Alfresco Dining

by MICHELLE ROSTAMIAN

As any Angeleno will tell you, every day is a good day for alfresco dining. Whether you're taking in sweeping views on one of the cities many rooftops (as with Elephante in Santa Monica) or people-watching in a Europeaninspired piazza (à la the Terrace at the Maybourne), you're in for a treat if outdoor vibes are what you're after. Here are top-notch restaurants that will allow you to relish in the city's always-perfect weather.

| Terra |

WHEN YOU'RE DONE exploring the plethora of Italian meats, cheeses, and pastries at Eataly Los Angeles, escape to Terra, the market's third-floor rooftop restaurant and lounge that offers breathtaking views of the city while you dine on creative Italian cuisine. Seasonal ingredients are featured in dishes cooked on a wood-burning grill, including the latest addition to the menu Grigliata Di Pesce, a seafood plate that pays homage to simple Italian grilling. Decorating the airy space are charming string lights, lush greenery, and a cozy fire pit.

| Catch LA |

THE SCENE AT Catch LA is set with an appealing garden-like entrance (which merits a photo op) and a wow-worthy terrace with a retractable roof—perfect for warm Los Angeles evenings. Though the 12,000-squarefoot space is expansive, you still may be able to spot a few A-listers. The seafood-focused menu features a vibrant sushi selection, lobster mac and cheese, and several mains from the sea, as well as non-fish options such as a rich mushroom spaghetti, melt-inyour-mouth filet mignon skewers, and the interactive Hit Me chocolate cake.

| The Terrace at the Maybourne | GO FOR THE garden setting, stay for the corn agnolotti with black truffle. Located within the Maybourne Hotel, the Terrace, which overlooks the Beverly Canon Gardens, offers a little taste of Europe at every turn: arches gracing a piazza and seasonal menus with a Mediterranean flair. Executive chef Shaun Anthony offers a selection of house-made pastas, whole fish, and succulent crudos.

| Elephante |

THERE'S NO BAD time of day to visit Elephante, a rooftop bar and restaurant in the heart of Santa Monica. And that’s a good thing, because three menus are available:

Terra 10250 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, 213.310.8008

Catch LA 8715 Melrose Ave. West Hollywood, 323.347.6060

The Terrace at the Maybourne 225 N. Canon Dr. Beverly Hills, 310.860.7886

Elephante 1332 2nd St. Santa Monica, 424.320.2384

Fia 2454 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica, 424.280.4196

Redbird 114 E. 2nd St. Los Angeles, 213.788.1191

Malibu Farm 23000 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, 310.456.8850

Margot 8820 Washington Blvd., Suite 301 Culver City, 310.643.5853 brunch, express lunch, and all day. The trendy upscale spot attracts diners looking to grab a light bite, indulge in a main meal, or sip on top-shelf cocktails all while soaking in the Santa Monica breeze and coastal panache of the space. Featured are modern dishes inspired by Southern Italy (think: soppressata pizza and whipped eggplant). |

Fia |

NO TWO EXPERIENCES at Fia are the same. This is, in part, due to the fact that the restaurant offers fresh, seasonal ingredients, and in part because the space lends itself to large parties and romantic date nights alike. The spacious outdoor patio features multilevel seating, gorgeous string lights, and no shortage of greenery. The Californian-Italian menu includes tableside-tossed salads, house-made pastas, and plenty of farmer's market–sourced vegetarian options.

| Redbird |

IF YOU FIND yourself downtown, Redbird is the spot to dine. Located within the former St. Vibiana Cathedral—designated a Los Angeles Cultural Monument—the venue features Italian Baroque architecture, a retractable roof for open-air dining, and a notable bar-lounge area suitable for groups both big and small (fitting, as the menu is home to a selection of shared plates including a flavorful hamachi and a gorgeous beet salad).

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Malibu Farm |

NO-FUSS DISHES that go hand-in-hand with the coastal restaurant's relaxed atmosphere —that's Malibu Farm in a nutshell. Unlike other beachside restaurants that rely solely on the views to attract the masses, this restaurant on the Malibu Pier offers quite a few memorable dishes (like zucchini crust pizza, grass-fed steak, and cheesy nachos). Surrounding the casual space is loungestyle seating, wood tables, and open-weave pendant lights. For even more casual fare and ambience, head to the end of the pier to its sister space, Malibu Farm Cafe.

| Margot |

STATIONED ATOP CULVER City's Platform shopping center lies Margot, a coastal Mediterranean restaurant offering all-day dining, 360-degree views, and beautifully presented dishes. Its eclectic vibe is met with a menu that is packed with a punch: the can't-miss house-made focaccia with a pimento cheese or roasted eggplant dip, for starters, as well as the Wagyu bolognese and expertly done seafood risotto with a saffron rice. Vegan options are available, too.