2020 will be the year that the restaurant industry has increased. It’s hard to talk about the year of review when everything changed, when people and businesses suffered during the pandemic. In light of the challenging year for everyone in Los Angeles, we asked food writers and people in the industry to discuss the most exciting new restaurants and eateries that have opened over the past year, as places have opened up and served incredible food.
Mona Holmes, Reporter for Eater LA
If the following words come to mind “LA’s first Afro-Mexican restaurant”, it’s on. Tamales Elena y Antojitos is the restaurant that strikes me the right taste notes: family restaurants, family recipes, regional Mexican food, the owners are true Angelenos and immigrants who have worked in some of LA’s best restaurants over the years. And the food is solid. Tamales Elena has even built in an ideal for a pandemic: a drive-thru. It’s amazing to see the whole of Los Angeles respond to this business. And I hope they will be for years to come.
Hillary Dixler Canavan, Eater Restaurant Editor
Browsing through my Instagram reminded me of how much fun the beginning of 2020 was costly. It also reminded me of the wonderful meal I had when Xiang La Hui was a newcomer in January. Unfortunately, the dual pressures of pandemic life and newborn life mean that I have not yet returned to test my hypothesis that Xiang La Hui deserves the title “the best toothpick lamb in the SGV.”
Joshua Lurie, Founder of FoodGPS.com
It’s not a restaurant yet, but the Filipino’s comfort food bowl from Chef Lord Maynard Llera, Kuya Lord, was pretty amazing. Fully loaded trays of wood-roasted chicken legs, crispy meat lechon-kawali and pancakes with shrimp have been covering us for days.
Danielle Dorsey, LA Editor, Thrillist
South LA Cafe. I am so impressed with this husband and wife team, who are also South African residents. Not only did they launch their cafe and community center during a pandemic, but they quickly addressed the needs of their community by donating ~ 150 fresh produce boxes to neighbors in need each week. Not only that, but their cafe menu is delicious and their outdoor patio offers a pleasant atmosphere, with signs “Clean” and “Dirty” speeding up the cleanup between guests.
Esther Tseng, freelance writer
As it was a strange market for restaurant openings, and people hoping to stay safe but still support those trying to keep business, it was hard to get excited about newcomers this year. But I’m thankful for All Day Baby and their takeout window.
Jim Thurman, Freelance Writer
Medan kitchen; Tamales Elenas y Antojitos; Hui Lau Shan arrives in the SGV
Farley Elliott, senior editor of Eater LA
Little Coyote was a blessing on Long Beach, and I was very pleased to see that the Sightglass team in Hollywood is working so hard to give its immediate community what it needs. Talk about changing directions in 2020.
Oren Peleg, Eater LA contributor, freelance writer
Oyster found, which is not only a lovely and lively place, but also a move away from the fast food restaurant to the quaint neighborhood area.
Cathy Chaplin, co-editor of Eater, LA
A&J Seafood Shack – Long Beach, Medan Kitchen – Rosemead, Starting Today – Chinatown
Hadley Tomicki, LA Taco
Josh Gil’s Mirame in Beverly Hills blew me away. As I sit on the patio watching the fireplace with a tepache and rum cocktail in hand, it feels just like the restaurant I’ve always wanted to be.
Matthew Kang, Editor of Eater LA
Mírame, for a new look at the modern Mexican in the heart of Beverly Hills. Sushi Tama was a wonderful addition to West Hollywood, and I can not wait to sit there for a full omakase meal if it is safe. Tamales Elena had the best tamales in my life. Damian will probably go up as a classic in LA, but my extracurricular pre-meal I had there was very good. Xiang La Hui was an incredible new find in SGV’s Sichuan scene. Ospi was my favorite new Italian restaurant, with excellent pizzas and memorable pastas. Little Coyote brings the best pizza in New York City, maybe ever in LA.