10433 National Boulevard, #2, Los Angeles. While itвЂ™s always a treat to try the newest restaurant in town, sometimes an old standby hits the spot just right. As my dining companion and I made our way through orders of chicken satay slathered in a peanut-soy sauce, warm and flakey paratha dipped in curry, and a comforting bowl of seafood-laden laksa, I was reminded of how solid the cooking is at this beloved Indonesian institution. 119 Culver Blvd, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293 -Nicole Adlman For Indonesian flavors on the west side of town: Simpang AsiaДЄ post shared by Simpang Asia grabbed a table on Simpang AsiaвЂ™s outdoor patio on a recent weekday evening after nearly a decade away from this Indonesian stalwart serving the Westside of Los Angeles. But the pancetta-studded salt cod clam chowder, which can be ordered with or without a sourdough bread bowl, is a surprising source of warmth and comfort when the sun goes down and the beach winds pick up, especially if youвЂ™re eating outdoors. There are many dishes here that stand out in memory: the latke-like вЂњhashbrownвЂќ topped with lemony creme fraiche, egg yolk crumbles, and truffle-infused steelhead trout roe, and the bright and punchy ceviche. Take, for example, my recent visit to Playa Provisions, which reminded me how nice it is to eat good seafood with a body of water as a backdrop - the restaurantвЂ™s back patio faces the blue stretch of Playa Del Rey Beach. In a city as restaurant-dense as Los Angeles, it can be easy for even a well-loved spot to fall out of a dinerвЂ™s regular rotation. Farley Elliott For clam chowder on cold November nights: Playa Provisions Playa Provisions Playa Provisions

West Coast Cheesesteaks may not be the most famous restaurant in Glendora, but thatвЂ™s okay it may, instead, be the best. These are big affairs, cheesy and filled with softly sautГ©ed steak (be sure to get onions and peppers too), the kind of filling meal meant to satisfy travelers and locals each. Take West Coast Cheesesteaks for example the Philly-influenced sub shop is turning out what may be the best cheesesteak anywhere in Southern California (though LA-based BooвЂ™s would offer a polite rebuttal), situated squarely in a strip mall in the thick of Glendora. The famous Route 66 seasonal doughnut specialist has been turning out the cityвЂ™s most prized culinary possessions for decades, but that doesnвЂ™t mean that Glendora only eats fried dough and sugar. If Angelenos know one thing about the San Gabriel Valley city of Glendora, situated near the edge of LA County, itвЂ™s Donut Man. 80 Windward Ave, Venice, CA 90291 -Matthew Kang For great cheesesteaks all the way out in Glendora: West Coast Cheesesteaks West Coast Cheesesteaks. ItвЂ™s strange how pasta seems to fit into every darn menu in LA, especially the ones without a specific Italian context, but carb-loving Angelenos couldnвЂ™t care less. The surprise for me was the very tasty rigatoni bolognese. Lamb riblets are an easy share plate while the staunchly recommended crispy potatoes are actually worth the stomach space. Charred eggplants exude polished flavor, while the chermoula-rubbed branzino is so flavorful and well-grilled that the table will fight over the last bite. The service will likely recommend dishes you donвЂ™t want, like the buffalo cauliflower (still tasty, just not as congruous with the meal), so stick to your guns when ordering.

Think of this lounge and dinner spot as a low-key date spot in Venice from the same folks behind Great White, with an eclectic menu that feels modern without necessarily pandering to trends. NovemFor effortless flavor and relaxed dinner vibes in Venice: Gran Blanco Charred eggplant at Gran Blanco. And if you need some ideas on where to drink, check out the 21 Delightful Places to Sip Cocktails Outside in LA map. Every Friday our editors compile a trusty list of recommendations to answer the most pressing of questions: вЂњWhere should I eat?вЂњ Here now are four places to check out this weekend in Los Angeles.

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