The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board approached me with an incredible project for Dine LA’s Restaurant Week, which took place at the end of July. The pitch – photograph at ten restaurants around the city for Dine LA’s Instagram account. They gave me full creative freedom and let me choose my destinations from their huge list of participants. Thus, I ran around for two weeks straight and ate my way through some of LA’s very best restaurants. This was SO FUN, and such an awesome way to experience the city. A special shout out to my dear friends Christen Tulp and Jen Wiley for joining me on some of these eating adventures!

First up we have one of my absolute favorites – Fishing With Dynamite in Manhattan Beach. Chef David LeFevre is the coolest, and he insisted on making Christen and I a giant chocolate bread pudding after we were done shooting because we “obviously didn’t have enough food.”

Chef Brad Mathews gave a helping hand:

Key lime pie, I love you.

Next up – Broken Spanish in DTLA! Chef Ray Garcia is also a super talented, kind guy. I basically ate that entire plate of carrots myself – they were incredible.

Spun sugar always makes for the fanciest desserts!

Now for Connie & Ted’s in West Hollywood!

Take me back to that lobster roll…! Jen and I didn’t leave a bite behind.

EP & LP was such fun! Jen and I hung out on the rooftop, but not before stopping in front of this wall inside the restaurant. (Jen may have had just a little condensation dripping on her for this shot – she’s a dedicated hand model).

Next up is Cafe Gratitude Arts District! I absolutely love this place and go whenever I’m nearby. The food is amazing, the people are always so chill, and there’s a parking lot. Anyone who lives in LA knows what a rare find this is! My favorite of this spread was probably the “Liberated” pesto kelp noodles, although everything was delicious!

Those may look like chicken tacos, but don’t be fooled – Cafe Gratitude is entirely vegetarian, nearly vegan!

Are you hungry yet?? It’s time for brunch at The Hart and the Hunter on Melrose! Christen and I devoured those biscuits…!

Hinoki & the Bird in Century City made such beautiful dishes!


I was super excited to finally try Pizzeria Mozza! The hostess encouraged Jen and I to spread the Mozzarella di Bufala on the tomato pizza – it was brilliant.
Time to take a drive over to Venice! Christen and I loved Sunny Spot. It’s super colorful, comfortable, and is a true hidden gem.

This whipped ricotta was such a win!


How gorgeous is this watermelon and feta salad?!

Added perk to Sunny Spot – there’s an adorable mural on both sides of the restaurant! So you always have an opportunity to take a great Instagram pic no matter what time of day!

Last but certainly not least, Terrine! Everything here was SO good. Jen and I had the best time eating all of these dishes on their beautiful back patio after we finished shooting – it was a lovely afternoon!

So there you have the best two weeks of my life, haha. A HUGE thank you to Dine LA/The Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board for choosing me for this amazing project, and to all of the participating restaurants for treating me so well!