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.
Delilah
West Hollywood
You’re here for: A very stylish group date in a large velvet banquette and a list of guest crooners that includes Seth McFarlane.
You’re dining on: A roasted chicken and straight Don Julio (what you’re really here to do is get tuned up and mingle).
7969 Santa Monica Blvd (map)
Website
Catch
West Hollywood
You’re here for: The rooftop. It’s among the best in L.A., with most of the restaurant beneath a retractable awning and limited patio seating on the San Vicente side. Take anyone who wants to see celebs.
You’re dining on: Sushi, mostly. But do get the octopus and the mushroom spaghetti.
8715 Melrose Ave. (map)
Website
Red Herring
Eagle Rock
You’re here for: A quiet, charming dinner with foodies.
You’re dining on: A braised short rib over polenta that requires no knife, and a mac and cheese for the table. The mixology is good, but you want wine for these dishes.
1661 Colorado Blvd (map)
Website
Tabula Rasa Bar
Thai Town
You’re here for: It’s a bookend spot: you’re either starting or ending your night here with wine and cold beers.
You’re dining on: Sausages, bread and cheese. All of it’s meant to go with their well-edited beer and wine list.
5125 Hollywood Blvd. (map)
Website
Suburbia
Redondo
You’re here for: Either a night away from the kids or brunch with the entire family.
You’re dining on: Chef Tin Vuong is the biggest name opening a new spot this month, and this is probably his most personal restaurant to date, with Chinese, Japanese and Hispanic influences. The menu is kitchen-sink-esque, but that only means more things to go back and try.
247 Avenida Del Norte (map)
Website
Da Kikokiko
Playa Vista
You’re here for: Lunch. It’s light, healthy and quick.
You’re dining on: The octopus poké bowl with miso and kimchi (quite original) and the miso zucchini musubi, which is a slice of zucchini over rice wrapped in seaweed. Both are mouthwatering and won’t send you into a food coma.
12746 Jefferson Blvd. #1140 (map)
Website
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