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An early heat wave has arrived in Southern California, turning weekend plans toward lighter, brighter flavors. Below are four restaurants — from a fruit-forward Lincoln Heights counter to a Chinatown tasting menu — worth trying this weekend for their seasonal appeal and clear reasons to visit now.
Rico Tejuino Los Reyes — Lincoln Heights
When temperatures climb past 80°F, a stop at Rico Tejuino Los Reyes cools things down in both taste and price. The compact storefront near Broadway specializes in freshly cut fruit and blended drinks that lean into Mexican street-food traditions.
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Expect freezer-case ice creams in rotating flavors alongside chilled bowls of sliced coconut, watermelon, and cucumber dusted with chile. The shop’s shaved-ice mangonada blends mango ice cream, chopped mango and chamoy for a sweet‑tart kickoff to the weekend.
Why go: quick, refreshing snacks and bold fruit-forward flavors ideal for hot afternoons.
Address: 2707 1/2 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor
Folks Pizzeria — Costa Mesa
A short drive into Orange County rewards with pizza crust that is exceptionally airy yet resilient — the textural highlight of a tight, well-edited menu. Outdoor seating and an accessible wine list make it a pleasant escape on a warm day.
The pies are simple in concept but carefully executed; ordering one white and one red lets you sample contrasting sauces and cheeses. Don’t skip the house ranch for dunking slices.
Why go: light, well-developed crust and a concise menu that rarely misses.
Address: 2937 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. — Kat Thompson, audience editor
Sal’s Place — West Hollywood (seasonal)
Provincetown’s long-running Sal’s Place continues its seasonal West Coast residency, operating in West Hollywood through late spring. Owner Siobhan Carew brings a boisterous, convivial atmosphere to a covered patio that fills quickly as the night progresses.
The menu leans Italian-American: peppery steaks, generous bowls of linguine topped with lobster claws, buttery shrimp scampi, and classic Caesar salads. It’s loud, lively dining meant to be shared — and reservations are handled by phone only.
Why go: energetic group dining and hearty, seaside-inspired pasta plates during Sal’s West Coast run.
Address: 350 N. Robertson Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90048. Reservations: call (508) 487-1279. — Matthew Kang, correspondent
Firstborn — Chinatown
Chef Anthony Wang’s Firstborn marks nearly a year in Mandarin Plaza and has recently introduced a new $68 four-course prix fixe that distills the restaurant’s contemporary Chinese approach into a compact tasting.
Dishes move from chilled artichokes in mushroom dashi to richer mains such as duck sausage or short rib with black garlic and pepper jus. The menu also offers supplemental plates — think mapo tofu, duck-fat rice, and the restaurant’s celebrated fried Chongqing chicken — and desserts that favor bright citrus and ginger notes. Kenzo Han’s cocktails, especially his Paloma, remain standouts.
Why go: a balanced, composed four-course menu that showcases modern Chinese flavors in Chinatown’s dining scene.
Address: 978 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012. — Mona Holmes, editor
- Rico Tejuino Los Reyes (Lincoln Heights) — Best for cold fruit treats and traditional Mexican blended drinks.
- Folks Pizzeria (Costa Mesa) — Best for airy, chewy pizza crust and casual outdoor dining.
- Sal’s Place (West Hollywood, seasonal) — Best for loud, shareable Italian-American classics; reservations by phone.
- Firstborn (Chinatown) — Best for a curated four-course tasting and refined contemporary Chinese dishes.
These picks reflect what’s working right now for weekend dining across Los Angeles and nearby — from quick, cooling snacks to relaxed outdoor pizza and more formal, seated meals. If you go, consider calling ahead: small shops and seasonal operations often have limited capacity on warm weekends.
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