Any discussion of Los Angeles’s white-hot restaurant scene would be incomplete without mention of Curtis Stone, the Aussie-born chef behind the mercurial, ingredient-focused Maude and meat-centric hot spot Gwen, a 2017 semifinalist for Best New Restaurant. Seeking expert advice from an in-the-know Angeleno, we asked Stone for his top tips on eating your way through his adopted hometown. Below, he shares his must-try spots for date night, pizza, Korean barbecue, and more.
Al Fresco Dining
Malibu Cafe. They have a great brunch!
Barbecue
Chung Ki Wa. Los Angeles has amazing Korean barbecue and I love to shop the markets in Koreatown.
Food Truck
The NoMad Truck. I’m looking forward to the hotel and restaurant opening in Los Angeles this year! And my restaurant, Gwen, did a special chicken burger for the truck last month.
Happy Hour
E.P. & L.P. Louis Tikaram is a fellow Aussie and doing killer food. Their rooftop deck is a perfect spot for a cocktail.
Date Night
Terroni. I went on my first date with my wife, Lindsay, here. She was late but worth the wait!
Best Bowl of Pasta
Alimento. This little spot in Silver Lake turns out beautiful bowls of handmade gems.
Best Pizza
Pizzeria Mozza. I love the pies from their wood-burning oven.
Best Steak
Gwen, of course! Our 80-day dry-aged rib-eye is unreal.
Breakfast
Kettle Glazed Doughnuts. My boys love our weekend doughnut runs to this Hollywood spot close to home.
Dessert
Sweet Rose Creamery. They have a few locations in Los Angeles and use seasonal ingredients for their unique flavors such as tomato ice cream and blood orange sorbet.
Get a taste of Curtis Stone’s cuisine with his recipe for pan-seared rib-eye steak with chile-Gorgonzola butter.
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Maggie Borden is associate editor at the James Beard Foundation. Find her on Instagram and Twitter.
