I can honesty say that one of my favorite things to do is go out to eat, and looking through old blog posts made me realize that I haven’t done a post like this in a while. My best friend Jess travels a lot so when she’s in town we truly make the most of it. This time we visited a few new places in LA that we now love, so I thought I would share some of my favorites with you.

Catch LA

Catch LA is such a trendy spot right now and for a good reason. The food is absolutely delicious and some of the freshest seafood I’ve had, and the presentation is almost just as good. Not only is the food top-notch, but the ambiance is right up there with it. I love going on the weekends for brunch and love ordering family style so that everyone can try a little bit of everything.

What to order:

• spicy Bloody Mary
• Truffle Sashimi
• Tartar Trio
• Crispy Shrimp
• Crunchy Rice Cakes

What you should know:

• They only take reservations via Open Table and any 6+ party size needs to go through the events department.

Nice Guy

The Nice Guy is a swanky restaurant and lounge with a gourmet food and mixology menu. With a 1920’s Mafia vibe, dim lighting and comfortable booths, the lounge is very intimate but also stimulates a bit of a party atmosphere as the night progresses. I, myself, prefer to go there around 9:30/10pm and have a late dinner, and head to Delilah afterwards.

What to order:

• Penne Vodka
• Roasted Cauliflower
• Meatballs
• Made to Order Donuts

What you should know:

• It is a reservations-only destination. Also, for privacy and intimacy purposes, they do not allow pictures to be taken in the restaurant, and instead encourage you to use their photo booth.

Delilah

Delilah has to be my absolute favorite place to go at the moment. It’s owned by the same group that owns The Nice Guy and has a similar restaurant/lounge feel to it. Delilah pays homage to the roaring 20’s with an art decor style and plush couches and booths with live performers and dancers. I recommend reserving a table as the bar area tends to get a bit crowded. They have a DJ on the weekends and play live jazz music on Sunday nights.

What to order:

• Grilled swordfish
• Crispy brussels sprouts
• Kendall’s Slutty Brownie

What you should know:

• The restaurant is reservations only from 6:30pm to 2am, Tuesday – Saturday, & Sunday from 9pm to 2am. They also have a no-photos policy.

The Rooftop by JG at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

The Rooftop by JG at the Waldorf Astoria, one of my favorite places in all of LA and new to the neighborhood. If you haven’t caught on by now, if there is a rooftop to be on, I’m there and this is no different. The menu is inspired by Latin America and Southeast Asia, but has a New York flare and fresh California resources. Honestly, how could you go wrong with that? You can enjoy lunch and dinner with panoramic views of Beverly Hills.

What to order:

• Watermelon Goat Cheese
• Tuna Tartar
• Spring Pea Guacamole
• Fish tacos
• Popsicles

What to know:

• Reservations are recommended but not required, but the rooftop tends to book up pretty quickly.

Felix

Another new to the neighborhood restaurant and local watering hole in Venice, Felix is a chic, but casual Trattoria featuring homemade pasta and a great wine menu. This is another place where I like to order family style so that everyone can try a little bit of everything. The ambiance is elegant, yet comfortable and the friendly staff makes you feel right at home.

What to order:

• Focaccia siciliana bread with sea salt & rosemary
• The Squash Blossoms (when in season)
• Any of the pizzas
• Pesto Genovese
• Swordfish, lemon leaf & salsa verde
• Tiramisu

What to know:

• They take reservations on Resy.com and have very limited availability. I always recommend booking about a month in advance or at an off time during the week.

The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker

I’ve been here a few times now and the food is good every single time. It’s one of my favorite places to go for a quick coffee or cocktail and small plates to share. Being that it’s on Sunset Blvd, it’s always fun to sit outside and people watch too. I suggest going for breakfast or lunch, and to make a reservation if you’re going on the weekend.

What to order:

• Sweet Potato Fries
• Burrata & Roasted Tomato Galette
• Harissa Roasted Carrots
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• And a cappuccino!

What to know:

• I always like to sit outside, but the tables outside get booked pretty quickly, so I always try to call ahead and see if there’s one available first.

Beauty & Essex

If you’re in Hollywood and looking for a fun place to go, Beauty & Essex is fun, high energy, beautiful and has good food. It’s right next to TAO, the Highlight Room, and the Dream Hotel so it’s in a prime Hollywood location. As you walk through a tiny pawn shop, a back door opens to a two story beautiful dining room and lounge and always has great music playing.

What to order:

• Truffle Mac N Cheese
• Sour Cream & Onion Fries
• Raw Tuna Tacos
• Kale Salad
• Grilled Cheese Dumplings

What to know:

• Reservations aren’t required but highly suggested. I like sitting downstairs in the main dining room in one of the booths. Head over to the ladies room for some champagne and a photo booth!