Joan's on Third

Chef Justin Pichetrungsi received a James Beard award shortly after taking over his family’s Thai restaurant in Sherman Oaks. In a city full of great Thai spots, it’s one of the best. The à la carte menu is classic—chicken satay, drunken noodles, and curries, all present—with seasonal twists. Two special menus to consider: One weekend a month, Anajak Thai hosts a ticketed omakase-style dinner. And every Tuesday, they take walk-ins only for an unbelievably good taco night starring excellent ingredients like albacore, uni, and ikura.

This might just take the cake for the least spectacular strip mall exterior: Funny, because it belies the cozy décor and Michelin-starred sushi and small plates inside. It's all exquisite, whether you order from the menu or opt for one of the three omakase menus. "A", "B", and "C", range from expensive to extravagant, but they're all worthwhile treats. It's possible to walk-in (and wait) on a week-night, but reservations are essential on weekends.

Located in the sprawling Americana mall, this Taipei export is famous for its steamed dumplings—and all the requisite extras like green beans with sauteed garlic, Shanghai rice cakes with shrimp, and noodle soups.

It's a bit of a hike out in the valley, but Kiwami, which comes from the original Katsuya team, has all the appeal of the original Katsuya Studio City location with a bit more atmosphere. Try to snag a reservation for the omakase with Katsuya himself—pricey, but worth it.

If you want a slice of New York pizza that is better than most places in New York, look no further: A super-thin crust, and wonderfully tangy sauce set the standard for pies you can eat by the slice or takeout whole. We particularly love the eggplant parm and the white spinach pizzas, but nothing disappoints. There is another location in Sherman Oaks, and there are two in Beverly Hills—in Beverly Hills proper and on Beverly Blvd.

While its location is perfect if you work at the studios (or have just landed at the Burbank airport), an idle weeknight works for a trip here, too. When you arrive, the hostess will tersely explain that this is an omakase only place. And they have a rule: no California rolls. In case that isn't clear enough, there's a large sign right behind the bar that reiterates: Omakase Only. Once through the gauntlet, an incredibly jovial sushi chef compensates. Sit as close to him as possible, as the restaurant doesn't offer much in the way of ambiance, and he will walk you through your meal, explaining the provenance of the fish, and exactly how to season it. Photo: uchinabaker

If the complimentary sparkling cocktail you were handed upon arrival didn’t clue you in, Sushi Note is more than a neighborhood sushi joint. It’s also a wine bar. And a great one at that (co-owner Dave Gibbs is the discerning palate behind Augustine Wine Bar and Mirabelle). What sets it apart: It takes your traditional omakase tasting menu and one-ups it with sommelier-curated wine pairings from the best vineyards in Burgundy. And we haven’t even gotten to the sushi yet. Yuzu-and-truffle-drenched scallops, peppered albacore, and simple, salt-dusted sea bass that might be the single greatest bite within miles, and then there are the precisely sliced, perfectly seasoned cuts of nigiri that defy description. It’s only after you leave that you realize the sushi was so spectacular, you didn’t even drizzle it with soy sauce. Our advice: Snag a seat at the bar, go for the tasting menu, and watch the chefs work their magic.

It may be located in Tarzana, but the unreal omakase at Sushi Yotsuya definitely justifies the drive. Chef Masa’s word-of-mouth reputation has grown steadily over the years and his restaurant is a valley insider’s secret. It’s a no-frills situation down to the TV news blaring in the background, and the sign that states “sushi” out front. We like to sit at the bar with the chef, who is generally happy to throw back some sake.

You asked for healthy takeout; we delivered. Our take on takeout is a menu of hearty bowls, vibrant salads, delicious handhelds, pizza, pasta, rotisserie, and more—all gluten-free and often finished with goop Certified Clean sauces, dressings, and marinades.

You can find respectable banh mi joints locally, but hardcore foodies will tell you this hole-in-the-wall deep in the San Gabriel Valley is the real deal. For about $6 you can get a warm baguette packed tight with anything from chicken to grilled beef to BBQ pork, all the fixings, and the option to add an egg on top. (Tip: Always add the egg on top.) They also make excellent Vietnamese iced coffee.

Coffee Commissary is a very popular spot for work and study, which means they're used to having laptops—they also play a work-friendly soundtrack. Some locations have larger food menus than others, so make sure to check the website if you're hoping to stick around for lunch. In the coffee department, Coffee Commissary brings in a different guest roaster every few weeks, which mixes things up a bit.

At this Sherman Oaks café, there are classic sandwiches (BLT, club, Philly cheese, etc), and there are artisanal grilled cheeses, of which the spicy short-rib option is the standout. Tender pulled short ribs serve as the base for grilled onions and peppers, and melted jack cheese—all made even better with a substantial kick of spicy aioli. All in all, a favorite in the Valley.

Every town needs an old-school Italian deli, and Italia Bakery has all of the prerequisites in terms of ambience: strip mall location, hand-painted sign, Italian flag out front, and family members behind the counter. While the classic Italian sandwich is great, the best order here is actually the prosciutto sandwich—it comes on a soft roll, basically overflowing with delicate, thinly-sliced meat and an incredibly soft, creamy mozzarella. This is also an amazing source for cold-cuts if you’d prefer to make the sandwiches at home yourself.

These purveyors of ultra-creamy ice cream got their start in Santa Barbara in 1948, and the heritage of their brand is hugely important to them. Their dairy is sourced from grass-fed cows which are raised just north of LA on the central coast, and they've been working with the same creamery since they got their start (eggs are cage-free, too). This is the kind of place where classic flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and the not-so-classic chocolate-covered strawberry reign supreme, and it probably goes without saying that kids can't get enough of it. You can buy this creamy goodness at many upscale grocery stores, but we prefer to have it scooped for us at either their Grand Central Market or Studio City locations.

Prettily decorated cakes and baked goods are mainstays here, though we hear the best thing on the menu is actually the tuna fish sandwich. They make their own mayo, and serve it on freshly baked rosemary bread. There are also Sweet Lady Jane bakeries in West Hollywood and Santa Monica.

The east side's Tabula Rasa is exactly what we look for in a neighborhood bar: It feels friendly and has a fantastic wine list (a mix of both natural wines and classics). You'll find a similar wine collection here at their North Hollywood shop, plus everything you need to put together an impressive snack board.

Since 1995, Jill Roberts's mini-chainlet of boutiques have been holding strong, offering that specifically LA-buy: Plenty of denim and t-shirts, plus a few stand-out pieces from designers like Ulla Johnson, Agua by Agua Bendita, and Nili Lotan. There are two other LA locations: Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.

First, pick a ceramic item to paint: it's not just cups and plates here, they also have figurines of dinosaurs, mermaids and pets. The helpful staff is on hand to supply paints, stencils and sponges to make the plain white ceramics your own, no matter your painting skill. When you're done, they take your work, glaze it, and fire it for you to collect a few days later. For parties, you can also get them to come to your home. There's another location in Beverly Hills.

Though it admittedly rarely rains in LA, this indoor playground still beckons. There's a big slide, ball pit, light-up floor, and more. The best part, though, is that the grown-ups can sip coffee at the cappuccino bar while the kids play. However, even adults have to remove their shoes, so if you'd like to join your kids in the bouncy castle, go right ahead.

With over 150 acres of botanical splendor including a rosarium, a Japanese tea garden, bird sanctuary, and more, this is a wonderful place to escape to with the whole family to get a dose of nature in the city. Easter is particularly fun here for the little ones, when an egg hunt takes place on the central lawn amidst the blooming tulips.

When the Los Angeles sunshine starts to feel a little too hot, Pickwick Ice Center is an oasis of cool indoor activity.

The Skirball Cultural Center, a Jewish cultural institution that offers everything from exhibits to readings to recitals, is also home to architect Moshe Safdie's Arc, an incredible installation that occupies an 8,000 square foot gallery. Kids can climb aboard the wooden ship and interact with the animals, crafted with everything from rope, to recycled newspaper, to keyboards, and vegetable steamers. Make reservations well in advance.

Amazing with kids and parents alike, Dr. Sami is one of the best pediatric dentists we've ever found. In addition to being a true expert in the field (she's also a Professor of dentistry and medicine at UCLA), she emphasizes a holistic approach to dental care and provides an education as well as a check-up.

We're long-time fans of the Tracy Anderson Method for a million reasons: It's a lifestyle approach to fitness, meaning that you never peak; it's fun (and hard); and it works. Membership is more expensive than your average gym but includes unlimited classes, and depending on the tier, semi-private training sessions. The trainers are kind, but tough—you will sweat.

Veda's approach centers around the ancient healing modalities of Ayurveda and Panchakarma in space that evokes a modern and organic aesthetic. Appointments start with an in-depth consultation for Veda’s experienced practitioners to assess what treatment will best serve you. We loved experiencing Shirodhara—streams of warm oil pour onto the portion of the forehead known as the “third eye”, which is said to help stimulate an overall sense of calm. Conveniently there are post-treatment showers in the back, but, we like to keep the oil on for an added nourishing dose of calming aromatherapy.