1. Stir Market
“A modern California take on the classic European food hall experience”, Stir Market is your next go-to casual spot to sit down for a meal, where you may also pick up a few locally sourced groceries/in-house baked goods while you’re at it. Breakfast is offered 8 – 11 am daily with the option of brunch that is served until 1:30 on weekends, and lunch/dinner are also served daily – in other words, come in anytime, all day, everyday. Expect all things farm fresh from rotisserie chicken, fresh salads, artisinaly crafted sandwiches, and of course freshly baked treats, wine, and quality everything. This is the perfect spot to head for lunch/brunch with friends, and from the looks of the food and interior, Sir Market is an excellent place for some seriously gorgeous Instagram photo-ops.
Fairfax: 7475 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90036 | Open: 8 am – 10 pm daily
2. Preux & Proper
Preux & Proper is the Southern, New Orleans inspired concept we’ve all been waiting for in Los Angeles and it’s better than we’d ever dreamed. This two story DTLA “French Quarter” gem is split between the 1st floor more causal “gentlemanly” area where guests may enjoy happy hour or a small bite to eat (Preux), and the 2nd floor where a classy “Southern Belle” may find herself dining for a beautiful bistro style dinner (Proper). Please note that you do not have to be said Southern Belle to dine at Preux & Proper, it is encouraged however to be yourself and share a mutual appreciation for classic NOLA dishes. Whether it be for date night, a culinary adventure, a cocktail, pecan pie with Jameson ice cream, or just a craving for something new, Preux & Proper is open and ready to serve.
DTLA: 840 S Spring St Los Angeles, CA 90014 | Open: 4 pm – 2 am daily
3. Pez Cantina
Pez Cantina, a new Coastal (“seafood”) Mexican-style restaurant and bar is one of the latest spots to hit the ground running in the MOCA/Disney Concert Hall Downtown area, and we have Bret Thompson – former Executive chef at Patina and co-founder of Milk Ice Cream Parlor – to thank for this truly exciting new concept. You can rarely go wrong with a Mexican/anything-“taco”-related restaurant in Los Angeles, but Pez Cantina has something a little different and special to throw in to the mix. The menu focuses heavily on the more seafood centric cuisine de México, but you can expect a little bit of everything from ceviche, sopas, “pambazos” (sandwiches), tacos, oysters, to salads, and plenty more classic and “coastal” dishes. Pez Cantina is open for lunch and for dinner, and just for the record, they offer quite possibly the longest weekday happy hour from 2:30 – 7 pm which includes an array of affordable small bites, $6 glasses of wine/beer, and $6/$7 cocktails. …Sooo, see you all at Pez Cantina later…?
DTLA: 401 S Grand Ave Los Angeles, CA 90071 | Open: M – F 11:30 am – 10 pm, Saturdays 5pm – 10 pm, closed Sundays
4. Odys + Penelope
Look out La Brea, there’s a new hot spot on the block and Odys + Penelope is already fast approaching quite a bit of local buzz. Odys + Penelope is the latest Karen & Quin Hatfield venture, this particular project focusing on a modern “churrasco” grillhouse concept that boasts a menu of, well, grilled things, like charred squid, porchetta, and plenty other not-grilled dishes as well. The interior is probably the coolest entirely-made-of-wood thing I’ve ever witnessed, and it has “please come dine in me and be cozy” written all over it. I’d get your reservations here fast, before Odys + Penelope becomes the new Republique.
Fairfax: 127 S La Brea Los Angeles, CA 90036 | Open: M – T 6 – 10 pm, Fri – Sat 6 pm – 10 or later, closed Sunday (for now).
5. Steak + Whisky
Today marks the grand opening of Blackhouse Hospitality‘s 5th original restaurant venture Steak + Whisky, which is a classic Southern California steakhouse inspired space. Located in Hermosa Beach, Steak + Whisky’s “back to basics” relaxed yet stylish environment is the perfect neighborhood locale for a craft cocktail and a hearty bite to eat. Their dinner menu consists mostly of what you’d suspect to find on the menu of a place named “Steak + Whisky” – yes, steak – but besides classics like Porterhouse or Bone-In-Rib-Eye, the menu offers classic dishes with hints of modern updates like the Kurobata Pork Short Rib, Cauliflower risotto, and Beef Tenderloin Gratin Dauphinoise. Stop in for what I suspect to be an incredible meal and stay for the impeccable cocktail/adult beverage program – you’ll have roughly 80+ whiskies (many of which Japanese), 200+ wines, and a great list of craft cocktails to choose from. Not a terrible problem to have.
Hermosa Beach: 117 Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 | Open: 5 pm – close daily
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