Meteora, Hollywood

New Favorite!

This restaurant is top notch, affordable, and the service is impeccable. You enter through a door that is so decorated you don't know it's a door. It sets the mood for the entire experience and let me emphasize that this is an EXPERIENCE.

The restaurant is so clearly themed around nature and the utilization of every element of nature to enhance dishes. Chef Jordan Kahn earned a well deserved Michelin Star at Meteora. They use natural fire, seasonings, and unique ingredients directly from the source. You will not find these ingredients and ideas anywhere else in Los Angeles. They spare no expense on the best. Primal, and relaxing, I might even consider this place a day spa for restaurant fanatics. The hospitality is perfectly paced, attentive, and individualized to your wants, needs, and mood. They will throw in great additions to your meal, compliments of the chef, at times that blow your mind and leave you wanting to return as much as your wallet will allow.

That being said, they offer two tasting menus at this time. A four course and a seven course for the most reasonable prices considering the extreme efforts for unique ingredients from around the world. I am telling you, they could make your least favorite food taste like a million dollars. If your pocket book allows it, get the seven course. If you are on a budget, the four course is equally as amazing just a little less food. Though they do have a cocktail bar and drinks served by the glass, the price of the pairings is worth it. I love the fact they offer a wine pairing and a cocktail pairing. These pairings are not just thrown together may I add. It is one of the few times I have absolutely savored each bite and each drink between because of how they compliment each other. I can't even pick out favorite dishes because they all blew my mind and honestly were things I have never tried before. I will point out that I had their BURNT MURASAKI YAM dish with yeast butter, smoked trout roe, maradol papaya. Like WHAT?!?!? I would never order any of that on a menu but until you try this multi-textured, sweet, salty, insanely layered delicious dish, you will not believe me on how unique and delicious it is. To take something and char it to a point where the black layer is tasty and not bitter whatsoever, and have the inside of a yam perfectly cooked, is freakishly perfect.

I pride myself in going to as many different restaurants as possible but this place screams my name every time I research a new place to try. I have returned three times and each time, I end up literally having tears of joy due to the flavors, ambience, and service.

If you are visiting Los Angeles or looking for the perfect date night or solo night, this is absolutely the place to go and treat yourself. It reflect greatly on the food and fine dining scene in Los Angeles and exceeds expectations Reserve online and tell the Megan sent you!

Bar Chelou, Pasadena

I record my podcast, Kill The Bottle, in Pasadena. No matter where I am, I'm usually no where near Pasadena before we record. The drive is not fun so I try to find things to do in the area when I am there. Bar Chelou is the first place in years that really stood out to me and left a memorable meal stuck in my head ever since.

Led by Douglas Rankin who has a fabulous resume, insane high end restaurant experience, and was awarded Zagat’s “30 Under 30” at age 27, Bar Chelou is tucked away in a building that looks straight out of an old movie. The inside is very well decorated with a unique bar area filled with lounging couhes and bar seating.

My server had a dry sense of humor and new exactly what I should eat. He understood what I was doing there without me saying anything. He suggested the Snap Peas with chistorra, cured egg yolk, anchovy. I warned him I was not a huge anchovy fan, and he assured me the anchovy flavor did not over power the dish. He was absolutely correct. All the ingredients were very well balanced and I scraped up every last creamy bit. It had insane flavor and the snap peas gave it the texture that enhances a flavorful dish from good to great. I came for the Iberico Pork but the bartender said, though it is absolutely delicious and popular, I won't find anything else like the Duck leg with yu choy couscous, spicy labneh, macadamia dukkah. Correct again. I have never tasted duck that was so perfectly cooked. The duck was on the bone and the server suggested pulling the meat off and mixing it with all of the components on the dish. Sweet, Salty, smooth. It was all the things. I savored every bite and again, 100% cleaned my plate.

It is rare that I find a restaurant that blows me away with flavor. I am a salt addict and underwhelmed often by what some people say is flavorful. Bar Chelou will not disappoint. You would think I would have been full after all that but I was on a roll and had to give a dessert a try. I am not a banana dessert fan but again, my bartender suggested it. He turned me. I had the perfect portioned caramelized banana bar with a peanut butter crisp, chocolate mousse, and banana custard with a suggested port wine.

I don't say this often, but if you want the perfect meal, get all three of these dishes. This place is great for singles at the bar and gives good date-night vibes as well. If you are in Pasadena and looking for an amazing flavorful experience, go to Bar Chelou. Tell them Megan sent you!

Quarters, Los Angeles, (KTOWN)

Korean BBQ is a staple in Los Angeles but there are a million to choose from. If you are single, they also tend to treat you poorly. I have had to battle it out and find the best one that not only offers the highest quality meats and accoutrements, but also that has reasonable dealings, prices, and quantity for someone traveling alone. Quarters is as close as it gets.

To warn single people, you are required to purchase at least three meats. The reason Quarters is good about this is they offer the meats in 1/4 lbs unlike many other Korean BBQ places. Hence the name.

For those of you nervous about cooking meats at your table, Quarters does it for you but you are also welcome to ask them for direction so you can learn. It is clean, friendly, and to add to its awesomeness, stocks a full bar so you are not stuck with just beer and sugary soju.

I highly recommend Beef Tongue and anything marinated. If you don't think you like Beef Tongue, try it here! I didn't think I liked it either until I gave it a whirl thanks to a friends recommendation. Now I order two as two of my three meat choices. The Kimchi stew is also the best I have had.

The staff seems well put together and very team oriented. One great memory I have is when Squid Games was popular, the entire staff was given Squid Game Costumes for Halloween.

Though it may seem a little americanized and not as authentic as some of the hole in the wall places, I absolutely recommend putting this on your bucket list in Los Angeles.

Tangaroa Fish Market, Santa Monica

What a deal! What a treat! A little taste of New Zealand right in Santa Monica. I have been to this restaurant four times and each time I love the ambiance, the menu options, service, and now the bar!

This is a fresh fish market and restaurant. They market fresh New Zealand Seafood, so anything you order will be fresh. From their fish of the day selections to their grass-fed beef burger, all the food comes out looking beautiful and the employees have always been very kind, friendly, and knowledgable.

I have to tell you about my favorite special they have though. I hate to say it out loud because it is such a fantastic deal and I don't ever want them to run out but I will tell you! On top of the delicious seafood dishes, at times they have whole lobster for an insane price. The lobster and butter are obviously going to be delicious but what makes this price and this special amazing are the sides served with the lobster. Garlic bread, delicious cole-slaw, and my absolute favorite surprise side dish, their Edamame Corn Salad. You should absolutely order the Edamame Corn Salad with any dish you get because its packed with flavor and texture. I was shocked at how amazing this was and also shocked that I ate the ENTIRE PLATE worth of food (including the bread) both times I had ordered.

When you have a friend with you, do not sleep on the Crab boil when available. I also recommend the clams in white wine and the Filet of the day. They have amazing oyster shooter prices that can also include king crab or uni.

This is well priced, great seafood. Plain and simple with great friendly service. Go there with friends or sit at the bar, like me, alone. This adorable New Zealand Seafood Restaurant makes me look forward to getting down to Santa Monica. Tell them Megan sent you.

Baroo, Arts District, Los Angeles

I have had two Korean Tasting menus. The first one did not impress so I was skeptical trying another. Because of the unique ingredients Korean cuisine uses, it can be tricky for chefs and intimidating for diners to go out of their comfort zone and spend a lot of money on the unfamiliar. Baroo, located in the Arts District in Los Angeles, takes care to infuse amazing non-intimidating, Korean options that are well worth the cost.

Baroo offers a five course tasting menu that can be paired with wine or Korean Sool. Sool is Korean for alcohol. I decided to try this option being that I am super unfamiliar with Korean alcohol. The drinks were well paired but very unique. It is a great option for foodies looking to expand their palette but if you are not an experimental eater, I would suggest the wine pairings.

The service was perfect. Friendly, not over-the-top, and to the point. The meal took around two hours. The portions were appropriate and some highlights were the Hokkaido scallop, minari, gim, rice puff and the brilliant, buttery, melt in your mouth soy-braised Wild Black Cod, dongchimi, lemongrass, buttermilk, green papaya. I sat at the chefs counter and it was great watching the chefs prepare these beautiful dishes. It was all food I have never tried before in those specific preparations and I left very very happy.

This place is great for singles and dates. Very clean, pretty, and organized with a knowledgable wait staff. Not to mention the Tasting menu is listed at very reasonable price. They do have singular course options for those who want a smaller meal. I would definitely send anyone visiting to this place. It represents our diverse Los Angeles food culture very well. Get a reservation and tell them Megan sent you!

IKI, Los Angeles (Koreatown)

As many know, Ramen has exploded in the last decade. What use to be a cheap pantry staple has now been transformed to a fine dining experience. From the noodles to the toppings, to the broth, the possibilities of what restaurants are doing with Ramen these days is endless.

IKI, located in Koreatown, Los Angeles, is no exception. In fact. . .I would say EXCEPTIONAL. Located near the corner of a strip mall off of Western, IKI is a must try if you are looking for the best ramen LA has to offer. There are twelve different Ramen options; each one with an insane burst of flavors. I favor the Spicy Tonkotsu which is Shoyu seasoned pork bone stock, pork belly, egg, kikurage, sweet corn, scallions , and nori. The most popular Ramen though is the Burnt Garlic Tonkotsu. But if you have no budget don’t skip out on the Truffle Butter Ramen and a Wagyu Ramen.

I would be doing a disservice to this low key small hole in the wall if I didn’t mention the sushi! YES. They have sushi as well. Chef Hiroyuki Masato prides himself in serving only ingredients that are local and from Japan and you can definitely tell. The grab and go hand rolls are absolutely breathtaking. The handrolls are so fresh, warm , and perfectly dished as little sushi tacos. The seaweed salad in perfectly dressed, salty, and textured wonderfully. Sometimes seaweed salad can be slimy and fishy but not at IKI. Every dish that comes from the small kitchen is plated to perfection and served by a professional. The bussers are amazing at refilling your drinks and assisting with the service.

Added bonus! IKI offers a chef’s tasting menu! Yes! The Omikase is only $105 for you foodies which is worth every penny. Nine beautiful coursse including Hokkaido Scallop,Santa Barbara Sea Urchin, Soft Shell Crab Bao, and a A5 Wagyu with Sea Urchin. I was in heaven. They took their time, described every dish in detail and did not scoff at the fact that I was by myself. This is absolutely is one of my top five favorite experiences at a chef’s tasting. If you are in the area, do not miss this gem. You will regret it.

Rim Talay Thai Cuisine, Oceanside

Carlsbad is a quick jaunt from Los Angeles and super close to San Diego. It is right on the shore line and a great quick get away for locals and tourists. If you are in the area and love Thai food, Rim Talay is worth the visit.

Chef Ponie has been cooking the majority of her life and came to the United States as a young adult. Her culture definitely shows through in the food at Rim Talay which translates to "by the sea". She was professionally trained and it shows. This restaurant was her dream and in my opinion, she nailed the dream.

Rim Talay is located on the main street near the pier in Carlsbad and is surrounded by a fantastic night life scene. Before you head out for some late night adventures, fill up in this relaxed contemporary restaurant. The curry is outstanding. I was blown away by the flavors, the spice offerings, and the service. They offer beer, and Sake as well which was perfection with the meals.

The highlight for me was the soup offerings. I tried two on my visit. The Tom Kha and the Tom Yum. The sweet and sour notes were superb. Not pricey, not a big fancy place, but just right for an easy meal before a night on the town. Go there and tell them Megan sent you!

Carlsbad Aquafarm, Carlsbad

One of the items on my bucket list was to shuck fresh oysters straight from the ocean and eat them right there on the spot. Carlsbad Aquafarm made this a reality.

You would miss this place if you were not looking for it but Agua Hedionda Lagoon is where this cute gem is located. Next to a power station that is dated back to 1950, you can find thousands upon thousands of oysters and mussels that are farmed right there in the lagoon. The water is so clean because of the filtration from the oysters and mussels.

There is a very affordable adorable tour that is offered at the aquafarm. They educate you on how oysters develop, the amazing natural filtration they provide, and how they grow. On this tour you can witness plenty of sea life and hold oysters that are as big as your hand (I learned you do not eat those old guys) I don't want to give all the education away but our tour guide was absolutely passionate, happy, and very knowledgeable when it came to the tour. Patient, I might add as well (we had an old man that loved to talk and it could have been a drinking game every-time he asked a question).

At the end of the tour you are brought to a beautiful deck over the lagoon that is set up with shucking stations and a small outdoor gift shop. You are then taught how to shuck oysters. You get a handful and you are off to the races. Tricky, but I was successful as well as everyone on the tour. They provided lemons, horseradish and their own bottled hot sauce that I had to buy. It was delicious and made specifically for oyster pairing. You are also able to purchase fresh oysters to take home.

This was an absolute joy and worth every penny. Highly recommended. If this is on your bucket list, go. . . and tell them Megan sent you!

KazuNori, Los Angeles (7 Locations)

If you like Sugarfish, but don't need the expense or extras, KazuNori Is the sushi place for you.

From the owners of Sugarfish, KazuNori is known as the original Hand Roll Bar and they do hand rolls and they do them right. The amount of locations now available makes this an easy option anywhere in the city of Los Angeles.

Crispy seaweed on the outside, fresh delicious fish and warm rice on the inside. Fast efficient service, good sake, good beer, and elegance. The bars at the locations are the only seating options and because of the popularity, don't be upset with where they seat you. You will be shoulder to shoulder with a stranger if you are alone even if there are empty seats but they do this to make sure to get everyone in and sitting with their groups. It is a great option for single people as they usually always have one seat open.

Though I have not been to the New York locations, I am assuming the quality and standards are just as high. This is a small, simple menu restaurant that will surprisingly fill you up quickly. Don't be fooled by the single hand roll delivery. By the time you get to your third, you start to feel very fulfilled.

I highly recommend this place for singles and small groups. Get the sake and for your first visit order one of their pre fixe menus all for under 40$ in Los Angeles. Sushi lovers - This place is definitely for you!

Antico Nuovo, Los Angeles

Wow. So I don't eat Italian food often. When I do, I spend hours looking for a good place. Los Angeles has the usual big names; Mozza, Angelini Osteria, etc. So when I ran across this random Italian food restaurant near me, I was skeptical. I had never heard of it before.

Antico Nuovo is fantastic. I went in during the week and was seated promptly. The atmosphere is dark and sexy. I was uncomfortable at first as it very much looked like a "group style" restaurant and I was not wrong. The waiter explained quickly that they encourage plate sharing or family style dining. That being said, he, Patrick, could have rolled his eyes at me, scoffed, assumed he would make no money and not help me out at all. He did the exact opposite.

Patrick explained, as a single, there was an option to try many things on the menu and, even better, he could half portion the main dishes so I could try two for the price of one. Yes, the portions were small but perfect for a single diner. Instead of having to budget and pick one appetizer and one main course Patrick offered me what I can only describe as the most comfortable satisfying Italian food experience I have had in the city of Los Angeles. I even picked a wine I didn't initially like, and though I told him it was fine, he quickly sensed I wanted something else and he gave me a taste of another wine, Flotis Negrette, that absolutely took my breath away.

That all being said, I was able to try three of the appetizers along with some home-made Foccacia. Whipped ricotta - pistachio pesto Ceci Verdi Puree - shallots, garlic and the Duck Liver Pate. These were perfection. The saltiness, the different textures, the roasted garlic. . .my mouth is watering thinking about it. I was in heaven. For the main course, I was able to get half portions of the Plin Dell’ Alta Langa and the Ravioli di Nonna. Both homemade pasta dishes that were cooked perfectly and flavored out of this world. Buttery salty sweet goodness. I could have broken down and cried right there.

I was not rushed, I was treated with respect, and was so full by the end of my meal, l I couldn't even get dessert and had to box up what I had.

I know you all are looking for those big names and big name chefs but founder Chad Colby did something really right with this place. I can not wait to take family and friends. Thank you Patrick!

Get a reservation, have a lovely solo experience or date night and go to this beautiful restaurant. Tell them Megan sent you!

Guelaguetza Restaurant, Los Angeles

Fun! Brilliant! Bright! Tasty!

I had never heard of Oaxaca, Mexico nor did I know there is a difference in this Mexican cuisine and traditional Mexican cuisine. That being said, I was spoiled on my first taste.

Guelaguetza opened in 1994 and is located dead center Los Angeles and is brightly colored on the outside which matches the giant inside as well. There is a stage for live music, a small shop that includes Chef Bricia Lopez's cookbook and awesome gifts.

The menu is giant. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. They are known for their Mole, traditional family recipes, and my favorite. . .their Micheladas. I literally could drink these all day if I did not have responsibilities.

Our waiter was top notch. He was quick, happy, and it felt like he was so excited to be there which is rare in this town. Of course, I ordered way to much food including the appetizer Quesadilla Fritas (highly recommend) made with my new favorite cheese - queso Oaxaca, and Huevos Rancheros. The endless chips I believe were topped with Mole and I could not stop eating them. The portions are big and all the ingredients taste so fresh and authentic. I was shocked by the entire experience.

Culturally, this place is a must if you are in Los Angeles and looking for our vast array of food options. Some places that are this authentic might feel intimidating to walk into if you are not familiar with the culture and food, but not this one. It's no wonder its been featured the Los Angeles Times, Jonathan Gold's 101 essential restaurants, The New York Times, GQ Magazine, Esquire, Los Angeles Magazine, Oprah Magazine, The New Yorker, Travel and Leisure, Sunset Magazine and others. It also was recently awarded a James Beard Award which is amazing. Get there and get there quick.

Hatch, Los Angeles

Chicken hearts!

If done correctly, they are brilliant. Hatch, located at the 7th Street Metro Center in Downtown, Los Angeles, knows how to do them. This shopping center above the train is known at The BLOC.

This cute Yakitori location is beautiful. Dining room seating and large bar areas make up this small restaurant which I love as a single. There is a full bar as well with a fantastic cocktail list.

Though the cocktails are slightly pricey (but not as pricey as Alamo Drafthouse which is a movie theater upstairs with a bar), the food is great and affordable. The tofu is recommended if you don't enjoy chicken hearts. For a mere 5$ per skewer, you can fill you chicken heart's desire!

This is a great location and place to pre-game and eat before a movie or a night on the town. The servers were very kind and a definitely recommend it!

Quarter Sheets Pizza, Los Angeles

I am a stickler when it comes to pizza. I've tried some of the proclaimed

"best" in the country. I've never been impressed. Until now.

Quarter Sheets, located in Echo Park, is a very petite Detroit style pizza place that blew me away with flavor. I love a simple menu, and it is very simple. A couple appetizers, several pizza options, and a few very well crafted desserts is all you have to choose from which always makes it easy.

There is a bar for us singles and beer and wine options which is perfect. Though I have heard it is hard to get into or order on busy days, I went at 5:00 on a weeknight and was sat and served right away.

You are able to order pizza by the slice for an AMAZING price in Los Angeles. I ordered two slices for 13$ and they were heavenly. One slice could easily fill you up which makes me extremely happy with the price. Detroit style pizza is thick, and cut in rectangular pieces. I don't know how they do it but the dough/crust is sooo effing good and though it is thick, it doesn't overpower the toppings or fill you up. The ingredients they offer were seasoned amazingly and the pizza was cooked perfect. Not too crisp and not too soft. I was blown away. Not to mention they have my favorite style of pepperoni; small, slightly greasy, little round bits of joy. A place I used to go to in my childhood in Colorado that has since shut down, use to have these same pepperonis. I have not found them since and I was stoked to see them on Quarter Sheets pizzas.

This is a fantastic little spot to grab an early dinner alone or with a date. You want good pizza in Los Angeles? You must go here and skip the others that are sooo acclaimed and expensive. Tell them Megan sent you!