INTRO Art Gallery & Chef’s Table
Salmon Skin topped with citrus cured salmon, and Meyer lemon at new INTRO Art Gallery & Chef’s Table.

Each week we spotlight top Los Angeles restaurants, dining and drinking experiences you need to try.

Edited by Christina Xenos

Sushi Ginza Onodera
West Hollywood is now the home of the second US outpost (seventh in the world) of the Michelin-Starred sushi restaurant. It debuted domestically in New York last May and earned the accolade swiftly after six months. The omakase experience is lead by executive chef Yohei Matsuki and his team of master sushi chefs. They will craft each piece if sushi immediately in front of those sitting at the 16-seat sushi bar. All fish is wild and flown in from Japan daily. The exclusive experience runs about $300/pp. The restaurant is open Tues.-Sun. from 6 p.m. to the last seating at 9 p.m. 609 North La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood. onodera-group.com

Sushi Ginza Onodera
Fatty tuna on the omakase at Sushi Ginza Onodera.

INTRO Art Gallery & Chef’s Table
Opens Dec. 9. An unassuming stretch of Lankershim Boulevard is where you will find a new avant-garde supper club dining experience from Michelin-Starred executive chef Paul Shoemaker, Rob Ciancimino and Manny Marroquin. The space, formerly a dance studio, will showcase a rotating collection of artists along with being the setting for the 12-course dinner. Highlights of the global menu rooted in French technique include everything from pork belly butternut squash soup; to pasta all chitarra with Burgundy truffles, porcini mushrooms and Reggiano cheese; to prime hanger steak with Époisses fondue, garlic confit, parsley pistou, and sauce Bordelaise. Wine pairings are conjured by guest wine director Jolly Sood. The experience operates every Friday and Saturday evening from 7:30-10 p.m. Reservations required and there is a 24-hour cancellation policy. 4200 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. experienceIntro.com

Horses Mouth
Melt-in-your-mouth smoked pork belly at Horses Mouth in Koreatown.

Horses Mouth
The dining scene in Koreatown continues to explode and new Horses Mouth is one of its newest gems. The restaurant is from owner and executive chef Charlie Yutsa who serves globally-influence pan-Asian cuisine. Yutsa draws on his early experience growing up with a Thai nanny for his culinary point of view. His menu nods to that with highlights like Thai mussels with yellow or green curry, and salmon with garlic yuzu and threads of red pepper. Heartier dishes include melt-in-your-mouth smoked pork belly. There’s even a burger: this one has bacon jam, aged cheddar and spicy relish and pairs perfectly with a side of squid ink truffle fries. 528 S. Western Ave., L.A., 213.568.3700. horsesmouthla.com

Ocean Prime Beverly Hills
6 oz. filet Mignon on the new Luxe Lunch menu at Ocean Prime Beverly Hills.

The Tsujita Artisan Noodle
Eastside ramen lovers no longer have to travel west of the 405 do dive into a bowl of artisan noodles from the acclaimed restaurant. The Tsujita’s new outpost at the Americana at Brand serves their signature bowls of Tsukemen ramen along with location specific dishes like sea urchin shooters, lobster ceviche, and black cod with Saikyo miso. While there are sure to be lines, you won’t have to wait in them. The restaurant has implemented a wait list paging system so you can be free to shop until your table is available. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. The Americana at Brand, 889 Americana Way, Glendale, 818.553.3822. thetsujita.com

Luxe Lunch at Ocean Prime Beverly Hills
There’s no reason why your lunch can’t be fabulous. Ocean Prime Beverly Hill’s new Luxe Lunch menu is an indulgent three-course menu designed to bring a bit of delight to your day. Savor dishes like lobster bisque with a sweet corn fritter and oysters on the half shell to start. Choose from a shellfish Cobb salad, 6 oz. filet Mignon or 1/2 lb. Dutch Harbor king crab legs for mains. And save room for hand-spun sorbet or ice cream, or five-layer carrot cake for dessert. Luxe lunch menu is $45/pp. 9595 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.859.4818. ocean-prime.com

Pono Burger
Stop by Pono Burger’s West Hollywood outpost for new Hawaiian-inspired dishes from chef Makani. The new dishes go hand-in-hand with the restaurant’s philosophy. The Hawaiian concept of “pono” means “doing things the right way.” In line with that, the restaurant is committed to only using organic and locally sourced ingredients for its signature burgers and other menu items at all locations. Highlights of the new menu items include wild Santa Barbara spot prawns, ponzu avocado dip, Pitman Family Farms panko fried chicken, among others. 8830 Sunset Blvd., 424.666.0845. ponoburger.com

Westbound
Through Dec. 31. Get in the holiday spirit at the Arts District restaurant and bar. They have transformed into the “Miracle on Santa Fe,” a festive wonderland of tinsel, fresh falling snow and pine. Most importantly, they’re serving up themed drinks and dishes for the season. Highlights include a pop-up bar with Dickensian carolers, visits from Santa and activities like Manischewitz Punch Pong. Get your fill of holiday beverages like “naughty” and “nice” shots, the former made with ginger-spiced rye and the latter with cinnamon bourbon. Festive fare includes Lots’ a Latkes with house-made crème fraîche, apple sauce, and caviar; Chicken Liver Mistle Toast; A Bowl Full of Jelly Donuts (Sufganiyot) jelly-filled Israeli brioche doughnuts. The restaurant also offers a Sunday roast with a choice of dry aged ribeye, roasted turkey or salt-roasted branzino. 300 S. Santa Fe Ave., downtown. westbounddtla.com

Salazar
Brunch isn’t just meant for the weekends anymore. Frogtown hot spot Salazar now serves brunch Tuesday through Thursday, in addition to the weekends. Like the restaurant’s signature fare, chef Esdras Ochoa offers Sonoran-style takes on classic brunch dishes like eggs Benedict, green eggs and yams and seafood toastada. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 2490 Fletcher Dr., L.A. salazarla.com

Rustic Canyon 10th Anniversary
Dec. 8. The celebrated neighborhood dining destination, helmed by Chef Jeremy Fox, is turning 10, and celebrates the milestone with a collaborative dinner that features former Rustic Canyon chefs. Dine on a six-course menu from past chefs like Samir Mohajer (Cabbage Patch) and Evan Funke (the forthcoming Felix), who will join current talent Jeremy Fox, Jun Tan, Zoe Nathan, Chef de Cuisine Brittany Cassidy, and Sous Chef Andy Doubrava. $125/pp., purchase tickets in advance. 1119 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, 310.393.7050. rusticcanyonwinebar.com

Terra Cotta
If you frequent shows at The Wiltern, it is hard to miss the stunning new restaurant next door from the Sixth Avenue restaurant team (Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong). The new Koreatown dining destination resides in the landmark Art Deco Pellissier Building, and offers a global menu from chef Danny Ye (Nobu New York City). Highlights of the menu include Campechana, a spicy seafood cocktail served with plantain chips; hot stone uni rice; and spatchcock chicken with aji verde salsa, aji amarillo mayo and Korean moo. Also find an eclectic wine list and wide selection of draught beer. Dinner nightly. 3760 Wilshire Blvd., Koreatown, 213.365.1077. terracottala.com

Sycamore Tavern
The new Hollywood sports bar offers 10,000 square feet of viewing opportunities on 55 flat screen TVs. Pair your game with fare like steak and fries, chicken parm pizza and smoked chicken wings. Just leave room for their deep fried fluffer-nutter for dessert. 7038 Sunset Blvd., L.A., 323.467.7038. sycamoretavern.com

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