America is known for its diverse food scene and almost every major city is a hotbed of culture with neighborhoods that are home to a certain type of ethnic cuisine. If you’re venturing out to the West Coast, there are a few must-visit dining destinations to add to your itinerary. Here are five great restaurants to check out when you’re traveling around the West.
Lazy Bear, San Francisco
This modern, communal style restaurant is located in a midcentury building and features a 40-seat communal tasting menu of New American specialties. It’s the equivalent of a modern American dinner party where you can share stories with fellow diners and enjoy a variety of foods. A new menu is unveiled every night and the chefs come out to describe the dishes. “Tickets” go on sale the month prior, so make sure to join their mailing list or follow on Twitter to get updated as soon as they’re on sale.
Born and Raised, San Diego
The Great Gatsby-esque restaurant is an outlier in a city full of taquerias and salad-forward restaurants. But if you’re in the mood for a great steak and fancy cocktails, this is the place to enjoy it. Located in Little Italy, Born and Raised takes fine dining to another level. Enjoy its glamorous setting and rooftop patio with a classic cocktail in hand.
Majordomo, Los Angeles
David Chang’s first West Coast eatery is a superb option for a trendy night out. Must-try dishes include fried stuffed peppers and the whole plate short rib. And in true homage to L.A.’s Koreatown, the gochu jeon is also on our list to try. Make sure to pair all the food with his innovative cocktails as well.
Bar Dough, Denver
Top Chef alum, Carrie Baird, brings her A game to this LoHi spot. You can of course enjoy pizzas and pastas but make sure to try the innovative veggie-forward fare as well. Our favorite dish is the oven-roasted carrots with chickpeas. And since she was known as the toast queen on Top Chef, she has a menu full of “fancy toast” as well.
Matt’s in the Market, Seattle
Seattle’s Pike Place is home to several great restaurants and you can enjoy some new flavors and farm-to-table specialties at Matt’s in the Market. If you call ahead, you can reserve the big table in front of the window to watch the sun setting over Puget Sound.
