In the first half of the year, we ate a lot of takeout. In the latter half, we cautiously ventured back out to beloved date-night haunts and discovered new neighborhood eateries. During this time of staying close to home, we could still explore a variety of cultural cuisines thanks to our diverse communities.
Despite the extreme disruption to the SoCal restaurant scene, Westways restaurant critics were able to find places that were pivoting and innovating both to stay afloat and to feed hungry diners seeking comfort and connection over delicious meals. From a parlor serving Detroit-style pizzas to a seafood market selling legit Hawaiian ‘ahi poke, here are some of Westways restaurant critics’ favorite finds in 2021.