Because every Angeleno loves to eat, even if he has to valet, we bring you Table Stakes: a series that answers man’s eternally recurring question (“Uh, what’s new?”), and recurs once every lunar cycle or so. Bon appétit.
Massillia
Santa Monica
You’re here for: Couples dinner
You’re dining on: There’s a little of every Mediterranean nation on the menu here, though the service is definitely French with a capital F. The steak frites is an easy win: imagine a dollop of funky roquefort melting over a juicy ribeye, and you’ve got the idea.
Margo
Culver City
You’re here for: Postcard-worthy views square in the middle of town.
You’re dining on: The folks behind Norah just opened a rooftop restaurant at the Platform in Culver City. From here you’ll be able to see Baldwin Hills, the lights of Downtown and Hollywood. They have a raw bar, and the Culurgiones — a traditional Sardinian potato-filled pasta — should be somewhere on the table.
8820 Washington Blvd. suite 301 (map)
Website
Photo credit: Umbrella Los Angeles
Superfine Pizza
DTLA
You’re here for: Late-night pizza in DTLA (or ordering in, if you live there).
You’re dining on: Steve Samson (Sotto, Rossoblu) has returned to the pizza game with a thin-crust pizza that you can order by the slice or as an 18-inch pie. They can (and should) come topped with cured meats from his neighboring restaurant, Rossoblu.
1101 San Pedro St. (map)
Website
AJ’s Tex Mex
Valley Village
You’re here for: Weekend lunch, food for football-watching or a backstop for Pat’s Cocktails (next door).
You’re dining on: Smoky brisket, flour tortillas and gooey queso from the folks behind Horse Thief BBQ. Couldn’t hurt to throw in a sausage link and Frito pie.
12123 Riverside Dr. (map)
Website
Image: Donna E./Yelp
Rita
Sherman Oaks
You’re here for: Drinking, mostly.
You’re dining on: A chicken taco and some tangy ceviche. More important is what you’re drinking: sugary margaritas laced with fresh peaches, blueberries and whatever else is in season. Finish off with a Hennchata: a Lebowski-esque horchata with Hennessy.
13817 Ventura Blvd. (map)
Website
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