Watch CBS News

What You're Eating - Best Fall Menus in L.A.

brusselsprouts at CROSSROADS 610 header
(credit: Crossroads)

As the seasons change, Fall menus are integral to getting that Autumn-time feeling, even if the weather isn't necessarily as crisp and the air isn't cold as in other parts of the country. Nevertheless, with the onset of the harvest season, a variety of new tastes and indulgences are now available at Los Angeles restaurants and eateries. From heirloom carrots and tomatoes, to hearty soups, and roasted vegetables, here are a few can't miss hearty Fall classics LA restaurants are serving up that you can't miss.

smoked heirloom carrots CROSSROADS
(credit: Crossroads)

Crossroads
8284 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 782.9245
www.CrossroadsKitchen.com

Crossroads Kitchen Owner/Chef Tal Ronnen is showcasing fall's fantastic ingredients across the whole restaurant with highlights including a Baby Beet Salad, a Fall Squash Puree (with caramelized onions, almond ricotta, spicy toasted pumpkin seeds, crispy Brussels sprout leaves and mustard greens), Smoked Heirloom Carrots, Porcini Crusted Eggplant, and an Oven Roasted Kabocha Squash with cipollini agrodolce and harissa toasted pumpkin seeds. Fall inspired cocktails and decadent fall desserts round out the perfect meal.

M CAFE
(credit: M Cafe)

M Café
7119 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 525-0588
www.mcafedechaya.com

M Café, the pioneer in contemporary macrobiotic cuisine in L.A., offers the perfect place for a clean eating break in the midst of fall's indulgences. Their fall salads include Kabocha Couscous; a Truffled Quinoa Salad; Raw Butternut Squash, Fennel, and Pomegranate; and Wasabi Sweet Potato Salad. Fall soup offerings, perfect for a slightly chilly day, include Curried Lentil Soup and Roasted Tomato and Red Miso Bisque. Fall offerings are available at all three locations: Melrose, Beverly Hills, and Brentwood.

Napa Valley Grille Lamb Rogout
(credit: Napa Valley Grille)

Napa Valley Grille
1100 Glendon Ave. #100
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 824-3322
www.napavalleygrille.com

Napa Valley Grille's Executive Chef Taylor Boudreaux has crafted a brand new harvest menu sourcing ingredients from local neighborhood artisans with a focus on the flavors of "home." The Napa Lunch Trio offers the choice of any Curry Chicken Salad, Garlic Ginger Tofu, Orzo Pasta Salad, and Marinated Vegetables. Don't miss the Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops with Butternut Squash Puree, Fuji Apple-Brussels Sprout Salad, and Cumin Cider Vinaigrette. The decadent Lamb Ragout features housemade pappardelle, red wine, tomato sauce, red chili flake, and parmesan.

Plan Check
(credit: Plan Check Kitchen + Bar)

Plan Check Kitchen + Bar
351 N Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(310) 288-6500
www.plancheck.com

To help you get in the Octoberfest mood, Plan Check's fall menu includes the Burger Brat Pack, available through the month of October. Chef Ernesto Uchimura is serving up a fun mash up of the pretzel and bratwurst, both traditional Octoberfest favorites. Pork and beef are mixed together to form a "bratwurst patty" served atop a housemade pretzel bun with atomic beer mustard, beer braised sauerkraut, and caramelized onions. Paired with French fries and a pint of Licher Octoberfest beer, this limited time offer is a must try; arrive early, only 15 are made each day!

CPK Pumpkin Cheesecake
(credit: CPK)

California Pizza Kitchen
207 S Beverly Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 275-1101
www.cpk.com

Head to the original California Pizza Kitchen where you can enjoy their seasonal favorite, Pumpkin Cheesecake; made with a ginger crumb praline crust, fresh whipped cream, and a drizzle of praline sauce, the cheesecake is available for a limited time. For National Pizza Month, don't miss their award-winning new pizza, debuting on October 18th after the TNT "On the Menu" show airs the winner. A portion of the specialty pizza's proceeds go to charity.

crostini_trio FIG AND OLIVE
(credit: FIG & OLIVE)

FIG & OLIVE Melrose Place
FIG & OLIVE Melrose Place
8490 Melrose Place
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 360-9100
www.figandolive.com

West Hollywood's FIG & OLIVE Melrose Place, along with Executive Chef Pascal Lorange, have just debuted their new Fall menus available for both lunch and dinner. The seasonal bounty, coupled with French Riviera inspired ingredients, takes center stage as dozens of new entrees join the menu. Don't miss the Heirloom Carrot Crostini topped with grilled vegetables, Ricotta cheese, and heirloom carrots with chermoula or the housemade Pumpkin Sage Ravioli with free-range chicken, Ricotta, chermoula, pumpkin olive oil emulsion, toasted pumpkin seeds, Parmesan, aged balsamic, and Frantoio Olive Oil.

Mauro's Cafe-seafood linguini
(credit: Mauro's Cafe)

Mauro's Cafe
8112 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 653-7970
www.mauroscafe.com

Mauro's Cafe at Fred Segal is now featuring an autumn inspired tasting menu, available Thursday evenings throughout the season. The menu, which will alternate slightly each week is offered as an entree only and entree + wine sampling options. A sample menu includes homemade gnocchi verde, topped with zucchini, broccoli, spinach, and peas; specialty pastas; old world cheese and specialty breads; grilled bass with vegetables and potatoes; and creme brûlée for dessert.

lamb chops at Open Sesame
(Open Sesame)

Open Sesame
7458 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 525-1698
www.OpenSesameGrill.com

Don't miss the hearty fall favorites offered at Open Sesame, the Mediterranean grill located on Beverly Boulevard. Their charbroiled French cut lamb chops are marinated in fresh lemon juice, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil before being served over kabob salad and basmati rice. Side salad options include fattoush or tabouleh as well as a choice of hummus, spicy hummus, or baba ghannouj.

Ayara pumpkin creme brulee
(credit: Ayara)

Ayara Thai Cuisine
6245 W 87th St
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 410-8848
www.ayarathaicuisine.com

Family owned Ayara Thai Cuisine serves up something special each year. Beginning on Friday, October 17th 2014, the thai restaurant will be serving up their special 'Great Pumpkin Crème Brûlée'. It's only available for a short time so make sure to get it while its still around! Opened in August of 2004 by chef and restauranteur Andy Asaphu, Ayara serves up dishes prepared from family recipes that have been passed down through generators. Offering a taste of their authentic home cooked Thai food, they use fresh seasonal ingredients and each dish is prepared with only the best quality.

Katie Bodell is the Blog Editor for Trekaroo, the largest family travel website in the U.S. She is also a freelance writer, a happy wife to her best friend, and a mom to three sweet California girls. See more on: Trekaroo | CheapOair | Google+ | Twitter.
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.