A month ago, my google map of LA had one flag… (it was Courage Bagels).
Today, it looks like this:
My situation:
Once my trip to LA was booked (tagging along with my mom on her business trip), I had a mere two weeks to plan an itinerary. Two main issues: my brother, who loves food more than I do (shocking!) and lives in LA, was out of town for days one and two, AND I know literally nothing about LA. So, as a first-timer in Los Angeles, I had to do my due diligence and make a list of everywhere I wanted to go, and proceed to add them to my Google Map. I had almost three full days which, in my world, means I had ten meals give-or-take. I had to build a fitting itinerary, and account for things to do between meals. Yes, this is often how I travel, and a solo adventure through LA with no plans was the perfect opportunity for some really good eating.
My sources:
Obviously, my brother was square one. I was tasked with booking a reservation for Tuesday night for my mom and me, and needed Jesse’s assistance in narrowing down a city full of choices. My ideas: Dunsmoor, Found Oyster, Petit Trois. Jesse’s suggestions: Dunsmoor, Saffy’s, Found Oyster, Horses. I booked Dunsmoor but had a last minute change of plans with a new guest count they couldn’t accommodate, so Found Oyster it was! More on that later.
One of the most helpful sources for building out my LA map was
‘s PERFECTLY timed “where to eat in los angeles?” newsletter that I carefully combed through and took diligent notes on. While the list was a compilation of places recommended to her, I took Ethaney’s footnotes on each place mentioned very seriously—this is someone whose taste I really trust.I also asked my lovely friend Eliza for some of her favorite spots, who graciously sent me a list—doubling down on some of the recs from aforementioned sources and with the addition of Larchmont Wine and Cheese (yummy and inexpensive sandwiches) and Joans on 3rd (yes, I got the chinese chicken salad; I got the vegan version and soy protein is weird but it was still so good.)
I have literally no authority on giving a guide to LA or knowing the best spots for specific things, but I had an incredible time and ate some unbelievable food. Instead, what follows is where I absolutely loved and hope to return to, especially as a first-timer in the city and mostly dining solo! Narrowing it down to three was tough… so there will be a few honorable mentions at the end.
Sqirl
Sqirl jam was mildly on my radar in 2020, when everyone on the internet started freaking out about there being mold in their $15 jam jars. The cafe and its neighboring store have, in my opinion, successfully blown past the controversy and from what I understand remain a staple for delicious food in LA. This was my first big solo LA adventure—I ubered to East Hollywood (or is this considered Silverlake?) at like 8am due to my serious issue adjusting to PST, and was one of three patrons at the cafe. It took me about five minutes of talking with the woman at the counter to decide what I wanted, overwhelmed by a menu where everything sounded good. I set up shop with my book and headphones in the little outdoor area just to the side of the cafe, taking in the sunshine that I had been deprived of in New York’s rainy spell.
Not to toot my own horn, but I ordered immaculately. I got the “When Sally Met Sally,” a plate with smoked salmon rillete topped with salmon roe, beet-cured lox, house made rügbrod, pickles, and a beautiful side of greens. I also got the Al Pacino with oat milk, a slightly sweet, shaken, iced cappuccino. Sometimes a sweet coffee really hits the spot!!! My plate was out of this world and honestly beautiful to look at, though I can’t really imagine ordering this without a salmon hankering. The roe and lox were so fresh and salty, the rillette was perfectly creamy, and the rügbrod was thinly sliced and full of seeds with that sour, rye flavor that makes the Danish bread so good. The bite with all the fix-ins was a masterclass in textures and I haven’t really stopped thinking about it since. I also didn’t want to leave after the first course and felt like I hadn’t tried enough so I also got a glazed croissant with a side of raspberry vanilla jam. Say what you want about their jam and its price-tag (and mold), it was unbelievable. Sour and sweet and a little tang to accompany a soft, buttery croissant. I want to go back and have that meal again, and then I want to spend an exorbitant amount of money on breads and custom Sqirl plates at the store next door.
Found Oyster
It’s 70 degrees, the sky is blue, the sun is setting, there is no where I would rather than be than on a sidewalk picnic table drinking cold wine and eating seafood. Did I need to go to LA to eat East Coast oysters? Certainly not. I showed up at Found expecting an unbearable wait and a scary crowd—we waited 10 minutes for an outdoor table and were served a really incredible chilled Gamay in the meantime. My fears were, obviously, unwarranted.
Our server, just like basically everyone else I encountered in LA, could not have been sweeter. We sat at a little wood picnic table, perfectly lit as the sun set—it was almost like we were in Cape Cod mid-summer, rather than on the West Coast on a Tuesday in April. I, obviously, wanted to order everything, but I think what we narrowed down to was a pretty legit order. We got the Baywatch Platter with a ridiculous crude I could’ve eaten forever and a very herby mignonette which had me wondering why we don’t always put cilantro on oysters? The prawns, though messy, were fresh and almost sweet; a squeeze of lemon and generous helping of cocktail sauce made for a stellar bite. We followed with a wedge salad served with stilton blue cheese, a thick cut chopped bacon, and cherry tomatoes. It was crisp and light but still rich and salty. We were all floored by the wedge which, when executed right, is a perfect dinner addition. We got two of the lobster bisque rolls—a cold lobster salad tossed in a lobster bisque and served on a toasted and buttered roll—I was a bit surprised by the addition of the Serrano chilis which flavor-wise were a bit overpowering but still delicious. The frites were 10/10. The star was the fried cod sandwich which was devastating to split into thirds. A crisp stack of iceberg and creamy tartar sauce with a thick piece of cod fried to the nines. It was SO GOOD. Finally, a fat and flour pie which for whatever reason is what they call a Key Lime Pie. 100/10 perfect way to end the meal!!! It is a KLP summer you heard it here first.
Cafe Los Feliz
Hillhurst and Avocado (how cute!!)
I had one request while in LA, and that was to be provided with the best breakfast burrito the city had to offer (within reason, geographically). Jesse had mentioned WAKE AND LATE, COFAX, and Mel’s Drive-In plus probably four others, but we ended up at his favorite neighborhood haunt. I did not place the order, I did not step inside, Jesse placed a phone call and 20 minutes later I was sitting at a picnic table eating the best breakfast burrito I have ever had. I have no idea what was in this, other than eggs, avocado, cheese, potato, and the softest flour tortilla in the world. It was served with this spicy green salsa and chipotle aioli that were impeccable additions. To be fair, Jesse said the vegetarian/no-bacon option left something to be desired but I couldn't have been happier. Would go back. You should go.
Honorable Mentions: Read about ‘em on the instagram!
The Erewhon Winnie Harlow Smoothie (I’m dead serious)
Top of my LA list which is getting veryyyyy long:
Please send me more LA favorites!!!!
No In and Out for you???
i wanted to try found oyster so badly! but we just didn't have enough time. also, sqirl 4ever.