I recently visited LA on business and had several fantastic meals. The most visually stunning (and almost the best tasting) dish I had was the squid ink pasta at Xuntos in Santa Monica. The anchovy on brioche and almond tart were also superb. I loved the service and cozy atmosphere at Xuntos and highly recommend it.
The best meal I had was at Osteria Mozza. The ricotta and egg ravioli was sublime and, dressed with brown butter, tasted like it had been drizzled with caramel. The mozzarella with anchovies was also delicious.
The most disappointing meal I had was at Majordomo. Given their reputation, I was surprised at the blandness of their flavors. The kimchi and kombu mignonettes tasted simply like vinegar and the whipped bone marrow tasted simply like butter. The bo ssam was also dry and tough — a real letdown. That said, the crispy duck confit rice was a standout and one of my favorite dishes from the trip.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed dining in LA. Some less expensive highlights included a superb mulita at Papi Tacos and the crab hand roll at Sugarfish, both near my hotel.
by w_ch