Dining

SCOPA ITALIAN ROOTS

• By PAIGE PETRONE

Open for over 10 years, Scopa Italian Roots (in Venice Beach) is a seriously hidden gem in the neighborhood. Owned and operated by Food Network’s star Chef Antonia Lafoso, Scopa is fun, innovative, and special. 

Recently, I met up with local (Venice) pals of mine for brunch. Scopa did not disappoint. The dining room is handsome and boasts fabulous views of the bar and all its grand (or top shelf) liquor on display. We sat in a wonderfully cozy booth, and settled in for a lovely dining experience.

After some negotiating, we decided on what to order. First, we nibbled on a freshly baked Crostata smothered in house made whipped cream. Delish. Then, I decided on a savory route, but my guests enjoyed breakfast items such as the Frittata and Challah French Toast. Both were rich and very decadent. I ordered Chef Antonia’s signature Rice Ball (stuffed with meat sauce, peas, ricotta, mozzarella, with tomato sauce), and then the Feltman’s Hot Dog (served with sauerkraut, peppers & onions, capers, and cream cheese). Chef Antonia’s “street dog” was everything! I’m still thinking about it, and I know my guests wished they ordered it as well. A must-try, in my opinion. Brunch is only offered on Sundays, and reservations are highly suggested. Go!

For menu and reservations, click here.

DEAR JANE’S

• By KYMBERLY CHASE

Located in the Marina at the water’s edge is Dear Jane’s. A place that takes you into a time warp in the best possible way. The walls are lined with a mishmash of vintage store paintings, tables are adequately spaced, and the menu features gently modernized versions of the most popular dishes from the deep circa 1960 to 1990, but with premium ingredients. Owners Josiah Citrin and Hans and Patti Rockenwagner are the team behind Dear Jane’s, just like the well-known, Dear John, which was a revival vintage steakhouse. So, they’ve done something similar. For a splurge, have the seafood tower! It featured some of the best stone crab claws around, along with oysters, clams, scallops, shrimp and lobster. Then we dived into clams casino, in which chorizo replaced bacon and piquillo peppers brought a zing. Han’s sourdough bread came out with fished shaped butter, which is a must with a bowl of creamy New England clam chowder.

Shrimp Louie for two people was art! Perfectly poached shrimp with eggs, tomatoes, avocado tossed with a delicious and special thousand island dressing. Also hot on the menu are the crisp fish and chips and shrimp scampi. 

The trout amandine and sand dabs Grenobloise, which both played on the same theme, fish cooked in butter and topped with capers and lemon were extremely delicious!

Located in Marina Del Rey, click here.

KENDALL’S BISTRO

• By KYMBERLY CHASE

Located in DTLA at The Music Center, Kendall’s is a modern take on a classic French Brasserie. Guests are invited to dine al fresco on the patio, with an inventive cocktail at a modern bar, or over a meal in a light, expressive interior. With a focus on local ingredients, the menu re-energizes classic French dishes like Braised Short Rib and Salmon Beurre Blanc with a touch of “je ne sais quoi.”

We started with the mussels and prawns for the table with the heavenly mustard sauce. Then it was Surf and Turf time! The popular braised short rib was a hit at the table. The meat fell off the bone into my mouth, feeding my taste buds with happiness. Whipped mashed potatoes were creamy and paired well with the meaty juicy short rib. The Branzino that I ordered was on my highest level of deliciousness, with that crispy fish skin and cooked very well but what made the dish was the tarragon yogurt sauce with it. I wanted to lick the plate! 

This place is my pre/post show go to. From the moment you step into the restaurant, you will be in for a memorable dining experience. 

Located at The Music Center, click here.

LE PROVENCE PATISSERIE & CAFÉ

• By KYMBERLY CHASE

Feeling on the sweet side in Beverly Hills? Go to La Provence! Farshid Hakim, the talented pastry chef who honed his skills at the Hotel de Paris, then came to the U.S. and became a successful restaurateur, is not the whole story. While those things are true, there is more to the story and the man. He was the first person to introduce the Parisian Macaron in Los Angeles. His baked goods, cakes and cupcakes have a cult following, and any day at almost any time, people constantly stream into La Provence to order pastries, coffee and tea lattes, lunch, afternoon tea, early dinners and plenty of takeout. 

For a slice of France, go to this little nook in a corner of an outdoor second level shopping center, in the lower flats of Beverly Hills. La Provence, named after one of the most beautiful regions, Provence, in the South of France, has friendly servers at the small interior with some tables for enjoying their cozy inside or with the lovely weather sitting outside on a patio that follows the curvature of the restaurant and kitchen. 

You may not have the view of sitting in a Patisserie in Provence but biting into their remarkable pastries, sandwiches and salads you will be transported. Excellente and à bientôt, La Provence.

For more, click here.