Restaurant in Los Angeles, United States
Pace
115ptsReliable OAD-ranked dinner, no reservation battle.
About Pace
Pace is a reliable New American dinner option in Laurel Canyon, OAD-ranked and easy to book — making it practical for mid-week plans or a return visit with a new group. The room suits conversation over spectacle, and the 4.5 Google rating across 536 reviews signals consistent kitchen performance. Go in person; this is not a takeout proposition.
Verdict
Pace is worth booking if you want a reliably good New American dinner in Laurel Canyon without fighting for a reservation. Chef Sandy Gendel's restaurant holds an Opinionated About Dining ranking in North America — #565 in 2024, recommended in 2023 — which places it in credible company for the category. The Google rating sits at 4.5 across 536 reviews, a signal that the kitchen performs consistently rather than in occasional flashes. Booking is easy, the room suits conversation, and it fits anyone who has already been once and wants a reason to return with a different group.
The Room and Experience
Pace sits at 2100 Laurel Canyon Blvd, physically removed from the denser dining corridors of West Hollywood and Silver Lake. That location is part of what defines the experience: the room functions as a neighbourhood anchor, not a destination showcase. The layout rewards smaller groups , couples and parties of two to four will get the most out of the space. Larger groups should confirm seating arrangements in advance, as the room is not built for high-volume configuration. Dinner runs Sunday through Thursday from 5:30 to 10 pm, with Friday and Saturday service extending to 11 pm, giving you a wider window on weekends if you prefer a later start.
On the Question of Delivery and Takeout
Pace is fundamentally a dine-in restaurant. New American cooking at this tier , OAD-ranked, chef-driven, small-room format , depends heavily on how the food is plated and served in context. If you are considering takeout from Pace specifically because you want the Laurel Canyon experience without the commute, you are likely to be disappointed: the spatial and service dimension is a meaningful part of what the rating reflects. For nights when delivery is the priority, the cuisine type means a local New American option with a more takeout-optimised menu will serve you better. When you do go in person, the later Friday and Saturday hours give you enough runway to plan around traffic from the east side or the Valley.
Who Should Book
If you came once for a date night or a low-key dinner and it delivered, Pace earns a second visit with a slightly larger group or a colleague dinner where you need the room to feel relaxed rather than performative. It is easier to book than higher-friction Los Angeles destinations like Kato or Hayato, which makes it practical for plans that come together mid-week. For anyone exploring what New American cooking looks like across the country, it fits into the same conversation as Smyth in Chicago or Bayona in New Orleans , not at those price or prestige points, but sharing the same commitment to craft over concept.
For Los Angeles diners building out a broader dining roster, Pace pairs well with other neighbourhood-anchored restaurants rather than destination tasting-menu spots. Consider it alongside Norah or Salt's Cure as part of a West Hollywood and Canyon circuit. If you want height and spectacle with your New American dinner, 71above offers a different register entirely. Our full Los Angeles restaurants guide covers the broader field if you are still deciding on category.
Practical Details
Address: 2100 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046. Dinner service nightly from 5:30 pm; closes 10 pm Sunday through Thursday, 11 pm Friday and Saturday. No price range data is published in our records , check the current menu directly before booking to confirm spend expectations. Booking is easy relative to the Los Angeles dining market. No dress code data available; given the OAD ranking and neighbourhood positioning, smart casual is a safe default.
Quick reference: Dinner only, Mon–Sun from 5:30 pm; easy to book; smart casual; Laurel Canyon location.
How It Compares
Explore More in Los Angeles
Compare Pace
| Venue | Cuisine | Awards | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pace | New American | Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #565 (2024); Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Recommended (2023) | Easy | — |
| Kato | New Taiwanese, Asian | Michelin 1 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Hayato | Japanese | Michelin 2 Star | Unknown | — |
| Vespertine | Progressive, Contemporary | Michelin 2 Star | Unknown | — |
| Holbox | Mexican Seafood, Mexican | Michelin 1 Star | Unknown | — |
| Sushi Kaneyoshi | Sushi, Japanese | Michelin 1 Star | Unknown | — |
Comparing your options in Los Angeles for this tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pace handle dietary restrictions?
Pace's New American format typically gives kitchens flexibility to accommodate common dietary needs, but no specific policy is listed for this restaurant. Call ahead or contact them directly before your visit — OAD-ranked chef-driven rooms at this level generally prefer advance notice over tableside improvisation.
What should I wear to Pace?
Pace is a Laurel Canyon neighborhood restaurant, not a formal room. Think put-together casual — clean jeans and a nice top are appropriate. It's not a dress-up occasion the way Vespertine or Hayato would be, but arriving in workout clothes would feel out of place for a chef-driven dinner at this tier.
How far ahead should I book Pace?
Book one to two weeks out for a weeknight table; aim for two to three weeks ahead for Friday or Saturday. Pace's Laurel Canyon location means it draws a loyal local crowd rather than tourist walk-ins, so weekend slots move faster than the address suggests. OAD recognition in both 2023 and 2024 has kept it on serious diners' radars.
Is lunch or dinner better at Pace?
Dinner is the format here. Pace runs a single daily service starting at 5:30 pm, seven nights a week, with no lunch service listed. If you want a midday option in the area, you'll need to look elsewhere.
What are alternatives to Pace in Los Angeles?
For chef-driven New American at a comparable level, Kato in West LA is the more ambitious choice and ranks higher on OAD. If you want a special-occasion upgrade, Vespertine in Culver City is in a different price tier but a more singular experience. Holbox at Mercado La Paloma is worth knowing if you'd rather eat outstanding Yucatecan seafood than a sit-down dinner. Hayato and Sushi Kaneyoshi are the go-to options if omakase is on the table.
Is Pace good for a special occasion?
Yes, with the right expectations. Pace works well for a birthday dinner, anniversary, or a colleague dinner where the atmosphere matters but you don't want the formality or price point of a Michelin room. It ranked on OAD's Top Restaurants in North America in both 2023 and 2024, which gives it the credibility to impress guests who follow the food scene. For a milestone that demands a more theatrical or tasting-menu format, Vespertine is the stronger call.
Hours
- Monday
- 5:30–10 pm
- Tuesday
- 5:30–10 pm
- Wednesday
- 5:30–10 pm
- Thursday
- 5:30–10 pm
- Friday
- 5:30–11 pm
- Saturday
- 5:30–11 pm
- Sunday
- 5:30–10 pm
Recognized By
More restaurants in Los Angeles
- ProvidenceProvidence is LA's most decorated fine dining restaurant — three Michelin stars, a Green Star for sustainability, and a $325 tasting menu that changes nightly based on the day's catch. Book four to six weeks out minimum. At this price and format, it is the seafood tasting menu benchmark for the city, with service depth and sourcing discipline that justifies the spend for special occasions and returning guests alike.
- KatoKato is the No. 1 restaurant in Los Angeles by two consecutive LA Times rankings, a Michelin-starred Taiwanese-American tasting menu with a 2025 James Beard Award for Best Chef: California. The 10-course menu from Jon Yao is matched by one of the city's deepest wine programs. Book six to eight weeks out minimum — this is among the hardest reservations in the country to secure.
- HayatoHayato is the most coveted reservation in Los Angeles: a seven-seat kaiseki counter in Row DTLA where chef Brandon Hayato Go cooks directly in front of guests and narrates every course. Two Michelin stars, ranked #2 by the LA Times and #10 in North America by OAD. Near-impossible to book, but worth pursuing for a serious special occasion.
- MélisseMélisse is a two Michelin-starred, 14-seat tasting-menu counter in Santa Monica — one of Los Angeles's most technically ambitious dinners. Book if French classical technique applied to California produce is your preferred register. With only 14 seats and consistent international recognition, reservations require six to eight weeks of lead time minimum.
- VespertineVespertine is Jordan Kahn's two-Michelin-starred tasting menu in Culver City, priced at $395 per person for a four-hour, multi-sensory evening. Pearl Recommended for 2025 and ranked top 26 in North America by Opinionated About Dining, it is the only restaurant in Los Angeles combining this level of technical cooking with full theatrical production. Book it if you want an event, not just dinner.
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