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 weekend pastries: Proof Bakery Cooperative in Atwater Village
I reserve my weekends for wandering into bakeries and leaving with a slice of cake or some form of croissant on my way out. And that’s exactly what I did last weekend at Proof in Atwater Village, where I took home a jammy carrot cake layered with orange marmalade and toasted walnuts and covered in a bright, citrus-forward cream cheese frosting, as well as a flaky pistachio croissant stuffed with tangy cherry jam. I meandered in late in the day, so the pastry case options weren’t as plentiful, but both of these still made for a blissful spring day. You can go earlier for your own weekend trip, though part of the fun of a weekend bakery haul is sometimes just trying whatever is available. 3156 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039 — Kat Thompson, audience editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For green smoothies and loaded acai bowls: Naturewell in Silver Lake
A certain high-end grocer has been the talk of the town this week with its recently announced LACMA partnership, but Los Angeles’s smoothie options go far beyond the cult-favorite line-up at Erewhon’s tonic bar. Naturewell has been churning out green smoothies and fresh-pressed juice on Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake since 2008. The interior has that distinct health food shop smell that instantly lets on that you’re in for an outstanding smoothie: mixed grains, fresh-ground nut butter, and an underlying spiciness from juiced ginger. For a greens-heavy option, try the Field of Greens with kale, spinach, parsley, and banana, or the Creamy Strawberry Coconut, which tastes like the air on a warm summer day. The smoothies can be modified with additional fruits or vegetables, or add a scoop of protein powder to make it more formidable. 3824 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For a bistro meal that casually transports one to Paris: Bar Sinizki in Atwater Village
A week ago, a friend came into town whom I hadn’t seen in a decade. For moments like this, it’s key to find a spot where conversation is easy, snacking and cocktailing are a priority, and it feels like a getaway in the middle of a bustling city like Bar Sinizki. We huddled over a compact table for hours while sipping beer on tap and the restaurant’s hearty Grand Teton, a tequila-laced take on an Old Fashioned. Appetites were minimal, so we snacked on peak asparagus, marinated olives, and french fries prepared exactly as one hopes, with ideal crispiness and a pillowy inside. Most were wearing scarves or sweaters to manage the chilly evening, which could have easily been mistaken for a different city where this type of establishment is more common. Still, at Bar Sinizki, Paris is just a short trip away in Atwater Village. 3147 Glendale Boulevard, Atwater Village, CA, 90039 — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For a mid-range sushi omakase that hits the mark: Uchi West Hollywood
Chef Tyson Cole hasn’t fashioned himself as the next Nobu, but his growing empire of Japanese lounge restaurants speaks otherwise. Cole, who’s been frequenting his three-year-old West Hollywood branch more often for 16-course special omakases (next month’s is already sold out), can’t stop raving about the quality of the ingredients and the overall restaurant scene in Southern California. Though his operations are based in Texas, Cole is enamored with Los Angeles. It helps that his daughter, soon graduating from the University of Southern California, gives him another reason to be here. As for the food, Uchi follows a familiar formula: swanky vibes and top-notch ingredients prepared well. Given the prime placement of Uchi West Hollywood, it’s no surprise the place is packed nightly. I recently visited for a full omakase experience at the counter, and it follows the San Fernando Valley-inflected approach to inventive nigiri, topped with chiles and distinct sauces that depart from the more rigid offerings of Edo style. Cole’s team puts out timely, beautifully crafted pieces using bluefin, halibut, sea bream, and more over medium-seasoned rice. I found the pieces consistent and balanced, creative and unexpected in the best way. Those who aren’t interested in a pure sushi meal can opt for dishes like Australian wagyu in oxtail dashi. But for $250 for two people (10 pieces of sushi each), it’s a solid entry in Los Angeles’s sushi canon. 9001 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 101, West Hollywood, CA 90069. — Matthew Kang, correspondent, Eater