Outdoor Dining Options Expand & Abound On Westside

WESTSIDE, L.A., CA — As restaurants deal with indoor-dining crackdowns during the coronavirus pandemic, many are heading outside to keep business going.

Westside restaurateurs are getting creative this summer, offering special menus and carving out socially distanced spaces in their backyards, courtyards, sidewalks, parking lots and patios to design welcoming, al fresco-dining spots.

Check out the area's latest eatery innovations, along with some new seasonal menus ...

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--Photo Credit: Jeremy Fox

Birdie G's, 2421 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404

This chef-driven, comfort-food eatery tucked inside Bergamot Station keeps managing to find little pockets to add more seating, with now 25 to 30, socially distanced tables available. The dinner menu features cast-iron cornbread, starters, hot plates, cold dishes, wood-grilled meat and fish, along with a kids' menu. Birdie's popular 3-Course Tock Takeout Dinners also are back at $49 person, with serving options for one to 10 and with three choices for each course. Highlights include Badger Flame Beets “Charoset” with whipped feta, horseradish, peach & pecan, Koji-Rubbed Flatiron Steak with creamed summer greens and artichoke miso and, of course, the “World Famous” Rose Petal Pie. Curbside pick-up, takeout and delivery options available, too. Reservation and menu details can be found here.

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--Photo courtesy of Innovative Dining Group

BOA Steakhouse

• 101 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA
• 9200 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA

Outdoor dining is available at both locations, along with the upscale menu featuring "surf," "turf" and Japanese Wagyu entrees. BOA also offers "White Glove" curbside pick-up, plus delivery, for such takeout specials as: BOA Raw, with premium steaks, including American Wagyu Ribeye, and other menu items to grill and prepare at home; an $85 DIY Smoked Brisket Sandwich Kit, that serves eight with 3 pounds of smoked brisket with BOA BBQ sauce, salads, BOA Mac n Cheese, potato rolls and cookies; and a $58 BBQ Wagyu Burger Basket, serving 10 with 3 pounds of uncooked ground Wagyu meat vacuum sealed, plus buns and accompaniments; and a four-serving Fried Chicken Feast for $85. Restaurant info here.

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--Photo Credit Lindsey Huttrer

Esters Wine Shop & Bar, 1314 Seventh St., Santa Monica, CA 90401

Patrons can dine and sip at the establishment's newly expanded patios. The food menu offers such snacks as olives, almonds, hummus and crudite, along with raw oysters, salads and meat and cheese small plates. Esters opens daily at 12 p.m., and happy hour is 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. See website here for further information.

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--Photo credit: Wonho Frank Lee

Fia Restaurant, 2454 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403

Book a table in Fia's inviting, outdoor garden, and order from a chef-curated menu with Californa and coastal-Italian inspiration. Among the featured specialties are Nova Scotia Halibut with baby artichokes and heirloom carrots, Lasagna "Impossible Meat" Bolognese with spinach and almond béchamel and Handmade Cavatelli Pasta with Parmesan, brown butter and freshly shaved black truffle. Reservations can be made online. Follow this link for more info and menu details.

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--Photo courtesy of 40 Love/Photo Credit: Elizabeth Daniels

40 Love, 829 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, Ca 90069

Reminiscent of the perfect neighborhood sports bar, 40 Love plans to reopen Saturday, July 25 with new outdoor seating and new menus. In keeping with outdoor-dining mandates, the restaurant is expanding its front, outdoor garden patio to the side alley and back parking lot to add additional tables, umbrellas and sky lights, along with new TVS and sound system. The reopening menu will launch with new food plates and cocktails. Menu details here. Find more info here on 40 Love's website.

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--Photo courtesy of Gracias Madre

Gracias Madre, 8905 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90069

The WeHo eatery that specializes in plant-based Mexican fare now is serving dinner, weekend brunch and happy hour on its comfy, outdoor patio. A variety of starters, salads, bowls and entrees are on the menu, crafted by Executive Chef Alan Sanz. From the bar, patrons can order such signature cocktails as the Purista Margarita, Negroni and Oaxacan Old-Fashioned, courtesy of Beverage Director Maxwell Reis. Gracias Madre hours: happy hour is 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; dinner service is daily 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; and weekend brunch is Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pick-up and delivery also are available. View Gracias Madre website for more info and menu details, or call (323) 978-2170.

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--Photo courtesy of Hatchet Hall/Credit: Kyle Miyamoto

Hatchet Hall, 12517 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066

Hatchet Hall has reopened with its fun, lighthearted menu and an extended patio built out in the parking lot for more outdoor seating. Patrons order at the bar, seat themselves, and the Hatchet team takes care of the rest. Enjoy the menu with a variety of small plates and entrees, plus cocktails, wine and beer. Dinner hours are Wednesdays through Sundays 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for walk-ins only. Takeout and curbside pick-up also are available. View the website here for more info.

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--Photo Credit Lindsey Huttrer

Huckleberry Bakery and Cafe, 1014 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica CA 90401

Expanded outdoor seating recently was added giving diners more space to spread out and relax over a morning cappuccino and Kouign Amann Tart or breakfast burritos and pancakes. Huckleberry also sells family-size meals, baking kits and pantry essentials for curbside pick-up, takeout and delivery. Daily hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. More info and menu details here.

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--Photo courtesy of Lucille's

Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, Westfield Culver City, 6000 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City

Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que in Culver City has added veranda-inspired outdoor seating. And to enhance the Southern-style ambiance, diners can score a "Sweet Sips & Biscuits" summer freebie, a complimentary glass of either iced tea or Lucille's Original Sidewalk Lemonade, plus a basket of freshly-baked biscuits and apple butter. Follow along here for details.

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--Photo courtesy of Pasta Sisters

Pasta Sisters, 3280 Helms Ave., Culver City CA 90232

The Culver City location of this family-operated restaurant is open daily for outdoor dining on its expanded patios. From pasta made fresh each morning, diners select their pasta type and sauce from such options as Pesto alla Genovese, Porcini Mushroom, Black Truffle and Arrabbiata, for those who like it spicy. Also on the menu are meat and fish entrees, salads, sandwiches and desserts. The Mid-City locale at 3343 W. Pico Blvd. is open only for takeout and delivery, options also offered from the Culver City site. And Pasta Sisters' food truck is rolling thoughout Greater L.A. Check here for its schedule. More details here on Pasta Sisters and its menus.

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--Shutterstock image

Rasselbock German Kitchen & Beer Garden, 3817 Grand View Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066

The Mar Vista-area restaurant offers outdoor Biergarten dining, along with added seating at sidewalk tables. Those craving a Bavarian fix can enjoy pretzels with homemade sweet mustard, schnitzel, authentic sauerkraut and a variety of wurst. To-go and delivery services also are available. Prost! Restaurant details here.

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--Photo Credit: Elise Freimuth

Rustic Canyon, 1119 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica CA 90401

The Michelin-starred, farmer's market-inspired restaurant has transformed its back parking lot into a romantic and rustic, al fresco patio, with wall dividers, bistro lights, shade and, soon, more potted plants and heat lamps. Plus, out front are sidewalk tables. Menu highlights include: roasted half chicken with anchovy, pecorino and roasted lettuce; pozole verde of mussels and hominy; Asian pear and smoked oyster tart with squash blossoms; and bone-in pork chop with elderberries, herbs and smoked trout roe. Chef Andy Doubrava and team have brought back the $49-per-person, 3-Course Tock Takeout Dinners, with options for one to six servings and course choices. Select from such classics as Beets and Berries and Roasted Autonomy Farms Chicken with salsa verde, or the seasonal Munak’s Tomatoes with fig leaf oil and almonds. Curbside pick-up, takeout and delivery also are available. View Rustic Canyon's website here.

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--Photo Credit: Lindsey Huttrer

Tallula's, 118 Entrada Drive, Santa Monica CA 90402

This Mexican eatery's parking lot now is an al fresco “Margarita Garden,” where diners can enjoy such globally inspired fare as crab taquitos, tandoori chicken fajitas and a variety of taco plates and sides, along with — of course — specialty margaritas like the Ruby Mandarin, Watermelon or Tandoori Masala. Dinner reservations can be made online. Walk-ins are welcome for weekend brunch, served 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. See Tallula's website for more information and booking details.

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--Photo courtesy of Eataly

Terra at Eataly Los Angeles, Westfield Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90067

This rooftop destination, an outdoor oasis with unbeatable views, now is serving lunch, dinner and brunch. On the menu are wood-fired, seasonal entrees, shareable plates, pasta dishes and desserts. For the summer, Terra has launched a Build Your Own Gin & Tonic menu, allowing patrons to pick their gin (classic style or one with a contemporary botanical flair), then the tonic from unique flavors like yuzu, elderflower or grapefruit, and finally select fresh herb garnishes like rosemary, sage, and thyme, along with seasonal adds like cucumbers and blackberries. Reservations required. Info here on Terra's menu and booking details.

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--Photo courtesy of Tony P's

Tony P's Dockside Grill, 4445 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

Dine al fresco at Tony P's, a family-favorite restaurant that recently added a new oceanfront patio to its existing outdoor space. Famous for its Mai Tais, Bloody Marys and sunset views, Tony P's features a wide-ranging menu with burgers, fish and chips, pizza, salads, Flat Iron Steak and Salmon Piccata Pasta. Find restaurant info and menu details here.

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--Photo courtesy of Urban Plates

Urban Plates, 12746-3 W. Jefferson Blvd., Playa Vista, CA 90094

Open-air dining at the locale is offered, along with the $10 Everyday Menu featuring such options as the Grilled Chicken Salad (pictured), the Chimichurri Chicken Plate and the Curry Tofu & Vegetable Braise. Also on tap is a summer special Ribs Family Meal for $59.95 that includes four half racks of ribs, two large sides and four slices of grilled rustic bread. Don't miss the seasonal desserts (one being a Mango Tart) made in-house or the Watermelon Replenisher, a summery drink made of blended fresh watermelon, pineapple, mint and basil. In addition to patio dining, takeout and delivery also are available. Menu details here.

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