(Illustration by Danny Brito)

Hi, I’m Holly! Keiko asked me to make a city guide for my favorite spots in LA since I’m constantly being asked for recommendations by my friends whenever they visit. I am a former LA resident, and a current Chicago resident (a Chicago guide is in the not so distant future.) At first I was thought I’d choose one place from each neighborhood I frequent, but I felt like too many places would be missing – so instead I’m focusing on my old neighborhood in/around Beverly Hills. I’m planning on making a guide for Downtown/the Eastside at another time, but here are 5 of my favorite old haunts!

Fonuts, Beverly Grove

I am a total creature of habit. Where am I ever Sunday? Getting my weekly donut! (Okay, I definitely go more than once a week but at the very least I get my donut fix every Sunday.) Fonuts was my go-to place for slightly less guilt indulgences, but equally tasty treats. Their donuts are baked or steamed and not fried, but their interesting flavors and that one Chorizo Cheddar donut always has me coming back for more. 

Pictured: Blueberry Earl Grey, Chorizo Cheddar, Strawberry Buttermilk, Chocolate with Sprinkles

Osteria Mozza, Hancock Park

I couldn’t have an LA list without including Osteria Mozza. It’s very well known, but I couldn’t help but include it because it really does live up to the hype. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s the culinary brain child of Mario Batali and Nancy Silverton. This restaurant does Italian fine dining perfectly and they have the best service too! (I only ordered one dessert, but they got it wrong so we got an extra for free! Free dessert? Yes, please.) You pretty much can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but if you’re like me and you really love cheese, anything off their Mozzarella Bar menu is a must. 

Pictured: Cocktail – Gordon’s Cup, Burricotta with Radicchio, Tagliatelle with Oxtail Ragu, Farfalle with Clams and Panchetta, Grilled Leg of Lamb, Honey Baked Peach with Hazelnut Cake

Picca, Beverly Hills/Pico-Robertson

This was my old neighborhood go-to spot! I seriously can not get enough of this place. I love coming here with friends, ordering a bunch of food and sharing. It’s a small plate (tapas style) Peruvian/Japanese fusion restaurant. The small plates range from causas (their version of sushi) to anticuchos (skewers grilled over a fire) to stews/larger plates (like paella and quinoa pumpkin stew.)

Personal favorites: The Avocado Project (the best avocado cocktail ever invented), Anticucho Tomatoes with burrata, Antichucho Black Cod, Japanese Eggplant, Arroz con Erizo, Ceviche Crocante

BLD, Fairfax

Los Angeles isn’t shy of brunch spots, but BLD is by far my favorite place to bring out of towners, friends, and anyone who just likes to eat brunch. They have your standard breakfast/brunch items, but their standouts are their giant pancakes (we got the french toast) and their assortment of eggs benedicts! PS: Always get your order with the Spanish Chorizo Home Fries.

Personal favorites: Ode to Butterfield’s, Spanish Scramble, Ricotta Blueberry Pancakes

Milk, Fairfax

There is often a line out the door for this little ice cream and sweets shop. They have a wide range of homemade ice cream flavors and a bunch of different types of cookies. A super popular item: the macaron ice cream sandwiches! During my most recent visit I saw they had a watermelon macaron ice cream sandwich, and it was too cute to resist. You really can’t go wrong with any of the sweets here, but you might have a difficult time choosing just one or even two. You can always just do what I do… order one of everything!

Personal favorites: Snickerdoodle cookie, Blue Velvet Cake, any of the ice cream flavors

Photos from Fonuts & Picca by Taghrid Chaaban.

Photos from Osteria Mozza by Holly Wang.

Photos from BLD & Milk by Carly Cristman & Holly Wang.