Max & Helen’s, Alba, Marea, La Monique, Electric Bleu, Broken Spanish Comedor and more served up must-try dishes and drinks
The city’s hottest new restaurants and culinary talent came together at The Sun Rose West Hollywood, located on Sunset Boulevard, on Monday, Feb. 23, for Los Angeles Magazine’s Best New Restaurants 2026 celebration.
Special guests included Somni’s three-Michelin-starred chef Aitor Zabala, Los Angeles’ Chef of the Year Nancy Silverton, Restaurant Ki’s chef Ki Kim, chef Ray Garcia, Max & Helen’s Lily Rosenthal, Royal and Mason Royal, Marea’s PJ Calapa, Burt Bakman, Kevin Meehan, the team from The Benjamin Hollywood, food influencer Lawrence Longo, and Wolfgang Puck, Barbara Lazaroff and Byron Puck-Lazaroff from Merois at The Sun Rose.
Credit: Matthew Gerety
“As an Angeleno, born and raised, I cannot tell you how honored I am,” Silverton said. “Not only to be in this magazine, but to be Chef of the Year. Who would have thought?”
As guests descended The Sun Rose’s golden staircase, they were greeted by aromas of cross-cultural cuisines and beats by DJ Alan. At each booth, restaurants offered stand-out bites, showcasing their specialty dishes.
Credit: Matthew Gerety
Empress 1908 Gin, Dulce Vida Tequila, Shelter Distilling, Avaline and Dante Beverly Hills supplied boozy refreshments throughout the night. Acqua Panna and San Pellegrino decorated each table, providing hydration for guests.
Credit: Matthew Gerety
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Top Chef alum David Fricaud with La Monique, Fiorelli Pizza, the beloved Genghis Cohen, chef PJ Calapa’s Marea, chef Luis Mayoral with Casa Daní and Cinco Jotas on behalf of Somni were among the restaurants serving up small plates. Chef Ray Garcia’s Broken Spanish Comedor served camote, coal-roasted Japanese sweet potatoes, with miniature versions of their salt-air margaritas.
“[I’m] excited to be here as part of the best new restaurants here at Los Angeles magazine,” Garcia said as he showed off his signature tres leches cake with guava and strawberry.
Credit: Matthew Gerety
Electric Bleu, Bar Siesta, Daisy, Maydān, Alba Los Angeles, Ospero, Merois, Yi Cha, Max & Helen’s, Lucia and Hojokban also served guests with their staples.
Serving up sweet treats was All About the Cinnamon with “L.A.’s dopest cinnamon rolls,” Levain Bakery and Max & Helen’s, which offered its viral hot chocolate. SKORPIOS 1618 hosted a tasting of their additive-free fourth generation Jalisciense-owned tequila.
Credit: Matthew Gerety
To close the night, Los Angeles magazine President and Publisher Christopher Gialanella and editor Jasmin Rosemberg gave a toast to the packed house, thanking attendees for filling the room on a Monday night and celebrating the best new restaurants in Los Angeles.
“And remember,” said Rosemberg, “If you like what you’ve tasted, please dine out and support these restaurants.”
The evening marked just the beginning for these rising restaurants, signaling that the future of dining in Los Angeles has never looked more dynamic — or more delicious.
