"Lingua Franca might be the first restaurant in the city’s history to successfully romanticize the LA River, and that means you can trust it for date night. The warm American spot sits right on the river in Frogtown (you have to walk on the bike path to get to the front entrance) and already feels like a worn-in feel neighborhood hangout even though it only opened in the spring of 2023. There’s plenty of natural wine to drink, a string-lit back patio, and a rotating menu that can best be described as elevated picnic food. Think crunchy lavash with albacore crudo, Mashti Malone’s ice cream, and a particularly good burger served on a crispy english muffin. " - brant cox, sylvio martins
Jessie Clapp
