It's a rare occasion to see me driving from Santa Monica to Melrose on a weekday but for delicious market driven Italian food, I'll make the exception. Spartina is open for brunch on weekends and dinner seven nights a week. From pancetta pizzas to pork collar ragu, their menu epitomizes fresh Italian fare. 

Spartina | 7505 melrose ave. los angeles, ca 90046

Beyond having delicious food, the outdoor ambiance is literally stunning. Think backyard seated dinner with strung up lights. Inside, it is designed to feel like you're in someone's home kitchen complete with in home library and potted plants. Overall, a wonderful place to take just about anyone. 

xo Jenny

I was first introduced to Girasol last September. My sister's boyfriend wanted to celebrate her fellowship accomplishments and take her out to a nice dinner. A fan of Jonathan Gold, he selected a restaurant from the famed list. Willy and I joined because we'll take any excuse to dine out and try a new restaurant. 

Willy and I came back for a second time and got to try some favorites on the menu as well as some new seasonal items that aren't quite yet available. 

We started the meal with hamachi and octopus. I'm a huge fan of hamachi and will order it almost everywhere I go. This one is served with a gazpacho broth that has the perfect citrus notes. However, I think the octopus really stole the show. Super tender and juicy, the octopus features, "Eggplant Caponata, Cherry Tomato Flora Bella Farms Bitter Greens Toasted Lovage." 

One of my favorite dishes of the night was the Chicken Confit (left). It has a bleu cheese dressing that I've never had with chicken surprisingly. The combination was heavenly and the chicken was cooked to perfection. 

By far my favorite dish was the Braised Beef Cheek served with fig puree and bone marrow. I had never really been a bone marrow fan until a small restaurant named Bestia changed the game for me. This Beef Cheek was so beyond tender it basically fell apart at the touch of my fork. I sliced it with a butter knife. 

“At Girasol, I want to integrate the knowledge and skills I’ve acquired throughout my career, and present a new dining experience for Los Angeles to enjoy. My goal is to showcase a true taste of California by using exceptional ingredients foraged from the Angeles National Forest.”

— http://girasolrestaurant.com/meet-our-chef/

Executive Chef Justin Abram does an amazing job at celebrating the beauty of California cuisine. Definitely worth a try if you're trying to eat your way through Jonathan Gold's picks and/or want a nice dinner in the valley. 

xo, jenny

The Venue in Koreatown opened it's doors officially at the end of January 2017. This exciting new karaoke + bar + restaurant features cuisine by Executive Chef Kayson Chong and cocktails by Devon Espinosa. Chong is a Boa Steakhouse alum and brings his steakhouse experience to the menu with a delicious bone in rib eye. 

image c/o Eater Los Angeles

This new Ktown basement hotspot boasts private karaoke rooms, a fully stocked bar, and beautiful dining area. You can now eat dinner, have a few drinks, and sing the night away. 

image c/o Eater Los Angeles

The Seana cocktail with features passion fruit and is served in a pineapple goblet.

One of my favorite items of the night was the pork belly! It was absolutely fatty but totally worth ever bite. If you're looking for a lighter option, the hamachi is wonderful. The Venue burger was good but didn't really stand out to me. That being said, the fries that accompanied it were crispy, just the way I like my fries. 

My favorite dish of the night, the bone in rib eye cooked medium rare. If I'm being totally honest, of the major steakhouses in LA, BOA is pretty low on my list. I've always fancied it's counterparts more. That being said, this rib eye was a perfect medium rare and paired with the chimichurri made for a great bite. I do wish it came with some mashed potatoes or fries but I suppose you could always order that on the side. 

And of course there's always room for dessert. I thought that I'd prefer the Black Seasame ice cream but as it turns out, I inhaled the Blueberry Tart. It was garnished with sugared blueberries that were so good I didn't share with Willy. 

xo, Jenny