4 RESTAURANTS TO TRY THIS WEEKEND IN LOS ANGELES: APRIL 26

Every Friday our editors compile a trusty list of recommendations to answer the most pressing of questions: “Where should I eat?“ Here now 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 familiar Neopolitan pizzas in an all-new dining room: Settebello

It’s hard to believe that a decade has passed since the Salt Lake City chain Settebello opened in Pasadena. Back then, the local pizza scene was just gaining momentum and mostly focused on recreating authentic Neopolitan pies with puffy spotted crusts and pleasingly soggy centers. The VPN-certified pizzeria recently moved from Pasadena’s Playhouse District to new digs on North Lake, which provides the perfect excuse to reunite with its classic pies that adhere closely to traditional Italian standards. The margherita is always a good bet, as is the diavola with crushed tomatoes, finnochiona, roasted red bells, and mozzarella. And for those with a gluten allergy, the wheat-free crust here is as good as the regular. Swing in from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. for generously portioned “mini” pizzas for just $10. 60 N. Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. — Cathy Chaplin, senior editor

For a cozy breakfast at a Chinese-American diner: Liu’s Cafe

I’m a big rice-for-breakfast person, and Liu’s Cafe delivers exactly that, plus some very impressive pastries. Order the Chiayi chicken rice with white pepper, crispy chicken skin, and daikon radish, or the braised pork belly rice served with a boiled egg and pickled cucumber. For something sweet, try the Hong Kong French toast which comes out golden brown and fried, or one of the pastries from chef Isabell Manibusan. All meals at Liu’s should also be paired with a hot mug of Hong Kong milk tea, or an iced tea. Since the restaurant is pretty small, the wait can sometimes exceed an hour on the weekends so be prepared to settle in for the long haul, or just go on a weekday. 3915 1/2 W. 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90020. — Rebecca Roland, associate editor

For weekend brunch or dinner at a stylish Hollywood spot: Linden

For diners who visited the previous tenant at Linden, Ronnie’s, the fairly new space is now unrecognizable. There is no trace of the former casual burger joint, just Linden’s elegant touches with white tablecloths, dark tan banquettes, thick red drapes, and strings of hanging lights over the bar and tables. It’s a stunning transformation with a menu full of personal touches from a former New York chef. Jonathan Harris hails from a Jewish and Caribbean neighborhood in Long Island and brought hints of his background to LA. If he’s working the room, ask why he developed the salmon rillettes, wagyu oxtail pie with puff pastry, cornmeal encrusted snapper, or the bread course with herby focaccia, cornbread, and an everything bagel with fried chicken butter and schmaltz cream cheese. He’s an outstanding storyteller with the cooking chops to back up the ideas in a room that calls on you to sit for a while. Linden recently launched brunch as well, where Harris will certainly have more intimate stories to tell about food. 5936 W. Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 90028. — Mona Holmes, reporter

For a breezy mid-afternoon Persian lunch in Silver Lake: Azizam

I wrote about this new modern Persian restaurant’s delightful mazeh plate a few weeks ago but now I wanted to get around to my thoughts on the restaurant as a whole. It’s clear that even in its first few weeks, Azizam seems poised to capture the hearts of Silver Lakers (is that what the locals are called?), with its swoon-worthy dishes served on bistro ware and mostly vegetable plates with a smattering of proteins. We ordered the eggplant khoresht and the turmeric braised chicken, both served with fluffy basmati. I found them to be shareable, but portioned so that two bigger eaters would need to split three (which makes me regret not ordering the recommended kofteh tabrizi, a braised beef with rice meatball flavored with dried fruit and walnuts). It would probably help to order an extra slice or two of barbari bread to mop up sauces. The whole vibe just leans toward having friends waste away an afternoon, watching the cars whiz by on Sunset, and catching up after a long week of work. 2943 W. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90026. — Matthew Kang, lead editor

2024-04-26T17:04:46Z dg43tfdfdgfd