How to get impossible reservations during COVID-19
It’s been hard to see the bright side of a safer at home lifestyle, but every weekend I come face to face with mine: Impossible reservations during COVID-19! Thanks to Tock to Go Los Angeles and the “pivoting” of other restaurants, the most desirable meals in the city are just a click away. Best of all the bill is always lower than it would be dining in and you don’t have to pay a baby-sitter.
While it will be hard to find a restaurant that prefers doing carry-out, for the moment it’s a great way to brighten our dark skies with some Michelin stars.
Side Note: This article is meant to be lighthearted and informative, but not without acknowledgment that there is real suffering going on right now as a result of COVID-19.
TOCK TO GO LOS ANGELES
Tock to Go Los Angeles was put together by the popular Tock restaurant reservations systems as a way to promote top L.A. restaurants despite dine-in restrictions. Just like a regular night out you make a reservation to pick up your food at a specific time and everything is prepaid. New restaurants are added every week and that’s also as often as menus change. So the meal you enjoy might be different then what is profiled below.
Insider Tip: Subscribe to the newsletter and book ON THE DAY you get the new menu update (usually Tuesday or Friday) to ensure you get your preferred time. Bento boxes from N/Naka still feel like an urban food legend to me though, as I have yet to hear of anyone actually snagging a reservation for those.
République (Hancock Park)
This was my first Tock to Go experience and it was supremely satisfying at $32.50 a person (with enough food for 1.5 meals). Highlights included Mary’s Rotisserie Chicken with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and an Almond Brown Butter Cake with blueberries and lemon curd.
République is known for its epic lines during brunch, but for now, you can order A French Toast kit for 4 for people for just $16! You just have to make it yourself 🙂
Vespertine (Culver City)
A night out at Vespertine for two could you put you back as much as $1000 with drinks! This 7-course meal, served family-style, was less than $120. I visited during Week 2 which was A Tribute to Red Medicine: Chef Jordan Kahn’s beloved restaurant which closed in 2014.
My favorites included the Koshihikari Rice Porridge; Caramelized Chicken Dumplings; and the Coconut Bavarian streusel dessert.
Rice Porridge 
Caramelized Chicken Dumplings 
Coconut Bavarian Streusel
Auburn (West Hollywood)
Writing about Auburn paints a picture of the real situation of what COVID-19 has done to small businesses. Almost in the same month that this newish restaurant from Chef/Owner Eric Bost was nominated for a James Beard Award, it was forced to close. I was very fortunate to enjoy one of their last family-style meals and it did not disappoint.
Highlights included Braised Oxtail in Red Wine Jus; Creamy Polenta; Roasted Parsnips; and a spectacular Grain Salad.
Bestia (DTLA)
Bestia has been booked solid since the day they opened their doors in 2012. Now it’s never been easier to enjoy Bestia or Bavel from Chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis from the comfort of your own home.
The price hovers around $49 per person weekly but you will be eating for days! Highlights from my Bestia at Home week included Housemade Prosciutto with marinated olives; Fig Leaf Ricotta with crusty bread; Grilled Lamb Ribs; and Oxtail Ravioli.
Kali (Hollywood)
This one Michelin starred restaurant from Chefs Kevin Meehan and Drew Langley has everything from a yummy Crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich with Potatoes ($15) to a 9-course Kali family-style meal for $59 a person.
My favorites included a Local Kanpachi Crudo; Charred Avocado Salad; Caramelized Local Black Cod; and Dry-Aged Flannery Beef Ribeye Steak.
Lucques Catering (Beverly Hills)
Although Lucques restaurant from Chef Suzanne Goin and Restauranteur Caroline Styne will be closing (they announced pre-COVID 19), their catering service is going strong.
The price is $50 per person for a 3-course meal but once again you will be eating it for two days. A sample Lucques Supper Series could include Radicchio and Market Greens; Braised Beef Shortribs with potato puree; and a Brown Butter Almond Torte to finish.
Maude (Beverly Hills)
The family-style meal from Chef Curtis Stone’s one-Michelin starred Maude is one of the most expensive meals on the platform. It averages around $160, but it serves up to 6 people! That’s less than $30 a person to eat at Maude! What I enjoyed most was the ease of preparation. Including not only instructions but oven-friendly containers. It was also written on that quintessential Maude parchment paper.
Highlights from my experience that are often repeated include a Chilled Pea & Mint Soup; a Grilled Little Gem Salad with a green goddess dressing that you just want to drown in; and a Berry Crumble.
Don’t mind the plating…
Tip to Keep Costs Down: Just order for one person and split it! It’s good for your wallet and waistline!
Eatdrinkla
THINK OUTSIDE THE TOCK
Tock to Go Los Angeles is not the only player in the game, but they have made ordering fine dining the easiest. Next on my list of favorites are the restaurants that have difficult reservations, but have made online ordering a breeze.
Felix Trattoria (Venice)
The only way to get a table at Felix is if you’re willing to settle for dinner at 10 p.m. on a Tuesday. Now not only can you get Chef Evan Funke’s Italian almost any day of the week, but they also open at noon!
Menu highlights include the Pasta Fresca Kit for 2 like Rigatoni Cacio e Pepe ($30) and Mezzi Rigatoni with Oxtail ($34). You can also purchase just the elements like sauce all the way down to the flour. If you don’t feel like cooking you can also pick up a Diavola Pizza with Fior di latte, Pomodoro, and salami ($18). Orders can be made the day of.
Sugarfish by Nozawa
When a restaurant doesn’t take reservations, you can always expect a wait. Now that Sugarfish is a full-on takeaway only, you can get your food at a specific time.
It doesn’t feel the same as getting sushi brought out piece by piece, but they do have the most legit take-out boxes in the biz!
Prices range from $25 to $48 for the Trust Me Menus which offer at least 14 different pieces of sushi. You can also order à-la-carte. Place your order through the website or your favorite delivery apps.
Did this rundown of Impossible Reservations during COVID-19 make you hungry for more? Pin the image below and inspire your friends to do some Zoom dinners with you!
Pandemic brought Michelin star’s eateries to our doorsteps. Contactless services are going to be the norm for some time.
John Gatesby recently posted…COVID Leads to Oxidative Stress and Parasympathetic and Sympathetic (P&S) Dysfunction