Every Friday, our editors compile a trusty list of recommendations to answer the most pressing of questions: “Where should I eat?“ Here are four places to check out this weekend in Los Angeles. And if you need some ideas on where to drink, here’s our list of the hottest places to get cocktails in town.
For fresh-squeezed juice and sliced fruit: Rico Tejuino Los Reyes in Lincoln Heights
Sliced fruit from Rico Tejuino Los Reyes. Rebecca Roland
Los Angeles seems to be getting a summer weekend to close out February. As temperatures soar to over 80 degrees, head to Lincoln Heights for smoothies, fresh-sliced fruit dusted with chile, and more at Rico Tejuino Los Reyes. Tuck into the tight shop right off Broadway to be greeted by freezer cases of ice cream in flavors like pistachio, strawberry, pecan, and coconut. Or opt for the fruit salad with sliced coconut, watermelon, and cucumber, or a mangoneada with shaved ice, mango ice cream, chopped mango, and chamoy. 2707 1/2 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For impossibly fluffy pizza crust in Orange County: Folks Pizzeria in Costa Mesa
Pizza from Folks Pizzeria. Kat Thompson
It’s going to be a beautiful weekend in the Southland, with temperatures in the 80s, and what better way to spend it than by sitting outside with a glass of natural wine and a pizza so fluffy it resembles a whoopee cushion? Folks Pizzeria in Costa Mesa is worth the weekend adventure into Orange County; you can’t really go wrong when scanning their concise menu, but make sure to get one white pie and one red. Although the toppings are all cohesive, the main draw, to me, is the crust — chewy, light, and masterfully executed. Pair it with Folks’ homemade ranch for the full experience. 2937 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. — Kat Thompson, audience editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For a raucous Italian-ish feast in West Hollywood: Sal’s Place
Lobster linguine at Sal’s Place. Matthew Kang
It’s not every day that a restaurant picks up its operation and moves to the other coast for half the year, but that’s the approach of Provincetown, Massachusetts legend Sal’s Place, which “winters” in West Hollywood from January to June. The east-west situation began in January 2024, and this winter marks the third season they’re on the Best Coast. Owner Siobhan Carew, the third proprietor of the business since 1962, handles the phone reservations line and host stand in the energetic, almost raging, covered patio space of the former Il Piccolino on Robertson. The kitchen doles out fine plates of cheesy Caesar salad, plump, buttery shrimp scampi, and pine nut-dotted tuna crudo before heaping bowls of lobster claw-covered linguine alla vodka and spot-on linguine vongole. Filet mignon covered with black pepper and shrouded with a pile of salty fries works as a shareable entree before an excellent loaf of tiramisu serves as dessert. As the night progresses, the place gets so loud you can barely hear yourself, so order another martini and just contribute to the mayhem. Sal’s Place is raucous, cozy, and just plain fun, and it’s here until the weather gets warm in P-Town. (Reservations are highly recommended and only available by calling (508) 487-1279.) 350 N. Robertson Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90048. — Matthew Kang, correspondent, Eater
For four elegant, revamped, and inspired courses: Firstborn in Chinatown
Fried Chongqing chicken from Firstborn. Wonho Frank Lee
In March, chef Anthony Wang and his modern Chinese restaurant, Firstborn, will celebrate one year in Chinatown’s Mandarin Plaza. At the restaurant, Wang’s childhood memories come to life across the menu, with dazzling cocktails by Kenzo Han, delightful pastry by Jaime Craten, and a tight-knit crew working from a photogenic room with solid service. Firstborn has switched things up in recent weeks with a new $68 four course prix fixe menu. Wang’s first course includes a choice of chilled artichokes in mushroom dashi, while the second can be a succulent duck sausage or a flavorful short rib with black garlic, cabbage and leek terrine, yuxiang, and a pepper jus. Supplemental fare options include mapo tofu, duck fat rice, or fried chicken, while Craten’s ginger cookie or lime leaf curd takes the stage for dessert. Han’s Paloma is one of the best in Los Angeles. And if to-go is in order, nab a Jidori Chongqing chicken bucket and call it a glorious night. 978 N. Broadway, Chinatown, CA, 90012. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest