Birdie G's

"This Santa Monica spot feels far away from the beach in its concrete, industrial digs that are part of an arts complex. And even though its comfort food is nostalgic by way of Midwestern and Jewish deli dishes, the combinations are totally unique. The restaurant, from the same owners behind Rustic Canyon, is thoughtful about creating inventive GF dishes like a crisp-skinned rockfish on potato waffles in lobster sauce, or coconut rice pudding with peaches and ginger crumble. And GF kids can also order potato-crusted chicken tenders. " - jean trinh 1, garrett snyder

"This American comfort food spot in Santa Monica has an industrial space that looks like something you’d find in the Arts District, not the Westside. With a massive dining room and a wide-ranging menu filled with everything from whole-roasted chicken to noodle kugel to an entire caviar platter, it’s an ideal spot for families who can never agree on what they’re in the mood for. There’s even a separate kids menu filled with things like potato-crusted chicken fingers, which is ideal since every single one of your cousins announced they were pregnant last year." - kat hong

"Incorporating the flavors of the Midwest and his Jewish heritage, chef-founder Jeremy Fox serves comforting, well-executed food for a suave Santa Monica crowd at this inland location tucked among art galleries. Start with a tray of pickled vegetables served with onion dip, then share a bowl of the most elegant matzo ball soup in Los Angeles. Grilled entrees excel here, especially the whole rockfish with Georgian satsebeli sauce, capers, and lemon. Don’t leave without trying the Empress date bundt cake, a syrupy variant of sticky toffee pudding that the table will remember long after dinner’s over." - Eater Staff, Matthew Kang

"Birdie G’s in Santa Monica announced that it wouldn’t be open seven nights a week anymore. Instead, starting on October 1, the restaurant will be closed on Sundays and Mondays. The post says that with the extra days closed, the team can devote more time to enhancing the dining experience, and revamping the menu from chef Jeremy Fox." - Rebecca Roland

"Birdie G’s, an airy, industrial-looking restaurant in Bergamot Station, is what you might call a fancy person’s idea of a comfort food restaurant. The chef of Rustic Canyon is behind the menu, so you know there's a farmers market produce bent. But you can also expect a Midwestern, vaguely Eastern European feel to many dishes. We love the seasonal pickle plate with a dollop of onion dip in the center, and the “everything” marinated beets with smoked trout roe. They also do amazing steak frites for the crowd valeting their Teslas outside. Just don’t leave without a slice of the rose petal pie—a jiggly, strawberry Jell-O concoction that looks like a stained glass window in dessert form. " - arden shore, brant cox, nikko duren, sylvio martins