Tamales Liliana’s is a classic tamale shop in Boyle Heights - order the chili verde.

Tamales Alberto in Historic Filipinotown makes some of our favorite tamales in town.

The baked goods at the pop-up Rose + Rye are Decadent with a capital D.

Toku Unagi and Sushi is a Japanese restaurant in West Hollywood that’s LA’s first and only eel-specialist.

Manhattan Beach’s Sushi I-Naba is one of the best sushi spots in the South Bay, and an utterly unique and special experience.

Angelini Osteria is an excellent Italian restaurant in Beverly Grove that’ll put a pretty big dent in your wallet.

In a city with plenty of great pasta spots, Antico, located between Koreatown and Larchmont, is another worthy spot.

Taco María is a Mexican tasting-menu spot in Costa Mesa - and one of the best restaurants in Southern California.

Wolvesmouth is a prix fixe dinner party in the Los Feliz/East Hollywood that’s a truly unique LA experience.

The Belvedere is a fancy seafood restaurant inside an even fancier hotel in Beverly Hills.

Part of Oseyo Shabu Shabu’s charm is that it’s always crowded - in addition to the Pasadena spot’s high-quality meats and seafood, of course.

Arroyo Chop House in Pasadena is the kind of steakhouse where you come for the meat, but stay for the excellent chocolate soufflé.

Bone Kettle in Pasadena is a Southeast Asian spot that’s perfect for an upscale meal.

Hatchet Hall is a Southern-leaning small plates restaurant in Culver City where you’ll actually leave full.

A speakeasy sushi spot in Encino, Sushi Bar is half-meal, half-show, with a stand-up comedian bartender narrating your meal.

Audrey is the restaurant at the Hammer in Westwood, and a great place for some cocktails and dinner (whether or not you actually visit the museum).