Ryla

Husband and wife chefs Ray Hayashi and Cynthia Hetlinger run the show at this splashy and sophisticated spot in Hermosa Beach. Expect contemporary cooking with a Japanese focus and broad Asian elements. The menu offers a panoply of small plates—ideal for sharing but you may not want to. After sharing a few plates (or not), pick a main like ox tongue curry rice. This Japanese curry with a touch of sweetness is chock full of vegetables and cubes of buttery tender ox tongue, while rice finished with sweet corn and pickled green strawberries cuts the richness. End with matcha tiramisu or soy milk pudding, topped with a brown sugar gelee, fresh strawberries and a scoop of strawberry shiso sorbet with a spicy ginger-sugared churro.