Culver City, Los Angeles · bar
The turmeric in the crispy rice salad practically glows, and the papaya salad looks engineered in another dimension. The menu lands somewhere between Southeast Asia and the American South—a combination that sounds risky and eats extremely well. The room runs a little loud for a first date or a business meeting, but exactly right for a friendly get-together. Add spirit-forward cocktails, a lush corner patio, and a tight craft beer and wine list, and the night tends to stretch itself out.