Backbone

4 Restaurants to Try This Weekend in and Around Los Angeles: January 3 - Eater LA

"Located in Glendale, Backbone is an upscale dinner restaurant focusing on a globally inspired menu that highlights local produce. The understated yet tasteful design makes it a perfect spot to dress up a bit while enjoying dishes like uni-topped waffles." - Eater Staff

Backbone - Review - La Crescenta-Montrose - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Reservations are released four weeks in advance at midnight and get booked quickly, especially for parties larger than two. Seats at the bar are slightly less competitive, but you’re still going to need a reservation, so plan ahead." - Brant Cox

Former McCall’s Meat & Fish Owners Opened Backbone Restaurant in Montrose - Eater LA

"Backbone, opened by former McCall’s Meat & Fish Co. owners Karen Yoo and Nathan McCall, serves globally inspired 'new American' cuisine in Montrose. The menu features small and large plates, with dishes like octopus with fennel, pork shoulder with grilled pineapple, and pastries by Yoo. The restaurant emphasizes seafood and offers a variety of wines. It's open for dinner from Wednesday through Saturday." - Cathy Chaplin

LA's Most Exciting Fall Restaurant Openings 2024

"Opening: October This upscale neighborhood spot up on the hilltop border of Montrose and North Glendale comes from Nathan McCall and Karen Yoo, two former chefs who left the fine-dining world to open McCall’s Meat & Fish in Los Feliz. Now, after selling their butcher shop in 2020, the couple is back in the restaurant business with a 30-seat dinner spot serving New American cuisine with a few European and Asian touches, plus beer, wine, and a dessert menu designed by Yoo, a veteran pastry chef." - garrett snyder, sylvio martins

Boston Irish2009

Google

I love this place so much free packing on the street. I walk inside and the restaurant was wonderful. The staff was all smiles and everybody did their job. Perfect I love the hostess LA. I had three apps. The pate was my favorite. The pasta was delicious and the Steak and short rib was insane.. I had for dessert the Keylime pie, which was like deconstructed again amazing. I would go back there in a minute.

Kirby Nielsen

Google

Absolutely delicious. The place is so quaint and well thought out, but still fun and relaxed and not stuffy. Service was attentive but not suffocating. The wine list is IMPECCABLE and every single bite of food was wonderful, and I don’t say that lightly. We will be back for sure!!

Eric Shevin

Google

Hands down the best lamb dish I’ve ever had!!! Everything was insanely delicious and demonstrated truly expert technique throughout. The pickled albacore, uni waffle w yuzu cream, butternut squash agnolotti and strip loin w short rib were all sensational but the lamb shoulder confit was phenomenal and unlike anything I’ve ever had. The desserts are as good as any 3 star in Paris and were all 🔥🔥🔥. The wine list was very on point and full of gems. Chefs Nate and Karen are killing it and it’s always an extra pleasure to support a local husband and wife team. Great service and very comfortable vibe as well. Michelin is for sure coming soon. Enjoy!!!

Kate Scoggins

Google

We had the uni and barabjuan for appetizers and market fish and ny strip for dinner. Food was delicious and the wine list was superb! You can tell from the cooking they have a culinary pedigree. Uni tasted like something I would have had at Meteora. Market fish was so yum. Ambience and environment was comfortable and warm with perfect date night lighting and good music on in the background. The host is super friendly and it feels like a neighborhood place that everyone’s been to and visits often (even though they opened just weeks ago). Loved the open kitchen! Good vibes. They treat everyone like it’s their home and the chefs all say goodbye like they’ve known you forever. Montrose needed a place like this and I’m so happy that Backbone exists in our neighborhood.

Stephan Cizmar

Google

Fantastic execution from a top notch team. The menu blends traditional French cuisine with seasonal, California fresh products in a no frills setting. Highly recommend!

Loring Greene

Google

As a Montrose resident and a very experienced diner, I can't express the delight I felt eating at the new, superlative BACKBONE, an 8-week-young, quaint-but-upscale eatery that deserves your immediate attendance. The tender, melt-in-your-mouth lamb shoulder over polenta with a reduced white grape and hazelnut sauce was an epicurean delight. You will find yourself swooning over the contrasting flavors and textures of this dish. Pair it with one of their amazing Pinots from their excellent wine list — you’ll be glad you did. But wait, there's more! Don’t forget dessert! Nathan McCall’s wife, Karen Yoo, is some kind of pastry chef genius. Unknowingly, I smuggled home (in a very cool brown paper bag ) the best reimagining of a key lime pie I’ve ever had. Trust me, this one is the best! To summarize: If BACKBONE were a movie, it would win an Oscar for Best Supporting Dessert and Best Lead Lamb in a Polenta Role. Don’t walk, sprint to this place — but maybe stretch first, because you're going to need room for all that amazing food!

Robert Schiele

Google

One of LA's BEST restaurants!!! Only been open a few weeks and my wife and I have already been there 3 times-and for us that's a record! Amazing food and wine and don't get me started on the desserts! Have had nearly everything on the menu at least once and can't get enough! Love at first bite!

Wade Jorgensen

Google

So happy to have a date night spot close to home. Great service, amazing food and an intimate atmosphere. Our server was extremely knowledgeable of the menu and had great wine pairing suggestion. Will be a long term customer.

4 Restaurants to Try This Weekend in and Around Los Angeles: January 3 - Eater LA

Backbone - Review - La Crescenta-Montrose - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

Former McCall’s Meat & Fish Owners Opened Backbone Restaurant in Montrose - Eater LA

LA's Most Exciting Fall Restaurant Openings 2024