“There’s no shortage of amazing female chefs in LA,” Gold Chef Prize winner Katianna Hong says. “We’re a pretty tight-knit community, and there’s a lot of collaboration happening.”
Hong has some exciting news up her sleeve: She’s a Cheftestant on the highly anticipated Top Chef: Destination Canada, the 22nd season of the hit show that premiered March 13.
Hong can’t share details about how she fared in the competition, but she’s thrilled about unexpected connections from the show like meeting fellow LA chef and contestant Kat Turner of Highly Likely. “I didn’t really know Kat, so to get to connect with another female LA chef in Toronto, plus discover that we’re neighbors, was amazing,” Hong says. With Women’s History Month now underway—along with the show—Hong is dishing on some of her go-to spots in the city.
Read on for some of Katianna Hong’s favorite women-owned restaurants in LA, and book them on OpenTable.
A.O.C. (West Hollywood)
Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne’s stunning 23-year-old California bistro was recently added to the Los Angeles Times’s Hall of Fame list, making it a true LA classic.
Why Kat loves it: “When I was a culinary student, I came to LA on my externship. My brother was an actor and would treat me to dinner at A.O.C. I have such fond memories of sitting at the bar with him, eating the bacon-wrapped dates.”
Ronan (Hollywood)
Caitlin and Daniel Cutler’s pizza restaurant on Melrose is known far and wide for its best-in-class Neapolitan-style pies, excellent cocktails, delicious vegetable dishes, and immaculate vibes.
Why Kat loves it: “I was at an event nearby recently and popped in for a quick dinner. The Sweet Cheeks pizza [a white pie topped with house-made guanciale, ricotta and peppery honey] was amazing. I can’t stop thinking about it.”
Here’s Looking At You (Koreatown)
Lien Ta’s seminal Here’s Looking at You is beloved for its eclectic small plates (like Kat’s favored chicken liver served with apricot and mango jam, pickled peppers, crispy shallot, and sesame bread) and rotating cocktail list.
Why Kat loves it: “We live in Koreatown, so it’s one of our neighborhood spots. I love everything Lien does. In addition to restaurant work, she brings women in the industry together all the time.”
Camélia (Arts District)
This new-ish restaurant from duo Charles Namba and Courtney Kaplan, which melds Japanese and French influences in dishes like abalone pot pie, has already landed on many best-of lists in LA and beyond.
Why Kat loves it: “I was in Paris recently, and I really fell in love with bistro culture. Bistros, like Camélia, just really have their own personality. And I’m a big wine drinker, but you can go to Camélia and have an entirely different experience with sake.”
Casa Vega (Sherman Oaks)
Legendary family-owned Valley Mexican restaurant Casa Vega is now run by third-generation owner Christy Vega-Fowler and serves classics like nachos, chicken mole, lobster enchiladas, and, of course, strong margaritas.
Why Kat loves it: “Generational cooking is so important to LA and telling the LA story. I love how Casa Vega is always evolving while honoring the past.”
Bavel (Arts District)
Husband-and-wife team Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gerghis have built a mini empire of restaurants with a personality all their own—including their stunning Middle Eastern restaurant Bavel, with its high ceilings and impressive greenery.
Why Kat loves it: “I attribute a lot of their success to Genevieve. She’s a master of spaces and tones. She’s a genius.”
Karen Palmer is a pizza- and pasta-obsessed food writer based in Los Angeles. She is the former editorial director of Tasting Table, and her work has appeared in Eater, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and many other publications. Follow her on Instagram at @karenlpalmer.
