I enjoy fine dining and have enjoyed meals at many of the spots mentioned (except Kato was one of the worst, but I’ll chalk that up to them still figuring stuff out), but I’m disappointed in what feels like dwindling casual eatery representation. RIP Jonathan Gold
In any case, congrats to all who were acknowledged! Except Smorgasburg is a cop out.
cloud_busting
Some very worthy new additions but overall a pretty predictable, clout-y list, unfortunately. TWO Evan Funke restaurants? 🙄
Nothingtoseeheremmk
I do not understand the fascination for Sonoratown whatsoever
geepy66
Anyone have the article without paywall
tgcm26
Disappointed with how similar this is to last year’s list. And the new additions are wayy too south bay-centric
Realkool
This list should be the best 310 restaurants in LA. 101 it’s not enough to cover the vast number of amazing restaurants we have here. And, reading through this list, consistently angers me that many of my favorites have been neglected.
caseybl79
I still don’t know how I feel about the Hall of Fame idea. I get what they’re going for, and also I don’t want two lists I want one, please and thank you.
Wateristea
It’s like reading an eater article. Makes me wonder how much these restaurants pay to be on this list.
Ok-Essay458
These things just have never been the same without Jonathan Gold behind them. They just lack the personal touch, the insight, the history, the passion for discovering and boosting cultures and communities and people that he always brought along.
Just a list of solid places to check out, which I guess is the idea, but Gold’s 101 was special. Doing it by committee could be fine, but it feels like the list lacks any sort of cohesive voice (which is obviously easier to do with one person driving it but not impossible for a group). Also I feel like I could have guessed nearly all of these just based on what tends to get recommended, and in Gold’s it felt like there were more surprises (although that may also be a result of more social media and more constant exposure for restaurants).
edit: of course I post this without reading comments and see that I’m not alone
Kishin2
Wish the list wasn’t so heavy on the $$$. It’s not really a good list for finding a place to eat that everyone didn’t already know about. Also feels like such an “In” group list even compared to last year.
IAmPandaRock
Damn, I didn’t realize Matt Luczy left Melisse. He’s a phenomenal somm. Does anyone know where he went?
guyincorporated
Not one restaurant north of the 101/134 and only 3 in the SFV at all. Feels bad. And cloutish.
Lmnolmnop
would you guys stop posting LA Times because of the paywalls,
cut and paste, people will be grateful
BalboaBaggins
I have never understood why all the mainstream LA food publications (LAT, Eater, Infatuation, etc.) have a such a massive hard-on for Pine & Crane. It’s easily the most mid, flavor-deficient “Taiwanese” food that I’ve ever had.
I have to assume its because the owner is well-connected and the clientele in Silver Lake are both the type to actually like bland, entry-level ethnic cuisine presented in a “trendy” setting, and also overrepresented in local media? If you have a better explanation let me know.
Large-Breadfruit-692
Im ready for the downvotes, but besides the great pastry case, I don’t understand the medias obsession with Republique. It’s the most “California French” western cooking restaurant ever, nothing feels inventive nor does the service blow you away. It can be on this list, but number 4????
I’m just here to listen. The real list is in the comments. 🙂
cathaysia
Shout out to Surawon!
GreenMandMsOnly
Since when is Costa Mesa, Anaheim, and Westminster in Los Angeles?
IvyMike
Best restaurant I went to this year that didn’t make the list: Meteora.
Worst restaurant I went to this year from the list: Anajak Thai. I just don’t get it.
teravolt93065
Paywall
puigforpresident
Republique at number 4 saves me from having to read the rest of the list. If that was actually the fourth best restuarant here I would move.
gamehen21
Ehhhhhh lol
techmnml
Damn I’ve only been to 9 of these. I need to get out more 😂
230602
Haven’t been to a lot of these places but do have some thoughts. Isn’t Smorgasborg an event? Yelp’s top 100’s Broken Mouth didn’t make the list, nor did Bistro Na (had a Michellin Star at one point), nor did Howlin Ray’s. I assumed it was bias towards sit down restaurants (ie having a nice atmosphere) but they included some restaurants like Sonoratown which is basically a hole in the wall.
lavendarblacktea
Everyone misses Jonathan Gold, so does anyone have any recs for casual places that he might’ve recommended?
PrestigiousTowel2
Anajak is the 2nd best restaurant in LA? Are you fucking kidding me? Trash list.
Current-Business3950
My question is this: how many restaurants fell off this list from the year before? And how many new ones made it on the list? It seems to me that this has become kind of a “club” and doesn’t really address the broad swathe that is LA.
inspect_her_gadgets-
LA sucks!
Bobnbecky
I do miss all the places to eat in LA Indiana sucks
Mr310
Those writers probably aren’t even from here, let alone the people fawning over this list. Hard pass.
brokendownend
99 would have been enough, going beyond 100 blows my mind so I can’t even comprehend the article.
SizzlingSloth
The sub complaining about the list just because it’s not by Jonathan Gold is cringe to read over and over again, I understand the appeal but holy shit the dickriding is a bit excessive. I feel like half of this list has places a majority of the sub hypes up and to be real most of it is just 6-7/10 at best. Do I think this list is great? No, but I also don’t think it’s as terrible as people are saying.
33 Comments
I enjoy fine dining and have enjoyed meals at many of the spots mentioned (except Kato was one of the worst, but I’ll chalk that up to them still figuring stuff out), but I’m disappointed in what feels like dwindling casual eatery representation. RIP Jonathan Gold
In any case, congrats to all who were acknowledged! Except Smorgasburg is a cop out.
Some very worthy new additions but overall a pretty predictable, clout-y list, unfortunately. TWO Evan Funke restaurants? 🙄
I do not understand the fascination for Sonoratown whatsoever
Anyone have the article without paywall
Disappointed with how similar this is to last year’s list. And the new additions are wayy too south bay-centric
This list should be the best 310 restaurants in LA. 101 it’s not enough to cover the vast number of amazing restaurants we have here. And, reading through this list, consistently angers me that many of my favorites have been neglected.
I still don’t know how I feel about the Hall of Fame idea. I get what they’re going for, and also I don’t want two lists I want one, please and thank you.
It’s like reading an eater article. Makes me wonder how much these restaurants pay to be on this list.
These things just have never been the same without Jonathan Gold behind them. They just lack the personal touch, the insight, the history, the passion for discovering and boosting cultures and communities and people that he always brought along.
Just a list of solid places to check out, which I guess is the idea, but Gold’s 101 was special. Doing it by committee could be fine, but it feels like the list lacks any sort of cohesive voice (which is obviously easier to do with one person driving it but not impossible for a group). Also I feel like I could have guessed nearly all of these just based on what tends to get recommended, and in Gold’s it felt like there were more surprises (although that may also be a result of more social media and more constant exposure for restaurants).
edit: of course I post this without reading comments and see that I’m not alone
Wish the list wasn’t so heavy on the $$$. It’s not really a good list for finding a place to eat that everyone didn’t already know about. Also feels like such an “In” group list even compared to last year.
Damn, I didn’t realize Matt Luczy left Melisse. He’s a phenomenal somm. Does anyone know where he went?
Not one restaurant north of the 101/134 and only 3 in the SFV at all. Feels bad. And cloutish.
would you guys stop posting LA Times because of the paywalls,
cut and paste, people will be grateful
I have never understood why all the mainstream LA food publications (LAT, Eater, Infatuation, etc.) have a such a massive hard-on for Pine & Crane. It’s easily the most mid, flavor-deficient “Taiwanese” food that I’ve ever had.
I have to assume its because the owner is well-connected and the clientele in Silver Lake are both the type to actually like bland, entry-level ethnic cuisine presented in a “trendy” setting, and also overrepresented in local media? If you have a better explanation let me know.
Im ready for the downvotes, but besides the great pastry case, I don’t understand the medias obsession with Republique. It’s the most “California French” western cooking restaurant ever, nothing feels inventive nor does the service blow you away. It can be on this list, but number 4????
for those who find this list intolerably clout chasing, check out my list of [101 LA Legends](https://docs.google.com/document/d/13dUMTnO7P8IxUr6BZoHO9NNRkoQ5wZZfoLAohXP8DBM/edit) which i made to be like the anti-LA Times 101. it’s focused on old, iconic classics!
I’m just here to listen. The real list is in the comments. 🙂
Shout out to Surawon!
Since when is Costa Mesa, Anaheim, and Westminster in Los Angeles?
Best restaurant I went to this year that didn’t make the list: Meteora.
Worst restaurant I went to this year from the list: Anajak Thai. I just don’t get it.
Paywall
Republique at number 4 saves me from having to read the rest of the list. If that was actually the fourth best restuarant here I would move.
Ehhhhhh lol
Damn I’ve only been to 9 of these. I need to get out more 😂
Haven’t been to a lot of these places but do have some thoughts. Isn’t Smorgasborg an event? Yelp’s top 100’s Broken Mouth didn’t make the list, nor did Bistro Na (had a Michellin Star at one point), nor did Howlin Ray’s. I assumed it was bias towards sit down restaurants (ie having a nice atmosphere) but they included some restaurants like Sonoratown which is basically a hole in the wall.
Everyone misses Jonathan Gold, so does anyone have any recs for casual places that he might’ve recommended?
Anajak is the 2nd best restaurant in LA? Are you fucking kidding me? Trash list.
My question is this: how many restaurants fell off this list from the year before? And how many new ones made it on the list? It seems to me that this has become kind of a “club” and doesn’t really address the broad swathe that is LA.
LA sucks!
I do miss all the places to eat in LA Indiana sucks
Those writers probably aren’t even from here, let alone the people fawning over this list. Hard pass.
99 would have been enough, going beyond 100 blows my mind so I can’t even comprehend the article.
The sub complaining about the list just because it’s not by Jonathan Gold is cringe to read over and over again, I understand the appeal but holy shit the dickriding is a bit excessive. I feel like half of this list has places a majority of the sub hypes up and to be real most of it is just 6-7/10 at best. Do I think this list is great? No, but I also don’t think it’s as terrible as people are saying.