Amazing how the temperature had us in t-shirts and jeans one day, with scarves and hoodies the next. This is why a bowl of gumbo at one of LA’s finest is required eating. Open since 1969, Harold & Belle’s is an old-school favorite that satisfies with plenty of savory options like po’ boys or the beautifully battered and fried catfish. Get a platter of chargrilled oysters to share. — Mona Holmes, reporter

One of the benefits of living in the South Bay is trying to be a completionist with specific foods, from Indian to sushi to pho. Pho Ever’s Gardena location might make the best pho tai in the region, thanks to a fantastic semi-clear broth with a focused flavor that balances spices with deep beefy notes. Throw in tender, almost melt-in-your-mouth sliced steak, and the results are a satisfying bowl of noodle soup that only tastes better as the temperature outside goes down. — Matthew Kang, lead editor

While I continue to mourn the loss of Tasty Noodle House, the space’s new tenant, Hong Kong Dim Sum House, is a worthy successor. Diners are handed a dry-erase marker and a plastic menu to denote which delights will grace their table. Classics like shu mai and har gow are solid, while the shrimp paste with sugarcane and tofu skin-wrapped parcels are best-in-class. The dining room only has half a dozen tables, so arrive early or late to avoid long waits, especially on weekends. — Cathy Chaplin, senior editor

Before Aunt Yvette’s Kitchen opened on Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock, Northeast Los Angeles residents needed to travel west to Little Ethiopia or further east to Covina to satisfy cravings for hearty doro wat stews and heady platters of kitfo. The dining room and service are nothing short of charming here, while the food, though less varied than the restaurants on Fairfax, packs a delightful punch. Save room for the banana split for dessert or any of the house-made ice creams. — Cathy Chaplin, senior editor

It’s time for a visit to Highland Park’s long-standing mariscos joint Via-Mar Restaurant Express. The casual spot has a handful of tables, which makes for an ideal location for friends and family to feast on seafood cocteles, tostadas, carne asada tacos, and a hearty shrimp burrito. — Mona Holmes, reporter

It’s always good to see a local build a single wine shop into three locations (Silver Lake, Echo Park, and Downtown), but what’s also great about Wine Stop is the quality and the prices. One can find plenty of bottles under $20, and owner Alvaro Cardenas visits as many wineries as he can for a deeply personal selection. — Mona Holmes, reporter

It’s hard to fathom how long Rustic Canyon has made an impact on LA’s food scene. And now the casually elegant Santa Monica restaurant has brought chef-owner, Jeremy Fox, back into the kitchen almost nightly. Fox’s thoughtful but unconventional approach carries a maturity and focus that other chefs would only attain after decades of experience, characterized best by a humble plate of white endive studded with dates and hazelnuts, dotted with cheddar, and mixed with just a wisp of a date-mustard vinaigrette. It’s so balanced and delightful that each bite tastes like the discovery of a new star. Fox’s method continues with crisp sweetbreads with sprouting broccoli or cheese gnocchi with lima beans and truffle fonduta. It’s exciting to see Fox back and energized to put his dash of flavor on the beloved Westside institution. — Matthew Kang, lead editor

Long Beach is full of gems including Ammatoli with a menu that spans Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, Turkey, Israel, Jordan, and Palestine. The dishes are Mediterranean with some of SoCal’s best hummus, delightful kebabs, juicy shawarma, and a memorable spicy garlic lemon chicken. Order the tea service, too — it’s worth it. — Mona Holmes, reporter