Great L.A. Eats: Fall 2018

Now that we’re well into fall and less concerned with swimsuit selfies, it’s time to indulge in some good grub, some tasty bites, some delectable goodness…After all, ’tis the season for eating.

Luckily we’ve manage to pinpoint some highlights from our culinary escapades during the past couple of weeks. Get those forks and knifes (and stomachs) ready…

BEST SLICE OF BROOKLYN

Finding “authentic Brooklyn-style pizza” in Los Angeles may sound like an impossible quest, but Lupetti is making it possible. The pizzeria, which opened earlier this year in downtown’s booming Arts District, serves up delicious thin crust and comes with a delightful surprise: In Sheep’s Clothing, the speakeasy-esque, Japanese-kissa-style, hi-fi bar that is open from morning (for a fresh brew) to night (for a strong cocktail).

BEST WAKE & BAKE

Alfred, which recently opened its newest location in Brentwood, has partnered with VYBES to up the ante on all your favorite drinks. From matcha to their famous vanilla lattes, you can add a dose of CBD (that’s Cannabidiol, or cannabis oil) to your daily pick-me-up (for just $4). CBD benefits include: reducing pain and inflammation and even helping curb anxiety…so why not drink your greens at Alfred? And no, you won’t get high from it, so carry on with your morning commutes.

BEST COMFORT FOOD REBOOT

Part of the Beverly Center’s revitalization includes the opening of Easy’s, a stylish, “new age diner” located at the Sixth Floor Entrance. From restaurateur Jeremy Fall, this open-space eatery and bar is a revival of the popular burger pop-up from Chinatown. Easy’s offers an all-day menu, from breakfast items (the Pork Belly Benedict is a must) and casual lunches (try their version of a Kentucky Hot Brown) to hearty dinners (two words: Duck Parmesan) and inventive cocktails (the Tang Julius is like an alcoholic creamsicle). After a brisk stroll throughout the renovated retail behemoth, stop by for a bite.

BEST ITALIAN NEW WAVE

No. 10 Restaurant on 3rd Street is a contemporary Italian-American fusion restaurant from Italian football legend Alessandro Del Piero. Chefs Fabio Ugoletti and Nick Parker join forces to craft multi-regional, seasonal cuisine served in a modern-yet-intimate space packed with ambiance. Ugoletti started his culinary career in luxury hotels and upscale restaurants, working under the likes of Daniele Sera and Massimo Spigaroli, while the self-educated Parker has worked in kitchens across the U.S. feeding his love for “molecular gastronomy.” Their Paccheri dish (chunks of lobster mixed with pasta pomodorini in a crustacean broth and basil pesto) is as indulgent as it sounds and worth your cheat day.

BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP FIX

“Life is short. Eat cookies.” That’s the motto hanging over the counter at Wilshire Boulevard’s Milk Jar Cookies, which continues to be our go-to when it comes to freshly baked treats, especially their chocolate chip cookies (the best in town, and we’re not the only ones who think so).

@TheFirstEcho