Dining

MEAT ON OCEAN

• By PAIGE PETRONE

Meat on Ocean, part of the legendary King’s Seafood Group (operating for over 70 years!), is located on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. The menu features the grandest choices of meat (hence the name!), Meat is offering what is arguably the best selection in all of Los Angeles — USDA Prime cuts aged for up to 30 and 45 days. Surely a meat lover’s dream come true!

Recently, I met a friend at Meat for a memorable lunch. We started with their Crunchy Iceberg Wedge salad smothered in bacon, tomato, blue cheese crumbles, and dressing. This was spectacular, crispy and creamy at the same time. A blue cheese fan’s fantasy dish that is simply to die for. A must-have!

Next, of course, we had meat! We shared the most delicious and delicate filet mignon I’ve ever had. It was cooked to perfection. In my opinion, this is another must-have. I want it again! We also tried the Red King Crab Legs (steamed and served with drawn butter), and sides of asparagus and magnificently creamy mashed potatoes. All were seriously fabulous. Be sure to save room for dessert. The Rustic Apple Tart (with caramelized apples, puff pastry, and topped with vanilla ice cream) was everything! Open seven days for lunch and dinner. Go!

For reservations and menu, click here.

PASTA SISTERS

• By KYMBERLY CHASE

This story begins in Padova, a small town in Northern Italy, where chef Paola Da Re and her siblings spent their afternoons helping their mother Maria Giovanna in the kitchen.”Food was always powerful for us; it brought us together and shaped our memories.”

In 2015, Da Re and her children launched Pasta Sisters and introduced a new vision for Italian cuisine. Almost every recipe has a family story behind it that is as important as the ingredients of the dish itself. The family spends countless hours searching for the best ingredients that both Italy and California have to offer, and the dishes are the result of a balance of family traditions, quality ingredients, and De Re’s personal touch. 

Upon ordering, you choose a type of noodle to go with your sauce base. There are so many options to choose from — spaghetti, tagliatelle, pappardelle, penne, or homemade gnocchi. I went for the Bolognese, with an old-fashioned meat sauce that did not include anything extra (like vegetables or bone marrow) which was amazing. The Black Truffle sauce was extremely tasty with a rich, bold, and savory experience of flavor.The restaurant is seat yourself style. You order at the counter, take a number, find a table, and get ready to feast!

For more, click here.

TAO LOS ANGELES

• By ARLENE WINNICK

Some nights you just want to grab a quick dinner at your neighborhood joint, but other nights you want to dress up and go to someplace that is special… and makes you feel special… and my first choice is Tao in Hollywood. Tao feels fancy and fun from the moment you enter the large two-level space filled with big bright plush décor anchored by a 16-foot Quan Yin statue. The place is always packed with, tourists, stylish guests and celebrities! It’s also perfect for pre-theatre dining, if you are heading to the legendary Pantages theatre (located just a few blocks away).

Start the meal with one of their designer cocktails – leave your comfort zone for a Year of the Rabbit made with Black Sake or an Okinawa Old Fashioned with Suntory Toki Whiskey. There are Sake flights and Sake bombs too… and creative ‘zero-proof’ drinks too.

Luckily the food lives up to the décor – it’s simply beautiful to look at and delicious to eat! The lavish menu, developed by Chef Ralph Scamardella, features fresh ingredients with innovative combinations and sauces with offerings from The Land, The Sea, and The Sky plus many variations on noodles, rice and of course, dim sum, tempura, sushi and sashimi. The special Chef and Rainbow rolls were my favorites. In addition to the more exotic dishes, the Peking Duck and Miso roasted Black Cod were perfectly prepared.  Each dish was a work of art – almost too beautiful to eat! Treat yourself to Tao – you deserve it. 

For reservations and menu details, click here.

CAPRI

• By KYMBERLY CHASE

Nestled under a dreamy canopy of lemon trees, Capri at Eataly Century City is your go-to spot for a slice of Italian paradise with a choice of an indoor or outdoor dining experience conjuring up the atmosphere of the Amalfi coast with an installation of Vietri ceramics, hand-painted with the restaurant’s signature lemon motif, as well as a patio with sweeping westside views, where the tables are shaded by blue and white umbrellas typical of Capri’s beaches south of Naples.

Executive Chef Giuseppe Manco brings his expertise to the table, with a love letter to Italy, offering fresh seafood, house made pastas, and regional Italian wines focusing on simplicity and flavor. The wood-burning Italian grill infuses dishes like grilled whole artichokes, local beets, and pasture-raised mutton boasting a subtle smokiness. Culinary delights include their popular dishes like succulent Branzino, decadent Tagliolini Al Tartufo Bianco, and creamy Spaghetto Alla Nerano. Pizzas include a traditional Neapolitan white buffalo mozzarella with chili oil and basil, and a more dramatic house made Stracciatella with mounds of arugula and sweet cherry tomatoes topping creamy fresh mozzarella curds. There is a tableside caprese cart offering three different varieties of mozzarella along with a selection of local tomatoes and other sides. Continuing the California-meets-Capri theme, the Delizia di Limone dessert with a limoncello is a must-try. Yum!

For more, click here.