LUNCH PICKS ON THE PREVIOUS PAGE

dineL.A. returns for Summer 2017 from July 14-28, featuring over 375 options for lunch and dinner. American Express is sponsoring an Exclusive Series for restaurants offering deluxe menus that start at $95. My recommendations for every slot don’t even include Hall of Fame choices like Craft, Fogo de Chao and Lawry’s The Prime Rib, which still warrant consideration. You’ve only got 30 meals to work with, so make your calendar count with my alphabetized top picks.

DINNER

1. Alimento ($39)

Chef Zach Pollack recently added Cosa Buona in Echo Park and reminds diners that he already had a good thing going in Silver Lake with freewheeling Alimento. Begin with a welcome plate of marinated olives & cauliflower zeppole, followed by a choice of antipasto and main event.

Must Order Dishes (aka what I’d order): Braised Lettuce Bruschetta • Pork Chop Tagliata

2. The Bellwether ($29)

Chef Ted Hopson and Ann-Marie Verdi’s Sherman Oaks restaurant is a seasonal dining destination. This California comfort food isn’t just good for the Valley. Choose any three items.

Must Order Dishes (aka what I’d order): Pickled Blue Crab Toast • Crispy Striped Bass • Grilled Skirt Steak

3. Charcoal Venice ($49)

Melisse chef-owner Josiah Citrin tackled a new challenge with Charcoal, a more casual restaurant fueled by wood smoke. Charcoal delivers a wide variety of dishes to diners during dineL.A. and leaves dessert to another master: McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams.

Must Order Dishes (aka what I’d order): Cabbage Baked in the Embers • Smoked Pork Ribs • Summer Ceviche • Little Gem • Prime Hanger Steak • Boneless Jidori Chicken • Yukon Potato Baked in the Coals • McConnell’s Ice Cream Trio

4. Chianina Steakhouse ($49)

Chianina Steakhouse, the latest Naples Island restaurant from Long Beach impresario Michael Dene, staked its reputation on lean, buttery Chianina beef that’s grass-fed in Utah. Chef Bryant Taylor makes sure that the menu generates interest for more than meat lovers.

Must Order Dishes (aka what I’d order): Hand Rolled Trofie with Dungeness Crab • Grilled Angus Sirloin • Strawberry Shortcake

5. Erven ($29)

Nick Erven, best known for his work with Saint Martha, joined Eric Greenspan, Jim Hustead and James Moon in Santa Monica, replacing Real Food Daily. They’re no longer limiting the menu to plant-based ingredients, and dineL.A. is more or less the grand unveiling.

Must Order Dishes (aka what I’d order): Charred California Avocado with Macadamia tahini, chile garlic salsa, and pomegranate • Salmon with chorizo, corn chowder, tarragon dumplings, and smokey tomato • Cheesecake with roasted plums and goat cheese ice cream

6. Farida ($39)

New York born restaurateur George Abou-Daoud started out synonymous with Hollywood, spread concepts to several different L.A. neighborhoods, and comes full circle with Farida, a modern Middle Eastern restaurant located next to his original restaurant, The Bowery.

Must Order Dishes (aka what I’d order): Tahini Toast • Beef Kofta • Konafah

7. The Hungry Cat ($39)

Chef David Lentz recently consolidated his progressive seafood concept, The Hungry Cat, closing locations in Santa Monica and Santa Barbara, but continues to go big for dineL.A. at his 12-year-old courtyard restaurant in Hollywood’s Sunset + Vine complex.

Must Order Dishes (aka what I’d order): 6 Oysters on the Half Shell • Grilled Trout • Chocolate Bread & Butter Pudding

8. Manhattan Beach Post ($39)

David LeFevre and the Simms brothers started their culinary march through Manhattan Beach at this former post office. Share-friendly plates (and glasses) tend to pile up on tables thanks to consistent creativity and global influences. Choose any four items, savory and/or sweet.

Must Order Dishes (aka what I’d order): Maine Diver Scallops • Squid Tagliatelle • Veal Meatballs • Porchetta

9. Maccheroni Republic ($29)

Pasta is the specialty at Maccheroni Republic, a charming trattoria from longtime Los Angeles restaurateurs Antonio Tommasi and Jean-Louis de Mori across from Grand Central Market.

Must Order Dishes (aka what I’d order): Polpo Con Lenticchie • Bianchi & Neri • Ricotta Cheesecake

10. Michael’s on Naples ($49)

Chef Eric Samaniego breathed new life into Micheal Dene’s signature restaurant in Long Beach’s Naples Island, which serves seasonal Italian cuisine.

Must Order Dishes (aka what I’d order): Roasted Squash Risotto • Ciabatta Encrusted Beeler’s Pork Loin • Olive Oil Cake with Peach and Basil Gelato

11. Odys + Penelope ($39)

Chefs Karen Hatfield and Quinn Hatfield use three different grills and a smoker to achieve desired effects at their industrial chic Mid-City restaurant. Their mastery extends to the ocean and soil. Karen, one of L.A.’s best pastry chefs, ensures that each meal finishes strong.

Must Order Dishes (aka what I’d order): Grilled Argentinean White Prawns • Grilled Wild Coho Salmon • Coconut-Cashew Lime “Pie”

12. Patina Restaurant ($49)

Andreas Roller ushers in a new dining area at Patina Restaurant Group’s flagship restaurant at Walt Disney Concert Hall, convincing diners not just to talk about architecture.

Must Order Dishes (aka what I’d order): Brentwood Corn Agnolotti • Squid Ink Pasta “Alla Chittara” • Buttermilk Mascarpone Cotta

13. Prospect Gourmand ($39)

I’m taking a flyer on this restaurant, which a friend of my cousin recommended at her recent baby shower. The menu looks more interesting than it needs to be.

Must Order Dishes (aka what I’d order): House Cured Salmon Bely Crudo • Dry-aged 12 oz. Bone-in NY Delmonico with bone marrow soufflé • Buttermilk Doughnut

14. Rossoblu ($39)

The latest restaurant from Sotto chef Steve Samson in downtown’s Fashion District specializes in the food from his mother’s Bolognese heritage. Each meal includes a complimentary starter of crescentine fritte, pancetta, and honey and only gets more interesting.

Must Order Dishes (aka what I’d order): Braised Pork Meatballs • Milk-Braised Pork Shoulder • Ricotta Pound Cake with summer berries, spiked crema

15. Westbound ($29)

Executive Chef Taylor Persh recently took over the kitchen’s reins for Westbound owner Sarah Meade at her train-themed restaurant at One Santa Fe in the DTLA Arts District.

Must Order Dishes (aka what I’d order): Frescatrano Olives • Belcampo Lardo Toast • French Onion Burger • Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies with Cinnamon Milk