News Summary
Los Angeles is experiencing a vibrant culinary scene, celebrating diverse dining options ranging from beachside cafes to innovative seafood and plant-based bakeshops. Perry’s Cafe offers beach-inspired dishes, while Cento Raw Bar serves extraordinary seafood creations. San & Wolves Bakeshop presents flavorful Filipino desserts, and Marelle focuses on seasonal produce. However, the restaurant scene is facing challenges due to recent ICE raids impacting immigrant vendors, prompting some to close for safety. This complex narrative highlights the juxtaposition of culinary innovation and the struggles within the community.
Los Angeles has been bustling with culinary highlights as editors from Eater LA share their top dining picks and experiences from recent outings. Among the standout locations are Perry’s Cafe, Cento Raw Bar, San & Wolves Bakeshop, and Marelle, each offering unique menus that reflect California’s vibrant food culture.
At Perry’s Cafe in Santa Monica, visitors can savor the California Beach Bowl, which features well-cooked mahi mahi served with Mexican rice, black beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, and grilled fish. The balanced seasoning of the dish has been well-received, and the cafe also serves a selection of beer and margaritas, making it a popular spot for beachside snacks beyond the typical hot dogs and corndogs.
Cento Raw Bar takes diners on an extraordinary seafood adventure with a unique interior designed to resemble a mermaid’s cave. The seafood tower is one of their highlight offerings, featuring a lavish selection that includes oysters on the half shell, uni, scallops, crab legs, and lobster claws. Another must-try is the tuna crudo, which stands out with its innovative accompaniment of gazpacho grated tomatoes and perilla leaves.
For those seeking a sweet treat, San & Wolves Bakeshop in Long Beach showcases Filipino-flavored, plant-based baked goods. Featured items include traditional ube pan de coco, cornbread bibingkas, ube malasadas, and a unique black sesame bun, drawing on rich cultural flavors to delight customers.
In Santa Monica, Marelle, helmed by chef Raphael Lunetta, emphasizes California’s seasonal produce. The menu includes unique dishes such as stone fruit salad, charred Spanish octopus prepared in chorizo veloute, and pan-roasted lamb loin, reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to fresh ingredients.
Excitement is also building for two upcoming openings. Jade Rabbit will introduce American Chinese dishes inspired by 1980s Hong Kong cafes, while Max & Helen’s, a classic diner by Phil Rosenthal and Nancy Silverton, is set to open in Larchmont. Additionally, Maydan Market in Los Angeles will bring multiple culinary concepts, notably Lebanese cuisine, to the area. Lastly, Darling, a Southern-focused eatery by chef Sean Brock, promises to prioritize seasonal ingredients cooked over live fire, further enhancing the diverse dining landscape.
In contrast to these culinary advancements, the Los Angeles restaurant scene faces significant challenges. The impact of mass ICE raids has troubled immigrant communities and significantly affected street food vendors. Fears surrounding these raids have led some vendors, like Tacos de Cabrito y Machito El Lagunero, to temporarily close their operations to ensure safety. As a result, the food scene in neighborhoods such as Muscoy is feeling the economic and emotional toll from the recent deportation tactics, leading to a noticeable decline in customer turnout and business viability.
Business owners express concerns for their futures as many grapple with the dual impact of economic pressure and the fear associated with ICE raids. Some vendors have made the difficult decision to close their businesses in the interest of safety, which has disrupted the livelihoods of many who contribute to Los Angeles’ vibrant food culture.
This juxtaposition of culinary innovation and the sobering realities faced by many immigrant vendors paints a complex picture of the Los Angeles dining scene, making it essential for the community to stay aware of these developments as they unfold.
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Additional Resources
- Eater LA: Favorite Dishes June 2025
- Wikipedia: Los Angeles
- Eater LA: Upcoming Restaurants Summer 2025
- Google Search: Los Angeles restaurants
- Eater LA: Impact of ICE Raids on Street Vendors
- Google Scholar: Los Angeles food culture
- Eater LA: Best Dishes 2024
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Los Angeles
- Eater LA: Best Restaurants in Malibu
- Google News: Los Angeles food scene
