"Los Angeles shines brightest when its establishments embrace a kitschy theme (Atwater Village’s Tam O’Shanter and the Baked Potato jazz club immediately spring to mind), and Back Home in Lahaina aces this litmus test with an island flair: the dining room at this Carson restaurant looks like a recreated Maui streetfront, complete with floor-to-ceiling wooden facades and dolphin murals featuring sea creatures smiling next to lava rocks. The saimin is a must-order, a steaming bowl of soft wheat egg noodles served in a clear dashi broth, garnished with diced green onions and bright-red barbecue pork." - Kat Hong