This cozy, intimate Italian restaurant from chef Chad Colby is known not only for its outstanding pastas, but also its wood-fired meats and addictively good ice cream. Why Justin loves it: “My good friend Chad Colby is one of my favorite chefs of all time. He’s such a student of Italian food; he goes once or twice a year with his cooks. The handmade pastas are fantastic. I really enjoy sitting at the counter and having the focaccia with anchovies and olive oil."

Camélia from Courtney Kaplan and Charles Namba beautifully marries the flavors of French and Japanese cuisine in dishes like abalone and scallop pot pie with snail butter. Why Justin loves it: “Camélia has received some really great recognition lately from The New York Times and Bon Appetit. What I love about the place is that it gives you a true restaurant experience. You can start with a bottle of really great Champagne, then move into inspired cocktails."

The second iteration of Aitor Zabala’s highly personal, Catalan-inspired tasting-menu restaurant was awarded three MICHELIN Stars this summer. Why Justin loves it: “I’ve been a fan of chef Aitor’s for quite some time. In the realm of LA tasting menus, he’s one of the greats and just so talented. There’s nothing like Somni tasting menu-wise here: sitting in the courtyard with all the little bites and the progression of the menu is beautiful. I highly recommend the juice pairing."

Since 2008, buzzy Abbott Kinney darling Gjelina has been serving seasonal vegetable dishes and charred thin-crust pizza. Why Justin loves it: “If I’m going to the West Side, really the only thing I want to eat is to have some great grilled vegetables and salads at Gjelina. I love the bucatini with bottarga. It’s so savory, and the texture is perfect. If you can get a seat in the courtyard next to the fireplace, it’s just the perfect date night.”

Saffy’s is chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis’s love letter to Middle Eastern food, served in a mid-century-modern-inspired dining room. Why Justin loves it: “I love to pull up at the bar. If you’re dining solo, get the chicken skewer. It’s just perfect. Garrett Sprague [the beverage director] always has some interesting spirits that he’s been collecting. And the desserts are really good. The patio is a great space for a large party.”

Opened by a Grammy-winning mixer, Verse combines supperclub vibes with New American food and live music. Why Justin loves it: “Manny Marroquin opened a great place that’s kind of between a music venue and a restaurant. Great artists play there on the regular. We saw Anderson Paak there. His aesthetic and sound are just really unique to the restaurant. And his son, Mattias, is a great young sommelier with an incredible palate.”

James Beard Award-winning chef Dave Beran opened his tasting-menu restaurant SELINE with the goal of it feeling like a home. Why Justin loves it: “Dave Beran is doing one of the most compelling tasting menus in the city. He’s brought the New American/Chicago aesthetic to LA. The interior is really dark and calming and focused. When you step in, you really feel the lineage of where he came from with Alinea. If you go, just sit there and watch the kitchen.”

Named the best Korean restaurant in LA by Time Out in 2023, family-owned Soban is known for signature dishes like marinated raw crab, galbi jjim, and braised black cod. Why Justin loves it: “Most people that haven’t had raw crab may be kind of stunned by the idea of marinated raw crab, but it’s one of the most delicious things you can eat. Soban serves some of the best Korean banchan with a crazy collection of really unique ferments that Jen [Pak] and her mother have been working on for years."