Even if only for a few days, we finally got some breezy fall weather in Southern California. The change of seasons also means a change in menus for many restaurants, as they debut new dishes and bring back limited-time favorites.
Here’s a look at nearby eateries to try around Los Angeles and Orange counties and the Inland Empire, according to our reporters.
Related: See the best things we ate in Southern California in 2025.
Oeuf brouillé and caviar — Blue Box Café by Daniel Boulud at Tiffany & Co., Costa Mesa
Leave it to the noted jeweler to give scrambled eggs a top-drawer setting. At Daniel Boulud’s new Blue Box Café at South Coast Plaza, the egg arrives in its shell and is topped with gleaming, onyx-hued Ossetra caviar. Part of the $72 tiered-plate Breakfast at Tiffany’s offering, it pairs the richness of softly scrambled egg with the briny, salty pop of roe.
The brown eggshell makes for a stunning little serving vessel, though the pleasure is getting both layers onto the spoon. Admittedly, it’s only a few small bites, but it makes a good argument for turning breakfast into a special occasion.
— Brock Keeling, Restaurant Reporter
Gluten-free Mushroom Lovers Pizza — Pizza Boy, Glendale
Pizza Boy has been on my list of restaurants to try for more than a year now, and I am so glad I finally visited. Their gluten-free options are seemingly endless! They have a selection of nine different types of crusts, including rarities like broccoli, sweet potato and even beet. Not to mention the wide variety of topping choices. I went with a brown rice crust mushroom lovers pizza and was floored.
Before even tasting it, the cheese pull was unlike any other. I was sold on that alone. The crust was fluffier than any gluten-free crust I’ve ever had, the slices were massive, and it tasted so fresh. With incredibly kind, knowledgeable and accommodating wait staff, this is a must-try for Celiacs. And not to worry, they even have a separate oven where only gluten-free pizzas are prepared. I am planning to return soon to try their wings (bone-in and boneless), as well as their gluten-free pasta and chicken tenders.
— Teagan Davidge, Audience Engagement Producer
Crispy Sushi Rice Cake — Iroha Sushi of Tokyo, Studio City
I thought I had crispy rice before, but never like this. This has set a whole new standard for the popular dish. If you’ve been to the Valley, then you’re likely familiar with “Sushi Row” along Ventura Boulevard. I’ve been to a few different sushi spots in the area, and they are never a letdown, but Iroha Sushi was a recent recommendation. It’s easy to miss the restaurant as you’re driving down the street; it’s tucked away in between newer chains Sweetgreen and Joe & The Juice.
The crispy rice from Iroha Sushi is unique from the beginning because of its presentation. Rather than rectangular blocks, the rice is prepared in a circular cake and cut into triangles. Usually, the rice isn’t that noticeable besides the texture, but the flavor from this rice really made it stand out. It’s sweet inside and the crispy outer shell has a nice buttery finish.
You also get to choose which type of fish you want: spicy tuna, spicy albacore, spicy yellowtail, spicy shrimp, spicy crab, spicy scallop or spicy salmon. I went with salmon, one of my favorites. The fish appears to get its spice from chili oil as opposed to a spicy mayo holding it together, which was a nice change of style. Combined with the rice, each bite was smooth and flavorful.I also appreciated that because I got this dish to-go, they kept the fish and rice separate to keep each item fresher.
— Carolyn Burt, Audience Engagement Producer
Kampachi Kilawin, kare-kare tamales, crab fat fried rice, crispy duck pancit — Sampa, L.A. Arts’ District
HAD to try Sampa during October Filipino American History Month, before the creative Filipino fusion and fine dining restaurant officially closes its doors at the end of the year. We ordered a bunch of our favorite Filipino dishes, elevated — the kare-kare tamales made with braised oxtail and paired with bagoong (shrimp paste) powder, the kampachi kilawin (a coconut/calamansi/ponzu flavored ceviche), the delicious garlic crab fried rice, and pan-seared crispy duck pancit noodles.
And yes, there were plenty of leftovers.
— Allyson Vergara, Local Reporter
Honeynut squash cinnamon roll — The Ecology Center’s Community Table, San Juan Capistrano
A pre-dinner walk around the Ecology Center connected us with nature, and the first three courses at our Community Table meal seemed exceptionally healthy. Even the wine pairings were from a Napa Valley estate that focuses on regenerative farming.
Everything was shared as we sat with friends and strangers at communal tables, adding to the peace, love and happiness mood of the night.
Then dessert was served, and things shifted slightly.
First, we each were served our own honeynut squash cinnamon roll. No more sharing. Second, it was sinful. Perhaps it still was healthy-ish, but that certainly wasn’t the point.
Most of the sweetness was from the squash itself, but the sourdough brioche helped. And the Mexican canela added a subtle cinnamon finishing touch to the pastry that was paired nicely with Grgich Hills’ 2021 cabernet sauvignon.
— Todd Harmonson, Senior Editor
Outside skirt steak — Sonder, Santa Ana
In October, I visited Sonder to write about brother and sister Lamson and Diane Nguyen’s Santa Ana restaurant. Among many choice discoveries, the outside skirt steak also deserves another mention. Sliced and fanned beef rests over coconut-creamed collard greens with Sichuan vinegar sauce.
The coconut’s richness and vinegar’s sharpness give the steak good company, while the beautiful oval serving dish merits attention of its own. (Much of the dishware and decor are found objects from one of Diane’s vintage-store and estate-sale runs.) It’s one of my favorite dishes this year, served in one of Orange County’s most striking yet chill dining rooms.
— Brock Keeling, Restaurant Reporter
Grilled corn — Girl & the Goat, Los Angeles
Our first serving of grilled corn at Girl & the Goat in the Arts District was so good on an April visit that we ordered another. And when I booked dinner with friends in October to celebrate my wife’s birthday, her question was simple: “Is the corn still on the menu?”
It was.
The cotija and tajin are staples of tasty corn dishes, but these cobs are bathed in the nectar of the gods. OK, it’s technically a spiced coconut caramel sauce, but it’s otherworldly. And, yes, we asked for an extra side of the sauce so there was plenty to go around, especially for the birthday girl.
By the way, Girl & the Goat’s roasted carrots — with harissa dill, tzatziki and garlic — are the second-best carrots I’ve had in the region, behind only the ones Fable & Spirit in Newport Beach, which hopefully will never be taken off the menu.
— Todd Harmonson, Senior Editor
16-oz grass-fed ribeye, Gwen appetizers (duck speck with melon), drinks — Gwen, Hollywood
For my husband’s birthday, we celebrated at Iron Chef Curtis Stone’s place in L.A. Thank you, credit card points! The Michelin-starred restaurant is named for his grandmother, Gwen.
We had to get the grass-fed boneless ribeye as our main, paired with duck fat potatoes and broccolini, all of which was “cooked” (medium-rare) to perfection on an open wood fire. But for me, the standout of the meal was actually our appetizer: a plate of “duck speck” paired with the freshest summer honeydew melon. Gwen’s ambiance was fantastic, a little “old Hollywood” style with dim lighting and beautiful high ceilings, and perfect for date night.
— Allyson Vergara, Local Reporter
Concha — Mercado González, La Habra
At Mercado Gonzalez’s Oct. 21 grand opening in La Habra, Northgate Market owners, politicians and guests took a ceremonial “first bite” of concha, ushering in the company’s second Mercado concept. I would like to see this adopted more at ribbon-cuttings, to be honest.
The market’s panaderia bakes its pan dulce daily, including these Mexican sweet breads with their distinctive shell-patterned, crackly sugar tops. The sprawling market is full of tacos, ceviche, sheets of chicharrones and this sweet treat — ideally paired with a cup of coffee, is the way to go.
— Brock Keeling, Restaurant Reporter
Butternut Squash Tortellini — Laurel Hardware, West Hollywood
On a recent girls’ night, my friends and I met up at Laurel Hardware in Studio City. It was my first time at the restaurant, having heard great things about the food and the atmosphere.
We decided to order a few dishes to split, which ended up being the best decision since one of my friends suggested we order the butternut squash tortellini.
This was a delightful dish. The brown butter sage sauce took the pasta to the next level. The filling was perfectly soft and decadent.
— Carolyn Burt, Audience Engagement Producer
Meatballs — Sonny’s, San Clemente
Should I go no-contact with my parents? I grew up in South County, yet they never took me to Sonny’s, where, decades later, I would discover this San Clemente restaurant’s phenomenal meatballs. The appeal is in the simple combination, which consists of gently packed spheres of meat, acidic tomato sauce and rich melted cheese.
It’s listed as an appetizer, but I’m inclined to give it top billing among the Italian spot’s roster of pastas and pizzas. Order garlic bread to mop up the sauce, please. Bonus points for the doily adding to the red-sauce joint’s old-school charm. Oh, and my parents and I are still speaking. For now.
— Brock Keeling, Restaurant Reporter
See more of our round-ups of the best things we ate in Southern California.
The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in September
The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in August
The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in July
The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in June
The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in May
The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in April
The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in February
The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in January
The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in 2025
The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in 2024
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