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Barney Greengrass
9570 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills | Map
Nibble caviar with your bagel and shmear at this rest stop for Barneys shoppers. Sure, the prices are high, but so is the perch on the fifth floor.Perfect if: It’s not business. You’re splurging. You’re hankering for fish eggs. You care for some new jeans with that beluga.
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Bouchon
235 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills | Map
Thomas Keller guides the menu of heavenly French staples. Good luck making it back to the office after a croque madame with L.A.’s best french fries.Perfect if: It’s business, but not “The Business.” You have an expense account. You dig blood sausage.
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Canters
419 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A. | Map
The ultimate deli lunch: tuna on rye, black-and-white cookies, and snappy waitresses. If you think it’ll help get the creative juices flowing, make it a liquid lunch at the bar in back.Perfect if: It’s business, “The Business.” You mind flashbulbs. We’re not talking about show business.
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Ciudad
445 S. Figueroa St., downtown | Map
In Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger’s ultramodern, upscale Latin American restaurant, order a Cuban sandwich with Niman Ranch pork or crispy potato tacos—plus a cookie—for $10.Perfect if: It’s business, but not “The Business.” You don’t have an expense account. You need to impress.
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Craft
10100 Constellation Blvd., Century City | Map
In the shadow of CAA, the economic slowdown is nowhere in sight. Chef Tom Colicchio has a way with big proteins like hanger steak and Liberty Farms duck.Perfect if: It’s business, “The Business.” You mind flashbulbs. You’re from CAA and you just got a big residuals check.
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Craftbar
10100 Constellation Blvd., Century City | Map
If it’s still a few weeks until payday, Craft’s front patio boasts sexy cabanas and lower-priced small plates such as crispy pork belly and burrata flatbreads.Perfect if: It’s business, “The Business.” You mind flashbulbs. You’re from CAA but you did not just get a big residuals check.
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Drago Centro
525 S. Flower St., downtown | Map
This ode to Italian cuisine is both unpretentious and upscale. Too early to dive into the gigantic tower o’ wine? Tuck into the pappardelle al fagiano instead.Perfect if: It’s not business. You’re splurging. You’re not hankering for fish eggs. You don’t own any Chanel. You don’t have a tyke.
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Farmers Market
6333 W. 3rd St., L.A. | Map
For the indecisive, the shade-covered food stalls at the 3rd and Fairfax lunchtime landmark sling everything from moules frites to pizza to enchiladas.Perfect if: It’s not business. You’re not splurging. You’re good at schlepping a food tray. You forgot your SPF 90.
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The Grill on the Alley
9560 Dayton Way, Beverly Hills | Map
Peek over the booths to see who might be turning that short into a feature, or eat like the flick is already a classic, with a meal of steak and shrimp cocktail.Perfect if: It’s business, “The Business.” You mind flashbulbs. You’re not from CAA or William Morris.
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Huckleberry
Â1014 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica | Map
Zoe Nathan bakes all the breads for her café’s California-fresh sandwiches (which inspired the one on our cover), but her skills really shine in the pastries.Perfect if: It’s not business. You’re not splurging. You’re not good at schlepping a food tray. You’re not a strict vegetarian. The Valley is not okay. You plan on having dessert.
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Lemonade
9001 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood | Map
Dine on corned beef sandwiches, lamb tagines, and quinoa salads at this contemporary version of an international buffet. The spacious patio lined with greenery is as sunny as it is hip.Perfect if: It’s not business. You’re not splurging. You’re good at schlepping a food tray. You didn’t forget your SPF 90.
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<M Cafe de Chaya
7119 Melrose Ave., Hollywood | Map
Experience innovative vegetarian cuisine from this macrobiotic mainstay. Gorge on health with avocado tofu rolls and tangy tempeh wraps.Perfect if: You’re not splurging. You’re not good at schlepping a food tray. You’re a strict vegetarian. You’re not craving that burger sensation.
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Mr. Chow
344 N. Camden Dr., Beverly Hills | Map
You could walk from your agent’s office—if you did that sort of thing. Try the Emperor’s crab, Beijing-style duck, and Mr. Chow noodles, with schmoozing on the side.Perfect if: It’s business, “The Business.” You mind flashbulbs. You’re from William Morris.
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Orochon
123 S. Onizuka St., downtown | Map
Little Tokyo’s spiciest ramen shop is just the place to flaunt your chopstick skills, while the infernal Special #2 makes your colleague sweat. A bowl costs less than $7.Perfect if: It’s business, but not “The Business.” You don’t have an expense account. You’re putting them in the hot seat.
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Petrossian
Â321 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood | Map
Take a break from window shopping for blini topped with caviar or a trio of smoked salmon. If you never thought borscht could be chic, think again.Perfect if: It’s not business. You’re splurging. You’re hankering for fish eggs. You don’t care for some new jeans with that beluga.
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Polo Lounge
9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills | Map
Ladies who lunch gush over lobster and McCarthy salads on the patio at this Beverly Hills institution. Don’t forget the shades—they’re essential for people watching.Perfect if: It’s not business. You’re splurging. You’re not hankering for fish eggs. You own Chanel.
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Sweetsalt Food Shop
10218½ Riverside Dr., Toluca Lake | Map
Come noon, it’s hard to find a seat among the folks enjoying sandwiches with fancy cheeses, salads with roasted veggies, and bacon-flecked popcorn.Perfect if: It’s not business. You’re not splurging. You’re not good at schlepping a food tray. You’re not a strict vegetarian. The Valley is okay.
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Tavern
11648 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood | Map
Leave it to superchef and mother of three Suzanne Goin to add a kids’ menu to her swank Brentwood destination. For the little one? Fish and chips. For you? Salade niçoise.Perfect if: It’s not business. You’re splurging. You’re not hankering for fish eggs. You don’t own any Chanel. You’ve got a tyke.
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Tender Greens
9523 Culver Blvd., Culver City | Map
Lettuce is just the start. Find flatiron steaks, soups like roma tomato and basil, and yes, impressive salads—dubbed “simple” or “big.”Perfect if: It’s not business. You’re not splurging. You’re not good at schlepping a food tray. You’re not a strict vegetarian. The Valley is not okay. You don’t plan on having dessert.
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The Ivy
113 N. Robertson Blvd., L.A. | Map
On the paparazzi-swarmed patio, you’ll get more attention than the grilled chicken salad and the wood-fired pizza, but those chocolate chip cookies just might steal the spotlight.Perfect if: It’s business, “The Business.” You don’t mind flashbulbs.
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>Veggie Grill
8000 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood | Map
Who says meat free means comfort free? The faux-fried chicken is spot-on and the texture of that grilled steak burger almost too real.Perfect if: It’s not business. You’re not splurging. You’re not good at schlepping a food tray. You’re a strict vegetarian. You’re craving that burger sensation.
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Water Grill
544 S. Grand Ave., downtown | Map
Weighty matters don’t require a heavy meal. The alternative? A raw bar and some of the city’s finest seafood dishes (many using sustainable fish) from chef David LeFevre.Perfect if: It’s business, but not “The Business.” You have an expense account. You don’t dig blood sausage.
22 Custom Lunch Picks
Work or play, sun or shade, filling or refreshing—we found the right lunch for you
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