Melrose's New Patio Spot, Compton's Best Restaurants, and More A.M. Intel

Doughnuts don’t stop

Looks like there’s still more great doughnut work to be done in Los Angeles, as evidenced by the newer Donutella in Encino. Ventura Boulevard Magazine shares news of the newcomer, which merges the traditional doughnut with lots (and lots) of Nutella. The shop also serves gelato, coffee, boba, and more. 17200 Ventura Blvd., Encino.

Compton's best

LA Weekly has compiled a must-read look at all the great spots to dine at in Watts and Compton, starting with the incomparable Hawkins House of Burgers and moving on down to LocoL, Bludso's, and beyond.

Smorgasburg keeps loading up

Downtown's Smorgasburg is going to be a big deal when it finally lands next month. In the lead-up to the kick-off party, a slew of new names have just been announced as vendors as well: Califas Taco (from the Mexicali team), The Jolly Oyster, McConnell's Fine Ice Creams, Wax Paper, and many more.

Napoleon and Josephine adds a new patio stunner

Quiet Melrose restaurant Napoleon and Josephine has been doing great work since first opening at the end of 2014. Now they’re even in expansion mode, as this gorgeous new patio can attest. The Corsican-leaning French and Italian restaurant is still keeping dinner hours only (5:30 p.m. on, every day but Monday), but will compete with the likes of nearby Maré for that outdoor dining neighborhood dollar.

Niki Nakayama is seriously inspiring

So says Cosmo, anyway. The longtime mag shouts out a handful of female chefs who are doing fantastic work, among them Niki Nakayama of n/naka, whose kaiseki restaurant is among the best overall restaurants in Los Angeles, and has garnered an insane amount of positive press since opening.

Au Fudge adds breakfast

With summer vacation coming up, it makes sense that kid-focused Au Fudge would open up daily for breakfast. The Melrose Avenue concept opened in March with dinner plans only (hence the full bar and au pairs on site to watch the kids) but will maintain its family-friendly vibes all day long, starting now.

Pok Pok makes fried chicken permanent

Chinatown star Pok Pok is getting into the fried chicken wars of Los Angeles, bowing to popular demand from folks who enjoyed the dish at Coachella and making it part of their permanent menu. The fried bird also includes a boiled egg and is based on a popular Chiang Mai dish, and will run daily for lunch, dinner, and late night.

Kris Morningstar brings it at Terrine

Here's a fun watch: Kris Morningstar of Terrine loves to make dirty pork farro, a spicy, porky option available at his Beverly Boulevard restaurant. The dish uses confit pig ears, pork belly, hot sauce, and lots of love to come together. Enjoy.