Where Now

Fall Dining

Vacation Vibes

Near LAX, you’ll find a welcome hideaway inside the Hotel June, a new concept from the chic Proper Hospitality team. Its Caravan Swim Club is a breezy, two-story outdoor restaurant with midcentury West Coast vibes. Helmed by Steve Livigni of Scopa Italian Roots and Dama, the menu is inspired by a culinary road trip from Santa Barbara to Northern Baja, Mexico. Plates like the squash blossom quesadilla, cauliflower nachos, uni tostada and charcuterie (pictured here) make perfect poolside snacks, while cocktails including a classic piña colada and the Amado Road are as refreshing as a dip in the water. 8639 Lincoln Blvd., L.A., 310.645.0400, thehoteljune.com

Raising the Bar

Top Chef alum Phillip Frankland Lee and his wife, pastry chef Margarita Kallas-Lee, have set up quite the dining complex in their shared hometown of Encino. A single block houses the acclaimed Scratch|Bar & Kitchen, the duo’s fine-dining restaurant where everything is made from scratch; Sushi|Bar, an L.A.-inspired sushi speakeasy serving new wave nigiri; and Magic|Bar, a weekly pop-up that combines craft cocktails with sleight-of-hand. And the latest addition is Pasta|Bar, the Valley’s sole Italian tasting-menu-only restaurant, which offers an eight-seat chef’s counter (when inside dining is permitted) or alfresco experience. The kitchen is led by chef de cuisine Kane Sorrells, formerly of New York’s two Michelin star Blanca.

Tortellini, soured pork sausage and broth with fresh horseradish

Photo by John Troxell

Start with sourdough and seasonal antipasti that showcase local ingredients (think: nectarine with housemade 3½-year-aged prosciutto), followed by caprese salad made with pulled-to-order mozzarella. Next, the main event: plates of freshly made pasta served with premium ingredients. Cavatelli is topped with clams, black truffle and monkfish liver; kohlrabi is joined by bone marrow and gnocchi. The cherry on top is Kallas-Lee’s Italian desserts. Wine pairings, creative cocktails and limoncello made from fresh citrus complete the experience. Book your reservation in advance online; health and safety precautions including plexiglass barriers are in place. 16101 Ventura Blvd., Suite 250, L.A., 818.646.6085, pastabarencino.com