Everywhere You Should Check Out For Dine LA!

My favorite week is coming to LA!! Mark your calendars for April 28 – May 12 it’s Dine LA Restaurant Week! This is the perfect time to check out that restaurant you’ve been wanting to try or revisit your faves! This post will have some of my favorites on the list, as well as some places I want to check out this time around, but you can check out the full list of participating restaurants here!

• On the Westside
• On the Eastside
• LA Favorites
• On my List
• Looking to Splurge

On the Westside

The Westside has some great restaurants on the menu for Dine LA week. From West Adams to Venice, there are so many spots for you to check out the next two weeks!

Farmhouse Kitchen Thai

I finally got to check out Farmhouse Thai with a friend this week and it did not disappoint! I will say, it was definitely on the pricier side, but it’s top notch for aesthetic and quality. The pad kee mao and hat yai fried chicken are amazing! I want to come back and try the live lobster pad thai and you gotta check it out during Dine LA!

Blue Plate Taco

Blue Plate Taco is a Santa Monica staple. Located right by the ocean, this spot has wonderful tacos, appetizers, and margaritas – perfect before a sunny day at the beach! You gotta try the shrimp and steak tacos, along with their chips & guac! Their Dine LA menu is a generous 3-course $35 dinner selection consisting of ceviche, various tacos, tres leches cake, and more!

Colapasta

Another spot located in Santa Monica, Colapasta is right on 5th street serving up some delicious pasta dishes! Their Dine LA menu is AMAZING and I will definitely be stopping by during Restaurant Week. A six-course lunch/dinner menu is only $45 per person (with a minimum of two people)! Some highlights include their branzino and uni carpaccio and classic beef ragu lasagna!

On the Eastside

Although getting to the Eastside from the Westside can be quite the trek (with LA traffic), these restaurants are definitely worth the drive!

Girl & the Goat

If you know me, you know that the Girl & the Goat is one of my favorite LA restaurants! For Dine LA they have a prefix menu for two including their famous ‘naan and dips’ (one of my favs), sticky glazed pork shank (also one of my favs), mango sticky rice, and more! This menu costs $65/person, but seems like a great deal considering how pricy their dishes normally are.

PS: if you’re looking to splurge, you have to try their sautéed green beans and ‘takin care of bees’ knees’ cocktail!

Kombu Sushi

I’ve been wanting to try Kombu Sushi for a while and what better time than Dine LA week! For Restaurant Week they have a killer 5 course menu + cocktail for $55 featuring soup, a specialty roll, various nigiris, spicy tuna rice cakes, and a yuzu cocktail. Personally, I think this is a pretty good deal for quality sushi and a fun atmosphere!

Manuela

Another Eastside spot I’ve been wanting to try is Manuela! Located also in the Arts District, Manuela is a super cute new American restaurant! The only downside is they are only participating with Dine LA during lunch Tuesday through Friday so if you’re funemployed or have the luxury of taking a leisurely lunch, you should definitely check out Manuela!

LA Favorites

Here are a few of either my personal favorites or classic LA restaurants you should check out!

UOVO

UOVO has some of the best pasta (in my opinion) in Los Angeles. They have participating restaurants at their Marina del Rey, Mid-Wilshire, Santa Monica, and Studio City locations. For $45, you can get a delicious arugula & mizuna salad, tagliatelle in a mouthwatering truffle sauce, and tiramisu! They serve handmade pasta from Bologna, Italy and it’s a must try!

The Butcher’s Daughter

Another LA classic – The Butcher’s Daughter is an aesthetic plant-based restaurant! Their Melrose location is participating in this year’s Dine LA restaurant week. For $25, you can get a two course meal with selections such as the cacio e pepe cauliflower, impossible burger, and a mixed mushroom pizza. Each item generally goes for around $16-20 so getting two for $25 is a great deal! They also offer a two glass wine pairing for an additional $20 (from ‘Only the Wild Ones’). Definitely worth a try!

KazuNori

KazuNori is an LA classic and luckily it’s on this year’s Dine LA list! There are many location options, so you should be able to find one near you! During lunch and dinner, you can get salmon sashimi and toro, yellowtail, bay scallop, crap, and lobster hand rolls for only $25! Although still not the cheapest meal, this is a great deal compared to their usual pricing!

Some of my others favorites:

• SugarFish
• Emporium Thai (Westwood)
• Gyu-Kaku

On my List

You already know I constantly have a running list of restaurants I’ve been wanting to check out in Los Angeles. Here are a few that happen to also been part of Dine LA Restaurant Week.

Vino Wine and Tapas Room

Located in the heart of Encino, Vino Wine and Tapas Room has been on my radar for quite some time! This spot has a phenomenal happy hour and their Dine LA menu does not disappoint. It consists of items such as various red and white wines, tapas like empanadas and croquetas, and churros. Their regular menu has additional items like cheese boards, paella, and more delicious desserts! This is definitely one of the top places I want to try out during Dine LA (and after)!

Tagine

To be completely honest, I haven’t gotten the privilege of trying Moroccan food so I’ve been wanting to visit Tagine! This quaint and intimate spot is located in Beverly Hills and is a perfect date spot. Their Dine LA menu has a three course dinner for $55 – everything on there is making my mouth water I don’t know what to pick! I can’t wait to try it out!

Little Sister

Little Sister has many locations throughout LA with two participating in Dine LA’s Restaurant Week – El Segundo and Redondo Beach. They have a $55 lunch or dinner menu including items such as papaya salad, lemongrass pork, and ‘shaky shaky beef’. With Dine LA, you get a choice of an appetizer, main dish, and dessert. Although a little more on the pricier side, I’ve heard great feedback about Little Sister and I’m excited to (hopefully) try it out in the next few weeks!

More on my list:

• Fia Restaurant (Santa Monica)
• Barrique (Venice)
• Smoke City Char Bar (Arts District)

If You’re Looking to Splurge… (over $65)

If you’re looking to spend a bit more money, here are a few of my favorite Dine LA restaurants for you to check out!

Soulmate, West Hollywood ($70/person)

Soulmate is a family style Spanish restaurant located in West Hollyood. They serve amazing bites and delicious cocktails within an architectural dream. For $70/person, you can choose from a selection of appetizers, small plates, and desserts. Ranging from tuna tiradito to crispy chicken thighs, you’ll surely find something for everyone at Soulmate.

Kodō, Arts District ($75/person)

Kodō is a Japanese American restaurant located in the Arts District. They serve fish caught locally and from markets in Japan! Their Dine LA menu is a four course dinner for $75/person including items like bonito cesar, chef’s choice nigiri, and prime ribeye. This chic restaurant is a must try during Dine LA and after!!

Matú, Beverly Hills ($90/person)

Matú is a beautiful steakhouse located in Beverly Hills and serving 100% grass fed wagyu. Their Dine LA menus do not disappoint with their Matú philly cheese steak & salad for lunch ($35) and a scrumptious tasting menu for two for dinner ($90/person). I definitely want to come and try their steak tartare and 8 hour braised beef cheek!

Omakase by Osen, Silver Lake ($130/person)

The priciest tasting menu I’ve seen thus far – Omakase by Osen. However, for good quality omakase, $130/person is a pretty good deal. This 10 course meal serves items like king crab miso soup, dashi jelly, and various chef’s choice sashimi & sushi. Located in the heart of Silver Lake, Omakase by Osen is the perfect spot for authentic sushi lovers!

Overall, this post was so difficult to make because there are SO MANY amazing restaurants in the Los Angeles area! I’d love to hear your thoughts if you visit any of these and let me know if there are any I missed. If you want to visit any of these, I recommend you JesssBookIt soon as reservations go quick!!