EAT L.A.

Posted in TravelTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Share on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterPin on Pinterest

EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A.

[I]t’s that time of year in which every New Yorker says… “Maybe I should move to L.A.”. I’ve been very resistant to the idea of the perpetual perfect 72 and sunny day, being the proud New Yorker I am I declare things like “I like seasons” and “I hate driving”. But…. when it’s 18 degrees and dark most of the day I find myself singing a different tune.

So, I decided to focus on something I do best: eating well. I love food. I love GOOD food. I love beautiful food. I love weird food. And if I’m going to ever really consider making the popular migration west, I want to know what’s the skinny on one of my favorite activities… and here is what I found when you Eat L.A.

11 Favorite Food Spots in Los Angeles

Republique – Paris in the middle of Los Angeles. Great spot to work, great light, and a really great hamburger.

Petit Trois – Who knew a French restaurant could be so chic in a gas station parking lot?! Well it is, and it’s TO DIE FOR.

Odys and Penelope – It’s all about live fire cooking methods. Think grill, wood-fired smoker and Brazilian churrascaria set in a modern industrial space with really good margaritas to boot.

Bestia – The most recommended place in L.A.! You need a reservation unless you’re a real cowboy like me and show up at 5pm and take first come bar seating. Actually, come at 4:45, there is a line that forms and I like to be in the front.

Cassia – Southeast Asian meets California soul in Santa Monica that is chic, chic, chic. Perfect date spot. You know what’s not chic, ordering the fried rice but I did it anyway and hands down the best I’ve ever had. I still crave it.

Salt Air – A Venice spot that actually reminds you that you’re by the ocean. I love their airy skylights and nautical vibes. Perfect for lunch.

Guerrilla Tacos – Your classic delicious taco truck but with a seasonal changing menu guaranteed to give you a taco you’ve never had before.

Tasting Kitchen – Honestly, this was my favorite spot we ate. Every dish was eyes-rolled-in-the-back-of-your-head good and I loved the outdoor vibes brought inside with the design of this restaurant.

Verve – LOVED working from this DTLA farm to table coffee shop. Not only is the modern decor such a nice updated take on your classic coffee shop but the clientele is full of cool L.A. designers and artists.

Love & Salt – Italian gone Californian. The pizza was simple and delicious and another one of those skylit rooms that reminds you there is a sun in winter and he loves you.

Salt & Straw – The best ice cream in the world. ’nuff said.

  EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A.

Above~ Sipping coffee at Republique in Foundrae white button up, Maiyet blazer and Ray Ban sunnies. 

EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A.

Below~ Having a chai latte at Verve Coffee in downtown L.A. in suede Kaelen jumpsuit and Loeffler Randall lace up sandals.

EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A.  EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A.  EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A.

Other places recommended I didn’t have time to get to and look forward to trying:

Redbird || Gjusta || Sqirl || Sycamore Kitchen || The Rose Venice || Jon & Vinny’s || Rustic Canyon || Maré || Sugarfish || Destroyer

EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A.

More Black & White Film Travel Stories:

Milan || Paris || Amsterdam || Lake Como || Safari

  • Too bad I’m no longer in LA.. could really take advantage of your tips. My fiancé is still there, though. I’ll send him the link, haha.

    • Where are you now?

      • Sadly I’m back in Brazil. But I miss California so much! It’s one of my favorite places on earth (well, there’s a lot of places I like to call my favorite. and Paris, of course, is hors concours) Last year we did the CA01 from San Francisco to LA. I wanna do this route every year. It’s magical, right?
        The fiancé is still in LA on business. 🙁 I miss him too.

        • Oh the 101 is so gorgeous to drive! Thank you for the remark about the Big Sur photographs. It was a truly beautiful place to stop and shoot in a way that means so much to me photographically as a process. I love slowing down. Brazil is a great place to be! I just went the first time a couple of years ago and look forward to visiting again one day. And yes… Paris is still evlerythign 🙂

      • Your 4×5 film pictures are one of my all time favorites, by the way. I love your work, in general, but when you do it the old fashion way is even better. 🙂

  • Tarragona IN

    I love your B&W pictures, because they are so glamorous.
    http://tarragonain.blogspot.com.es

  • Such great photos Jamie! I love the grain in your B&W shots, it makes them feel so timeless. I’ve never been to Republique but after seeing it in Geri from Because I’m Addicted’s wedding photos I’ve been dying to go.

    • You have to! It is just a wonderful place, great light and great food!

  • sofia

    Love your series of film photos of your travels! It looks so glamorous and timeless, like an old coffe table book! 🙂

  • Beautiful. I don’t know anyone who shoots film anymore. You have such a talent for making it feel like a beautiful old Hitchcock film.

    • Thanks! I have to go back to my roots from time to time and shoot on film. It brings me such joy. Thank you for your comment 🙂

  • Jamie

    I’m not sure anyone else could look that fine holding a cup of coffee! LOVE the motion in your black and white images.

  • Jamie, you are just too chic! You totally think about LA the way I do. Their food & art scene is remarkable. If only the heat and smog weren’t such cutting factors…

  • Carrie

    Thanks for the recs! We tried Salt and Straw on Abbott Kinney. We visited Malibu briefly so my daughter could watch the surfers and I think your photo captures it beautifully!

    • Isn’t Abbott Kinney awesome?! Oh! There is an awesome, awesome, awesome place to eat at then end of the pier called Malibu Farm Cafe with super fresh food where you have a great view of the surfers. Hope you found it, if not, next time for sure with your daughter! https://www.malibu-farm.com/

  • Anna Krylova

    Gjusta (and Gjelina) are definitely worth trying! I also like Joan’s on Third (the one in Studio City) but probably because it reminds me of (new) Brooklyn. I’m in the valley so Aroma on Tijuanga is my everyday jam. And what about Gratitude?

    Amazing photos.

    • Thanks so much for the extra tips! I haven’t heard of these, I look forward to checking them out!

  • Niv Elliot

    Great list!! Being a newbie to L.A., I appreciate that it’s more of a ‘personal favorites’ grouping, rather than the usual lists of just the most popular spots in the city. Thank you! I might also recommend for your next visit: Commissary at The Line hotel, the Malibu Farm, the newly reopened Clifton’s Cafeteria in downtown, dessert at MILK, and a visit to downtown’s Grand Central Market, which is like L.A.’s answer to Chelsea Market.

    • Anna Krylova

      commissary. oh yes. we used to eat there all the time. so so so delicious