Your Guide To DineLA

DineLA starts next weekend, which means it's time to start strategizing on how to make the most of these dining deals. To help you out, we asked our favorite foodie, Eater LA Editor and Cork & Rind blogger Kat Odell, for her top recommendations on where to go and what to eat once you get there.  Since dineLA menus are still TBD at most restaurants, we're not sure if these menu items will be featured.  However, Kat assures us that her recommendations are BGG-friendly enough to warrant a small splurge on the side.  Get dialing! 

Yujean Kang's- I don't venture out to Pasadena all too frequently, but when in the nabe and craving Chinese, Yujean Kang's is my go-to. This unsuspecting smallish restaurant in Old Town that opened way back in 1991 has received accolades from major publications like the NY Times, LA Times, and Esquire, to name just a few. The restaurant touts itself as a purveyor of "gourmet" Chinese, and I strongly recommend the Shanghai dumplings and a red bean pancake for dessert. 

Mercato di Vetro-  sbe gets a bad rep for opening clestaurants (yes, that's club+restaurant) that focus more on celebrity than cuisine, but with the inception of Cleo and now Mercato di Vetro, Sammy Naz is  trying to turn over a new leaf. Or, offer a better plate of food. I totally dig the truffle salt margarita, the fried green olives stuffed with Italian sausage are a must, and my newest obsession is a side of the carrots roasted with labneh cheese and cumin. If you're into veggies like me, just order three or so small plates, and your dinner will ring in under $20. 

The Spice Table- This downtown newcomer offers a taste of Southeast Asian fusion in a space that absolutely nails the cozy-romantic-rustic vibe. The Spice Table doubles as a perfect date spot but is equally suitable for dinner with friends over a batch of craft beers. Sambal potatoes and Kaya toast are a must, or for a more filing one-bowl meal try the Laksa, a traditional Malay-Singaporean soup with noodles in a thick coconut-seafood broth, for just $12. 

photograph by Elizabeth Daniels