The sushi ranges from really great to just all right ... but what consistently rocks is their dessert. Try the banana trio (banana filo triangle, banana tempura, and banana walnut ice cream) or warm up with the homemade hot ginger honey tea. Additional seating on the back patio is prime location for watching the bohemian and beautiful.
A bright, white dining room with a crisp yet casual feel, Capri serves Northern Italian fare with a Californian flare. The minimalist space is ripe for romance when the sun dips below the horizon and the duty of illumination falls to the tea lights.
In the spirit of Abbot Kinney's post-modern beatnik vibe, Shima not only offers sushi, but uses brown rice instead of white for that extra kick. The restaurant has more intimate loft seating for those who prefer to enjoy their vegan desserts in more privacy.
So many fakers and many more haters, but LA's originating phenomenon is undeniable. More tart than traditional American fro-yo, the unassuming confection doesn't seem to make much of a first impression. Careful, that's how the addiction starts. No matter the location, the decor is modish Philippe Starck and Le Klint from Design Within Reach; the seating tight; and queuing up a certainty.
This crowded, hipster hole-in-the-wall serves up pizza on its signature bagel crust that satisfies even the harshest of east-coast pizza critics. True to L.A. form, though, the pizzeria offers gourmet toppings such as "wild" mushrooms and tequila-lime marinated chicken -- they even serve a "salad" pie with lettuce, tomato, cheese and house dressing.
A mix of surfers, locals, and creative types (and their laptops) lost in thought, conversation (or a little of both) congregate to linger over a cup of joe and munch on scrumptious pastries and made-to-order Italian subs. To catch a few extra rays and watch the pretty people roll by, try to snag a seat along the sidewalk amidst pet lovers, their dogs and the occasional dude-with-a-parrot.
Even by Texas standards, Tortilla Grill is the spot for massive-sized burritos fit for both the carnivore and the vegan. Just know that great size calls for longer preparation time, and the best way to wait is sipping a cup of watermelon TK and watching the unending parade at this busy corner.
Funky and fabulous in a grown-up way, with original, local art on the white walls and the 40-foot wood and stainless steel bar as the focal point. Drop in and mingle with a slightly Yacht Rock crowd over live jazz on Sunday and Monday nights.
This arty corner deli offers a small, tasty selection of salads and sandwiches, uncommon soda brands and other specialty items -- all available for take out (which may only be as far as one of the few cafe tables outside.) Stroh's interior has authentic art nouveau-era charm, lending an extra layer of historical context to the thick-glassed bottles of sodas chilling behind the refrigerator doors.
Tucked behind an unassuming wood-paneled gate, Jin Patisserie's zen garden is a haven for the local leisure class and hipster westside-a-phobes who are willing to brave a little sun in their lives. Perfectly-brewed tea (with finger sandwiches to boot) is the hallmark of the sparse menu, but proprietor Kristy Choo's true artistry is expressed in couture-worthy chocolate confections and pastries.
A BBQ joint that has completely side-stepped the “revitalization” facelifts happening all along the Boulevard. Not that they care. It’s all about cheeseburger baskets and ribs best grabbed as take-out given the limited (i.e. two plastic tables on the sidewalk) seating options.
Hans Rockenwagner moved his outfit and rebranded with the chic, clean space that is 3 Square. The cuisine is Austrian for the most part, laden with pale hued dishes dusted with breadcrumbs. The modern restaurant is eye candy for design geeks, casual, comfortable and elegant at once.
Food bloggers can't seem to shut up about the "ile flottante" at Lilly's. Sit inside, where abstract paintings and velvet banquettes decorate the room; or outside in the lush garden. Leisurely service is par for the course, so just go with it … and consider it an opportunity for full post-work decompression.
A casual neighborhood café with a patio that has a lock on charm, the salad-and-sandwich menu at Meditirina is gourmet in preparation but without the side of attitude. Their gelato hits the spot after a hot day on the beach. Equally enticing is the warm reception from the owner—he works the room like a proud Papa, chatting with regulars and zeroing in on his guests’ culinary preferences.
A sophisticated wine bar and restaurant with a romantic, post-shabby chic styled interior, Primitivo Wine Bistro offers not only a wide range of wines by the glass but mouth-watering tapas plates to accompany them. Celebrate the bargain of the $14 Prix Fixe lunch with a glass or two of their finest old world reserve.
This is the destination for fine dining on the Boulevard. Because the seasons dictate the menu, loyal patrons can’t rest on one stand-by dish every time they dine. The evolving menu ranges from duck to red snapper to steak and desserts (like sweet-hot chili-infused chocolate cake) -- hey, embrace culinary exploration.
Pronounced more like a sneeze than a weapon, "A-chay" refers to a Yoruba greeting that means to "go with the power of the gods and goddesses." Located in a serene minimalist space, the restaurant aspires to divinity through organic seasonal produce from local farmers and organic wine and beer. The menu features simple but vibrant salads, sandwiches, soups, rice bowls and entrees ranging from ribs to tofu. When they're in season, the figs from the tree behind the restaurant appear on the menu as a special dessert treat.
