Lucia

This stylish Fairfax lounge and restaurant serves a tightly curated menu of Afro-Caribbean cuisine unlike anything else in Los Angeles. Unlike many spots in nearby West Hollywood, Lucia manages to capture the glitz and glamour without much of the same pretension—and the restaurant’s culinary game is on point as well. Founded by serial restauranteur Sam Jordan, the upscale restaurant isn’t just a dinner destination, it’s also a late-night cocktail lounge for those looking to get dressed up for a lively night on the town. Jamaica-born head chef Adrian Forte, who’s also worked as a private chef for Black visionaries like Drake, Alicia Keys and Virgil Abloh (as well as appeared on Top Chef Canada), has put together an elevated, lounge-style menu of dishes and drinks that nod to traditional Caribbean fare. Think a martini topped with pickled okra, jerk-marinated rib eye and a sorrel (a.k.a. hibiscus) lychee ceviche. Not every dish totally wowed me—the coconut fried chicken was a bit dry, and the $30 trio of wagyu patties were comically small—but paired with the excellent drinks and stunning ambience, Lucia easily earns a spot on my list of this summer’s must-visit restaurants. This summer, look out for Forte’s late-night bites menu for the after 10 o’clock crowd.