Ari Taymor's first venture might be the one of the most notable places in L.A. to have taken a meteoric rise, thanks mostly to a Best New Restaurant from Bon Appetit. But beyond the hype, which is immense, lies a dedication to impeccably sourced hyper-local ingredients presented in a rather unique and innovative manner. Love it or hate it, it's now on the forefront of anyone who visits Los Angeles, and deserves a spot on the must-try list for locals as well.

Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo captured a certain idea that's remained at the prime spot of restaurant culture in L.A. Minimal, pure, on-point yet adventurous, controversial yet comforting. Shook and Dotolo's Fairfax restaurant doesn't feel bad about serving offal meat or unusual animals. Many have attempted to copy their approach, but few have succeeded.

Suzanne Goin's newly relocated but enduring Mediterranean restaurant on West Third continues to churn out some of the most reliable, and seasonally driven cooking in the city. With the new digs and one of the most charming patios in town, it's hard to find much fault with AOC. The produce-driven cocktails, which weren't available at the previous location, also bump up the experience.

Evan Funke's oddly laid out restaurant some notable quirks, namely a no-cellphone and camera policy, stove-less kitchen, and completely handcut and rolled pasta menu. The compromises are worth it when the dishes are served, as flavors and textures collide to create one of the most compelling new Italian restaurants to hit LA.

L.A. doesn't have as many great neighborhood restaurants as say, New York or San Francisco. You know, the kind of places where you could slip into a two top, order a bottle of rose, and order up a parade of seasonal American/French bites. But Canele fits the billing nicely in a tiny space in Atwater Village. Brunch is no slouch, either, though come early to beat the crowd.

The gourmet burger didn't really exist until Sang Yoon decided to offer one at his Santa Monica gastropub. Since then, a larger, more comfy outlet has opened to crowds in Culver City, offering a massive tap list, decently priced cocktails, and a slew of pub fare that only a top flight fine dining chef could compile. Going beyond the burger, everything from the duck salad to steak frites and even mushrooms go fantastic with all the beverages on deck. Just don't ask for ketchup, or any modifications, actually.

Travis Lett's enduring Abbot Kinney restaurant still attracts a steady clientele with a compelling mix of vegetable-driven small plates and well executed fare. Other than Axe, perhaps the most "Venice" restaurant in Venice.

Placed in one of the most unique restaurant spaces in town, Hinoki & the Bird remains a world-class eatery under the helm of Kuniko Yagi, who adds East and Southeast Asian touches to a menu that seems simple to the beginner's eye. But underneath each dish is a compendium of complexity that would stand up to some of the best places in the city.

There are so many great Korean barbecue restaurants, but this relative newcomer that's sprouting franchises across the U.S. is still the one to beat. The best quality meats, the best marinades, only the most essential banchan, and an ambiance lifted straight out of a street-side spot in Seoul, Kang Ho Dong Baek Jeong might actually be worth the tremendous waits and raucous environment. The pork neck slivers and lightly marinaded brisket, when slow cooked over smoking charcoal, might be the closest thing to Texas barbecue in LA.

There are more than a dozen outstanding Korean restaurants in Koreatown, an enclave that might hold the highest density of eateries in LA. Notable picks around Ktown: Soban, Seong Buk Dong, and Kobawoo, the last of which tends to have the most menu options and the most consistent execution. The lunchtime bossam is a great deal while the stews, fish, and pancakes are all top drawer.

LA is known for great Mexican food, but there aren't a ton of great Mexican restaurants to be found in central L.A. Petty Cash is contender for great tacos while Rocio's Mole de Los Dioses is a bit north for most people. Guelaguetza is another strong choice, but La Casita Mexicana has the whole package, from breakfast to dinner. Try the chiles en nogada or the enchiladas.

Josiah Citrin's nearly 15 year old fine dining establishment holds down the high-end side of things on the Westside. With a regal ambiance and world-class service, it's hard to think of a better place to experience Michelin-level food in Los angeles. Opt for a tasting menu and order up a bottle of good wine. You deserve it.

Quietly occupying a rather barren stretch of Wilshire Blvd, Milo & Olive serves what might be the most compelling every day food on the Westside, from fantastic pizzas and pastries to market-driven bites that will turn even the hardest skeptic. Too bad the space is about as small as one could imagine, though it's worth the wait.

Josef Centeno decided to come back to fine dining with a bang, this time taking over a 40 seat spot right next to his other two restaurants in Downtown. This sort-of Japanese and Italian high end restaurant offering medium and larger tasting menus that appeal to the international diner who's used to counting Michelin stars, to the local foodist who knows his or her salt. Either way, the meals here are immediately gratifying and more than reasonably priced for this level of quality.

While Nancy Silverton's adjacent Pizzeria Mozza is no slouch, offering one of the best pizzas in the city, the Osteria sets the standard for elegant Italian cuisine in a convivial atmosphere. A good place to hit during the weekday for an amaro and plate of burrata, or a fine spot to celebrate an anniversary or birthday, the service is always going to be top notch. Don't skip any of the pastas or main dishes, which are prepared to perfection.

Michael Cimarusti's ode to seafood-centric fine dining has gotten a much needed revamp in Hancock Park, with a nautical theme to reinforce the kind of preparations happening on the plate. The tasting menu-focused eatery is an easy choice for a celebration or special occasion.

Jeremy Fox revitalized one of the Westside's strongest restaurants, bringing a Northern California elegance and finesse to a market-driven menu that almost didn't need it. The result is wonderful set of dishes that doesn't need fireworks to impress. The ingredients, technique, and chef's touch speak for themselves.

A humble Thai breakfast and lunch spot, Sapp Coffee Shop has two iconic dishes that are must-trys for visitors and Angelenos. First, the jade noodles, both dry and immersed in soup (for former is better). Second the Thai Boat Noodles, which are dank, intense, spicy, and not for the faint of heart. But beyond that, the fried rice and crab pad thai are more than respectable. Cash only.

Yes, Urasawa, Yamakase, Zo, Q, Nozawa Bar, n/naka, and Kiyokawa would all quality for inclusion, but perhaps none balances sushi and hot dishes at an attainable price (as in, less than an arm and a leg) than Shunji, which occupies an old Depression-era chili restaurant (believe it). Though the prices are still quite steep, the sashimi plate, nigiri sushi, and tomato agadashi alone are worth the admission fee.

Wolfgang Puck's Beverly Hills flagship still has a compelling tasting menu that would stand up to the city's best. Throw in a star-powered crowd with world-class service, and you have one restaurant that will appeal to high end diners and people watchers alike.

Sushi isn't just commonplace in LA, it's an absolute right by Angelenos. Everyone has their favorite local spot or strip mall hidden gem, but it's hard to argue with the overall value, price, and consistency of SugarFISH, which has outlets across town, including Marina del Rey, Brentwood, Santa Monica, La Brea, and Downtown. Get the Trust Me, and enjoy the ride.

Jessica Koslow realized that the Eastside was bereft of a great every day breakfast and lunch spot, and SQIRL was the answer everyone was waiting for. Tucked away on a sleepy stretch of Virgil, this seasonal kitchen produces surprising cuisine that balances flavor with superb ingredients. Don't miss desserts either.

Ludo Lefebvre paired up with chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo to create a musical version of Led Zeppelin - a supergroup of uber-talented culinary minds that produces one of the best tasting menus in town. Purchase tickets on select days and watch Lefebvre create some of the most creative, expressive cuisine in Los Angeles.

Ramen is currently king in terms of casual food in Los Angeles, and perhaps no place reigns over Tsujita, a duet of eateries in Sawtelle, one of the busiest dining neighborhoods in town. While the original now offers day through evening Hakata-style ramen with thin noodles and superb tsukemen, the ANNEX is the place to try LA's take on the legendary Jiro-style ramen popularized in Tokyo that spawned dozens of imitators. Simply put, this is the most intense ramen LA has ever seen. The tsukemen is a great choice for starters while the regular ramen bowl packs are garlicky punch.

Curtis Stone's excellent tasting menu-focused restaurant in Beverly Hills has been a critical favorite since day one. With just over 25 seats in the diminutive restaurant, Stone takes one ingredient per month and makes an entire tasting menu based on that seasonal ingredient. In the past it's been everything from berries to rhubarb, but November is boasting an expensive truffle menu. But act fast - the first of every month (for the next month's tables) opens up phone lines, with seats filling up within hours, making this truly one of the hardest reservations to get in the city.

Steve Samson and Zach Pollack (who's also running Silver Lake new Alimento) have created a stalwart Italian restaurant on the southern edge of Beverly Hills, with an ode to all things Southern Italy. The pizzas are top notch, the wine program is next level, and the cocktails are worth boasting about. But the pastas and plates are really what brings people back every day and every week.

Great Mexican restaurants aren't plentiful on the Westside, but this seafood gem just a few minutes from LAX is actually worth the trek. The marlin tacos are a solid choice, but don't miss out on the pescado zarandeado, expertly grilled snook served for two (or more). This regional Mexican restaurant is truly a gem in Los Angeles.

Wes Avila eschewed fine dining for a taco truck, something in plentitude in Los Angeles. But Guerrilla Tacos embues that fine dining sensibility with seasonal ingredients in a mobile package that simply cannot be matched in L.A. Yes this is a rolling restaurant with relatively predictable locations around town (in front of coffee shops), but Avila's talent merits inclusion. Quite simply, there are fewer innovative taqueros in America than Wes Avila.