Best of Los Angeles: Food

I'm constantly on the hunt for 'the best of LA' ...but I've quite exasperated the internet with my quest.  My searches for "best steakhouse" "most romantic"  "bottomless mimosas" etc. elicit a 'top 10' list from the generic conglomerate websites like Yelp, Gayot and Urbanspoon.  And while I don't necessarily think their lists would lead you astray from enjoying a delectable meal in Los Angeles... I also don't trust their motives behind rankings.  I mean, lets get real.  If someone wanted to throw me some cash - or heck a few free meals - I would have nothing but nice things to say regardless of my dining experience.

So, without further adieu, here are my very favorite LA spots, by category.  Over the next few weeks I'll dedicate separate posts to each place and give you a proper review.  But this should give you a good starting point:

All-Over, Never-Fail Favorites:

Spago - duck breast

Litte Door & Little Next Door

Pace - cedar plank salmon

Bottega Louie 
Maestros 

Breakfast:
Little Next Door - Croque Madam
The Ivy - white sangria

Brunch:
Beverly Hills Hotel, Polo Lounge -Lobster Benedict
Montage 

Burger:
Apple Pan
Umami Burger - truffle burger, cheesey tatter tots

B.Y.O.B.:
Frito Misto - raviolis

Coffee:
Urth Cafe - Honey Vanilla Spanish Latte & almond croissant

Deli:
Canters - Pastrami on rye

Dessert:
Maestros -  Butter cake

Experience:
The Bazaar - Cotton Candy Martinis
Churchkey - Jidori Chicken
Runners Up: Nics Martini Lounge, The Stinkin Rose

Food Truck:
Kogi
Lobsta Truck

French:
Little Door
Le Petit Four

Froyo:
Toppings in Pacific Palisades

High Tea: 
Chateau Marmont

Hotel Bar:
Four Seasons Beverly Hills
Parq at the Montage

Italian:
Madeo
Runners Up: Angelini Osteria, Il Pastaio, Ago

Late Night:
Bossa Nova - plantains, Chicken in gorgonzola sauce app
Il Tremezzino - Chicken Special, nutella croissant dessert

Mediterranean:
Fig and Olive - crostinis
Sunin - garlic hummus with carne asada

Mexican:
El Compadre - guacamole
Red O - fried plantains

Pizza:
Tomato Pie 
Slice Truck

Romantic: 
Il Cielo 
Mari Vanna
Runners up:  Perch, Geoffrey's, Pace, Little Door

Russian:
Mari Vanna - Borscht

Seafood:
Crustacean - garlic noodles & roasted crab app
Santa Monica Seafood Company - candied salmon

Steak:
Maestros -petite filet & butter cake dessert
Cut - pork belly app, sirloin tasting menu (or just the wagyu)
Runner Ups: Lawrys

Sushi:
Nobu
Koi
Runner Up: Katana (atmosphere)

Tapas:
Tinto

View:
Moonshadows - go for oysters and hawaiian spicy tar tar for lunch
Maestros Oceanclub 

Wine Bar:
A.O.C. - bacon wrapped dates



And now for my 'worsts' list:
Restaurants that I think are overrated and not worth the calories or price tags:  Eveleigh, Hakkasan, Bagatelle, Culina, Blanca, Connie & Teds, Luna Cafe