Jen Aceto

Creative seasonal food in a cool atmosphere. 

Go: for a night out with friends or celebratory dinner with the fam

Order: flat iron steak, hamachi crudo, wedge fries, grilled octopus carrots with whipped goat cheese, millet pudding

Foodies know: they have an "afternoon menu" for that awk time from 2-5:30

Pretty patio and updated classics on Montana. 

Go: for a leisurely lunch outside

Order: corn salad, turkey burger, perfect fries

Foodies know: part of the same restaurant group as Ashland Hill, Ox & Son, and OP Cafe

Casual Caribbean beachside.

Go: after a day at the beach

Order: coconut fried chicken, jerk chicken enchiladas, plantains

Foodies know: BYOB

I take everyone here. 

Go: with your grandma, with your best friend, with your s/o...

Order: brunch, esp. "green eggs and ham," fried egg sandwich, quinoa with poached eggs, ALLLL of the pastries

Foodies know: baker Zoe Nathan and her husband Josh Loeb also own Sweet Rose Creamery, Milo & Olive, Caffe Luxxe, Rustic Canyon, and the newly opened Cassia

Superfood "burritos" (so LA it hurts... but so good). 

Go: with your super-healthy gluten-free and/or vegan foodie friend

Order: chicken bacon pesto, the macro

Foodies know: you can choose between a nori, romaine, or collard greens wrapper for any of them

Pizza and small plates from Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan (Huckleberry, etc.).

Go: for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Order: garlic knot (famous), chicken meatballs, pizza

Foodies know: this is a hidden gem of a breakfast spot... plus you get first pick of Zoe's pastries

It's like the menu was made for me.

Go: for a celebratory dinner with your parents or s/o

Order: sticky pig cheeks, fresh ricotta & radish, yellowtail crudo, chicken fried duck confit, coffee cake & butterscotch

Foodies know: part of the same restaurant group as Art's Table, Ashland Hill, and OP Cafe

NorCal's favorite coffee chain comes to LA.

Go: with coffee lovers, obviously

Order: mint mojito, ginger

Funky little tin shed + grass-fed, Hawaiian-style burgers. 

Go: for an upscale burger

Order: Kuawa or Sassy Wahine... and sweet potato fries

Foodies know: they do a great DineLA deal

Dessert 4ever.

Go: with a major sweet tooth

Order: triple berry cake (famous), sea salt caramel brownies

Foodies know: the cake slices are HUUUGE so go with a group and split them; and most of the cakes and morning pastries are discounted the hour before they close for the night

Never eating anywhere else near the Promenade ever again.

Go: after a long day of shopping

Order: whitefish toast, salads

Foodies know: happy hour food discounts; go at lunch for a quieter scene and beautiful light

Not-self-serve, not-chain froyo: refreshing. 

Go: with all the cute children getting an after-school snack

Order: salted caramel (preferably in pie form) 

Foodies know: pay a flat price for as many toppings as can fit