"Ellie’s is pretty special. Located in a quiet neighborhood not too far from downtown, with a big front patio and a small dining room, they serve Southern Italian food that feels connected to Southern California. The seasonal vegetable dishes and handmade pasta are highlights—especially the shrimp and ’nduja tagliatelle—but the best thing here might be the grilled bread and pork butter. Pork butter is as good as it sounds, and even better served on a board with grilled bread, caviar butter, apple mostardo, and optional grilled bone marrow (might as well go all in). This place is a great choice for an intimate dinner, but be warned: street parking in the area is brutal at night." - garrett snyder