17 Comments
User's avatar
Jane Black's avatar

Ok, I'll start! In DC: Etto, Peter Pastan's downtown trattoria. Daru, modern Indian where you absolutely must eat the smoky lentils with burrata. All you can eat dim sum at Han Palace (Georgetown location).

Expand full comment
John Baxter's avatar

In Los Angeles (Atwater Village specifically), Spina is a great Italian restaurant that doesn’t take reservations, but you can normally be sat relatively quickly. If you are by LAX, Fishing With Dynamite in Manhattan Beach has some of the best seafood in LA. Try the Koshihikari Rice!

Expand full comment
Jane Black's avatar

LOVE these. I really need to do an eating trip to LA. I think it's the most exciting city to eat in in America right now.

Expand full comment
George Georgoudis's avatar

Its not only a USA thing - Here in Greece we have the same problem and gets even worse with travel "influencers' who post about the same places, the same dishes, the same "hidden spots".

Expand full comment
Jane Black's avatar

Is that for locals or just for tourists? I have a friend, Lisa Abend, who writes a wonderful substack called the Unplugged Traveler where she goes somewhere and travels without ever using the Internet. It's hard but she does discover some places and avoids all the ones that are on everyone's lists.

Expand full comment
George Georgoudis's avatar

Its actually both - you can spot some of the places from a distance because of long lines :-) I think what your friend is doing is the right approach, but takes real effort and time.

Expand full comment
John Benedict Firmalan's avatar

Never been in us☺️ but if i have chance new york ,san francisco but not in prime rib and LA in izakaya and hillstone.

Expand full comment
Bibby Dunn's avatar

LA Eastside spots - Botanica is great for brunch. Really good egg dishes that feel healthy but full, good coffees and can get wine/beer also. And then Little Doms in Los Feliz, is easy date night dinner spot with good food and can usually get a reservation.

Expand full comment
Rachel's avatar

First, I'm so glad you broached this topic because it does feel unfairly skewed and we're all a bit complicit in wanting THE reservation at the expense of really wonderful restaurants who aren't the prom queen of the moment.

In Chicago, I keep returning to Dear Margaret (if "neighborhood gem" had a photo in a dictionary, you would find this cozy spot), Brasero - consistently excellent and a gluten-free dream come true, John's Food & Wine - no reservations and addictively good french fries, and Sal's Trattoria - another beloved neighborhood staple that's better than it needs to be and always welcoming.

Expand full comment
Will Dunn's avatar

In Los Angeles, Petit Trois Le Valley is a better space than its tiny Hollywood parent edition, much easier to get a spot, and just as delicious French classics. I also recommend Verse in Toluca Lake for date nights -- great food and cocktails, it is owned/designed by a Grammy-winning sound mixer and uses acoustic wizardry so no matter how loud the live music, you can somehow always talk and hear comfortably at your table.

Expand full comment
Jerusha Klemperer's avatar

I grabbed a last minute Rez last summer at Libertine in the West Village and it was lovely and delicious. And the best waiter I can remember in a long time. Have also had great luck walking in at Il Buco Aliimentari. The food is always excellent and I like the vibes.

Expand full comment
Rebecca Taibleson's avatar

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin! Goodkind -- small & charming, just interesting/innovative enough to feel like a treat. Lake Park Bistro -- old school French, cozy, hits the classics (like steak frites; French onion soup) perfectly. Central Standard, a bar that serves a limited menu (thanks Consumed for this idea in a previous post!) -- drinks are outrageous and the food is surprisingly great too.

Expand full comment
Jerusha Klemperer's avatar

Love Goodkind!

Expand full comment
Northe Saunders's avatar

In Portland, ME, I love Woodford's F&B for an off-the-peninsula night out. Great for a date night or a fancy dinner with the family. They're very accommodating to young children. I also love Izakaya Minato, particularly their omakase. Bar Futo impresses with their yakitori. Central Provisions can be challenging to get a table at, given their reputation, so try going for lunch instead.

Expand full comment
Jane Black's avatar

Thanks for sharing! I know it's not a restaurant per se, but I love Tandem Bakery in Portland.

Expand full comment
Northe Saunders's avatar

The loaded biscuit at Tandem is one of the most decadent breakfast items I've ever had!

Expand full comment
Jerusha Klemperer's avatar

Love Tandem! Also check out Friends x Family for natural wines, pizza, small plates etc. SO GOOD.

Expand full comment