Umbrella Taco is a Melrose taco shop and a good quick lunch if you’re out shopping.

Box Food is a street vendor on Melrose with jerk chicken worth driving across town to eat.

Chao Krung is one of the oldest Thai restaurants in LA with a newly revamped menu that’s tremendous.

Open Sesame is a restaurant in La Brea with traditional Lebanese food and a low corkage fee.

Meal By Genet is an upscale Ethiopian restaurant on Fairfax and one of LA’s most unique date-night spots.

Spartina, a casual Italian restaurant on Melrose, is one of West Hollywood’s better backup restaurants.

Michael’s is a New York-style pizza spot in Beverly Grove that serves good slices and stays open late.

Yarrow is a daytime cafe on Fairfax near the Grove with lots of vegetarian and vegan food.

Wirsthaus is a sleepy German beer garden in Fairfax that has 30-something beers and solid German food.

Ta-eem is a Kosher Mediterranean restaurant that's home to some of our favorite shawarma in the city.

Point Five is an Australian cafe in the Fairfax district that’s good for breakfast.

Blackbird is a casual pizza spot on Melrose serving decent deep-dish.

Project Taco in Beverly Grove is a modern taco spot for a casual meal.

Tom Bergins on Fairfax is one of LA’s oldest bars, and with the addition of a whiskey club and a new food menu, now is the time to be drinking here.

Shaky Alibi in Fairfax is serving excellent waffles, and is your best bet for those mornings when you need something sweet to get you through the day.

Toca Madera, a healthy Mexican restaurant on a trendy stretch of W 3rd Street, is the place to go if you want a scene but you also want decent food.