The editors at Eater LA dine out several times a week, if not per day, which means we’re always encountering standout dishes that deserve time in the limelight. Here’s the very best of everything the team has eaten this week.
Pumpkin curry from Miya มีญ่า in Altadena
It’s just a few days before Thanksgiving break, which means gourds are heavily on my mind. While most people have sweet pumpkin spice inclinations in the fall, I prefer savory pumpkin iterations, like the comforting pumpkin curry at Miya มีญ่า in Altadena. In the dish, find mulched spicy red curry paste swirled with fatty coconut milk, chunks of pumpkin, carrots, and string beans that have held on to their bite — all combined to lustrous effect. It’s an ideal take-home order for dinnertime ease during the days leading up to a large family gathering, especially if you’re in the position of hosting or cooking for a group. Pair it with the restaurant’s tangy papaya salad and fluffy jasmine rice, although I tend to warm up brown rice cups when I have it at home. 2470 Lake Avenue, Altadena, CA 91001. — Nicole Fellah, Eater editorial manager
Onion bread from Baby Bistro in Chinatown
On May 8, 2025, chef Miles Thompson and partner Andy Schwartz opened their restaurant Baby Bistro in a Craftsman home on the edge of Chinatown. The duo had a long run of sold-out pop-up dinners before taking the leap, which built up a solid following, thanks to Thompson’s unique seasonal dishes and Schartz’s wine selections. The room barely seats 35, making it an intimate spot to try Thompson’s compact menu that always features farmers market ingredients served at their peak. It’s a good idea to order the entire menu and put trust in the partners and their selections. Always get the onion bread, a pillowy, savory, and skillfully prepared treat. Baby Bistro’s rendition feels very much like focaccia (but not exactly), topped with sheep’s milk cheese and pickled cauliflower. Everything is soft, tender, and has the contrast of creaminess and brine. The best move is for the onion bread to be the first thing to land on the table: it will take the hunger edge off and leave you eager for more. 1027 B. Alpine Street, Chinatown, CA, 90012. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
Katsu sandwich from Cafe 2001 in the Arts District
During the four years Konbi was open in Echo Park, I was a devotee to its katsu sandwiches, often going out of the way to line up outside the window for the crispy slabs of pork, tucked between fluffy milk bread. And while there are plenty of other outstanding katsu sandwich spots (including Katsu Sando in Chinatown), I was still chasing the high of Konbi. On a recent trip to Cafe 2001, I felt reunited with the sandwich of my memories. Although Cafe 2001’s katsu sandwich doesn’t have slaw like Konbi’s did, the two felt like cousins to me, with a balanced, savory sauce, thick-cut pork, and cloud-like bread. Sliced into thirds, the sandwich is easy to share with a group. Be sure to add in orders of sage-tinged french fries and a slice of bright lemon with a bruleed top. 2001 E. Seventh Street North Entrance, Los Angeles, CA 90021. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
#1 Beef taquito combination from Cielito Lindo in Downtown
Anytime I find myself around Union Station — whether it’s to go to a Dodger game, take a trip, or attend a surrounding music festival — I make any excuse to visit Cielito Lindo. This fourth-generation-run Olvera Street institution is a classic LA restaurant for a reason. Everything is prepared fresh, from the hand-rolled taquitos stuffed with shredded beef to the bright avocado salsa to the creamy refried beans topped with grated cheese. I always order the #1 combination, which comes with three taquitos and beans and cheese smothered in the lime-forward salsa (which you can also buy by the gallon). Adding rice is mandatory for me, as it adds a level of savory tomato flavor to the meal and bulks up the dish. There are tons of touristy restaurants in Los Angeles that aren’t worth visiting; Cielito Lindo isn’t one of them. E 23 Olvera Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. — Kat Thompson, audience editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest