With his fast-casual Melrose Hill restaurant Kuya Lord, Lord Maynard Llera has taken Filipino food to new heights both locally in Los Angeles and nationally. Not only did he win the 2024 James Beard Award for Best Chef: California for his Southern Tagalog-inspired dishes like lechon and calamansi pie, the restaurant also landed on The Los Angeles Times 101 best restaurants list.
“It’s really about no gimmicks, just pure home cooking—using the techniques I know and the best-quality ingredients,” Llera says. “You know it’s not fine dining; it’s like you’re entering my house.”
Llera is now gearing up to be presenting chef at the upcoming 2025 Gold House Gold Gala—an OpenTable sponsored event that honors influential Asian Pacific leaders in culture and society named on the annual A100 list—on Saturday, May 10, at the Music Center in Downtown LA. We chatted with Llera about some of his favorite restaurants in the city ahead of the dinner.
Read on for some of the restaurants Lord Maynard Llera loves to visit LA, and then book them all on OpenTable.
This interview has been edited for length
Bestia (Arts District)
Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis’s Cal-Italian restaurant has been an Arts District stalwart for more than 10 years and it is still a tough table to score thanks to its wood-fired pizzas, excellent cocktails, and rollicking vibe.
Why Maynard loves it: “I love that it’s a modern take on Italian cuisine. Ori’s flavors are unapologetic. It really inspires me to keep doing what I’m doing at Kuya Lord. Plus, when you enter Bestia, you immediately feel the energy. It’s like a party, a place to enjoy food with friends. I always order the chicken liver, and I love their cavatelli.”
Kato (Downtown)
Chef Jon Yao and his business partner Ryan Bailey’s modern Taiwanese tasting-menu restaurant in The Row has nabbed the top spot on The Los Angeles Times 101 best restaurants list two years in a row—and it’s been named ‘One to Watch’ by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Why Maynard loves it: “I’ve only eaten at Kato a couple of times but I like his [Jon Yao’s] take on Taiwanese cuisine. It’s fine dining but he’s doing it right. He doesn’t pull back on his flavors. They’re like a punch in the face but not overwhelming.”
Osteria Mozza (Hollywood)
Nancy Silverton’s sweeping, gorgeous Italian restaurant in Hollywood has been serving classics like silky housemade pastas since 2007. Don’t overlook the famed Mozzarella Bar.
Why Maynard loves it: “It’s just classic Italian. Nancy’s attention to flavor and details are very special.”
Providence (Hollywood)
Two-MICHELIN-Starred Providence from James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Cimarusti is synonymous with thoughtfully sourced tasting menus that showcase the best of the sea.
Why Maynard loves it: “Providence was one of the first LA fine-dining restaurants I went to. I love the attention to detail, the fresh fish they use, and how they integrate California produce from the farmers’ market. They’ve been here for more than 20 years, and I think the key to that is both their consistency and ingenuity.”
Rossoblu (Downtown)
Steve and Dina Samson’s airy Downtown Italian restaurant serves up warm, comforting fare that you might find in a nonna’s house (but done with a refined sensibility).
Why Maynard loves it: “I always order Anna’s Minestra Nel Sacco. The dumplings bring a comforting richness that makes it unforgettable. I love the restaurant’s upscale atmosphere as well.”
République (Hollywood)
Husband-and-wife duo Walter and Margarita Manzke turn out flaky pastries for breakfast and brunch. Dinnertime is all about elegant French-leaning fare served in an iconic building built by Charlie Chaplin.
Why Maynard loves it: “We love their pastries in the morning and for dinner, the Burgundy escargot en croute and Regalis Pennsylvania Golden Chicken. Their dishes showcase the elegance of classic French tradition.”
Redbird (Downtown)
Neal Fraser’s California-French restaurant has been a special-occasions destination for a decade and is known for its gorgeous architecture (it’s housed in the former Cathedral of Saint Vibiana), outstanding cocktails, and playful takes on high-end dishes.
Why Maynard loves it: “Our family loves their brunch menu—specifically their morning pastries, BLD Ricotta blueberry pancakes, and the applewood-smoked bacon. We love their upscale vibe, both inside and out. The interior is elegant and cozy, while the outdoor garden is peaceful and beautiful.”
Jitlada (Thai Town)
Family-owned Jitlada is a favorite for big group dinners over shared plates of classic Thai fare, including a dedicated spicy Southern Thai food menu that locals love going back for.
Why Maynard loves it: “It’s traditional. They’re doing Southern Thai, which is really spicy but it makes sense. One of our challenges doing Asian cuisine in America is how to source ingredients and how to make the food feel close to home. Jitlada has created that. Plus, you feel like you’re eating in their home. It’s very warm and welcoming.”
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.
