Williamsburg, Brooklyn may be practically synonymous with twenty-first century so-called hipster culture, but despite its artistic reputation the neighborhood has yet to add an independent movie house to its roster of concert venues, bars, and restaurants. The recently-opened indieScreen aims to fill this void, as well as to add something new to the plethora of local eateries with its in-house restaurant and bar.
      The 93-seat theater eschews trendy interiors for understated design. Co-owned by Marco Ursino, the founder of the Brooklyn International Film Festival, the theater hosted this year’s festival in June and will also house July’s Flick Film Fest. The eclecticism of indieScreen’s staunchly non-mainstream movie line-up is reflected in its multicultural menu: tapas, paninis, and sashimi are available in the restaurant or theater area, courtesy of restaurant owner Anna Pozzi-Popermhem.
     According to indieScreen, the space is also “available to festivals, organizations, individual artists, and curators for private screenings, concerts, power point presentations, seminars, and lectures.” A far cry from the seemingly endless stream of commercial theaters throughout the city, indieScreen provides a multipurpose venue to enliven the ever-changing cultural landscape of the neighborhood it inhabits.

indieScreen is located at 285 Kent Ave. at S. 2nd St. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. To be invited to the theater’s opening night (date TBA), email ee@indieScreen.com.
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Here to fill a heretofore unnoticed gap in the New York dining scene is Tartinery, a modern twist on the classic Parisian bistro. Unlike your typically upscale French restaurant, as its main fare this casual spot in Nolita offers up various versions of the tartine — a delicious, delicate open-faced sandwich made of thinly sliced bread topped with various gourmet spreads and garnishes. Founded by three French friends who sorely missed their tartines, Tartinery has partnered with the well-known French bakery Poilâne in order to serve their patrons only the most authentic of these Parisian snacks. Visitors can dine on salads, soups, freshly-squeezed juices, and, of course, a selection of exquisite French wine to round out the meal. Complete with a living tree, oversized fireplace and quirkily numbered tabletops, Tartinery successfully combines the casual-yet-gourmet feeling of your typical bistro in Paris with the tweaks and adornments that make dining in New York City a unique culinary experience.

Coming a long way since the days of the taco truck, the LA mobile food movement has evolved to encompass everything from Vietnamese and veggie hot dogs to Korean BBQ and architecturally influenced ice cream sandwiches. And now, sushi. Fishlips Sushi — LA’s first fresh sushi truck — may just be the culinary zenith of the food truck world. Operated by three seasoned sushi chefs, the truck offers top quality, highly affordable, made-to-order sushi inspired by the sushi carts of ancient Japan. The surprisingly vast menu features temari — little balls of rice topped with fish. All rolls emanate from one of four bases — California, spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, vegetable — to produce innovative selections like the Long Beach and signature Fish Lips roll. With fish coming straight from distributors and everything made from scratch, the truck delivers sushi on par with that of top-notch competitors at a street food price. To top it all off, orders are nicely garnished, neatly packaged, and graciously served, making for the perfect “fast-food” alternative for health-conscious and convenience-oriented Los Angelenos.

If in Los Angeles, you can track Fishlips’ location via their website and Twitter to find when it’s coming to a location near you: http://www.fishlips-sushi.com

If you’ve spent any time in San Francisco’s Mission District, you know that it’s an enclave characterized by artful bohemia, hipster cool, and worldly Latin heat. So it’s no surprise that Lolo’s Mexican-Turkish small plates have captured a loyal following among those who appreciate surprising culinary offerings. The taco tropical (panko and spice-dusted shrimp, topped with a tropical relish), octopus tiradito, and duck confit with corn tortillas and grapefruit-jalapeno sauce are some of the interesting small plates worth savoring. The front dining room is intimate and subdued, while the rear room is a colorful space decorated with lively mix of pop art and art deco. Grab a seat along the bar and take advantage of Lolo’s extensive wine list, and be sure to chat up the friendly staff and owners, all Guadalajara natives. From the food to the drink, you’re in for an evening steeped in unexpected flavors and textures, and judging from the locale, you should expect nothing less.

3230 22nd Street    415.643.5656

Inspired by traditional cantinas serving comida corrida, or “fast food”, Mexican street food eatery La Superior in Williamsburg delivers Mexican standards like tacos and chicken enchiladas, and lesser known delicacies like salpicon shredded beef salad from the Yucatan, and cameron pibil, marinated shrimp over plantains and wrapped in a banana leaf. The food lives up to its boastful name but it’s the down-home neighborhood appeal and low prices that keep it lively. Regulars include Mexico City transplants, Williamsburg artists, and downtown Manhattanites looking for a true Mexican fix. Co-owners behind this festive space like to keep their recipes rich, their décor minimal, and their clientele coming back for more. That’s not to say that designer details go remiss. Check out the hand-blown light fixtures, the custom screened wallpaper, the kitschy plastic table wear — all imported from Mexico, just like the chef. A liquor license for beer, tequila, and margaritas is forthcoming.

295 Berry St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn     718 388 5988

In 2002, French master chef Pierre Gagnaire adapted an international menu from his Michelin three-star-rated Paris establishment for the quadruple threat that is London’s Sketch: an art gallery, bar, and restaurant with some members-only club spaces. A space-age, mostly white décor, complete with igloo-shaped bars, projected video art installations (that change every few weeks), and attractive wait staff make Sketch a consistent, high-end favorite of locals and travelers with an affinity for quirk and creativity. Attire is dressy, but not black tie. Perennial favorites include: a classic ceviche, venison with poached pear in red wine, and desserts that match the atmosphere’s funky, innovative bent — like “bubble gum ice cream with lemon Wurtz, orange blossom marshmallow, panna cotta, and crispy green tea.” Sketch’s mixed drinks and wine are considered expensive even by London standards, but are exquisitely paired with the seasonal menu by exacting sommeliers.

9 Conduit Street    +0870.777.4488

Hidden deep in San Francisco’s industrial SoMa district, Bossa Nova redefines favela chic. Inspired by the vibrant ghetto culture synonymous with Rio de Janeiro’s hillside communities, this soulful Brazilian lounge feels like a classic, tropical dancehall, where beautiful people come to celebrate life with sumptuous food, strong drinks, good company, and amazing rhythms. The creative, small plates arouse the senses with bold flavors and rich textures, such as Brazil nut-crusted queijo (goat cheese) with sweet cipollini onion jam, hamachi tiradito with rocoto chili and yuzu dressing, and steamed mussels with spicy tomato and cilantro in a coconut milk broth. Bossa’s signature Leblon caipirinha comes in classic (fiery cachaça, agave nectar, and crushed lime wedges), as well as luscious mango, raspberry, and passion fruit renditions. This hip and cozy space is lined with geometric cinderblocks on one end, and breezy windows with rough-hewn, wooden shutters on the other. True to its Brasileiro roots, the pulsating samba beats keep hips shaking until late, making Bossa Nova the most vibrant and sensual experience around.

139 8th Street   415 558 8008

It’s hard to understand why, with so many Francophiles running about, there aren’t more French restaurants in Los Angeles. Where are the bistros, those hearty, easy to love spots that seem to be on every corner of Manhattan? David Myer, the brainchild behind Sona, must have asked himself the same question and opened Comme Ça as an answer. Not only is the food, which is on the traditional tip, lip-smacking, but the scene is grand cru people watching. Staples such as soupe à l’oignon share space on the menu with richer partners like roast beef marrow with oxtail jam and arguably the city’s best bouillabaisse. Every dish uses first-class, fresh ingredients that make all the difference. The best spot is the black and white dining room, complete with a small bar, tufted leather banquettes, and a fromager station, but any table will do as long as there’s an order of their addictive fries on it. Sometimes, the place may be a bit loud or crowded, but what kind of brasserie would it be otherwise? Myers has, thankfully, imported a hip, casually French aesthetic to a city that was screaming Allez, s’il vous plait.

8479 Melrose Ave   323 782 1178

Lebanese mega-diner Ilili delivers on all the noteworthy virtues of a lavish dinning experience: high design, impeccable service, and a gourmet twist to classic dishes. Upon entry, one is struck by the richness of texture — from the shapely red dining chairs to the wood paneled walls and granite flooring — commingling with reflections of candlelight in the glass and flatware. The cuisine, by chef-owner Philippe Massoud, is a nod to traditional Lebanese fare but modernized by fusion concepts. Fortunately, the menu specializes in mezza, or small plates, because everything from the daily hummus specials, to the seared Branzini with sweet sesame and orange to the moist beef shawarma — is a feast of spices and flavor, and it’s great to come with a group that loves to try a bit of everything. Sweet manna, indeed!

236 5th Avenue    +212 683 2929

Everything about this East Hollywood neighborhood eatery is diminutive: the ingredient-focused menu, the ten-seat bar, and even the physical layout. But this only adds to the comfort and sophistication. In fact, Little Dom’s delivers high on class with old-world charm, with a décor of stained-glass windows, pinewood floors, parochial green booths in the bar area and classic rounded, red booths in the main dinning room. The menu flourishes on the simple approach of local and seasonal ingredients turned Italian. For starters, try the rice balls or the tuna crudo with Meyer lemon pesto and giant lima beans. Main courses like the whitefish picatta and the grilled hangar steak with spinach and crispy mushrooms deliver on taste while the wine list praises Italian regions. For all its simplicity, it’s still a scene, and LA scenesters do flock here.

2128 Hillhurst Avenue    +323 661 0055