Los-Angeles-based David Myers is the ultimate wandering chef.
Youthful and baby-faced, Boston-born Myers, 39, has spent the past decade operating influential restaurants on both sides of the Pacific Ocean — from LA’s Michelin-lauded (and now-shuttered) Sona and the sustainably sourced and seasonally focused brasserie Comme Ça in West Hollywood, to a cafe and a series of patisseries across Tokyo.
Although he initially studied international business back in college, Myers ultimately found his calling in the kitchen — training under Charlie Trotter in Chicago and Daniel Boulud in New York — before opening Sona in 2002 and earning a Food & Wine Best New Chef nod a year later.
More than decade on, Sona may now be on hiatus, but Myers has hardly slowed down thanks to Pizzeria Ortica in Orange County, a Las Vegas branch of Comme Ça and — more recently — Hinoki & the Bird, the contemporary Pacific Rim restaurant he opened in Century City last year.
Myers frequents New York, Europe and Southeast Asia, but LA will always be home. Here he shares six of his favorite local eats.
Bucato, Culver City
You can’t go wrong with the pastas on Chef Evan Funke’s menu.
He makes a fresh spaghetti alla chitarra and serves it softer than what you would find in a traditional Cacio e Pepe in which the pasta is usually served short of al dente.
For a dish so simple you get everything you need and want — the bite from the pepper and richness from his buttery sauce (bucato.la).
Yakitoriya, Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles
This place has some of the most authentic Japanese yakitori in LA. My favorite dishes include the liver, which is served with this great spicy Japanese mustard sauce, the gizzards, which has a texture of clam, and the grilled chicken meatball, Tsukune, is amazing (310-479-5400).
Sauce on Hampton, Venice
Sauce has a Buffalo Burger that’s insane.
It’s grass-fed buffalo meat that’s very clean-tasting, done really simply, with bacon, tomato, lettuce, mustard and ketchup.
It’s a thick patty, cooked on a cast-iron griddle, which lends a smoky note and a nice char to it. I love the texture and the flavor; I feel so good after I eat it.
Sunny Spot, Venice
The slow-roasted goat here is a great example of the country’s most underutilized meat. Their Diablo Prawns are spicy and satisfying, with a hint of glazed rum.
Yamadaya, Torrance
Yamadaya’s tonkatsu ramen is simple, delicious and a perfect bowl of umami comfort — and under $10, to boot.
The pig-alicious dish is cooked with pork bones that’ve been boiling nearly an entire day’s time.
Son of a Gun, W. 3rd St., Los Angeles
Owners Jon and Vinny’s infamous Shrimp Toast Sandwich is as good as everyone says (maybe better).
Also try their Uni with burrata, radicchio and yuzu — sweet buttery uni with creamy burrata and a pop of citrus.