By { Misty Milioto

Home to renowned art museums, cutting-edge restaurants and trendy bars, Downtown Los Angeles has earned serious bragging rights. One of those buzz-worthy restaurants is Best Girl at Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles, helmed by high-profile chef and restaurateur Michael Cimarusti, who combines his appreciation of seafood with an advocacy for sustainable fishing practices. Best known for his Michelin two-starred restaurant Providence—as well as Connie and Ted’s, Cape Seafood and Provisions, and Dock to Dish—Cimarusti added Best Girl to his seafood-focused culinary empire in fall 2017. 

A native of New Brunswick, N.J., Cimarusti first came to Los Angeles to become chef de cuisine at Wolfgang Puck’s original Spago. Cimarusti also served as executive chef at the famed Water Grill in DTLA, and he also worked notable stints at Osteria del Circo in New York City, the Michelin three-starred Arpège in Paris and the iconic Le Cirque in New York City (where he cooked with legendary French chefs such as Paul Bocuse, Roger Vergé and Gérard Boyer).

At Best Girl, Cimarusti continues to focus on a seafood-heavy menu with dishes such as crudo of the day with fennel pollen vinaigrette, radish and espelette; crab cakes with remoulade, house pickles and frisée; and rock cod with black mussels, fennel, orange and olives. Meanwhile, the dessert menu from pastry chef Cristina Echieverri (who also happens to be Cimarusti’s wife and business partner) features sweet treats such as pistachio cake with oven-roasted stone fruit and orange blossom frozen yogurt; and mascarpone cheesecake with passionfruit gelee and tropical fruit salad. The cocktail menu also is a thing of wonder, with libations including the Queenie 13 made with Hennessy, dates, cloves, banana cordial and demerara; the Mountain Girl made with Wild Turkey Longbranch bourbon, pear brandy, lemon, honey, cherry-vanilla bitters and anise; and the Wonder Child made with Michter’s rye, Laird‘s apple brandy, Dolin Genepy, honey and chocolate bitters. 

Whether you’re looking for a trendy date night spot, or a hip place to post up prior to a concert or show, Best Girl has the scene, the vibe and, of course, the food, to make your night unforgettable.  Post dinner or late night, head up to the Ace’s rooftop bar for sexy libations and a killer view. 927 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, 213.235.9660, bestgirldtla.com