You probably know Australian chef Curtis Stone from hit shows like Top Chef Masters and Crime Scene Kitchen, but he’s also one of the most acclaimed fine-dining chefs working in Los Angeles right now. His pioneering Beverly Hills tasting-menu restaurant Maude held on to a MICHELIN Star until it closed in September last year and his Hollywood steakhouse Gwen—which also has a MICHELIN Star—is heralded for its whole-animal butchery program, its housemade charcuterie, and gorgeous dining room.
Stone is currently riding on a high from Gwen being named on the most recent edition of World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants list. But when he’s not busy with his lauded steakhouse, the chef loves to hit up a Koreatown Oaxacan favorite, a beloved Arts District Middle Eastern spot, and so much more.
Read on for the restaurants Curtis Stone loves returning to in LA, and book them all on OpenTable.
pasjoli (Santa Monica)
James Beard Award-winning chef Dave Beran takes inspiration from classic French fare at his romantic Main Street restaurant that’s earned numerous accolades following its 2019 debut. [pasjoli is temporarily closing for a makeover starting June 1 and will reopen June 12 ]
Why Curtis loves it: “Dave Beran is super talented. He ran one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. I love what he’s done here in LA. pasjoli serves bistro fare but really refined; it has a somewhat casual feel but is really fabulous. The last time I was there, I had the pressed duck. It was fantastic.”
Guelaguetza (Koreatown)
The Lopez family’s rollicking K-Town restaurant has been a go-to for big plates of traditional Oaxacan fare and spicy Micheladas for decades.
Why Curtis loves it: “It’s a family-run business, which I always want to support. The food is incredibly good. They make mole that will make your eyes water, it’s so delicious. It’s one of my favorite spots to go and get good, authentic Mexican. We always talk about how great the Mexican food here is in LA, but unlike stands and trucks, Guelaguetza feels grown up.”
Somni (West Hollywood)
Chef Aitor Zabala reopened tasting-menu restaurant Somni in a sleek, modern new West Hollywood space last fall serving Catalan-inspired dishes at a 14-seat counter.
Why Curtis loves it: “I’m just super excited that Aitor has opened [Somni]. I think he’s prepared to take it to the next step; he might be the first chef in LA to get three MICHELIN Stars. It’s the right size restaurant, the right team, the right level of ambition. I really liked the first iteration. I always support someone who’s trying to push forward.”
Mélisse (Santa Monica)
It almost feels as if you’re eating in chef Josiah Citrin’s dining room at his intimate two-MICHELIN-Starred tasting-menu restaurant, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Why Curtis loves it: “I think Josiah is one of LA’s best chefs. He has a real attention to detail, and he’s very French in the way he cooks. He really uses great luxury ingredients. It’s a grown-up restaurant with a beautiful wine list.”
Redbird (Downtown)
Sporting one of the most beautiful dining rooms in Los Angeles, Redbird is known for Neal Fraser’s playful, inventive takes on American cuisine (think: Parker rolls dusted with everything bagel seasoning).
Why Curtis loves it: “I love this joint. Neal is just a super talented guy; he’s a very casual dude and doesn’t try to do anything super fanciful. He just really understands texture, technique, and flavor and has a great palate. It’s one of my favorite spots Downtown. Neil changes the menu a lot. It’s the sort of place you want to go and share lots of dishes.”
Bavel (Arts District)
This airy, sweeping Middle Eastern restaurant decked out with greenery is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis.
Why Curtis loves it: “Ori is a force. He knows how to get these delicious Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors. His hummus will have you questioning what the other hummus is you’ve been eating your whole life, and I love the grilled prawns with harissa.”
BADMAASH (Downtown)
Unconventional Indian hotspot Badmaash is known for blending vibrant flavors with modern design and a Hip-Hop playlist.
Why Curtis loves it: “I love Indian food. It’s my favorite cuisine, but we don’t get a lot of great Indian food in LA. The food at Badmaash has a modern attitude but is still rooted in great tradition and technique. I like all the vegetarian stuff there, and the rotis are incredible. You should order a few different curries when you go.”
Orsa & Winston (Downtown)
Josef Centeno’s iconic Downtown restaurant has been wowing diners with Japanese and Italian-inspired tasting menus for more than a decade and earned a nod as The Los Angeles Times Restaurant of the Year in 2020.
Why Curtis loves it: “So this place really reminded me of Maude. We opened at similar times. When we were a week away, I took the team to dinner there. I love how Orsa & Winston has continued to evolve. It’s really good, honest cooking. There are a lot of big restaurants in LA, but I love it when there’s just the chef and three or four people behind the stove cooking for 20 people a night.”
Marouch (Hollywood)
Marouch has been serving traditional Lebanese and Armenian fare like hulking mezze platters and kebabs to big groups and date-night diners alike since 1982.
Why Curtis loves it: “The city has plenty of Middle Eastern offerings, but Marouch in East Hollywood is a favorite. Family-owned and with generous servings, the restaurant has made every critic’s list and deservedly so. A hop, skip, and a jump from my restaurant Gwen, you pop in for lunch and order traditional kebabs and mezze, but I would encourage more interesting dishes like barbecued quail and the makanek (Lebanese sausage) washed down with an Armenian beer.”
Manuela (Arts District)
Manuela is a gorgeous indoor-outdoor California restaurant perfect for a meal after strolling through the Hauser & Wirth gallery’s rotating exhibits.
Why Curtis loves it: “Smack-dab in the middle of Hauser & Wirth in the Arts District, which was built in a former flour mill, Manuela is a perfect respite after taking in the galleries. I love the bar with a menu of small, farm-to-table shared dishes but they also do a great brunch with green salsa chilaquiles and a venison burger.”
Karen Palmer is a pizza- and pasta-obsessed food writer based in Los Angeles. She is the former editorial director of Tasting Table, and her work has appeared in Eater, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and many other publications. Follow her on Instagram at @karenlpalmer.
