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 spring reset at an East Los Angeles gem: Tenampal in Boyle Heights
Chilaquiles from Tenampal. | Mona Holmes
The first time I ate at Tenampal, diners at the next table told me it reminded them of restaurants in their hometown of Mexico City. Tenampal’s a family-owned daytime destination that feels compact and homey; it uses traditional ingredients with some experimentation. Chef and owner Leonardo Crespo slings tacos dorados, tortas, enchiladas, and hearty mole chilaquiles. This weekend, Crespo will swap out two seasonal dishes by adding a salad with seared asparagus, rainbow carrots, cheese curd with herbs and honey, pickled golden raisins, and a salsa verde matcha. There’s a new sandwich, too, with fried chicken, pickled lemons, and iceberg house ranch on a milk bun. Bring a friend, order both with café de olla, and savor the meal before walking over to nearby Mariachi Plaza for more weekend sights. 1859 First Street, Boyle Heights, CA, 90033. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For immaculate (and vegetarian-friendly) vibe dining: Bess in Sierra Madre
The dining room at Bess in Sierra Madre. | Kat Thompson
I grew up a mere five minutes from downtown Sierra Madre, and, though I may be biased, I’d argue it’s the most quaint foothill town nestled at the bottom of the San Gabriel mountains. New wine bar and Italian spot Bess matches Sierra Madre’s adorable setting with a slightly cooler edge. Warm red booths invite you to linger, as does a fun wine list (I particularly loved the Lambrusco on my recent visit). The menu is largely vegetarian with many vegan and gluten-free options, which surprised me for an Italian restaurant. However, I didn’t really miss the meat in my lasagna, or — even more shocking — the cheese in my pesto. Although the service felt a bit leisurely, I think being unhurried at Bess is kind of the point. 48 W. Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre, CA 91024. — Kat Thompson, audience editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For Argentinian barbecue in the heart of Koreatown: Aca Grill
The Aca Plate No. 2 from Aca Grill. | Rebecca Roland
There may not be another neighborhood in Los Angeles that can compete with Koreatown on meat-focused restaurant density. Nearly every block in the neighborhood is dotted with options to indulge in everything from Korean barbecue to bar steaks, thick-cut burgers, and galbi-jjim. Among those, an unexpected highlight is Aca Grill, a takeout-only strip mall operation serving Argentinean barbecue. Orders should always contain Aca Plate No. 1 (less meat), or Aca Plate No. 2 (more meat), loaded with asado, chorizo, and pork belly (asado, my favorite of the meats, can be added for a small upcharge). Add in chewy cheese-laden pan de queijo, beef-filled empanadas, and a bottle of homemade hot sauce to make a feast out of it. 3062 W. Eighth Street, Los Angeles, CA 90005. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For a polished but not-too-fancy Indian feast: Badmaash in Venice
Masala steak frites from Badmaash. | Matthew Kang
After more than a year of anticipation, Los Angeles’s most successful higher-end Indian restaurant, Badmaash, has finally opened at a prime Abbot Kinney location. An all-black interior has pops of color from Street Fighter–inspired artwork, paint-flecked curtains, and found-object lighting that feels fitting for Venice. Stone inlaid tabletops and a huge concrete service station in the center give a gallery effect, a good canvas for the Mahendro family’s third outpost. Contrasted with Santa Monica’s more prim-and-proper Fitoor, Badmaash definitely feels more Venetian, though both add something substantial to South Asian fare on the Westside.
Patriarch and chef Pawan oversees the kitchen while his restaurateur sons Nakul and Arjun bounce around to make sure everything stays up to standard. Expect a similar menu experience to Downtown and the Fairfax District with some compelling additions: Thoughtful cocktails like the refreshing Arjun Palmer or martini-like Kashmir set the mood with a jolt of fragrance, while starters such as dahi puri or Punjabi fish fry in a crunchy chickpea batter foreground the main event: Masala steak frites. Employing a prime Niman Ranch New York strip doused in a piquant, spice-laden au poivre sauce, best mopped up with thick crispy fries, it’s the dish that the Mahendros hope will put Badmaash 3.0 on the map. It definitely delivers, though don’t be surprised by the $95 price tag (the 12-ounce cut is very shareable). Be sure to order butter chicken and some naan to balance out the beef. For dessert, tres leches cake perfumed with rosewater and topped with crunchy pistachios makes for a satisfying finish. 1616 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291. — Matthew Kang, correspondent, Eater