Our stylish and health-conscious (but not tediously so; they're into natural wine and apéros) friends David Rager and Cheri Messerli always seem to be ahead of the curve, stylistically and gastronomically. The peripatetic duo run the design firm Weekends. Here's where they've been eating in LA since they moved back from Paris a few months ago.
"We used to live in Echo Park before moving to Paris, and Elf Cafe quickly became our favorite spot—Mediterranean and Mideast flavors focused through a California lens. The integrity of their ingredients gives any high-end spot a run for its money." Plus, it's vegetarian, even vegan.
Above: "Elf Cafe owner and chef, Scott Zwiezen, recently opened a falafel shop in Atwater called Dune, where they make their own pita bread and serve the best falafel we've had outside of Paris."
Above: "For cooking at home, Cookbook is always great for quality ingredients."
Above: "Our favorite breakfast/lunch spot is Sqirl, designed by Project Room. Somehow it captures everything we love about California food. The jams are awesome, too, and rumor has it they're expanding." N.B.: Owner Jessica Koslow was named Eater's 2014 Best Chef of the Year.
Above: "We live near the Silverlake reservoir, and L&E Oyster Bar is our local; it's a great spot for an apéro at the upstairs bar or some oysters at the restaurant."
Above: "Our new favorite Thai spot is Night + Market Song, which has some of the best natural wine you can get in the area, mostly vin de soif, which is fortunate since the food is so wonderfully spicy."
For the couple's Paris picks, go to Expert Advice: 11 Under-the-Radar Parisian Dining Spots.
And for more LA hot spots, see our City Guide.
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