Best Food Los Angeles | Food Events | Food Journal Magazine

Nov 30, 20256 min read

About Us:

Take a journey with us on the road to culinary cloud 9 where we have everything you need as a foodie in one place. Events, Festivals, Hotspots, Reviews and the resource for the best food in Los Angeles, Ca. and surrounding areas! We curated articles and info from our favorite sources plus our own Food Journalists. Please show some love and check them out!

We may distribute the PR/articles that we write to a variety of flagship news sources and News Portals such as (although we are not directly affiliated) ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CW, Benzinga and the Associated Press. Let us know how we can cover your LA & surrounding areas restaurant or national food event and let the world know you have some of the best food in Los Angeles, California!

We stopped by Chick Me Out in North Hollywood, and this place completely redefines what clean eating can be.

Here’s the real game-changer: zero seed oils. In an industry full of shortcuts, Chick Me Out refuses to compromise—every recipe is made using olive oil and avocado oil only. That commitment didn’t happen overnight. The team spent nearly three years sourcing farms, testing ingredients, and rebuilding recipes from scratch because most “healthy” options still weren’t clean enough. Their rule? If it wasn’t clean, they made it themselves.

We kicked things off with the Grass-Fed Steak Bowl—organic white rice, perfectly roasted sweet potatoes, pickled red onions, kalamata olives, cilantro, tomato, and a tahini drizzle that tied everything together. You can fully customize your base, sides, and sauces, but this combo was absolutely worth the experience.

Next up, the Wild Salmon Bowl felt like summer in a bowl, with roasted red bell peppers, fresh tomato, organic white rice, and a cooling yogurt mint sauce that balanced everything beautifully.

And the standout? The Rotisserie Chicken Plate. Mary’s organic, humanely raised chicken paired with organic Mediterranean yellow rice, roasted baby potatoes, and steamed veggies—comfort food that actually loves you back.

If you care about ingredients, sourcing, and flavor, this is a spot you need on your radar.

Where to find them:
6130 Laurel Canyon Blvd Unit 148, North Hollywood, CA 91606

Plenty of parking available at NOHO West.

Check them out online: www.chickmeout.com @chickmeouteatery

#ChickMeOut #NorthHollywoodEats #CleanEatingLA #foodjournalmagazine #noseedoils

Happy New Year from Food Journal Magazine

As we step into a new year, we’re grateful for every table shared, every story told, and every bite that brought people together.

From local neighborhood gems to unforgettable food festivals, this past year reminded us that food is more than a meal—it’s culture, creativity, and community.

Thank you to the chefs, restaurateurs, artisans, and readers who welcomed us into their kitchens, their events, and their stories. Your passion is what fuels our journey.

Here’s to a new year filled with bold flavors, hidden gems, unforgettable experiences, and even more stories worth sharing. We can’t wait to see what’s cooking in 2025. 🥂🍽️

#FoodJournalMagazine #ʜᴀᴘᴘʏɴᴇᴡʏᴇᴀʀ2025 #FoodCulture #CulinaryCommunity #EatLocal FoodStories

Not all sushi experiences are created equal — and at UMIAI Hand Roll & Sake Bar, every bite tells a story of intention, balance, and genuine craft.

Our tasting began with the refreshing Cucumber Seaweed Salad, crisp and bright — the perfect palate cleanser. Then came the luxurious Hokkaido Scallop Caviar, where sweet, creamy scallop met delicate pops of caviar and bright yuzu kosho. From there, UMIAI took us on a journey across sea and land.

The Seared A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Caviar brought rich marbling and smoky truffle notes, while the Albacore Black Garlic paired fermented sweetness with tangy ponzu and crunchy textures. For something bright and refreshing, the Yellowtail Yuzu hit with citrus, jalapeño, and radish.

And of course — the stars of the night: the hand rolls and nigiri. We savored indulgent Lobster Hand Roll & Uni Hand Roll, tender Cold Aged Halibut, velvet-rich Seared Ora King Salmon, delicate Seared Toro, and classic Big Eye Tuna nigiri — each piece resonating with freshness and expertise.

Whether you’re here for the elegant sashimi-style dishes or the meticulously crafted hand rolls, UMIAI is a reminder that great sushi isn’t just about technique — it’s about reverence for the ingredients and the stories they carry.

📍6130 Laurel Canyon Blvd #150 North Hollywood, CA 91606

📍 @umiaihandroll

📽 @benstack1n

Read the full FJM coverage here 👇

https://www.foodjournalmagazine.com/post/umiai-hand-roll-and-sake-bar Food Journal Magazine

#FoodJournalMagazine #UMIAI #NorthHollywoodEats #SushiCraftsmanship LAHotSpots

Best of Pasadena 2025 was a full-on celebration of the city’s food scene 🍽️✨

From chef-driven bites to craft cocktails and crowd-favorite restaurants, this event brought together everything we love about discovering great food in Southern California.

We spent the night tasting, filming, and talking with the people behind the dishes — capturing the energy, the flavors, and the moments that make food events like this special. Pasadena continues to prove it’s a serious dining destination, and this night was all about highlighting the restaurants and chefs shaping the local scene.

If you’re someone who loves finding new places to eat, following food festivals, or staying tapped into SoCal’s dining culture, this is an event you’ll want on your radar.

📍 Pasadena, California
🎥 Best of Pasadena 2025
📰 Full event recap article now live on Food Journal Magazine

@pasadenamag @wifeandthesomm @cityclubla
@telefericbarcelona @themamamsushi @nothingbundtcakes @dulcevidatequila @empress1908gin @ojaimountain @meadowestate_winery
@flanaganwines

#BestOfPasadena #BestOfPasadena2025 #FoodJournalMagazine #foodevent #pasadenafoodie

🍷 Wine lovers, LA — this one’s for you.

Uncorked LA is taking over Union Station on January 24, 2026, and it’s shaping up to be one of the city’s most anticipated wine festivals of the year. Expect 100+ wines, bubblies, and cocktails, live music and DJs, a zero-proof lounge, party games, and local food trucks — all inside one of LA’s most iconic landmarks.

VIP, Early Admission, and General Admission tickets are available, each offering a different way to experience the night. Whether you’re there to sip, swirl, or dance between pours, this is a festival that blends wine culture with pure LA energy.

📍 Union Station, Los Angeles
🗓️ January 24, 2026 | 5–9 PM
🔞 21+ only

👉 Full event details via @uncorkedwinefestivals

#FoodJournalMagazine #UncorkedLA #LAWineFestival #LosAngelesEvents #WineLovers #WineFestival #UnionStationLA #SipAndSwirl #LAFoodScene #WineCulture #ThingsToDoLA

🍴 If LA had a dining room, this would be it.

Grand Central Market has been feeding Los Angeles since 1917, and more than a century later, it remains one of the city’s most electric food destinations. From iconic legacy stalls to chef-driven newcomers, this historic downtown market is where cultures, cuisines, and generations collide — all under one roof.

Whether you’re grabbing an Eggslut breakfast, chasing tacos at lunch, or discovering something new you didn’t know you were craving, Grand Central Market isn’t just a place to eat — it’s a snapshot of LA itself.

📍 Downtown Los Angeles
@grandcentralmarketla

Full coverage on Food Journal Magazine

#FoodJournalMagazine #GrandCentralMarket #DTLAEats #LosAngelesFood #LAFoodScene #FoodHall #EatLocalLA #HistoricLA #LAEats #CulinaryLA

Brunch by the beach hits different.

Especially when it’s at The Surfing Fox — Santa Monica’s surf-inspired, coastal-chic restaurant located inside The Pierside Hotel.

We visited to capture their vibrant California-driven menu and instantly felt the energy of this place. Bright, colorful dishes, market-fresh ingredients, and a relaxed, salty-breeze vibe that feels like pure Santa Monica.

📍 @thesurfingfox
📽 @benstack1n

From seafood standouts to playful brunch favorites, everything here blends creativity with comfort. The plating is bold, the flavors are balanced, and the entire experience feels like that perfect intersection between laid-back West Coast living and elevated coastal cuisine.

Whether you’re stopping by after a morning on the sand or kicking off a beach day with cocktails and small plates, The Surfing Fox delivers that “this is why we live in California” feeling.

🎥 Full video coverage by Food Journal Magazine.

Which dish caught your eye first?

#TheSurfingFox #SantaMonicaEats #FoodJournalMagazine #SantaMonicaRestaurants #PiersideHotel #CoastalCuisine #BrunchInLA #LAeats #LAfoodie #SoCalEats #SeafoodLovers #CaliforniaDining #FoodieVideos #VisitCalifornia

SOKO at the Fairmont Miramar. (Fall Omakase)

We experienced one of Santa Monica’s most intimate and beautifully crafted omakase journeys.

Chef Masa Shimakawa prepared the Fall Omakase Experience personally for us, an elegant progression of seasonal dishes including bluefin toro + hamachi “monaka,” Dungeness crab tofu with uni and ikura, a stunning Maine lobster dobin-mushi soup infused with matsutake, pristine sashimi cuts, A5 Miyazaki wagyu, and a perfect finish of hand-crafted nigiri and hand rolls.

SOKO (倉庫) means “storeroom” in Japanese — a place where treasured ingredients are kept with intention. And that philosophy is felt in every bite. Minimalist, intimate, precise… this is one of LA’s true hidden gems.

📍 @sokosushisantamonica
📽 @benstack1n
📽 @axvera_bjj

A must-visit for anyone seeking refined, traditional Japanese craftsmanship in the heart of Santa Monica. 🌊

📍 SOKO — Fairmont Miramar, Santa Monica
🍣 Fall Omakase Experience
👨🏻‍🍳 Chef Masa Shimakawa

#FoodJournalMagazine #SOKO #FairmontMiramar #SantaMonicaEats #LAOmakase #OmakaseExperience #ChefMasa #SushiLovers #LARestaurants #JapaneseCuisine #SeafoodLovers #FoodieJournal #SantaMonicaFood #MatsutakeSeason #WagyuBeef #Nigiri #HandRoll #LAFoodScene

Ayara Thai: A Michelin-Recognized Family Legacy in Los Angeles!

Ayara Thai isn’t just serving food — they’re serving generations of family tradition, bold flavors, and award-winning Thai cuisine that has earned them a place in the Michelin Guide year after year.

🇹🇭 @ayarathai
📽 @loomeed
📽 @matthewgregorytropp

In our latest Food Journal Magazine feature, we tasted through some of their standout dishes — and each one tells a story:

🍤 Lobster Pad Thai
A luxurious twist on a classic. Featuring a 7oz wild-caught lobster tail, tender crab, and thin slices of green apple, this dish hits sweet, savory, and tangy notes in perfect harmony. Absolutely unforgettable.

🐘 Ayara’s Toast
Elephant-shaped, crisp, and adorable. Topped with seasoned pork and shrimp and served with refreshing cucumber sauce — the perfect bite to start your meal.

🥗 Papaya Salad
Hand-mixed in a wooden mortar and pestle for authenticity. Shredded green papaya, tomatoes, carrots, and long beans tossed with peanuts and dried shrimp. Fresh, zesty, and vibrant.

🍆 Spicy Eggplant
Tender Chinese eggplant stir-fried with shrimp and ground chicken in a spicy basil-onion sauce. Bold, savory, and impossible to stop eating.

🍜 Khao Soi
A northern Thai standout and true family favorite. Free-range chicken drumsticks slow-braised in a rich curry broth, served over egg noodles with shallots and mustard greens. Comfort food at its finest — and an award-winning recipe.

🍮 Thai Tea Flan
Soft, silky Thai tea custard with rich caramel and fresh berries. A dessert you’ll want to come back for.

Ayara Thai continues to blend authenticity, creativity, and family heritage into every dish — making it some of the "Best Food In Los Angeles"

📍 Ayara Thai — 6245 W 87th St, Los Angeles
🕒 Takeout 11am–10pm | Dine-In 5pm–9pm | Closed Tuesdays
☎️ (310) 410-8848

#FoodJournalMagazine #AyaraThai #LobsterPadThai #MichelinGuide #WestchesterLA #LosAngelesEats #ThaiFoodLovers #LATimesFood #ElephantToast #KhaoSoi #ThaiCuisine #LAFoodScene #LAFoodie #FoodReels #BestOfLA

Uchi West Hollywood
Los Angeles Foodie Hotspot!!

An unforgettable evening of artful flavor led by Chef Joel Hammond, whose culinary roots trace back to Momofuku and Morimoto.

Each dish told its own story — from the San Francisco black cod with fish caramel, chimichurri, and market peppers, to the refreshing Hama Chili — yellowtail bathed in ponzu, Thai chili, and orange supreme. 🍊🔥

@uchirestaurants
@jhammond6888

🎥 @loomeed

Of course, the night wouldn’t be complete without a few delicate pieces of nigiri sushi, prepared with Uchi’s signature precision and balance.

📍 Uchi West Hollywood
9001 Santa Monica Blvd. Ste 101
West Hollywood, Ca. 90069

A dining experience where creativity meets refinement — and every bite feels like an inspired masterpiece.

#FoodJournalMagazine #UchiWestHollywood #UchiRestaurants #ChefJoelHammond #Momofuku #Morimoto #LosAngelesEats #LAFoodie #FoodieFinds #SushiLovers #FineDiningLA #JapaneseCuisine #FoodieAdventure #EatDrinkLA #LArestaurants #SeafoodLovers #SushiArtistry

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Smoke, Sizzle, and Soul: Why the 2026 Long Beach BBQ Festival is the Ultimate Foodie Pilgrimage

The 2026 Long Beach BBQ Festival brought the heat to the waterfront, uniting pitmasters, live fire cooking, and bold regional flavors in a full-throttle celebration of barbecue culture. From slow-smoked classics to inventive twists, the festival delivered a mouthwatering showcase of craft, community, and smoke-kissed excellence that kept Long Beach buzzing all weekend.

6 days ago4 min read

Inside Best of Pasadena 2025: Food Journal Magazine’s On-Site Experience

Last Thursday, December 11th, the team at Food Journal Magazine loosened our belts and headed to 340 South Lake Avenue for one of the most anticipated nights of the year: Pasadena Magazine’s "Best of Pasadena 2025."

Dec 20, 20252 min read

Sip, Swirl, and Savor: Uncorked: LA Returns to Union Station for its 11th Year

The 11th annual Uncorked: LA Wine Festival is taking over the iconic Union Station on Saturday, January 24th, promising an evening of global flavors, gourmet bites, and electric vibes.

Dec 14, 20252 min read

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Uchi West Hollywood: A Culinary Canvas of Innovation!

Uchi West Hollywood reimagines Japanese dining with bold flavors, refined balance, and the creative touch of Chef Joel Hammond.

Eating Honest: Why "Chick Me Out" Is The Clean-Eating Revolution We’ve Been Waiting For

Chick Me Out in North Hollywood is redefining clean eating with zero seed oils and a commitment to real ingredients. From grass-fed steak bowls to wild salmon and organic rotisserie chicken, every dish is thoughtfully crafted using olive oil and avocado oil—proof that healthy food can still deliver serious flavor.

chicken

Inside UMIAI Hand Roll & Sake Bar: A Culinary Love Letter to the Ocean!

UMIAI Hand Roll & Sake Bar delivers a refined yet approachable take on the hand roll experience, where pristine seafood, warm rice, and crisp nori come together in perfect balance. With an intimate counter setting and a thoughtfully curated sake selection, UMIAI captures the essence of Japanese craftsmanship while offering a modern, Los Angeles–centric dining moment that feels both elevated and effortlessly inviting.

The Surfing Fox: Santa Monica's Coastal Gem

The Surfing Fox blends coastal cool with elevated California comfort food, delivering a laid-back dining experience just steps from the ocean. Whether you’re stopping in for a vibrant brunch, savoring fresh seafood plates, or unwinding with craft cocktails at golden hour, The Surfing Fox captures the spirit of beachside dining with style. With its breezy atmosphere, chef-driven dishes, and a menu that feels both nostalgic and modern, it’s the kind of spot that keeps you comin

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