The food: Chef Tete was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and you’ll find plenty of Ethiopian ingredients and spices on the menu, but the first restaurant concept from the chef ventures far outside of traditional Ethiopian cuisine, with a modern menu that includes popular Smorgasburg items like ET Twist Tacos with potato, lentil, mushroom, cilantro, awaze, tangfaye sauce, and microgreens, plus a bevy of new additions like Eat the Rainbow, with red lentils, turmeric garbanzo, and purple cabbage with potato and sautéed greens, served with teff injera bread. The gist: Smorgasburg darling Tezeta “Tete” Alemayehuwho is behind this African-inspired vegan spot in Santa Monica with two levels of sleek, wood interiors, plus a small astroturfed parklet and sidewalk seating. From Culver City to Koreatown to Downtown LA and beyond, here’s a look at some of the most exciting restaurants in LA that have opened this year: Many restaurants are still dealing with supply chain challenges and labor shortages, so be understanding, patient, and respectful when you dine out. While talking about the “best” restaurants in LA still feels a little unsavory, we’re eager to celebrate the tenacity and creativity that our local restaurant scene has demonstrated over the past almost-two years, and we can’t think of a better way to show our support than by reserving a table or three.Īs of press time, LA County is fully open, though masks are still required indoors, including when you’re not eating or drinking or if you leave your table. Now, proof of vaccination is required to dine at any restaurant in LA County, a move that gives us just a little bit of reassurance that we won’t be subjected to any more shutdowns. Vaccines are also widely available-which have not only helped keep our numbers down, but gave peace of mind to tentative diners as they emerged from their COVID cocoons. Oh, and did we mention that 11 LA restaurants were awarded stars from the Michelin Guide? Suffice to say there’s plenty to explore across our city’s ever-changing dining scene. New trends have emerged, including the rise of chef-driven dining options within just-launched luxury hotels, a focus on regional Italian and Mediterranean cuisines translated with fresh California ingredients, and simple yet stunning wood-fired techniques. After more than a year and a half of closures, pivots, and reopenings, LA’s restaurant scene has returned at almost full force, with a slate of new dining destinations that opened this summer and fall.

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