Every Friday our editors compile a trusty list of recommendations to answer the most pressing of questions: “Where should I eat?“ Here now are four places to check out this weekend in Los Angeles. And if you need some ideas on where to drink, here’s our list of the hottest places to get cocktails in town.

For easeful sweets and coffee: La Monarca Bakery & Cafe

Cathy Chaplin

While it can be fun to queue up to sample Los Angeles’s hottest new bakeries and coffee shops, some weekend mornings call for ease. With a dozen locations scattered throughout the Southland, La Monarca is one of the most dependably delightful panaderías to start the day. Order the cafe’s cinnamon-spiked horchata latte to start. It can be served cold over ice or hot in a mug if sipping on site. To pair with the not-too-sweet beverage, fill a tray with anything that looks good from the pastry case, whether it’s a guava-filled bun, sugar-topped concha, or classic croissant. Everything is reasonably priced, so don’t hesitate to get extra pan dulce to go. 5833 N. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90042. — Cathy Chaplin, senior editor

For hot dogs with perfect snap and flavor: Earle’s on Crenshaw

Matthew Kang

Brothers Duane and Cary Earle know Los Angeles, and they know hot dogs. The two have been operating in various Crenshaw Boulevard locations since 1992, and they have a hot dogs menu that appeals to all. Colorful picnic tables are stationed directly in front of Earle’s glass facade with umbrellas to protect from the heat. Ordering is efficient and easy, where a friendly employee helps everyone assemble a dog made with beef or turkey, a chicken link, or even a halal and kosher beef dog. The spicy beef link with mustard is absolutely killer. Jamaican patties, an Alaskan salmon burger, and a pastrami sandwich are also on the menu. If feeling particularly hungry, order chili cheese fries or the vegan chili cheese Fritos with some ginger beer or a honey punch. All work beautifully on a long holiday weekend. 3864 Crenshaw Boulevard, Leimert Park, CA, 90008. — Mona Holmes, reporter

For a treat to beat the heat: Kanomwaan Thai Gelato and Dessert Cafe

Rebecca Roland

June gloom is gone, and Los Angeles is being hit with its first of many summer heatwaves. While air conditioning is helpful, sometimes you just need a tower of shaved ice and gelato to beat the heat. Opened by the team behind Ruen Pair, Kanomwaan is a small Thai dessert shop that specializes in flavors like Thai coffee, durian, black sesame, and corn. But for the summer, the shop is offering a special mango sticky rice sundae, topped with a scoop of mango gelato. The sundae comes out in Matterhorn proportions, with shredded, then lightly packed ice in the form of a mountain. On the side, the shaved ice comes with a side of sticky rice and mango. Reminiscent of Korean bingsu, the sundae is not too sweet, and really does taste like mango sticky rice. Just make sure you bring a group to devour It — the sundae is truly huge. 5261 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027. — Rebecca Roland, associate editor

For a stellar dim sum party in Arcadia: Chef Tony

Matthew Kang

While this weekend will likely be full of steaks, burgers, hot dogs, and other classic American food, take a departure with a perfect weekend gathering over dim sum at Chef Tony. With locations in Arcadia and Monterey Park, the Tony He-operated restaurants offer some of the most reliable dim sum in the SGV. Highlights from last week’s brunch included char siu pork, fresh shrimp rice rolls, and truffle-topped siu mai. Everyone at the table also fought over the rice noodle casserole with eggplant, covered in a savory minced pork sauce. And for “dessert,” there’s either the French-style baked barbecue pork buns or deep-fried durian pastries for the truly adventurous. 1108 S. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91007 and 555 N. Atlantic Boulevard, Monterey Park, CA 91754. — Matthew Kang, lead editor