Chicago deep dish vs NYC pizza rivalry aside, Masa is just a restaurant you want to be at.

An outdoor, island-like Caribbean BYOB that’s a great time. In Santa Monica, no less.

Rahel is the only all-vegetarian restaurant in Little Ethiopia and also one of the best.

Village Pizzeria is one of the more reliable pizza-by-the-slice spots in town.

The popular neighborhood spot might not have the best Mexican food in town, but it doesn’t have to.

India’s Oven isn’t the best Indian food in LA, but if you’re in Brentwood, it’s an extremely serviceable option.

Mao’s is as close to a reliable, neighborhood Chinese spot as we have on the Westside.

Colori is a solid, family-run Italian spot downtown, and one of the last of its kind.

Pinches is a reliable taco shop on the Sunset Strip and an ideal jumping-off point for a night out in Weho.

Water Grill is a downtown seafood spot for people who work or like to talk about finance.

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

Taix French Restaurant may look like a Danish motel from the outside, but it’s actually a huge dining room in Echo Park with a low corkage fee.

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

La Grande Orange Cafe is an American restaurant in Pasadena with a big citrus theme and low corkage fee.

Gus’s BBQ in Pasadena is a rare breed - it has both a solid plate of spare ribs and a low corkage fee.

Bossa Nova is a big, Brazilian spot with multiple locations across Los Angeles and a solid corkage deal.