5 Los Angeles Restaurants Elevating The City's Dining Scene
Characterized by local ingredients, diverse international flavors, and masterful chef-driven artistry, LA's restaurant scene offers culinary delights for foodies of all stripes. The high-end establishments listed here, spanning from Calabasas to Manhattan Beach, feature dishes and libations that demonstrate why the city is at the top of the dining game. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
5 Upscale Restaurants in the LA Area
| Name | Location | What It Serves |
|---|---|---|
| Southend | Venice | Rustic sourdough-style pizzas with Italian cheeses, local ingredients, and seasonal products |
| Jar | West Hollywood | Pot roast, Kansas City steak, wild and sustainable seafood, martinis, and more |
| Saddle Peak Lodge | Calabasas | Eclectic dishes including Chilean sea bass and portabello mushroom fries, plus a variety of whiskeys in its exclusive Double Barrel Room |
| Yamashiro | Hollywood | Asian-inspired Californian fare |
| The Strand House | Manhattan Beach | Southern California cuisine with ingredients sourced directly from farmers and other purveyors |
Saddle Peak Lodge's Farm to Table Cooking
8 Fascinating & Informative Non-Fiction Books About Food
The Iconic Yamashiro Hollywood
In Depth
Los Angeles is known for its food. From the Mexican taco trucks that line the streets of East L.A. to the upscale dining establishments of Santa Monica, Hollywood, and Downtown, the metropolis' chefs and restaurateurs are constantly dreaming up exciting new takes on classic dishes. In no particular order, here are several eateries raising the bar for excellent cuisine in the City of Angels.
The #1 entry is Southend, a restaurant located in the Venice Beach neighborhood. It is a wine bar that serves pizzas made with local ingredients and seasonal produce. Pie selections include the Boardwalk, served with tomatoes, mozzarella, speck, mushrooms, egg and arugula, and the High Sign, which has smoked bacon, a variety of cheeses, and fine herbs.
In addition to pizza, the eatery serves several salads and small bites, such as salmon crostini, an onion and brie tart, and brussels sprouts. Southend has been featured in a number of press outlets, including Voyage LA, Discover Los Angeles, The Infatuation, Eater, and The Argonaut, a local Santa Monica publication.
Southend has been featured in a number of press outlets, including Voyage LA, Discover Los Angeles, The Infatuation, Eater, and The Argonaut, a local Santa Monica publication.
Up next, at #2, we have Jar, a modern chophouse located in the West Hollywood section of Los Angeles. Dinner options include pot roast, chicken schnitzel, roasted salmon, and prime rib eye. Guests can choose from a variety of sauces to pair with their protein, such as horseradish and lemon caperberry relish.
The restaurant made a cameo in the Academy Award-winning film La La Land. Chef Suzanne Tracht prefers to build menus based on the season, and during the holidays, Jar serves Passover Seder and Thanksgiving dinners. It has been featured in print and broadcast media outlets such as Epicurious, KCET, and The Cooking Channel.
Coming in at #3 is Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas. It claims to have been visited by several celebrities, including Errol Flynn and Clark Gable, as it started as a small sandwich shop and rest stop near an area used as a set for many films. Its menu features a range of dishes like Chilean sea bass, tomato and lobster bisque, and portabello mushroom fries.
Its menu features a range of dishes like Chilean sea bass, tomato and lobster bisque, and portabello mushroom fries.
Its Double Barrel Room, on the top floor, is a space to appreciate and drink whiskey; guests can become members of the room by purchasing a bottle and leaving it in a designated locker to enjoy any time they visit the lodge. The restaurant is available for wedding and special event rentals.
The #4 entry is Yamashiro, which serves Asian-inspired Californian cuisine, wine, and cocktails in the Hollywood Hills. It once served as a private space for the exclusive "Club of the Four Hundred" where Hollywood celebrities and movie moguls like Marilyn Monroe and Howard Hughes gathered for dinner and social events.
The exterior and interior of Yamashiro have been featured in several films and television shows, including Kill Bill and Memoirs of a Geisha. During the summer, the restaurant operates an open-air market with vendors selling dumplings, oysters, lobster rolls, and hand-made goods such as candles, clothing, and jewelry.
During the summer, the restaurant operates an open-air market with vendors selling dumplings, oysters, lobster rolls, and hand-made goods such as candles, clothing, and jewelry.
Last but not least, at #5, we have The Strand House, located in Manhattan Beach. Chef Greg Hozinsky previously worked at Valentinos and Avenue, and was recognized as one of Zagat's "30 Under 30." Dishes at the restaurant include salmon with citrus segments, baby heirloom beets, and pickled onion, and desserts like freshly-made donuts.
The Strand House has an extensive cocktail menu. Guests can order classics like the bloody mary, or try a new concoction such as the Ivy Maid, which has vodka, lime juice, simple syrup, cucumber, and mint. The restaurant has unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean, thus making it a picturesque choice for events such as business functions and weddings.
