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 lively food tour through the Southland: the Black LA Food Tour in South LA
It’s easy to get stuck in a rotation of familiar places to eat. No shade at all to this practice: it’s a comfort to get a favorite dish that’s consistently good. But it’s also good to venture into the new, and if finding that neighborhood gem comes with a guide, take it. Daisy Miles runs Black LA Food Tours, a four-hour expedition by bus or foot that accompanies large groups through historic and often overlooked neighborhoods. She’s the perfect host and plies her attendees with drinks, music, and up to six stops that usually incorporates a theme. (Most dressed up on my jaunt last year, where we focused on the 1990s.) She just launched an April through June calendar, including a Long Beach or Venice walking tour, plus a party bus driving through Crenshaw. Book a spot as soon as possible, as she often sells out. Miles is hilarious and warm, you’ll make friends, and everyone ends the tour sated. Head to Black LA Food Tours’ Instagram page for more. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For sidewalk sourdough bagels: Mustard’s Bagels in Culver City
Mustard’s Bagels, a sourdough bagel pop-up from Kyle Glanville (who also founded Go Get Em Tiger) and his brother, Brent, has settled in with more consistent weekend hours in Culver City. Operating out of a tight shop on Washington Boulevard, Mustard’s churns out blistered 72-hour fermented sourdough bagels easily among the best carbohydrate options in the city right now. The shop shines with its non-traditional toppings, like the Din Tai Fung–inspired Deanna Michelle with sliced Persian cucumber and garlic chile oil and vegan Weezy with hazelnut cocoa spread and torched bananas on a salted bagel. Classicists will find comfort in the open-faced Grampa Sam that uses Nova salmon, fried capers, and dill on an everything bagel, or the old-school Uncle Dave with Nova salmon and red onion, served as a sandwich. Service feels quick and warm; even with limited tables on the sidewalk, seats tend to open up. With Kyle Glanville’s past history in coffee, it’s no wonder that the constantly rotating filter coffee (only available black and hot) is also excellent. 10850 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For fiery Lao fare: Nok’s Kitchen in Westminster
Driving to Westminster in Orange County is a trek I actually look forward to if, at the end of that trek, I can have a meal at Nok’s. I’ve eaten a lot of Lao food in my life and Nok’s carries some of my favorite bites I’ve had within the cuisine. To me, you can’t skip the Lao sausage — punchy and herbaceous, the skin bubbled and speckled black with char. Nam khao, a crispy rice salad with sour fermented sausage, offers an explosion of zippy lime juice and roasted chiles. And it’s not a Lao feast without tum mak houng, or Lao-style papaya salad with briny and pungent fermented fish sauce. Just writing about this dynamic meal — the chiles, the acid, the amazing textures — makes my mouth water. 9361 Bolsa Avenue, Suite 108, Westminster, CA 92683. — Kat Thompson, audience editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For lingering dinner and drinks with any social circle quadrant: The Prince in Koreatown
Inside the Prince in Los Angeles’s Koreatown, anything can be forgotten: the oppressive early spring heat just outside its double doors; the dearth of street parking during gridlock, constant in the surrounding neighborhood; the work email that demands to be answered outside of hours. In this dark, cavernous dining room, Angelenos slip into plush ruby booths and press call bells to have servers zip to the table to replenish sesame-dusted espresso martinis. Order a kimchi pancake (or two, depending on your group size); chicken both ways (whole fried and also cut and swathed in a spicy-sweet sauce); spicy tteokbokki; and vegetable japchae (let it get to room temperature before eating the latter). Melt into the banquette cradle and let the very Los Angeles scene unfold before you. If it feels like you’re an extra in an Old Hollywood film, you’ve arrived. 3198 1/2 West 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90005. — Nicole Fellah, Eater editorial manager