Taco María is a Mexican tasting-menu spot in Costa Mesa - and one of the best restaurants in Southern California.

Baroo Canteen is a Korean-ish food stall in an East Hollywood swapmeet that’s serving some of the most unique food in LA.

Dialogue is a 21-course tasting menu restaurant in a downtown Santa Monica food court.

Providence is experimental, seafood-focused fine dining that’s absolutely worth the price of admission.

Scratch Bar is a fun 20-course prix fixe restaurant in Encino.

The food at Triniti in Echo Park is like what you’d find in a fancy restaurant. Except you’re eating it in a coffee shop.

Porridge and Puffs in Historic Filipinotown has Asian-inspired rice porridge, and a quiet, welcoming feel.

Le Comptoir is a tiny prix-fixe restaurant in Koreatown that feels like a dinner party with friends.

Maude is a ticketed tasting menu restaurant, but one that’s actually fun.

189 by Dominque Ansel is the full-service restaurant in The Grove from the guy that invented the cronut.

Auburn is an upscale prix-fixe restaurant in Hollywood with food that doesn’t validate the high price point.

Vespertine is dark, dreary, and lifeless restaurant in Culver City, and you’d be wise to stay far away.

Wolvesmouth is a prix fixe dinner party in the Los Feliz/East Hollywood that’s a truly unique LA experience.