Home to Hollywood stars and food, California has become LA’s most famous destination with chefs becoming celebrities and their restaurants a must visit
San Francisco Bay Area
Reality Rules: As seen on TV is the way to describe Oakland’s growing food scene. Chef Jen Biesty, a Chopped champ, and Top Chef contestants serve modern tapas at Shakewell. Elevated BBQ rules the roost at Chopped winner Chef Rashad Armstead’s pop-up Crave BBQ, while Top Chef contestant Tu David brings Banh Mis with a twist to his pop-up BanhMi-Ni. Chef Tanya Holland from Top Chef serves up Southern classics at Brown Sugar Kitchen.
Chef Michael Mina: 2020 marks Chef Michael Mina’s first foray into the wine country with the opening of his Wit & Wisdom Tavern at the Lodge at Sonoma. The modern American eatery will focus on wood-grilled meats and seafood.
Central Coast
Clint Eastwood: The restaurant at Clint Eastwood’s historic Mission Ranch in Carmel will make your day with its focus on American cuisine and ambience that includes views of sheep grazing on coastal meadows, stunning sunsets, and a lively sing-along piano bar.
Chef Julien Asseo: After earning a Michelin star as Executive Chef of Guy Savoy in Las Vegas, Chef Julien returned to his childhood home of Paso Robles to open his own restaurant, Les Petites Canailles. The restaurant pays homage to his birthplace of France with French cuisine influenced by the cornucopia of ingredients from the Central Coast of California.
Los Angeles
Wolfgang Puck: A celebrity chef before that was even a thing, Wolfgang Puck owns the famous Spago and his CUT restaurant in Beverly Hills recently earned its first Michelin star. The menu puts a spin on the traditional steakhouse with a variety of cuts of meat.
George Lopez Brewing Co: Located in Torrance’s first multi-concept brewery and food hall, the George Lopez Brewing Co. serves authentic Mexican style beers, while the George Lopez Chingon Kitchen dishes up traditional Mexican eats and eclectic sides.
Orange County
Chef Amar Santana: After finishing as runner up on Top Chef, Chef Amar Santana skyrocketed to culinary fame in Laguna Beach with the opening of Broadway by Amar Santana. The restaurant marries a New York vibe with the laid-back lifestyle of Laguna. The focus is on unexpected flavour profiles and artistic presentation.
Bourbon Steak: Considered the second-best restaurant in the OC, Chef Michael Mina’s classic Bourbon Steak in Dana Point puts a spin on classic steaks house fare paired with a cutting edge cocktail program and extensive wine list.
San Diego
Addison Del Mar: Led by Executive Chef William Bradley, one of just 160 chefs worldwide to hold the title Relais & Chateaux Grand Chef, Addison Del Mar just received a Michelin star, making it the only San Diego restaurant to hold that honour.
Chef Ayesha Curry: This past spring Chef Ayesha Curry teamed with acclaimed Chef Michael Mina to bring International Smoke to the Carmel Valley area of San Diego. The globally inspired barbeque restaurant highlights unique dishes created by chefs across the Mina empire. Don’t miss the duck wings with jerk spice.
