Lingua Franca

Lingua Franca has the power to make the LA River feel romantic (well, almost). This inviting Frogtown restaurant from the Wax Paper team balances the worn-in feel of a neighborhood spot with the stylish scene of a place where you might see Eric Wareheim. It sits along a riverside bike trail, serving natural wines and a rotating mishmash of elevated picnic food. There’s crunchy lavash with pepper-crusted albacore crudo, a bright green pea risotto with pistachio pesto, and a truly excellent burger served on an English muffin with fistfuls of matchstick fries. We highly recommend dropping by for Happy Hour on the river-facing front patio, then squeezing into the intimate dining room for a mellow dinner.