Food is really one of the ultimate pleasures for in life for me. I'd much rather splurge on a really nice dinner out than on a fancy pair of shoes. Here are just a few of my favorite Los Angeles bites lately…all with layers of unexpected flavors, textures, and just plain goodness with each bite.
Fried chicken is sometimes just fried chicken, but this one (above) from The Hart and the Hunter is one of the best fancy versions I've had. It was crunchy, juicy, spicy, and perfectly offset with tangy slaw and sliced pickles.
Once or twice a year, I love celebrating a birthday or anniversary at a really, really nice restaurant. Providence is one of the best restaurants in L.A. And while it's not cheap by any means, every single bite is pretty magnificent—including this scallop sashimi on brioche toast covered in grated black truffles.
It took me months to finally get a reservation at one of L.A.'s newest hot spots, Bestia. But it was well worth the wait. The modern and rustic Italian-inspired dinner was one of my favorite meals this year. Even the classic heirloom tomato salad was off the charts.
Finally, I love when a dish gets an unexpected addition—like the hash brown accompanying this hamachi crudo from Baco Mercat. It's Japanese meets Southern comfort breakfast in one dish.
Do you guys enjoy a great meal out as much as I do? Or would you rather splurge on something else?
P.S. Breakfast bites and beautiful bites.
{Photos by Oh Joy}
I agree with you about splurging money on good food. These food pics look so delicious. I will have to come back to LA just to try all these recommendations 🙂 Thanks Joy!
these look so scrumptious. i can’t wait for our trip to LA at the end of this year so we can visit these amazing spots!!
These look absolutely delicious!
The sashimi looks really good!!
I’m pretty similar to you when it comes to splurging on food. These days I find myself constantly spending money on food than anything else. I’ll splurge once in a while on material items, but food is the top of the list. It’s more enjoyable when you get to taste it. 🙂
Yum! I love these restaurants! What will happen to blogging when more restaurants ban cameras? Takeout?
http://liveitinerantly.com
A great meal out is like a great therapy session! Lol! I want that fried chicken right now! This is my first time leaving a comment 🙁 but im always reading! LOVE your blog! XO!
http://www.lovecheria.com
Yum, yum yum! I totally agree with you on the food splurge thing. Since moving to SF, my hubby and I have foregone gifts for birthdays and anniversaries, and just do a fancy dinner out instead. Such a treat!
Yum! These all look delicious Joy. I’m a big believer of splurging on good food!
xoxo,
Chelsea & The City
in nashville we just call that “hot chicken.” 🙂
Baco Mercat is one of my favorites! We had that dish the last time we went and it was so good. I just moved to LA a few months ago, so I love your posts about delicious spots to try!
My husband definitely loves to splurge on food (just the way he grew up)….I am slowly becoming this way. When you come to Chicago next you have to try Parson’s Chicken and Fish (some of the best fried chicken I have had).
-Alecia http://www.likesof.us
My birthday’s in October…maybe I should try one of these spots then!
Ahh Baco! Love that place. I’m always looking for new places to try, so thank you so much for this post! I will have to put these recommendations to use very soon.
xx
youngmildandfree.wordpress.com
Ahh Baco! Love that place. I’m always looking for new places to try, so thank you so much for this post! I will have to put these recommendations to use very soon.
xx
youngmildandfree.wordpress.com
Ahh Baco! Love that place. I’m always looking for new places to try, so thank you so much for this post! I will have to put these recommendations to use very soon.
xx
youngmildandfree.wordpress.com
Ahh Baco! Love that place. I’m always looking for new places to try, so thank you so much for this post! I will have to put these recommendations to use very soon.
xx
youngmildandfree.wordpress.com
Ahh Baco! Love that place. I’m always looking for new places to try, so thank you so much for this post! I will have to put these recommendations to use very soon.
xx
youngmildandfree.wordpress.com
Ahh Baco! Love that place. I’m always looking for new places to try, so thank you so much for this post! I will have to put these recommendations to use very soon.
xx
youngmildandfree.wordpress.com
Ahh Baco! Love that place. I’m always looking for new places to try, so thank you so much for this post! I will have to put these recommendations to use very soon.
xx
youngmildandfree.wordpress.com
Ahh Baco! Love that place. I’m always looking for new places to try, so thank you so much for this post! I will have to put these recommendations to use very soon.
xx
youngmildandfree.wordpress.com
Ahh Baco! Love that place. I’m always looking for new places to try, so thank you so much for this post! I will have to put these recommendations to use very soon.
xx
youngmildandfree.wordpress.com
Ahh Baco! Love that place. I’m always looking for new places to try, so thank you so much for this post! I will have to put these recommendations to use very soon.
xx
youngmildandfree.wordpress.com
I definitely splurge on good food – and LA is a great place to do so! 🙂
I’m with you, Joy — I’m all about the experiences (and they so often include food!) than things. And that heirloom tomato salad sounds incredible.
These look crazy tasty. However, I’m the opposite I rather grab a cheapy meal and splurge on shoes and bags and tops etc…as long as I can still get something sweet be it a chocolate cupcake with extra icing – grocery store is fine with me, I’m happy, just need to satisfy those sweets cravings!
🙂
mikky
http://www.todaloos.com
Absolutely agree: I love to spend on great food. If you love fried chicken, you need to try the sandwich at Superba Snack Bar in Venice — it has sriracha ranch and a zippy pickle slaw. I also love ‘simpler’ fancy meals like the Sunday suppers at Lucques.
I’m with you: food over shoes, {almost} always! These all look delicious, by the way.
been wanting to try hart and the hunter forever, and that sandwich has me drooling!
mmmmm… i’m hungry. That Hamachi Crudo on Hash Brown looks so delicious!
http://www.mockeri.com
looks amazing, yes i think splurging on a special occasion is a must, delicious food is a wonderful way to celebrate 🙂
AWESOMESAUCE. You guys must have had a great time! And your tummies must be really, really happy. The Japanese and the Southern fusion sounds interestingly delish!
Those all look so yummy, light and fresh! My bank/CC statements reveal that above all, I enjoy treating myself to delicious eats. Sounds about right. 🙂
xo, http://www.lilyonfillmore.com
My favorite too. Delicious!
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Picture no. 2 won the competition. What about the recipe:)?
These all look so delicious. I’m taking note of all the addresses for our Cali trip!