The 11 Most Important LA Restaurant Openings in August

Courtesy of Hopdoddy Burger Bar
Courtesy of Hopdoddy Burger Bar

You were super busy this August and didn't have time to hit any of LA's best new restaurants (Photoshopping "Straight Outta..." memes takes time, we get it). The good news is LA's best new spots haven't gone anywhere. (Well, other than onto this list of the 11 hottest restaurant debuts of August.)

Courtesy of Tropicana Cafe

Hollywood
This new poolside cafe at the Roosevelt is doing an all-day brunch, which means miracles do happen/eggs and short rib grilled cheeses for errbody.
 

Santa Monica
The second LA location of Top Chef dude Brian Malarkey's seafood-centric concept comes correct with pan-roasted ivory king salmon and a "salt and brine" raw bar flush with a slew of oyster options as well as uni, octopus, and bay scallops.

Courtesy of Hopdoddy Burger Bar

El Segundo
Austin's incredible Hopdoddy Burger Bar has finally landed in LA, which means you can finally get its pork belly- and Korean rice crispy-topped KTown Belly burger, as well as classics like the habanero-topped El Diablo. Finally.

Courtesy of Atticus Creamery

Mid-City
This mostly-dessert-ery expands to its second location with the stuff that made it successful in the first place (chilled pies like a salted caramel and chocolate ganache monster) and other new stuff that's gonna make it even successful-er (s'mores toast; Vietnamese lattes).
 

Downtown
This many-roomed Mexican eatery has a classic, bare-bones barn-type look and serves up a mean Peruvian ceviche and pork chop with cranberry chipotle sauce.

Courtesy of Michelle Park

Mid-City
This new Farmers Market, uh, window from some Mozza vets is doing Spanish skewers (think lamb, chicken, and pork on sticks) with the option to get those same proteins on sandwiches as well.
 

Sherman Oaks
This new global Valley eatery not only has what sounds like a fantastic '80s cop show name, but also what is a fantastic menu; it hops from seared pomegranate yellowtail to espresso-rubbed NY steak, plus does a massive selection of grilled seafood.

Courtesy of Dudley Market

Venice
This all-in-one breakfast/lunch/dinner spot is run by the former chef from Barnyard, who's now blasting out chicken liver bánh mì and pork loin with blackened onion as well as an ultra-strong craft beer and wine list -- all in a historic near-the-beach location.

Courtesy of Maple Block Meat Co

Culver City
The guy who launched this new Culver City BBQ spot is rich on pedigree -- he grew up in the South, did time in the kitchen at the Bazaar, and worked as a butcher at Lindy & Grundy -- all of which means you'll be rich on his sliced beef brisket sandwich with red cabbage vinegar slaw and plates with pork shoulder and ribs.

Courtesy of Michelle Park

Downtown
The second location of this acclaimed South-of-the-border spot traffics classics like pig ear nachos and adobo chili-spiced pork leg with pineapple and avocado.
 

Venice
This gorgeous, high-ceiling-y space is one of Venice's hottest openings in a while, with a dinner menu featuring interesting takes on classics like a smelt fish & chips with Thai chili sauce and a brunch that features a ridiculous Korean pancake-latke hybrid.

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Jeff Miller will dream of the Korean latke for many days. See a photo of it on his Instagram at @jeffmillerla and follow him on Twitter: @ThrillistLA.