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 a hot new brunch on the Westside: Jyan Isaac Bread in Santa Monica
Jyan Isaac Bread recently expanded operations to serve weekend brunch and weekday lunch menus at its Santa Monica outpost on Ocean Park Boulevard. The results? Tremendous. This may be the best new brunch on the Westside, which says something because Westsiders still consider brunching a serious pastime, not a relic of the 2010s. On weekends, these diners snake around the counter to order dishes such as ultra savory duck confit hash with marinated escarole; cereal milk French toast, a decadent shokupan riff that arrives in a monkey bread constellation on the plate; and a vegetarian-friendly breakfast burrito that uses chile-marinated tofu. Star dishes from the lunch menu, including pizzas, behemoth sandwiches (don’t miss the tuna melt or muffuletta), and sprightly green salads round out the offerings. Order as much as possible (coming with a group of friends helps) and make your way to the back patio to eat in unfettered sunlight. 1620 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405. — Nicole Fellah, Eater editorial manager
For an exquisite meld of Black and Filipino flavors: SoulPhil at Maydan Market in West Adams
Los Angeles needs more chefs like Tiana Gee. Her deeply personal SoulPhil menu showcases some of most vibrant cultural combinations of Black and Filipino flavors; she radiates warmth and passion, qualities that helped her climb the ladder as sous chef at Harlem’s own Red Rooster. Over the last three weeks, she’s been operating her SoulPhil pop-up in Maydan Market in West Adams. That residency ends on Sunday, March 8, which means you have just enough time to head over and feast on what she’s slinging: things like coconut cornbread ready to be slathered in butter and crisp lumpia stuffed with gumbo collard greens in a spicy suka vinegar. SoulPhil’s delightfully saucy wings are some of the best you’ll find in the entire region. Sit at Gee’s counter and watch her whizz around while keeping conversation, prepping dishes, and occasionally busting out custom lyrics to a popular song, making the experience comforting, lively, and fun. 4301 W. Jefferson Boulevard, West Adams, CA, 90016. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For cream-topped matcha and soft Taiwanese bagels: Miopane in Pasadena
The lines at Miopane have finally started to die down, which means that if you were hesitating to try this viral bakery from Taiwan, this weekend might be a great opportunity. The bagels that put this bakery on the map aren’t like bagels from New York; there is no crusty outside that requires tearing into or serious jaw muscle action. Instead, the bagels — all generously stuffed — arrive plush and warm with fillings like matcha crumble, smoked gouda and cream cheese, black sesame paste. The garlic cream cheese bagel on a recent trip blew me away; the amount of fresh garlic in the cream cheese so intense that the bagel itself almost became spicy as a result (I loved it). Pair that with the airiest matcha pillow latte and your weekend morning will feel complete. 95 N. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103. — Kat Thompson, audience editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For a nostalgic cheeseburger: Burgers Never Say Die in Silver Lake
Los Angeles has long been a breeding ground for the fancy burger, from the long-closed Hache LA to the now-iconic Big Mec at Petit Trois. For as many zhuzhed up meat between buns preparations exist, there still remains plenty of spots for those looking for something more nostalgic. A recent favorite of mine has been Burgers Never Say Die in Silver Lake, a former pop-up that’s churning out simple smash burgers in Silver Lake. A thin, crisp patty gets laid between a slice of American cheese, pickles, onions, ketchup, and mustard in a warm bun. French fries, fried off in beef tallow, come salty and hot. The simplicity, and consistency, continues to Burgers Never Say Die feel special. 2388 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90039. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest