiling windows to the kitchen, so you can actually see the chefs cooking the food. It will make you feel like you’re at one of those fancy restaurants in Tribeca, New York. To top this off, the price points are fair and the portions are enormous! I ordered the chicken Pomodoro pasta and it was just heaven! The simplicity of the ingredients combined with the perfectly cooked chicken, harmonized perfectly.
Joey boasts an eclectic menu that includes 4 types of pastas, sushi, curry, burgers and much more. You can’t go wrong with anything. The apple pie is one of their most popular desserts and if this isn’t enough, they close at 1 am every night. The restaurant is located in Westfield Village, not in the mall but the outdoor shopping area. This place is perfect to stroll afterwards and window-shop all the cute little stores. Honestly, you’ll get a much better overall experience if you come at night or late in the day. If you live in LA, you know the Valley is hell in the summer.
If you want to get a better feel for their pastas options, click here. The author of the article, a Canadian of Italian descent who grew up in an Italian household, evaluates each pasta served at Joey, and gives her seal of approval to all of them. Rightly so, Joey will hook you, encouraging you to come back to further venture into their multi-cultural menu.
That’s it! Have you tried any of these places?
I have another list of places that I have yet to try so stay tuned for future blog posts!
