When it comes to dining, Los Angeles offers a vast cultural melting pot that celebrates techniques from around the globe while using local, year-round California produce. For the best restaurants to book in November, here are three new spots that, while all feature caviar service, are set in wildly different surroundings: from a Parisian speakeasy on Sunset Boulevard to a coastal European patio in West Hollywood and a seaside nautical spot in Santa Monica.
Discover the best new restaurants in Los Angeles
November LA restaurant openings
Chez Mia
The coveted old Ago space on a busy corner of Melrose Avenue has been completely transformed by Marissa and Matt Hermer of Boujis Group (Olivetta and The Draycott), in creative partnership with entrepreneur Kurt Seidensticker, into an expansive indoor-outdoor Provençal-inspired restaurant.
The Mood: South of France by Way of West Hollywood
Once again, the owners enlisted Tom Parker, director and co-founder of UK and LA-based architecture and interior design firm Fettle, to bring the vision to life of cherished travel memories throughout Southern France and Coastal Europe. The transportive scene is filled with 500 varying shapes and sizes of potted plants on the lush garden patio dotted with lemon trees and vintage Sicilian heads from LA-based sculptor Stephanie Morton-Millstein. Even the wrought-iron chairs have overlapping cushions that resemble petals, which flank banquettes sheltered by pergolas, all surrounding a central main bar. The smaller interior space holds an open kitchen with chef counter seating.
The Food: Provençal Seafood Feast
Caviar plays a starring role on the menu here, courtesy of Petrossian, with gougères, deviled eggs, or Royal Beluga service with blinis. Culinary director Ivo Filho takes his cues from coastal cuisine along the Côte d’Azur, such as scallop crudo, plateau de fruits de Mer of oysters, shrimp, and snow crab claws; lobster bisque bucatini and classic Dover sole meunière. Wood-fired offerings include a whole branzino and grilled lamb chops with Provencal sauce.
No matter how much of the bounty you order, do not skip the warm Fougasse bread, the French cousin of Italian focaccia, fermented for 48 hours, then served as a crispy oval mound with salted Normandy butter, and end with a creamy Valrhona chocolate mousse sprinkled with a slight crunch of almond praline. The wine list spans the Mediterranean coastline to California’s American Riviera, or opt for a French cocktail such as Monet’s Lavender made with gin, clover honey, and butterfly pea flower.
Chez Mia is located at 8478 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, chezmia.com
Orla
Located in the glamorous Regent Santa Monica Beach hotel, designed by AvroKO’s San Francisco studio and Wimberly Interiors, Orla by chef Michael Mina is one of the most highly-anticipated hospitality projects to finally come to fruition as part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio.
The Mood: If A Sleek Yacht Were A Hotel Restaurant
Past the central lobby at Orla Bar, the open-air views of the sandy shore from the main dining area compete with the handmade Pompeii mosaic crafted by 16 Sicis Master Mosaicists – nautical nods found throughout the restaurant design. The concept was inspired by a Mediterranean voyage on the Aegean Sea, which starts with yacht deck flooring and a ‘king plank’ centre spine down the middle of the dining room. A compass design appears on the carpet in the lower dining area with a large-scale starburst. A niche above the dining room banquettes holds a large driftwood sculpture installation, with brass detailing by local California artist Joe Ferriso, who collected the large-scale pieces of driftwood off the California coast and bleached them.
The Food: Fun Night on a Cruise but With Elevated Food You Want to Eat
If you love a tableside cart, Orla is your spot. From custom-designed fish and dessert carts to a gin cart, the action never stops. While the Royal Caviar Fateer service here includes Daurenki, Baika, and Special Reserve Ossetra, other interesting starters include macaroni béchamel with mushroom duxelles, and black truffle, or King crab fregola with heirloom carrots. The showstopper is an abundant kebab platter for two loaded with filet mignon, lamb kofta, chicken dolmas, halloumi, tangerine labneh, smoked eggplant dip, saffron basmati rice and pita. For a special event, book the Odyssey private dining room with muraled wallpaper with ship and ocean scenes by Fine and Dandy wallcoverings, plus a custom chandelier resembling octopus tentacles.
Orla is located at 1700 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, orlasantamonica.com
Puzzle
The owners of romantic West Hollywood Amour, 111 Hospitality, have opened Puzzle on Sunset Blvd., an action-packed intimate room that syncs all the senses. While you are just a few feet away from some of The Strip’s most iconic music clubs – The Roxy and Whisky – this is a seductive venue to cosy up for a romantic dinner date this holiday season with live entertainment.
The Mood: Speakeasy in Paris
You might be tempted to draw the curtains on one of the five intimate alcove booths amid the 15 tables and bar, but then, you would miss the international DJs or eclectic singers that roam the main floor. Co-owner and designer Serge Bueno’s vision was for a stunning speakeasy reminiscent of Parisian clubs with a distinctive European feel. Rather than using the red or black velvet upholstery of traditional nightclubs, he opted for a chicer look with a deep green motif. Inspired by Venetian architecture, with gilding and bronze ornaments – made from moulds salvaged from castles, all the elements meld together to form the perfect puzzle.
The Food: French-influenced With a Side of Caviar
Start the evening with a caviar bump on a mother-of-pearl spoon, accompanied by a chilled shot of vodka to set the tone. You can carry on with Chef Kevin Dray’s gallic cuisine – who hails from Avignon in the South of France, including a frothy mussel soup with fennel cream and saffron or a wild langouste flambé with Hennessy Cognac in a rich mushroom bisque. If you are feeling extra decadent, there is plenty more caviar on the menu in the form of linguini pasta or a baked potato pilled high with Ossetra Royal. Dessert includes a flambée crêpe, and a cold brew coffee cocktail with Baily’s, Belvedere, Frangelico Mozart Chocolate Liqueur, and chocolate shavings. Still, you can always stick around for bottle service as well.
Puzzle is located at 8947 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, puzzle.love
October LA restaurant openings
Muse
On the border of Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades, Muse is the brainchild of 24-year-old prodigy chef-owner Fardad Khayami, who is reimagining traditional French cuisine. At first glance, it might feel like you have stumbled upon a hidden art gallery in Paris, but this jewel-box spot tucked away on Channel Road near the Pacific Ocean is a special mix of design and gastronomy.
The Mood: Hidden Jewel
With just 35 seats, including romantic nooks with banquette seating, Muse is an intimate fine dining experience designed by Marc Ange Design Studio. With offices in both Los Angeles and Paris, the studio blends French surrealism, Italian romance and a touch of California cool in the space. This includes rich wood panelling and gold, earthy tones, along with sculptural lighting in the form of a Fantino Chandelier and wall sconces with curved glass panels to highlight the rotating display of museum-quality artwork from Catalan-Spanish painter Joan Miró.
To add to the mysterious allure of the restaurant, a private dining room will debut in November offering an exclusive tasting experience. For something a little less formal, you can tuck into one of the four seats at the bar, where the full menu is also served.
The Food: Michelin in Paris
Chef Khayami started his culinary rise during the pandemic while a student at USC when he launched a campus pop-up called Museum with his former roommate who is now the Muse bar director, David Gelland. Muse’s menu is overseen by executive chef Jason Gonzales (last seen at French spot Juliet in Culver City) and is divided into three and four-course meals. Do not skip over the perfectly flaky croissant-shaped brioche puff pastry before savoury snacks of veal bonbons or the lobster pomme souffle topped with caviar.
The sliced lobster with saffron in a moat of risotto and the eggplant cappelletti with Gruyère are both solid second-course comfort options. For a main dish, a Provencal style rack of lamb with pea puree or whole crispy skin branzino in beurre blanc, and tarragon pistou hits on another level and should be shared with a side of thick pommes puree with rosemary. At the end of the meal, a pastry tray is presented with the house favourite vanilla St Honoré and the creamy tiramisu is scooped out of a terrine tableside which is a fitting indulgent end to the meal.
Muse is located at 108 W. Channel Road, Santa Monica, musesantamonica.com
Rokusho and Udatsu Sushi
Boulevard Hospitality Group (BHG) and Three Star Lane (3SL) have brought two Tokyo institutions to bustling Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood. Both Rokusho and Udatsu Sushi concepts hail from the original sister restaurants in Tokyo which are located side by side. In this case, the dual dining spots are situated in the same building on two different floors. Both restaurants are overseen by Chef Hisashi Udatsu (of Tokyo’s Michelin-starred Udatsu Sushi) and Naotaka Ohashi (of Michelin-starred Tirpse.)
The Mood: Brutalist Japan
Located within a historic former Hollywood recording studio, Rokusho on the ground floor was reimagined by award-winning studio gry space with industrial, Brutalist architecture and 34 seats including a centre bar which is a perfect perch for ordering cocktails and sake with sushi bites. Udatsu Sushi is tucked away upstairs behind an antique wooden Kura door that dates to the Meji era imported from Japan, where an 8-seat concrete counter awaits, also designed by studio gry space with an industrial Brutalist theme. The Yakisugi barstools are crafted by Deceres Studio using the Japanese woodworking method of charring cedar wood. Botanical sculptures by Alejandro Bataille add to the raw simplicity of the space.
The Food: Japanese Soul
Rokosho features Japanese comfort food with a layered sushi cake along with signature items from the Tokyo location such as wagyu aburi, kushikatsu (fried skewers with meat or veg), the nori snack, and a katsu sando. These fun finger foods are complemented by tonkatsu (pork cutlet) and sushi, led by Executive Chef Carlos Couts - formerly of Michelin-starred Sushi by Scratch. The beverage program spans whiskeys, Japanese gins, natural wines, sake cocktails and agave mixology from a mezcal espresso martini to Clase Azul tequila highballs.
Udatsu Sushi is serving an authentic 17-course omakase menu with a meticulous flavour progression, led by Executive Chef Shingo Ogane, Chef Hisashi Udatsu’s trusted protégé. The restaurant showcases premium ingredients from fishermen and farmers in Japan and Southern California. The rotating menu also features seafood from Tokyo’s renowned Toyosu Fish Market, and the rice temperature is also customized to complement the chosen fish’s flavours. A vegetarian omakase menu is also available. As a sake connoisseur, Chef Udatsu, alongside Naotaka Ohashi, will present an evolving selection of natural wines paired with seasonal brews from Japan’s lesser-known sake houses.
Rokusho is located at 6630 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood rokushola.com
Udatsu Sushi is located at 6634 Sunset Blvd. Floor 2, Hollywood, udatsusushila.com
September LA restaurant openings
Camelia
French-Japanese bistro Camélia, opened by the team behind beloved James Beard-Awarding winning OTOTO and Tsubaki of Echo Park, has emerged amid the continuously developing Arts District area of downtown Los Angeles. Co-owners include Charles Namba, who has worked in classic French restaurants, such as the Beverly Hills location of Thomas Keller’s Bouchon, and Courtney Kaplan, who hails from the beverage side at both Domaine LA and Bestia.
The Mood: Japanese Perfection Mixed With Gallic Flair
The duo’s latest venture takes over the old Church & State French bistro space, where much of the original millwork and rustic brick floor have been left intact. Cheri Messerli and David Rager of Weekends infused 1950s elements of the classic Japanese Kissaten by using red oak on the walls and curved window frames, along with bistro accents such as scalloped pendant lights and marble countertops for the Paris-by-way-of-Japan feel of the main dining and bar area.
The Food: Elevated Canapés Meet Comfort Fare
Francophiles should love the croque madam topped with a sunny-side egg layered with gruyère, and fried ham katsu, while the Spaghetti Bolognese à la Japonaise is the perfect childhood comfort food dish. If you simply fancy a few small bites with a glass of wine or sake, chicken liver mousse toast or cauliflower soup with XO sauce are both delicious bets. Do end with a black sesame-laden chocolate gateau. For cocktails, there is a milk punch with Miza saga barley shōchū or a Suntory Haku vodka martini served with a sidecar that is beautifully presented on ice in an antique silver wine holder.
Camelia is located at 1850 Industrial St, cameliadtla.com
Edgemar
After a day spent on the beach in Santa Monica or Venice, visit this new neighbourhood restaurant combining Asian and British dining, set in the back of a historic courtyard building, originally developed and designed in the 1980s by Frank Gehry. Collectively, the current team culls the talent of combined experience including noteworthy establishments from the Aman New York, The Butcher’s Daughter, Nobu and The Varnish, plus working alongside industry legends from Jean-Georges Vongerichten to David Meyrs.
The Mood: Lofty Art Gallery
Located on Main Street, Edgemar is a modern bar and restaurant reimagined by architect Thomas Greek, who founded Firm Design. The high ceilings and skylights of the 1928 bowstring truss warehouse space meld perfectly with his background of expression through light, materiality and space. Interior designer Julia Baker completed the aesthetic with an abstract wall mural, plenty of cosy nooks and mid-century touches in a palette of green and terracotta reds while utilising natural stone and wood.
The Food: Best of Britan With an Asian Touch
British chef Jared Dowling worked with both Gordon Ramsay and Japanese chef Junya Yamasaki in London (who opened Yess in the Arts District in 2023.) Those early influences play a supporting role through the menu – think tempura oysters served with yuzu tartar, Caledonian curry spiced prawns, Munak Ranch tomato salad and lobster fried rice with English peas. Do not miss the fluffy chocolate mousse with tangerine and salted whipped cream.
Edgemar is located at 2415-2449 Main Street, Santa Monica, edgemar.com
Laya
Laya is the latest concept from Sunset Entertainment Group (SEG), who were responsible for luring people into the Hollywood nightlife scene with some of LA’s most noteworthy nightclubs of the past three decades, including the Sunset Room, Lure, White Lotus, Le Jardin, Green Door and La Mesa Lounge among others.
The Mood: Late, Long Lunch With Wine
Renowned design firm Studio Mood was in charge of bringing Laya to life. When arriving, expect a large Renta wall painting leading into a sun-drenched open-air patio that feels more like a trip to Tulum or Santorini than the centre of Hollywood. The large loungey space (which can hold over 150 people) is filled with earthy, natural materials and handcrafted accents that make you want to lounge until late in the evening – as many who frequented the space back in the day when it was the see-and-be-seen Le Jardin.
The Food: Mediterranean-born, California Raised
‘Top Chef’ winner Chef Charbel Hayek, of the much-lauded Ladyhawk at The Kimpton La Peer in West Hollywood, is showcasing his Eastern Mediterranean dishes with California produce. Crowd-pleasing orders include freshly baked pita with goat cheese za’atar and Lebanese olives. Skewers from octopus to Wagyu beef or lamb kebabs with charred veggies and tangy tahini are also popular along with a mixed grill platter for groups. For dessert, the soothing rose soft serve with cotton candy adds a childlike touch. With two bars, you can also sip Beirut basil cocktails with Nolet gin, strawberry and coconut foam before or after your reservation.
Laya is located at 1430 N Cahuenga Blvd, layarestaurant.com
