THE BEST OF LA: #EATING OUT

I'm constantly on the hunt for 'the best of LA' ...but I've quite exasperated the internet with my quest.  My searches for "best steakhouse" "most romantic"  "bottomless mimosas" etc. elicit a 'top 10' list from the generic conglomerate websites like Yelp, Gayot and Urbanspoon.  And while I don't necessarily think their lists would lead you astray from enjoying a delectable meal in Los Angeles... I also don't trust their motives behind rankings.  I mean, lets get real.  If someone wanted to throw me some cash - or heck a few free meals - I would have nothing but nice things to say regardless of my dining experience.

So, without further adieu, here are my very favorite LA spots, by category.  Over the next few weeks I'll dedicate separate posts to each place and give you a proper review.  But this should give you a good starting point:

Overall:

Spago - duck breast

Litte Door - 

Pace - cedar plank salmon

Bottega Louie 

Steak:

Maestros -petite filet & butter cake dessert

Lawrys -prime rib, creamed spinach

Cut - pork belly app, sirloin tasting menu (or just the wagyu)

Capital Grille - ribeye sandwich with havarti and caramelized onions

Runners Up: The Palms, Grille on the Alley, Mortons (peppered rib eye), Boa, Stk

View:

Moonshadows - go for oysters and hawaiian spicy tar tar for lunch

Wine Bar:
A.O.C. - Bacon wrapped dates
Brick & Mortar 

Experience:

The Bazaar - Cotton Candy Martinis

Seafood:

Crustacean - garlic noodles & roasted crab app

Santa Monica Seafood Company - candied salmon

Italian:

Madeo

Runners Up: Angelini Osteria, Il Pastaio, La Dolce Vita (ceaser salad)

Sushi:

Koi

Runner Up: Katana (atmosphere), 

Breakfast:

Little Next Door - Croque Madam

Greengrass atop Barneys

Brunch:

Montage

Tapas:

Tinto

Hotel Bar:

Four Seasons Beverly Hills

Parq at the Montage

Polo Lounge

Pizza:

Tomato Pie 

Slice Truck

Froyo:

Toppings

Cup Cakes:

Sprinkles

Food Truck:

Kogi

Japanese Grill:

Gykaku

Brazlian:

Fogo de Chao

Bosa nova 

Burger:

Apple Pan

Umami Burger - truffle burger, cheesey tatter tots

Mexican:

El Compadre - guacamole

French:

Little Door

Morels

Le Petit Four

Fast Food:

In and out - ask for grilled onions and get 'animal style' fries

Dessert:

Maestros.  Butter cake, pecan pie and cheesecake are all to die for

Late Night:

Bossa Nova - plantains, Chicken in gorgonzola sauce app

Il Tremezzino - Chicken Special, nutella croissant dessert

Coffee:

Urth Cafe - Honey Vanilla Spanish Latte & almond croissant

Deli:

Canters - Pastrami on rye

Mediterranean:

Sunin - garlic hummus with carne asada

BYOB:
Fritto Misto - the raviolis