FROM LEFT: Lee Schrager with Haley and Jason Binn at the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival; Ruth and Jake Bloom

Dig In

Nothing makes me happier during the summer in LA than noontime barbecues or alfresco dinners, which brings me to the topic of food—the focus of this issue. A glance at LA’s culinary landscape not only provides a glimpse of the latest culinary trends sweeping the nation, but also gives us insight into who Angelenos are. Our abundance of farmers’ markets, seasonally inspired menus and kitchen gardens speaks to our preoccupation with quality ingredients and eating healthy. Our obsession with gourmet food trucks shows our willingness to have fun with our dining experience. And with some of the most masterful chefs in the country—José Andrés, Michael Mina, Rick Bayless, as well as reality-show heroes such as Top Chef’s Ilan Hall and Stefan Richter—flocking here to set up shop, Los Angeles has become a culinary hotbed, exploding with innovations and flavors. (The most recent Top Chef winner, Michael Voltaggio, is at the helm of The Dining Room at The Langham in Pasadena and is also the subject of our “Day in the Life” story on page 68.)

In honor of our annual food issue, I invite you to embark on a new tasting adventure around the city this summer and allow this issue to serve as your guide. Whether you’re chasing food trucks for a grilled-cheese sandwich or dim-sum fix, exploring one of our “hidden” strip-mall treasures or soaking up the view and a refreshing glass of rosé at Geoffrey’s in Malibu, the LA dining scene has something to satisfy anyone who calls this city home.
Bon appétit!

JASON BINN
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Chace Crawford and Sari Anne Tuschman at the cover shoot

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot

SOME PEOPLE THINK summer in Los Angeles isn’t a special time of year like it is in other parts of the country because the weather is nice here year-round. That belief couldn’t be more wrong. Sure, 80-degree weather isn’t saved for June, July and August, but something special is—a certain je ne sais quoi in the air when LA and its inhabitants come alive more than ever.

This is the time of year when everyone migrates to the South Bay and Westside to hit the beaches. The entire city seems to crave the feeling of sand between their toes. It seems as if every restaurant’s outdoor tables are constantly packed; surfers take to the water in droves; and almost every night throngs of people head to the Hollywood Bowl to hear a concert and picnic under the stars (go to page 90 for suggestions on the ideal picnic). It’s summer in LA, and it’s fantastic.

In this issue we not only celebrate all things summer and hot (speaking of hot, check out our story on our gorgeous cover star, Chace Crawford, on page 102), we also pay homage to the City of Angels’ ever-impressive dining scene. Turn to our story on page 106 for some of our favorite places in LA to eat, be seen, dine with a view, indulge in ethnic dishes and so much more (we even name the place we think has the hottest waitstaff). We also highlight Malibu—LA’s top summer getaway that doesn’t require leaving the county—with a story on everything the idyllic beach town has to offer (page 112).

Read on to find out the rest of the people, activities, culture, entertainment and more we cover in this amazing summer issue, because, well, I need to get outside!

See you on the beach.

Sincerely,

SARI ANNE TUSCHMAN
EDITOR IN CHIEF