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 delightful sandwiches and provisions: Carla’s Fresh Market

Cathy Chaplin

Head to Carla’s Fresh Market in Highland Park for groceries and more. The airy space is stylishly appointed, while the produce and products are sourced from local farmers and makers. Best of all, it’s possible to cross multiple items off one’s weekend to-do list under one gorgeous roof. In addition to shelves lined with staple items and specialty splurges, the market’s coffee shop, pastry case, and lunch counter all add up to the kind of one-stop shop ideal for busy folks. Why not grab one of the market’s You + Mi sandwiches, a flavorful vegan construction of chile-marinated tofu and fresh herbs on a French roll, along with some pastries from Sasha Piligian, all while picking up some must-have groceries for the week? 248 N. Avenue 50, Los Angeles, CA 90042. — Cathy Chaplin, senior editor

For an early look at Gardena’s hottest new Vietnamese restaurant: Nam Kitchen

Matthew Kang

I should stop being surprised at the popularity of any new Asian restaurant in the South Bay. Openings tend to draw in folks by word of mouth, like the weeks-old Nam Kitchen, which serves a slightly more upscale set of classic pho and noodle dishes. The expansive, well-designed room with lots of navy blue accents is already packed on a weekend evening. Most diners will order the beef pho, served with rare filet mignon, whole beef ribs, or dac biet — a house specialty with a little mix of various cuts including meatballs. Prices are fair, around $16 for heaping bowls, and extra noodles are free upon request. The broth itself lands in the middle of the road in terms of seasoning and spices, nothing too aggressive here. The meat falls right off the beef bones, perfect for dipping into a blended sauce of hoisin and sriracha, which are served from elegant jars on the table instead of from plastic bottles. The only thing to be aware of during prime hours is the kind of flustered service, which looks like it’s a result of being a little understaffed at the moment. Hopefully, once Nam Kitchen can resolve its service, it should act as one of Gardena’s stronger new Vietnamese restaurants. 1530 Artesia Boulevard, Gardena, CA 90248. — Matthew Kang, lead editor

For solid fare from one of LA’s longest-running Jamaican spots: the Original Coley’s

Mona Holmes

Though the Original Coley’s remains one of the best spots to eat outstanding jerk-spiced chicken, saucy oxtails, or brown stew chicken, it’s been a long road for one of SoCal’s oldest Jamaican restaurants. This San Fernando Valley family-operated restaurant first opened in 1982 in Leimert Park, then moved to a spot on Slauson Boulevard and into a former Tony Roma’s in Inglewood before settling into North Hollywood for decades. Though founder Don Coley retired in 2015, Coley’s reopened for catering in 2017 and now resides in Sherman Oaks. Coley’s daughter and son-in-law Candice Coley-Thompson and Neil Thompson are at the helm, though it’s not uncommon to see the elder Coley cooking or greeting the people who have tasted his food for generations, especially the patties or the sweet dumplings that come with every entree. They’re a delectable hybrid between cornbread, coco bread, and doughnuts. 14056 Burbank Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA, 91401. — Mona Holmes, reporter

For an old-school diner with a new lease on life: Clark Street Diner

When I first heard the 101 Coffee Shop was reopening I had a brief moment of anxiety about what would become of the beloved diner. But after seeing that Zack Hall of Clark Street would be heading up the project, I knew it was in good hands. Hall has preserved all the charm that made the diner a Los Angeles icon, keeping its stone wall straight out of the 70s and camel-colored leather booths. The menu is still made up of all the diner classics but with a Clark Street twist like expertly-made biscuits and gravy, and buttermilk pancakes made with Sonora flour. For lunch try a tuna melt or a cheeseburger, both of which go best with a side order of French fries. Pastries from Clark Street Bakery are available as well, plus a selection of beer, wine, and spirits. It’s easy to forget what decade you’re in here, which is not a bad thing. Lean into it, and break out a pair of flared jeans to complete the experience. 6145 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90068. — Rebecca Roland, associate editor