Komal, Fiorelli Pizza, Jade Rabbit and more elevate day-to-day dining in Los Angeles
These beloved newcomers prove that stellar food doesn’t have to come at a steep price.
BadAsh Bakes
Credit: Courtesy BadAsh Bakes
L.A. native Ashley Cunningham, a classically trained chef and self-taught baker, serves TikTok-popular cinnamon rolls, matcha-flavored pastries, cookies, cakes, breads and other sweets alongside inventive coffee and tea drinks at her buzzy new bakery and café. 247 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, badashbakes.com
Fiorelli Pizza
Credit: Andrea D’agosto
After starting out as a pop-up in Venice’s Cook’s Garden, the popular pizza concept created by Michael Fiorelli and Liz Gutierrez found a permanent home. While largely a takeout operation, 15 guests can enjoy Neapolitan-meets-New York-style pies and other Italian bites. 8236 W. 3rd St., Beverly Grove, fiorellipizza.com
Jade Rabbit
Credit: Courtesy Jade Rabbit
Following the closure of Cassia, James Beard-nominated chef Bryant Ng pivoted into the fast-casual space with wife-partner Kim Luu-Ng. Jade Rabbit serves Chinese American plates that range from classics like beef and broccoli to orange mango chicken. 2301 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, eatjaderabbit.com
Calabama
CalabamaCredit: Courtesy Calabama
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Cara Haltiwanger’s Southern-style breakfast sandwiches rose to popularity during her pandemic pop-ups, and she’s now serving them — along with buttermilk biscuits and hot sauces — Thursday to Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at her first brick and mortar location. 6751 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, calabama.la
Firstborn
Credit: Ron De Angelis
The first American-born member of his Chinese immigrant family, chef-owner Anthony Wang (Michael Voltaggio’s Ink, Jordan Kahn’s Destroyer) opened this to honor his journey. Items like egg custard reflect the food he grew up eating, his visits to China and his French training. 978 N. Broadway, Chinatown, firstborn.la
Komal
Credit: Wonho Frank Lee
At this molino and taqueria inside the Mercado La Paloma, chef Fátima Juárez draws from her childhood in Mexico City in street food items that showcase some 22 varieties of Mexican corn. She reinvents classics like tacos, quesadillas, tlacoyos and mole. 3655 S. Grand Ave., Historic South-Central, komal.toast.site
Din Tai Fung
Credit: Courtesy Din Tai Fung
The Michelin-recognized brand’s sprawling new 10,000-square-foot home at Santa Monica Place focuses more on aesthetics — and serves up signature soup dumplings (Xiao Long Bao) prepared in an open kitchen within the inviting indoor-outdoor outpost. 395 Santa Monica Place, Level 3, Santa Monica, dtf.com
Genghis Cohen
Credit: Lucky Tennyson
The New York-style Chinese institution jumped down Fairfax into a temporary new space with the same fish tank and cozy red booths, plus neon flourishes. Alongside menu staples are novel dishes like shrimp and chive dumplings and bar-only Szechuan sliders. 448 N. Fairfax Ave., Fairfax District, genghiscohen.com
Maydan Market
Credit: Ashley Randall
This 10,000-square-foot venue evokes Korean night markets and Middle Eastern souks. A one-stop shop for kitchen needs, a quick bite or a lavish meal, the market houses founder Rose Previte’s two D.C.-born restaurant concepts as well as five vendors. 4301 W. Jefferson Blvd., West Adams, maydanmarket.com