Best places to eat in Los Angeles, according to chef Curtis Stone

Australian chef Curtis Stone did not imply to make Los Angeles his dwelling, however issues simply turned out that method.

“I briefly relocated to L.A. about 13 years in the past to do a TV present,” he recollects, “and ended up actually liking it. And it did not harm that I met my spouse right here. However L.A. has been a spot of so many beginnings for me – it is the place I began my household, the place I opened my first restaurant. There’s all the time this sense of chance and alternative right here.”

Chef Curtis Stone — Picture courtesy of Clay Larsen/Curtis Stone

Stone’s two eating places within the Metropolis of Angels are in Beverly Hills and Hollywood. “I opened Maude in 2014 as my first solo restaurant,” Stone reminisces. “Then, in 2016, I opened Gwen Butcher Store & Restaurant in Hollywood with my brother Luke, which showcases fire-based cooking strategies and responsibly-sourced proteins and produce.”

The pork chop at Curtis Stone’s Gwen Restaurant — Picture courtesy of Liz Barclay/Curtis Stone

Stone additionally continues to do tv in Los Angeles and past, presently starring in “Crime Scene Kitchen” on Fox. He is additionally now the daddy of two sons, and he and his brother opened a brand new restaurant referred to as Georgie in Dallas. So his free time is unquestionably restricted, however Stone and his spouse, actress Lindsay Worth, nonetheless discover time to exit and eat in Los Angeles.

We requested him for his favourite spots to seize a chew and he gave us an eclectic mixture of eateries.

Luv2eat Thai Bistro

Phuket fashion crab curry at Luv2eat Thai Bistro — Picture courtesy of Luv2eat Thai Bistro

Situated in a strip mall at 6660 Sundown Boulevard simply east of Highland, Luv2eat Thai Bistro is tucked away and arduous to note when driving by. However chef Stone loves that it is simply steps from Gwen, his butcher store and nice restaurant.

“Pla and Fern [the chef/owners] at Luv2eat are absolute gems, and that is my go-to lunch spot once I wish to sneak away from Gwen down the road for a fast chew,” Stone reveals.

“They’re within the strategy of opening an categorical location virtually subsequent door to Luv2eat Thai, and it’ll function a barely totally different menu. Additionally they opened Noree Thai on Beverly a few years in the past. The menu is barely totally different, a bit extra composed – and extra importantly, a bit additional west (at Beverly and Fairfax) for individuals too removed from East Hollywood however nonetheless desirous to get nice Thai meals.”

The Cheese Retailer of Beverly Hills

The Cheese Retailer of Beverly Hills — Picture courtesy of The Cheese Retailer of Beverly Hills

Stone loves cheese and so do his youngsters, and the truth that The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills is correct up the road from his restaurant Maude (on Beverly Drive) means he all the time stops in to seek the advice of with Norbert Wabnig, who has owned the store since 1978 (it opened in 1967), over the most recent nice cheese.

“At any time when we’ve got conferences at Maude, I am all the time going out and in of The Cheese Retailer of Beverly Hills. Norbert Wabnig is a cheese guru and is consistently introducing me to new cheeses from throughout the globe,” Stone confesses. “I inevitably find yourself strolling out with an armful of different snacks for the boys at dwelling.”

The shop additionally presents caviar, charcuterie, wine and different goodies.

Pizzana

The Cheese Retailer of Beverly Hills — Picture courtesy of The Cheese Retailer of Beverly Hills

Pizza is a staple for a household with younger youngsters and chef Stone recommends Pizzana on San Vicente Boulevard in Brentwood, as a result of the dough is crafted by a Neapolitan transplant to SoCal.

“Pizzana continues to be a mainstay for Linds and me. Pizzaiolo Daniele Uditi is a grasp with dough and co-owner Candace Nelson is an effective pal of ours. We prefer to pop in for dinner with the youngsters or take a couple of pies to go to take pleasure in at dwelling with a film,” Stone says.

Bestia

Bestia’s inviting wine and meals mixtures in DTLA — Picture courtesy of Ren Fuller/Bestia

Bestia is the award-winning Italian eatery on seventh Place in Downtown Los Angeles, one of many leaders in revitalizing DTLA when it opened in 2012. Chef Stone is planning to open his third L.A. eatery there in 2022.

“I have been spending extra time in Downtown L.A. as we plan for our restaurant on the Belief Constructing, which has been a fantastic excuse for me to eat at Bestia,” he explains. “Cooks Ori and Genevieve are forces within the L.A. culinary panorama and have introduced a lot life and vitality to the Downtown and the Arts District. I am honored to be becoming a member of the bigger neighborhood they’ve helped rework.”

Fia Restaurant

The backyard at Fia Restaurant in Santa Monica — Picture courtesy of Fia Retaurant

Typically, it is good to go go to an outdated pal – and one other ex-pat who now calls Los Angeles dwelling and occurs to even be a world-class chef. At Fia Restaurant on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, Curtis Stone finds simply that.

“Fia is one other favourite for a few causes. Firstly, my longtime pal and former colleague Brendan Collins is the chef. We have recognized one another since our early days within the kitchen for Marco Pierre White again in London. He is a beast within the kitchen, and persistently pumps out nice meals. Secondly, it has a beautiful backyard courtyard for eating, which is good for a date night time out,” Stone provides.

Sushi Park

Sushi Park’s tucked-away location in West Hollywood — Picture courtesy of Jenny Peters

Chef Stone’s ultimate decide is essentially the most unassuming place on his listing of favorites. Sushi Park sits on the second flooring of a strip mall in West Hollywood, sandwiched in a nook curve close to a pretend eyelash joint.

However appears might be deceiving and, on this case, this is without doubt one of the metropolis’s greatest locations to eat top-notch sushi. You will know that by the signal on the entrance door, that claims “No takeout! No salad! No teriyaki/tempura! No fashionable sushi! No California roll! No spicy tuna roll! We serve solely conventional sushi. Sushi bar is chef’s selection solely.”

Stone expands on that signal: “If you’re up for an omakase and able to splurge, we love Sushi Park. You are not going to be getting any California or spicy tuna rolls, as a result of it is all in regards to the highest high quality fish on the market with none of the noise. That is one the place we get the youngsters a sitter and so they keep at dwelling!”

Count on to pay $200 on your omakase on this tiny gap within the wall.