An elevated brunch menu is always something I’ll pay attention to. When I saw photos of the breakfast sandwich at Breakaway Cafe, I was determined to make it mine. So this was my first stop from LAX, and I am happy to say I was not disappointed. The small eatery has an amiable staff and a wide array of exciting food options. One of which is a sweet toast with matcha and pistachio spread. But I’m basic, so I went with a classic.

The breakfast sandwich comes on a beautiful buttered bun. I added bacon, and the perfectly crisp strips jutted out from the sides like outstretched arms begging for a hug. Beautifully scrambled eggs are topped with cheese and Mayo, and I obviously added Tapatio to complete the experience. This sandwich is comforting and simple. It goes down so quickly and doesn’t feel too heavy or greasy. The texture is excellent, but I highly recommend you add bacon to break up the softness from the base elements of the sandwich. I also ordered a latte (surprise), and the espresso was perfectly smooth. They brought it out nice and warm, too, so it didn’t get tepid before my meal.

I liked everything about Breakaway Cafe. Culver City’s Art District location makes it an excellent place to stop and enjoy some people-watching. The employees were incredibly kind and enthusiastic. It is just an inviting and warm establishment. This is a perfect option for your early or mid-day meal if you find yourself in Culver City.

Counter service and pretty small. You can sit outside or get something to go and sit on a bench. They seem to have a good buzz, so I would expect a bit of a wait if you’re going during peak times.

I was really anxious to try Olivia for a few reasons; it’s newer, has a ton of buzz, and is vegetarian. I’m a meat eater. But an excellent vegetarian meal is something I really love. That being said, I rarely leave a plant-centric meal feeling fully satisfied. I did not have this issue with Olivia. The dishes were incredibly thoughtful, full of flavor, and very satisfying. Chef-driven vegetarian food takes extreme talent to execute. But the team at Olivia really made it look easy. Combine the fantastic food with a beautiful dining room and attentive service, and it’s a recipe for a lovely meal.

Dinner began with an order of fried olives. Served over walnut “ricotta” and drizzled with honey, the olives were perfectly crispy with a beautifully mild and sweet flavor. Combined with the honey and ricotta (which rivaled the taste of any dairy ricotta), it was a perfect opening to my main dish. The lentil mushroom burger was the best plant-based burger I’ve ever eaten. No hyperbole. The textures were incredibly unique, and the patty had a soft interior with a great crunch from the grill. It included crispy veggies, tomato tapenade, avocado, and macadamia feta. It had such great flavors while also retaining shape after taking bites. There was no mushy fallout or mess. Just a really fantastic take on a legume-based sandwich. It was also served with charred green beans and a house-made hot sauce. Perfect addition to balancing the hearty main course.

Olivia is the perfect representation of California cuisine; there is no pretentiousness or forced authenticity. I got the impression that the team simply wanted to create beautiful food from natural ingredients. They provide an approachable and elevated vegetable-based experience. Overall, I believe this place will quickly become a staple in LA. So grab a table while you can!

It’s all first come, first serve, but you can check the wait time on Yelp. The dining room is small, but if you go on a weekday, you can grab a table. I went earlier and had no problem. Order and pay on the phone, but the servers are attentive and present.

I stumbled on this diamond walking around Silver Lake one day, and now pasta will never be the same. Cesi’s is a fast-casual Italian restaurant serving authentic pasta, focaccia, sandwiches, and baked goods. I knew it was going to be good. But I had no idea that the lasagna from Cesi’s would get me in my feelings. There are a ton of options on the menu. The staff is incredibly polite and friendly. You need to visit and share this experience with me. Please, I am still emotional.

The menu at Cesi’s is relatively extensive for its tiny footprint, so I wasn’t sure what to order. I’m not a big pasta person, but I was assured that the lasagna Verde was a great choice. The portion is about the size of a small book and served in a tin tray. The edges of the pasta are charred in the oven to create a crispy shatter with each taste. The Béchamel is beautifully smooth and mild, but the pesto and mozzarella provide an amazing tanginess. I really can’t describe how “whole” the dish felt. The restaurant describes itself as “Nonna approved.” While I can’t say I have any association with Italian grandmothers, I think anyone with a sense of taste would realize the beauty of this lasagna. I can only imagine the importance and satisfaction of the other dishes now. But I will be back to try everything else. Mark my words; they have me hooked.

Cesi’s is just about as real as it gets. There are no frills in what this place is serving. You will feel at home if you enjoy food made with love and tradition. They have cultivated something lovely, and it feels like you are being let in on a secret when eating the food. No doubt in my mind anyone would be inspired by Cesi’s. Also, they serve a $3 latte. God bless them.

All counter service with a few tables. They open early for coffee and baked goods as well. I’m told the focaccia is a must-try, but I was too full from the lasagna. You’ll have to order it and tell me how it goes. Maybe I’ll see you there.

Full disclosure, this was my favorite meal during my trip to LA. I have wanted to visit Azay since their opening to sample a dinner set, and it absolutely did not disappoint. Chef Akira has been in the restaurant business for decades as an owner/CDC and a cook under giants like Rubochan. He is a master. The food he creates is stunning both in presentation and taste. But equally fantastic is the atmosphere of Azay. It is a family-run establishment with full attention to the happiness of its customers. This meal was indeed one of a kind. This should be if you only have time for one dinner or sit-down meal in Los Angeles.

My meal began with fresh tofu served in a marinated soy sauce and topped with benito flakes. If you haven’t had fresh tofu, it’s different than what you are assuming. The texture is akin to a flan or custard, and it perfectly carries any ingredient’s flavor. It’s truly heavenly. For my main course, I ordered the black cod dinner set. Visually the set itself is gorgeous. It arrives with pickles, rice, miso soup, and expertly made tomago. But the star of the show was the fish. The skin was crispy and flavorful, and the flesh was buttery and light. The option to rotate between each plate and combine elements is so much fun. Each has its own flavor and texture, so it feels like you’re having a new experience with each bite.

I was very taken with Azay. Chef Akira and his wife treated me like an old friend rather than a customer. Both sat with me and engaged in casual conversation as though we were old friends. A lot of restaurants attempt to force an atmosphere conducive to true comfort. But Azay doesn’t need to try anything. They simply make great food and invite people to eat it. I’ve never had a meal like that. I could eat there every night and not get sick of it. Okay, go now before I start crying.

You are doing everything wrong if you don’t plan on eating tacos in LA. The options are endless, and you can find some of the best in the world. Whether you like a classic Al pastor or a battered fish taco, there’s something for every taste. Dana Estela is a food truck based in the Arts District. They specialize in mariscos, which are seafood-based Mexican specialties. They have the most incredible fish taco I’ve ever eaten. So I suggest you get there and enlighten yourself.

I ordered the hard shell shrimp taco and battered fish taco. The hard shell comes fried to perfection and covered in avocado. The shrimp inside is ground into a texture similar to beef mince. It is tender and flavorful with notes of cilantro and cumin. But the fish taco was really something to marvel at. Visually it is a show stopper. The filet is covered in a thick beer batter and fried to a perfect amber color. It is dressed with crema, pico de gallo, and cabbage slaw. I also added Dona’s special spicy sauce. I can’t stress how perfectly balanced the taste was. The fish was so flaky and moist, the batter was buttery and mild, and the salsas complemented everything perfectly. With each mouth full, I became more somber, knowing I was getting closer to the end of the taco. But I’m happy to know I can come back whenever I want to recreate this experience.

Dona Estela is fantastic. It’s crazy to think that this is only one taco truck with one style of tacos in a city offering thousands of options. I visited four separate locations to sample different taco styles. Dona Estela stood out as my favorite. Keep in mind you could spend weeks just eating tacos and not make a dent in the landscape of Los Angeles. Dona Estela is for you if you’re looking for a great place to start and a perfect fish taco.