Five Totally Inspiring Places To Dine in LA

On more than one occasion, we've been so moved by a stellar food pic on social media that we'd practically travel to the ends of the earth to get our hands on that particular dish. This is practically always the case when it comes to the Instagram feed of Georgia Gilfrich. Though by trade the East Coast transplant (Bethesda, Maryland to be precise) is a merchandise buyer in the fashion world, but her constant fascination with the creative culture in her new home of Los Angeles has turned Gilfrich into an accidental tastemaker, featuring inspiring shop interiors, cafe corners, and — our favorite — the most exquisite dishes served town, often from the newest and most creative eateries.

Cooking is a bonafide art form, and Los Angeles is rapidly becoming more and more of a culinary force to reckon with. Georgia makes it her mission to hunt down some of the most artfully composed and satisfying plates in the city and seems to do so before anyone else even knows they exist. For that reason, we've asked her to list her current five favorite food destinations, as well as the reasons she keeps going back there for more. Read on and don't blame us when you find yourself racing across town just to get yourself one of these inspiring dishes ASAP. We can totally relate.

Baroo

"Each time I go to Baroo I find something new to love. First it was the house fermented rose kombucha. Next it is was kimchi fried rice. Then the faux oxtail ragu and celeriac pastas. Then I had to try every kind of pickle (the watermelon rind & passion fruit kraut is a favorite). The last time I went, the bibim grain salad blew me away: so many ingredients in such a small salad. I followed it up with the Asian Fever, Amira basmati rice, lemongrass and coconut foam with crispy shrimp chips, and heirloom tomatoes. If Chef Kwang Uh goes anywhere, I will be following." 

Gjusta

"I love coming to Gjusta for late breakfast, when I can take a peek at the lunch offerings being swapped in, and usually I'll end up taking something home for later. I love getting [pastry chef] Nicole Ruckers' granola with yogurt and stewed fruit or a bagel with lox and the works.  I also just discovered the steak and eggs — I wish they sold the salsa verde that is on the steak! What I also love is the refillable Sight Glass coffee in beautiful ceramic mugs. I top it off with a shrub which changes season to season. Sometimes I'll leave with a loaf of bread for the week or sliced meats. Now they also have a store next door selling the same ceramics they use in the restaurant and some lovely goods that were co-created with Clare Vivier."

Destroyer

"This place is a minimalist dream. In the mornings both the space and pace is quiet. The presentation of the dishes is so beautiful: the powder on the avocado confit is made to look like the skin of an avocado, the potatoes on the chicken confit are strained to look like cheese on top of spaghetti. I also always look for unique drinks and at Destroyer the rhubarb vanilla tonic was a favorite."

Sqirl

"For me, lunch is where Sqirl really shines. Yes, the sorrel pesto rice bowl and the toast with ricotta and jam is what the place is known for but lunch gets a bit more creative. I think the best thing I've ever had here was a bacalao flower pot which was salt cod, potatoes, aigette, yuzo powder, and a burnt baguette. It was served in jar topped with herbs and flowers. I'm also a huge fan of the turmeric tonic and the vanilla bean lemonade."

Winsome

"At Winsome, even the chips are beyond basic. The thin, crispy kennebec potatoes are hot when you get them and served with crème fraiche topped with chili and kaffir. At breakfast I love the buckwheat and semolina pancake; they're yeast-risen with crispy edges and come topped with seasonal preserves and chestnut honey. My go-to drink is an horchata aqua fresca made with quinoa, wild rice, and toasted almond."